Starting Chemo in December.2012

[Cybele]

'Take a look at me now...': today's post on

http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cybele]

Hamley - I'm really sorry I've been giving you nightmares! Actually, looking at that photo really freaks me out, and I was there! Probably best not to remind myself too much of a truly bad few hours.

The thing about going straight from end-of-chemo euphoria into side effects is a b$$$er, isn't it? I too had this vague idea that the side efefcts just might not be so bad this time, but if anything it's worse than FEC5. But it's nearly over, thank God. I'm on day 5 today, and by the end of day 7 it's usually letting up somewhat. And I have the extra steroids..

Cressida - VERY BIG HUG xxxxxxx you sound like you need one. It's really bad that you got cheated of the 'end of chemo' thing - that must have been so hard psychologically. Every little boost helps enormously in this nightmare.

And I'm absolutely with you on the whole 'being kind to ourselves' thing - am slowly realising that it's going to take a long time to be really past this, and I'm not going to beat myself up for any glitches along the way, nor let anyone else do so.

[Cressida]

Morning ladies,

Have a cold/chesty thing. No longer a chemo weakling so no need to rush to A&E. Still pretty weedy in the immune system stakes, so I expect it to be difficult to get rid of. I will allow it to have 2 weeks of fun, it can't do anything to me that is worse than what has already happened. I laugh in the face of the common cold. It even has "common" in it's name. It can never compete with chemo (or cellulitis for that matter). After 2 weeks it had better do one tho, as then I am off to Jersey.

Woohoo to those of you who have done no 6. I have been cheated out of celebrating the end of chemo twice now. When I finished FEC-T I was expecting 3 more Tax, so I did not know I had finished until I saw the Onc and she told me no piont in carrying on as the cancer was just growing fatter, so stopping chemo and gong straight to Mx without pasing go. I was very happy to be having no more Tax, but, before I could really celebrate, my brain realised what she was saying about it not working and cancer just viewing it as a light snack. Not so good. Then, this time, I finished half way through, but did not know I had finished until I had spent the week in hospital in agony and had been stuffed full of opiates. So, both times, I did not get to think that I had suffered in the name of kicking cancer's ass. Instead I knew that it had not worked/had not had time to work.

That was a bit more depressing than I meant it to be. I was going to say enjoy it, then I was going to say be kind to yourselves, as you still have the usual sfx to get through and it is easy to think that is is all finished and you should be fine now. Then I was gong to say - really enjoy it in 3 weeks time when you actually start to feel better. Then I was going to wish you luck with whatever treatments come next and reassure you that they will never be as bad as chemo. Then I was going to say - if you can do chemo you can do anything. I then going to repeat be kind to yourselves, as finishing treatment is the weirdest thing. You think you should be fine and your friends/family think you should be fine, but you really don't feel fine. It's very hard to just finish. You are not fine and you are not yourself. Hang in there and you will eventually be the new you. It takes a long time and you really need to kind to yourself.

I think what I was trying to say is - be kind to yourself, xxx

[hamley]

Cybele, I'm so with you here, FEC 6 has been really hard for me too; although I new it wasn't altogether over, the euphoria of it being the last poisoning made me somehow feel that the SEs this time could not get me down. How wrong I was, I feel flattened. I had a bad dream last night about your horror of the cannula. It makes me feel for you and the picture showing it ended up on the inside of your wrist seemed to really top it all, I bet it was very uncomfortable for the duration. I also have very small veins, but they've never approached me with a cannula more than twice and usually once, I can't imagine how bad it was.

[Cybele]

'No surrender': today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cybele]

Hamley - YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!

Walking out of the Chemo Ward for the last time has to be one of the best feelings in the world - I still can't quite believe I don't have to go back there any more..

I'm feeling pretty bad from the side effects now, and extremely weak, but I just keep thinking THIS IS THE LAST TIME I am going to experience this - 3 weeks from now I will not be woken up by nausea, I will not sit at the table first thing in the morning surrounded by boxes of meds, it will all be receding into the past..

for those of you who haven't finished yet - BIG HUGS -it won't be long now.

