September 2018 Chemo Starters.

[Bee1980]

Hi all! Haven’t posted for awhile but just wanted to share TODAY IS MY LAST CHEMO!!!

I didn’t think this day would come! This site has been such a comfort thank you 😊.

For anyone that doesn’t know i had lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed, IDC, HER2+ (lovely injections to look forward to). Love to you all & keep strong 💪🏿 💕xx

[MamaTony]

Hi All,

Due my last chemo tomorrow, have been counting down the days and so desperate to ring that bell 🔔 and see the back of it. HOWEVER, on Tuesday the oncologist was disappointed that the tumour has not continued to shrink🙁 it reduced from 6cms to 4cms after first docetaxol but has remained for last two🙁 He’s now talking about chemo tablets when I recover from my op as he suspects cancer still there. I’m triple negative.

Surgery Jan 16th for mx and recon with DIEP flap. Hoping after checking the tumour it is scar tissue and dead cancer cells🤞🤞🤞 He did say could be scar tissue but didn’t look convincing🙁

Gabyf: my daughter had the scoliosis op and the difference is great. Worrying time but the surgeons are amazing. And my daughter grew 1.5 inches after op because her spine was straightened 👍👍

Best wishes to all you lovely ladies💕

[Millie Evergreen]

Hi all,  I haven't posted on here very much at all since beginning chemo in September but have been reading all of your brave and supportive messages to each other. There is so much courage amongst you all and you have helped me enormously, so thank you 😊 I had my last Docetaxol yesterday (reduced to 80% and with some fab painkillers!!) Onwards and upwards to radiotherapy and 10 years of Tamoxifen now!! Well done all, you're almost there and you have 'totally got this' wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a brighter 2019 xxx

[Kath1977]

Hiya Girls.

I am still here, I had my dental work done and chemo stopped for a week.

Had chemo on Thursday last week and the side effects are the worse I've ever had, I thought with a week gap they would be easier but seen to be worse.

Muscle and bone pain and stabbing pains in back and side of my head.

Oh and don't get me started on the hot flushes. Jacqs just like you they are crazy. I can't wear anything on my head as soaking in sweat.

Kids are keeping me upbeat with there excitement for christmas though.

Hope you are all coping with your side effects.

Only another 8 weeks to go!! Feels like an eternity. 🙄🙄🙄

Kath xx

[Jacqs]

Hello Gaby & Pulapula,

I’m sure everyone has got sidetracked with SE’s & getting ready for Christmas.  Like you Gaby, i’ve been so tired & out of breath this last 2 weeks.  Doing simple things is taking up so much energy.  I went food shopping this morning after having bloods taken & thought I was going to pass out.  As for that awful taste, I will be so happy to get rid of that.  I think we should just hide those scales until well into Jan 🤪

Gaby that’s terrible to hear about your daughter - as if you didn’t already have enough to deal with.  Sending big hugs & positive thoughts ❤️

Pulapula - good luck for Friday.  Will be thinking of you.  It is such a nuisance having to wear hats etc.  I’ve taken to wearing a pink beanie that my sister bought for me.  One minute I’m freezing, the next I have major hot flushes so it gets ripped off ! 

Hope everyone one else is doing ok xxx

[GabyF]

Hi Pulapula,

I really hope everyone goes well for you on Friday. I'll be thinking of you. I've got surgery in late March, I think, so a bit of time to go still...

I'm fed up with hats etc as well, especially as nothing really seems to keep my head all that warm.

Had a bit of a mixed day today. I'm feeling better but our daughter was diagnosed with scoliosis at Guy's this morning and will probably have to have an operation to correct the curve in her spine at some point next summer. We seem to have gone from a family with very few health problems to having to deal with really rather major issues. I'm sure she will be ok in the end, but it's not easy for a teenager, who is about to embark on university etc. I just can't wait to see the back of all these doctors and hospitals!

Gx

[Pulapula]

Hi all, it's been a bit quiet on here lately - hope it just means you're busy getting ready for christmas, and are coping OK with your side effects.

I finally decided today what surgery I am going to have on Friday - WLE with reconstruction. I'll find out the pathology results on 7 January and really hope I don't need to have more chemo...It's been nearly 4 weeks since my last cycle and I don't miss it one bit! I've still got my PICC line in, just incase...Just wish my hair would start to grow back as I didn't get a wig and I'm getting fed up of wearing hats and scarves.

[GabyF]

Hi Jacqs,

I hope you had a good weekend. Sounded like you definitely had a good plan!

