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February 2017 Starters

Re: February 2017 Starters

Well done Maria!
Just chill now, yes your brain will bugger off on holiday for a bit but don't worry it'll come back 😁

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Aww Maria .. well done you darl ..
Yes it's odd feeling - very hard to describe but I could say that I wouldn't want to drive if you know what I mean ..
Did you get a pharmacy for home ? Xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

So first session of ec done , feeling very like my head don't belong to me is that normal ? Dreading waking up in the morning x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Thank you so much for the encouragement Jo. The hospice day sounds lovely. I can't imagine what this must be like when you have little ones to look after, I am in awe of all of you, I really am.

 

Sarah hun! Hellloooooo! I'm Alex Birket over on the FB Group. We also have another chemo buddy starting on the same day as us 🙂 

 

 

Re: February 2017 Starters

Heyyyyy Lexxy, I was going to ask you if you were going to come over ... have you joined fb? I'm sarah bowker ...
xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi everyone

 

Hope you are all okay. It's been nice seeing so many of you on the facebook group. 11 of us on there now so lots of photos being shared.

 

Good luck to anyone having chemo tomorrow or Thursday.

 

Jules1

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi girls. Thanks for the welcome and see i have loads to catch up on already. 

I have just been chilling and catching up with some friends and generally getting house in order before i start next week. Still in a wee bubble which will no doubt burst on tuesday!

Sorry to hear all these side effects - sorry not got a handle non everyones names yet as too many posts! I think i will be a daily reader next week!

School holidays here next week so planning that has been distracting me! 

I have sent you a FB friend request Jules - i'm Rachel Liddell. Be nice to see some pics of people and our "other lives".

Thanks all and speak soon - i will have lots of questions i know!

Sending positive vibes x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Lexxy, I'm 3x EC and then 9 weekly T (effectively the same as 3x 3 weekly T). You are not alone 😊 xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

You ladies have been busy today and there's a lot for me to catch up on...again! I have met quite a few of you over on the FB page. Isn't it fab? So great to be able to see people and share photos. There's quite a lot of humour on there. Alex and Sarah, I know the thought of chemo is scary but it is doable (I'm starting to hate that word!). I'd had a few weeks from mx to starting chemo and some days I almost completely forgot the whole cancer thing. Starting chemo made it feel very real again but I wasn't as anxious as in those early days. I've found great support at my local hospice. I never ever thought I'd say that but I had my arm twisted by a couple of friends. I go there on Wednesdays and am really looking forward to it tomorrow. Somehow it's given me my perspective back and allowed me to 'live in the moment' as they say.

Snotty noses! Mine has started running every time I sit down to eat! It's a real nuisance 🙄

No hair loss yet but I'm only day 9 so I wouldn't be expecting it quite so soon. I'm sporting a buzz cut which I have found really liberating (but mortified by the amount of white!!). I am using my wig when I'm out or when my youngest two children are around but I ditched it today when home alone. I have a very naughty Beagle who took great delight in stealing it and running round the room worrying it.

I got a good deodorant that contains hemp from Holland and Barrett. I got a bit hemp obsessed because I read it was good for BC.

Anyway, I'm off to bed but just wanted to pop on and catch up with all you Fab Feb Girls xxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Oh my lord that is such a relief that the Docetaxel is the T. I never want to google anything and just kept wondering why mine was weird 😂 x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Bless you Lexxy, my name is after an old cat of mine bless him.
Docetaxel is aka taxotere (brand name) or 'T' which u will see.. I've got it in mine, and lots of ladies seem to have it in conjunction to FEC.
Pray for you at genetics appointment, that would worry me..
Zena thanks for info on parabens. I think! I'm going to do more digging on it and consider getting the free from stuff, but I think I've got to concentrate on food more, eating better and such.. I'm going to wing half of this next couple of weeks... if I overload my brain I get worried, stop sleeping, both of which won't help me personally..
I read a thread in the tips section last night and it frightened the life of me, having a 'chemo bag' eek, I was thinking iPad, book and that's it!! My list is either going to be VERY short, or I'm taking a suitcase!!!
xxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Thank you for the lovely welcome ladies 😘

Sparkydee (fab name by the way), I had a grade 2 invasive ducal removed by WLE in December with a quick margin scrape just before Christmas. It was ER+ and I had an oncotype score of 20. As I'm on the young side (35) and it was around 4cm it's chemo then rads.