[hamley]

Thanks for all the good wishes. I'm now fully FECed up and only have to go through the side effects now. I couldn't be more relieved and feel my life has a chance of getting back to relative normality even with everything else that's got to be gone through, the worst is nearly over.
For my feelings about this, see Cybele's above, I hadn't realised I would feel so much this way before I was realeased from the hospital. By the time it was done I couldn't get the grin off my face and wondered where the balloons, cheers and celebratory/victory dances were, then I caught on that it was only me that had finished and everyone else was very somber in the chemo unit. I pulled my hat down over the little hair I have which I'm desperatley hoping will not fall out due to FEC 6 and walked quietly out of the door.
The I got home and bent my Mum's ear for two hours on the telephone telling her about getting there. Poor soul!
Cybele, Big congrats on finishing. I'm so glad you're continuing with the blog, I find it very difficult to go to bed if I haven't read it and after following you through chemo, I'll be following you through rads although a couple of weeks later instead of a couple of days this time.
MZ, I'm glad you were able to have a great holiday and feel relaxed. Let us know how you get on with rads and Tam.
Wendy, I've had the 'drip fed' feeling too; when I asked my onc why he said he wanted me to just concentrate on the next thing happening, but that's not the way I work, I want to know in advance too. I feel they think we don't need to be in control because they are, I'm not sure if this is always the case, though I'm sure they are sometimes right.
Lisalouw, sorry to hear your Mum's in hospital, not what you need on top of everything else, I'm sure. I'm also sure I smell of chemo, sometimes worse than others, I think I have chemo pee and that's even when it's not pink anymore. Yuck! I think it might be my imagination though because although I loved pineapple up to FEC 4, it now tastes of chemo and I can't eat it!
Lolly, you've only got one more cycle to go, if I can do it, you can do it; I'm officially the world's biggest coward.
Big hugs to all.

[Cybele]

'Lean on me..': today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cybele]

'The PICC line (deceased) laughs last': today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[lolly123]

Hi
Sooooooooooooo happy for you Cybele, wish i was there with you but just had my 5th FEC so still one more to go one the 23rd April, think i must be the last to finish my FEC on the Crackers link as started on the 31st Dec so just scraped through being a Cracker, but loved eveyones support i have had here.
Sand, funny enough asked my OH if i had a strange smell but he said no it must be up our noses as i feel like i have a strange smell about me but know one else does.
Lisalouw, thats good news about flying as i have already booked not realising about being on Blood thinners as i would have finished all my meds by then, but heard i have to have 6 months break before some airlines let you fly, but will check it out with my ONC.
Hamley, good luck for today, hope all goes well for you.
take care to you all and well done again Cybele, hope SE is going to be alot better for you this time,
Hugs to you all
lolly
xx

[Lisalouw]

Hello ladies, had my 5th TC a wk ago , reduced dose this time due to side effects getting too much , also have peripheral neuropathy in feet and hands , so my feet feel cold bruised and numb also fingertips numb , it's getting slightly better though , but this se can be permanant , also the evil tooth has been nagging again so went to dentist, if chemo effects your teeth I dont know why we don't get free treatment , I've had my mum in hosp too so it's been abit stressful , I'm glad my sister came to help out from Scarbrough , my mums hernia has grown so ended up with constant vomiting and on a drip for 2 days .
Cybelle, yippee and congrats on your last fec, hope your not feeling too bad and the steriods are doing there trick, I had the extreme fatigue last cycle, awful it really is , I loved the story how you met your other half, made me melt and gave this old cynic hope , I've had no luck in matters of the heart in my lifetime , so much I've gave up x
sand, I also have very strange chemo smell, my sis assures me she can't smell it so must be us, but it turns my stomach when it's already delicate x
marie, hope you had a fantastic birthday in Rome and managed to find some energy eating that gorge Italian food x
shellebelle, are you feeling any better , my 4 th cycle was like that , I don't recognise myself in the mirror , pale and skin feels so dry , also seem to have crazy lady eyes staring back at me x
sand, so sorry about your niece , hope your feeling abit better, I think we all have meltdowns , I know I do, the weight gain, hair and skin changes , it just gets too much , I've had a few sobbing sessions x
cress, how's you ? Tax is a bugger isn't it, nasty nasty stuff, just hope it's bloody worked , fingers crossed x
lolly, my mum been on warfarin for yrs and never had problems flying and she's been to oz, as long as your INR ok and you see the doc beforehand to discuss compression I'm sure you will be fine , keep hydrated too x
hamley, hope your last fec goes ok today and bring on the D cups , yeah x
love and hugs to everyone and sorry if I've missed anything xxxx

