Chemo 4 day 9

Chemo 4 Day 9
 

Since my last post I've been getting better gradually each day. I've had a few days of work to spend with my mom and niece but wasn't really up to much, but it's been lovely having them here. Will miss them when they go home.
 

The bone pain has improved on my new medication. I have very very dry skin now and some places like my feet have gone very thin. I have extremely sore places on my face and a rash on my neck. I've lost my bottom eyelashes, most of my eyebrows and all my nose hair, which is really annoying as it's constantly dripping...so they do serve a purpose eh,  they help our bogies build up lol! Sadly I've been sick the last few days which I wasn't expecting at all, so I've gone off food, which isn't helped by having no taste buds at all. But tonight I managed to eat a decent meal. Fingers crossed no more nausea or sickness.
 

Anyway today I managed to walk round the shop at  0.000001 mph with the aid of a trolley, it was nice to get out, even if it was just for our pack up lunch for tomorrow's Race For Life picnic weather permitting lol! I was knackered and had back ache, but it was worth it. Suppose I better get to sleep as up at 8am to support my Warrior's. Anyone near Stamford fancy joining us and supporting all the amazing ladies walking or running tomorrow if will be lovely to see you, I will be near the enquiries tent about 10am in a wheel chair. Thank you for all donations so far for my team of 17, there's still time to give to such a worthy cause, the link is on my home page, thank you.  See you there xxx




My niece in my wig xx

My mom and Poppy xx
 

Yummy veggie fry up

Chemo doll, how lovely

 

 

Chemo 4 day 6

Chemo 4 Day 6

Started of well but the bone pain kicked in Sunday afternoon. At least I feel human on this chemo but I've been in agony. Tried Tramadol, Codeine, also tried Paracetamol and Ibuprofen together. I also had my Lidocaine plasters (slow release pain killer) all over me which I have for my Fibromyalgia. Ended up phoning the Oncology department at 2am Monday but they didn't want to take me in. So Tuesday morning I phoned my GP and got some stronger pain medication and ended up spending the whole day and night in bed. I'm now on Dihydrocodeine and Naproxen and it is finally helping with the bone pain.

I also have what feels like muscular pain in my back and neck, feel like I've been through ten rounds with Mike Tyson, would have thought the medication I'm on would have helped that too. I also feel twinges all inside my body like the chemo is attacking everything, even my tumour hurts this time.

Was hoping for a walk around the village green on Bank Holiday Monday as there was a dog show and  stalls, but no chance, I would have needed a wheelchair.

I have a sore mouth and the tip of my tongue is burning. Still can't taste anything, even tried pickled onions, can just taste a hint of vinegar. I can only just taste my hideous mouth wash too, which is a bonus but I'd rather taste a yummy meal. Also have a tingling feeling in my finger tips which I'm told is Peripheral Neuropathy, just hope it doesn't get any worse.

Didn't think I was going to have nausea this time but yesterday I did and sadly was sick, I have also felt sick today but haven't been as yet. Fingers crossed that's clearing. I've managed 2 jam croissants for breakfast and some ice cream for my sore mouth. I've managed to stay constipation free until today, but that's down to the medication for pain I think so the laxatives are out. Sorry for a not so nice post but thought an update was needed. Hope you all had a nice bank holiday weekend xx

Trying to force a smile lol xx

Chemo 4 day 3

Chemo 4 Day 3

Chemo 4 went well on Friday on my new chemo drug Docetaxel, so far I've been really good compared to FEC the last 3 chemos. So far I have no taste whatsoever, can't even taste pineapple this time, can't taste salt & vinegar crisps. Hope this doesn't last long because I'm ravenous and eating like a horse!

I have very bad dry skin , especially on my face and in my ears, still moisturising with Aqueous cream 4 times a day. I have a few aches and pains but nothing too bad yet. So managed a nice weekend so far, had friends round all weekend.

I finished my steroids last night and start my G-CSF injections today for 5 days, the ones that build my white blood cells back up. So 2 injections a day a again grrr. I've still managed to keep a tiny bit of my eyebrows and the top lid of my eyelashes, nurse told me I've done well to hang on to them.

I've got my Mom and niece coming to stay for the week again which is fabulous, fingers crossed we might get out a few days this week, I've booked some time of work. There's a new pub in town I want to try and wouldn't mind a little shopping trip.