3 x FEC then 3 x Docetaxel (I haven't seen the Docetaxel mentioned by many people 😱) every 3 weeks.

I'm also having a genetics appt on the 27th due to my Mum's ovarian cancer.

Re: February 2017 Starters

Sorry last scary article on fluoride; I'm not a health warrior bit the more I read the more I learn .
Fluoride is not an essential nutrient. No disease, not even tooth decay, is caused by a “fluoride deficiency.”(NRC 1993; Institute of Medicine 1997, NRC 2006). Not a single biological process has been shown to require fluoride. On the contrary there is extensive evidence that fluoride can interfere with many important biological processes. Fluoride interferes with numerous enzymes (Waldbott 1978). In combination with aluminum, fluoride interferes with G-proteins (Bigay 1985, 1987). Such interactions give aluminum-fluoride complexes the potential to interfere with signals from growth factors, hormones and neurotransmitters (Strunecka & Patocka 1999; Li 2003). More and more studies indicate that fluoride can interfere with biochemistry in fundamental ways (Barbier 2010).

Re: February 2017 Starters

Live strong website published this :
Breast Cancer
Colby College's Clean Makeup website reports that parabens can mimic estrogen and disrupt the body's hormone system. Cornell University reports that a high lifelong exposure to estrogen can increase breast cancer risk. Estrogen, and synthetic chemicals that act like estrogen, play a role in stimulating the division of breast cells and affect other hormones that stimulate breast cell division. Your body does not easily break down synthetic estrogen, and it can accumulate in fat cells, including breast tissue. In 2004, a study by the University of Reading in the United Kingdom found concentrations of parabens, particularly methylparaben, in human breast tumors. The study examined only the presence of parabens in the tumors but did not determine that they were the cause of the tumors.

Re: February 2017 Starters

I however think that why are products now advertising the fact they are parabens and SLS free if they are not bad - and why would any oestrogen manufactured chemical be good for a women's body.
The huge expense to large companies such a lever and the like means it's in their interest to prove otherwise.. I think for is ladies why risk it !
Go treat yourself like I did and support your local whole food or health food shop and go get yourselves some lovely and delicious smelling chemical free new products.. even the aloe Vera toothpaste is lovely and fluoride free ( also not great in truth ) ., x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Parabens article:
Should You Avoid Parabens?

In a word, no. Despite the media frenzy surrounding parabens, the published research and global cosmetic regulatory organizations are making that answer clear: parabens, especially in the small amounts used in personal-care products, do not pose a significant health risk. There is no legitimate reason for consumers to avoid cosmetic products that contain parabens. According to these studies, parabens are “fully metabolized before they enter the blood stream.” In a review of the estrogenic activity of parabens, the author concluded that based on maximum daily exposure estimates, “it was impossible that parabens could increase the risk associated with exposure to estrogenic chemicals.” We repeat: Impossible.

Parabens may come in the form of butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, methylparaben, or propylparaben, and in a misunderstanding of a 2004 research study, they were mistakenly linked to breast cancer when their metabolites (not parabens themselves) were detected in breast cancer tissue samples.

Re: February 2017 Starters

Lexxy. Sorry. Autocorrect 🙈

Re: February 2017 Starters

What are parabens?? And what doesn't have them?? Have u all stopped shaving pits cause of node removal?
Have I read somewhere that there are fake eyebrows too..?? The mind boggles... sorry for all the questions.
Levy, hello, it's scary stuff, what are your results and chemo programme? I start the day b4 you... xxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi lexxy ..
welcome and sorry ..
It's a proper bummer chemo .. but gotta be done xxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi Lexxy!
Welcome to the Fab Feb ladies. We'll all get through this together don't worry 😗

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hello Lexxy

 

WElcome  our little club, our Facebook page is coming along very nicely and is great for getting to know each other and put faces to names.