[Cybele]

Did I mention I am finished!

Farewell Foul and Fiendish FEC,,,,

Goodbye to the Uber-Painful Pink Cold Cap

I'm DONE!!!!!!

(for those of you still going through it, sorry for gloating,which must be annoying, but this feeling of complete euphoria is what you, too, have to look forward to, very very soon)

[Cybele]

Hamley - GOOD LUCK for your last FEC today xxxx BIG HUG xxxxx

SAND - THANK YOU!

Leelalou - thank you so much - xxx what a lovely thing so say - it's always so nice to hear eople are enjoying the blog and finding ti helpful xx

Cress - don't think my demonic friends wil lbe leaving any time soon, and will keep blog going until the day I step back int o the swimming pool

The feeling of relief this morning is inexpressible. Still got the S/Es to get through, but knowing it is for the lasttime makes such a huge difference,

Got to go back to the hospital later for my final Pegfilgastrim injection, but that's easy, and after that I am completely free from the hospital until my postponed rads scanning meeting on May 1st -oh God, the sheer JOY of being able to say that. Unless I acquire another infection, of course, but I'm going t obe working really, really hard on staying infection-free for the next 3 weeks. I think I did get a bit careless about it for the last few weeks, and that was stupid, because the infection I got last week gave me a very rough week, even if no hospital. So it's back to antibacterial gels and intensive hand-washing and remind other people to wash their hands before they after they come in.

today is Day One of getting my life back - I know there's rads to come, but compared to chemo... well, touch wood that the rads side eefects will be light. But chemo was the great , slavering evil monster, and now it's leaving me, albeit slowly.

NO MORE FEC
NO MORE FEC
NO MORE FEC

[Guest user]

Hi Cybele - whoop whoop whoop - at least you know any se's will be the last - well done you lol
Mandy - I also got chose to have rads on the Supremo trial, but only found out yesterday so don';t know when I'kl start them. I was concerned about taking Tamoxifen mainly because of 'depression' side, as I used to suffer from panic attacks, and felt I didn't want to go down that road again, so onc has given me Letrozole instead, don't know which is the worst of the two evils?!? Has anyone else taken Letrozole? If so how did you get on with them? I also didn't realise you take them alongside Herceptin, I just assumed you'd finish one drug before getting another. Seemingly I have to start taking them in 3 weeks time. Mz6507 - how many rads are you having? How you doing on Tamoxifen? Hamley - good luck with your last chemo, hope your se's are negligable lol to all x

[Cybele]

I’m FECked!!! I’m FECked!! I’m TOTALLY FECked!!

YAY!!!!!!!!

[Wendy56]

Hamley - they told me 2 weeks ago that I needed rads as original tumour was large. Now they are saying they will decide after histology from MX. It's like they just want to drip feed information to you bu I just want to know everything up front don't like the being out of control bit.

Wendy x x

[Guest user]

Hello
Am on day three rads and days 3 tamoxifen. Was expecting to go to the hospital before and after work as its also herceptin week. But the nice nurse took pity on me and said if I got to hospital at 7.45am she would do my rads before the herceptin to save me rushing back at 6.30 after work. nervous about the tamoxifen and am waiting for the side effects. Hopefully there wont be any.
Back from holiday and feel rested and ready to deal with the next stage.
Keep well everyone.

