October 2018 Chemo starters

[ElliesMum]

Sar_ah I’m sorry you got such an early wake up greeting (even if it was super cute)! Daylight savings is a bit rough with little ones. If it makes you feel any better, we were up at 5am this morning too! 🤦‍♀️ (Sadly my in laws live 3 hours away, so a child-free night is like gold dust!)

I have my second cycle on Friday, and even though I feel well at the moment I’m starting to feel a tiny bit anxious about it. I guess I know what’s coming now, and I really don’t want to feel so horribly unwell again! 🙈 I see the oncologist tomorrow for a review. I have felt well since about day 8, but really did feel absolutely terrible for the first 3-4 days. Is there anything I should be asking to change this time? I had Emend from the outset, but sadly it didn’t seem to make much of a difference for me! 🤷‍♀️ Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Xox 💕😘💐

[Sar_ah]

Pinklily hope you’re feeling a bit better today, sounds like you’ve had an eventful time so far. Hoping you’re able to get lots and rest and feel better soon.
Lou my hairs started to do the same, I can the cold cap but I’m starting to loss hair and the hair around my crown especially hurt (a bit like when it’s tied up for too long)
Ellie’s mum hope you had a lovely lay it (massively jealous!! 5am wake up here to “we wish you a merry Christmas 🤣)
x

[Lou45..]

Hi aneeebel,
I have short hair anyway but i had it cut real short before i started my treatment thinking it might help but it hasnt made any diffrence now its very thin thats why i thinking about the shave , my brother said this afternoon he would have his shaved with me , very nice of him i know but its nothing for a man to have no hair isnt it ,

Hugs to everyone 🤗💕
Lou x

[Aneeebel]

My head is exactly the same Lou45...
I said to my friend before that I might have it cut shorter for now...but am I brave enough!!! 🤔 X

Hi ElliesMum... How lovely that you managed to have a lie in! 😴😴 x

I've had a walk to my allotment with the intention of planting a couple of gooseberry bushes... I got there, ate a butty and came home again...the plants are still in the packet! I ran out of steam... But at least I went out for an hour in the fresh air!!

Hope you're all having a lovely day xx

💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗

[ElliesMum]

Oh no, pinklily, I’m sorry to hear you had such a rough night! I’m glad they got some IV antihistamines into you and I hope you start to feel better soon. 🤞💐

I hope those of you who had chemo recently are feeling alright. Fingers crossed you’ve all managed to get some sleep. My angel of a mother in law took our little girl last night so I got a proper sleep in this morning! 👼👍

Lou45, I shaved my hair off early on. It has started coming out now and I’m so pleased it’s already very short as it’s not been too distressing for me. Hopefully it starts to feel better for you soon.

Love to all! 😘💕xox

[Lou45..]

morning ladies,

pinklilly hope you are okay and feeling better today,

hope all the lovely ladies are doing okay and feeling fine,

i have a bit of a dilema my hair is coming out quite alot now i was wandering if anyone else losing hair is experiencing the same sensation as i am its like a prickly feeling and tender to touch it is also tender when i lie down, i am thinking about braving the shave just to get it over with ,

any suggestions or advice ?

thanks in advance ,

lou xx

[Aneeebel]

Oh no pinklily... What a nightmare for you! And your OH! 💙
How are you feeling today? A lot better hopefully!

Thinking about you x 💗💪🏼

[pinklily]

Had a nightmare night on Friday, hubby phoned the emergency number for chemo and they told him to phone 999 for an ambulance, I had terrible trouble swallowing, Friday night in hospital with drunks, druggies and people who had been in fights.
I felt so ill, the staff were lovely and tried to put me on a bed away from other people. The doctor came to a conclusion that I had some reaction to the sickness medication I'd taken, gave me a strong intrevenous of antihistamines and that seemed to help. Got home and into bed at 4.30 totally exhausted. Not a good start and so stressful for my OH.

[Mishy18]

Ladies hang on in there as Shi says the silk pillowcases are lovely for the head i found my head would get really hot at night with the flushes so the silk pillow case wasn't as sticky and stuffy my little tip is a couple of lavender drops on a hanky under pillow helps you relax and sleep better i found the wobbles i remember them Mai how right you are we are like weebles we are all standing upright and were where you lasses are last year and Mai's blog is fab 💪 stay strong and sending you some positive vibes xxx

[Mai7]

Lou45, wobbles are normal but we are weebles and weebles wobble but they don't fall down!  I took my afternoon steroids no later than 3pm otherwise there was no chance of sleeping.   xx

[Lou45..]

