Starting chemo in February

[Guest user]

Well girlies, no tax for me yesterday, low white and red cells!! I have to wait a week and also have an echograph on my heart next week. The Onc was lovely as usual, she told me that I just need to rest with tax, and take it easy. The toxins have affected the mucose membranes in my eyes nose and throat, and thats why my eyes are streaming all the time. So I have steroid drops for my eyes, gargle with bicarbsoda and water for my mouth and squirt salt water up my nose... lovely! The drops have worked like a charm already, no more running eyes!

I feel OK, my legs ache when I walk too far but apart from that I feel pretty normal!!

My friend is here looking after me which is lovely, I haven't slept for 3 nights and she has jetlag so we are a right pair!

Adi, if you scalp isn't sore then hang on to your hair, but if it does start to hurt you will get instant relief if you buzz it down to number 2 or 3. i did the same as Al and it worked immediately and I have never had a problem with my scalp. (apart from when I burnt it and banged it on the stairs)!!

I hope you all are doing Ok with your SE's and Lisa we haven't heard from you so I hope your TAX isn't too bad sweetie.

Going to the beach today... blue skies again, got my parasol and factor 30!! Best place to relax and rest and get these blood cells up.

Not long to go girls... we can see the light!

kisses xx

[GingerLaces]

Hi Bob20, glad you managed your chemo too as delays are not what we want! Itching to get it all over and done with. Hair is still coming out in handfuls but going to hang to it as long as I can. Just don't like the idea of going bald just yet.
Do hope you start to feel better soon. Steroids are wearing off so starting to feel tired but can't sleep. Still have not got my voice back and it is two weeks tomorrow. Oh well only a week to go I hope as that was my record for losing voice.

Hope rest of you ladies are busy doing wonderful things and not having time to post and SEs are keeping away from you all.

Enjoy weekend. Adi

[Guest user]

Hello all.

Well, my neutrophils were busy overnight on Tues and had made it up to 1 by Wednesday morning when i went to the chemo ward and had a second blood test. So FEC5 went ahead on schedule. So I'm at home on sofa feeling sick still! My arm is looking fantastic. Last two chemos have been in a different vein to the twiggy black one, so I now have two hard veins, and a big bruise. Ok as long as I dont try straightening the arm or carrying anything in it. Which is difficult as I'm left-handed. Oh well, only one more to go in, so hopefully they will hang on until then!

Lizzy, lizzy. You're not having much luck with infections/fevers and hospital visits. Hope the antibiotics have sorted you out and you managed the long drive. And hope the visit from friend is just what you need to perk you up. As Sal says, they're not coming to check out how clean your house is they're coming to see you. And if they do like clean, you can always suggest that they help out while you relax and recover on the sofa! Hope you have a lovely time while they're staying with you. Did you get your TAX on schedule today?

I've still got plenty of fresh mint, so once my sick-feeling has gone and tastebuds back, I will be sure to have some mojitos. Preferably outside in the sun, though since it is STILL raining, perhaps indoors. We've got a new sofa arriving tomorrow so I'll have even more room to sprawl out recovering from FEC. Not quite sure where old sofa is going to go until we've sorted out when we can have it removed!

Glad you enjoyed the reiki Sal. I'm getting a head massage at my next FEC apparently. There's a complementary therapist at the chemo ward and she usually tries to give me a foot massage but I hate having my feet touched! I eventually caved in and let her do my feet when i was having FEC4 but it was a bit ticklish for my liking!

Glad you got your last taxol on schedule adi. Have you decided what to do about your hair yet? I shaved mine off after FEC1 as it was sore, and the pain went immediately. Doesn't seem to have done my scalp any harm either. I got it clippered off to a number 1 or 2 first, then took a wet razor to it, with lots of gel and shaving cream on head. My hair has started growing back too, even though i'm still on FEC, so i look like a fuzzy chicken. But I'm going to try leaving it and see if it stays on. Might come out after my latest FEC, but worth a try. Eyelashes nearly all gone now, just got red scabby eyes. And a few eyebrows still clinging on so i'm filling in the gaps with an eyebrow pencil courtesy of LGFB session.

Donna/Lisa - how are you ladies doing? Hope the TAX isn't treating you too badly and the various aches and pains are under control with painkillers.

Hope everyone else is well too. Must be nearly steroid time for me so best get some food in my belly first.

Al xx

[salcha66]

Sorry am shaking my head at all my bad typos!!!

[salcha66]

Hello all,

Blimey Lizzy you do go thru the mill dont you, hope antibiotics have started working. Enjoy your time with your friend its you she is cominh to see not a clean house!

Al, Hope the bloods cam back ok and you went ahead with FEC 5, maybe mojitos would have pushed them up, even if they didnt it would have been good fun trying!

Donna and Lisa , hope you are both ok.

Adi, I had my first reiki at The Haven today and have to admit to being a bit sceptical, but wow it was really good. I came out feeling relaxed but rejuvenated at the same time and have felt much smilier more positive and happier than i have for a long time. Have three more booked in and i cant wait. It definitely must be ok to have during chemo because i was recommended to have them by the haven and they are a breast cancer charity. I go back next week for accupuncture for my night sweats have 4 of these bokked also so lets
hope they work, and its all free!!

Hope all are feeling ok off for some supper before The Apprentice (love it !!)

Love Sal x

[GingerLaces]

Hi Al - hope your bloods picked up and chemo went ahead. Will have plenty of mint for mojitos but waiting for the sun to shine so that can enjoy them in the garden!

Lizzyspain - sorry you had to go to A & E again but best to get checked out. Hope you ok with all that driving but at least something to look forward to and spending time with friend.

Donna/Lisa - hope you all ok and not suffering from SES.

Sal - had reiki in the past for other problems and it was brilliant. Let me know how you get on and is it ok to have whilst receiving chemo treatment?

Managed to get my taxol number 5 completed today - yippee. After last week's postponement, feel good about getting back on track. Now have 7 left to go. Felt really good earlier after long sleep but now bit drowsy/tired. My hair is disappearing every day and will get hairdresser to give it a good trim tomorrow. Oncologist advised against shaving it off! Said not good for the scalp - so many different opinions as know most ladies go down this road. I will just have a good tidy up of what there is left and do as I am told. Which will be a first for me!!! lol. Obstinate control freak....

