January 2023 Chemo Starters

Am on 2nd to last chemo cycle and feeling like a train wreck! Have a month off from early May and then starting radiotherapy early June but yet to meet oncologist to decide whether this will be localised or include axilla and chest wall.

I have got quite fond of my bald head - I opted to shave off  the Gollum strands (scalp now so soft and velvety, hubby keeps stroking it in the evenings!).

Have  no idea where my pubes have gone, one day they were there ( admittedly a bit sparse) and the next day totally bare with no evidence of where they decided to go. . .most odd, am very grateful that I have retained a scattering of eyelashes and eyebrows 

Keep reminding  myself that this is but ‘a moment in time’, admittedly a rather shit moment in time, but it will pass

Hope your dads surgury goes okay, not fair that you are having to cope with the reality of two cancer diagnosis, not sunrises you are stressed. I am having free reflexology at our local breast cancer support centre ( once every 3 weeks) Soooo relaxing and really pampering, can thoroughly recommend it as a treat xx

Hi NeedingHope, I start radio soon. I have one more chemo cycle next week, then a 3 week break before starting radio for 15 days. Can’t quite remember all the areas they are doing but it does include boost too. I have my planning session on Thursday. I think I would be fine if I know all the people are female but I have a feeling there will be some men too and that makes me feel really uncomfortable . When do you start your radio?

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

 NeedingHope SarahInthegarden sorry to hear you have started to loose your hair. I have my last chemo dose this coming Thursday I am ready for that to finish now, and it looks like they’ve booked me in for my first radio appointment on Mon 17th April. I’m hoping the radio gets done soon too.

 Thinking of you and your dad. That’s tough I know having a parent sick at the same time as trying to cope with your own treatments too. I’ll hopefully chat with you again on Friday keep us posted, xx

Hello all, NeedingHope, Chipknicker, addabitofsparkle, Sarahinthegarden, Lorraine058, Onthebay, Klee65, Laurabelle12, Miss Tangled, Tessdog,

How are you all doing?

I have finally finished my chemo and will be moving on to radiotherapy on 3rd May. I have had my planning session and all went well.

At the moment I am waiting for covid to pass as I tested positive this morning. So far I’ve been ok and I didn’t have any symptoms until after testing when I thought I should have a cough so started coughing .

I had only been testing as the other half tested positive on Wednesday. 

Look forward to hearing from you guys as to how you are all coming along.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi all sorry ive been so quiet of later i lost my mum a few weeks ago so been trying to deal with that.  Ive just had wk 5 of 9 of my chemo and like the rest of us looking forward to the end.  Glad to read some of us are coming to the end of chemo i know its been a struggle for us all in different ways.  Hope we are all keeping ok hopefully the weather is changing so that will help cheer us up xx

Hi Cuffcake, 

Glad to hear you have finished the chemo, hope the radiotherapy goes well. I have 2 more sessions to go, one on 24/4 and one on 15/5 before I move on to radiotherapy.  Still feeling tired and can't taste anything. However, I think the nicer weather and being about to get outside in the garden helps  

Hope you recover from the covid quickly. 

Take care everyone. 

Susan x

Hi Lorraine

Very sorry to hear of your loss of your mum. It is difficult at any time and doubly hard when you are going through hard time.

Thinking of you.

Susan x

Hi everyone, 

Aren't we all brilliant to be through, or nearly through the chemo? I certainly never thought it would come at some points, I could only think 1 day at a time. My last one is on Thursday with radiotherapy early June for 2 weeks.

How quickly are you getting your energy back after finishing, and what have you been told about when your immune system will be normal again? So sorry to hear you have covid, but sounds as if you're coping well with it. My Oncologist said to still be careful of infections for 6 to 8 weeks which I found disappointing.

Still, in a fit of optimism, I've just signed up to walk 100 Miles in May to raise money for cancer research. It's only 3.3 Miles a day and I can do just over 2 at the moment so hopefully I can do it. I've put on well over 1 stone too so healthy dieting is on the cards. Is anyone looking into an anti cancer diet post treatment? I've done a bit of research, and don't intend to deny myself things if I really want them, but I may change a few things

I do feel a bit emotional at this point in a good and a sad way, and am not sure how much is the chemo. Anyone else like that?

Anyway all the very best of health and life post chemo to you all x

Hi Tessdog, thank you.  wow I’m sure your last 2 chemo sessions will be here in no time at all. I found it exciting to think that part was now over and no more scalp cooling cap. The feeling tired and can’t taste anything is horrid but hopefully it to will pass quickly once chemo is finished. I long to have my taste back to normal. 
The weather today has been beautiful and I have just been enjoying it from the bedroom window to isolate from the rest of the family. I’m looking forward to being able to get out and tidy the garden. I’ll have layers of gloves on to protect my hands as I don’t want any infections from scratches. 
All the best for your last 2 chemo sessions.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi Lorraine058, sorry to hear about the loss of your mum. What a difficult time it must have been, coping with that and your cancer treatment. They say time heals and I’m sure it does. I still miss mum, I lost her during covid when things were still difficult. Sending you lots of love and hugs and wishing you all the best for your last few chemo sessions, yeah nearly there

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x