Good afternoon lovely ladies,
Hope you all keeping warm on this cold day we have a bit of snow falling at the moment,
Hope you are all feeling okay,
I think ive got over my wobble from the other day,

aneeebel think it was the wig thing that did it for me too, but onwards and upwards, i too had steroids for 3 days but i still not sleeping well.

Fiona hope you feeling okay too,
I havent slept proply since i had my first round they said it was probly all the meds i am taking,

Have a good weekend ladies stay 💪, and warm ,
Lou 💕 x

[FiMillan]

Aneeebel, I don't have any steroids to take, it was just nerves keeping me awake.
Best of luck and have a nice weekend.
💜 Fiona xxx

[Aneeebel]

Hi 💜Fiona... I feel relatively OK in my self... Just tired...flipping steroids kept me awake all night again! Luckily I only have to take them for 3 days! I'm also a bit unsteady on my feet but that happened last time too! Fingers crossed I carry on feeling this well!
I feel very fragile today for some reason! 😥💗💪🏼

So pleased you're feeling well! Onwards and Upwards! 💗 xx

💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗

[FiMillan]

Hi Aneeebel

I'm surprised at how well I feel to be honest. No sickness, just very slight nausea but I'm wearing my sea sickness bands and it seems to be helping, not had to resort to the anti-sickness pills yet.  I do have a headache which started on the C input yesterday. But it's better than it was yesterday and I've not resorted to painkillers, just drinking loads. The only thing is I have a flushed face, but temperature is fine. 

I didnt sleep very well because I was expecting to be ill! So I'm still tired but managing to do housework etc.

How are you after No 2? I do hope you're ok 💪💪

Take care all of you and keep fighting, you lovely ladies.

💜 Fiona xxx

[Aneeebel]

Hi 💜Fiona... Glad yr treatment went okay for you! Hope you're feeling well... One down!! 💗💪🏼 xx

Hi Lou45... I suddenly feel very fragile too for some reason! I think it's the wig that's tipped me over the edge! 🙄 (As well as everything else!) Keep your chin up... We're all on our way up!!! xx 💗💪🏼

@ktk @shi @kip @Mai7... Thankyou for your advice... I'm holding onto the bungi chord with both hands!!!

Have a good w/end everyone xx

💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗 xx

[Mai7]

Shi, you're bonkers!   I'm just DJ'ing in for any late joiners who may have missed my blog earlier in the month http://lifeafterlola.blogspot.com  it's full of tips we collected along our chemo journey which you may find useful.  I'll leave you with a little late night luuuurve "Caravan of Love" by the Housemartins - that was our chemo song in the May 2017 starters. xxxx

[Shi]

👭👭👭😘😘😘hi girls, sending ❤️❤️❤️and see how 💪💪💪you are all hangling onto that bungi chord while you bounce through this 🤪🤪🤪🤪ride. Few more tip, silk pillowcase is gentle on head and will be kinder to hair when it starts returning. Also get your look good feel better sessions booked in with your local Macmillan centres ❤️❤️❤️ if you can’t get on for a while, go to a boots or Debenhams the beauticians on the counters are usually the ladies who do the Lgfb sessions and they will show you at their counter and help you, they will be kind and lovely ❤️❤️❤️ time on the chemo jukebox for tonight for you, we are family by sister sledge 💃🏻💃🏻🕺🕺🕺💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💕💕💕✨✨✨✨Shi xx

[Kip]

Wow ladies you are doing well, the hair/wig issue is a biggie at first but once its gone you do get used to it, go with whatever you feel is right, wigs arent for everyone, mine looked lovely but i still hated having to wear it.  Now its getting colder out there will be lovely snuggly hats to wear.  Somebody mentioned what to do about eyebrows and lashes?  I didnt lose mine until chemo 5 out of 6 but if you can book yourselves on to the Looking Good Feeling better course, its free and you get shown how to draw in eyebrows etc and you get lots of lovely freebies.. its a really good pamper for you and a few hours away from this nightmare!

