Chemo 2 day 20

Chemo 2 Day 20

Went for my 3 weekly Oncologist check up today, my bloods are all ok and I can have chemo 3 on Friday as planned. My tumour is responding very well to chemo so my Oncologist decided I would only need 6 sessions of chemo. So Friday is my last FEC which includes the "Red Devil" cocktail, which is the one that's given me thrombus and lost my hair. Then my next 3 sessions will be the T part of FEC-T. So as long as all my sessions go as planned my last chemo will be 3rd July 2015. Then I will have a month rest from any treatments for my body to recover and get strong enough to cope with surgery hopefully in August 2015.

I finally got my HER2 status today which was borderline at +2, so the hospital sent it of to FISH and my result came back as HER2 Negative. This is great news for me as I now won't need the drug called Herceptin. :-D

My thrombus is no better and I'm having to continue with the Fragmin injections to thin my blood for 3-6 months. I'm told that it will get better and go away altogether.

I now have really dry, flaky sore skin on  my face and neck, I've never used so much moisturiser in my life. Still have the sore mouth and using a special antiseptic mouthwash 4 times a day.

Chemotherapy can cause temporary infertility, your periods may become irregular or stop during treatment. But they will go back to normal once your treatment is over. I thought mine had stopped but just turns out I'm 2 weeks late. Mother Nature is a bitch! So yesterday I woke in total agony, the pain was so bad I had a panic attack. I dialled 111and they helped me and told me what medication to take as I couldn't take my usual ones as it interfered with the Fragmin injections. So I finally fell back asleep and woke up feeling much better.

So much for 4 good days before my next chemo eh! But I'm still very positive after today's good news and I will beat this. xx

FEC-T is a combination of four chemotherapy drugs. It takes its name from the initials of these drugs: 5 fluorouracil (also known as 5FU), epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (FEC) plus docetaxel. The 'T' of FEC-T is taken from docetaxel's branded name Taxotere.
                         
HER2 (human epidermal growth factor) is a protein that can affect the growth of some cancer cells. HER2 positive breast cancers tend to grow more quickly than HER2 negative breast cancers.

FISH (fluorescence in-situ hybridization) measures the amount of a gene called the HER2/neu gene, which is responsible for the overproduction of HER2 protein in each cell. About 1 in 4 people (25%) with a 2+ result will have a positive FISH result.            
The result will be either:

• FISH negative, which means there are normal levels of the gene present
• FISH positive, which means there is at least twice as much as the normal level of the gene present (the cancer is HER2 positive).

HERCEPTIN is usually given once every three weeks for a year.  You will have it as a drip (infusion) into a vein in your hand or arm. Side effects tend to be mild and include flu-like symptoms, diarrhoea and headaches.

 

 

Chemo 2 day 19

Chemo 2 Day 19

Well it was my Birthday yesterday and I had a lovely long Birthday weekend. Family and friends visited, was lovely and sunny so managed to spend most of it in the garden, Saturday and Sunday I wrapped up well as I feel the cold, but Monday I managed to remove some layers and therefore needed to use sun cream which was nice to feel the sun on my skin. I always tan really easily but sadly this year I'll be paler than I've ever been. I've had some lovely cards, presents, flowers and cakes, thank you all for making it special. xx

My chemo side effects now are aching all over, tired, sore mouth, nose bleeds as my skin has thinned and very dry skin on my face and body. The only hair I have now is my eyebrows and eyelashes, so saving money on shampoo, conditioner and shaving stuff, but I'm probably spending it on new hats, scarves and wigs hehe!

My thrombus is a tiny bit better, I decided to miss a dose of pain killers to see how I was doing and only managed 2 hours and had to take them. I can still feel all the clots and now have cording in same arm. Not a happy bunny.   http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws

I am now getting a decent medicated sleep every night which is great, not really slept well since diagnosis back in February.

Had my bloods done today at my GP surgery, tomorrow I'm of to see my Oncologist for a check up, hoping my bloods are good and the thrombus doesn't delay my chemotherapy on Friday.

