Having a stressful day today. Had my pre chemo consultation by phone today. Went well with lots of information given about what to expect.  However, I did forget to mention about some niggling breast pain I've been having. They come and go, sometimes slightly shooting pain. Did phone breast care nurses last week, who said probably due to all the biopsies I had. They were done a few weeks ago, so wondered if pains would only start happening in the last week. So annoyed with myself, even had it written down. I know I can mention on Monday, but will now have to go through two more days of stress!!

Hi Pippin 24, I think every little niggling pain is a worry when you're in the position that we are, try not to worry hopefully the chemotherapy will start to work killing all of the harmful cancer cells,  hope everything goes well for you on Monday,   I'm anxious at the moment waiting for my PET scan results on Friday the 8th xx

I didn't realise you were having a port, please let me know how it goes. Mine has been agreed, but still no date yet. Going to contact someone tomorrow to try and chase it up. If it's not done before next cycle, not sure it'll be worth having done. Good luck for tomorrow. Xx

Hi Greeny,

I'm glad to hear that your port is being fitted and that you will then be all ready for your chemo to start next week. I hope that you get through your treatment with the minimum of side-effects.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. As you know, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey Pippin, Just back from theatre and now the proud owner of a port!! It was all very painless and quick..really hope you get a date soon. You’ve got another 2 weeks until your next round don’t you? 
Hope you’re feeling ok again today. Xx

Thanks so much Jolamine. Just at the hospital now, Port fitted and it was all relatively painless so hopefully I’ll be ready for next week when chemo starts!  

how are you doing? Xx

Hi Pippin 

I have finished the steroids and anti sickness and have just 2 more injections to go. The injections resulted in extreme bone pain in my sternum the other night.  Honestly thought I was having a heart attack but my heart rate was perfect.   Thankfully a friend had mentioned this could happen.  I’ve found peppermint helps a bit.  I am incredibly tired.  Well exhausted really.   I have managed to do short bursts of things.  A little tidy and sort out but then listen to my body and rest.   Thankfully I’ve not had too many other side effects.  Back at hospital Tuesday for PICC flush so I’ll ask bout exhaustion.  

how are you feeling ?  Xxx 

Good to hear you are having the port fitted.   It will hopefully make things easier for you 

xxx 

I have found my body is craving nutrients.  Soups vegetables avocado.  I’m just trying to give it what it needs right now xx 

Pleased to hear all gone well xx 

Hi , I'm glad all went well for you. I contacted macmillan nurses today, who told me priority goes to people who've had things like lymph nodes removed both sides, which is fair enough. She said I could still consider having a PICC line if I wanted to. I declined the PICc and said I'd rather stick with the canula. A little time later I received a message to say port had been ordered and shouldn't be too long, so hopefully this is the case. Xx

Sorry to hear the effects you've been getting with the injections, good job you only have 2 to go. I have 3 to go, but so far haven't had any problems. I have had a bruised feeling around one of the breast lumps which is a concern. I contacted someone today who said it's probably something called tumour flare, which can happen. Hopefully that's all it is, unfortunately always something to worry about. I have also had some tiredness, but not too bad and just nap when I need to. Xx

I am pleased things are going well for you with minimal side effects.  I can imagine feeling anything in the breast area would cause worry.  It’s understandable and it is something I have often thought / worried about -  every little niggle and does it mean the worse.  I like you am napping when I need to xx I am at hospital tomorrow for PICC flush so get to check in with chemo team then xx 

I am pleased things are going well for you with minimal side effects.  I can imagine feeling anything in the breast area would cause worry.  It’s understandable and it is something I have often thought / worried about -  every little niggle and does it mean the worse.  I like you am napping when I need to xx I am at hospital tomorrow for PICC flush so get to check in with chemo team then xx 

Hi NGS, hope all goes well at the hospital today. It is a good opportunity to chat to chemo team about any concerns or worries you might have. I'm making a note of any I want to bring up with Dr, during phone call prior to next chemo. Will perhaps ask for something for constipation and maybe a mouthwash. My tongue is slightly sore and looks a bit strange. Sleeping reasonably, although awake early this morning. Have ache in lower back, could be to do with the infections. Hope things for you have improved as the week has gone on, after such a difficult start. Xx

Hello Pippin, oral thrush is quite common when you have treatment ,you said your tongue looked odd . Yes , get onto your Gp for some Canastan possibly xx

I have chlorhexidine mouthwash.  I initially received some in a free cancer care kit but after my first 12 hours in A and E the hospital advised to use this 3 times a day.  It seems to be working so far.  managed to order on Amazon.  
last injection today.  Cannot come quick enough.  Hopefully things will settle then for a bit before next treatment. 

xxx 

*injections (really must stop typing the dark!)

It does look a bit white, so you could be right. Will get onto gp about it if it gets any worse. Xx

Did you only have to have 5 injection? They gave me 7 xx

I have had 7 as well but started on day 2 so my last one is today.  PICC flush completed that was really straight forward.  I’m feeling much more energized today.  Managing to do a bit more but still having a nap when need to.   
chemo team confirmed the chest pain was injections as puts down bone marrow.  

how are you feeling today ? 
xxx 

Oh right, mine didn't start until day 4. Glad flush went well and that you're feeling like you've got more energy. Reassuring to hear reason for chest pain, that must make you feel much better. I've  been getting lower back pain today, not sure if it's the injections or not. Also waiting on call back from gp, to discuss if I have thrush in my mouth. Will also ask for something for constipation. Boob pain seems a little better today, hopefully it will completely go. Having the pain in my boob makes me more aware that I have cancer, makes it harder to stop thinking about it. Hope you have a good week moving forward. Xx

Oh that’s good to hear you’re feeling more energised hope that continues..and hope you can have a couple of weeks of feeling ok before round 2. 

thanks for putting updates on here..it will be so helpful I’m sure when I’m going through it especially heads up on chest pain etc and lower back pain with injections…gosh so many different side effects aren’t there? Glad you’re feeling like you’re getting a little more energy back. Hope that continues xx