October 2017 Chemo Starters

[Meesh73]

Ruth, meant to ask you if you managed your run yesterday? How did you get on?

[Runnerbean]

Evening ladies, hope you have all had lovely weekends. I’m just reading about the injections and can’t get my head around why it seems different for all of us even when we are all on the fec-t. I had 7 days worth which I couldn’t do myself so my husbands been doing them. I also now have the daily bloodthining one for the DVT,s as well. It’s all gone a bit wrong tonight with one side swelling up in a weird way and the other deciding to start bleeding. Think it’s freaked my husband out he’s gone for a walk to clear his head! Thank god it’s the last night of needing the 2. I actually feel pretty good today on day 9 only needed a short afternoon nap so hopefully I am starting to recover from the first session now xx

[Ruth07]

Hi Shi and Jencat I am tn too. Sorry you are having such a tough time Shi.
My BRCA test is early Nov. I am 44 and turns out I have family history of breast and ovary - not that I knew until I filled in the genetics questionnaire. Funny the things your family don't tell you! Turns out Great grandmother had bc and died at 39, then we can trace it back in every generation including my cousin who is my age 😞 wish someone had told me and I would have taken the gene test years ago!
I'm post surgery FEC-T like you Shi - are you as well Jencat?
Have been a bit fixated on my tn status to be honest and using the nervous energy to focus on food and diet which I think can really impact tn as it is very metabolic (and less hormonal). Nice to find some tn companionship and sparkles 🙂

[Meesh73]

Cassie, I find it interesting too. I guess maybe they really do tailor the treatment to the individual. I wonder if it depends on your blood results, your type if bc and what other treatments your having. Probably also depends on what they can afford.

Karana, looked up the Tropics range (never heard of it before), looks amazing. I've been having a go at homemade concoctions, so I know exactly what's in them. Made a facial cleanser/ toner out of rose water, Witch hazel and vegetable glycerin which is pretty good!

[WhyteFawn]

It is strange how everyone gets different drugs to take home. I had 5 injections after first FEC. Only came home with anti sickness whereas a lot of people came home with steroids too. I only had steroids to take before next chemo but none after.

[Meesh73]

I love the sparkles too!

[DizzyBrummie]

And I love the sparkles x

[DizzyBrummie]

Shi, i hate needles too but self injection was ok. I was very surprised. 

[Shi]

Dizzybrummie, 1 injection, lucky you on that 😛it is so different for all of us. Don’t know about anyone else, I never knew there were so many types of bc either till it’s happening to you, that was another thing to get head round as if we weren’t all in spin cycle in our heads anyway. Love and sparkles 💕✨shi, I send sparkles and sprinkling of sparkles to everyone all the time because I’m determind to keep sparkling through to keep the twinkle alive ✨✨💕🦋🌈shi xx

[Shi]

Hi suew yes nurse did them between 3 and 5 so wonder if because not same time every day and so late is why I’ve ended up here. I’m needle phobic, but i’ll Bite the bullet and do them myself if it stops this happening again, ali did that happen to you too? Just curious if it’s you and me who have ended up in hospital in first fec chemo. Love and sparkles shi xx

[DizzyBrummie]

I was only given one injection to bring home for WBC did that yesterday after 24 hours post chemo. It’s odd how it’s different for everyone even on FEC.

[SueW]

I have said I will inject my self so have got the jabs here
If I struggle my hubby is s diabetic and will do them for me
My nurse said it is essential that are done at the same time every day x

[Shi]

Sound like ali and I have been the ones with the white cells taking a holiday. How’s ali doing now? My nurse didn’t come till 5pm to do injection, I think I’d have been better off having them earlier in the day, what kind of time did everyone else get their injections? I just wondered for next time. Thanks everyone. Love and sparkles ✨💕🦋🌈shi xx

[Meesh73]

Chaffinch, meant to say you sound like you have an amazing hubby! My OH is great and does do quite a bit round the house compared to others, but as soon as he could see I was ok he gave me a kick up the bum and had me back to my normal housework duties! 

