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Original poster

*TAMOXIGANG* All the fours...44!

960 replies

GoodbyeRubyTuesday · 21/10/2013 19:43

Apologies for the bingo reference, couldn't think of a witty title but the other thread is very nearly full.

In honour of our new thread I have piled extra apple pudding on the trolley so tuck in :)

OP posts:
ATouchNervous · 11/11/2013 00:48

Phone can't handle thread this long so just a quickie to thank for your replies. I'm a little freaked out by the talk of drains Grin So will ask surgeon about those.

malteserzz · 11/11/2013 07:00

Hope really got some sleep and Betsy best of luck for today too thinking of you both x

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 07:15

Morning malt I slept okay, woke at 5! But that has been the norm since I was diagnosed!!

Betsy good luck for today xxxxx

Thanks for all the good wishes. I'm working this morn, well doing breakfast and the school/nursery run! Didn't want to let my bosses down and I thought it was better to be busy, than to sit around giving myself time to worry.

Feeling quite calm about things at the moment. Just keep telling myself that by tonight I will be able to say that's 1 done, and only 5 more to go!!

Hope everyone has a good day. Xxxxxxxxx

kitkat1967 · 11/11/2013 07:15

Good luck Betsy - another thing to be ticked off. Let us know how you get on.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 11/11/2013 08:20

Good luck to really for first chemo later this morning.

weebarra · 11/11/2013 09:01

really - good luck for this morning, it'll be done before you know it!

smee · 11/11/2013 09:34

Ooh yes. BETSY GOOD LUCK!! Will be thinking of you xx

Tiny100 · 11/11/2013 12:07

Good Luck to Really, Betsy and Angry. Waves to everyone else.

Just wanted to report that I had a much better experience this time around, although Friday night I felt pretty grim, so thanks for all the anti-sickness advise.

Tiny100 · 11/11/2013 12:09

Opps, last post shot off to quick.....

My hair is now falling out and I need to start thinking about wigs - if anyone could recommend a shop in either London or Essex that would be really helpful.

Also could someone let me know what kit I need to sort out my eyebrows that would be great too.

Cheers All.

Lilymaid · 11/11/2013 12:22

Tiny You may not lose all your eyebrows. I haven't so have managed pretty well by infilling with a eyebrow pencil. The place I got my wig from (not in London/Essex) sold a semi permanent eyebrow make up by Ellen Wille, which seems to be a German wig manufacturer - so you may find that a local wig shop may stock a similar product. I also Googled and found Heidi Worman but didn't need to investigate further! I'm off to a Look Good Feel Better workshop this week, so may get some advice on how I should have been doing my eyebrows from an expert!

malteserzz · 11/11/2013 12:31

Tiny glad you've been feeling ok
I don't know any wig shops in that area I'm afraid, bet someone will
For eyebrows I started filling in with a pencil from the LGFB session but mine have nearly all gone now so I bought a set from amazon, it was £3.99 and has 4 colours, a brush and stencils. It's really easy to do
I bought some rapid lash too to try it encourage my eyelashes to grow back, I've only got a few of those too

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 15:01

Thankyou for all the messages and best wishes. I am back home and currently feeling okay. Long may that last.

Looks like my next appointment might have to be just over 3wks, as it turns out my oncologist only has a clinic on a Wednesday, so in theory I would need the Chemo appointment on the thursday! But waiting to see what happens.

Came home with my bag of drugs, and an injection to give myself tomorrow!! It was either do it myself or another trip to the hospital. So opted for the DIY approach.

Tiny I bought a wig from Trendco which is a wig shop near nottinghill gate. They are on line if you want to take a look. I found them very helpful and sensitive to the situation.

Hope everything went okay for you Betsy

Xxxxx

malteserzz · 11/11/2013 15:25

Glad you're ok really :)
What's the injection for, I didn't have that
Hope you've got your feet up now ! X

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 15:34

Think injection was to increase blood cells (can't rememeber if it was White or red!) Help immunity? Apparently sometimes they wait to see if you need it, but my Oncologist requested it. Could be because I am on another drug for hyperthyroidism that can affect the blood cells. So I assume it's precautionary! Xx

malteserzz · 11/11/2013 16:03

I see ! Just being nosey it is funny how things differ from place to place though
I feel about 100 today my legs ache just going upstairs, must remember it will pass, it will pass...

