Welcome to everyone starting chemo in January.. we are now the "" January Jems""

[jenny5931]

Hi
ive got watery eyes think its the lack of lashes
jenny xx

[Windysarah]

Gay, I was having the negative thoughts during my first week after Tax, maybe it's because we feel sooo rough that we are looking for some sort of positive confirmation that there is a high chance we won't have to go through all this again.
I too had the shooting pains through my reconstructed breast in the first week after Tax - how odd.
I now have watery eyes, anyone else got this?
Other than the eyes I am feeling pretty good now I am at the end of the second week, have done for a couple of days so not long now Gay.
Sarah

[Morwenna]

Oh Gay, I so hear you!
Trolling through survival rates ..... that was me too! It is so hard to feel positive and optimistic when you are feeling so crappy!!

But I do have to say, the minute I start feeling even half way like my normal self the sun comes out in my world again. Hang on in there, and hope you feel better soon. Sing! Thats my measure. When I find myself singing in the car or shower then I realise I am feeling better!! 😄

... do get the odd funny look when I'm driving though, especially bare-headed! 😄

[jenny5931]

Hi Ladies
I have had these sharp shooting pains and my nurse says its because the nerve endings were cut and now feelings are returning in the area causing the pain. I dont know for certain thats true but it makes sense.
love Jenny x

[GBC]

Maggie I too have had a lot of discomfort/pain sometimes short sharp shooting pains in my chest wall and thought I could feel a lump. At my last Onc appointment I asked her to check and she did spend quite a while feeling everything and comparing with my right side and then demonstrated that it was probably the damaged pectoral muscle (if you put you hand on where the lump is or perhaps where it hurts and raise your arm up and down you can feel the muscle working). I was convinced at the time but I'm going to mention it again at my appointment on 9 April as I still worry and often go back and feel it when it hurts in the night. I'm sure it probably is OK but.... I'm also going to mention the pain in the mastectomy site to get confirmation that it is the chemo drugs irritating things. I suppose that with all the damage they are supposed to do to any stray nasties this is just another unpleasant side effect. Our lot in life at the moment are these bl**** SEs. I can see we are going to spend the rest of our lives worrying - it's just going to be a matter of trying to keep it to a minimum so we stay sane. Gay x

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Hi Gay, so glad you mentioned pain in mx site, been really worrying me the past 2 weeks. I had no pain after mx, not even a paracetamol was needed. I've been really good, good mobility butnoticing pain in chest area.. Assumed the worst!
Maggie x

[GBC]

Hi girls - sorry I've been AWOL for a while. Nothing very helpful to say, but sorry to hear how ropey quite a lot of you are feeling. Maggie I too have a feeling of cording in my chemo arm that started after the second FEC. I do mention it and they use a vein on the opposite side of the wrist but it is still uncomfortable.
I can relate to the up and down emotional rollercoaster at the moment. I have felt pretty upbeat until now but currently feeling a bit negative about everything, even trawling through survival rate statistics online! A combination of spending five hours in hospital on Saturday night for intravenous anti-bios (I had 1st Tax of FEC-T on Wed) and having lots of aches, pains, niggles and general unwell feelings that haven't subsided (Day 7 today) as expected. I am being a horrible, grumpy person to my absolutely lovely husband and when I look in the mirror ........... well what can I say? I have never felt so ugly and awful. I am also finding every bra/falsie really uncomfortable as my mastectomy side seems to have reverted to being rather painful, like a few weeks after the op. Has anyone else got discomfort in mastectomy area? I presume it is caused by chemo drugs and will go away when I stop having them.
On a brighter note I do like keeping an eye on what you are all up to and feel very emotional for everyone individually when I read the posts. It's sad, but good to know you are not alone. Keep posting and smiling - Gay x

[Irenee]

Pleased you are feeling a lot better Morwenna..that's good to know. Chicita, If all goes well for tomorrow I will have two more to go. Hope you feel better soon...I know what you mean about being really wiped out for the first week then the next week I get black thoughts etc. Thanks for the info. about the bicarb of soda Maggie...gonna try that. Hope the rest of you are ok xxx Irenee

