October 2017 Chemo Starters

[Patchworkgirl]

Hi CK, welcome...thank you for the help you can give us....can I ask did you get heartburn at all? had such severe sickness yesterday ended up having the out of hours district nurse out after 5 bouts in 5 hours, sicking tablets back up and had an injection in my thigh...today I feel really nauseous but wasnt sick, but managed to eat a tiny bit, Emend doesnt even seem to be working...I am getting heartburn now, severe aching legs, flushed face and skin is like it has been in stinging nettles, lets hope day 3 is better lol.  

[SueW]

Hi ck I will do recruiting lol x will start a new thread when it gets nearer and I will invite everyone as all will be welcome to join us x will have to see how many rooms at hotel etc and play the cancer card see if we get a discount xx

[Patchworkgirl]

Good luck for Thursday Sam34.  Hope your cold clears up.  Day 2 of my chemo and after a severe day of sickness yesterday, not been sick today, felt very nauseous with heartburn and leg aches but still cant eat much.  I seem to have felt a lot sicker than many so my advice is to try and get some good anti sickness in place just in case you are unlucky.  

[Patchworkgirl]

Good luck with everything Runnerbean.  I was dreading thr picc line as they can never find a vein usually but this is different.  First you have an ultrasound to see if it can be done, after that you are given a local aneasthetic and I just felt a bit of discomfort, a pushing sensation, you then have an heart scan to check it is away from your heart, all done whilst lying on the bed,  I didnt look and it was done very quickly.  It is not a problem once in it doesn't restrict your arm movements.  I just have to have blood thinners as I have a clotting condition.  Mine is going to be flushed every week at the hospital.  Easy to get the chemo through it.  

[CK]

Hi ladies! I'm like Ali49, Sept group but I'm gonna join you on here now and then to see if can help with my experiences...but I will do it quitely so you dont throw me off:):)
Good luck and best wishes to all you October starters! SueW, you need to round up a few more spa ladies for when we are mended!!!😘😘😘

[Sam34]

Ye I've had the flu jab xx

[Ali49]

Day 3 and not too bad. Awake from 1am due to steroids and just couldnt get back to sleep. Got up and had tea and toast. Went back for a couple of hours this morning and felt better. Did my first injection and that was easy. Ivtook it out of the fridge and took 2 paracetamol half an hour before jabbing it!! I havent been dressed today but i have done the washing, hung it out and done ironing. I am glowing with the steroids and i have been the loo!!! Hope everyone is feeling better and ok xx

[Reboot]

Thank you Rosie, and good evening to everyone x

I hadn't appreciated how tired I was before I started my chemo to be honest, so I think that's why this week has been more tiring than I'd expected. I do so need to learn how to ask for help though!!

Hope everyone has relaxing weekends xx

[SueW]

Hi Sam hope your feeling better soon have you had flu jab? X
Runnetbean I am actually considering asking for picc in all of this the needles etc don’t bother me but I hate canula with a passion and cry every time I have to have one x

[Sam34]

Hey everyone not been on for a couple of days

Hope your all well? I'm full of a cold 😢

I start chemo Thursday 5th xx

[Runnerbean]

Evening ladies, I am due to start my chemo next week. Assessment Monday, PICC line Tuesday and first chemo Friday. I am on holiday at the minute due to fly home tomorrow then straight into the next stage of my treatment. I'm worried about the PICC line as I am scared of needles and pass out at the sight of blood. Hoping it's not as bad as I fear!

[Marg]

Thank you Rosie for posting here your news about having come through the chemo gives us all such a lift : thank you xxxx

[rosie14]

Hi Reboot

I am so sorry that you find yourself on this thread when recently recovering from having a baby! 

The chemo treatment will pass and being here on this thread will help you through the journey as you share the ups and down side with the other ladies going through the same experiences. I am from the April 14 thread. Five of us still post regularly on the thread and we have had 3 meet ups! We share so much more than cancer now and have become very much a part of each other's lives.

Our chemo started in April 14 and 3 years later we have all made a good recovery our hair has grown and we are getting on with our lives. Some of the ladies worked through their chemo. 

I hope that you have family and friends to help out with the children when you are feeling tired!

Look after yourself!

[SueW]

I have just sat wrapping presents ready for my baby boy birthday tomorrow.... we’ll i say baby he is 6ft 2 with size 13 feet lol and is going to be 21 he gets mad when I tell him he is still my baby 🤣🤣

[Ali49]

Chaffinch glad you like your new hairdo. SueW hope she finds it useful. Reboot hope you feel better tomorrow. On we all go hey girls xx

[Reboot]

Evening ladies!
Chaffinch, I had my hair cut short today too. Such an odd feeling coming away with a completely new do when I've had the same style for years!
I've felt a bit useless these past couple of days and looking forward to heading upwards tomorrow 🙂
Best wishes to everyone xx

[SueW]

Hi Ali

Ps thanks for other info have passed it all on to my daughter she is going to look into it before she makes any decisions I told her I have your friends email address if she wants to contact her too xx

[SueW]

Evening ladies
Nothing to say other than hope your all ok xx

[Chaffinch17]

I hope that you continue to do ok Ali49.
I have had my hair cut short today. My hairdresser was quite reluctant at first but then her creative juices started to flow and she got quite excited. There can't be many opportunities for a very experienced hairdresser with the same clients week in week out to be given free reign to do what she likes and not have to worry about her client having to live with the consequences for long 😉
I am quite pleased with it everyone says that I look younger which is nice.