 

I was a bundle of nerves before my first chemo on 26th Jan, and I can feel myself getting a bit nervous before FEC 2 next week, but I suppose all this is par for the course in having to manage something we are just not used to, and never thought we would have to go through.

 

Feel free to ask any questions, as quite a few of us have had our first chemo and we all probably have different experiences.

 

Tessa

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi everyone. I've just had my start date confirmed as 15th Feb so I hope you don't mind me pulling up a chair in here...

I'm feeling pretty scared about it all but I'm putting my brave face on for the world. Looking forward to getting to know all you lovely ladies. If it's OK could I also jump in on the facebook group?

Hugs to all x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Yes I was told chemo can make nails sensitive to light & can actually drop off. Didn't happen to me first time round but they went very brittle & weak. Not sure if that was chemo or constant nail varnish use. Some ladies lose toenails too so there is differing theories as toenails tend to be always covered! Keep moisturising under the nail (the bit that hangs over your pad) Mine are ridged though.

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Seriously I've just taken my painkillers again 10 minutes ago lol
That was about putting in oil in the bath and then getting in and just lying there as it's sort of just get all over the skin ..
fairy liquid for rinsing bath afterwards thou x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Scent

Re: February 2017 Starters

Arrr thanks Tessa ..
I've got a top-tip ..
baby oil and a few drops of essential oil if you want for sent .. makes whole body including nails hands and feet lovely and soft and keeps moisture in .
Highly recommended for lazy people like me as it's an all over body moisturise without the bother of standing doing it x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi Zena

 

My nose was dripping on Saturday but that was because my lack of first aid couldn't stop my nose bleed 😞   but a quick call to the ooo nurse sorted me out.

 

Yes, I've heard we will probably have runny nose and streaming eyes - not sure if I'll get double the dose as I reckon it will all coincide with the start of hay fever season.....oh the joys

 

I think the reason they say paint your nails dark is for two things - hides the discoloration from the chemo, and protects the nails from UV. I've heard that moisturising them from now onwards (i.e.  before the nail problems start) can help, but I don't know what the best nail oil is - there are loads available, and being free of chemicals doesn't always mean it's the best. Any ideas ladies?

 

Tessa

Re: February 2017 Starters

Ok forgot lizard mouth too 🦎
Does anyone know why or if painting nails dark colour helps or why ? X

Re: February 2017 Starters

Oh Zena I think you've had every side effect available! Don't forget you will lose you nostril hair (oh yeah) & will just snot everywhere because there's nothing stopping it any more. Lost count of the times friends have told me I've got a dewdrop.
Even the lovely downy stuff on your face will go leaving your skin with a feeling that it doesn't belong to you. But downstairs will go or at least thin & underarms & legs too! Positives from negatives ladies!

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

My nose has been running all day .. was it you Tessa that said that or jojo ? Odd 😒! ..., is that it-from now on ? Tissue up sleeve - wig on - eyebrows on - hat at the ready and no parabens (so crap basically) deodorant on - and lopsided or boobless bras ..
O REALLY DRY SKIN TOO CAUSE THERES NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE US LOOK 100 YEARS OLD IN A WEEK !!!!!!!!!
PHONE STUCK IN CAPS BUT I DONT CARE
IM FEELING BETTER TODAY CAN YOU TELL ? X

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi ladies and thank you for the welcome xxx

Jo and Zena I have sent you fb friend requests xx

I will be back on later to chat

Sarah xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Morning everyone

 

Welcome to Sarah (if welcome is the right word!!!). None of us want to be on here. We have been planning for about 10 years to put our house in Shropshire on the market in 2017 (when I got to 60) and move to West Wales (to the sea). With some money from the sale we were buying a campervan and having a gap year all around the UK. All that totally put on hold.