[hamley]

Wendy, at the moment the most likely is an LD flap on both sides as not only does my PS specialise in this but it's the most likely way of not having implants which may have to be changed at a later date. Apparently it depends on how big the muscles are in your back as to if you need an implant. I'd rather go down to a C cup if it means not having them, but I reserve the right to change my mind by tomorrow!!
I initially wanted bilateral mx and immediate recon but both my onc and BS are concerned about the length of time between me first being diagnosed and getting the rads done (because of 2 x WLE with no clear margins = 12 weeks delay). The whole surgery is much more complicated and if there are any complications rads could be put off. If this hadn't been the case I would definately have had the double mx and recon and a redo if the implant was adversely effected. I wanted this because there are fewer scars and a better look with your breast skin rather than an 'import' from somewhere else on your body so if I were you I'd go for it. You're right, there are so many decisions and choices and we are no experts so it's really hard. My OH is worried about talking it over with me because he doesn't want me to feel pressure to do want he prefers. He's right, I would.
Why haven't they decided about you having rads yet?

[Cressida]

Have you been piosoned Cybele? If you have had the last one, what happens to the blog? All those demons and hangers on won't just quietly leave you know....

[Wendy56]

Hamley - chapter one nearly complete for you well done hang on in there. Have you decided on what reon you are having. My surgeon has agreed to do bilateral with immediate recon using Becker expander implants although beginning to think I am mad. Op set for 2 May. They have sitill not decided whether I am to have rads but if I do and it effects implants it will be replaced a a later date. My only other problem could be I had rads 14 years ago and apparently that side might take longer to heal. So many decisions it really is not easy is it. Hope all goes well for you

Wendy x x

[hamley]

Cybele, I hope it all went well today, good luck with the SEs. That's interesting about Tamoxifen, my onc has told me I'll be on that and I'll start at the same time as they do my rads set up. My Mum had Tam for a year as did my Dads second wife. Neither of them got on well with it but my Mum didn't have chemo and Dad's wife didn't have rads or chemo. It'll be interesting to see how I get on in comparison.
I've had my bloods done this morning for my last FEC tomorrow, I can't wait to have it all done with and be able to think as each SE kicks in that it will be for the last time. Hooray.
I went to see my recon PS today. She's really lovely, listened to all of my questions (there were many) and went over all the options with me. She agrees with my surgeon that I should have one mx, rads, the 2nd mx then bilateral recon about 6 months afterwards. I told her I was concerned that some people have to wait up to 2 years for recons, but she assures me that she controls her waiting list and that it would definately be 6 months provided that everything else has settled down. D cup, here I come!!
Hugs to all XX.

[Wendy56]

Cybele - strange how we can't wait to get that last chemo inside our veins. Hope it goes to plan for you and then it's onwards and upwards to the end of that tunnel or up that hill whichever way you are going.

Love to everyone hope we are all getting there

Hugs Wendy x x

[Leelaloo]

Good Luck today Caroline,
From January thread, please do not stop the blog, as this keeps me going every day.
Lee

[Cybele]

OMG FEC6 today at 10.30, I can't believe it's actually going to happen! By tonight I wll have been poisoned for the last time!!

Bring it on....


Barring disasters, of course - it's never too late for something horrible to happen in the chemo ward. But the PICC line has gone, which removes a lot of the stress, and Matron Becky is going to be finding the vein (she's saved one, specially..) and putting the needle in herself.


In other news, I had a v.interesting chat with the doctor who is doing a research study, in which I am participating, into how people react to chemo - trying to see if they can find a way of predicting, based on blood samples, who will be liable to get bad side effects.


