Hi Ladies,
Well done Sarah, another one to join the no more swampy club, isn’t it a lovely feeling that you won’t have to do it again in three weeks. I’m already thinking about next Thursday and laughing because I shan’t be going to the hospital, what shall I do with myself. It also means 3 weeks and I suppose I shall start taking Tamoxifen. Haven’t read any details about it yet but I suppose I shall have to. Watching closely to see how Helen and Lynn are doing so please don’t tell us anything bad!!!
Unfortunately cording has come back to haunt me again, bit surprised as I am left handed and use that arm quite a bit.
Good luck tomorrow Hayz, hope your arm is better.
Hope your side effects aren’t too bad ladies.
Love Jane xx
Congratulations and well done slatch! You deserve a few duvet days to celebrate. What a shame you are feeling so poorly. Take care. Marli x
Well Done Sarah!!
K x
Hi All,
Well done Sarah - that’s the biggest hurdle over and done with and a big good riddance to chemo! Oooh and sorry about your grotty day.
Recs - You’re almost there too, hang in there.
Hope the s/e’s go for you both very soon.
Have been putting off taking the tamoxifen, been a bit of a baby coz I have read up on the side effects. Even more cowardly waiting till Helen took hers - are you still ok Helen? I put it off last night again because went out to lunch today but after 8 days finally took one tonight! Ho hum just have to wait and see now.
Jane - strange that the cording has come back. I had cording at the beginning but luckily it went pretty quickly. The physio said if it didn’t there were more exercises she would have given me. Anyway hope it goes soon.
May everyone’s s/e’s this week be minimal.
love to all
Lynn xx
Lynn the majority of women taking tamoxifen actually have little or no side effects… the main one is hot flushes and these really vary an awful lot between individuals, but generally its considered a mild effect… every medication has side effects… so you have to weigh up the risks and the benefits.
also some brands of tamoxifen may have better or worse side effects for some individuals so you can try asking your pharmacist to try a different one if your getting side effects.
also remember that many people will have mild side effects when they start taking any new medication as the body isnt used to it but over a few weeks it often settles… this is particularly true of hormonal types of treatment, so i would suggest giving it a couple of months to see how it goes.
often the SEs with tamoxifen are easily remedied eg aqueous cream for dry skin.
but if you do decide that you dont want to take it, you may want to consider that the risk of recurrence is markedly higher and how you would feel if this happened… taking tamoxifen also does not stop recurrence 100% so you may still get it if you do take it but its much reduced.
not meaning to preach to you or anything just trying to give you both sides as often on here most people are just commencing tamoxifen so are therefore more likely to experience side effects than people who have been taking it for 6 or 12 months.
and from a personal point of view i was on it for 3 years and did have considerable side effects for the first few months, but in time these became very mild and tolerable.
Lulu x
Hi Lulu - thank you for the information on Tamoxifen. I know that I will have to have it for at least two years but had put off researching it. Was getting q.concerned at the mention of SE’s.
I know a number of ladies who took it for 5 years and could not remember them having too much trouble . Spoke to one of them yesterday as it happens and asked her, yes she had hot flushes and gained weight but otherwise she was fine.Like chemo we will all react differently and your post has reassurred me that I will cope. Are you in the medical profession - you seem to know a lot about things. Thanks Marli x
Hi All
Tamoxifen update - taken it for four days and still no side effects. And the hot flushes are definitely on the way out - I feel so much better than 6 weeks ago, much more human (other than sore rads boob).
I take the tamoxifen exactly as it says, with glass of water just as I go to bed. Does mean I have to get up to use the loo in the middle of the night but not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Not noticed any other change in me so far. And I’m finally losing weight - about time too! Doing loads of exercise and trying to eat less, difficult as it may be.
Hope things carry on in this good vein.
Hope this is a word of encouragement for all of you coming to end of chemo and looking to move on - it’s taken about 2 months to really get over the chemo but I really do feel great at the moment, and apart from fat and unfit I feel almost back to my normal self.
However, still having some chemo brain moments - I wonder if this is permanent and just something I’ll have to get used to. Seem to have a head like a sieve missing its bottom at the moment - can’t remember anything. And dragging myself out of bed in the mornings is hard - I think it’s the last effect of the rads treatment to make me tired.
Keep going girls
Helen.
Thanks everyone for your advice on Tax tomorrow. Have had my nails painted black ‘very goth’ and have taken first lot of steroids today - fingers crossed feel okay at the moment and are more tired than wired (but ask me again at 3.30am tomorrow!!)