[Meesh73]

That's strange because Ali also had the injections and also ended up in hospital with an infection and low wbc. Perhaps I'm glad not to have the injections! Guess time will tell when I go for my blood test next Monday, prior to my next chemo on Tues 24th.

[Shi]

Hi meesh yes 5 injections after fec to boost white cells... fat lot of good they did eh for me, my went on holiday for a bit longer than they should have. No t, lucky you😁 mai7 told me there is 7 injections to have after that, so t people in waiting once we’re through the fec, more daily injections 😁 I’ve got 2 more fec and then 3 t, at the moment, what’s everyone else having? Love and sparkles shi ✨💕🦋🌈xx

[SueW]

they asda bras come in smal medium and large 

I am 42d and the large fit great x 

[Meesh73]

Hi Shi, I didn't have them before first session they gave them to me on the day in a drip beforehand (like SueW). However, I do have them now with instructions for my next session so won't have the drip next time. Not sure why, just the way my hospital does things I guess. I also didn't get any daily injections to do either like some on here, again I guess it's just how my hospital works. I am only only fec so won't be having the t part don't know if that makes a difference. Glad to hear it looks like you'll be able to go home soon.

[Shi]

Meesh73 you should have been given an antisickness to take 1hr before chemo if on fec-t have you got that sorted yet? Jencat, even if you are negative for the gene, the girls potentially could get it from dad, i’ll Let you know in December my results. Has anyone heard from chaffinch? My neutraphils have gone up to 1, so hopefully they are on the way up and i’ll Be able to go home mom or tue. Thanks everyone, casa nhs is doable with everyone on the forum. Love and sparkles to everyone✨✨💕🦋🌈shi xx

[Meesh73]

That sounds like really good value SueW the m&s one was £25 I think, luckily I had a gift voucher so used that. 

[SueW]

Post surgery Bra on asda website front fastening 2 for £15 had them delivered to my local store very good too x

[Meesh73]

Thanks Cassie, so I've get a couple of days to go!

Shi, yes was good of them to tell me and supply the laxido. It was the only thing that they gave me (along with a thermometer) from my oncology appointment. I was a bit worried as quite a few on here were given anti-sickness stuff to take prior to their chemo and all I got was some laxatives! Hope you're stay at casa nhs is brief and you can get back home soon.

Hope everyone's having a good day and enjoying the sunshine!

[Jencat]

Hi Shi, I've been referred for testing, but they said it isn't urgent because of my age (I'm 58) and there's no history of bc or ovarian cancer in the family. I think they said I'm low risk, but I will take the test if offered for as you say, don't want to take any chances and I've got two daughters, so I need to know for them. It's a long time to wait for results if you don't find out until Dec, hoping your results will be fine xx 

[Shi]

Meesh73 you were lucky to be told, if I’d not met mai7, I’d have been backed up. Hope everyone else already got told about things for that, might be just where mai7 and I are that they forget to mention it as mai7 found this trick out for helself at the start of her chemo trip and then kindly told me so it didn’t happen to me. Wish I was out walking instead of casa nhs, still just got told neutraphils up to 1. That’ll be the 2 nhs shepherds pies and puddings I had yesterday, so hopefully they’ll continue to rise so I can go home. Love and sparkles to everyone ✨💕🦋🌈shi xx

[WhyteFawn]

Hi Meesh. Body hair started to go about day 14. Head hair started to go a couple of days ago. I'm now on day 18. In particular the hair around the edges is falling out first. My widows peak and flattened out. Trying to resist the temptation to touch it tho it is starting to feel a little itchy and the follicles hurt a bit.
Cassie x

[Meesh73]

Cassie, I've also been out this morning it's lovely and warm if a little breezy. How is your hair faring? What day did you start losing body hair? I'm day 12 and so far everything is staying put!

Sam34, how is your hair, you cold capped like me didn't you?

[Meesh73]

Shi, I was given laxido to take and told to take twice a day the day after chemo if I didn't go as normal. Was told to keep taking them until it was back to normal to avoid the "back up" as you put it. I did as was told and didn't suffer with any problems. 