Anyway, she told me is also doing a similar study on people taking Tamoxifen, and I am going to take part in that, as well. I mentioned that I was rather anxious about taking Tamoxifen, having read a lot on here about nasty side-effects, and she said:
'What I've found so far is that women who've had chemo generally cope much better with both radiotherapy and with Tamoxifen - we don't know if it's simply because chemo is so horrible that anything else doesn't seem nearly so bad in comparison, or whether chemo produces some kind of physical change in patients that somehow affects how vulnerable they are to the side effects of other drug/treatments'


This news cheered me up enormously, and I thought it might also cheer up Maire and anyone else who's anxious about Tamoxifen - it's no guarantee of course, because I imagine how you react to Tamoxifen is largely to do with your genetic make-up, as with other drugs, but it does seem that other things being equal, we Chemo Veterans may have a slightly easier time of it.


OK, onwards and upwards - I'll see you all again on the other side of FEC6...

love and hugs to you all, C xxx

[Cybele]

'See the Alpha Male Oncologist, hear him ROAR!': today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[Guest user]

Cybelle - Thanks for Hugs, really needed them! I think after what we've all been through, it'll definitely be a long long time til we feel anywhere near 'normal' again. But hey ho, we WILL get there, after all we've got this far and are still kicking!!! Hope all goes well for your LAST chemo and you don't get the same reaction as me after it. Just had more bad news tonight, my sister rang to say my 40 year old niece has cancer of the cervix, as she lives in New Zealand, my sister feels helpless living in the UK. Still that makes 3 of our family now in the last 12 months, my cousin had cancer of the tongue last year, then me, now my niece, so I think we've had our run for the time being!! Really appreciate everyones good wishes, it really helps being able to let off steam on here, knowing we all understand the situation! Good luck to all having treatment this week lol xxx

[Cybele]

'Calling all Überneutrophils…' : today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[lolly123]

Thanks Cress, will defo ask the question on my next onc meeting.

[Cressida]

Lolly - I had tinzaparin injections after the clot in my PICC and carried on until chemo finished (but then I had a Hickman line instead). After all chemo finished and Hickman out I had injections for 6 more weeks to make sure, but then there was no further risk and no need for further blood thinners. The only reason they switch to Warfarin is cos it is cheap (it's ancient). But I would not accept this change if you only need blood thinners for a short time. Warfarin is notoriously difficult to get at the right dose and they could be messing about for ages before they get it right. Thats hassle you don't need. I would ask a lot of questions and would need to be very sure before accepting a switch to Warfarin. xxx

[lolly123]

hi Cress,
i am only going to cran canaries so about 4 hr flight, in October, i am on the blood thinning injections at the momoent due to blood clot in the picc line, had to have it removed 3 fecs ago, but been told by doctors have to go on Warfrin after the chemo has stop but have to have the injections all through till my chemo has finished, so things might change after chemo done and dusted but will ask onc if i have to go on Warfrin or not.
lolly
xx

[Cressida]

Good to see you back Lolly. Pretty sure you can fly on Warfarin, as long as the dose is stable. May need compression stockings and sleeve for at risk arm. Is it long haul? The longer the flight the greater the risk. Maybe seek advice from lymphoedema nurse. You will prob end up with compression stockings on all your extremities, but who cares if it gets you on holiday??? Why Warfarin? Have you started this already? If not I would try and insist on a more expensive and stable blood thinner. Anyway, they should be able to stop the blood thinner about 6 weeks after your line is removed. Or do you need it for another reason? Is that enough questions? xxx

[Cressida]

OMFG. I can't believe I missed poo pants. I can't believe such an undignified invention is available to the folk who run care homes. QD do you know the proper name for this outrage? I want to email the Care Quality Commision. Not about your mum as they don't care about individual cases, but about the very existence and use of such a thing. Do these people think they will never get old? I am hopping mad. So pleased your mum escaped. I think I may need some Lorazepam in order to calm down.

