Oh, my pube discussion was on the September thread so maybe I do have one side effect: chemo brain!!
😬
Evening Karana
Yes, what a strangely bonding experience going through cancer treatment is. As you say, discussing my pube status with complete strangers who, in the space of a few short weeks, have become close confidantes.
Re. teetotal I've had no booze since September 16th (not that I'm counting!!) I love my cocktails but have decided I'm going to try and stack every card in my favour. No booze during treatment. (Maybe a glass at Christmas and my birthday.) But I'm going to research the very best mocktail recipes. I think I've always liked classic cocktails due to the interesting flavour combinations so I'm sure with a little effort I can create that aspect sans l'alcool.
Oh and I'm having a Think Pink party in the pub next Friday, have started selling raffles tickets today, better make sure I get some raffle prizes!! Also gonna wear a pink wig!! If anyone's in the Norwich area feel free to pop in 💖🦄 🎂
Only just managed to catch up on this afternoons/this eves posts and would like to say thank you for putting a smile on my face...it's so refreshing being able to converse with people that are going through, feeling & thinking the same!!! When else in life will we be able to discuss pubes falling out with people we've never met (by the way I also haven't shaved mine coz want to see when they start falling out, bizarre I know!!)
Ive had a good day again today, went out for coffee with a couple of good friends and actually felt like I was a normal person!! Only strange thing is my speech, I keep having to really concentrate on what I'm saying, it's a bit like when you've had 1 too many wines but your trying to act sober!! Talking of wine i still haven't had any and don't even fancy it, that's 8 days without an alcoholic drink which is very unlike me, has anyone else become tea total?
Good of luck again for starters tomorrow xxx
Good luck Sue. I'm sure you'll take it totally in your stride as you did shaving your hair. And my very best wishes to anyone else starting their chemo. I promise you it won't be anywhere near as bad as you've built it up to be in your head.
🍒 Bakewell xx
Ali, I'm cold capping so in denial and trying to hang on to it! I keep hoping it'll be ok, but expecting it won't as I wasn't that confident that the fit of the cap was right or that they left it on for long enough (I had trouble as the first machine wasn't working and I only realised after 10-15 mins of having it on). Then there was a lot of faffing about switching machines, so not really sure what time I ended up getting it on. Anyway, I'm picking up my wig tomorrow and I have some hats, although not really sure about the hats (they seem too close fitting and make me look like I have a pea head and that's with all my hair still). I like your positive thoughts though so I'm going to pinch them and if my hair goes then I'll think of it as the leaves!
Ali, I like that thought about the hair going with leaves and coming back with the flowers. Very timely how lucky for us to be able to make that positive and lovely analogy!
Hi Meesh
Good to hear that you didn't have too many side effects after your first sesh. Bodes very well as the nurse told me yesterday that your reaction to the first round tends to set a pattern for the following one but the side effects are usually fewer and milder the second time. Fingers crossed for you xx
Hi Cherry Bakewell sorry but that really made me laugh, I'm sure it can't have been a very nice experience but I can just imagine an Argos trainee digging for potatoes in your veins! It's encouraging to hear you feel equally well after your second session. I too didn't really suffer too much after my first one so hoping for the same when I have my second in a couple of weeks. They also had trouble with the cannula in my hand (no trouble finding the vein or putting it in, just decided they wasn't happy with it) and opted to put it direct into my arm. The guy who put the one in my arm was brilliant there was no bruise at all and I didn't feel a thing! I hope it continues to go well for you.
Evening Ladies
Not sure whether I should be posting here or in September starters but I know quite a few of you on here so I thought I'd just post a quick update on my 2nd chemo sesh. Couldn't post yesterday as I went out for dinner after my treatment (yeah, getting a bit cocky now!! 🤗)
As with last time the actual treatment day was somewhat eventful. I had a trainee chemo nurse putting my cannula in, unfortunately she made a bit of a bodge of her first attempt and I nearly passed out!! And cos she'd hurt the first vein she then had to inject the epirubicin (the scary, potentially flesh burning red drug) manually with a big plastic syringe which was pretty uncomfortable too. Not convinced she totally knew what she was doing. When I almost fainted she tried to take my blood pressure on my leg but that didn't seem to work either. I suspect she's actually a trainee at Argos but somehow ended up at Clatterbridge...
