*** December Chemo Club 2019 ***

Glad to hear I am not the only one with a manky toenail. Told the oncologist who didn't think it was of concern. I am waiting for date for first chemo so still running through every emotion. Dread is winning at the moment.XX

Yorkshire_defector

Sam

Welcome back To EC club

Glad you happy and should feel so much better 

No 6 for me on 11/12 so glad I refused to change to weekly and stuck with what I knew ..  the six EC have found SE manageable but cumulative have lasted longer with 4,5,and I suppose 6 

Have asked for a week off so Herceptin won't start til 8/1 . 

Margaret xx

must be an epidemic of manky toenails but

I'm debating whether to say anything to Onco on Monday it's no 6 on wed and if they delay I'll be rough over Christmas .

Youll be fine on chemo it's not as bad as your imagination .. it not nice but not as bad as you think .The waiting is worse once you start chemo you know you're kicking cancers arse and if you feel rough the chemo working .

margaret xx

@Yorkshire-defector

Good to hear you have returned to EC as you did well on that.  The PN you were experiencing sounded scary !! 

Agree that if you can get a prescription for omniprozole it works wonders for heartburn!

Lacomtekp

So pleased you had good news about your follow up scan. Read on another thread that you were taking a break from this site. I would just like to say a big thank you for all the support you have given  me and the many others you have supported. You were the voice of experience  and showed great understanding and empathy for those starting and during chemo always ready to give support and lots of advice -thank you so very much Merci beaucoup

Those of us still here will do our best to continue your good work .

Love Jojodot X

Thank you. I know it has to be done. Just fear of the unknown I suppose

Helenx

Lacomtekp Sorry, I didn't answer your question regarding Christmas earlier, I should be on the third week of another chemo cycle, come Xmas, so that's sounding good for me.  At the moment food all tastes like cardboard though, so I hope my tastebuds come back to normal again, especially in time for my Xmas dinner.  Trouble is, I have a tentative appointment for Boxing Day, so more expense with taxis.  Also, I start the T cycle next week, is that Docetaxel and I'm dreading it, especially the side effects as I don't know what to expect, but fear the peripheral neuropathy with that one.  I just don't want any more problems.

Went in for the Look Good Feel Better morning yesterday, lots of goodies.  Felt pampered, it was nice.  Not sure about wearing makeup though, as I don't normally and around my eyes it felt irritated come that evening.  I had to get up now at 3.00am to put drops in my eyes, they are so sore.  Visited with hubby for several hours afterwards, but he is bored and irritable, which is understandable in his situation.  I've nothing much to tell him, as I'm not having any social life myself lately.  Wish I had the energy to return to Tai Chi classes, but don't have that energy needed.  The class is meeting up next week for tea and cake locally, I'm supposed to be staying in on that morning, waiting on niece in law to return Xmas lights after her hubby mended them for me after a wire came loose several years ago and they were ones we had on the tree when I was a small child.  They are like differently coloured bells, gorgeous and precious to me, so I'm keen to get them back ASAP.  Might phone her to rearrange the time she calls with them, so I can go to the Tai Chi group meeting and see everyone again.  They said they'd fetch me, bless.

Will look in local discount store on Friday for battery operated lights for the new tree, as it's only three feet high, but normally, I prefer lights that plug into a socket over battery operated ones.  I'm craving fish and chips, have been for weeks and not been able to get to a chippy.  Normally only have fish and chips once a year!  Maybe I'll get some this Friday when out in the car shopping for food on my way home.  What a nice treat to look forward to.

Ihope your mammogram went okay?  Take care.

Hi ...heartburn was one of my 1st side effects after starting FEC (as well as dry eyes and blurred vision). I was already on Omeprazole once a day so it was increased to twice a day plus I found liquid antacids better than tablets, especially at night. I bought Morrison's then local chemist own brand of Gaviscon...much cheaper.

Hi ,

How is your recovery from your op going.? You had me intrigued by the “wiry thing” / please explain !! Did you have any nodes removed and was that worse than lumpectomy. That’s me just home from fifth of sixth treatment and now been told I have had a fantastic result from the doc /her / per and now may end up with lumpectomy and sentinel node check. Will have an MRI before final decision made. As we live so close it would be good to meet up in the new year if you would like. I could come to a Fife ok or we could meet in Dunfermline. Pm me if you think that’s a good idea

Jojodot X

Hiya everyone just another question when you having chemo do the leave a “port” in your arm/ hand or do they put a needle in each time they give you the chemo

sorry for the silly question ‍ xxx 

Hi .

You will be assessed if your veins are suitable and if so at each visit you will have a cannula put in your hand which is removed at the end of each treatment. As I said I am just home from my fifth treatment and it’s always been fine with me. I have always found the nurses to be very supportive and always answer questions in a reassuring way.  I am sure you will be well cared for. And once you start the treatment you will feel better about things as you will then know what to expect. It’s the unknown that is scary. As you will hear everyone reacts differently to side effects of chemo. Some have an easy ride and others a very hard time but most in between . Again after your first treatment you will probably see a pattern so get a notebook and write how you feel each day and it will help in further treatments. Also helped me write down anti sickness drugs ,steroids etc so I could tick them off once taken. It can be a bit confusing but again the nurses will explain it all before you leave. I advise taking the anti sickness when prescribed as if you wait to feel sick then it’s harder to shift.

Going back to your original question - sorry to have gone off on a tangent !!! Some people have veins that are hard to find and so if advised you will be offered a pic line which is a permanent thing fixed into your upper arm. Others may come along to explain as I have no experience of that. It is certainly more inconvenient for washing/ showering  etc as it require to be covered and it regularly requires to be flushed out. So best to stick with cannula if your veins can take it.

Wishing you well with your treatment - stay positive

Love Jojodot X