Have a good evening everyone and sorry if missed anyone - blame the chemo brain. Adi x

[Guest user]

Morning all,

Another visit to the Emergency Room for me with a high fever, but this time they didn't keep me in and sent me home with antibiotics. My wbc are even lower than the last time, and I am supposed to have my 3rd tax this Friday so i have a feeling if things don't pick up it may be delayed. My legs ache like crazy and I have 4 hour drive tomorrow to Valencia Airport... not looking forward to that!! My best pal from Seattle is coming to visit me and I am fretting about getting the house clean etc. Not the best time to feel so ill.

How is your hair now Adi? I had mine buzzed off as soon it was coming out in clumps as it just got on my nerves and ended up everywhere. And my scalp stopped hurting immediately. I have never worn my wig out, its too wiggy for me. But now I am on tax my hair has started to grow back!! Albeit a bit fine at the moment, I am sure after a couple more shaves it will be much stronger!

Sal, you have a funpacked summer ahead of you, it sounds great. I have been sending sun vibes over to you all... and now it's a bit overcast here, so I hope you got them!!!

Lisa, how are you doing now on TAX, are you feet any better? I sleep at night with a hot water bottle on my aching legs, it seems to help.

Well, better carry on... take care sweeties

Lizzy xxx

[salcha66]

Hello all,

Tiredness now gone and feeling great, just want this last one over and done with now.
Off to Haven tomorrow for reiki so might just have to tie that in with some retail therapy for my hols. Have got a hectic few weeks, Take That the evening after last chemo it is the opening night in Sunderland then following weekend in London for an awards ceremony for work all travel and four star hotel included then holidays.

Oh my goodness lizzy you look so glamorous!!! Not impressed with you keeping hold of that sun though! Its bloomin cold here heating still going on in the evening.

Helen, EC 5 had same effect on me and took as long as you for tiredness to go i guess its just the cumulative effect, we always know we will come out the other side but so frustrating when you are in the thick of it.

Donna so sorry to hear your news i guess it will take some getting your head round and so bloody unfair when you are so young.

Al, Holiday destinantion now changed there was aproblem with flights so we are off to Side in Turkey we went there last year different hotel so all sorted we fly out on June 19th for a week, i truly am counting the days, will be packing my case full of books, i always get ones from charity shops for holidays so i can leave them there

Hope all your se's are minimal everyone specially all you tax ladies

Love Salxx

[Guest user]

Hello ladies.

Like the new pic Lizzy. I wish I could wear shades. Still no sun here - can we have some of yours please? Roll on the scorcher of a summer, though I somehow doubt that it will reach Scotland!

Sorry your hair is on its way out adi. Mine appears to be growing again, in a sort of fuzzy half-hearted way. Annoyingly, this is making my scalp sore (like when it was coming out) but I've decided not to shave it off again and see if it survives FEC5.

Talking of which, my pesky neutrophils are a bit low - had my bloods done this morning for FEC5 tomorrow and they're 0.8. I've still got to go in to the chemo ward tomorrow but will have to have another blood test (bah) and see if they have gone up to 1 (the cut-off) by then. Hopefully they will otherwise it will disrupt my plans for going away over the bank hol weekend etc. What can I have for tea tonight that will magically restore my neutrophils I wonder? Pizza was on the menu but I can't see that working!

Supposed to be working at home this afternoon but will go for a wee walk and see if that does anything.

How are the nails doing Lizzy? Hopefully the rest haven't joined your one black toenail. I get some stares at my baldy head too - i just stare back, or smile sweetly, or mutter something about it being rude to stare (depending on my mood).

Fresh mint tea from the garden sounds nice adi. Might try that. I drink a lot of unfresh peppermint tea (from the peppermint teabag box) but now that I have a big healthy mint plant, I might see what that is like. Or I might save it for mojitos! Even tastier!

Hope the rest of you - lisa, donna, sal, helen and anyone else I have missed out are well too. Good luck for your tax tomorrow Donna.

Al x

[Guest user]

Hi all,

Donna... very sorry to hear your news, I can imagine how you must feel, and I am just sorry... but you are young and you never know, things change, opinions change, they find new stuff out all the time. I had my second child at 42... you have a while yet!

No earthquake here, it was about 2 hours south of us near the coast, we are in the mountains, although my kids did use it as an excuse for their very messy rooms! It has been sunny and hot here, with a odd thunderstorm thrown in for good measure.

I seem to be surviving well on the TAX so far, just find myself getting very tired very quickly, one black toe nail but thats about it, of course the yukky taste still. I have a great appetite too Lisa but find myself swinging on the cupboard and fridge door searching for things that might taste good! I find that ginger biscuits dipped in tea work for me!

I have been out and about since friday with my baldy head, you want to see the looks and stares... its's incredible, i mean, anyone would think I had two heads or something. At one point as I walked though the market I stopped and swivelled around quickly (as if I was in one of those kids games) and caught out a bunch of them... boy, you should have seen them jump! It was funny. My five year old asked me why I hadn't put on my 'pretend hair'... haha. I have never worn my wig ever, it just sits on the stair post and scares the dogs!

I just made a treacle sponge in the microwave and that tasted OK, so thats another string to my bow! Well girls, I hope you are all doing OK. We don't have much longer now... summer will soon be here and I hear it is supposed to be a scorcher in the UK.

Love the pic of Gucci, she is a doll.

Chins up... here comes Monday!

lizzy xx

[GingerLaces]

Hi ladies - forgot to say. Just discovered something I like to drink - for now anyway! Fresh mint from the garden in hot water. It is so refreshing. Must go and top up.....

[GingerLaces]

Sorry about your news Donna. As if BC not enough to deal with. Your little girl looks so cute! Big hugs to both of you.

Al - I am walking round the Milton Keynes Bowl. Can't run as not fit enough, plus have had two back operations in the past, so limited to exercise. But I am quite happy with walking just wish I could do a lot more at the minute. Will go for short walk later.

Looks like the rest of my hair is finally waving goodbye:(. Scalp felt weird again day before yesterday so was expecting it, and yesterday and today it is coming out in handfuls. When I mentioned it to daughter she said that she had noticed it becoming really thin. Bless her! Got appointment with hairdresser to cut my wig on Thurs, but may have to have the rest cut off. Although it was really thin and grey it was enough to wear scarves etc. Will just have to wear wigs.

