AUGUST '17 Chemo Starters

Another last chemo done! 6/6 TCHP. I had a 10% reduction in T dose as my fingertips are numb after round 5. Hope your reduced dose is better for you butterfly.
Op booked on 10th January, so just side effects week to get through and hoping to be on for Xmas and new year.
Good luck with the op on Monday, Ali.

I feel it’s going to be a emotional week for me. Happy to come to the end of chemo, but small worry in the back of my mind that it may recur in the future and may need to do this again one day. Let’s hope not!!!

Hope those who had chemo this week are ok so far - jo, well done on reaching your last treatment too. How do you feel about it?

Sib, big hugs and strength, you will get through this!

Love Cath x

Hi butterfly,
Glad you are getting some good days in. Glad your teeth are holding up too! I lost a filling a few weeks ago but can’t bear the thought of more appointments so just ignoring it for now! I will get it sorted post op.
I will be having rads, too. 21 days I think, likely to start end of feb/ early March time. Then hormones as oestrogen positive. Oh and just remembered herceptin going on for a full 12 months every 3 weeks - I don’t have an appointment for that yet! I’d completely forgotten! Might have to back to the chemo ward for it after all.

That’s my brain for you - struggling with memory at the moment. Fed the dog cat food this evening, left the keys on the outside of the front door and forgot I left my partner a voicemail on his phone(still can’t remember doing it!). Oh dear. Can’t even blame my blonde was any more!

Well exhausted but brain wired on steroids,
Hope I get some sleep, and you all sleep well too, cx

Well done on the last chemo Cath. I hope the reduced dose means less side effects and quick recovery. I too have thought that i might have to do all this again some day but sincerely hope not.

Butterfly, it’s great that you have had a few good days and that the dentist went well. Good luck for tomorrow.

I spent some time at my local support centre today and had raki which was very relaxing. Then off to see the latest star wars film. Love to you all xx

Hi ladies. So my operation is planned for tomorrow afternoon. On Friday I found another lump in my poorly boob. It’s fairly big and painful and appeared quickly. I’m really hoping it’s a cyst as I’ve suffered with them for 3 years but the last probable cyst turned out to be my tumour so I can’t help being concerned. I’m trying to stay calm until I’ve spoken with my surgeon tomorrow xx

Ali,
Hope today goes well- and hoping the new lump is a cyst. If so, it is good timing as they will be able to drain it while you are asleep. Fingers crossed, cx

Hi Beauts!!

I thought it had been quiet in here but my silly email stopped giving me notifications grrr lol!!

Praying that the operation goes well today Ali! Let us know how it goes.

Cathy - I feel you!! Hot flush but the rest of the body is cold! Its soo confusing lol. How are you doing?

I finished my last chemo last Tuesday so I’m Day 7 today and on the injections. Steroids are still keeping me up but I’m just grateful there’s no more chemo.
I’ve got my last ultra sound scan on Wednesday which will show the final result and give the surgeon an idea on what to do.

Whatever your Christmas looks like this year, I hope it’s a time of peace and good memories with family.

Lots of love
Jo xxx

Ali…good luck for this afternoon, you will be fine and as Jo said they will be able to check the new lump you have found…it sounds like a cyst…

Well done Jo and Cathy on your last chemos…hope the side effects are not to bad for you both…

Sib, hope things are going well for you too…Helen, fairy, Butterfly Ck, Mary-Kate, Xena, maHjfarn and anyone else I have forgotten…hope you are all well…

I’m 3 weeks since last chemo and am feeling much better as each day goes by, my side effects were much more manageable with my 20% reduced dose…as was chemo number 5 … the only problem I have now is pain, numbness and tingling in my toes which started when I went on to docetaxel, which is common on this drug…its bearable so will hope it eases over the next few weeks…I’ve also got swelling in my ankles, lower calf, fingers and eyelids which I’ve had for 5 days now…I’m hoping its an,allergic reaction to cashew nuts which I had last weekend. I don’t think its lymphedema, as I had a itch with a rash on both ankles (hives) and my arm where lymph nodes were taken from is not swollen… I have taken antihistamine tablets and will see if it makes any difference. If not it will be a visit to the doctors…!!
I’ve had a busy week last week, a visit from the girls I work with , sorting out christmas presents and shopping and although I’m feeling ok in myself I’m still very tired and finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning…I just want to stay all cozy and warm in bed…lol…

Good luck to everyone with chemo this week … Butterfly…one more chemo to go !! You should notice a difference in reduced dose… Sib…not too many more for you too…hope your doing better on the new regime? Hugs to everyone xx.

Hi ladies. So it was good news, bad news, good news today. The bad news is that my surgeon messed up and didn’t call me for a post chemo ultrasound. After they managed to find a machine today she did the ultrasound but couldn’t see the clip clearly enough so the operation was cancelled. I will need a guide wire inserted using the mamogram machine before surgery. Anyone else had that done?
The good news is that she thinks I’ve had a complete response to the chemo and that’s why she can’t find anything on U S. She didnt think that I would as it had only shrunk a little at the half way point.
Also good news is that the new lump is a cyst, in fact that boob is full of cysts. This is a relief but also disappointing as we had hoped that, due to chemo induced menopause, they would stop. I’m not sure how I’m going to cope with the worry every time one appears.
So take 2 is hopefully on Friday. Breast clinic first for the wire and then dash over to another hospital for the surgery so we shall see if that goes to plan.

