On the run up to Round 5, I awarded myself the rank of chemo veteran , and have duly earned this by having become experienced in the routine of the symptoms and having becoming quite proficient in the application of make up, that has meant I have not looked quite as rough as I have felt sometimes !!
The Docetaxel treatment presented me with a variation on the symptoms that I had experienced on the FEC .These didn't seem to kick in until 3 days after the treatment. So… day 3, I began to feel as if the entire upper half of my body had been hit with a baseball bat! The first day or 2 after this were the worst and there were also the stomach cramps that persisted for 6 days. Paracetamol and a hot water bottle became my favourite possessions and were just the trick to keep the pain at bay.
My lovely MIL, Sue knitted me a bespoke hot water bottle cover , in preparation for the next round of Chemo cramps! I felt like a kid at Christmas when Sue gave me it to me and my mind set already has me looking forward to being comforted and soothed by the love that was put in making the cover when the inevitable cramps strike again!
I also experienced a cluster of other symptoms in week two, that lead to a 'check up' at NGH , but thankfully my bloods were ok. So with assistance of yet more antibiotics, my body was able fight off the cold sores, mouth ulcers, sore throat and a small infected boob wound!
One of the side effects I had expected from the onset was the 'pausing' of my menstrual cycle …trust me to skip this symptom… I wonder though, if this is a good thing... my cancer thrives on oestrogen??Probably a google research topic for me later or a question for Dr Knighton.
Everyones chemo experiences will be different, and I can only account for my own.To be honest I have found all of this is very doable. The miserable phases are soon forgotten as the cycle goes on. It is probably like having all the traditional ailments/aches and pains you have experienced, but all at once and more often. The fatigue and 'chemo brain' is probably the most difficult to describe to those that haven't been through treatment. The good bit about it is I know that this won't last and looking forward it makes it even more 'doable'!
I'm sure there has been some hormonal side effects that have lead to some emotional 'wobbles'' this chemo round…. My mind has certainly had a few 'emotion v logic/intellectual' battles and I can't say how much your messages of encouragement and well wishes have made theses times easier to fare.
I continue to receive 'thanks' (???!!) and messages from people who have described how they have drawn strength from the things I have written in their own personal battles !! I had one such message in my inbox yesterday morning (thank you) and it certainly has kicked my ass into gear to write this !…. Seriously though , I find this to be the ultimate motivation during wobbly moments.
I gladly share my experiences, so what I may expose and discover along the way, is yours to use for any enrichment and hope that you may find.
I continue to receive 'thanks' (???!!) and messages from people who have described how they have drawn strength from the things I have written in their own personal battles !! I had one such message in my inbox yesterday morning (thank you) and it certainly has kicked my ass into gear to write this !…. Seriously though , I find this to be the ultimate motivation during wobbly moments.
I gladly share my experiences, so what I may expose and discover along the way, is yours to use for any enrichment and hope that you may find.
So…. my chemo buddy for Round 5 was Sue, my lovely MIL. We decided to walk the 4 miles to Northampton. and have lunch at Dreams Coffee shop before going to NGH for treatment!
Due to a misunderstanding about a chemo review appointment the previous week , there was a delay in treatment whilst I was seen by Dr Vaida for a chemo review. I have met Dr Vaida a couple of times previously, so it was quite bizarre, from my angle, to be met with an introductory greeting !!
Understandable I guess in some senses, Doctors must see so many patients but really not helpful from a patients confidence point of view … my notes surely must identify her as having seen me before … surely she read my notes before seeing me ????… I guess the answer was clear when she asked me what had under the dressing on my chest! (Groshong line) . Other than that, she was very thorough and engaging during the review, as she had been previously. Maybe just a quick catch up on the notes before hand would have avoided a 'conveyor belt effect'…There has been quite a hot topic in the news recently about overstretched NHS resources. There is also a 'note to self' here for my own social work practice. where there are always competing demands that can draw you away from the 'human' interaction.
Understandable I guess in some senses, Doctors must see so many patients but really not helpful from a patients confidence point of view … my notes surely must identify her as having seen me before … surely she read my notes before seeing me ????… I guess the answer was clear when she asked me what had under the dressing on my chest! (Groshong line) . Other than that, she was very thorough and engaging during the review, as she had been previously. Maybe just a quick catch up on the notes before hand would have avoided a 'conveyor belt effect'…There has been quite a hot topic in the news recently about overstretched NHS resources. There is also a 'note to self' here for my own social work practice. where there are always competing demands that can draw you away from the 'human' interaction.
There was initially a concern that my temperature reading was high, and I had to take off my wig for a further reading and thankfully that seems to do the trick…. I think I raised further concern when I told my nurse that her colleague had just taken my temperature, and it had in fact been the same nurse !! We laughed away 'my chemo brain' faux pas and the chemo and Herceptin were duly administered.
Due to the delayed start we were the last at to leave the chemo suite! Sue had travelled by bus from Leicester especially to be my chemo buddy and she fulfilled her role excellently X
Due to the delayed start we were the last at to leave the chemo suite! Sue had travelled by bus from Leicester especially to be my chemo buddy and she fulfilled her role excellently X
The 'movie star' lady in purple was there again , having her LAST chemo and other familiar faces now make the ongoing sessions less daunting!
I had decided not to undertake a hair dare on Round 5, choosing to save myself for the final chemo dare in round 6. I did however go to treatment armed with a poster and a collection tub with a view to obtain some cheeky donations….and it worked… the collection tub is sealed so I do not know exactly how much was donated on the day for NGH chemo refurb , but I saw at least £20 worth of notes go in , and a number of people added coins…Not bad I say!!
I'm beyond excited to say that MY LAST CHEMO is coming up on 19th May!!! …..and what a way to celebrate but to raise more funds and give something back to the chemo unit that are working hard , not only save my life, but the life of all those with cancer being treated at NGH!
My FINAL dare is called my Nutty Neon Dare, and it involves going for my treatment dressed in bright Neon clothing, including a neon Tu Tu and pink wig!! Sue, my MIL, will be making my Tu Tu and will also be my chemo Buddy, at this mile stone occasion! AND YES!!!!… Sue will also be wearing a Tu Tu!!
As it is my final chemo dare, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have donated so far. Your response has been overwhelming and very humbling…Thank you for heaping me through the last 5 months. xx
So, not counting the donations in the sealed NGH charity tub, you have helped me raise and amazing £1,051.74 for the chemo suite refurb fund…. This is already a great amount, more than I ever hoped for, but lets see how much we can top this up to!!.
Donate if you can my lovelies ….. Every little really does help …
use the donate button on the left hand side or use the link below;
http://www.justgiving.com/Suzanne-Wright9
My FINAL dare is called my Nutty Neon Dare, and it involves going for my treatment dressed in bright Neon clothing, including a neon Tu Tu and pink wig!! Sue, my MIL, will be making my Tu Tu and will also be my chemo Buddy, at this mile stone occasion! AND YES!!!!… Sue will also be wearing a Tu Tu!!
As it is my final chemo dare, I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have donated so far. Your response has been overwhelming and very humbling…Thank you for heaping me through the last 5 months. xx
So, not counting the donations in the sealed NGH charity tub, you have helped me raise and amazing £1,051.74 for the chemo suite refurb fund…. This is already a great amount, more than I ever hoped for, but lets see how much we can top this up to!!.
Donate if you can my lovelies ….. Every little really does help …
use the donate button on the left hand side or use the link below;
http://www.justgiving.com/Suzanne-Wright9
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