Enjoy weekend ladies. Adi x

[Guest user]

Donna - sorry to hear your news. Is that because you're ER+? I haven't been told that. In fact they let me have IVF treatment before i started chemo cos we haven't got any kids yet and we were about to try to start a family. Sending hugs your way.

I've got my next FEC on the 18th too so I'll be thinking of you while I'm having my veins poked and prodded. Hope it goes ok for you and doesn't have as many horrible SEs as last time.

Lizzy - hope you are nowhere near the recent earthquake in Spain and that you are fine.

Well done on registering for a race for life adi. Where are you doing yours? Mine is a week later, quite looking forward to it. I haven't run for ages so I reckon it'll be a mainly walking race! Fingers crossed your next Taxol goes on schedule.

Helen - enjoy the daytime telly! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for more walks so we can all get out a bit. Just avoid Jeremy Kyle...

I'm off out drinking tonight so am wishing I didn't stay up so late last night. Am knackered already! Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Al x

[ChoccieMuffin]

Donna, that'sa helluva bit of news to hear, I reckon it'll take some time to sink in.

[Bunny3]

Hi all,

Hope you all doing okay? Sorry not been on for a while.
I am abit fed up at the mo as Oncologist has now told me that it would be advisable for me to have no more children as I run a high risk of the cancer returning if I do!She has suggested if the chemo and tamoxifen do not stop my monthly cycle then they would consider stopping them. We only have the one daughter and she is our world but I would of soo loved to have had another so she had a sibling/ someone there when she is older. Being only 34 I never thought I would be told this, what a blow eh!!!!!!

Got my next TAX on the 18th May day before my Birthday GREAT!!!

Lisa - your puppy is soo cute, how you coping with the TAX? I think you are a few days behind me? xx

Lizzy - Hope your okay in sunny Spain? Hows the TAX going? xx

Everyone else hope you all doing okay, will have a proper catch up on this thread later as little one is needing my attention.. Bless

Love to you all

Donna xx

[GingerLaces]

Hi everyone, hope you enjoying evening without SEs. Managed to walk into town today, puffed out but did it. Cough has started to ease a bit thank goodness. Going to make concerted effort to walk every day as have actually booked to do the 5k race for life on 11th June so yes June is a hectic month. Bob20, my Taxols are weekly and fingers crossed I can carry on with them on Wednesday, should be saying only 7 to go but unfortunately it is still 8 due to cancellation on Wed. Hope you all have a lovely eve. Adi x

[woollycardy]

Hi everyone

It's been nine days since FEC5 and I've been feeling more tired this time. Feeling bit better today and managed to go for a walk in the sunshine, which has made me feel a bit better.

Al - I think you are right about the cabin fever when not working - I stopped work as was told there would be an infection risk - and am going crazy watching way too much daytime telly.

Lisa - Gucci is vv cute and with that furry innocent face I'm sure she can get away with a little bit of digging!

Sal - you are right about the kiwis!!

Love
Helen x

[Guest user]

I'm still working Lisa. Not every day- I can basically choose when and how much I do which is good. And not being completely signed off, I still get all the bank holidays (I was quite miffed over xmas at having to take all that as sick leave as I was fully signed off!). I am definitely doing less than earlier on in my chemo though. Find it difficult to concentrate and am knackered all the time so getting up early is tricky. I work in an office of 2 people at the moment (and I am one of them) so the infection risk is pretty minimal. I reckon i'm more likely to catch something when I stop at the supermarket on the way home.

I do quite like the idea of being off work completely and getting through my book collection Sal, but I think I'd get cabin fever at home all of the time, so I'm going to try to continue working. Need to get a new FIT note from my doctor on Monday. Tempted to ask for some sleeping pills too as, despite being knackered, I can't sleep properly. Probably because I'm not getting enough exercise (or cos my OH snores!). If it rained less, I'd go out walking more...

June sounds like a busy month for you adi. I started off very skinny when I was about to start chemo, so was put on a 'get fat' diet by a dietician. I didn't need to worry though - my appetite has doubled and I have put on about 6kg! I'd better pace myself though.. Hope you manage to enjoy all those nice days out - will you still be getting chemo then? (sorry - i can't remember who is at what stage. Chemo-brain, or just bad memory!). Are you getting your chemo weekly if you're having 12 taxols? Mine are every 3 weeks, so should be finished on 8th June. Ready to run (ha) walk the race for life on the 19th. Then hopefully a holiday. Where are you going again Sal? I bet you can't wait. Just remember to take your factor 20 with you, or you'll get a row from the rads people too!

I know my neutrophil counts as they write them in a 'chemo record book' each time Lisa. My platelets for some reason have gone much higher than they were even before starting chemo, though the WBC and neutrophils are quite pathetic. Fingers crossed they are well-behaved for my blood test on Tuesday. And fingers crossed I don't get the same phlebotomist as last time! Or I'll run away!

Al x

[salcha66]

Hello all,

Its a week since EC 5 and ave been feeling way more tired these last couple of days finding it really frustrating, never mind this too will pass.
Lisa, good to see you back girl, i do feel for you with that twig feeling in your arm i still have mine since before they put the PICC in and it does feel yukky, and you can actually see it ykk. Your doggy is too cute and i absolutely love the name, really cool! Good luck with work i stopped after EC4 and am glad i did i just would not have had the energy this time.

Al, I asked my onc about taking a hol between chemo and rads and he positively encouraged it, said as long as i waited for 3 weeks after chemo because i want to go abroad he had no issues at all, and said rads could start in 5th or 6th week after chemo no problem. So my picc line comes out straight away after my last chemo to give time
for wound to heal. I too have noticed white soft fuzzy facial hair its cruel when that seems to be first to come back!! Have got a couple of jo nesbos waiting for me to read but am struggling thru The Postmistress at the moment, hate giving up on a book but am not really enjoying it.
Lizzy Ermmm it seems that you are not sending sunshine far enough north!! Must try harder! However my chemo nurses did say to me last week, where have you been to get that tan? I am now under instruction to use nothing less than Factor 20! My skin tans way faster than it ever did since chemo. I have been chuckling to myself at you all trying the kiwi fruit thing, am wonderiing if i can get commission from the kiwi fruit growers for sales shooting thru the roof! But it really does work doesnt it?
Go for my picc dressing changed today OH is only allowed to flush not change, lord knows why, its a 60 mile round trip to hospital so its a pain but only two more visits to go and then i am done, gosh girls i cant believe that two weeks today i will be having my last chemo, where did the time go , we have been AMAZING! Obviously rads and tamox after that but i can allow myself a little victory dance cant i 🙂
Love to you all

Sal x

[GingerLaces]

Morning Ladies, Thanks for all the hints. Ragamuffin - I actually tried the fizzy water with a hint of squash last night and seemed to be ok. Well at least for now until I being to loathe that as well.