[lolly123]

hi to you all not been on here for sometime.
i have another cr*p time this FEC didnt feel well last weekend took temprature it was at 37.6 and i had a bit of the trots so they asked me to go into hosptial to check everything was ok, bloods where a bit low, also by the time i got in was rushing to the loo every 20mins, by wednesday my temptrature had gone upto 40.8 (still going to loo and not eating!! which had nurses and doctors flying around, they stripped me of my bedding and put a fan on full blast, to say the least i was frozen, but had to get temprature down. They finally let me out on Sunday so was in for a week.
Went to the chemo ward today for my 5th FEC hopeing and praying my bloods were going to play game, and lucky for me (or not) i was allowed to go ahead with FEC 5 all bloods where good.
So 5 down one to go i can now just about see the light at the end of my first tunnel whoop! whoop! just hope this one dosent put me in hospital again, sick to death of hossi food, nurses are lovely though.
Anwyway not read all posts as far to many to read i am well behind, well done to you all that has had there last treatment, and good luck to those still facing theires,
PS does anyone know if you can fly is your on Warfrin as my mum recons i have to have a 6 month break before i can fly and have booked to go away in October, not sure if i should cancel or not.?
take care to you ALL and big HUGS to everyone of you.((((((())))))
lolly xx

[Cressida]

Morning ladies,

Have read everything now - that does not mean I won't get confused. If my comment to you is really about someone else, then I apologise. I am taking a variety of controlled drugs and they are great.

Maire - how fab to go to Rome for your birthday. Get one of those helmets from the fake roman soldiers who hang about the Colosseum hoping to get paid for photos. Wear it instead of wig and charge people for photos. As for Monsoon - I often get hot flushes at the till. I bought a baggy blue thingy mainly cos i could get it over my head without assistance, but also cos it reminded me of the 80's. Bat wing sleeves seem to be back. I hadn't even checked the price. £50 caused a slight hot flush.

Coyotegi - loving the wild west weekend. Go for it.

Hamley - I don't think there would be much mystery about murdering cancer/chemo - it would be like murder on the orient express where everyone did it. Good luck for last chemo.

Lisalou - I was prescribed 6 x Tax. It had to stopped as it was not working. I remember the Onc telling me that the cancer was growing and we needed to stop Tax and proceed directly to Mx. I didn't hear her saying that my cancer was growing or that they were going to cut my breast off - I just heard no more Tax. I was so relieved by no more Tax. Anyone who does 6 x tax should be at the palace getting shiny medals from the queen. Kudos girl. Hang in there.

Mandy - Thanks for trying to cheer me up. I totally understand - I want my life back. Has someone run off with our lives???

Sandy - Great to do normal stuff. I went to see Les Mis on Monday. The other punters were very aged so it also made me feel young. I get the thing about feeling OK then catching sight of yourself and bursting into tears. I feel like ripping out all the mirrors. But then I wouldn't be able to see how cool the beret I bought in Monsoon looks. And it cost £15, which is ridiculous for a bit of felt and it gave me another small hot flush. But £15 is nothing for a bit of felt that cheers me up. Maybe more shopping is called for?

Mz - almost didn't bother with you. Sending us messages whilst actually on holiday in the sun? Grrrr.

Shellebelle - hope you are less ghost like.

Cybele - I really wish you well enough to be piosoned for the last time tomorrow. I wish the fear of blog will get you a service fit for a queen. I wish you in the sunshine in Turkey. I wish no-one would annoy you with cliches. I wish to visit many exhibitions with you.

Everyone else I have forgotten - hoping you are all coping and can all see the light at the end of the tunnel, xxxx

[Cybele]

Sand - MASSIVE, MASSIVE HUG xxxxxx

It's perfectly normal to feel like that, I think.

I look at my myself in the mirror and just want to weep... my stomach is so huge I look like a Sumo wrestler.

I was so fit just before I was diagnosed , swimming 2 miles a day, excellent muscle tone, and now I just feel like a huge heap of flabbiness.

I am having the same reaction to other people's comments, too: I just keep thinking 'you have NO F***ING IDEA'.