Keep ticking off the days,, 

Kip

Xx

[Lou45..]

Pinklily ,
I would just like to thank you for your kind words they made me bit teary but i know what you mean i have said to people i am still the same person inside even when i have no hair,
must admit your words have picked me up and i will keep holding on to those hands 🤗,
Lou 💕x

[pinklily]

The scarfs are very fashionable, I've seen a lot of people wearing them, I'm going to wear mine even when my hair grows back.

[Kip]

Ladies if you struggle with continued sickness please speak to chemo or help line there are other sickness pills to try, dont suffer in silence, also have you tried anti sickness travel bands?  

Kip

[ktk]

Lovely ladies, only go for a wig if you really want one. I decided not to bother and didn’t even go and look. In the summer I just went bald but now it is colder I have a plethora of colourful scarves to choose from. Love to all and good luck with your chemo. Kxx

[pinklily]

Hold on in there Lou45, we are here for you and I know you don't feel like yourself anymore, but inside you are still the beautiful person you always have been. I know it's easy to say, but our looks are on the outside, people see us for what we are in our behavior and I know your confidence has been knocked back, but you're not alone and we all know what you are going through. You have to look in that mirror and say, I'm me and I can do this, because we all have our arms around you to give you support and you are you. When this is all over, you will look back and say 'I got through and out the other side and I'm still me. We are all holding hands, don't let go now.

[Lou45..]

Afternoon ladies,
Hope you all doing okay on this cold afternoon,
I havent been on here for a bit but if i honest i have been struggling this week i think its just hit me with what i am dealing with,
I too saw the wig lady yesterday and wasnt impressed i have short hair and everything she showed me was nothing like me, when i got home i was quite upset,

Fiona sorry forgot to wish you luck for today hope all went well and you feeling okay,
The same goes for any other ladies that have had treatment today,
I have my second one on tuesday feeling bit anxious if i honest although my first one went okay and i wasnt to bad i got a feeling i wont be so lucky this time, my hair has started to come out now too i just dont feel like myself anymore i started off real positive but i not so much now 😫,
Take care and stay 💪
Lou 💕

[ElliesMum]

Well done Fiona, one down! 👍💪💕😘

[FiMillan]

Afternoon ladies, so first session of chemo done. No immediate side effects yet other than slight headache 😁
I hope you're all safe and taking care of yourselves 💪💪
Only another 125.5 days to go for me now on this stage, as long as it goes to plan 😜. I've even done post it notes for each week and cycle so that I can tick each day off and see progress.
Big hugs to you all 🤗🤗
💜 Fiona xxx

[reddi]

@Sar_ah My eyebrows and eyelashes have thinned, but as I had pretty thick eyebrows, the change has only been noticeable to me and my OH -- and I am through 5 cycles (3 FEC and 2 TPH, with TPH no. 3 of 4 today). I did lose body hair (armpit, back of legs, pubic) in cycle 1, faster actually than my head hair, which was thin at cycle 2, with a few locks holding on til cycle 5! (I didn't cold cap.) Hair is growing back now -- a few millimetres, approaching a centimetre, despite being on Herceptin in addition to the taxane. I have heard I might lose eyebrows and eyelases in cycle 6 or 7, despite promising hair regrowth.

[Sar_ah]

Best of luck today ladies having chemo! Thinking of you all ❤️
Had my port fitted yesterday which went well although I’ve rather suddenly started losing a lot of hair, I had the cold cap so wasn’t quite expecting it and have totally been in denial! I’ve also started to lose a lot of body hair ... I didn’t think that have til later, it hasn’t started to to go from my eyelashes or eyebrows but has anyone had any tips for when it does?
Hope you all have a lovely weekend and get lots of rest when you can

[FiMillan]

All the best Aneeebel for today 💪💪
💜 Fiona xxx

[FiMillan]

Good luck for today ladies 💪
I couldn't agree more with Sarah, if it wasn't for you all going through the same stuff, I'd be even more scared. It helps to know we can talk and know that we truly understand each other.
I had a meeting with the wig lady yesterday at hospital and I too got upset by it. I guess it just makes this nightmare become reality 😢
Oh well, time to get up and get ready for round 1 🥊
Good luck girls 💜 Fiona xxx

[Aneeebel]

