The operation

Hi Jacks, 

sorry you are having to have chemo as well.  I’m currently having EC chemo 4 sessions although they have me booked in for 6 in case I need them.  

I had my first session on 20th December, it honestly wasn’t too bad I felt fine while they were putting it all in with only a mild buzz in my head at the end, that evening I just felt full and headachy,i didn’t take anything at all because I didn’t know if I was allowed to (I hadn’t asked!).  I managed to eat my tea but then developed indigestion that just wouldn’t shift and ended up being sick a little and a bout of diahorrea which eased the indigestion. 

I rang the Oncology day unit  the next day and asked what I was allowed to take medicine wise, and found out I could have taken anything I needed to take, gaviscon, ibuprofen, paracetamol, Imodium which all probably would have made the first night more comfortable.  

I then had a week of feeling full all the time and indigestion whenever I ate or drank something acidic or fatty but soon adjusted what I was eating I had mild nausea for the first three days so took the anti Nausea tablets along with the steroids. I felt generally off colour but not really bad for a week plus I struggled every morning to get out of bed, it was as if I hadn’t got enough sleep and was exhausted I literally was dragging myself out of bed at 10am.  

But a week later and practically all the symptoms had gone and  my energy has returned now to normal levels.

I’m the same as you with the short hand they talk about in the discussions but slowly I’m picking some of it up and I just use full terms and ask if indont understand what people mean, everyone has been so helpful.  I’m afraid I can be of no help with your swelling and bruising but I’m sure the surgeon will sort it out for you.  

Good luck, try not to worry it really wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be, I still have my hair Day 15 after my first chemo and apart from a cold why I woke up with this morning I feel really good.  Let us know how you get on xx

Morning ladies

Sleep or lack of it has left me with a thumping headache this morning. The paracetamol pot will be delved into today for sure. 

So frustrating that we can only read the post we are replying to as such, I’m sure there’s a very technical reason but typing whilst holding something in the other hand is a pain for me at the moment. 

Anyway, may have to write 2 posts if I forget something. 

Mira, thank you my American sister, always there for me. 

Jammy, little sleep but I’m up and embracing the day. OH has been and bought me a new tv for the bedroom (never had one in there before) He is putting it up on the wall today, he said if I want to go off and take a break I can catch up on stuff or just have it on in the background. 

LL hope you’re feeling just a little bit better now, especially after a fab nights sleep. Thanks for the info re Happybird I will try and find her and take a look. 

Im on board with the anthem, I thought I could hear frogs in my garden this morning :-)

Sparkles, thank you for helping me re the EC treatment, I’ve added you as a friend so that I can check in with you. 

It’s a shame that you weren’t given a list of things you can and can’t take after you’ve had your chemo which would have helped you. 

I read your details and noticed you had the Oncotype test too, may I ask what your score was?

Mine was 21, so I had the Endopredict one done too because I was in the middle as such, it was the second one that came back high and puts me into the chemo situation. I’m sure she said EC was a bit more gentle than the 4th generation chemo, here’s hoping. 

The onco yesterday said that he thought my tumour was a rather naughty one too and that in their opinion needed chemo to be as sure as they could it wasn’t going to make a reappearance. 

Jolly, hope you’re enjoying your mini break. 

Bigguy and Ali, thinking of you. 

Well ladies I hope you all have something nice planned for today. 

Hope I haven’t missed anyone xxxxxxx

Good Mornimg Jacks, 

Thank you I have accepted your friend request so I can follow your journey too.  Sorry to hear you have a thumping headache and I hope the paracetamol helps.   I did have the Oncotype test but the Oncologist never actually told me my score and I never thought to ask, she just said that I was still in the grey area with no definitive answer as to which was best way forward but looking at the type of cancer (aggressive) and the fact the original tumour had intersected a blood vessel plus a family history of cancers,   Dad and Uncle (Oesophageal) and Aunty (bowel) all sadly passed away she though it was a good idea as I was nudging towards the chemo side of the scale to give me chemo to make sure no nasties popped up in the future.  

I honestly felt quite relieved when she said chemo as for me the experience of cancers in the family have not turned out so well so this sort of makes me feel comforted that if there is anything nasty lurking the chemo will get it.

Have a great day xx

Hi Sparkles

I was in the grey area too. 

I had grade 3 with vascular invasion too, sounds very similar. 

To be honest chemo was obviously absolutely the last thing I wanted but I couldn’t make a decision when I was with my oncologist and she couldn’t help me.

I opted for the extra test purely because I sort of wanted the decision made for me, cowardly maybe but I just didn’t know what to do. 

The Endopredict test only had a low or high score no middle grey area, it came back high so the decision was there in black and white. 

I normally need to know absolutely everything but after having a look at the effects etc EC has had on ladies here I think I might just go in blind and see what happens. 

I might ring the Macmillan Nurse for some info as to why these particular drugs and not others are being used just so that I know as such. 

Sorry can’t temember on your previous post if you know when you start yours yet? 

Hope you’re all having a good day ladies xxxxxxx

Jacks

Actually The Frog song by Paul McCartney might be a good alternative:

Side by side

Hand in hand

We all stand together

I may need all of your support soon ...... 

To peel me out of my pjs almost 3pm and back in bed with groggy head and froggy voice. Had another nap for 2 hrs. So I wasn’t really better and it’s ( drum roll please) Return of the rash! Hitchcock style 

Hey ho

Take care

Leolady

Random thought..,,,,,

Do you think the Fire Brigade chaps will come out as I’m stuck in my pjs ???

Mmmmmm I just feel some light entertainment could be the cure to my ills

Llady xxxx

Bom bom bom aye y aye, bom bom bom, aye y aye, liking the frog chorus very apt.

Return of the rash really doesn't sound good, viral infection?

Mini break good, but wet, currently back at cottage after a damp morning in local town, need to head out for food for tonight. Downside to cottage life is doing arm exercises, ceilings are that low my hands hit the ceiling, even with clenched fists i keep grazing my knuckles.

Hi , your diagnosis and mine sound similar. If have raged, ranted, cried and now I am in the 'let us get on with it mode'. Seeing the oncologist tomorrow and starting chemo at some stage soon. I refuse to be scared as that won;t help me. I have dusted my Nutribullet (I know we all have one somewhere) and juicing all the fruit and veg I can find. Still a bit swollen from the lumpectomy but at least it is not painful so can live without painkillers.

There is no wrong or right way of dealing with this thing. You will have good days and bad and just use whatever works for you! 

JollyG, sounds like you’re having a well deserved rest with your family. 

Sorry but I just chuckled to myself picturing you with grazed knuckles from physio ;-)))) Bet you look like a teenager who’s been dragging thier knuckles on the floor Kevin & Perry style ;-)))))

I do my physio sitting on my bed - might help your hands xx

Hi Jacks.... sending you a huge, huge cuddle. 

I am now a member of the 'Lopsided Princess Army'! 

Xx