 

I haven't noticed any hair loss yet. I use a non SLS soap to wash my hair (have done since May - not connected to BC at all) and I've stopped using a blow drier. I have a nice wig ready although I haven't taken it out of the box since I brought it home! I must try it again and get used to the feel of it.

 

Hop on to facebook and join our group if you do FB - find me Julie Owen via Broseley Totally Locally.

 

Love Jules 1

Re: February 2017 Starters

😂😂😂

Re: February 2017 Starters

OMG and Goni- it's the painkiller s im going mad !!

Re: February 2017 Starters

And not for the hair .. must check before post x

Re: February 2017 Starters

That's obviously shead (sorry)

Re: February 2017 Starters

Yea don't do it till you are ready tessa as it is a bit hard and I did sheaf some tears .. not got the hair as much as what I was Goni through., but then my Hubby said I leave the house from Scarlett johanson and come back to Demi Moore .. bless him I think he'd spent all day thinking that up ❤️

Re: February 2017 Starters

I'll be surprised if any of us who aren't using the cold cap end up keeping our hair 😞    I'm not brave enough to get it buzzed off yet, but am preparing for it some time in the next week or so.

 

Tessa

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi Tessa
No no hair-loss yet !!
Just joking around with Jo c about what if we are the ones to keep it and we've buzzed it all off for nothing lol 😧
x

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi Sarah ,
So sorry your here ..it's not where we want to be at all so we understand your pain ..
Saying that we can get through this and come out with some new stories,some more wisdom and at the end victory dances and drinks 🍾🍩 x

sorry I have to say this as it may help 😾
MY BUTT HURTS 😢😢😢😢😢😢🍇
It's not from the chemo it's just my bad Luck the doc said 😖
Can you believe I get my worst bout of piles since pregnancy now !!!!!!!!!!
I'm gonna sound like my 4 year old but ITS NOT FAIR 😣Xx

Ps live to you all is good too Sarah 😘Xx


Re: February 2017 Starters

Morning all

 

Sarah, I don't think any of us want chemo, but If we stick together we can help each other manage it as best we can. I wish I could have avoided it, but can't. I have a little chart counting the days off, as every day I get through is a day closer to finishing chemo. I have everything else after that too, surgery etc.

 

Julie, Zena, you had first chemo same time as me. Have you noticed any hair loss yet? I seemed to lose a few fine eyelashes yesterday, and my head hair is definitely weakening, as I am losing more hair than normal when brushing. Strangely I have had a headache and slighly runny eyes the last couple of days and wonder if it's related.

 

Tessa

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi Sarah
Sorry to hear that you're joining us on this journey (if you know what I mean!) but we'll be here supporting each other every step of the way.
You've got to do what you've got to do to stay alive. It's all a huge balls ache but there is really no other option.
There will be good days though! Its not all bad & spring is on the way. Yay!

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Love to all of you (that should have said) xxxxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hiiiiii, had a little tip toe in last week as I wasn't sure whether I would be having chemo or not and was waiting for oncotype result to come through .... anyway, here I am and start chemo next Wednesday 15th Feb ... I'm devastated at the moment so been reading through your posts to make myself feel more positive about the whole thing ... I don't know why I am so shocked as it had always been mentioned but I suppose I was just really hoping for a low score ...
I've also added myself (friend request) to your fb page, I hope you don't mind ... Sarah bowker
live to all of you .. Sarah xxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Hi everyone

 

How are you all?

 

The facebook page has eight of us on there and it's lovely to see photos of you all with your families, dogs and cats. It won't replace this page but will be useful to add stuff and be able to private message if anyone is feeling really low.

 

I have a bit more energy today so feeling happy.

 

I'm reading a book by Sian Williams (Breakfast TV etc) about her double masectomy and dealing with all sorts of stressful situations. Some of it has been hard going and I was wondering why I was reading it but now I'm finding it good. I've been bought about 4 colouring books and pencils and there were times when I thought I should be doing  that instead LOL.

 

Keep strong girls - we are the Fab February Girls!