Bob20 - I think the walk wore me out as slept really well last night which I think I have been trying to catch on for a while. Carrot slab sounds nice maybe I need to try and bake something but have been trying to avoid sugary stuff as that really upsets my stomach at the moment, and so does everything else:) But I still eat and becoming like a house! Worrying as got Christening, wedding and big birthday party to attend all in June. Going to have to have a serious talk to myself today.

Lisa - don't know how you are managing to work, well done and I admire you. I have been off since January and whilst I pop in to work I am not capable of much at the minute. Not only am I too tired but brain is not in gear. Plus my GP was not happy for me to work because of infections etc, although still picked one up. Can't win.

Have a lovely day ladies, looks like the sun is shining for a change.

Adi x

[Lisa_x]

Morning All,

Adi- I hope you are feeling a bit better today. I'm struggling to finding something that tastes good although I do still have an appetite. I tried a stronger tea but that didn't help and coffee doesn't taste the same. Some of the flavoured sparkling waters aren't too bad and I'm drinking pineapple juice and red grape juice.

Al- My arm is indeed colourful, it's varying shades of a bruise. Gross! Maybe I got the neutrophil count wrong and it was my total white blood count, I don't know. It's only the second time someone has told me what it is, the first being when I was admitted at 0.1. I usually just get told it's adequate for chemo and that's been good enough for me.

I'm hoping to go back to work next for 5 hours a day. Is anyone else still working? I don't know what I'll be able to do as I can't concentrate on anything but I'm going to give it a go.

Gucci is gorgeous isn't she? She came with her name and since she's had it for 6 months, we didn't want to chnage it and confuse her. She has taken a liking to my flowerbed and dug a hole in the middle of the garden but so far she hasn't shown an interst in my plants.

Have a good day everyone xxxx

[Guest user]

Adi - for me, its peppermint tea, fizzy water and ginger beer. Normal tea tastes horrible for the first week of each FEC, but then after that its not as bad. And for some reason, i like sticky chilli chicken when my tastebuds are weird. And for the first few days when feeling nauseous, bland stuff like baked potatoes or cheese on toast are what I crave. Nothing really tastes that nice though....Hope you manage to find something you like!

Love the pic Lisa. She is a very cute puppy. Hoping she hasn't been pooing in your flowerbeds any more!

Glad you made it out for a walk adi - I didn't! I attempted to make a carrot cake. Its a carrot slab - for some reason it didn't rise. Bah. I'll probably eat it anyway though.

I haven't seen my onc since just before my second FEC. But I'll ask at the chemo ward on Wednesday whether I'll get time for a holiday. I reckon we all deserve a holiday! Just need to see if we have any money for one!

Lactulose - yuk. I had that, but it gave me bad wind so I got Movicol instead. Its much better and doesn't taste as yuk either! Your veins sound more colourful than mine Lisa. I just have a dark line, which like yours is turning a bit twiggy... Your neutrophils are quite impressive. I'm hoping for around 2 when i get my bloods done on Tuesday.

Feels like bedtime. Hope you get some sleep tonight adi!

Al x

[ragamuffin]

Hi Adi

I know what you mean about everything tasting foul. I found that Sainsburys Caledonian sparkling spring water is OK. It comes in two litre bottles and I aim to drink at least one of them every twenty four hours. On most days I probably get through just a little over the two litres so have maintained hydration that way.

All the best Diana x

[GingerLaces]

Hi everyone just woken up after a long sleep and boy I needed it! Felt so down and miserable earlier, just didnt know what to do with myself. The walk was only short and coughed all the way round, but I think the fresh air did me good, cleared my brain a bit too. I am not surprised to have picked up this bug, I think my body was just so tired not just from the poison but the lack of sleep for days on end from the steroids. We can only keep going for so long!!!!

Lisa, how gorgeous is Gucci!!! Hope all your treatment is over well before your big birthday.

I seem to always be hungry but nothing tastes nice and just don't know what to eat anymore as nothing satiates. Drinking is the same, it just tastes foul and would welcome some ideas as to what everyone is keeping hydrated on.

Have a good evening. Adi x

[Lisa_x]

Hi All,

I keep losing my posts- this is my 5th attempt.
Thank you all for your concern; Woooo Hooo, I am in the land of living again! Ok, I still have sore feet (feels like I've bruised my heels and arches) and I have a rash which my GP says is an infection but I am feeling so much better! Bloods were fine, neutrophils were 7.5 so the neulasta jab must be working.

Lizzy- I think the paracetamol and codeine are ok. I've been taking both along with diclofenac. My Onc team prescribed the codeine and diclofenac. Be careful with paracetamol though as it can reduce your temperature. I take my temp before taking it. As Al says, codeine can give you constipation but I've been given lactolose syrup to combat that. I'm so glad to hear that you're better with Tax 2. I'm eating a daily kiwi fruit too. they are full of vitamin C too. When are you coming back to the UK?

Al-Have changed my pic- this is Gucci! I'm still sporting the junkie chic look, I have veins varying shades of red, purple and yellow. At least i can co-ordinate with any outfit. My arm doesn't hurt so much now but one of the veins is so hard, it's like a twig. Suposredly, Tax is kinder on the veins (that's th only positive I've got for Tax so far). I've had 2 MUGA scans, one before chemo to baseline my heart function and then another 2 weeks ago after I finsihed FEC. Supposedly the E part of FEC can damage the heart as can herceptin and I'm starting that with the next Tax. I had 3 nodes removed and all 3 had cancer cells. I'll be having full clearance with Mx after chemo and may never know hoe many nodes were affected. I'm not sure what the recommended time is between chemo and rads. I was told my surgery will be 3 to 6 weeks after last chemo. I think Sal has managed to book a holikday between chemo and rads. have you mentioned this to your Onc? I'm sure they'll work around a holiday. you deserve one!