I'm slowly emerging from the EC fog. I think my haemoglobin crashed again, as I am very short of breath and even more tired than usual. My brain completely went to pot over the weekend. My daughter thought it was funny - 'you just look like you're drunk mum!'. I couldn't string a sensible sentence together, muddled up words and was totally incapable of concentrating on anything. I feel very slightly more with it this evening, so hopefully I'll be a bit better tomorrow. Had the shivers during the night at the weekend as well and got told off by my lovely nurse today for not checking my temperature and phoning in. Oh dear! She's running another blood test just to make sure there's nothing serious going on, but really I'm fine 😁 🙃 😝.

Absolutely foul taste in my mouth which only goes when I'm eating, so of course I'm constantly nibbling. I'm definitely not going on the weighing scales right now 😡 😁.

Hope you're all having a reasonable start to the week.

Gx

[Jacqs]

Hi Everyone,

Hope you’re all having a good weekend, despite this cold weather.  Today’s going to be a day tucked up at home for me maybe wrapping some more Xmas presents 🎁.

My stepdaughter is back from uni for the holidays so it’ll be a nice Sunday lunch then curl up on the sofa & watch Christmas films.

Thursday was my penultimate Carboplatin / Paclitaxel sesssion - it nearly didn’t go ahead cause my platelets & neutrophils we’re low, but they repeated the blood tests early on Thursday am & they’d risen just enough.  Today was my last day of taking steroids - yeahhh 😁.

I’m fighting a cold & sore throat at the moment but praying I can stave it off till I get my last session out of the way next week. 

Gutted that the nail on my right big toe is turning black - 1 week from the end.  Isn’t that Sod’s law.  Finger nails haven’t got any worse.  The oncologist nurse said that I may get another horizontal band on each nail with this last cycle ( called Mees lines ) but the cuticles still look intact so she said I should avoid losing fingernails if I keep moisturising them & just let the bands grow out.  

Wishing you all a good week.  With each step closer to Christmas, we’re all getting closer to this nightmare ending. Take care all ❤️😘

[Lisa-T]

Sounds like the birthday dance did the trick GabyF 💃🏻🕺 love that idea 😍

So pleased it’s not just me ... I wander round shops in a complete daze as I can’t focus on what I’m doing 😂

Really hoping the worst bit is nearly over too ... we are getting there ❤️💪🏻❤️ xx

[GabyF]

Hi LisaT,

I'm so glad you're starting to feel a bit better. The walking is a nuisance, I agree. Thank heavens for lifts and escalators 😁. And chemo brain is another one. I've hidden my presents in rather obvious places, but I'm hoping that will enable me to remember where they are 😣. I'm also forgetting loads of other stuff, words, tasks, appointments, you name it, it's terrible 😡. So I'm making lots of lists, but then I have to remember where I put those 😁.

We had a lovely evening to celebrate my husband's birthday, thanks. My son was keen to bake the cake, mainly so he could lick the bowl 😋. So my husband got a tasty cake, some wine, dinner, lots of presents and a special happy birthday dance from me and my daughter 🕺 🎉 🕺 😁. All this cheered him up immensely. He's also got today off, so we're going out for a nice lunch. I wasn't sure if I would be up to it, but I actually slept quite well and am still feeling OK.

How fantastic that the end of all this rubbish is now in sight for you. I don't suppose any of us will ever be able to forget about the cancer, pills or no pills, but hopefully the worst is over soon and we can all return to something approaching normal ☺.

Gx

[Lisa-T]

Pleased your first EC went ok GabyF 💪🏻 hope you had a good night. Happy Birthday to your hubby🎂🥂 Impressed you are thinking of making a cake ... I just slept after my first FEC 🙈

Had my 2nd T last Wednesday - felt really spaced out after this one and had more bone pain but hopefully over the worst bit now! Also feel like I’ve aged about 20 years ... I’m walking so slowly!

Signed the forms agreeing to radiotherapy yesterday which I should start end of January. 3 weeks of that and then I’m released back in to normal society armed with tamoxifen for 10 years and check ups every 6 months! It’s a weird feeling!