The magnificent news for all of you in the Cold Cap Club is that this time the cap was a much less harrowing ordeal. I think my electric throw really helped and I'd upped my painkillers from paracetamol to cocodamol.
Unbelievable really that it wasn't as bad because due to all the faffing about with my newby nurse I must've had it on for 4 and three quarter hours!!! 🙄 I better not lose one single strand this cycle!!!
Today, very little to report. Feel totally normal - not even my rosy cheeks this time. The only low point was having to attend a meeting with a new client and explain that I don't usually pitch up at meetings looking like I'm sleeping in the woods. I'm just glad that during my last oncologist appointment she announced that my lump had shrunk by half a centimetre or I'd honestly question whether the chemo was working!!
Anyway, glad to see you're all perky as usual. Really sorry to hear about your picc line Runnerbean. I decided against one of those and despite my nurse apparently digging for potatoes in my veins yesterday, I'm still going to persevere with the cannulas now.
Cherry Bakewell xx
Very best wishes tomorrow sue w on the start of your new journey, and also to other ladies xx
Thanks for the best wishes for tomorrow, my chemo is at 11.30am. It is reassuring we all together on this 'chemocoaster' now the time is nearing I am terrified but your support means everything.
I will be drinking gallons of tap water tomorrow & over the weekend!
I also had a problem with my picc line overnight like Runnerbean, hope you are ok now by the way.
After having it put in yesterday I had a 4 hour wait in my local a&e, my arm & fingers swelled I couldnt remove my wedding rings from my finger, after an examination I was sent home, the swelling has reduced today & seen a district nurse today & had numerous calls from the oncolgy nurses, I will be exmained tomorrow before the chemo too.
Love to all xxx
Cassie, I have only been shaving one armpit since my surgery as the guff I read said I shouldn't shave it anymore due to risk of infection in case you get a cut. Not that I've ever cut my armpits shaving but you know there's always a first time and it was bound to happen! Then I stopped shaving my legs and the other armpit because was told shouldn't when on chemo for same reason. I haven't bothered with my eyebrows for ages either as I figured they'd probably fall out. So I look a right hairy state at the moment! I also popped on one of the monthly threads the other day and someone was talking about tamoxifen giving you facial hair, so I'm guessing I could end up looking like a bald hairy monkey with a beard too if my facial hair grows quicker than that on my head!
Hi Runnerbean, sorry to hear you've had a rough time of it. I agree it is important to get things checked out if you're worried or not sure. That's what they get paid for, that's what my bcn nurse said they get paid to take care of our worries. My OH got a bit annoyed with me because I've phoned the oncology nurse about 4 times in the last week all about minor things but you just never know and I'd rather get things sorted quickly than let them escalate. Since I told him that some of you have ended up in hospital he has been a bit more understanding and asked me to phone them today to see if I could catch the flu from him when he has his flu jab Monday!
chaffinch, have you tried the September forum re: CK? When was her 2nd chemo?
SueW, wow that was really brave and also a really good post too!
Cassie, Claire, I'm a few days behind you and still have all my hair at the moment. Knowing my luck I'll lose it from my head (even though I'm cold capping) and keep it from the neck down, I'll look like a bald hairy monkey!
Yes definitely best wishes to all of you starting tomorrow, hope the chemo treats you as kindly as possible. Just remember that the rest of us will all be thinking of you.
I hope many of us are finding this forum a little safe haven in the storm of chaos and uncertainty that goes with being diagnosed and treated for cancer. I know it has helped me so much by providing hope, some laughs and helps me feel a little less lonely. The success of all that is down to people sharing their experiences, tips and thoughts so thank you girls, you are all fabulous!