One of my friends granddaughters has made loom band jewellery to raise money for Cancer Research UK and took them to school to sell, she did really well. She also made me one which I love, thank you Amber xxxx

One of my friends from school has done an amazing thing and shaved her hair of for Cancer. Her charity is Hug in a bag in Blackpool. So far she has raised £468.25. Well done honey, you're a star. xxxx




Kay's before & after xx

 

 

Well done Kay xx

 

Little Amber made me a loom band bracelet xx
 

Lovely plant from Andy xx

Collette made me look like a Smurf hehe!

Still eating healthy :-)

Flowers from Collette xx

Birthday Girl :-D

Chemo 2 day 13

Chemo 2 Day 13

Well my new medication appears to be helping much better with my thrombus pain and sleeping, only thing is I am a bit spaced out but so happy to sleep straight through for 6 hours then woke and managed another 2 hours. Hoping for the same or better tonight. Still not regular enough on the toilet, but at least I've been a few times now! I'm still in my vulnerable week where I can't risk being by anyone with a cold, flu, chickenpox or anyone who has just had the polio jab. Sadly my arm is stopping me from driving also, all I can say is it best be better next week, I need to get out, these four walls are driving me mad!

My chemo side effects are still lethargy, aching and sore mouth. Apparently there is an enzyme in pineapple which helps so I eat lots of it and I also eat lots of ice cream and ice lollies, which are recommended, well there has to be some benefits to having chemo, just hope I don't pile on the pounds :-/  I have to use a soft toothbrush while on chemo also, and regular mouth wash to keep the dreaded ulcers ay bay.

It's so quiet now my mom has gone home, not that she's noisy or anything. But my dogs don't quite hold the same conversation lol! She'll be back end of May with my niece Lauren :-D

So many friends and family are doing so many fund raisers for Cancer, I'm proud of them all. Kay and Jan are shaving their hair off. Lucy and friends are doing a show called Cabaresque for Cancer in Peterborough on 23/10/15, see below for tickets. 18 family & friends are running Race for Life in Stamford, Lincs on 31/05/15. Many other family & friends are running Race for Life around the UK over the next few months. Alison sold Aloe Vera plants and put the money towards Jan's head shave. Lorraine is making cancer support jewellery. Sarah's little daughter is making loom band jewellery. Sorry if I've missed anyone off...blame my Chemonesia ;-)

I've had a beautiful top, flowers and chocolates from Jan & Nigel, look at the beautiful butterflies too, thank you so much xxxx


KAY'S HEAD SHAVE DONATIONS 22/04/15
https://www.givey.com/headshavehuginabagblackpool

JAN'S HEAD SHAVE DONATIONS 12/05/15
https://www.justgiving.com/jan-harvey2/

RACE FOR LIFE GROUP DONATIONS 31/05/15
https://www.justgiving.com/amandabills/

CABARESQUE FOR CANCER 23/10/15
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/316340

CABARESQUE FOR CANCER DONATIONS 23/10/15
http://www.gofundme.com/kickcancersarse

CABARESQUE EVENT ON FACEBOOK 23/10/15
https://www.facebook.com/events/384013505115562/

Lovely top from Jan & Nigel xx

Flowers from Jan & Nigel xxxx
 

Butterflies :-)
 

Chemo 2 day 11

Chemo 2 Day 11

Sorry I've not posted for a few days, it's been one hell of a roller coaster this time with this thrombus on top of chemo side effects. Luckily my chemo side effects are improving but not any quicker than last time. I keep a diary of all my symptoms on each day and it's panning out the same as last time so far. Day 11 now and it's just the usual lethargy aches, pains, sore/dry mouth/throat. So going from my diary last chemo it's most probably bye bye eyebrows and eye lashes in 3-5 days, the last hairs standing lol!