[chicita]

Thanks Maggie, I've been using Difflam mouthwash but will try the bicarb.
X Yvonne

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Thanks Yvonne,
Sorry to hear you are suffering, the sickness is awful isn't it.
Food doesn't taste like anything so no light relief with favourite meals etc.
I haven't had the white tongue or thrush but I do use bicarbonate of soda as mouthwash.
2 spoonfuls in a 1/4 glass full of water helps to clean out the mouth, especially as a last thing at night remedy.
Brilliant for stomach problems too, heartburn etc.... Drink it to relief wind.... sounds great doesn't it.
Just rang nurse she reckons arm normal for chemo and will disappear afterwards.
Maggie x

[chicita]

Hi Ladies
Well FEC4 really wiped me out! I've spent the last 3 days in bed feeling really sorry for myself, have hardly eaten anything as I feel so sick all the time and I've lost some weight. Dragged myself out of the pit this morning and am determined not to go back until bedtime tonight. Does anyone have any recommendations for a white furry tongue? I don't think its thrush and my taste has come back but I have a REALLY bad taste in my mouth all the time which I could do without. Even chewing gum can't mask it...yuk!
Maggie - the cording is normal with FEC. I've had it each time I've had treatment and they've used a different vein every time. You can make it more comfortable by puttng a heat pack on it. If they are always using the same vein then I'd definitely get it checked.
Irenee - How many FEC's have you got left? I've got another 4
Hopefully we're all over the half way mark now, roll on Summer
best wishes
Yvonne

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Thanks Morwenna, I think I should get it looked at ASAP, don't won't anything holding up chemo
Thanks for replying
Maggie x

[Morwenna]

I just made a reply, but lost my internet connection, so I might end up double posting!

The reason the chemo nurse hadnt heard of cording might be that she is a generalist and maybe hasnt specialised in breast cancer and post surgical conditions?

However, it sounds to me more like your vein is damaged by the chemo if that is the receiving vessel, and may have developed a thrombosis (clot). Superficial thrombosis is painful rather than dangerous, but what was the advice from the nurse? I would think you need to go and show it to somebody for a proper diagnosis.

As regards the bad taste, mine tends to last most of the three weeks, gradually improves then starts again. If you have a painful mouth or excess coating on your tongue, it may be thrush though. Again, my advice woyld be see your doctor.

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Hi ladies, I'm one week after fec 4 of 6, have noticed what feels like cording in my arm that has thechemo.
The vein going up my arm is hard and painful and finding picking up anything restricted. Is this normal?... When I mentioned cording to chemo nurse she asked what is that?... I know cording was a possibility with ANC but not chemo. The fact the nurse hadn't heard of it made me question.
Why am I still suffering with poor taste assumed it was just the immediate side effect of chemo and only lasted few days, it's every day now.
Thanks for any replies
Maggie x

[Morwenna]

So I just got my results from the CT scan on March 14. Apparently I had clots in both lungs as a throw-off from the thrombosis in my leg! Go figure!

I'm supposing they didn't bother telling me before since I was already on the appropriate treatment.

I'm kind of pleased in a way that it explains why I was feeling so crappy 3-4 weeks ago. I really felt I didn't care if I lived or died for a few days,.but I am so much better now, both physically and mentally stronger, and ready for chemo part deux, starting tomorrow. Bring it on!

[Irenee]

Hi ladies, hope you are all as well as can be expected on this crappy journey, Sorry to hear about chest infections and bone pain etc..hope you are feeling better now. I am only on FEC and I am coming up for the fourth one if my blood count is ok. Have a cold so it could get delayed. Enjoy the rest of the holiday...love the saying be the kind of woman who in the morning the devil says 'Oh crap she's up!.

[Caroline60]

Iv been in bed all day with a cold and runny nose. Yec

[jenny5931]

hi
not too bad now feel more like me these last couple of days hope you have a nice holiday im dreading the next one though
jenny x

[Windysarah]

How is everybody?

