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

[Irenee]

Know just what you mean about the seroids and dark thoughts Joyce. My head was all over the place for the first two chemos. Lack of sleep took it's toll etc. I have found it easier towards the end of the chemo regime, although I do get very tired after the 4th day. Feeling good today and looking fwd. to going to a dance this weekend. Hopefully chemo No. 6 next week. Good Luck. Irenee xx

[Caroline60]

Hi Joyce, good luck. the steriods are horrible but a necessary evil. Today i have very rosy face - have taken anti histaymine and paracetamol.
Anyway 2 more to go. We are all getting there.

[Airlinelady]

Hello Ladies... well my first (and last) Taxol was not a great success for SE's. It wrestled me to the floor and beat me up, so that I could hardly walk. So here I am, three weeks later and going in for Docitaxol instead today. I hope it will be kinder to me. I will let you know in 3 to 4 days. Was aghast to see that they had doubled my steroids and have had to be very assertive to get it back down to 8mg a day. The steroids affect my mood way too much. I was depressed and unreasonable with dark thoughts with 8mg, so when I saw that they expected me to have 16mg a day, I seriously questioned it. I believe half my fight is in my head and try hard to push away negative thoughts and feelings. Wish me luck... after today I have 2 more chemos to go, so I am getting there. Have a great day ladies...! Joyce x

[Irenee]

The steroids really mess with my head. I get on a high, then I hit a real low about the 4th and 5th day after chemo.
Not long too go now. Irenee xx

[Caroline60]

Hi All, chemo over - thanks for the support. I feel really tired and a steroid chemo bitch kind of attitude. I know this is irrational and stubborn me and not the real kind me. The steroids effect my mood something terrible. Im trying to do something positive each day. I know this is the real me. 2 more chemos to go - finish on the 21st of May.

I hope you are all doing well and keeping healthy.

Caroline xxx

[Morwenna]

Sending some energy Jenny!

Although actually I feel a bit crap this morning. Didn't put the light out til after 2.30 this morning, then woke up before 6 with a stuffy nose. I think I snorted myself awake! I feel I could do with a couple more hours sleep at least!

I'd never done yoga before, actually, but I was never very flexible pre cancer, and now I'm as stiff as two short planks!!! But I think it'll be worth it to keep going, and my very kind friend has paid for me to have a 30 pass ticket to this pool and fitness centre, so I have no excuses not to use them. We went deep water exercising twice as well this week, which was another first for me! 🙂

[Irenee]

Good luck Caroline xxx

[chicita]

Good luck Caroline. How many more doses of poison have you got to go?

I had a great Bank Holiday. The sun shone all day and I managed to find enough energy to wash the outside of boat. Then in the evening we had the first BBQ of the year. Everything seems so much easier to cope with when the sun shines.
Today I have to try and sort out my ESA benefit. The Benefits Agency are totally incompetent and have stopped my benefit claiming I haven't sent them a sick note, despite having had a text from them confirming receipt of that sick note! They are really messing me around and its costing me a fortune in mobile phone calls. The shortest I have been put on hold so far is 25 minutes.

Morwenna I used to really enjoy yoga classes but we don't have enough room of the boat to practice anymore.
X Yvonne

[jenny5931]

hi morwenna
please send me some energy from canada
love jenny xx

[Morwenna]

Good luck Caroline!

It's nearly 1.30 am here, and I don't know why I'm still up!!!

I had a great day today: Blood test then yoga with a friend this morning, then lunch with work colleagues. Spent the afternoon learning a new song (Don't Stop Me Now!) and writing down all my current concerns....Then singing this evening.

Going to the zoo tomorrow! 🙂

[Caroline60]

Hi maisiecake pop over to the December group as I think a few people are on that regime. Hi Ladys its chemo and herceptin day, wish me luck.

Caroline

[maisiecake]

Thanks anyway and hope you're all getting on ok. Not so long to go now!
Mel x

[chicita]

Hi Maisie, sorry I've never heard of that treatment plan either. Hope it's not too bad though.
X Yvonne

[Morwenna]

Hi Maisiecake,

I haven't heard of that regime, I'm afraid. I don't believe any of this group is on it. Sorry 😞

I hope things are tolerable for you!

[maisiecake]

hi all
just popping in from awesome april angel sto pick you ladies brains. Is anyone having ECMF? there are only 2 of us on the April thread- it doesn't seem to be so popular! As we're still on the E part, we're wondering what treats the CMF has in store for us in the coming months, and I figured that must be where you are. Any tips?
Hope you're all doing well, and getting near the end of chemo. good luck!

[Windysarah]

Thanks Maire. I have been following you until quite recently on the December thread. You have all been amazing.

[Mindy63]

Just popping in to wish you January girls good luck as some of you must be coming to the end of the chemo part of the journey.
xxx

[Irenee]

Hope things go better today Caroline xx

[Windysarah]

Oh dear Caroline! You'll be forgiven I'm sure!

