Its 4 cycles of TC (docetaxel cyclophosphamide)chemo for me

Hi Sandy I am glad to hear that your nerves have settled a little and that your are looking forwards to get your port in on Tuesday. I am well, I called Cancer therapy unit to book for the library wig on the 6th but no luck they where fully booked and I spoke with the nurse there about my appointment. They have not forgot about me is just that, there  are so many people waiting for chemo so I have to wait my turn that's all. Hope it wont take to long, my goal is to be done with chemo by Xmas. Good luck with your port insertion on Tuesday and you wear that lipstick ,dont let anyone stop you, I''ll be thinking of you. Let me know how you went with the port and with your first chemo . Take care Mariana xx

Hello Monica,

How did you get on for your chemo? Have you got a date yet?

I am now looking forward to getting this port in my chest and then the chemo myself, although a little nervous. No where near as bad as I was last week though.

I have gone through the little blue bag the pharmacist gave me and I have put the nail hardner on my finger nails, then will do my toe nails, then prepare myself logically.

Think I will have a lovely aromatic bath tomorrow to soothe any pre-surgery jitters and then meditate to see it through.

Hope you are going alright..there is a lot to go through, though this time I am going to wear my lipstick to my port surgery!!! :))

Cheerio and let me know when you start, perhaps we can be together one time.

I will also book myself into the Look Good Feel Good for the same date as you if I can.

Sandy xx

Hi Leonie, let me know how you get on re any advice on aches and pains. Mine have gradually improved. After 10 days in Bali I had none so don't know whether it was the warmer weather or the fact that I wasn't, exercising, dancing, gardening... I so want to be back to doing what I was pre chemo that maybe I am pushing myself too hard. They are back, post Bali but mainly joints-not so much the bones. I am treating myself-panadol osteo before a long car trip. Fish oil and glucosamine and chondoitrin tablets daily. Sitting still at computer for long periods or in the car is the worst for leg bone aches.

Good luck-we have a lot of living yet to do before we have to become little old ladies

No you are not mad.  I was the same I wanted it to start so it was closer to finishing.  I note Wendy's comment - re aches and pains.  It is 11 weeks since I finished chemo and started Arimidex about 6 weeks ago.  I can hardly walk.  Lots of tests and stopping of Arimidex but still the aches and pains.  Am eager to see the medical oncologist early Sept to find out if this is "normal".  Thanks Wendy for the info.  I would like to look into this further as I am sick of feeling and moving like a 90 year old by the end of the day XLeonie

I met Pharmilla today again and asked about you. She told me a different name that you go by. Any way, if you want to call me and come along to the group, you can: -438712251. I am not going next week cos my chemo starts then. After much crying and trying to get the cannula's in with the pain of them all I could not take it and though the nurses are just wonderful. They are also understanding and suggested I try the port in the shoulder and have booked me in for that on Tuesday.

They took their time and explained and showed me what it looks like, how it will be done and where. I will have it done under general anaesthetic to prevent the anxiety.

Thanks for the pics you send and the link by the way. I would love to catch up with you and perhaps do some of the workshops with you - look and feel good, or the other one I can't remember the name of yet. I have booked myself into the wig library 6th September and will see what happens then.

I know what you mean about the waiting game, it is terrible and plays havoc with your nerves.

By the way, I don't agree with Wendy as I did not feel the least bit inclined to clean the house, my room, sewing room, office, much less run a marathon. I think i must have missed the boat with all of that. I did  have trouble sleeping though even though I was tired.

Cherio for now

Sandy

I met Pharmilla today again and asked about you. She told me a different name that you go by. Any way, if you want to call me and come along to the group, you can: -438712251. I am not going next week cos my chemo starts then. After much crying and trying to get the cannula's in with the pain of them all I could not take it and though the nurses are just wonderful. They are also understanding and suggested I try the port in the shoulder and have booked me in for that on Tuesday.

They took their time and explained and showed me what it looks like, how it will be done and where. I will have it done under general anaesthetic to prevent the anxiety.

Thanks for the pics you send and the link by the way. I would love to catch up with you and perhaps do some of the workshops with you - look and feel good, or the other one I can't remember the name of yet. I have booked myself into the wig library 6th September and will see what happens then.

I know what you mean about the waiting game, it is terrible and plays havoc with your nerves.

By the way, I don't agree with Wendy as I did not feel the least bit inclined to clean the house, my room, sewing room, office, much less run a marathon. I think i must have missed the boat with all of that. I did  have trouble sleeping though even though I was tired.

Cherio for now

Sandy

Thank you Wendy for the tips , I am also lucky that I don't have to go to work Iam on unpaid leave until I finish all treatment. My daughter is 15 so her and my husband will have to manage for a change they'll have to look after me. I hope all  is well with you and once again thank you for your advice. Monica

Hi Monica, I had 4 cycles of TC -started on 24 Dec 2010 (wonderful Xmas present!!). You will be given Dexamethasone to take the day before-it is to counteract nausea and tiredness. After taking this  you will be able to clean the house from top to bottom, run a marathon and swing from the chandaliers all night!!-you won't sleep-it hypes you up so much. First few days after chemo you are really tired-its an effort to do anything. Your hair will start to fall out about the time of your second round 3 weeks later. I did my chemo pretty easy-I was lucky I didn't have kids to care for or work to go to. As much as you can take time out-don't do anything you don't want to. Be very careful of germs -everyone is different but if you can avoid catching anything you will cope better-you body cannot fight any bugs or infections when you are on chemo. I painted my nails black -was told this would help protect them but I couldn't cope with them black-I felt I should have a little yellow radioactive sticker on them!! So I did bottom coat black and then painted over with dark red. My nails came through relatively unscathed and really only started to split after I stopped putting on the polish when I had finished. Joint and bone aches are a hang over of chemo which no one told me about which are still annoying me 

Good luck

Wendy