** SEPTEMBER CHEMOTHERAPY CHAT 2019**

Hi Jojodot 

In my info leaflets about EC It says to drink at least 2litres in the first 24 hr . It helps to flush it out The E part gives you red wee . So you can see that disappear lol

Then high level if fluids to stop the dehydration of skin  Bowel etc . Since I had bowel surgery 10 year ago I never go anywhere without water bottle.

Because I have pre excisting bowel prob I shouldn't get constipated so I quite OCD bout diet etc . And they took me off drugs for it . Up til now most ive had difficulty with is one day in first cycle . ( Hope I'm not speaking too soon ) I've cut out a lot of process food bacon sausage ham etc. Then spread fruit and veg throughout day in small portions .

So summer berry porridge with added fruit . Or beans on wholemeal muffin for breakfast then chicken wholemeal rice / pasta and rice small portions for lunch instead of egg bacon breakfast and sandwiches for lunch then evening meal as usual. 

It has worked for me  but as I said I was worried about needing  more surgery on bowel . 

Margaret x

Hi & Jojodot

Think we all the same with the guilt complex specially with the cooking . I had to relinquish to hubby knowing he didn't usually enter kitchen unless it was to sit and eat lol

We both retired so I was already going along the lines of he needed to learn to feed himself .

Have to say in the last ten weeks since surgery,(it's been hard work and nearly divorced after 51yr married )

He can now do simple but fresh food meals and his  leak and potato soup is lovely ( first time he made it I just managed to stop him straining it down sink cos that what you do with potato ) 

So ladies get rid of the guilt Hubby will enjoy the kitchen honest  . We now have new system he cooks on my off days with verbal instructions If Necessary I promise I try not to swear too much lolhen I get back in there when I feel well .I do cheat on those days and freeze some meals He keeps telling everyone he's glad he can do something  . 

Margaret xx

Wow, this thread is a real hub of info and struggling to keep up but here's my experience to add to the ix.

Re Hair, mine departed day 20 of first cycle, it might have lasted longer as I'd had 2 cuts to get it really short in the hope of hanging onto it with little maintenance and it might have stayed around but I didn't want the hassle of the shedding and the extra stress of worrying about it so when it started to really shed I went to hairdressers for a shave. Not too short and wish I'd kept it at that but 3 days later I went to my wig man and he said he had to shave it more or the wig wouldn't stay on.  Boy was that uncomfortable!  Really bristley, especially at night on the pillow.

I know it's difficult but try not to stress too much about the SEs until you get them, it is entirely possible to avoid any/all of them entirely or to have them mildly, I know I did on the first 3 (even felt like perhaps I hadn't had the full dose of chemo on the 2nd cycle as I felt so good).  Not so this time.  Day 7 of my 4th cycle  of FEC and this week I've been pretty yuk with tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, jelly legs, shakes etc but I feel that I'm coming out of the other side now.

Hopefully the SEs will keep to a minimum for all of us, keep going ladies (and all the supporting gents keeping us going).

XOXO

Hi everyone, 

So I’ve been reading the thread since last Thursday but I haven’t commented. I hope everyone is ok, I’ve had a heavy cloud of doom this cycle. I have had pain in my vein,cold, heavy and achy. My temp has been fluctuating mainly below 37.5 but has topped it a few times but never for more than one or two readings. My doctor has put me on penicillin to try to stop any possible infection before it takes hold. I’ve felt so tired and fed up! 

I had a real melt down Saturday night, I felt under the weather, looked in the mirror and broke down - I feel like this treatment is stealing me! When I look back to my posts on the August thread where it all started for me I was so upbeat, now I have to spend half an hour putting make up on and my wig to look anything like the old me. Sorry for the download, but I just needed to say how I feel, I seem to fake it so often these days x

Hi  

Sorry to hear you're having a rough time. It's bad enough we have to go thru this crap without bloody infections and doom clouds .

Yes you have been so up beat helping others and cheering them up . Now it's your turn for support so stop saying SORRY !

We all need to download .. and we all understand that others need to as well that's why this community is so good at helping each other .

Take time to let antibiotics work ( drink plenty you may never go to loo again ) 

So keep watching and reading thread and when you ready come back out and join us .

Margaret x

Hi  

Just seen your post. We are all going to have good n bad days.

You and other people on this site are so supportive to others going through this that we all send each other invisible hugs and support as we are all fitting this together none of us are alone at any point even if it does sometimes feel like you are.

I have great family support but still feel alone at times. Friends are great but the usual comments of you know where we are if you need us (but will they, not tried as family is enough for me) 

Im on day 6 of 3rd FEC n sore throat started today, been tired all weekend too! 

Had the pains in veins last cycle from chemo n it was really painful n uncomfortable but just something I had to live with. Having PICC line put in next week to try n help plus they been struggling to get my blood due to effects of chemo on my veins.

We will all get through this together and with each other’s support

Lots of   hugs to you xx

I was definitely doing tinker, tailor with the prunes! Waking up every night at 4am freezing to death now. Can't win!

Babs x

Hi Margaret,

My daughter is here now to cook and take over from the man who burns everything, but got no appetite today. Fatigue has hit me with lots of dizziness. Had an anti sickness tablet and it's helped a bit. Going to try soup for tea.

Babs x

Sorry to hear about your se this cycle. I'm on my first one and not bad apart from fatigue and dizzyness. Glad you're getting through it, I've had jelly legs too and need a CT scan on Friday. The thght of having to go to hospital in a wheelchair is awful but don't think I can walk all that way. Surgery is getting sore again after starting chemo. Got to keep thinking if it's making me feel bad 's giving the cancer hell

Take care, 

Babs x

Hi Holbox,

Sorry you're going through a rough time but you've been so strong, you can do it. Rest as much as you can and think it's only a matter of time before we end this treatment and become ourselves again, perhaps with more freedom to choose how and who we want to be. You are bound to feel awful with a temperature and are brave to even try to put make up or a wig on while you feel so poorly. Try not to be hard on yourself, you have inspired me loads in this site while I was waiting to start chemo. You kept me from worrying too much and reassured me with your messages. Thank you for that so much. Hope you stabilise your temperature soon and start getting better.

Hugs, Babs x️