Since A&E and getting thrombus in my chemo arm I now inject myself daily with Fragmin which blinking stings, I hate them but I manage to do it every day. My poor tummy looks like a pink cushion, I do like sewing but what the hell! I'm just telling myself they are helping you get better, come on girl you can do anything! At least my G-CSF injections are done with for a few weeks, so just one injection a day now.

I haven't had a decent sleep either since getting thrombus, last night I managed 4 hours. I've had my pain medication change three times already. Hoping todays new medication is going to change that. I've tried a few different codeines and I'm now trying Tramadol with Paracetamol and Ibuprofen in the day, then slow release tramadol and amitriptyline at night time, fingers crossed they work as I'm in agony for an hour every 4 hours at the moment and I've just about had enough.

On a good note my mom was here for the week looking after me, watching crap daytime TV while I worked, bless her. Have you tried typing with one arm, not easy. Miss her already, it was lovely to have her here. My bald head took her back 30 years ;-)

I've also purchased another wig, I've always wanted rainbow hair, so now's the time, I love it can't wait to be out of my vulnerable week next Friday so I can wear it out the weekend...I may get a ride out to the supermarket if I'm lucky, or maybe I should treat myself seeing as it's my birthday next Monday...bald on my birthday, I won't forget this one in a hurry.

I couldn't decide whether to post this but this is my blog about my journey and it is a big part of chemo and I wanted this blog to help others on a similar journey in the future. Don't read further if you don't like pooh talk ;-)

This time the constipation has been worse, don't suppose the codeine has helped that I needed for thrombus pain. I didn't go toilet for 8 days, imagine 8 meals inside you I looked blinking 8 months pregnant that's for sure! So uncomfortable it was unreal. I had laxative tablets before bed, laxative powders 4 times a day and last few days I've had to resort to suppositories...never used them in my life before...bloody crappy cancer has a lot to answer for...pardon the pun! Hoping Tramadol doesn't make this any worse but I'm still on the shit tasting laxatives...hehe! Stubborn bowels or what....just like Rutland Water Dam :-/

Have a good week everyone whatever you're doing xx


http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Blood%20clotting&medicine=Fragmin&preparation=Fragmin%2015,000units/0.6ml%20solution%20for%20injection%20pre-filled%20syringes

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/gcsf

Beautiful flowers from Angie xx

Beautiful necklace from my mom & dad xxxx

My new fun time wig :-D

My new scarf from my mom & dad xxxxx

Enjoying a little sun, no joseph jokes thank you ROB xx

My cancer doll made my one of my pink sisters, how sweet xxxx

Chemo 2 day 6

Chemo 2 Day 6

I'm afraid I'm having a rough ride this time on top of all my normal chemo side effects I ended up in A&E at 5am. I have severe pain in my arm that I had the chemotherapy in on Friday. It's got worse and worse over last day, it was just unbearable. Six hours later after chest x-ray, bloods and ultrasound they found out I had Thrombus (blood clots). I now have daily injections of Fragmin to thin my blood, so at the moment I'm injecting twice a day with my white blood cell injections. So on top of that I have more pain medication, which creates other side effects, which means I have more medication for the side effects...I definitely rattle right now that's for sure.





Funky toe socks from my Mom xx
 

In A&E

 

Spaced out on Morphine :-)

 

 

 



Chemo 2 day 4

Chemo 2 Day 4

Had a rough weekend, after chemotherapy on Friday, side effects are slightly better than my first round. If last time was 100% bad this time is 85%. Luckily I've not actually been sick this time, just a little nausea, nothing a ginger biscuit can't fix. I've managed to eat a cooked meal daily also this time which is great. So apart from the lethargy, aching bones, tingling veins, heartburn, constipation and nausea I'm doing ok.

Back to Hospital today for a check up on my Lymph node surgery, had to have a bit of my stiches cut of which were sticking out, so feel better for that. Scars are healing nicely and are nowhere near as sore now.

My HER2 results were borderline so they were sent to the FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridisation) lab which determines whether I need an extra drug called Herceptin for a year, but still no results back yet.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/her-2


Due to my Oestrogen positive cancer I will be on Tamoxifen for ten years.