Donna- How are you feeling now? I hope the TAX SE's have subsided for you.

Sal- Glad to hear your enjoying your garden project. I say sod the money, you'll be able to enjoy it all summer as you lunge in it with your books!

Adi- Sorry to hear you've had a delay. I had FEC2 delayed as I was neutropenic. It's probably best to get over the chest infection though. I know what you mean about getting everything out of the way in time for your birthday. I'll be 40 on 4 Sept. I'm hoping to have my surgery out of the way and recovered enough that I can have a bit of a celebration (and lots of alcohol).

Take care everyone,

Lisa xxxxxxxxx

[Guest user]

I wish I could motivate myself into going for a walk adi! I keep nearly going, then realise it's raining again. Half an hour later and the sun is out, but then I can't be bothered going out, then the rain starts again! More sunshine needed Lizzy!

I take paracetamol on chemo lizzy. I try to limit it, but on days like today when I have a hellish headache, I figure its ok. Esp if you take your temp first, then it isn't going to mask anything... I stay well away from codeine as it completely blocks me up (sorry if TMI). Post-surgery I wasn't aware of this and suffered the consequences. Though now I have movicol... If it is making your breathing difficult, I'd check with your doctor before taking any more painkillers though.

I also get bad hayfever (with or without eyelashes; currently have about 5 eyelashes per eye so they aint doing much good frankly!). I'm taking Piriton at night, partly as it helps me sleep and partly as my hayfever seems bad at night. And my chemo nurses said it was ok to take hayfever remedies so I'm sure the non-drowsy one-a-day ones are ok to take too. I get Piriton IV when I'm getting my chemo as I have an allergic reaction to the E of FEC, so the day of my FEC, I have no hayfever (but find it hard to stay awake!). I'm with you on the red eyes - mine look terrible, and can't disguise the redness/lack of eyelashes with makeup as they are too itchy. If it was sunny enough (more please!), I'd just wear sunglasses all of the time and it'd be fine!

So is 3 weeks after chemo the standard for starting rads then? I was hoping for a bit longer so I can recover properly from FEC6 and fit in a holiday (as well as do some work as my full pay sick leave will have run out by then!). Maybe i'll ask when I'm getting Fecced next week.

Donna, Lisa - hope you're both ok after your TAX hit - can we see a pic of the new puppy Lisa?!

Al x

Hope your coughing has subsided adi, or that the walk has taken your mind off it at least. Strap that portacath down!

[GingerLaces]

Hi Lizzyspain thanks for the sunshine! Birthday on 11th so we can both cyber celebrate sometime in the middle? Not sure where Lisa is, but do hope she is too busy with her puppy and not suffering SEs. Enjoy shunshine, just going to put my coat on and see if can manage a very short walk. Take care

[Guest user]

Sending sunshine, sending sunshine... can you see it yet!!

Sorry you have been delayed with your taxol Adi, but it's probably for the best. When is your birthday, mine is 28 August. I finish my Tax 10 June, then 3 weeks later start rads. I continue with herceptin tho for quite a while. Take care of yourself.

I wonder how Lisa is, getting worried about you Lisa, hope to see you on here soon and feeling better.

I have just realised that I probably shouldn't be taking paracetamol and codeine, after a really bad night where I thought I would just stop breathing!! Didn't get to sleep til 6am and up again at 8am... shattered now! Does anyone know if codeine is bad on chemo? And hayfever... does anyone else suffer, and can you take pills for it while on chemo? My eyes look like peeholes in the snow as it is without my eyelashes... but when I have been rubbing them... ooooh scary!!

ok... sending more sunshine, sending more sunshine xxx

[GingerLaces]

Hi Bob20 yesterday should have been Taxol 5 and having a total of 12. Then having 18 rads, which I am hoping will follow very soon after finish Taxols. I think one of the Onc team mentioned 3 weeks after, so fingers crossed can start those almost immediately after Taxols. From being diagnosed just before Christmas, it seems such a long time. Not working as do not feel able to plus GP insistent that I stay away, so being at home is very frustrating. Don't know about cracking a rib, but feels like my portacath is about to burst through! Take care

[Guest user]

Hey adi. Sorry you've had a postponed session. Hope you still manage to get all your treatment before your birthday. How many rads are you getting? I guess it might depend on how long a gap you get between chemo finishing and rads starting. I've no idea how long i'm getting between mine, though i'm hoping its long enough for a wee holiday. Hope your cough gets better. Cough carefully - one of my friends once cracked a rib when coughing violently! I haven't had any delays yet (touch wood). Only just scraped through FEC3 but my neutrophils were up to 2 for FEC4. Strange how the body works!

Glad your taste has sorted itself out Lizzy. I too am enjoying kiwi fruit, which i didn't like prior to chemo. I hope you're feeling better too now Lisa - did your temp etc get sorted by antibiotics? Hope you're ok.

My FEC4 SEs are gone, but I've got lots of non-chemo SEs instead - headache, stomach cramps (my ovaries obviously haven't realised I'm getting poisoned yet), constantly runny nose and sore throat (temp still only 36 though). But I'm having a night out on Saturday regardless. Got FEC5 next week so this is my week of enjoying myself (while blowing my nose every 2 mins...)!

Send us some sunshine please Lizzy. I'm fed up of the rain here!

Al x

[GingerLaces]

Hi everyone, hope you all ok and coping with SEs. I should be hyper from the steroids today, but unfortunately couldn't have my Taxol yesterday as on antibiotics with a bad chest infection. Didn't know one could cough so much, making every muscle in my body hurt. My bloods were down but not too bad, they decided I would be better off trying to shift this without added poison. Unfortunately this means a delay now and I really wanted to finish all my chemo and rads by my birthday (Aug)! Just hope they will do it next week as just want some normality back in my life. I shouldn't complain I know, as this is the only time, it has been postponed but you know what it's like. Need some sunshine - but cold here. Have a good SE free day ladies. Adi

[Guest user]

chocciemuffin... love your profile pic x

[Guest user]

No herceptin for me CM. But I think one of the bits of FEC can damage your heart too, hence the MUGA scan. My heart was in tip-top condition anyway. I should think so too since i'm in my 30's and (so I thought) fit and well! I was just paranoid due to the lack of other scans since others seem to get MRI, bone scans or x-rays before they've started chemo to check there hasn't been any spread (apart from to the lymph nodes). Probably, like everything else, it just depends on your hospital/Onc policy. So I should probably just keep my paranoia in check...