What is also p***ing me off is people who haven't had it themselves, like my mother, saying rads is so easy 'It hardly affected your grandmother at all' (my grandmother had oesophogal cancer, aged 89) And then I read on here about people who have had horrible burning and itching etc, and talk to my friend from the Haven who had rads a year ago and is still suffering from fatigue..

Nobody knows how anyone will react to any particular treatment, and it drives me crazy how many people will extrapolate from one person they know who had chemo/rads and blithely say ' oh, it's not too bad, you'll be fine'. What makes them think that person told them everything? Why can't they just say 'All cancer treatment is tough, isn't it ? - I hope you'll get through it withuot too many bad side effects'

For me, chemo couldn't have been less fine, it has been torture from start to (almost) finish, and no, I DIDN'T TOLERATE IT WELL, I didn't find it DOABLE, it practically bl**dy killed me, mentally and physically.

Sorry, rant over.

I am just so tired of it all, and it's clear that although my last dose of chemo is nigh, it's going to be a long, long time before I start feeling anything like 'normal' again.

[Guest user]

Hi All. Have been feeling total sh**t! Had total meltdown on Saturday - Was in shower and saw myself in mirror Uggh! One boob missing, hardly any hair and looking like a Mitchellin Man! I just burst into tears and sobbed away (still in shower). I don't know whether it was the last chemo effect or what, but I felt lousy most of the day. Everyone always says ' you've done so well' - how do they know??? Have they been there and gone through it with us?? All last year I dieted and managed to lose almost 3 stone, and now have put 2 stone back on, my oh says, he knows it was hard?!? Hard?, he didn't diet, just carried on eating as normal!! Sooo sorry to go on, I just feel totally worthless at the mo, and need to shake myself up and 'get over it'!! Hope you're not having a 'down time' like me - do you think it's normal to feel this way after last chemo - maybe it's a form of relief?!? Just hope feeling goes away soon!!x

[mandyp]

Hi All
Maire - hope you're having an amazing time.
Sand, I'm doing the Supremo trial and i got selected, so start rads on the 18th.
Cress -xxxx
Sophie, I'm the same as you, Grade 3 TN Nodes clear although my tumout was 26mm. i had a mx and did FECT.
Michelle - hope you feeling better in morning,,,, if not trust your body.....
Cybele - hope the situation improves for Friday x

Mxxx

[Wendy56]

Hi Sophie I am similar but not on the same chemo grade 3 IDC triple neg. snb clear. I have just finished chemo.I Had 4 Docetaxel and cyclophos. Not sure how they decide really . I was going to have FEC T but had part of that 14 years Ago so could not have that one again

Hopefully somebody wll now the answer but most on this thread are on FEC or Tax I think

Wendy

[Guest user]

Hi - I'm popping in from the March group - IDC Grade 3. WLE, Triple Neg, margins and SNB clear. Had first EC on 1st March (4 in total) and then due to have weekly paclitaxel x 12 - but can't seem to find many others on this regime! Not sure if it is the Grade, or TN or what that is putting me on this l combination (should ask my Onc?!). When you all refer to tax I assume it is docetaxel? Anyone similiar to me?? Glad to see some of you are nearing the end..... great inspiration for those following close behind. Sophiex

[shellebelle]

OMG I have felt so rubbish this weekend. Just walking around the house wipes me out, my legs are like lead and I feel dizzy if I try do much else. Urgh, horrible, just horrible. If things haven't improved by tomorrow then I will might just ring the chemo unit to see if my bloods needs checking - I do look a bit like Casper right now . Another early night for me.
Everyone feeling good to ok, thumbs up and long may it continue. Everyone feeling rubbish right now, am right there with you and hope we bounce back PDQ x x

[Cybele]

Hamley. the radiotherapy trial is called 'FAST Forward'

'Bad, worse, worst?' :
today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[Cressida]

Hi ladies, I'm still here (waves flag),

Enjoying weekend with hubbie, pretending to be normal, went to cinema. had G&T in pub (despite pain killers), went deer spotting, visited relatives, ate chocolate eggs....

