October 2019 chemo starters

[aj72]

I too get a cough but was told it was a side effect.  Mine sets in around day 5 but gets better just before next chemo.   Just have to be careful it doesn't turn into a chest infection.  It hasn't so far xxx

Hope everyone is staying warm and well.

Amanda 💋♥️

[Cherryp]

I’ve had a cough for ages too. Assumed it was hanging around from the cold I had in Week 2 of round one of EC but then it could be the lung nodules that showed up on my CT or the chemo. Who knows. I hate how ambiguous this disease is. Off for a biopsy on a lymph node that looks borderline today. So far I have been clear in lymph in all scans but they want to be sure. Here goes....

[leaw]

I thought it was days 10-13 but I may be wrong, hope your chest infection improves. I’ve had a cough for weeks, just get rid of it the week before chemo, then it comes back straight after chemo 😫

[CureDars]

Purple Trunks,

Just to update- did have 2nd chemo after leaving hospital 5 days earlier being treated for chest infection. With slightly different anti-emetic meds, things are better this time. I was really down presuming it would be delayed again.

I am concerned about picking up another infection. Is it the 5th to 10th days after chemo when our immune system is really low?
Thanks

CureDars

[aj72]

Glad to hear your op went well Kath and wish you a speedy recovery  👏👏

I too claimed on critical illness insurance which paid out with minimal effort on my part.  Makes this illness more financially bearable I guess 😔

Amanda 💋♥️

[KathCurtis]

Thank you Curedars.

and food hasn’t been bad Shi, delicious vegetable dish - like a ratatouille with cheese on top 🤗yum

xx

[CureDars]

Sorry, have not been in on your story the last few days. Congrats on getting to this point. Hope you get home and enjoy the weekend.

CureDars

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@KathCurtis wrote:

Nice thought re insurance policies. Good to get something back. Sadly we gave ours up as they become increasingly expensive as you age.

But in the good news department- my lung op is done and I am recovery very quickly so expect to be discharged tomorrow ??. One down and one to go .....

wish you all a good weekend 

kathxx

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@KathCurtis wrote:

Nice thought re insurance policies. Good to get something back. Sadly we gave ours up as they become increasingly expensive as you age.

But in the good news department- my lung op is done and I am recovery very quickly so expect to be discharged tomorrow ??. One down and one to go .....

wish you all a good weekend 

kathxx

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[Shi]

Kath, what food delights have you had for tea tonight? Hope your trust is as good as mine is on the food front 👍💕😁✨✨Shi xx

[jasmine1897]

Kath, I’m so pleased your operation went well and the turnaround has been very quick! I bet you’re glad it’s over and you’ve done it now. Hope you get discharged in time to chill at the weekend with your pup x x

[KathCurtis]

Thank you Emzlew and Shi, much appreciated 😊

xx

[CureDars]

Ladies, 

Came home after a week in our nearest NHS accommodation. Great to sleep without drips attached etc. Certainly feeling better but will I manage chemo next Monday? Coincidentally, I had my head shaved the day before being  admitted to hospital and I was so pleased- no hoovering up to do! Used a different beanie day and night and  I was warm and comfortable. On and upwards!

cureDars

[Shi]

👍😘👍kath that’s great news lung op done and recovery going well 😘😘hope you get home tomorrow ❤️ Your woof needs a 🐾🐾 with you 💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Emzlew]

Fantastic news Kath!  

Keep fighting 🥊🥊💪💪 

Sending lots of healing thoughts your way.. 

Emma x❤️x

[KathCurtis]

Nice thought re insurance policies. Good to get something back. Sadly we gave ours up as they become increasingly expensive as you age.

But in the good news department- my lung op is done and I am recovery very quickly so expect to be discharged tomorrow 😊👍. One down and one to go .....

wish you all a good weekend 

kathxx

[leaw]

Hi ladies, just wanted to make you aware about claims on critical illness insurance policies, I’ve made a claim and been paid out in full for my breast cancer, please check any policies you have as you may be due a payout. Better in your pocket than the insurance companies x

[CureDars]

Thanks for kind reply Purple Trunks. Yes some days the woes can appear worse. Hopefully if one particular blood test comes back ok I will be leaving hospital tomorrow. Then chemo attempt AGAIN on Monday. 10 K you say- definitely worth it when we’re brave enough to try and cope with it.