[Caroline60]

Dear all, I hope you are ok and not suffering too much.
I have had a UTI as a result of not being able to drink lots - while having thrush. My mouth was and still is very sore. I resorted to using straws. My appetite is pretty awful. So my mantra is small and often. Iv still got the trotts. I also feel very tired and I am on day 11. So 1st tax was very difficult. My next tax is on the 9th of April and last one is on the 30th.
On a positive note - my language has turned from blue to lilac. Which has brought calm to my house. I also went to Nichola Jane in Islington london and bought a prosthetic breast and some bras. I am glad I did as this has helped with body image.
I have had 1st herceptin and i am on the Persehone triall for 12 months.
Have a great Easteer

Regards
Caroline

[Windysarah]

It's weds 10th Jenny. Weirdly my appetite is big as ever even with the horrible mouth so I'm piling on the pounds. I'll be eating even more next week as going to Hampshire mon-fri for a short break so that won't help! Can't complain though, I'm really looking forward to it, just hope I don't feel too bad. Won't be able to swim with kids but don't fancy getting in a cossie anyway!

[jenny5931]

Hi
Yes i think reducing dose is only way ive lost weight as well so it would be worse havnt eaton for a week whens yours due is it 9th april
jenny x

[Morwenna]

Hi everyone, just checking in .....

I've had a good week, and I am pleased to say I have finished my 4 AC cycles, but I do get a little envious of you guys counting down to your last treatment, as I am about to start 12 weekly doses of Taxol (Paclitaxel), so I am only half way through!

I see Sarah66 is on this regime though, so I guess I'm not quite alone, but another three months is daunting!

On the positive front, I managed a couple days in the mountains with my beloved, and we went on a three hour hike in a frozen canyon on Tuesday, then in the evening I managed a full rehearsal with my singing group, so I felt great. Had a lazy day at home yesterday to recover!!! The sunshine was beautiful, so I even managed to sit out and take in some rays.

In the whole I am feeling good! My leg thrombosis is not bothering me at all now, and my breathing and energy levels have improved since being on the anticoagulent injections. And I'm getting used to doing those now !! Just a wee bitty nervous about the Taxol to come .....

[Windysarah]

Thanks Yvonne.
Jenny I've taken them together and spaced apart. I think you can take them together.
Im going to ask about reducing dose too.

[jenny5931]

hI Yvonne
How come your having 8 fec instead of 3 fec 3 tax sorry if im being nosey just interested,
jenny x

[chicita]

Hi Ladies,
I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with the Tax. I saw the onc yesterday, bloods are OK for the first time so FEC4 won't have to be postponed. He also told me it's a good job I'm not having Tax as you MUST have steroids with it and as I seem to be allergic to them he wouln't have let me have the Tax.
Only 4 more FEC's to go. It's such a relief to be half way there now.
Sarah - make sure you take the co-codamol and ibuprofen with food as they are both stomach irritants. Hope you feel better soon.
X Yvonne

[jenny5931]

Hi
Sarah my bad bone aches are gone tummy still hurts do you take tabltets all together or spaced its a pain think im having dose reduced next cycle ive lost a lot of weight spoke to nurse said well discuss before treatment .

jenny x

[Windysarah]

Oh Sarah66, sorry to hear that. It's horrible when u just want to get on with normal life but just can't. The oral thrush is pants, although mine is subsiding now after using flucanazole and nystatin.
Jenny, I will get some Imodium as I keep getting caught short on school run etc! Not ideal. I am still taking co codamol with ibuprofen which I think helps the tummy ache. The rest if my body is better now though, is yours?
wishing you all a side effect free day as far as is possible x

[sarah66]

hi girls got my taxol today number 9 of 12 then ct scan. Feeling miserable this week got throat infection and oral thrush, nothing tastes nice , Want to do sruff with my son over half term but have no energy. Had avastin but gave me a perforated septum in my nose so now waiting for referral to ent dr!!.