Can’t say I’m looking forward to it but roll on lunchtime tomorrow when number 1 will be out of the way - only 2 to go. Then deal the SE’s as they arrive. Unfortunately bloods dropping slowly particularly red blood cell count so liver, liver and more red meat for me. Although I have had so much red meat recently my OH thinks I’m trying to ‘bump him off’ through giving him heart disease - bless - can’t win. Good luck to everyone being ‘done’ tomorrow. x
Hi All,
Lulu - thanks for the advice, you certainly are not preaching but helping to put my mind at rest. I suppose really I realise all this (I am a nurse too and should know better) but it’s at times like this and all the way through this horrible journey I now feel vulnerable and the control I used to have has been taken away from me. After all the chemo drugs, anti-emetics and analgesia I just didn’t want to take another thing, but I know that it will give me an improved chance so I know I should take it. Thank you for your advice and words of support. I have taken it now.
Helen - Fab news… what a relief. Another thing ticked off then.
I took the first Tamoxifen last night and again I am not counting my chickens but am ok so far…watch this space!!
Mini - good luck for tomorrow. Hayz - hope all went well for your last one today. And everyone else hope you are enjoying s/e free time.
Lynn x
Hey Ladies
Well…after 2 painful attempts with the venflon I finally got tax number 4…chemo number 8…THE LAST ONE!! WOOHOO…I’ve finally joined the ‘no more chemo club’ after a long 6 months…which when I think back it has actually flown in! I’m glad it’s finished tho 'cause my veins really can’t take any more!
I got my rads apts in yesterday too, so I’m getting my tats on the 23rd & my 1st zap on the 25th…just enough time to fit in a wee weekend at CP with the kids. I was s’posed to have a wkend away with my OH to celebrate my birthday, but felt so guilty about leaving the kids behind that we decided to just go somewhere for them. They’ve had to suffer my chemo too & could do with some fun!
I have an apt with the Lymphoedema specialist on the 15th of the month too…here’s hoping I don’t need one of those sexy arm things…they are just soooooo attractive…lovely American Tan colour they are! I’ve been trying really hard with all massage & excercise etc, but my forearm & hand still look like they would be more at home on a 24 stone woman! LOL
Mini if you’re up at 3:30am get yourself onto facebook & we can have a blether! LOL…I was wandering around washing floors at that time this morning…& I’ve just realised that I haven’t taken my steroids yet tonight…crap!!..gonna be up all night again!! The joys!
Lynn & Helen…fingers xd the Tamoxifen continues to be se free for you. I’m still unsure what’s happening with me, whether I have the Ooph & then tamoxifen or just the Ooph…I’m sure I’ll find out at some point!
Hope everyone else is doing well…Good Luck with the chemo & rads!
I’m off to sleep for the next few days (steroids allowing!) & to attempt to avoid hospital again…antib’s at the ready!
Ooh…but not until I’ve ordered a new mx swimming cossie & a waterproof boob! ;o)
Will catch you all in a few days
Love to All
Hxxxx
Hayz congratulations 
there are a few folk finishing now and it really really helps me see the light at the end of the tunnel - 15 March is my last chemo.
I’m v sore today and was up at 2.30 am swallowing painkillers for the tax bone pain - mouth feels like a camels armpit and generally feeling a bit sorry for myself but… the end is in sight !
Rest up and enjoy your family holiday xx
Hey Recs
Thanks!..it feels amazing to say I’m finished!
It’s my last visit to the chemo suite today for my neulasta injection & I’m really sad to be saying goodbye to the nurses who have seen me thru the last 6 months…altho I hope I never have to see them again in a professional capacity!!
Sorry to hear your having a lot of pain with TAX. I would definately recommend asking for Gabipentin if what your using isn’t completely killing the pain. I’ve been taking it since my first TAX & the only time I’ve had any bone pain was one night I forgot to take it…so I know it def works…amazingly well!
…camels armpit!..know how that feels…mine’s starting to go that way already…just waiting on the tastebuds to pack up for a few days & for everything to start to taste like cardboard & wallpaper paste (not that I’ve ever actually tasted either you understand!!)
Good Luck with the rest of your treatment…nearly there!
Hxx
Hey Hayz - you’ve finished YAY WHOO HOO, and you are now officially a member of the ‘good riddance chemo club’!!
Recs you’ll soon be joining the club - not long too go.
What are we like at the mo - breath like a camels armpit, arm like an elephants trunk, eating cardboard and licking wallpaper paste LOL… are you sure we are human??
My image is changing weekly - last week I had a Fanny Craddock thing going on with the eyebrows, this week I look more like Sinead O’Connor…coz my hair is growing back, just a tiny bit but it’s a start.
Day 2 Tamoxifen - so far so good, keeping everything crossed.
Have a great w/end and may the side effects be minimal
Lynn x
Hi all - ooo you all sound so perky, it’s wicked And so many finishing or coping as best as possible with swamping. What a long, old way we have come.