Hi Shi... Thankyou so much for your lovely message...oooooouzing with positivity and kindness, made me smile 😘 You're right of course, we're all allowed the odd blip.. But I'll get my karate kid outfit on again...and give it all I've got!! 💪🏼💗💪🏼💗

ElliesMum...Yes, lots of challenges, but we'll get there in the end... (The limbo cover is fab, Tvm x 💗)

Sar_ah... Thanks for thinking of us 💗 I'm glad it's not only me with the wig too...I thought I was being dramatic! 💗💪🏼

💜Fiona... Best of luck for today 💗💪🏼

Best wishes to all us October ladies... Take care and Thanks for being here...xx

💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗

[Badboob]

Morning everyone, just wanted to say that I too have found the whole wig thing really traumatic. The wig provider at my hospital had the most awful selection  with nothing in a mid length. I completely freak out at my first appointment. 

Friends then recommend a local business and I went to see them, what a difference, massive of choice and in fact the first one I tried on I ended up buying. They even had a hairdresser on site who then cut it properly to my style. Back to the hospital to have another go. I realised just how terrible the NHS ones were compared to private. I ended up getting a completely different style to my own on the basis it didn’t make me look like a witch, instead it is more bagpuss! I really feel for those who have no option but to take the free one.

The only positive to come from the day was meeting everyone at the Maggie’s centre. They grabbed me as I came out of the fitting, sat me down with a cup of tea and were really really lovely to me. I just felt so much better after my chat with them.  Goodness, this journey is hard isn’t it! 

Good luck to to everyone who is having chemo today, 

Hugs

[FiMillan]

Good luck for today ladies 💪
I couldn't agree more with Sarah, if it wasn't for you all going through the same stuff, I'd be even more scared. It helps to know we can talk and know that we truly understand each other.
I had a meeting with the wig lady yesterday at hospital and I too got upset by it. I guess it just makes this nightmare become reality 😢
Oh well, time to get up and get ready for round 1 🥊
Good luck girls 💜 Fiona xxx

[Sar_ah]

Good luck for all you lovely ladies having chemo tomorrow, you’ve got this 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
I know what you mean about the wigs, I went in a shop, came home and cried! I’m kind of glad to hear it’s a “normal” reaction. It’s so lovely to have all you ladies here in my phone, it can be such a lovely journey while being surrounded my people at the same time but this forum as really helped that 💕

[ElliesMum]

Oh Aneeebel, I’m so sorry to hear that getting a wig upset you. This process has so many challenges for us to deal with! Like you, pinklily, I decided to brave the shave in the week after my first chemo. I went to the barber shop a short walk from where I live and had them shave off my shoulder-length hair. They were fabulous - wouldn’t even let me pay afterwards! It honestly felt really liberating.

I’ve been back at work since shaving my head, wearing a wig. (I tend to wear beanies or hats otherwise.) I personally hated the wig initially and had to be convinced by my husband to go for it (wanted to run out of the shop empty handed and put my head in the sand!). Most people at my workplace don’t realise that I’m going through chemo and I have received several genuine compliments on my fabulous new hairstyle! 😂🙈🤷‍♀️ I’m slowly getting used to the wig and, as Shi suggests, I’m thinking of finding some “fun” wigs too to mix things up a bit! Also buying lots of gorgeous beanies! 🤗👍

Xox😘💕

[pinklily]

Should have said, I had I shaved last Saturday, I want to be in control as much as possible, I'm not going to let the cancer control me

[pinklily]

Good luck to everyone having chemo tomorrow hope it is not too bad for you. I had my hair cut really short four weeks ago, a grade 2, then a lovely man who overheard my conversation on the phone to Sarah at the barbers, wanted to pay for the cost of having my hair shaved, as his sister had cancer last year. He didn't leave his name, just wished me well and paid for me. So I don't have any hair, but I have purchased loads of beautiful scarf chemo hats from Hong Kong and China.
I'm ready for all events, even got the difflam you were all talking about and the child toothbrush.
Hopefully I won't need the difflam.