Al x

[ChoccieMuffin]

Bob, are you due for Herceptin? If so, that's what the MUGA scan is for. I had one before chemo started, will have another one at some stage so they can see if the Herceptin has affected my heart. So it's all normal.

[Guest user]

Hi all,

At last a day where I feel normal and taste even back!! No more tears, today I can see the light!

Sorry to hear of your problems Lisa, but it is very important to get a fever sorted out asap. I am amazed they started you on antibiotics before taking bloods. When I went in with a temp, they isolated me, x-rayed my lungs, took loads of blood straight away. If your bloods come back low, hopefully you will get some booster shots. That's what happened to me, my antibiotics started off through the IV and then continued at home, they are very strong, nothing I have ever had before. But after TAX2 and taking the boosters for 5 days I have escaped that rotten stuff, not even had a mouth ulcer, just a few aches and pains. Lisa, how do your feet hurt? I have heard of others too with feet and heels hurting. I have a bit of discolouration under my big toe nail, but that is about it. I am lucky this cycle I think.

Al - With my last FEC (4) I had those sharp strange pains too, in my incision site, in my back behind my heart, in the good boob, etc. My onc sent me for Xrays but everything was OK. I have an appointment for a heart scan next week, but the doc said these were all normal se's and the scan was just to put my mind at rest and stop me worrying. Before I started my chemo I had a scan on my heart and neck, then another scan over my back, and my lungs, my tummy area right down to my girly bits. An xray on my lungs and a bunch of bloodwork done.

Sal, your garden sounds lovely, I cannot wait to get back to the UK and start a garden... we live in a town house in the antique quarter of town and no one has gardens here, we have a roof terrace with a lot of pots on. I have just planted some tomato plants up there and sweetpeas. It is very hot today. First I burnt my head and then I smashed it on the underside of the spiral staircase going up to the roof terrace... I have managed to take a chunk out of it! Not a pretty site! Thanks for the kiwi fruit trick, my girls have taken to them too, and that can only be a good thing... we are buying the shops out at the minute!!

Donna, i had those weird pains shop up all over, one minute in your leg, then your back, then your boob, then it felt like your heart... it freaked me out. I took paracetamol and codeine, I don't know if you are allowed, but they worked. After the second TAX I didn't have those again, just a bit achey and tired, nothing as bad as the first go.

Well, better go, my 5 year old is moaning at me, she threw up at school this morning so I better shed some TLC in that direction. Good job I feel better today having to deal with a bag of vomity clothing!! Ick!

it's so good to hear from you all...

Thinking of you Lisa and sending hugs and strength vibes from Spain (and a bit of our sunshine too)

lizzy xxx

[Guest user]

Its good to hear from everyone, just sorry to hear that the new TAX-ers are in a bad way. Are you allowed to take painkillers for the aches lisa/donna? Hope the antibiotics have sorted your high temp Lisa and that you are feeling well enough to get out of the house sometime soon (but staying away from germy people). I think there are some tips for sore feet etc from tax on another thread somewhere?

I'm the same with pains near surgery area Donna. Though i'm probably even more paranoid cos I didn't get any scans in the first place! When I got my full ANC they said I would get bone scans etc if lots of nodes were affected, but as only (?) 3 were, I didn't need anything. All my surgery pain had long gone by the time my chemo started as I had a long delay to fit in the IVF stuff, but in the last 2 weeks, I now have what feels like a bruise near where the drain came out, below my armpit on my back. And its sore when i stretch my arm up. Maybe will ask the BCN about it when I'm in hospital for chemo next week. It means that both my arms are fairly useless as the other one has the junkie chemo veins! How is your junkie look going Lisa?

Did everyone else get scans before they started chemo? I just had a MUGA (heart) scan.

My FEC4 SEs have gone now. Goodbye heartburn, you will not be missed (until you come back next week with FEC5!).

Your garden sounds lovely Sal. Things do always cost more than they should have - our garden has been the same. Its nearly finished though. The grass is growing too fast for my liking! Too much rain I think. Well done on keeping your hair. Mine has started growing back already which is a bit odd. My head looks silly with a layer of spiky fuzz so I've been shaving it off. Am dreading it coming back grey and fuzzy after chemo. Maybe I'll be lucky and it'll be brown and straight, but somehow I doubt it! Could be wearing hats for a long time to come! I'm sure my face is getting furry too! Maybe i'm turning into a mouse.

Enjoy your books Sal. My bookcase is already full and has many unread ones but I can't help buying more. Currently on Kate Atkinson 'started early, took my dog' then i think i'll move onto Jo Nesbo 'the redbreast'. Might see if it is warm enough to sit out here, but there are some omimously dark clouds out there. And I'm supposed to be working this afternoon...

Good luck with your bloods today Lisa. Let us know how you get on.

Al xx

[salcha66]

Good morning,

Sorry for not posting for so long, have felt so well that my OH 'little' garden project that started at at 'oh just a couple of hundred pounds' has now turned into a bloomin
garden makeover with huge pots and now some decking, which needed my input to keep costs down, ha ha!!!! Two hundred pounds turns into fifteen hundred1 Never mind it looks beautiful!

Had EC 5 on Thurs and again no se's i must have a tough old body, hair is still hanging in there so looks like i may make it to the end of chemo with a decent little bob!

Picc has been a life saver i honestly dont know i have it and kick myself daily that i did not have it sooner.

So have had to cancel Take That in Dublin cos we will be on holiday that week so my lovely OH got tickets for Sunderland instead on their opening night, the day after my last chemo...what a celebration!

I am sorry Tax is being so tough on you Lisa and Donna, it always seems to get you harder than FEC by the looks

Lizzy glad the kiwi fruit worked it certainly does for me and strange that have never seen it mentioned anywhere else on the forum.

Well oh has gone to work today on some overtime (he has to pay for this bloomin garden somehow!!) Sun is shining so am going to open this big box of Amazon books and choose one to lie out in the garden with!

Lots of love to all

Sal xx

[Bunny3]

Hi all,

Hope you all doing okay?

Lisa - Bless you, I totally know what you mean with TAX its got me aswell!! Glad you got the Dr out, hope you start to feel alot better very soon. Aah puppy how lovely x

Al - Love it! Gin bench ha ha, Enjoy, hope you doing okay?

