Gracie, goodluck with your chemo - it is frightening at this stage. I had a long weep in th carpark before going in for me my session but it was not as bad as I expected. Yes, I did feel sick - you are having a driver aern't you so that should be well controlled - but for two of the three week cycle I have been feeling well enough to go into work so better than I was warned. I have done only the EC so far (not on the F bit) and start the docetaxol today.
I did go for the cold cap. Smee (Ithink -waves enviously to New York) recommended taking paracetomol or similar 1 hour before having the cap on which worked for me to avoid any headaches. I honestly found it not unpleasant but unfortunatly for me it did not work completely so did develop a bald patch after the second lot of chemo so wear a hat or wig in public but am comfortable around the house with no head-covering. I have given it up now as I would like the hair to grow back evenly - at the moment I have a grey stripe, a bald stripe and a very dark stripe - bit of an eccentric look.
Figgy - it was so great to read your post this morning to say you found the docetaxol easier as the new list of side effects is a bit daunting again although I guess I should learn from the EC bit that I will not get all of them. On a dexamethasone high at the moment so feeling much brighter about the whole thing. I have been told I will get daily injections days 5-10 to reduce the risk of infections so hopefully will avoid the hospitilisation bit.
First step - how are you doing. Have you got help organised for after the op. It was not as bad as I expected but I did find it helpful to have someone for childcare for a week or ten days after.
Ned - goodluck for tomorrow - halfway is good although I know still feels a long way to go (To answer your school question form last week - (awol for a few days as had mild infection) my ds has been put onto school action, he has been put onto weekly 'anger management' sessions with the school inclusion officer and he has been told he can go to her at anytime if he is getting distressed (as is a large three class primary they are lucky enough to have a full time support person to help kids with difficulties), they have also started a school/homebook for him with the emphasis on the positive. He is under speech and language (dating back a while due to speech problems when he and his twin were little -very common on twins) and finally he is being referred to CAMHS. An all gun-blazing approach I think so hope it works. At least the school acknowledge that it is a recent problem and I hope by this it will be easier to get him back to normal. The Easter break will hopefully help as well.
Gig- my recommendation is try and find a new nanny but then all this chemo is making me stroppy!. You have friends and family for niceness but need a reliable person for a nanny - someone who cant lift big Gig and doesn't do babies does not seem to fit your families needs at the moment however nice she is. DId the drain do the trick with the wound recovery?
MAS - how are you doing. Our research group works on PD and is linked to some clinical trials. I have been told (I am not a medic) that the best care is given by neurologists who specialists In PD so hope your Mum is under one of these.
Waves to Kurri to and hope your feeling better too. I am competing for the largest post today. Whats the betting my internet connection will die now but I expect I have still missed a few so good vibes to you too and hope you have a good day.