How is everyone else doing today? Hugs to you all xx

Hi Ali,
I will be having a guide wire put in before surgery too. Amazing you’ve had a complete response to the chemo and the lump cannat be found! Hope all goes to plan on Friday xxx

Here we go…radiotherapy starts today whoohoo (ish)! I’ve got the emolient cream ready and the cornflour for inside my bra…I’ve done lots of research! 08.45am appts for 4 wks, not looking forward to the daily early wakeup alarm but at least it won’t disrupt my days and I get the weekends off. Plenty of time for afternoon naps!
Wish me luck August ladies. One day at a time.

Hope it goes well Helen. Cornflour in the bra??? Some new tricks to learn.
I’ve heard that it’s very manageable, but to expect to feel more tired from day 10 onwards.
Cx

Yes Cathy, they say it stops friction!!!  lol!

Hi there ladies,
Hope you are all doing well. I had my last chemo (Docetaxol) 13 days ago. Don’t want to speak too soon but it’s been manageable so far apart from sore soles of the feet and red and blotchy hands! Had my surgery before chemo so Radiotherapy is next for me. Had my planning scan today and my tiny tattoo dots. Radiotherapy starts on 3rd Jan but in comparison to chemo I’m sure that will be a walk in the park!
The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight ladies and it will be for all of you as well.
Hope you all have manageable SE’s and are able to enjoy Christmas.
Here’s to a much healthier New Year for all of us!
Keep going ladies, you’re all awesome. X

That’s such good news Mellylew!! Step by step were showing cancer who’s boss!! Hope radio goes well too! Like you say compared to chemo, you’ll nail it.

I’ve got my post chemo ultra sound today eek!! I can’t feel the lump at all now. It was the size of an egg when I started chemo!! Then they’ll decide what surgery to do.

Sending lots of love, hugs and cheers to you all!! You’re all doing incredible! I love reading these posts as it keeps me going.
Love jo x

Ring a ling a ling, CK is back!!! Last cycle done yesterday! Phew!!!
This one was a special one not only because last but my daughter came with me and hasn’t been able to come to the other 5.
Herceptin jab was painless too! I took my own bell in as they dont do it at my hospital! Had my 3 course lunch!
Also presented a cheque to MacMiilan Support for £2000! Now lets hope the least side effects so I can enjoy a few weeks b4 my op on 22nd January to take away lymph nodes and clear margins.

Ive been busy cramping 3 weeks into 2 as the first week I always need to rest up. Last Friday we had our Xmas party and raised £1000 for the local cancer centre I’ve been attending. Then been working on other nights as had Xmas parties in!

Not a lot to do for Xmas as everyone understands I haven’t been shopping amongst the crowds and colds out there! Im going to have a quiet one recovering. Daughter will go to grandparents and dads and I may go to friends for food and fall asleep! Merlot the cat will get his fair share of Turkey?

Thanks Sue 58. Just going to rest up now and hope you and all other ladies are doing well.

A few weeks recovery rime b4 I have my op on 22nd January.

Nap time now???

Well done CK on your last chemo…hope side effects are good for you over xmas…
I have my CT scan and tattoos tomorrow afternoon for radiotherapy…my first tattoos…!!!

Hope everyone is good ? Hugs to you all xxx

Hey girls!!

Just got back from my ultra sound scan!!
Drum roll… we are now the size of a pea!! Flipping miracle!!!

Dancing right now.
Sending loads of hugs
Xx

That’s really great news Jo. Are you having surgery next?

Well done on getting to the finish line CK . I hope your SEs are minimal this time.

Sue, when do you start your radiotherapy? I’m interested in what happens at the planning appointment as will be having mine in January xx

Ali…I have an appointment 5th Jan to check plans and a bone density scan and then radiotherapy starts 8th Jan… (wish it had been the week earlier…!!)
which seems a long time since my chemo finished 3 and a half weeks ago…but xmas and new year have delayed my radiotherapy somewhat…how dare it…lol… plus my hospital just seem to be slow at getting appointments done…lol
Hope your op goes ahead ok on Friday Ali…will cross fingers xx
Well done jog83 that is some shrinkage…!!!
Mellyew well done on completion of chemo…such a good feeling.

Sib…how are you doing?

Helen how have you got such an early radiotherapy appointment start…you lucky thing…hope it went ok for your first one yesterday ? xx
Hugs ladies xxx

Good luck with op tomorrow Ali, will be thinking of you.
Doing ok SE wise on carboplatin/Herceptin, bit of nausea, lost 4 fingernails (but think that was dreaded T) and still numb fingers and toes. Main problem now is emotional, think treatment has been going on too long, mastectomy 29th June and chemo started 2nd August, so really expected to be finished by now but still 2 more chemo and 2 more ops.
However i am grateful for my treatment and our wondefful NHS, without them my outlook would be very very bleak.
Hope ypu are all doing well and have as good a Christmas as is possible. Xx