Lizzy - We are entitled to a good cry, believe me I have had a few over the last few days, it all gets abit too much and takes its toll, sending ((hugs)) to you x

Well this TAX is doing my head in!! I ache all the time, getting odd pains in different places, in my right breast and armpit where I had lumpectomy/ANC and in my left breast, neck, legs, arms everywhere and I am worrying myself silly!! Seeing my Onc on Wed, need some reassurance I think!! I have been thinking whether you get scanned again ie: CT and Bone to see if things are still okay?? I hate this rollercoaster of emotions I want to get off!!!

Love and Best wishes to you all

Donna xxx

[Lisa_x]

Hi All,

Sorry for not posting- I did try the other night but lost my post and didn't have the energy to do it all again.

I'm having a rough ride with Tax 1. Had it on Wenesday and wasn't too bad until Friday. I feel rotten now, high temp, sore throat, pain in arms and legs and my feet hurt so much I can't walk properly. I feel like I have aged about 50 years overnight. Had the emergency doc visit today and am on antibiotics. Got to have bloods done tomorrow.

Al- My pup is gorgeous, no accidents in the house but she did poo in my new flower bed this afternoon. I'm sure she was smiling at me at she did it! Glad to hear you've enjoyed sunshine and gin today!

Donna- How are you doing on Tax? Hope things aren't too bad for you.

Lizzy- Good to hear that your SE's aren't too bad this time. You have a cry if you need it. Those cries creep up on me from nowhere.

Helen- Hope you managed to get out for a walk. I haven't left my house since Friday.

Lots of love and positive vibes to everyone xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi people. I'm still here! Have been both enjoying myself and going out to work (and of course, spending some time lazing on the sofa). The weather has been interesting here - torrential rain and thunderstorms over the last couple of days but this afternoon, the sun finally came out and i've been out in the garden on our new gin bench. With a gin! Yummy.

Helen - I too have a mouth ulcer but its only my second and I've had 4 FEC now, so not bad considering. How was your FEC5 compared to 4? I've got number 5 to look forward to in a week and a half, so I've got a week and a half to feel relatively normal before the sicky feeling returns... Hope you managed to get out for a walk. I've been very lazy today but did at least get some fresh air with my G&T.

Lizzy - hope you enjoyed your pizza last night. And that you're feeling better today. Sometimes a good cry helps. I was in quite a positive mood yesterday for a change. Had a nice evening with my friends and didn't talk about BC much, so felt quite normal (apart from when i caught a glimpse of my baldy head in the mirror!). I'm getting quite frustrated about not being able to sleep though. I'm knackered, and sometimes struggle to stay awake during the day, but then lie awake all night. Anyone have this problem? I might go to my GP and see if I can get something not-too-strong to make me sleep. Just in case my medicine cabinet wasn't already full enough!

Lisa - as Lizzy says, hope you're ok after Tax. How is the puppy? Hopefully she's toilet trained and you're not having to clear up too many little accidents! Donna- you coping on Tax ok?

And hope everyone else is well too.

Al x

[woollycardy]

Hi February people

Hope if you are not posting it is because you are managing to enjoy yourselves a bit.

Had bad mouth ulcer after FEC4, but luckily my immune system was able to rally enough to sort it out. I'm feeling tired after FEC5, doing lots of lying around on sofa. Got to make myself go for a short walk - might be able to manage it as there has been too much football on the telly in my house and it might be just enough to drive me outdoors!

Take care

Helen xxx

[Guest user]

Hope everyone is OK! You have all disappeared... yikes!

Lisa, please let us know how you are doing after your first TAX, haven't heard from you so getting a bit worried.

We are now enduring thunderstorms, so once again stuck inside with the girls.

Had a bit of cry yesterday, second time since this whole thing started, must be the drugs! Feeling a bit like nothing... kind of invisible... and certainly not like a woman... just a thing! But feeling a little better today.

As for the TAX se's... it is day 8 after TAX, nothing happening to finger or toenails really, no pins and needles or aches, get tired easily, no sickness, tingly tongue and bad taste, sore inside nose... nothing really bad this time... touch wood.

Well chicas, I shall love you and leave you to your Saturday nights... pizza for us and an early night!

Keep updating us on your progess
love Lizzy xxx

[Guest user]

Hope everyone is doing well, bloods monday ready for fec4 on wednesday. Still find it hard when I feel well again after the last one, knowing its all got to start again:( Going to watch my son play in a cup final tomorrow , only down side is ex will be there & havent seen him since dx, which wig shall I wear:) Have good weekend everyone xx

[Guest user]

Oh dear, we've slipped down to page 6 on the forum! Thought I'd bump us back up.

Hope all of you ladies are well. Summer is over here - forecast is for at least 4 days of rain. Still, my garden needed the watering it got yesterday.

I had to shave my head again last night - even after FEC4 last week it was getting stubbly again. Luckily my leg hair has stopped for now so that's one less thing to shave (well, 2 since I'm not one-legged).

How are you after your first TAX Lisa?

Al x

[Guest user]

Hi girls,

Glad you are doing OK Donna, good to hear from you.

Good luck for tomorrow Lisa with your TAX and congrats on getting Gucci!!

Al, sorry about your heartburn, I had that last cycle when I was trying to stuff myself!! I was shocked that I had put weight on considering the hospital trip and all, but keep on persevering. My hospital is also 45 mins away, and like you I am not looking forward to that trip every day for 3 weeks plus for radiotherapy either.

TAX has knocked me sideways for the past couple of days but I feel a lot better tonight and hopefully will be on the up from now on. No sickness just aches (but that could be from the wbc booster shots), and wobbly legged. I managed two runs to the airport today however (40 mins each way) so it's not all bad. Paracetamol does the trick. We all went out for a chinese with my brothers family and spent our dosh Sat night! Couldn't taste a bloody thing but everyone else assured me it was yummy! Mind you, I have been eating kiwi fruit like they are going out of style, I can taste them just fine, and my saliva has returned!!! yeeha!

No tan for me, its still bloody raining here! But now I have put on weight my bald head does not look so skeletonlike!! I am really quite proud of it! Actually, my hair seems as if it is trying to grow back, I shaved the bum fluff off Saturday morning and now I have a strong dark shadow of hair come up!!! Strange!