Hope you're all having a lovely long bank holiday weekend xxx




http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/sites/default/files/bcc35_docetaxel.pdf

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/treating/supportive-and-other-treatments/supportive-therapies/g-csf.html

Tiny eyebrows



Tim in my new blue wig, rock god eat your heart out.  xx

 

 

My lovely gift from Collette xxx

My lovely Get well card from my niece Freya xxx

 

Chemo 4 day 21

Chemo 3 Day 21

Since my last blog I have had many lovely visitors and I've also had a few trips out for the first time since diagnosis back in February 2015, it's made a lovely change to my 4 walls and hospitals. Last Friday I had a visit from Jo and we managed to get some sun in the garden which was lovely, even though I have to wear factor 50... insert grumpy face here! Was lovely to see Paul and James too, thank you for my flowers.

I had my bloods done on Tuesday at the surgery, then went to see my Oncologist Wednesday and my bloods are all ok ready for chemo 4 on Friday. My large tumour has also shrunk again, but can't really work out the size as it has changed shape, but it's definitely shrunk and my Oncologist is really happy with what chemo has done so far. Only 3 more to go thankfully...I'm well and truly kicking cancers arse :-D

I had a lovely visit from my cousin Jen, Pete, Alice and Abi on Sunday, wasn't so warm out but had a lovely catch up. I've also managed a lovely meal with Jan, Alison and Sarah on Tuesday and Claire on Thursday, BBQ round Andy's Wednesday with Lizzie, Jenni and Bex, thanks for the lift and a lovely night. Thank you all for a fabulous week. xxxx

I managed to go into work today and see everyone and catch up with everyone and do a bit of work ;-) I came home to some lovely parcels. Thank you Lucy for my lovely hat and scarf and Karen for the hats and head scarfs. xxxx

I will admit I'm dreading chemo tomorrow as it is the first of my next chemo drug, again it's the fear of the unknown and what side effects this one will bring. Fingers crossed this one treats me better, I so long for some normality back in my life.

Looking forward to my Mom and my niece Lauren coming to stay for the week on Sunday. I'll update over the weekend at some point when I'm up to it. Have a lovely bank holiday everyone whatever you're doing. Enjoy life to the max, you only get one chance. xxxx

Roses from Paul, Namoi & Mabel thank you xx

My lovely hand made hat and scarf from Lucy xxxx
 

Head scarf from Karen xx

Head scarf from Karen xx
 

Energy stone from Jo, thank you, I keep rubbing xxxx

Snuggles with Poppy xx

Chemo 3 day 15

Chemo 3 Day15

Well my friends and myself have made the local rag this week, hehe! The lovely Jan Harvey shaved her hair of in my honour on her birthday, what an amazing lady she is. Shaved of by the lovely Alison Hornby. Thank you both so much, it was a wonderful day, the most fun I've had since diagnosis back in February.

I'm on my last day of my vulnerable week and being shut of from public places yippee! So next week I'm going into the office for a few afternoons around all my hospital and GP appointments.

My lasting side effects are bone pain, back pain, ulcers, dry mouth, and my thrombus pain still. Still injecting grrr. My skin is getting worse it is very dry, spotty and wrinkly. Never moisturised so much in my life, so I dread to think what I'd belike if I didn't.

Have a lovely weekend one and all. xx

My friend Nick in my wig hehe

Flowers from Angie & Frank

Jan's pink wig for RaceforLife

 

Headscarf made from an old T-shirt

Jan's Head Shave

My friend Jan has done her sponsored head shave today. She is one amazing lady and doing it on her birthday too! She has already raised over £900 for Cancer Research UK so far. If you haven't already donated there is still time. Thank you so much. Xxxx

https://www.justgiving.com/Jan-Harvey2/

Chemo 3 Day 9

Chemo 3 Day 9

I finally feel human again, hello world! But I'm now in my vulnerable week again and all my weekend visitors have colds so now I have no visitors :-( So I'm going to have a weekend of catch up TV. I've not been able to watch decent TV for months, just no concentration at all. Well I say no TV but I can manage Britain's Got Talent and Eastenders lol! I must have 8 episodes of Vampire Diaries and 10 of The Originals, so think it's time to relax and have a go at watching. Then maybe a film or two.

I've had a little walk around my beautiful garden, can't believe how much it's grown over the last few weeks. Everything popping up including the dandelions grrr!

My Race For Life T-shirt came today, can't wait for 31/05/15 it's going to be a great day, most of my family will be over from Wolverhampton and lots of my friends. Please come along and support us at Burghley in Stamford if you're free. Hopefully I will be walking it, chemo 4 dependant, fingers crossed for me.