[KathCurtis]

Thank you Claire, this time tomorrow LC will be in the bin! Screwing up my courage and holding on to that thought. 
xxx

[ClaireL]

Good luck tomorrow Kath. Will be thinking of you x

[KathCurtis]

Goodness the FEC sounds really horrible. Not looking forward to that at all. Hang on in there folks. Just think that whatever hell its putting you through the bc is hating it even more!

wishing those of you suffering a speedy end to the torment. Until then here is a little more Luna to amuse you.

love

kath

xx

[Purpletrunks]

Oh CureDars that sounds rotten! Fingers crossed your infection passes soon. No fun to be in hospital? Shame you arnt in Gloucestershire or I would pop in and bore you with my own chemo woes 😆

Something to distract you... I was told in chemo that each bag is over 10k!!!!! We are so totally worth it!!! 😉😘🥰

[CureDars]

Thanks for reply mini mad. I was also brewing a chest infection at the time and ended up on 2 lots of antibiotics. Chemo 2 was delayed as white cells were too high and the inertia continued. I had no 3rd good week! In 4 th week I had one great day and then that night temperature spiked the Christie recommendation. Admitted to hospital, put on IV antibiotics and been in 5 days now. So chemo delayed again!!! Today some good blood results so try again next Monday. Desperate to enjoy the 3rd week next time. Grateful for all the encouraging posts. Things can only get better😆

 Curedars

[Rubyblue2]

Hi ladies, I haven't been on in a while as I was enjoying my third week feeling ok! 

Kathcurtis- thinking of you for Wednesday and your new puppy is gorgeous! 

Just had my second FEC with a dose reduction of 10% with cyclizine added in from the start and a higher dose of ondansetron so we'll see how it goes. By this point last time I'd felt faint and the bad nausea had started. Got some a lift  nausea, a fuzzy head, and just feel weird but I'm getting as much fluid in as possible and munching slowly on some Ritz crackers! Fingers crossed!

[KathCurtis]

So kind of you, and yes it does sometimes feel like we have gone through the Looking Glass!

x

[Purpletrunks]

Morning Kath,

Will be thinking of you weds. Dont we now live in a funny old world where everything seems to spin without us whilst we poison, burn, chop and wait?!! The fact they can just take the loblule out is very hopeful. Really hope you are coping. 

Much love xxxx

[KathCurtis]

Thank you Shi 🙏💕

[Shi]

Kathcurtis 👭❤️👭for Wednesday 😘😘 we are all 👭👭for you and that little woof woof you’ve added to your family is woofing you along too 🐾🐾💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[KathCurtis]

Hi all

Good to hear some positives happening for people! 
I have op to remove the cancer from my lung on Wednesday. They hope to be able to remove the whole lobe via keyhole surgery. Got my fingers crossed as it would mean a speedy recovery and quicker return to chemo for the bc. 
Wishing you all a good week 

Love

kath

x

[Cherryp]

All positives should be shared and celebrated however small! I didn’t need any anti sickness medication today! Yay!

[Purpletrunks]

Had to pop in to hospital this morning to get some neck pain checked out. No ones worried, probably just neuralgia. But, the good news, is that my neutrophils are up to 5. They were only 1.8 before I started chemo so I'm very chuffed and can worry less about becoming severly neutrapenic again now. Well, I'm going to worry less, even if it's not correlative. 

Had to share my very small good result! Have to take it where we can right?!!

[Purpletrunks]

Hey Em, 

I had my 3rd, and last,  fec this week too. They halved my steroids this time so I'm more nauseous but sleeping more which is a massive boon!! I get hot face flushes too and found a cool a refresh face spray that gives momentary relief... 

[Emzlew]

Hello lovely ladies

How are we all doing? 

Had round three FEC yesterday.  Feeling wiped out but no sickness whoop whoop! 

The hot flushes are just ridiculous.  My wife went out and got me a chillow yesterday which was lovely to start with until it ended up like a hot water bottle!  I need a second one I think to swap around through the night!

Indigestion has started too. 

Other than that, just tired today.  Roll on tomorrow to see what other delights appear?! 

Take care everyone X💗X

[jasmine1897]

Kath - Such a cute puppy and great distraction from all the rubbish!! Hope she’s settling well x

[CureDars]

Thanks for your cheerful reply.

[KathCurtis]

Hi all

so sorry to hear about infections and exhaustion curedars and cherry. Interesting about lung issues for you Cherry, very good to hear it’s just infection!