[Ali49]

 
Hi all. Hope everyone is doing ok.
Day 2 and i have been ok! Up, showered and dressed by 9. Took my tablets and had breakfast. Made dinner for tonight and tomorrow. Sat and nattered with my auntie and went to M and S for a few bits and treated my daughters head for nits - the joys of going to an all girls school!! I've Just had tea and sitting down. I have sucked lots of sweets, had jelly, did my mouthwash and drank lots. So a bit jittery, a dry mouth and a bit tired but otherwise ok. THANK YOU GOD xx

[WhyteFawn]

I think you do get use to them SueW. Lost count of how many times I've had injections, blood tests and cannulas. I'm more surprised that they didn't put the chemo drugs through and they all squirt out of the many holes in my arms lol. Cannula finally went in on 4th attempt today so covered in little plasters.

Cassie x

[SueW]

rest when you need to 😄
Just got back from flu jab didn’t hurt think I am becoming immune to needles lol I used to be such a wuss too xx

[WhyteFawn]

Back home now. Bit tired but otherwise all ok. Hope everyone else is ok? Hope you get on ok Vee

Cassie x

[WhyteFawn]

I'm sure you will all the staff were lovely and tried to make you as comfortable as possible. But it's really nothing to worry about. The whole experience was ok. You basically just sit there anyway lol. Almost home x

[SueW]

That’s nice hope we get the same x

[WhyteFawn]

Yeah there's tea coffee biscuits sweets sandwiches. Waitress service from a lovely volunteer.

Cassie x

[SueW]

Hi Cassie x hope it’s going well
Do you get a cup of tea of coffee if not I willl be going via coffee shop lol x

[WhyteFawn]

Having chemo right now! Thought I'd drop a message in. On the last drug of FEC not too long now x

[SueW]

Flu jab at 1.30 mom coming to hold my hand lol x

[Jencat]

Hi Sue, I had my flu jab last Saturday and it was fine xx (I did cry on the nurse though!)

[Reboot]

That's what I've been told, if one antisickness doesn't work for you, they have others they can try. Also try to eat something to subside nausea like dry biscuits or dry toast first and then take the tablets. I've been getting on fine like that 🙂
Also don't keep quiet about side effects, call with any questions. They'd rather you ask x

[Patchworkgirl]

To be honest Chaffinch17 I was expecting the opposite too, havent got anything in for diarrhoea so must get it in, will have to see which way I go.  I have been given Emend a good anti sickness from reading on here, one tablet to take before my treatment and one for the 2 days after, along with mouthwash.  

[Patchworkgirl]

Aw that's great to read Ali49 and reassuring, thank you! Look after yourself 

[Patchworkgirl]

Thank you SueW....yes am prepared as much as I can be.  

[Chaffinch17]

Good luck to everyone starting today, hope the side effects aren't too bad for you all. Keep in touch when you can. I am having my flu jab on Saturday morning. Was just told to tell them that I was about to start chemo.
I have been reading the September thread and diarrhoea seems to be quite a problem with a lot of people having to take Imodium. I am expecting the opposite problem because I am usually more that way but who knows!
The other thing that comes through loud and clear is don't suffer in silence. If you are bothered by bad sickness or other side effects, make sure you contact your team because they can usually adjust your meds to help you out.

[SueW]

Well done ali and thank you for posting such a reassuring comment x
Hope you manage plenty of rest x

[Ali49]

 

Ali49 

Member

3:57 PM

Hi All, first chemo done and it was fine. Had the cannula in and then sat there chatting while the different drugs and flushes went in. It was all very calm and organised. Apt was 10am and i was finished by 12.30. Had a cup of tea and biscuits during it too. Came home and had chicken soup!! Just feel a bit tired now. People starting tomorrow it will be fine. Nurses are so good and reassuring. Sending you all a hug xx

[SueW]

I am sure it will be fine 😄
Are you prepared for tomorrow? X

[Patchworkgirl]

Hi SueW, I havent felt ill at all, my injection site has been aching  but I had it in my derrière as had the PICC line in one arm, and surgery under the other arm.  Good luck with it x 

[Patchworkgirl]

I feel a bit like that Cassie, the sooner we start the sooner we can finish xx 

[SueW]

I have booked my flu jab for tomorrow x never had 1 before do they make you feel ill after? X

[Reboot]

Hi Whytefawn, all the best for your first one, and take it easy on yourself for the first few days. I realise now I should have been resting much more than I have done!

At least if you are delayed, you know it's in your best interests xx I'm so conscious that we're heading into winter with all the bugs around and I'll be delayed at some point too.

[WhyteFawn]

Hi Patchworkgirl I'm in to see oncologist at 8.30 then start chemo sometimes after. I'm ready to get it done now!

[SueW]

Ali sorry typo x

[SueW]

Sli hope to hear from you later if you are well enough xx

[Patchworkgirl]

Hi Cassie, snap my first session of chemo is tomorrow too, I go at 9.30 am.  Sending all best wishes for your first session.  

[Patchworkgirl]

Good luck for today Ali49 xx 

[SueW]

Cassie good luck for tomorrow let us know how you get on x

[WhyteFawn]

Hi Reboot glad your first one went ok. Gives me hope for my first one tomorrow. Though I am getting nervous now. Though I've had bloods done this morning and I think I'm more worried that they'll say they can't do it and need to postpone.

Cassie x

[Sue C]

Morning Ladies

Just wanted to welcome Marg to the group. Marg try to take one day at a time, and then one treatment at a time, otherwise it can feel overwhelming.

Ali hope it goes OK today. Take it easy over the next few days.

Best wishes

Sue xx