Have a lovely weekend one and all. xx

 

Chemo 3 day 7

Chemo 3 Day 7

Well it's been one hell of a ride this week, really not been well with all the side effects. I was hoping they got easier but I was so wrong. So I'm halfway through chemotherapy and so glad to see the back of that drug. Hoping the new chemo drug will be kinder to me. I've had all the usual side effects plus even worse constipation, bloating, acid reflux and now mouth ulcers, only a couple mind you but they're blinking sore. Last chemo it was Day 8 before I managed a No.2 this time it was Day 6 in the middle of the night, buy boy did it feel good! Think the prunes, apricots and liquorice helped along with some new medication from my GP, now I'm little miss farty pants! So day 6 and one No.2 down only five to go and I will have my belly back to normal.

I'm injecting twice a day again at the moment, think I've got the hang of it now and I'm not hurting myself so much, just need the bruising to go, mind you it's a guide as to where I went yesterday...anyone for a game of join the dots! My thrombus seems to be easing a little, I've managed to drop my pain medication down which is great news. The sooner the better, then I can stop injecting blood thinners.

So The C Word aired on BBC1 on Sunday and Yes I watched. For those of you that don't know it is a true story about the amazing Lisa Lynch's journey with the big C. I would have watched it cancer or no cancer, I love Sheridan Smith and everything she does. It was a very well done portrayal and Sheridan I salute you.

I had a break down earlier this week couldn't stop crying for hours on and off, but it was needed. I've been so strong and confident through this whole journey so far and proud of myself and I will carry on that way. But we all break sometimes, I think it was a mix of everything all coming together at once. I've missed my Mom being here after chemo this time, My niece was 17 and I missed all the birthday celebrations. Living so far from family is hard especially when you're not well. Plus I've not had many visitors this time either, doesn't help living out in the sticks though. I just felt so alone but I know I'm not, I can't explain it. But please if you know someone who is having a bad time please talk to them even if it's just hello, you won't believe the difference it can make to someone. Anyway today I managed to get dressed for the first time this week and hobble over the road to vote...oh the joys! Thank you to Angie for the cream cakes and treats, Thank you to Jan for the chat and laughter. Thank you to work for letting me work from home and stay sane. Thank you to my family for being at the other end of the phone. Cancer I'm coming to get YOU!

Bruised belly from injections
 

Bruised vein from thrombus

Daily injections

My sharps bin already

A bad day

Chemo 3 day 1

Chemo 3 Day 1

Of to the hospital again today for my last round of FEC, so glad to see the back of the E part Epirubicin AKA "Red Devil". They don't call it that for nothing, it can cause permanent heart damage not to mention many serious side effects. My dose was four big tubes and as each one went in I counted them down. You have to flush the toilet not once but twice with the lid down and wash your hands for 45 seconds during and after infusion. But for now it's the best weapon against Breast Cancer and we have to deal with it until something better comes along. Thank you red devil for putting me on the right road to saving my life. As the last one finished we celebrated with a cup of tea and M&S chocolate shortbread. Might have something a little stronger later ;-) So just the C and F part to go, Cyclophosphamide and Fluorouracil then I made my way home.

The side effects started to kick in, I was dizzy when I stood up to go home and every time I stand up I have to be really slow or I get really dizzy. On the car journey home I got the heavy led legs feeling. Then a few hours later in kicked a little nausea, aching all over and lethargy. Once home popped all my other pills and luckily the nausea went. Injections ready in the fridge to start on Tuesday, so for 5 days I have 2 injections a day again grrr! My tummy is black, red, yellow and green already as I'm on the blood thinning injections for 3-6 months. My sore mouth has never gone away since chemo 2, but I keep eating the pineapple and ice pops. My taste buds aren't great again either, I usually have 5 cups of tea a day but they taste too metallic at the moment. So I have to drink strong flavours plus 2 litres of water a day. I think my mouth regime of pineapple and mouth washes has kept the ulcers at bay which I'm so happy about, just got one cold sore on my lip that appeared 2 days ago.

I am keeping a diary throughout my journey and I list the side effects and medication and times to take as my chemo brain just doesn't remember. But then who would remember when your popping 30 pills a day some weeks. I had my dinner and managed a cheeky Scrumpy Jack in the evening, and caught up with a bit of TV before bed.

Have a lovely bank holiday weekend one and all. xxxx

Red wee again, but for the last time hehe

A few of my pills

Fragmin injections

Waiting in the day room before chemo.