**OCTOBER CHEMOTHERAPY CHAT 2019**

Hang on in there . Things will improve day by day. I know it’s a horrible feeling and somewhat overwhelming. Most of us here have come to this as a well person and not used to feeling ill and fatigued and find it hard to cope with feeling like we do undergoing this chemo.  But we must ! I say to myself how lucky I am to expect to recover from this breast cancer if I can endure the treatment. And I continue to but admit although manageable it’s hard and at times I just want my life back. Saying that I still think the worse bit was at the beginning waiting waiting for tests and results. Somehow the treatment is less scary as things are actively happening. And already I am half way through the chemotherapy which is my initial target. Then it will be surgery and then radiotherapy.

So take it a step at a time and you will get there. 
Night night love Jojodot

Hi Yanyan, sorry you are not feeling so good today, I hope you will feel better tomorrow and more rested, these days are depressing and the dark weather doesn't help. You will move forward, just give yourself time and sleep when you feel like it, it doesn't have to be at night time! Just chat to all the night owls here or read our comments if you are not up to writing. I have started listening to audio books which can help you drift off. When I didn't have any appetite I found pineapple chunks refreshing! I know what you mean about your husband as I know mine feels unhappy when I am miserable so I try to keep smiling, like most of us probably do. It is horrible feeling low and overwhelmed but it will pass and next week you will probably be cheering one of us up when it is our turn for the blues! That is the great thing about this forum, plenty of new friends who listen and understand what you are going through and genuine support when you need it. I hope you can feel the big bear hugs I am sending (gently!) to you and  remember there are many people here thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon

love pat xx.

Yes, that's exactly how I felt after my first FEC chemo treatment, worried sick about hubby worrying over me and feeling so ill, it was the worst I've ever felt, but it did pass after seven days, it started to improve after four days and by the middle of the second week I felt almost back to normal, just a bit more tired in the evenings than usual, but I could live with that.  So we keep on going.  Look forward to that third week when you can eat normally and feel an improvement, so enjoy and make the most of that third week is my advice.

They have given me a different anti sickness drug this time, so when I got down there for the 3.00pm appointment, I had to take this new tablet and wait for one hour before having the chemo, which made us somewhat later getting home, we were caught up in the rush hour, but as we had almost one hour to wait for a bus, we splashed out on a taxi home, much quicker.  The drug is called Akenzyo and has only been available for a few months, apparently.  Well, I still had a funny feeling in my stomach like the beginnings of sickness, but it didn't get any worse and last night, I wasn't actually sick, so that has to be better than last time.  I had a boiled egg and piece of toast this morning, hoping not to feel bad any time today either, will see how I go on, but intend eating small meals and more often, if I feel like it.  I made sugar free jelly with mandarin oranges in, I made them in old yoghurt pots washed out, so small bits as and when I want them.

good luck with improving as the days tick by Yanyan.

@Yanyan10 and @giuliellla ask if you can take the akynzeo home, I was given it with my ec’s earlier this summer. Meant I took it at home before I set off as it’s an hours drive so worked well. I did sometimes need to take cyclizine as well but on the whole it worked very well.

(edited to add - it does cost over £65 per tablet so not everyone gets offered it)

Morning Giuliella

I had a tablet an hour before chemo too although I can’t remember the name of it. I’m glad to hear that you weren’t actually sick which is such a good thing. Fingers crossed it stays that way. 
I slept more last night but today has so far been the worst. I just feel so awful. No temp worries but just so bad. The hubby came downstairs ( I’ve been on the sofa all night so I can watch Tv or read when I want to so as not to disturb him) this morning and will admit I promptly burst into tears. I hate feeling like this, can’t seem to do anything and I’m normally such a do-er!! I need to get my head around this and just accept it as part of ‘ the journey’. 
it’s a lovely day outside today, but I doubt I’ll get out so just going to enjoy the sun coming through the window. Hope today is ok for you xx

Yes definitely ask for Akynzeo. I had that 2 hrs before chemo and didn’t ever even feel sick. I told the dr I was very sick in pregnancy and after taking antibiotics etc so this med was a godsend. Please don't suffer Ask your oncologist to prescribe it, they don’t just give it out on day of chemo. x

Could you contact your unit and ask for different anti nausea drugs? I was given Emend which is considered the best with EC, but you're past needing then this month as they're day 1-3  They aren't routinely given as they cost £48 for 3 capsules,  but a tiny amount contracted to what ther chemo costs! Thewe are others which might help too though,  and steroids also help.  Most people are given them for the first 4 days or so,  and when I cut back on then during cycle 3 I felt terrible for 2 weeks instead of queasy for about 8-10 days. 

Maybe give then a call as I was told to do that by the hospital pharmacist.  Poor you:(((

Off for paclitaxel numbet 2 despite reservations. Told I could stop it or have full dose:/ Wish me luck!!

Yep, exactly like me, always go, go, go at full speed, but when you are ill like we are at the moment, you just have to give in to it for now.  It won't be for ever and eventually, we will get through this and out the other side, it just takes time and we have to learn to accept this.  Do what your body is telling you right now.  Once you let go, it will be easier, but having said that, don't ever forget to keep positive that we will overcome this blip in our lives and come out the other side better, having got rid of the dreaded cancer.  Then we can concentrate on regaining our strength and our zip.  It's dreary here, so nothing to encourage me to go out and hubby had to walk back from the doctors surgery as he'd missed his one bus an hour, so he's pooped and as he always accompanies me, that suits me to stay in for a duvet day.  He's gone in for a nap too, very unlike him.  He's got some tablets to clear up his chest infection before going back to the hospital for that biopsy he's waiting for and the appointment is in two weeks time.  A long time to wait and worry, but at least he's got an appointment, as we've heard some people wait months!  Horrendous.

Anyway, you take care, have a good nap and enjoy the sun streaming in whilst you can.  Let's hope we are all a bit better tomorrow as tomorrow is another day further towards the end of the tunnel.

Londonmumof2 Good luck for today's visit to the Oncology unit.  

I was told to phone for a prescription before my next chemo for that Akenzyo anti sickness tablet so I can take it one hour before my next appointment of chemo, so I thought I'd ask when I go back next week to have my PICC line redressed.  Not sure where to phone otherwise, but I've got three weeks to sort that one out beforehand anyway, so no panic.

Still trying to find a suitable shampoo and spray conditioner for my synthetic wig, was hoping to pick some up at the MacMillan centre inside the Oncology unit secondhand, which has lots still left in it, for less money as I don't think I shall be using the wig too often and I've already been paying out for compression garments, front fastening bras and taxis.  Trouble is, I'm feeling rather distressed now that my hair is falling out big time, all over everywhere like a moulting dog!  I put my bamboo beanie on when in bed now. To save having to clear up all the loose hair each morning from my pillow, groan.