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 16:18

Yes malt it will pass and it's your last time of feeling like this Grin xx

I feel about 100 on most days! So maybe these drugs will make me feel younger!!

Gigondas · 11/11/2013 16:32

Glad it went ok really. The infection is ok but try not to touch affected area as it bruises easily.

Tiny - another vote for trendco here.

Malt I feel 100 too- slept all morning and back in bed again now . The tax truck will only have road kill to hit at this rate.

Tiny100 · 11/11/2013 17:00

Really - glad it went well for you and hope you are remaining SE free.

Malt - It also intrigues me how treatment is different, in different places. I was told by my Chemo Sister that EC was for people who had not yet had surgery yet and FEC was for people who had. Now I know Handbag is on EC and she has had surgery and Weebarra is on FEC and she hasn't had surgery. Confused I also get the jab for the white cells the day after - not on any other meds and am fit and healthy, (apart from the cancer)!

Lily - Thanks for the info, please report back on the Look Good, Feel Better session as I am thinking about going on one if they are any good.

I have an appointment with Trendco on Saturday - thanks Ladies for the recommendations!

kitkat1967 · 11/11/2013 17:54

gald it went well Really - I asusme your injection is neulasta (or some such spelling) which I also got as a matter of course when on FEC - I had a nurse round to do it but you just grap a wedge of tummy fat - if you have any of course??? And remeber even if you feel OK keep on top of those meds - you have been given them for a reason Wink

Gigs - when are you getting your Tax? Are you having different chemos on alternate weeks or are you going nto get 2 lots next time?

Malt & Gigs - I feel 100 as well. Thought I had improved a bit yesterday but hit again today - am sat here contemplating asking my neighbour to take DS to cubs (their DS goes too) as I can't face what is a very short walk. I am also struggling with my taste buds and horrid mouth taste this cycle - usually it goes before the end of the week but this time I stilll have it and am being dosed again on Weds - must be a cummulative effect I guess but I am seriously fed up with it. Am feeling a bit grumbly all round so apolgies for whinging Blush. And to top it all I am seeing onc tomorrow to discuss tamoxifen when really I want a break from drugs and SEs.

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 18:02

One thing I forgot to ask. Did any of you lovely ladies have a PICC line? My Chemo nurse has told me she thinks I should have one! Xx

kitkat1967 · 11/11/2013 18:06

Really - I have a picc line and love it. I was lucky as it was put in before any treatmant and I have had no problems with it (have had it since June). As well as using it for the chemo they also take the bloods from it and when I was admitted I had all my IV antibitotics through it. I have a plastic sleeve thing to wear in the shower but obviously you can't swim. Presumably they didn't like the look of your veins today then?
Having said all of that I will be pleased to see the back of it in 3 weeks Grin.

kitkat1967 · 11/11/2013 18:08

oh forgot to say you have to have it cleaned every week so that's extra appointments to shedule in - deosn't bother me but some people would prefer to not have to.

reallyreallyworried · 11/11/2013 18:15

Thanks kitkat my veins were hiding. She took 2 attempts and I must say the first attempt, bloody hurt and still hurts now! That was after having my hand in warm water for a while! She also said the Chemo can damage the veins and make things harder each time, and because I can only have the cannula put in one arm, she thinks the PICC line is the best option! I tend to agree. Especially as I also have bloods taken every few weeks for my thyroid! So that'll be another needle less Grin

Sorry you are feeling a bit rough! Okay alot rough! But getting your neighbour to take your son to cubs sounds sensible. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day for you! Got to admit it's mind blowing how each drug they give you causes a different side effect!! But hopefully we'll all get through it! Your allowed to whinge, I think we have all had days like that, and some of us have only just started our journeys! So plenty of time for us to moan!!

Xx

malteserzz · 11/11/2013 18:19

Really I didn't have a picc line but my veins have been ok, sometimes it's taken warm water and a couple of attempts but nothing major

Kitkat moan away then I won't feel so bad when I do Smile

Gigs sorry you're feeling a bit pants x

Tiny I've done LGFB and it was great, I didn't wear much make up day to day before but now I've lost my hair, lashes, brows etc I look like a boiled egg in the morning but doing my face as they showed me does make me look a bit more normal. You get a big bag of lovely products

foofooyeah · 11/11/2013 18:26

I'm on FEC and I haven't had surgery yet.

I am having a meeting with my manager tomorrow, think I may have to give up work as my chemo brain is getting worse and am getting worried about making mistakes.