***NOVEMBER CHEMO THREAD***

Hi all

I'm in my first few weeks of chemo, I'm on a 12-week plan with paclitaxel weekly and carboplatin three-weekly, so far have had one dose of both in week one then a dose of paclitaxel in week 2. So far I am coping okay, the worst side effect seems to be acid reflux and I'm finding the filgrastim injections make me feel very weird for a couple of days. Also, I have painful teeth, is this normal?

Thinking of everyone else having chemo this week

Hope you continue with no side effects and uneventful treatment cycle Daydreamer6.

yes, I deleted the post. I suddenly felt embarrassed as no one had commented!

Long day today getting port fitted. Covid Test result had not come back for 4 patients.  So we all had to get another test done, called samba, which they can process in a few hours, but it meant waiting so long.  Left home 7.45 am and not back til 6.30pm.  But at least it’s done now.  But I clocked up 4.5k wandering around the hospital site, so not complete time waste.

Sleep time now.

Night night all.

Judith

Hello HOllythecat,

Im starting the 12 week Paclitaxel next week, all being well, with pertuzumab and herceptin every 3 weeks. Have they given you Omeprazole for acid reflux?  I took it daily with the docetaxel and it helped a lot.  How many days injections do you have to do each week? Taking an antihistamine about half an hour before seemed to improve those, but I still hate them!  

Stay strong everyone going through your chemo!

Judith

Hello HollytheCat and welcome to the club nobody wants to be in! 
in answer to your question I get pain from Filgrastim in my chest neck and head including teeth. I presume it’s the bone marrow swelling up in my face bones. I don’t get much back and hip pain like some thankfully. Some find taking antihistamines helps. For me it’s the worst part of treatment but it works. 

Judith I loved your photo you look like someone I would get on with I R L. It’s a shame there’s no support group or complementary therapies at the moment it makes going through treatment a very lonely business. I quite enjoy chatting to other patients on the chemo unit. Last time I sat with some nice men having blood transfusions. 

So today is my last full chemo session. I’m high on steroids and had little sleep but will be so pleased to get through today. Hopefully no allergy this time! After this it will just be HP injections every 3 weeks for another 10 months. 
Initially it seems like a triathlon with chemo surgery and radiotherapy but now I gather there will also be the anti hormone drugs the bisphosphonates and the Herceptin. I’m a bit concerned about how much stuff is being thrown at me and whether I had a very aggressive tumour or just a very treatable one. Overthinking there perhaps! 

I had promised to take in chocolate brownies today but the broken leg has stopped me baking. We may go via Sainsbury’s to get some goodies. Poor husband has been such a saint feeding me and doing laundry and housework and now chauffeuring too. Love him! He hates hospitals but is a great Porter. I shall spoil him rotten once I’m better.

I’m thinking of all having treatment this week. Be strong and it will pass.

Kate

Oh and hi to Daydreamer hope you are still okay. I seem to get side effects to Doxatacel around day 5 to 10. But it’s still easier than FEC was in my opinion.

Morning All,

I’ve been lying low, started the injections Weds evening and feeling a bit battered and bruised.Last time it was just the joint aches in the legs not a full body experience! I do think the antihistamine helps a little though. Oh well, it should pass come Sunday! Other than that not doing too badly.

Kate; hope you’re not doing badly after your final round and that the team enjoyed their Sainsbury’s brownies. That’s a good analogy regarding a treatment triathlon. That’s how I feel right now. My MDT haven’t even mentioned any ‘follow up’ drugs yet, but I know I’m heading for treatment induced menopause so guess there will be something! 

Judith; Have you had your appt confirmed for next week? I hope you’ve managed to get out and about this week  (as much as the current restrictions allow) 

Hello Hollythecat! Hope you’re getting through it all as well as can be. 

Bonzo99, hope your first Docetaxol has been ok.

Take care all x

Hi Daydreamer

The last chemo  round was very slow because I reacted again to Docataxel and had to stop for more steroids then drip it in really slowly. I ended up hanging about on the oncology ward after the Day unit closed but got home eventually. I start injections today       but the worst is behind me now! 
My long suffering DH has had to tackle flower arranging and has found his limits as a devoted carer. How we laughed. My brother says he looks like a Bond villain with a lockdown beard. Green finger? 
Best wishes to all. This too will pass.

Hi, Sorry to hear you reacted again Kate, but last one done for you now. Brilliant  

Green finger  Love that! 

Appointment confirmed for Tuesday, starting Paclitaxel, with pertuzumab and trastuzumab.  They seem very over cautious about it, which is making me a bit nervous, but will just be glad to get on with it now.  Upper chest still feeling a bit strange from the port fitting but I suppose that will settle down.  

Yes, I’ve had a nice week off in the end.  Several meet ups for walks with different friends. Dodging the rain showers. Meet up for a take away coffee.  Visit to a new farm shop which has just opened in next village, and has a very good gluten free section, ideal for coeliac.  And bought ingredients to make Christmas cake, which I hope to make tomorrow or Monday. 

Very early start on Tuesday, as appointment is 8am.  That means 6.55 train.  

Hope everyone is doing well on their treatments.

judith

Glad you’ve had a pleasant week out and about Judith. Sounds lovely! Yummy Christmas cake! 

I haven’t had a port (just doing cannula) so not sure how that should feel hope it settles down for you. 

Bit zapped of energy here today, but last of the injections tonight so hopefully a better sleep pattern should return and energy levels rise again over the next couple of days.. 

Good luck for Tuesday! Will be thinking of you.

Hope everyone else gets on ok this week x