 

Anyone new please find our facebook page by looking for Broseley Totally Locally where you will find me - Julie Owen

 

Jules1 xxxxx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Zena

 

this is really useful, thanks. I had to look up Emend, it's the one called aprepipant. I suppose this list helps explain what they each do, and I am not convinced I need them all, but frightened not to take at least some for fear of suffering nausea.

 

Tessa

Re: February 2017 Starters

That pic of you jules just loaded on my page - I wanna come visit when you are back there .. just my sort of thing xx
I thought I would post this as maybe useful to us and anyone else going through chemo xx
Drug treatment options for nausea and vomiting. Source: patient information UK

* Cinnarizine, cyclizine, promethazine – these medicines belong to a group of medicines called antihistamines. The exact way that they work is not fully understood. It is thought that antihistamines block histamine 1 (H1) receptors in the area of the brain which creates nausea in response to chemicals in the body. They are thought to work well for nausea caused by a number of conditions including ear problems and motion (travel) sickness.

* Hyoscine – this medicine works by blocking a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. It is a type of medicine called an antimuscarinic (or anticholinergic). It works well for nausea caused by ear problems and motion sickness.

* Chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, levomepromazine– these medicines work by blocking a chemical in the brain called dopamine. They are useful for nausea that is caused by some cancers, radiation, and opiate medicines such as morphine and codeine. Prochlorperazine (or brand name Stemetil®) is one of the most used medicines for nausea. It works for many causes of nausea, including vertigo, ear problems and sickness in pregnancy.

* Metoclopramide – this medicine works directly on your gut. It eases the feelings of sickness by helping to empty the stomach and speed up how quickly food moves through the gut. It is often used for people with sickness due to gut problems or migraine. It is not usually used for more than a few days.

* Domperidone – this medicine works on the CTZ (an area of the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone). It also speeds up the emptying of the gut. It is not usually used for more than a few days.

* Dexamethasone – this is a steroid medicine. It is a man-made version of a natural hormone produced by your own body. Dexamethasone has a wide range of actions on many parts of the body. The reason why it reduces nausea isn’t clear.

* Granisetron, ondansetron, and palonosetron – these medicines work by blocking a chemical called serotonin (5-HT) in the gut, and the brain. Serotonin (5-HT) has an action in the gut and the brain to cause nausea. These medicines are useful for controlling nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

* Aprepitant and fosaprepitant – these are newer medicines and work by blocking a chemical that acts on neurokinin receptors in the body to cause nausea. They are sometimes called neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists. They are usually given to people on a certain type of chemotherapy.

* Nabilone – it is still not clear how this medicine works to control nausea. It is normally prescribed for people who are having chemotherapy.

Medicines for nausea are available as tablets capsules, liquids, suppositories and skin patches. Some are given as injections into the muscle or directly into the vein

Re: February 2017 Starters

Ok il think it's them shrinking .. but it feels weird like swelling so I may call my bcn again (think she's fed up of me already) ..
not that it will change anything as I still have to have 3 before they check ..
good luck with the injections and I agree I definitely started to feel better after stopping them .. except a day of flu like aches ..
it's so strange the tiredness isn't it .. hard to explain to anyone., I have a like a burst of energy then wiped out and just goes on and on like that xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

I had some pain in lump & armpit pre surgery. Wasn't horrific, just a few twinges that lasted a few hours. My brain told me it was the chemo working it's magic & shrinking them. Turned out my brain was right!
Feeling the FEC today. Vary fatigued. Just chilling today & start g-csf injections tonight. While I was on the TC I always felt tons better when they had finished. One more week then!

Jojo xx

Re: February 2017 Starters

Tessa
I had biopsy 28th Dec - Hereford hospital was so slow that I moved to Cheltenham.,
Yes it hurt for 2 weeks after biopsy.,
This is different it's like I can feel the cancer aching again .. and my armpits feel swollen..
I'm having an MRI I think after 3 Fec .. just my mind is now telling me in dark moments that I'm the low %again that chemo doesn't work for .
I hate cancer xx