[Shi]

Hi jenkat, I’ve just left on and massaged, think mai7 took hers off during fec but she did say nails fragile and discoloured on fec. Yes I’m tn, have you been Barca tested. With my mum being braces neg and it’s bc that’s on that side I thought I’d be ok. Because on dads side it was lung, bowel and liver I didn’t suspect for a send I’d get poss gene from dad. I get results in dec. I’ve already had op in Aug, but if I’ve got the gene then it’s everything off please doctors and ovaries out too as soon as they can. I want to do all I can to keep it away. Do your family have history? Love shi 💕🦋✨🌈xx

[Meesh73]

Dizzie, I too have gone short, although not ultra short (back is short, bit longer on top and on the sideburns) look a bit like an imp! Everyone seems to think it suits me and I'm fairly happy with it. My low poo regime prior to all this certainly improved the condition of my hair and it was super shiny too!

[Shi]

Hi everyone another tip for fec that mai advised, start taking a senokot on day 3/4 at night after chemo, stops any back up, sorry everyone no other way to put it. Mai advised t does the opposite and i’ll Share tips on that when mai tells me, she’s getting us through the fec bit just now, thank goodness for mai7 and all the May chemo starters is all I can say, they have been a godsend ✨💕🦋🌈love and sparkles shi xx

[Jencat]

Thanks for the nail info Shi. Do you take the varnish off to massage the oil into the nails or leave the nail varnish on continusly? I see you mention a book about tnbc, are you tn? I am xx

[Meesh73]

Oh also meant to say about post surgery bras. I hadn't found this forum at that point, no-one gave any advice about post surgery bras at all! Knew they couldn't be wired so bought some wire free ones from Tesco (only place I could find any in my size). They were ok and I'm still wearing them now, but I wish I'd known about the zip up front ones in m&s. I found them about 3 weeks after surgery and Shi is right I did find them more comfortable as they offer more support. I had tried to wear a normal sports vest with built in bra but it has to over your head and that can be tricky post surgery.

[WhyteFawn]

Just been out for a walk with the dog. It's nice out but a bit windy. I could imagine my hair blowing away with every gust lol.

Excited about Look Good Feel Better course tomorrow morning. Got my remaining good days before back for chemo 2 on Thursday.

Hope everyone is having a good Sunday
Cassie x

[DizzyBrummie]

Meesh, I’m curly too but have gone short. I got some shampoo in the gift bag too so might try it. My curly hair got greasy on day 2 normally.

I’m going to go no shampoo for now and see what happens. I might only be able to cope for a few days 😊. If the cold cap doesn’t work I guess it won’t be an issue.

[Meesh73]

Sorry also meant to say, Welcome Shi, sorry to see you here on the chemo train but thank you for the tip off something to keep in mind! Chaffinch hope you're ok! How're are your tingling fingers now?

[Meesh73]

Cherry, I'm doing fecx6 and seemed to have got away lightly so far, so fingers crossed it continues!

[Meesh73]

Karana, thanks for the tip off about tropics I'll definitely give them a look. My mascara is paraben free not sure what make it was (nit tropics though) but bought it in Superdrug. I also read a while back that castor oil is good for lashes and eyebrows I've bought some so might try that. I've been using weleda products for quite a while now as I was concerned about parabens and sls. I also found a website (living naturally) that also do some good products and where I get my deodorant and shampoo. 

Dizzie, I too am cold capping and only washing my hair once a week, I use a weleda shampoo and conditioner and do it in the shower using a jug so it's gentler.  Like Cherry I am a curly and so my hair also doesn't really get greasy. I also looked into the "no poo" thing a while back but settled for washing twice a week (once with just conditioner and once with a natural shampoo & conditioner, as washing with just conditioner is supposed to be good for us curlies). For styling I'm using a homemade concoction (coconut oil, shea butter & aloe Vera gel) that I've been using for a while but I'm just using a tiny amount to take the edge off the frizz. I'm day 12 after chemo and due to wash my hair again tomorrow, wish me luck!

