** SEPTEMBER CHEMOTHERAPY CHAT 2019**

West end girl.....I had a port for my chemo because it was standard at my hospital.  You certainly won't regret the decision to give you one. I have had a picc too when I needed intravenous antibiotics last year for an after op complication. There is no comparison.....the port makes life much easier. Mine was put in with a general anesthetic and out with a local.

Hope all goes well next Wednesday but I'm sure it will.

Love Karen

Thank you, Blackcat, for the link to this article. 

Hi everyone on the thread, I’ve been a bit quiet for a while, still reading and liking comments but not commenting so much. I’ve been a bit fed up, enthusiastic and energy when I have to do something, like go to work, or make a birthday cake for my granddaughter but anything that I don’t have to do I haven’t been bothered.

Before being diagnosed I would bake every week, cakes, home made jam, bread etc.., practicing to apply for Bake Off at some point. But apart from making my granddaughter a small unicorn cake for her birthday earlier this month I’ve not baked since June. There are lots of small things I now have the time to do but can’t be bothered making the effort and lately this has included writing on here, replying to messages and putting off visitors who just want to see me.

I have finished my 3 x EC now and have got through them reasonably well. About 10 days of feeling tired/ a bit nauseous then the rest of the 3wk cycle feeling more like me. - apart from having an inflamed vein, which is still aching this last infusion. I’m seeing my consultant on Monday so maybe she can give me some advice, my doctor gave me anti biotics and told me to take ibuprofen - the initial pain did ease but it still aches. I was well impressed with the doctor, he rang me after he had finished for the day to see how I was doing. 

Ive put weight on - not impressed, I lost 3 stone last year on SLimming World and now I’ve put 2 back on, but I guess I should concentrate on getting rid of the cancer and sort that later. 

Like others have commented on my 2nd cycle I got my anti sickness changed to cyclizine they were loads better. I got my FP92A exemption form from the Macmillan lady at Wigan and the consultant signed it. I’ve been using evonail for a while and agree it’s great - I found out about it from a great post on the July chemo thread - it was a really good list of good advice for anyone going onto chemo, sorry I’m not very good at adding links. 

Im visiting my daughter this weekend in Nottingham so lovely to have a relaxing weekend before I start my weekly treatments next week for Paclitaxel so I’m a bit worried how the SE might affect me I still need to be able to work 2/3 days a week where I can like I have on EC. I had my mid treatment MRI yesterday so I will find out if it’s shrunk Monday too, fingers crossed. 

I hope everyone has a good weekend, sorry for being lazy and absent for the last week or so xxxxxx

Hi Holbox - and everyone else on the thread,

I haven’t been around for a bit either but call in now and then to see how everyone is doing. Glad everyone is getting through treatment and fighting all the way. But realise the effects of these drugs must be cumulative as not everyone is as upbeat as they were. Thank you all for your input though. 

I have just had my second EC on Wednesday and the week before I had a good week feeling relatively back to normal. Then wham bam Wednesday ! I was more or less out for the day yesterday - feeling really bad and exhausted. This morning I am surprisingly much better and so dropped by to see how you were all doing. Not only did I feel horrible on Wednesday /Thursday but these were the days my hair chose to fall out !! So rude awakening and NOT a good look. However got my beanie hat on today at home and will have a wig practise in the house before I go out or see the grandchildren !

Like Holbox I had my anti sickness pills changed to cyclizine as I felt the last ones metaclopramide  made me feel sick so hoping they will suit me better. Still using Evonail too - thanks Lecompte and now got carbomer gel for my eyes - thanks Fee.

Not long after getting my first treatment our new kitchen has been fitted including a wall being knocked down. Not the best time I know but it’s been a distraction with lots of activity going on. Problem has been though having a temporary kitchen in another room so looking forward to getting back to making home made soups and casseroles etc. The family have rallied round though by having us over for tea or delivering food to microwave so it’s been ok. It was only completely finished last night and I felt so badI had to be persuaded to even look at it ! Feeling better at the moment though and I have the green light to get on the I pad to order lots of new things for the new kitchen !!!

Wishing everyone well.

Jojodot XXX

Hi Holbox,

Good to hear from you again. You sound like you've got through 3 cycles great. I'm having my second FEC on Wednesday. After 3 I'll be on Pax like you so please let me know how you are on it. My breast nurse says they're better than FEC. Hope she's right. 

Sending good vibes,

Babs x

Hello everyone, still waiting for my appointment schedule for FEC and then T.  Next week I'm off to the Oncology for the pre-chemo meeting on Tuesday and to see about wigs later in the week.  Also, recovering from surgery, it will be eight weeks on Tuesday, so must try driving again, scarey or what?  I just hope my car starts up okay.  He's in a rented garage at the moment, but I fear being turfed out at any time since the owner is over 93 years old and earlier this year, he was ill and stayed in hospital for quite a while, now recuperating with relatives, not sure if he will return to his home again and if not, I will be looking for a rare space to park on the road with a vintage classic car that is 29 years old and not used to living outdoors.  Yet more worries when I could do without them, but let's wait and see.  Wish me luck with the driving again, with a thick blanket over my lap to cushion the seatbelt.