[Shi]

Aneeebel 👭👭👭it’s good to have a cry our hair is so important, but more important is the beautiful person you are, that shines bright with fight and strength (if you don’t see it yet, it’s there and it will just shine brighter and brighter) as you jump through this a jump at a time 💪💪💪💪try a few luvyababes wigs for around £20 too if you can, it’s good to have a selection, through a few tinsel wigs in too for good measure, I did. On days when you might not see you looking back in the mirror you are there with your karate kid outfit on fighting for all you are worth and all of us behind you too 👭👭👭💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Aneeebel]

Hi 💜Fiona... Good luck for tomorrow, will be thinking of you x 💗💪🏼

Hi ElliesMum... Thank you for thinking of me x 💗💪🏼

Hi MurphyC... Yes, I ended up in hospital too! My hair is starting to fall out, it's been okay until the last couple of days but my scalp has gone tender and I seem to be losing more when I wash it! I haven't been brave enough to shave it off as yet! I went for a wig today and when I got home I was so upset it I actually cried! Can't actually get my head around me getting a wig!!
Any way...sorry, I'm waffling... Good luck for tomorrow! 💗💪🏼

💗💗💗💗💗💗

[ElliesMum]

Best of luck for tomorrow, FiMillan, Aneeebel and MurphyC! I will be thinking of you all. 💪😘💕🤞

Pinklily, I believe that side effects usually follow a pattern each cycle, but there are sometimes different drugs (especially anti-sickness medications) that can be prescribed that might work better for you. I’m having FEC at the moment and I felt pretty nauseous and horrible for the first week (especially th first few days), but feel great now 2 weeks later. Hopefully you will start to feel better soon! 🤞😘

[MurphyC]

Hello Ladies

It’s been an interesting first cycle - felt great, then in hospital with high temperature, hair has all fallen out and started to feel OK again...like a number of you, cycle 2 tomorrow!!!

Good luck everyone with your treatment, hope it goes well. xxx

[FiMillan]

Hi Aneeebel
Hope you're well and no 2 goes well tomorrow.
I've just got back from pre-assessment with my anti-sickness pill and steroids ready for tomorrow morning.
Good luck tomorrow to you and all of us 💪💪
💜 Fiona xxx

[Aneeebel]

Hi Pinklily, I've felt sick every day since I had chemo... Not constantly but it comes in waves!
Today is the best I've felt with regards to nausea and I'm going back tomorrow for chemo No.2!!! Typical!
Anyway...it's not getting me again! Haha! At least I know what to expect...I will be more prepared!!
Hope you feel better soon! 💗

Best wishes to all us October ladies...and every other lady of course! 💗
💗💪🏼💗💪🏼💗 xx

[pinklily]

Ladies, do you feel sick after every chemo cycle, or does your body get used to it. I'm drinking loads and have taken the anti sickness drugs, but still feel sick and just nibbling on cream crackers.

[Kip]

Oh thats strange pinklilly it was a chemo nurse who told me.. best to listen to yours then.

[pinklily]

Hi kip
I had my first chemo yesterday and was told not to take any vitamins at all unless prescribed, the nurse said they can counteract some of the chemo drugs. When I asked about my vit c, they said certainly not.

[FiMillan]

Thanks Kip, something else to add to the shopping list 🤣

[Kip]

Hello ladies, sorry to just pop in,  im from the June chemo thread and was just having a thought about the nasty tongues and lack of taste buds due to chemo and remembered this tip.  Get the vitamin c tables (the ones jn a tube which you disolve jn water) and let half a tablet dissolve on your tongue, it helpa cut through the sliminess, yoh ccan do a whole one but they are quite sharp.  Juat a tip to pass on.

Kip

[Shi]

Sarah 😘😘ring your team darling and speak to someone, they have seen everything and will be able to advise you and give you peace of mind. Keep 💪💪💪💪💪you can alll 🥊🥊🥊🥊this ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕✨✨✨Shi xx

[Aley]

Hi FiMillan,
Read your post and just wanted to say 👋 I have a lump in my right breast 2.6mm and one in my armpit..My armpit one is painful and swollen and the boob one sort of well ‘moves’ a bit..i’ve Had 2 FEC so far and I think they say it’s shrinking a bit! I’m having my chemo up front too which frustrates me a little as although they say from biopsy & ultrasound it’s in 1 node sometimes it sounds like it’s spread more at the time of surgery. Just feels a bit weird having it in me too as I’d wished it could be removed ASAP!! Anyway we just have to trust the medical experts I guess! Have a great day all x