Pleased everything is sorted for you now Keeno72 ... last T for me on 28th now ... we are nearly there ❤️💪🏻❤️

Wrapping presents later today so Christmas tunes on full blast 🎄🎅🏻 ... just need to remember where I’ve hidden them all now 🙈

Hope everyone has a good week 😘 Lisa xx

[GabyF]

Hi everyone,

Had my first EC session today and am feeling ok. I was half expecting to be throwing up by now, as I spoke to a couple of lovely ladies on the ward last week, who were feeling dreadful after their first EC. I had a barrage of anti-nausea drugs this morning and have been given a large bag with more goddies for taking at home - so far they seem to be doing the trick, fingers crossed! I am feeling a bit more dopey than usual, but my kids would probably say that they can't notice any difference 

It's my husband's birthday today, so will bake him a cake in a moment. Wasn't sure I'd be up to it, but am very relieved that I can go ahead. He was a little low last night - combination of getting older and the ongoing worry of my treatment. He is not one for letting on much if he's stressed or sad, tends to bottle things up a bit, and the last few months have of course not been easy. Hopefully a bit of yummy cake and presents will cheer him up.

Hope everyone is having a reasonable week.

Gx

[KEENO72]

Hello all haven't been on for a while after having a terrible 1st cycle of docetaxel, anyway got it all sorted with a reduced dose of steroids halved actually, sleeping tablets for 5/6 days and paracetamol and codeine at night. I have done 3 only have 1 left now on 27th woop woop! 😁
Been reading posts and a few little hinters and positive comments i hope.
Re indigestion I gave up on any meds and have ginger ale/biscuits lemon and ginger cordial seems to help get all the gas out! Never had so much gas inside!😲
I had recon b4 surgery and then suffered a recurrence in skin on new breast....great news the little lumps have all but gone having changed to docetaxel i only have minor surgery now in Jan! 😁 re recon for those considering its looking real good now after 4 months takes a while but i now feel worth it. I had implant btw.

Re nasty nails a v good nurse told me to get my nails painted black/dark i have gel night b4 chemo and all my nails bar 1 are in good nic the one that looks like it might lift was damaged beforehand I'd recommend some nice dark sparkly nails for xmas!
Finally hair!!! My hair didn't get any worse after started docetaxel still look like prince william and its attempting to grow back but not on top!!! 🙈🙈my eyebrows thinned as soon as changed to doxe and eyelashes I'm hoping what i have left lasts through next cycle as I'm filling them in well and some good eyeliner work means no ones noticing my sparce eyelashes! Finally i have a great wig and on my good week before chemo week.I've been out for lunch nearly every day will be feeling good for Xmas before last round......hang in there all nearly there....😍😍😍xxx

[Treemad]

Reflux!

[Treemad]

Hi jacqus, ive not had any acid reflex ir acid in upper part. Its what passes out!!

Like a curry from the underworld!

[Jacqs]

Hi Treemad

Gaviscon is a complete waste of time.  The only thing i’ve ever found to work on severe indigestion / acid reflux is Lanzaprozole.  Maybe try your own GP & see if you can get them to prescribe something stronger like Lanzaprozol.  It’s usually 1 tablet a day in morning & it works pretty quickly.  Xx

[Treemad]

Yes in frequent communication with nurses, which recommended the gaviscon and constant omeprezole, but its not making much of a difference yet.

[Jacqs]

Gaby it’s great to hear your genetic test was clear.  Such a huge relief for your famiy ❤️

Lisa I was offered genetic testing as i’m Also TN & have strong family history of BC.  My results not due till Christmas time.  Re nails, have gone for nice Christmassy red varnish & just going to keep fingers crossed.

Treemad - have you tried ringing the chemo helpline.  They are really good if you just want advice & you can chat through what SE’s your having.  I’ve had quite lot indigestion - I think due to steroids but i’m On completely different chemo drugs to you so it’s hard to compare.  I take Lanzaprosol on prescription which helps, but they say that if any 1 symptom is really bad, it’s best to get it checked out.  Please don’t suffer in silence - it’s all hard enough as is.  I rand 24 hr chemo helpline early hours one morning & the nurse was so lovely - she let me run through every single SE & then gave advice on how to deal with each one.  Hope you get it sorted soon 

Think i’m set for a late night all thanks to those pesky steroids this morning.  Wide awake 😬😬😬

[Pulapula]

Gaby - so pleased to hear your genetic test came back negative.

Lisa-T, unless you’re triple negative, I don’t think they offer genetic testing unless you are very young and/or have a history of BC in the family.

My cysts were aspirated yesterday so no further treatment needed. That’s 3 I’ve had aspirated since diagnosis. I have a feeling I’ll be back there again and again every time I find another lump as I’m always checking now! And I am very cysty....

I finally slept like a log last night. So much so I was woken by my 9 year old at 8:58. He should have been at school by 8:50!!! I quickly got dressed and delivered him. Oops!