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/about-breast-cancer/hormone-receptors







Hospital journey

Fitting words shared by a fellow cancer survivor who has also been through chemo

Chemo 2 day 1

Chemo 2 Day 1

 

Well the dreaded day is here, had trouble with my veins blocking this time, thought we might have to cannulate my other hand, but eventually it settled down. Treatment was worse this time, tingling sensations and ice cold veins. But it's done so of home with all my medication for side effects. Journey home was good, the side effects didn't hit me till tea time. I managed to eat pasta bake and lots of fresh veg.

 

The lethargy and aching bones kicked in which got worse and worse as the night went on. Later in the evening I got the tingling veins and nausea but nowhere near as bad as last time. By 9pm I was in bed, felt like I was drunk. Walking like a granny and really slow speech. Had a disturbed night but managed 7 hours in total.

 

Arrived home to a pink bobble hat and a badge from Breast Cancer Care for my head shave which was nice.  

 

On the chemotherapy suite

 

 

 

 

 

Chemo day 20

Chemo Day 20

Back to Oncology today my bloods tests are all good so chemotherapy can go ahead on Friday. Got some great news today from the biopsies I had done on 17th March 2015 that my Lymph nodes are clear of cancer, so it hasn't spread to them. Some more good news was that my tumour has already shrunk by 0.5cm after just one round of chemo, so my tumour now measures 4.5cm. It's been a long day though, don't you just hating waiting in hospitals! I've also got new medication for my next round of chemo to help with the sickness, tingling veins and pain, fingers crossed they work better than the last lot!

Been trying on all my new scarves and hats, I'm also going to have a go at making some scarves out of old t-shirts. Need to get my factor 50 sun cream ready too, hoping for a good summer ;-)

I received a lovely card from my Uncle Arthur & Auntie Gwen in America today, thank you so much xxx

Card from Uncle & Auntie xx

My sleep hat, keep me warm lol!

Chemo day 19

Chemo Day 19

 

Got my blood tests done at my GP surgery in the morning, they'll be with the Oncology department by tomorrow, so I'll find out if my blood cells are built back up enough for me to have my 2nd chemotherapy on Friday, fingers crossed. (Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with tumours.) The nurse checked my scars as I was worried they may be infected as still very sore, but all is ok there.

Sadly todays' plastic surgeon appointment didn't go as I'd hoped, after all the pinching of every fatty area I've not got enough fat anywhere for any procedure using my own fat and muscle to reconstruct new breasts. I really wanted reconstruction with my own fat. Only option is silicone for me...gutted! — feeling sad.

 

 

 

 

My new hat

AJ's Cancer Journey - The final head shave

AJ's Cancer Journey - Head shave

AJ's Cancer Journey - Head shave speech

Chemo day18 - Part 2

Chemo Day 18

Today I reached my target on my Just Giving Page for my Head Shave, in fact I've beat it which is great, thank you to everybody who supported me, if you haven't you still can. The link is to the right hand side on my blog page.

I have now completed my head shave but before hand had a little fun creating a Mohawk, with what bit of hair I had left, see my earlier post today and pictures below.  I also had a little cry too but I've done it and I fell so much better for it. I was very uncomfortable with the sore scalp and itching from the lose hairs. I'm now showered and in clean hair free clothes and feel great even though I have a cold scalp. :-) I have posted videos for those that want to watch.

I've been eating healthily as I need to get my blood cells back to normal ready for next chemotherapy, the sooner chemo is over the better. Fingers crossed for good blood results.

Hope you all had a lovely Easter xx



Saturday 4th April 2015



Saturday 4th April 2015

 

Sunday 5th April 2015



Sunday 5th April 2015



Sunday 5th April 2015

 

Monday 6th April 2015

 

Monday 6th April 2015

Monday 6th April 2015

Monday 6th April 2015

Monday 6th April 2015

Stir fry & Rice

Higgidy pies, cauli/pepper casserole and veg