I am in bed now, having an early night, let's hope the night sweats keep a low profile and I can get some rest!!

Goodnight brave girlies

love Lizzy xx

[Guest user]

Hey! A puppy, great news Lisa. Can't wait to see a photo of her!

Glad you have made it through your first Tax Donna, keep resting plenty. Hopefully you have lots of people waiting on you hand and foot so you can relax in bed until you're feeling better. And I hope your broadband gets sorted too! What SE's have you had? Hope you can get something to take for the achey body. I've had achey legs just from FEC this time when I've done too much walking/standing, so I hope yours passes soon. Doesn't bode well for my race for life 5k next month! Though I have explained to people I will probably be walking it!

I also have lanzoprazole Lisa, and it worked really well for FEC2 (only needed it for a week) and wasn't bad for FEC3. But FEC4 has been very heartburn-y. Either my body has got used to it, or perhaps I haven't been eating enough with the steroids. Since like Lizzy I'm also trying to put on weight, I'll have to try eating more! Annoying when things taste a bit rank though! I'm not getting a line fitted - I haven't been offered (they don't seem to do many in my hospital) and although I don't enjoy the poking around in my veins or the permanent bruised arm, I also don't really want a line there all the time. So I will just grumble about it! Even without the junkie chic veins, I think the bald head is a bit of a giveaway that I'm not entirely healthy, so I can live with it!

I've not been at work since just before Easter, but back in the office today. I'm definitely more tired now, but I do have some work that I need to get done, so I'm planning to work all week, even if its not full days. Plus I did quite a lot of spending at the weekend, so I'd best not go down to half pay just yet! But I can see me working less towards the end of chemo. I'm not sure what to do during radiotherapy either - daily trips to a hospital that is 45 mins drive from my house is going to take up a fair chunk of the day. Will just wait and see - that wont be until July I don't think, so I've got plenty of time to think about that. Are the rest of you ladies still working? I think Sal said she had stopped for now. Sounds wise!

Really hope your Tax goes well today Lisa. Let us know how you get on. And at least your nails will look great! Well done on not googling cancer too (puppies still ok to google, though now you have one, I don't suppose you will need to google them!).

Sorry for the mammoth post - best get back to work!

Al x

[Lisa_x]

Hi All,

Good to hear from you Donna and that you are OK. Make sure you take it easy and rest loads. How's your little one? Are you taking any pain relief for the achey feeling?

Donna64- Hope FEC5 is continuing to treat you nicely with tiny or no SE's.

Lizzy- Sounds like you are getting excellent treatment in Spain and the Onc you saw sounds nice. Excellent news too about your recovery.
Your local cancer charity was kind, what a lovely thing to do! Did you do something nice with your family? Really good news about your weight gain; you have been trying to put on weight haven't you?

Al- I'm jealous of your head! Mine' still white and I'm relying on the fake tan! I've got the junkie chic veins too, I think it's this season's look! What are your plans for work for this cycle? It sounds like you had a rotten time getting your bloods done. Are you considering getting a line fitted? Some ladies have said it's worked well for them especialy when they've had really sore arms. my arm is painful but they are alternating chemos between inner arm and outer arm. Personally, I want to avoid a line if I can. Have you got any meds for the heartburn? I'v got Lanzaporazole (or it's something like that)which I took for 2 weeeks following last chemo- seemed to work for me. My Onc thought the heartburn was liked to the steroids, supposedly if you don't eat enough when you take the steroids, you can get heartburn. I upped the amount I ate but stil got it, hence the meds.

Got my first Tax tomorrow, clinic in the morning and because I live so close to the hospital I can come home and the IV dept will phone me when the poisons ready. I haven't googled anything cancer and I think I feel better for not doing so. Just taken advice from you ladies here and have been eating kiwis and am just about to paint my nails. Supposedly, black or dark blue is the best colour but I'm going bright red to start with.

I've had a good few days. It's been sunny but windy; good to dry my bed sheets but cold to sit outside. I really enjoyed the royal weeding party I went to although I didn't do a hat. I wore my wig and actually felt good in it. It looks lovely and shiny in the pics. I am tending to wear it when I really want to fit in with everyone else.

My best bit of news- We have a puppy!!!! and she is adorable, she's 14 to 16 weeks old and unwanted by previous owner 😞 I don't understand why as she is such a good baby girl! She came with her name 'Gucci'. She's the perfect little (although she'll big soon!) addition to our family. I will try and get a picture of her on here so you can all see her. She's a doberman cross, but we're not sure what she's crossed with. She's off to the vets this week so we get her checked out. I love her already!

Take care, am off to paint my nails,

Lisa xxxx

[Bunny3]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, phew the TAX took its toll abit and also my broadband has been playing up!!!
The first couple of days after TAX I felt not to bad, then Saturday I felt rough and spent most of the day in bed apart from a few trips to the bathroom...
Thank you all for your concern and support, I feel abit better today, although I am very achey, and SE very different to FEC!!

I hope you are all doing okay?

Will catch up with the thread soon, just wanted to check in and say hi

Love Donna xxx

[Guest user]

Hi all. Sounds like you had a nice chemo session Lizzy - apart from the poison obviously! But a nice gesture from the charity and that you got to see some of the wedding in the chemo ward. Did you have a nice family day out?

I've been out enjoying the sun for the past few days and my head is finally not white any more! My face is a bit pinker than planned, but head is just sort of skin coloured rather than pasty, so quite pleased about that. It was a bit breezy out on my walk today though - started out commando but ended up putting a buff on as my ears were freeezing. The wig has yet to set foot outside! (and still doesn't really have a name...). My big bruised chemo veins look much worse when my arms are warm though. Junkie-chic.

Still no news from Donna - hope you are ok? And everyone else must be out enjoying all these bank holidays. I had the inlaws to entertain this weekend but it went quite smoothly and they took us out for dinner on Saturday night which was nice. If only I could shake off the pesky heartburn! Perhaps I'll have a big G&T and at least then i'll deserve to have heartburn.

There are a lot of differences with TAX/FEC regimes aren't there CM. I've decided to just go with the 6 FEC even though I have node involvement (only 3) as they said it was enough. No herceptin for me though.

Hope you're all doing ok.

Al x

[ChoccieMuffin]

Thanks Lizzy, and good luck with the Tax.