I too, have not been very active on here, though I check in to read the comments most days, but since I've not yet started my chemo journey, I am waiting to see when mine starts and dreading it.  Oh well, que sera.  If I wait long enough, it will come to an end eventually, right?  At least I'm beginning to sleep for a bit longer than two hours before waking up.  Here's wishing a good weekend to all of you already going through the chemo process.

Out without chemo cap post barber session Thursday as was quite warm down south yesterday.
Now sporting a grade 1 salt & pepper coloured "style", being the annoying person I know I am (far too upbeat, you don't have to tell me) I am now wearing my short cut with pride. Helped by strong lippy (bright orange), lucky still got lashes & 50% brows (lost other 50% over tweezering as teenager!) so with a bit of mascara & brow filling too looked pretty darn good. I do actually relish staring down those who stare at me (yes I am quite evil)...and I will start "conversations" with them if need be...be very afraid world!

Giuliella
Hold on there - they shave your lady garden when you're having a boob op? Only just having had my first operation EVER (port fitting) there's obviously so much I don't know. What else do they do that would surprise me - offer piercings, cellulite treatment ?
Love the sound of your car btw - what is it?

Black cat
Read the guardian article, its interesting but does come across as quite bleak and may cause those already in turmoil to fall further down that rabbit hole. I also think that the writer felt like they're on a conveyor belt, not sure if that's the US way but I do feel for most of us, and from my personal experience that I have had real "care" in the NHS and that, with a few minor exceptions, that those working in the hospitals aren't just going through the motions, they do appreciate the challenges faced by us and are very compassionate, and in my case (thankfully) always up for a laugh (generally at me!).
It also appears to me that the writer has chosen a particular stance, that their treatment will be boring for example, I say you choose your attitude and make of it what you will. I also think that the fact she doesn't seem to have a big support network probably doesn't help, but does make me appreciate mine even more and do feel for those who are not so lucky. Guess this is why these forums are so valuable eh??

Holborn
Sorry to hear of your lack on enthusiasm, for some reason I experienced mine before I was diagnosed, I just wasn't feeling me and wasn't the (mildly) amusing outgoing northerner that I knew I was and didn't understand why as everything in my life was fine, that of course made things worse - why was I feeling fed-up??
I believe that anyone who goes through what we are and doesn't feel like this at some time may be kidding themselves so accept it for what it is and don't feel bad, sometimes only time/help/talking can help (and maybe medication?).
You update us when you can/want to...there's no penalty for being a read-only contributor.

If its helps I have started "cooking" (trying to balance your not doing so, obviously!), have now managed (ultra simple and on 2nd attempt) banana bread that didn't coat the rest of the oven in very burnt on banana bread...that will be my limit however, nothing fancy yet, don't think my body could take the shock! Before this steaming veg was my limit.

Jojodot
Nice to hear from you, I would not have attempted a new kitchen at this time but am well impressed that you did. I have delayed plans to have a new bathroom due to treatment and am glad to not have workmen messing up the house, spoiling my ability to not get dressed/showered till lunchtime as well as needing the funds given now working part-time.
I do hope I am not however tempting fate and suspect I may be in the minority but want to assure all that not everyone gets progressively worse (progressively more annoying perhaps though?) by telling you that my 2nd EC has been much better than the 1st, after the 1st had bad constipation, hospitalised with neut sepsis, huge & plentiful zits that would impress anyone and days couldn't get out of bed - all clear so far post 2nd and the only things that has changed is pre-emotive use of dulcoease and white blood cell shots for 5 days...and long may it last. If things carry on on this trajectory I could be super woman come post round 4! Fingers crossed...

Sam X

WHAT?????

Nobody's shaved anything on me since my first child 35 years ago and I've had various bits of surgery over the years. They didn't shave me my when I had second child just 20 months later. Where are you Guileile?

I will let you know I’ve heard the same but I don’t want to get to excited that they won’t be bad incase they are lol. I’ll keep a record and let’s see how they go. Fingers crossed xxx

Eileen x

To clarify, Silverberg and Yorkshire Defector, at the same time as having a mastectomy, I had a DIEP flap reconstruction, so they cut out all my tummy fat along with a big blood vessel, cut a piece of rib cartilage out, then plumbed the veins in behind there via microsurgery for the blood supply to a new "breast" made out of the tummy fat, hence having a lot of wounds, pain and a shaved garden, as the drain went in down there, from my tummy.  I lost half a stone in three days from that procedure, but unfortunately, I fear that it's all gone back on, but as I now have a flat stomach, where did the newly made fat go?  At least if I feel able to return soon to Slimmingworld I will still be at my target weight!  Well, we have to be thankful for small mercies eh?