Had a really good week - can concurr with what Helen said about feeling better. At the beginning of the week I felt quite manky, but by yesterday I had the morning out, went into the office for a couple of hours in the afternoon, then went to a birthday party for a three year old until 9pm. Felt like a normal day, was fab! Went out for lunch today too, and although I’m pooped, it is a nice pooped - not the horrid weighed down by a ton of bricks exhausted.
Really starting to belive that there is life after chemo :0
Lotsalove to you all for now
Loo
xxx
Hi All,
Relieved to say that first Tax not too bad - so far! Was sure I was going to self-combust or something as the first dose went in but all okay. Started the injections yesterday to stop the White Cell Count drop - wow that was a new experience having to inject yourself but did okay much to my surprise. Back ache now starting, coming down from steriods - looks like its going to be a good couple of day’s to look forward to. Best to all, lets keep knocking them off the list!
Hi Ladies,
Well done Mini, first one done, not many left to go now!!! Hope the aches and pains are minimal. I was very lucky because I didn’t need the injections.
I hope I am over the worst of my last Tax SE’s apart from peeling fingernails and one constantly running eye. I was a bit surprised Loocie when you said yours was still running 4 weeks later. Is there nothing to stop it. I have one normal eye and one swollen, pink, piggy eye which no make up will stick to. I was considering having some false eyelashes which are ‘supposed’ to stay put for 4 weeks but wondering if they will come off with all the fluid!!! Ho hum, happy days, still if that is all I have to complain about it can’t be bad!!
Well its snowing here in Surrey, big blobs now so wonder if it will settle? I should have been going for chemo this Thursday but I’m not cos I’ve finished, what a lovely thought!!! one long journey less to worry about if the snow does settle.
As it is 3 weeeks since last chemo, does that mean I need to start Tamoxifen this week my learned friends. Better get the leaflet out and start reading it. I’ve put it off so far.
Everyone is sounding pretty good at the moment, long may it last…
Keep smiling, love to you all,
Jane xx
Hi All,
Mini - first Tax over, well done! Not long to go.
Jane - I was given Tamoxifen to take 3 weeks after last chemo. I think hospitals and Onc’s must differ as I am starting mine before radiotherapy and I think that some have started it after radiotherapy. I did hesitate to take it though for 8 days. I started last Wednesday and was congratulating myself on no side effects for 3 days. Then I felt unwell on Sat night - sort of fluey, achey, light head, hot sweats and cold chills but no temp and no sleep!! Slightly better last night but the sweats have been double what I had before. I don’t really know if these are the s/e of tamoxifen or not - I suspect they are as I don’t feel too bad in the day. Hope this is a settling down period…I was just starting to feel better after the chemo too…aarrgghhh.
Jane are your rads at Guildford or the Marsden?
Helen - hope you are doing ok with the Tamoxifen?
Lynn xx
Hi Ladies
So pleased to hear such a lot of you have now finished or nearly finished chemo club. It’s heartwarming to see you have all come through with such a great sense of humour.
Still early days for me yet as only on 2nd chemo this Thursday but hopefully apart from sickness if I have similar experience to 1st dose then I will be happy. Hair now starting to thin out especially when washed so I try not to wash it too often !Dirty girl!
Went back to work today and it feels great. Actually feel normal again for a little while.
Hope all your S/e’s are little and short lasting on your new treatments.
Love Babs xx
Hi Babs,
Good luck for 2nd session on Thurs, am hoping same, if its no worse than last time will be happy. I got my head shaved today, could not stand moulting everywhere anymore. Don’t feel as bad as I thought I would, but everytime I see my reflection I just laugh, it just does not feel as if this is all happening to me.
So nice to read positive comments of everyone coming to the end of their chemo, roll on May. Then its deep breath and next set of treatment.
Best wishes to everyone
Anne xx
Hi All
tamoxifen update. I’ve done a week now, and was thinking I was getting away with no side effects but… the hot flushes which really had diminished to very few warm flushes returned yesterday, particularly last night. Bummer. I have to say they are nowhere near as bad as they were on the chemo, and I hope they stay that way. They are disturbing my sleep and I am so tired today I can barely think, so tonight it’ll be a sleeping tablet to hopefully get a reasonable nights sleep.
And I am still not losing weight - despite cutting down hugely on food, drinking no alcohol and doing about four sessions a week in the gym the weight is not budging - stayed the same since New Year. Ironic when I compare what I ate before Christmas to what I eat now. Obviously I can only blame this on tamoxifen for one week but it’s still very frustrating. Not quite sure what to do about it.
Anyway, hope everyone else is doing well on whatever drug regimen you are all on.
Helen.