8 years on - pet scan results

Hi Mummyb, Your Oncologist seems to be on the ball as it is easier to treat something small rather than something out of control! I am sure you will cope well with any side effects you may have. Just remember, not everyone has side effects so I hope you are one of the lucky ones! I hope it works it's magic for you!

Thanks Annette,

I’m praying I’m one of the lucky ones but I’m prepared if I’m not.  My oncologist is new to the hospital so these last 2 appointments are the only occasions I’ve met him.  I am happy to say I like his ethics and am really pleased with how he’s forging ahead with treatment.

x

Hi mummyb

I am in agreement with Annette anndanv, I have no experience with chemo, my blood cancer isn't treated with chemo...yet. I have experience of reading about chemo here for the past 4 years and yes, it makes sense to treat a tumour when it's small and either keep it small or possibly eradicate it which would be great. 

Fingers crossed your side effects are minimal and tolerable. Good luck with the treatment mummyb.

Tvman xx

Morning mummyb I’m glad there’s a plan and wish you the best of luck with chemo. I’ve had 5 different types of chemo in the last 2 years. Some were easier to tolerate than others. It’s a good idea to take anti sickness meds before you need them & let your team know about side effects straight away, they’re often dose related & can be managed. You’ll definitely feel very tired, after all you’re fighting cancer & chemo and need to rest a lot, drink plenty of water and eat as well as you can. Have everything crossed for you xx

Hello mummy, I had 6 rounds of docetaxel. The anti sickness pills you are given work as they should. Lost hair as expected although you can ask for a cold cap. Everything back to normal now. Worst side effect was not being able to taste my food which is not awful within the big pjcture! They have answers for all side effects. Good luck.

Hi, Tvman, Tinalay, Norberry.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

Its good to speak to someone who’s had the same treatment, even though we all react differently and the experience could be entirely different.

I have had chemo before and did experience some side effects, however my onc did warn me this would be different.  I certainly didn’t experience hair loss.  Oh I’m so vain.  With radiotherapy I did have problems eating but that was due to a burned oesophagus and not due to taste changes.  Hubby asked me today if he should be looking out for foods I can manage.  I think we’ll just have to wait and see how that goes.

As for the cold cap, I think I’ll give that a miss, I’ve heard some negative stories regarding them.  However I will be taking any meds they offer to help with the side effects!

When did you finish the dicetaxel, Norberry?

Thanks all.x

I am pretty sure hair always comes back whatever the type of chemo. Mine reappeared as soon as treatment was over. Hair under my arms and chest never came back, probably a good thing from your point of view!

I could eat anything but couldn't taste it. Scrambled eggs were nice. If you coat food with enough brown sauce or chilli, you will taste a bit more. You have anti sickness mods twice before and once after each cycle, never felt sick once.

My chemo finished a couple of years ago, will not be revisiting it until things go pear shaped this end! 

Hopefully it will be easy for you, docetaxel gives cancer a big wacking whatever. Good luck. Xx

Thanks for the info Norberry.

oh no, I think I’m gonna be struggling a bit on the food front.  Unfortunately I have a burned oesophagus from the radiotherapy so have to avoid spicy food lol. Looks like I might lose a few pounds along with the hair.

Pleased to hear it whacks the cancer, that’s what the onc said, but I thought he might just have been humouring me.

Glad things appear to be working out for you at the moment.

x

Morning mummyb it’s not vain to be upset over losing your hair although for me it’s the eyelashes & eyebrows that really change your appearance and scream cancer patient. I have a couple of wigs one on prescription from Macmillan & a cheap one from Amazon but haven’t worn one since lockdown. I used the head coverings & got to like them. My hair has again grown back grey & curly and I can’t WAIT for my hairdressing appt at the end of May. I’ve been blonde & red so I’m thinking brunette and definitely straight curls do nothing for me. I’ve seen men & worn in the cold cap. You need a much longer appt, have to be wrapped up in blankets & some say the initial bit actually hurts. ***er that! Take the meds, atta girl xx

Morning Tinalay 

Apart from missing family n friends, I think a visit to the hairdressers is up there on my ‘thanks covid’ list!  Love a good haircut and of course a good old natter whilst I’m there.

My 16 year old daughter has the baldness all mapped out lol. She’s already got me some bandanas and head cream and has informed me she’ll be massaging my head every night, God love her.  

Im a little concerned on the eyes and eyelash front.  I’ve recently found out I have ocular rosacea and have just started treatment for it.  I’m not sure if I’ll have to stop treatment.  According to the consultant this was probably caused by the original chemo.  Oh well, one step at a time.

X