January 2023 Chemo Starters

Miss tangled, glad your home! And glad things are now better for you. To be honest as i say like us all im not looking forward to the sessionss but as you say now the first is done it may be easier going forward but still dont stop me stressing xx big hugs back to you xx 

Hi Lorraine, I'm a little behind you all due to my heart issues.

Also area found on left breast but thankfully USS etc show that to be clear , but 2nd area found in right breast. The gift that keeps giving.

I Start my chemotherapy next Thursday , any top tips gratefully received from anyone. 

Good luck for Friday ️ and just tick it off , one more done . 

I'm very very apprehensive but like us all I'm in it so I need to look forward .

Michelle x

Hi laurabelle12, its a horrid time for us all and with us chatting and hearing all the side effects will have some impace. But your not alone im feeling more stressed for different reasons this time knowing Friday is coming (again) and like you my hair loss is getting worse as its shedding a little from my head as well as down below. (Despite using the dold cap) I just keep in my mind the sooner the sessions start the sooner they will finish and i continue to count down the weeks xx  fingers crossed our second session(next session for others) is better for us xx big hugs xx 

HI MJW23 some mixed news for you lets keep our fingers crossed for the best outcome x  re the chemo like its already been said, anticpation is the worst bit i think especially for your first session, the ward staff are great take lots of things to keep you occupied, i took some frozen pineapple to suck on during and some treats x expect the session to be at least an hr longer if you cold cap xx keep us posted, we will be thinking ok you xx big hugs x

Hey ladies,

I had my second cycle yesterday & feeling ok for now, but it was day 3 that side effects really started to take effect last time so I’m waiting to see how that goes. Back on the 7 days of filgrastrim injections which I don’t enjoy because of the bone aches & pains which follow. I’ve been glugging Gaviscon today as had some indigestion as well.

I took in a flask of ice chips and managed to keep my mouth cold during the Docetaxel infusion so I’ll need to see if that has any effect at all on reducing mouth symptoms. Either way I know that the worst of the symptoms ended by day 10/11 last time so hoping for the same this time round as well, as in the scheme of things that meant 10 days of feeling better, almost normal in the last week. 

Glad to hear those of you who have been poorly are feeling better now, & I sympathise with those of you starting to feel anxious about the next session - it sucks but we’ll get through it xx

Hi Salebee i take frozen pineapple but it dont last long so would be interested to know how you are with your ice chips :-) i too hope that by the third week side effects have calmed down so fingers crossed xx as you say we will get through it xx

Hi Lorraine058 I took frozen grapes in a cool bag with some ice packs. They remained frozen for the whole appointment. I forgot to use them ‍ but checked them at the end  and they were still frozen. 

Hi Sale Bee, Lorraine058, NeedingHope, Miss Tangled, Addabitofsparkle, MJW23, Laurabelle12, sorry if I’ve missed anyone

Glad you are home Miss Tangled, hope you can catch up on rest and sleep now. 
I have my fingers crossed the ice chips help Sale Bee, I need to remember to take some with me next week when I have my first Docetaxel chemo. Plus maybe a few frozen grapes that you suggested Miss Tangled.

I spent a few hours in hospital on Sunday as I had a temperature spike. I had my flu jab on Saturday and it was possibly a reaction from that but no-one wanted to take any chances. I also still had my cough which I think they are hoping the antibiotics will also help prevent anything developing. I had my yellow card in my hand and one of the nurses spotted it. That was it I was moved quickly into triage with details taken and bloods whisked off. I then had antibiotics both tablets and iv. Bloods came back ok and by 11.30 after my iv finished I was allowed to go home with more antibiotics to take. Hopefully my cough will start to clear along with my sniffles too. 

Today I did the “look good feel better” course. Not sure if anyone has done that yet. It’s a great 2 hours of skin care and makeup workshop. You get loads of products in a goodie  bag and lots of tips of how to apply make up and create eyebrows if you have lost them. I did mine at the local MacMillan centre but they do offer them online too. 
https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/support/women/

Hope everyone has a good nights sleep and feels nice and refreshed in the morning

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Interesting to know that filgastrim causes body aches , . I did wonder., whether my aching  was due to this or the chemo. Does anyone know if this settles or does it ache this much every course?.  
Loving the suggestions of frozen pineapple/ grape, will def try.

Am seeing oncologists tomorrow to talk about how to avoid seizure/ extreme dizziness next chemo, as I am extremely apprehensive to say the least as it’s been 10 days and I am still quite unsteady on my feet

Hi Chipknicker, sorry to hear you’ve had a bad time with your chemo session. I just read your biography too. Wow that must have been so frightening. What chemo drug did you have ? Hopefully they can adjust the dosage or maybe change the drug to a different one. 
Let us know how you get on with your appointment tomorrow.

Sending love and hugs cuffcake x x x x