P***ing Red! - Chemo #1

Hello!👋 its been around 2 weeks since my last post and today (23/08/21) I had my first dose of chemo! My first 3 chemo's are EC (Epirubucin & Cyclophosamide) which I have decided to rename based on what they feel like:

Epirubicin = the red stinging bastard 💉
Cyclophosamide = the stoner/nosetingler (I felt baaaaked) 🤪😶

I'm writing this after getting home from the hospital and so far I'm feeling OK and everything went OK. Bit spaced out and tired but generally OK. Hopes and prayers that things done get too much worse! I've got some steroids and some more anti-sickness drugs to get me through the next few days so fingers crossed. I may be been naïve but you know what, no point dwelling on it. Well aware I may not be saying this in a few days if I'm puking and feeling like shite. Positive vibezzzzzz though🥰. My wee has turned red already! How quick is that! I've been told its totally normal for EC chemo but still strange seeing the toilet totally red. I'm getting a port fitted next week so hopefully all the rest of my chemo's will be smoother as I am a bugger to cannulate and get blood from.

Check out my chocolate bun & custard that I managed to eat with my left hand (im right handed!) without spilling all over myself😂. They asked if I wanted a sarnie but all they had left was tuna (eww - I HATE FISH🤮) so they got me a bun instead.

The wonderful week before❤

In this week leading up to my 1st chemo I've been soo busy doing things and catching up with people I might not be able to over the next few months. Its been really nice to have had the time to do these things too and have a few extra treats. I am so lucky to have the people I do around me that have helped with the boys and done fun things with me. It did also feel strange because its felt like today (23/08) was THE DAY when really its not, its just the first day of treatment and uncertainty of how I will be feeling. Its also my birthdaaaayy on Wednesday (25th) so I wanted to get some fun times in for that with not knowing how I'll be by Weds. The nurses have said I will still be buzzing on steroids by then so again - fingers crossed!

Chemo prep!

With the inevitable hair loss approaching (the chemo I'm on is more or less a dead cert for hair loss, although not all chemos are!) I've decided that I want to be in control as I think that is the only way I will be able to deal with losing my hair. I'm not even that much of a girly girl these days, with 2 kids and been on placement, my hair does usually end up in the standard mum bun or shoved up but I am gutted its going. Its literally took me years to get it as long as it is now - bloody figures!🤷‍♀️ Anyways, I'm having my hair cut shorter on Thurs so that when it starts coming out, its not long hair coming out. I've then got a wedding on the 3rd Sept which I'm hoping to look semi-normal for and then after that I will shave it off. I think I'll feel better doing it rather than it coming out everywhere (well as much of it!). I'm also going to donate my hair to The Little Princess Trust.

I also got my eyebrows tattoo'd (semi permanant) so that I've got a hope of looking more normal and an idea where to fill them in. I'm really pleased with them, I think they look ace! Here's some photos of me looking sexy during the process haha.

I also treat myself and got my nails done (oncologists said it was ok to have them this time). I've read loads about having your nails painted black during chemo to stop the UV light getting to the nails which apparently helps stop them getting as damaged. Who knows though! All I do know is that I have pretty nails for a few weeks. Hopefully I won't have mangled fingers in a few weeks eeeeeeek.

Following on with the treats, me and Ry went for a spa break (last time was 6 years ago!!) and it was amaaaazing💆‍♀️. Just to be able to switch off and zone out of everything going on was bliss. If you haven't been to Titanic Spa in Huddersfield I highly recommend it! If you're reading this, this is your sign to go bloody treat yourself! I am going with the mentality of doing whatever makes me happy/ feel better from now on.

I need your help

When I found out I needed chemo, one of the first things my friend Tracy said to me was that she was shaving her head too, as was her husband David. I was really shocked to be honest - because hair is a big deal! Its a totally selfless thing to do and I am so thankful to have friends willing to be baldies with me (apologies if anyone finds this offensive - humour is keeping me going!). As this is such a big deal, they have decided to fundraise with 50% of the funds going to Coppafeel! and 50% going to Macmillan Cancer Support. They will be 'braving the shave' on Sat 4th Sept. If you would like to donate, the link is : https://gofund.me/515146d4 and any donation is greatly appreciated!❤❤

I'm going to finish with a few happy pictures of the fun I've had this week!

I'll keep you updated how I'm doing (or not doing!).

Chemo #️1/6 ✅