*** May 2018 Breast Cancer Chemo Club ***

May will see me have my last cycle of chemo (FEC-T that was to become 5 FEC with only 1 T).

It had been a ride, that’s for sure!

Treatment number 5 has seen me using 2 mouth washes every day, 4 times a day and I have not had so much of an issue with white tongue or cardboard mouth!

i have, however, had more issues with my intestinal tract, it seems to have been more affected by the chemo this time, so I’m drinking Gaviscon daily now and that seems to be helping the Ranitidine keep on top of the acid etc. The saliva glands under my ears are grumping again.

i am dreading the last treatment when it comes to how it’s going to effect my vein, it’s been very sore with the skin surface being sensitive to touch too ... it got pretty grumpy with the chemicals in cycle 5, made the nurses get a bit concerned as it kept stopping the flow of the drip for the last syringe!

June will see mybhu and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and then I’m also to begin Radiotherapy; for which I now have my three little tattoos! More joys, then recovery in July and maybe also find out about the BRCA1 issue.

Annie6

Thank you so much for your reply. I had my first EClast Friday. No real side effects so far but still on steroids, so waiting to see what happens. I refuse to cancel any of my arrangements unless I have too. To help things along I have arranged a little help with house work and gardening. My lovely neighbour has done most of my ironing 

Please let me know how you get on with the Pacitaxol and I may discuss this with the onco. He he a really good guy and does listen.

Many thanks again

Veliz

Veliz 

I have had 2 sessions of Paclitaxol. First one a bit of an issue due to a temp and high BP. But that is really me responding in this way and my onco was slightly surprised by both reactions.

The second one, which I have on Thursdays, I sort of lost the weekend and a 'I am not feeling too well/ achy way/ headaches'. Thursday and Fridays are good probably thanks to the steroids. But thanks to the steroids not too much sleep - felt buzzy. 

Third one this week - small BLEEP up on the part of ward last week, miscommunication - so shall report back. 

Everyone has said it is the gentlest of chemos but is a slow creeping one, so you can be hit harder as the week's progress. And having chosen not to go with the cold cap - my BP gives me enough crappy headaches - I am losing my hair. 

Well the sun is in the sky. So lather on the lotion and enjoy a chemo free day. Hope those struggling with the SE's get a gentle one.

Take care

Leolady56

Shingles anyone?

I was supposed to have my 2nd weekly Paclitaxel/Herceptin today, had filled my week with things to do to keep my mind off it etc, etc but got sent to the 'Infectious Diseases' ward by my oncologist to see a very kind doctor who pronounced what I believed to be a Chemo reaction rash on my upper belly as Shingles!!!

So my Chemo is officially suspended (temporarily) and I am on a whole new set of drugs and creams for the foreseeable future!

Help! Has anyone had this happen? Any advice warmly welcome... : (

x

Make-up really is the answer...and wigs, especially lace front ones....

I had the same treatment today for the first time and the cold cap. I have felt fine today but will see how I get on. I wish you luck but it wasn't as bad as i thought except I have rubbish veins and the cap hurt like hell x

Maggieme

‘‘Tis chicken pox season. ‘ Apparently according to friends who still teach quite a bad one. Do you have primary aged  children or been meeting some . There has been some chat about chemo and chicken pox recently. Not , repeat but not a good combo. If you’ve not already mention it

Sleep tight

Leolady56

Thank you Leolady

I have had my first EC. Not too bad so far. I don’t suffer with head aches so the cold cap was ok. Just hope it works. Having a wig fitting just in case. My great nephew said I would look like Uncle Fester if I went bald

Hope all goes well with your next chemo. I too have a picc line. Think it should be offered to everyone

Good luck

Veliz

Morning YoungandFit 

Your response is exactly the one I'm hoping for.  Thank you.

At an appt recently one cheerful soul proceeded to enlighten me on all the suffering she'd been though from it, how her husband had left her during it and then lectured my husband on all the duties he'd need to pick up in support of me.

Rather unnecessary as I already have a grim awareness of the worst I might face.  Also, as my husband has been retired for years while I've been working, I've already taken on the role of Cleopatra  (she who deems to be bathed in asses milk or as hubby affectionately calls me 'lazy mare") and he is well used to taking responsibility for all things domestic.

Unfortunately whilst at 59 I have the height and frame of a more athletic person it is completely misleading and Idon't have a strong constitution so I'm bracing myself for a difficult time but hoping for better.   If I come out of it saying the same as you I will be well pleased.   Thank you also for the comment on 'gold standard.  I will use that as an anchor to hang on to if I ever feel like giving it up.

How were your hair and nails through it all?

Morning YoungandFit 

Your response is exactly the one I'm hoping for.  Thank you.

At an appt recently one cheerful soul proceeded to enlighten me on all the suffering she'd been though from it,  how her husband had left her during it and then lectured my husband on all the duties he'd need to pick up in support of me.

Rather unnecessary as I already have a grim awareness of the worst I might face.  Also, as my husband has been retired for years while I've been working, I've already taken on the role of Cleopatra  (she who deems to be bathed in asses milk or as hubby affectionately calls me 'lazy mare') and he is well used to taking responsibility for all things domestic.

Unfortunately whilst at 59 I have the height and frame of a more athletic person it is completely misleading and I don't have a strong constitution.  So I'm bracing myself for a very difficult time but really hoping for better.   If I come out of it saying the same as you I will be well pleased.   Thank you also for the comment on 'gold standard.  I will use that as an anchor to hang on to if I ever feel like giving it up.

How were your hair and nails through it all?

Hi Violet

I used the cold cap for the first session.  I asked the Chemo Sister at my intro session if it was true that after chemo your hair grew back stronger and thicker because if so I wanted to lose it all, but she said it was different for everyone.  I've since been on the head wrappers course and learned exactly how the hair grows back and why it sometimes grows back thicker (all to do with the stage the hair follicle is in repairing itself) and why is it often temporary.  My daughter persuaded me to at least try it.  It was fine, but by week 3 I started to moult.  I have a good friend who had recently completed her chemo for ovarian cancer and she said did I mean it was coming out in handfuls which is what happened to her (she never tried the cold cap) and I said no it was just like a cat or a rabbit having a moult.  So I don't know if the cold cap slowed it down.  However, it was wiry and every time I washed it it knotted like crazy - conditioner was useless.  My scalp hurt from trying to get the knots out.  My husband offered to shave me with his beard trimmer and I said I couldn't bear it  as my scalp was so painful.  Even though he assured me with the beard trimmers it wouldn't even touch my scalp, the thought was painful (actual shaving is not advised in case the skin gets nicked)  so I asked  him to just hack it off with the scissors.  It was more comfortable then.  I never lost it all, most of it, but not all. 

I got my wig from the company my hospital trust deal with and I absolutely love it.  In the hot weather the wig can be uncomfortable, but I have the wrap I got from Head Wrappers (they teach you how to tie it into pretty shapes) and a turban type thing, and a sun hat - all things I bought after trying stuff on at their course.  The other brilliant thing was fringes, which I was also introduced to on the head wrappers course - they come on a bit of velcro and you tuck them under your head gear and they stick.  As my daughter said "I wrapped head says chemo, a wrapped head with some hair showing is a fashion statement"

With my nails, I must say they are longest they have ever been!  But they do have some discolouration.  That happened with the T, nothing seemed to affect my nails with the FEC.   

As my last chemo was 2 weeks ago the chemo is still working away, so it will be a few weeks before I see how my hair and nail change over time.  Hope that was useful.