[Caroline60]

Hi all Sarah sorry about your loss. Iv had a truely shit day. Felt really weak and did not sleep last night. Told my oh im going to divorce him as he is being a pr.ck. Oh dear. My language has turned from lilac to very very blue today. Im a woman on the edge today. FFFFFFF

[Irenee]

I so agree with you all, I just can't wait for the day when I can go out and not think about the boob or wig slipping. I have had a few mishaps. lol. Sorry to hear about your nan Sarah. I'll be glad when I can be a normal nan again to my grandchildren. I just am so tired all the time after this 5th FEC cycle. Hope you all enjoy the bank holiday weekend,xx

[Windysarah]

Thanks Jenny, the funeral went well. Just driving home and I can feel my legs starting to ache! Bring it on, I can fight it one last time! Eyebrows seem to have thinned loads overnight. I'm sure the proprietor of the hotel will appreciate my pillow this morning!!
let us know what you plan Yvonne!

[rhondacat]

Totally agree Yvonne, only said the same thing today, usually time goes so fast, but I've never wanted it to fast forward to all this is over & we can try to be normal again. Whatever normal is! I want my frigging hair & my life back!! I'm sick of being in pain, my bones are aching now worse than ever, 3 weeks after last dose of Chemo. I've got lots of fluid retention too, feel so fat! I think the 3 rounds of Docetaxel has just kicked in, very watery eyes,still got under arm cording, uncomfortable re-construction, need I go on, totally over all this crap! I should be happy Chemo is over, & thought I would be feeling great by now, but the SE seem to linger on! Ok I feel better now, sorry rant over! I know we are all going through the same crap, some worse than others. GIVE US A BREAK! Caroline you can have a boob throwing party & I'm having a wig burning party LOL. Take care everyone, hope you are coping with the SE. Love & Hugs Rhonda xxx

[chicita]

Before I had this BC beastie I used to moan that time was flying by and life was passing me by. Not any more! The time can't go quick enough, the end is in sight! I'm going to do something totally outrageous once treatment is finished (and SE's have finished too). Not sure what yet but it's fun planning.
Have a lovely bank holiday weekend everyone, may your SE's be minimal and may the sun shine. One thing though, don't forget the sun screen as our chemo soaked skin is very prone to burning at the moment.
X Yvonne

[jenny5931]

Hope ll goes well Sarah
jenny xx

[Windysarah]

Thanks Rhonda and sounds like fun Caroline!

[Caroline60]

Hi all, day 3 in the breast cancer household. To be honest - Im just feeling fatigued and very slow. Much better than last week. I hate the steroid effects - but they are coming out slowly. I have been drinking pure orange juice and cranberry juice. Iv also taken advice from here re senakot. Its been a revelation for me as i realised that it really helps! Anyways, we are nearing the finish line. Im seeing consultant surgeon re other breast. I dont want to stay lopsided for too long. When I have my op - im going to have a goodbye party for my prostetis - Im getting friends to sign it and have a game called throw the boob.

Love to all.

[chicita]

Hi Lee,
I've still got another 3 FEC's to do. I'm supposed to be having rads but I need to have a really good talk with my onc as I need to know just how beneficial they are likely to be. I've been thinking about saving them as a kind of insurance just in case the BC comes back as I know you can only have them once. I just want to be free from the hospital and get travelling again. At this rate I'll be putting down roots or getting a parking ticket for staying in one area too long
X Yvonne

[rhondacat]

Good Morning all, thinking of you all as you go down the finish line! Sorry Morwenna that you still have a bit to go, it will be over before you know it! just over 2 weeks since my last chemo thought I'd feel fantastic by now but not so, bones & joints ache worse than ever still feel like a old lady! Still very weak & lethargic, my legs are the worse. Keep looking at my bald head hoping to see a prickle, but still nothing. Eyes still water badly. So not over yet! Hope your all doing Ok Good Luck to everyone having there last. So sorry to hear Sarah that your Nanna passed away! Love to all.Cheers Rhonda x & yes I'm still here checking up on you all & will do until we all reach the end of this crappy road!

[Windysarah]

Last tax and first herceptin completed and all went well. Roll on side effects and getting over them and back to normality. Can't wait to start exercising to lose this extra stone I'm carrying. Glad yours has come off Jenny.
Sorry you've been feeling rotten Caroline, not long now tho.
I have my nannas funeral in Yorkshire Friday which is about a five hour drive starting at 5am so I haven't got time for side effects really. It was actually worse days 6 and 7 last time for me.
Love to all
sarah

[Caroline60]

Hi All, day 2 in the breast cancer household, steroids are pretty brutal. Dont know if stannding on feet or head. Had a good sleep this afternoon.

The hospital advised I passed out as a result of dehydration (had thrush) and septis.I had ECG as well. Had to drink loads. It was pretty scary. But I know its the journey for me.

I hope you are all doing ok. We are now near the end of chemo. Keep going.

