Chemo here I go!

Thanks @"Kiwi Angel" - still hanging out in hospital - still neutropenic though have not had a fever since 4am yesterday and the swab came back positive for rhinovirus, which basically means I have a cold LOL.
Very frustrated that they won't let me go home since I'm 100% well. If I would have taken two panadol instead of coming in when my fever went up, I'd be happily neutropenic at home and unaware of it.
I do understand though that if someone with neutropenia does get something serious, like pneumonia, they can go downhill very fast and become septic - so I appreciate the protocol of waiting until there's an upward trend in neutrofyls before they'll let me go home - I'm just praying that it will be very soon! 

Also - surely hospital is the most dangerous place for me to pick up something worse than a cold! 

@Eastmum couldn't remember what your other post was about being in hospital but I was just wanting to see how you were going today? xoxo

Great idea @Zoffiel - I've been examining my tongue in the mirror LOL - not sure it's thrush but I'll keep an eye on it :)

I had oral thrush three out of the four doses. It does feel different from 'normal' yucky mouth. Plus your tongue gets really white/grey. It's an easy fix. I had the choice between cherry & vanilla flavoured medicine. Tried both. 'Cherry' marginally preferable!

thanks @Sister - I'll google the symptoms :)

It's really important to push yourself to move but also important to let yourself rest.  As for oral thrush, so far I've only had the one bout and it's pretty easy to tell the difference between that and the normal yucky mouth.

Thanks @"Kiwi Angel" - so exciting that you have only one more treatment to go! Yep, my tongue just feels like it's permanently coated - a friend actually told me to watch out for oral thrush. I can definitely see a bed day in my future each weekend. xxx

@Eastmum - glad you seem to be coping well - the mouth thing is horrible isn't it and mine seems to be lingering more each time - my tastebuds are still deadened this time and its a week until my next (and final - Yah) dose.  I normally have 1 bed day on either a Thursday or Friday when all my side effects are at there worse and then I push myself to carry on as normal as I can other times. xoxoxox

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared their chemo experiences - it's really helped so much. Yesterday, on day 5 after my first treatment, I read ever comment all over again plus some others on similar threads and it now all made so much sense. It's incredibly reassuring to find that with everything you're going through, someone else has 'been there, done that' and it's all within the full bell curve of 'normal'. 

When I was having my treatment, the Chemo nurse gave me wise words indeed - she said 'everyone has different experiences and side effects, but fatigue is universal. If you are tired, have a nap, have a rest but if you're otherwise feeling OK try not to take to your bed, because you'll stay there' - wow - she was so right. With my first weekend and no plans or responsibilities, the easiest thing would have been to have literally stayed in the bed the entire time. I am incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful network of friends and family who are supportive and caring and would do anything for me - but on those days when I could so easily wallow in the pillows and feel utterly sorry for myself, this discussion board has made all the difference and your support, encouragement and shared stories have given me the impetus to get up and at 'em. So thank you thank you. 

Other than that, the worst part for me has been the dry mouth and throat and a head that feels stuffed with cotton wool. Interestingly, I've found that a claratyne + 2 nurofen has helped. Vegemite toast and tinned peaches from the fridge - the salty and the cold on my throat - are also my saviours - go figure!