Still one more day; when hubbie gets back from dump we will do a spot of light shopping and then go to his sister's for dinner and more chocolate.

I will read everything later and post again, hope you all doing OK, xxx

[Mindy63]

Cybele-there's also the chance that they will completely dispense with chemo 6. I've heard this happen with quite few people. Don't want to get your hopes up (or down) but you never know.
I know...I should be packing...hate packing....what looks good with a baldy head?

[Cybele]

Am gutted.

Having been feeling generally rotten and very, very weak yesterday, have woken up this morning with a stinking cold, and am thinking that this does not augur well for being allowed to have FEC6 on Thursday.

I could spit. My bloods will be taken on Wednesday morning, which is only two days' time. I had another infection at the beginning of last week, a short sharp fluey type bug, which lasted for 3 days, then i've had 4 days of feeling oK but very, very weak, and now I've got a full on head cold.

Fabulous, just fabulous.

I would have thought that the chances of my neutrophils being high enough on Wednesday are just about zero.

PLEASE TELL ME THAT I'M WRONG, SOMEBODY, PLEASE...

[Mindy63]

Thanks for the tips folks. Off to pack now. Wonder if I'll have to remove wig at airport security.

[Cybele]

Hamley - have the papers somewhere, will have a look..




'Aramaic for Beginners': today's post on http://chemonights.blogspot.co.uk/

[hamley]

Cybele, do you remember what the trial is called? You're much better a finding details than I am, I can never find anything. I'm also terrified in case of any potential delays for FEC 6, it's been one of my biggest concerns all along but this time even more so.

[Border_Collies]

Maire - sorry you're still feeling a bit weak but a trip to Rome has got to do you the world of good and I insist that you don't give BC a thought all the time you are there. Hope you have a lovely Birthday and you couldn't have chosen a more romantic setting. When you visit the Trevi Fountain and toss in a coin, I bet I know what you'll be wishing for!!!
Have a lovely time and get strong and well.

[Cybele]

Happy Easter, everyone!


Maire, have a fabuluos time in Rome. sorry to hear you're still feeling weak, but I think that's something we're all going to befacing over the next few months - with the double whammy of chemo AND rads, Ireckon it's going to take our bodies a few months to get back to full strength afterwards. I have it in my mind that by September, I should be reasonably back to normal... fingers crossed. i tell you what, though, it has cheered me up SO MUCH over the last few weeks reading your posts and hearing about how you ARE bouncing back after reaching the finish line. When I feel really down and weak I remember you and think 'that will be me, too, very very soon..' xxx
Hamley - looks like I will be beating you to it by one day, as my fEC6 is on Thursday - neutrophils permitting. Am so terrifed of it being delayed.. Re the rads trial - one week insrtead of 3 weeks, i have also been offered that ,and read all the bumf ages ago.
My understanding is that it IS for the benefit of the patients - way back when rads used to be SIX weeks, then they eventually disocvered it was just as effective to do it in a shoerter period, and that became the norm. Now there are a lot of trials going on all over theworld to see if it can be as effective if you reduce it one week with more powerful bursts of rads.
There's lots of literature out there on it - but my first oncologist was a bit dubious about it because he thought the cosmetic result might not be so good if you have it in one week rather than three, so I decided not to do it.

Happy Easter! We have mad Easter cupcakesw with a creme egg on top of each one1

[Guest user]

Maire - What a great place to spend your Birthday in - best way to see Rome is to get bus pass - you can get on and off whenever you feel like it. I think they have two lines, red and yellow, great vaue. Also the Vatican is usually quieter around 4.30pm. I loved it in Rome and I'm sure you will too, though I never found the Trevi Fountain!! have a great time. Hamley, I had MX in November and margins were clear, although had 2 nodes affected out of 22, so would not have been eligible for rads, so they said I was in 'grey area'?!? The trials are to see if rads will benefit the 'grey area folk' and help prevent a recurrence. You either have 15 lots or none, depending on what the computer decides, it's called the SUPREMO trial if you want to look it up x