[Shi]

Hi everyone, big list below of some of what my lovely mai7 from May chemo ladies passed onto me no grapefruit during chemo and no garlic on the t bit, fever tree aromatic tonic tastes like g&t but has no alcohol, keep spreadsheet during chemo so you can keep records of temp how you feel etc each cycle, Epsom salt bath for aches and pains on t bit, mai7 used cod solar oil on her cuticles and a couple of books Emma hannigan all to live for, she’s seen it off 10 times in 10 years and Patricia prijatel surviving tn, she is tn survivor. Like I said, thank goodness that I met mai7 at my first chemo and she took me under her wing and the May ladies have been kind and let me join their forum too. Hope this helps anyone out who’s interested. Love and sparkles shi ✨💕🦋🌈 xx

[Shi]

Hi jencat, is painted mine ready for when I started fec, I met mai7 who was just finishing hers and had kept all her nails and she said it’s the t part, but the fec can give you ridges and things and discolouration too, also mai7 said to massage oil into your cuticles to help preserve nails through whole fec-t. I’m using vitamin e oil from H&b, good luck with starting tomorrow, don’t let my stumble at 1st chemo put you off, the May chemo ladies have been my saviours thank goodness I met mai7 as she was finishing chemo and I was starting, they have really saved me and so lovely and kind and knowledgeable and amazing helping me on this chemo journey. 💕✨🦋🌈love and sparkles shi xx

[Shi]

Chaffinch are you ok? Just checking to see how you are. Love shi 🦋💕✨xx

[Jencat]

Hi Shi, I'm starting chemo tomorrow-fec and then t. I was going to paint my nails ready for tomorrow, but is it only the t that affects them? xx

[DizzyBrummie]

Oh. On post surgery bras. I bought quite a few from Marks but have only used one as my surgeon insisted on vests only for the first four weeks. I’ll dig out the ones not used if anyone is interested. No charge as they’re no use to me. Probably around 36Bs to 38B or C.

[Shi]

Sorry last line should have read pumpkin carving for your family, predictive text changed it again. I’ve still got lashes and brows too on day 11. 😘shi xx

[DizzyBrummie]

That explains the black nail polish in my chemogiftbag!

[Shi]

Hi dizzy brummie, I’m 11 days after 1st fec no cold cap and still have hair, just been washing in paraben free baby shampoo. I chopped too before chemo, so when it comes out won’t faze me. If anyone’s going into t after the fec a tip for preserving nails is black nail polish. A lady just finishing hers has kept all her nails 😁apparently it’s days 7-14 of cycle when neutrophils can get low so please be vigilant any chills, flushes or anything rapid response, as i chemo novice and this my first time too and no temperatures I thought I was doing ok. Love and sparkles 💕✨✨to everyone and enjoy your shopping, this lovely weather and dizzybrum, you could shrek for Halloween if your unkind carving for family 😘shi xx

[DizzyBrummie]

Yeah success is minimal but I’ll take it as I really didn’t mind the cold cap. I think it helped with the nausea a bit. I’ve ordered some powder for eyebrows and eyeliner but my painting skills suck 😳

[CherryBakewell]

Hi Dizzie

Hope the cold cap works for both of us - although they rate success as losing just 30-50% of our hair - so we have to be realistic 😕 Still got my eyebrows and lashes. Think I'll look into false lashes/extensions if I lose them. That's providing I still have some stumps left to attach them to... xx

[DizzyBrummie]

I’m on FEC and only on day 3. Feeling a little better than yesterday. They gave me three tubes of the red stuff, not sure which letter that is. It’s the red stuff that leads to hair loss I think. I’m cold capping and hoping it works. Not precious about my hair, had it cut short but wasn’t brave enough for the shave 😊, more the second looks in the street. More worried about eyebrows and eyelashes as I’ve never really bothered with make up so adding things back in could be fun. Might get my little girl to help although I usually end up looking like one of the ugly sisters from Shrek when she given me a make over 😳.

[CherryBakewell]

Just a quickie, ladies - is it just anecdotal or do the side effects on FEC seem a lot harder than EC?? It just appears from what I've spotted on here that the hospitalisations have been for those on FEC and the women seemingly skipping through their chemo are mostly on EC. I'm on EC. 2 more to go, then 4 tax.

🍒 xx

[SueW]

I am off Xmas shopping with my daughter this morning as by about 1 I need to nap so will catch up with everyone later xx
Have a fab day xx