Here is a lovely Luna pic to brighten your day 

Lovely Luna today with her lead for the first time

[CureDars]

Thanks. Oncologist suggested going to GP to see if I need more antibiotics. Just been and she was able to access Friday and Monday’s blood results online. This joined up care is amazing! Hope these do the trick. 

[Cherryp]

You’ll get there at the pace that is right for your body. We are all on a long journey back to good health here. Hopefully you’ll be good for the beginning of next week. 

[CureDars]

• We need affection going through this business. Hope the puppy brings a lot of joy! My infection markers were up so couldn’t have Round 2yesterday. Try next Monday. Feel I’ve fallen at 1st hurdle! 

[Cherryp]

What a cute puppy. You’re going to have so much fun with them.
Haven’t been on for a few days so sorry for that. Had my second EC on Friday and much more lethargic than the first but forcing myself to get up and dressed and out and about to get the drugs moving around. Had a PICC line fitted which made the whole experience so much easier although the dressing changes and showering with a big plastic sleeve is a little problematic. 
I cold capped for the first 2 but hair is seriously on the way off so I’m off with a friend to a wig place tomorrow as no appt has come through from the hospital. I might go purple for the festive season. 
Ultrasound booked for 2 weeks time to see shrinkage. Oncologist confirmed it has shrunk by feel alone and then CT mid December to see what had happened to the nodules in my lungs. Not confirmed as cancer as too small but I’ll be happy if they’ve gone regardless of whether they were inflammation or cancer. 
it seems weird that there is already another thread with November starters. Does that make us all old timers now?

[aj72]

What a cutie Kath.  What have you called her? 

Amanda ♥️

[Shi]

💕❤️💕❤️💕enjoy kathcurtis, what a lovely puppy 💕❤️💕❤️💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[KathCurtis]

Yep, we have had a full helping of both experiences today 😝👍🥰Puppy love playing on repeat.

love Kath

x

[Shi]

Adorable kathcurtis, enjoy the walks and poop bags  but the licks and cuddles will make up for that 😁 😘💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[KathCurtis]

Sorry to hear about the chest infection cureDars.

going to try to attach photo of our new puppy who just came home to us today. Cheering all of us up !

Such a lovely girl

[CureDars]

I’m hearing that cyclizine are a great help to many people. Just when I started to feel better - Day9 I acquired a chest infection and this required antibiotics and steroids. Unfortunately there has been no lively 3rd week but am now enjoying food. Bloods taken yesterday and nurse warned me that the oncologist, who I will see on Monday, might decide to lower/delay Round 2. Sorry not been able to encourage anyone but hope that things will improve.

[Deana]

You look lovely.

What a wonderful holiday to keep you focused something positive over the next few weeks. Hope you have a brilliant time x

[leaw]

That looks fab, hope I can find one as realistic xx

[Purpletrunks]

Oh how fabulous! What a thing to look forward too 😊😊😊

My 3rd dec is next week too although I'm not holding out much hope that my bloods are ok. Ive decided if they delay I'm going to cornwall to get away. That feels pretty big so I'm in total awe of your NYC trip. 

I'm in bed today with a cold, but doing some work which feels like a treat!! 

And I went out for a thai with my sister last night and felt human!!

I dont get  mid-way appt. I have to wait to round 5 for mri and surgeon appt. Hurumph!!

[aj72]

Thank you all for your kind comments.  If ever there is a time to experiment with new hairstyles, it's when you have no hair 😂😂😂

Purpletrunks,

We're off to New York 😱  We booked after diagnosis but before it was decided chemo was needed. The plan was to end a **bleep**ty year and start 2020 somewhere special with the kids. I will however still be in chemo (hopefully 4th cycle a couple of weeks before we go) and No. 5 when I get back.  My side effects have been very minor so far so I'm hoping it will all be okay. Onc is happy for me to go with white blood cell booster jab beforehand and antibiotics to take with me 👍

Got mid treatment appt with Onc tomorrow then as long as bloods are good Round 3 on Monday.🤞🤞🤞

Hope you're doing ok 💋

[Purpletrunks]

Aj72, that's fantastic! So natural. 

Where are you going on holiday at xmas? 

[Shi]

Karhcurtis 👭 so sorry to hear you have in your lung too, but pleased your team have picked it up quickly for you and are able to treat quickly 💪💪 everyones here to 👭❤️ You through 💕💕✨✨Shi xx