Take care all
Sarah x

[jenny5931]

hi sarah
ive got it too gonna try imodim instant how are you /? what tabs do you take togetherim struggling with tummy upset now cant eat or sleep.
jenny x

[Windysarah]

What do people advise for diarrhoea?

[Windysarah]

Well done Rhonda, so glad you're on the home run now. I got some Nystatin today along with anti fungal tablets. Jenny, the nurse recommended Ibuprofen and the doc gave me Codeine but I'm sticking with co codamol (with the ibuprofen) at the moment. The nurse said the pains will just disappear and hopefully it won't be much longer now. Perhaps then we'll get our energy back too.

[rhondacat]

Sarah, I had oral thrush last week, white tongue and cocky cage mouth, go to pharmacy & get Nilstat oral drops, fixed it up in a couple of days. Had 2nd last Tax (Docetaxol) today went quite well only 2 goes to get IV in. Had a reiki healing session during the Chemo, most relaxing! I do hope I don't get the bone pain as bad this time! I'm prepared for it now, Got meds o deal with it! Woohoo countdown on only 1 more to go :-))))). Can't wait to have me back, bet my hubby can't too lol. All of us are having so many nasty SE to deal with hopefully it will be all over soon! Hugs to all Rhonda xoxo

[jenny5931]

Hi Rhonda
What meds did you get for bone pain ?
jenny x

[Windysarah]

No, no injections.
Caroline you did make me smile. I'm not a swearer normally but my new saying is that everything is a 'crock of sh*t'. Oh for summer to be here and this all to be over.
Sarah x

[jenny5931]

Hi sarah
i had it monday so 7 i think im going to speak to them on wednesday let me know how you get on i cant face the pain im no wimp but i feel like ive been run over do you have injections? im wondering if they make it worse .
jenny x

[Caroline60]

Hi Ladies, I have had bone pain - spoke to chemo unit who advised ibuprophen and paracetamol. Iv got the trotts and im still galloping and my arse feels as if it had cut a tooth - which is also normal. Iv taken buscapan to stop the pains of the trotts.
Im day 7 in the breat cancer household. Iv sworn in the kitchen, dining room living room, bedroom and bathroom. My effing and jeffing is getting better by the day though. Iv eaten granola and toast. My mouth is very sore - so using a straw. Im am coming out of the chemo haze and am happier, Iv had reflexology today. A 2 finger salute and now near the finish line.

Thought I would cheer you all up. XXXXX

[Windysarah]

Ditto Jenny, I obviously got off too lightly with FEC and the Tax is kicking me up the bum. What day are you on now? I'm 6 and wondering how much longer I will feel like this. Don't want to grumble but it is hard not to! I have clinic appt tomorrow so will make sure she knows how I've been. Hopefully something can be done for next time.

[jenny5931]

Hi sarah
yes my bone pain everywhere but easing a bit dont think i can stand iit twice more. It sounns like thrush that you have i use nystan from hospital for mouth probs this lot has really thrown me i was coping before
jenny x

[Windysarah]

Thanks Yvonne. Will get some.
Im having tax but no lymph involvement. I thought it was to do with grade. I'm a 3.

[Leelaloo]

Morning Jems,
Yvonne I also got chest infection and ended up in hospital. Chemo delayed last week. Bloods tomorrow so hopefully be okay for Wednesday. Saw Onc on Friday and she sent me for more tests, was at hospital from 4.15 until midnight which was horrible. Had blood test from artery in wrist which was so painful (never had one of those before). Poor arm is so bruised. Anyway am feeling so depressed at moment, chemo is definately not for wimps. I am having Fec and then Tax, I dont know why we are having different chemo. I think someone said on other thread, it had to do with lymph node involvement (Im not sure maybe got that wrong). Hope everyone's vile SE's go away soon.
Lee X

[chicita]

I just received this from a friend, it made me laugh, hope you like it too.


When I was a child in the 1950s, the bathing suit for the mature figure was-boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered. They were built to hold back and uplift, and they did a good job.

Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a figure carved from a potato chip.

The mature woman has a choice, she can either go up front to the maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away looking like a hippopotamus that escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she can wander around every run-of-the-mill department store trying to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of fluorescent rubber bands.

What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room. The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe, by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which gives the added bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one, you would be protected from shark attacks. Any shark taking a swipe at your passing midriff would immediately suffer whiplash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder strap in place I gasped in horror, my boobs had disappeared!

Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit. It took a while to find the other. At last I located it flattened beside my seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature woman is now meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speed bump. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fitted those bits of me willing to stay inside it. The rest of me oozed out rebelliously from top, bottom and sides. I looked like a lump of Playdoh wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, "Oh, there you are," she said, admiring the bathing suit.

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me. I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of masking tape, and a floral two-piece that gave the appearance of an oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard-skin bathers with ragged frills and came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a midriff fringe and looked like a jellyfish in mourning.

I tried on a bright pink pair with such a high cut leg I thought I would have to wax my eyebrows to wear them.

Finally, I found a suit that fit, it was a two-piece affair with a shorts-style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap, comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My ridiculous search had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got it home, I found a label that read, "Material might become transparent in water."

So, if you happen to be on the beach or near any other body of water this year and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt!

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain, with or without a stylish bathing suit!

You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "Oh Crap, She's up!"

[chicita]

Hi Ladies
I've just realised that the last post I wrote didn't appear on the forum, no idea why.
I've had a bad 2 weeks, caught a chest infection and ended up in hospital on Mothers Day. It's almost gone now but was just one more thing to cope with that I could have done without.
I'm due for bloods again on Wednesday and am keeping fingers crossed that they are OK this time. So far I've been knocked back a week each time and the waiting is really doing my head in. This time it'll be FEC no 4 then only another 4 to go. I don't know why I'm having 8 x FEc and no Tax. Maybe it's because I'm TN. Is anyone else having this?
We've been struggling a bit with the weather here in Macclesfield. A few of the smaller roads were blocked by snow drifts and the wind has been dreadful. The boat's been rocking and rolling but today the sun is shining so maybe the snow will start to melt.
Sarah- it does sound like oral thrush. Have you got any Diflam mouthwash as this is very good and shifted mine really quickly.
X Yvonne

[Windysarah]

My bone pain is not nice Jenny, goes right up my back and down to knees. Is yours the same? Also in the tummy and ribs? Also, any advice on oral thrush please? Not sure if I have it. mouth feels weird, tongue is white and throat feels odd, not like a sore throat though.
Sarah x

[rhondacat]

Caroline, I'm relating to your language mine also has gone blue haha my poor hubby cops it big time. Sorry you are getting all the crappy SE. My turn again tomorrow, I'm going out tonight last night of feeling good for a while, have a few wines 🙂 hugs to all. Nothing more to report! Hugs Rhonda x

[jenny5931]

hi
caroline didnt you get the bone pain on tax? im day 6 as well still got it but its easier now,
jenny x

[Caroline60]

Hello ladies I hope you are all coping with the journey?

day 6 of tax, runny and bloody nose sore toes and fingers, feeling weak heartburn running to the toilet (which i see as positive as did not like the constipation with FEC) and tearful. My language has turned from lilac to blue.FFFFF

However,I am still upbeat - hair is growing back black - use to be blond/fair. Im going to look bloody georgous with black hair and green eyes. hehehehe

Anyway, big hugs to all you lovely ladies - lets beat this bugg.r together!!!

[Irenee]

I love Suffolk .. Nice place to live. Sun is out now ..hope all this snow goes...It's been a long winter. xx

[Windysarah]

Yes, lots of snow Irenee! Woodbridge is about 40 mins away.

[Irenee]

Hi all....Hope everyone is ok. I had my first good nights sleep in ages. HI Sarahnippress..I am from Northampton, I have a cousin who lives in Woodbridge, Suffolk. Is it snowing there in Suffolk? Hope everyone has a good a day as can be. xxx