Hugs to all
Caroline x

[Morwenna]

Yes Lee,
I have rads for "three weeks and a day" after chemo.
My last chemo is June 19 all being well, and I am booked to start rads July 15, so will finish August 5, not that I'm counting off the days of course! 😉

[jenny5931]

Hi
Side effects just starting to kick in yuck 2 weeks of feeling bad ah well last one hope everyone ok sarah enjoy it before your se kick in
Lost another 3lbs this time thats a stone in all in fact all id put on since xmas.
jenny xx

[Leelaloo]

Morning Jems,
Sorry to hear you were in hospital Caroline, hope you feeling better now. How did your last chemo go Jenny? Good luck with yours today Sarah (get those celebrity fish and chips at the ready). Yvonne how many more have you got to go? Morwenna are you having rads after chemo? Irenee only one more to go. Good luck for next Wednesday Gay (same as my last one yippee) I have no hair at all and the little eyelashes I had left have disappeared after the Tax. I dreamt I had my long hair back last night and then looked in mirror (ugh). I scared the postman this morning with baldy head (he couldnt look at me). I saw a lady in Tesco who had a bald head and I thought how brave she was as I always wear my wig when I go out, I am not very confident at the moment. We are all nearing the end of this crappy chemo journey and have travelled it together. Take care Jems, sun is shining so going to do some gardening.
Lee X

[Windysarah]

Thanks for your opinions on hair.
i have felt tired the last few days too. I assumed it was everything catching up with me.
Last Tax and last cold cap tomorrow. Hurrah!
jenny, how did you get on?

[Morwenna]

Sorry to hear that Caroline! Did they find out why you passed out?

Hope you'll feel better soon. xxx

[Irenee]

Sending hugs to you Caroline....glad you are home.. Hope you feel better soon.... xxxxx
My hair went on top first with some left at the back and sides....now it is mostly very fine and white but there is a bit of colour coming through. Just hope it does grow back eventually.
Felt very tired on cycle No. 5. Have had to go bed as I had no energy at all. Hope all you 'Jems' are coping. xxx

[Caroline60]

Hi all, Iv been in hospital for 5 days. I passed out last Thursday and felt pretty awful. I just arrived home. Had chemo today. Feeling groggy.

[Morwenna]

Hi,

It wasn't actually me asking about hair colour, but it is something I'm starting to wonder about. I lost my hair totally from the sides of my head, but only thinned at the top. Now it is growing again at the sides I have stopped shaving the top! The sides are growing in very fine and quite white in colour, while the top has some colour, although its hard to tell what it is yet! 😉

Since advice seems to he variable, anecdotal, and based mainly on opinion I thought I'd see if I can find any more scientific information, and found this site, which looks quite interesting: http://www.hairscientists.org/chemotherapy-and-hair.htm

[chicita]

Hi Morwenna, when I went to get my wig the hairdresser said to leave colouring for about 3 months but the BCN said 6 months. I'm just going to wait until I have enough to dye. I might be 55 next month but I'm not ready to be grey for a long time yet.
X Yvonne

[Morwenna]

I sing with a Sweet Adelines chorus -that's ladies' barbershop - close harmony a Capella .

Our group is called Rhythm of the Rockies. You can google us 🙂

[Pammyx]

I heard 6 months but maybe use natural hair dye before then also I would be interested in the best products to use asked breast cancer nurse and she said baby shampoo

[Windysarah]

Does anyone know when we can start dying our hair again once chemo is over and if we shouldn't use certain ones? As I have used the cold cap I have a little bit left but its greying!!

[chicita]

Hi,
Morwenna - what do you sing? is it opera, choral or pop? And how do you find the energy? Must be some kind of superwoman
X Yvonne

[Windysarah]

That's spooky Jenny, was just thinking about you as I was logging on! Good luck tomorrow, enjoy the fact you won't be going back there! I'm all set for weds but I'll be going back there for my year of herceptin 😞
ive been fine the last couple of weeks apart from slightly watery eyes and I'm a bit tired today. But I could just be tired, doesn't have to be chemo related I suppose!

[jenny5931]

Hi
Yes Morwenna have had a rough time but ok now glad your hair is growing wish mine would
jenny x

[Morwenna]

Are you feeling any better now Jenny? I know you were struggling!
Good luck for your last chemo! I still have eight (!) to go, but still feeling ok so far. I'm having a quiet day today as I had singing coaching Friday night and all day yesterday, so tired in a good way!!

My heels feel a bit numb today, and still the weight piling on is bothering me, but aside from that and strange shocks of pain from time to time, I'm really doing ok, and feeling quite happy. Hair is growing!!!

[jenny5931]

Hi
Yes rads 15 of them
jenny xx

[chicita]

Good luck tomorrow Jenny. I'm SO jealous you're having your last chemo. What's next? rads?
I've moved over to the February forum as I'm so far behind all you Jems now but I still keep popping back to check up on you all.
best wishes
X Yvonne

[jenny5931]

HI
Where is everyone ? hope ur all well, My last chemo tomorrow gone so quick looking back.
Hope ur ok for ednesday Sarah.
Jenny xx