Thanks Jude
I’m pretty sure I’m not having herceptin and I’ve read quite a lot about the possible affects on the heart. I’ll definitely ask some questions. That’s if the MRI shows the EC has done it’s stuff and it’s definitely more chemo!
Hi Caroline
How did you get on today? Do you feel any more comfortable with your treatment plan?
Jude x
Hi Jude - No need to apologise, chemo brain gets to us all! Yes they did say I would have Herceptin then at least a 3 hour wait before chemo so I will prepare myself for a long day. I am having Paclitaxel rather than Docetaxel, for 9 weeks. And yes please, let me know how you get on. Good luck!
Hi Georgie – I hope you are being well looked after and are home in your own comfy bed very soon.
Hi Caroline – good luck with your results.
Take care everyone
Cat x
Hi everyone,
Pleased to report that I am now home, infections cleared up but still in a bit of shock about the blood clot.
Doing my own injections for thinning blood, but I don’t know when that will end.
They have put back back herceptin and first T a week, so will start on11th and 12th instead next month.
So so tired.
Love to you all
Georgie Gee xxxxx
Hi Georgie - great to hear that you are home at last. Rest up and take care. ?
I will be with you on 12th Oct as also starting Herceptin and T on that day.
Cat x
Hi Georgie
Well done on getting home, I hope you are starting to feel better
Good news on the herceptin & chemo bring moved out a week, hopefully you can rest up & build up your strength. Mentally the extra week should he’ll as well
Take care
Jude x
Hello ladies
I haven’t really posted in a while but I have been following the thread. Sorry to hear that some of you have been having a really rough time but it sounds as though everyone is steadily improving so that’s good news.
I’ll be heading into my 4th of 6 EC cycles next week. I’m intrigued that there are many different treatments being offered to us all and slightly bemused that someone may have similar diagnosis but be offered something slightly different. I guess this is down to the fine-tuning they do for each of us taking into account other health factors too but a part of me does wonder about the differences and if there might be a better treatment for me. I guess you just have to trust in your care team.
To date the EC hasn’t been to harsh for me - a bit of nausea and fatigue ( now that’s tempting fate as I head into round 4) a truly skanky tasting mouth, taste buds changes (I’m mean how can fresh fruit taste salty???) and hairloss. I eventually shaved my head this week - mainly so I could wear my wig with confidence - and after weeks of looking like Golum it was a bit of a relief.
My wiggie look has been met with exclamations of delight and how fab it looks and more than one comment that I should adopt that style when my own hair comes back as it really suits me!!! Not sure what that says about my previous look ?.
Because I know it’s a wig I was really conscious the first few times I ventured out - convinced that it would slip or get brushed off or that there would be double takes and nudging from strangers as they passed me by but that hasn’t happened - I’m presuming that’s because it doesn’t actually look like a wig rather than because I’ve developed a superpower and become invisible!
I think my eyebrows and lashes are starting to thin - as I’m quite fair it’s not hugely noticeable right now but I’m sure going to look weird if I can’t use mascara any more. I’ve also found that my armpits are bare but my knees are still furry and other body hair started to thin around the time I started to lose hair on my head but that seems to have halted so I’m hoping my eyelashes won’t go completely!
One thing that is driving me nuts (and as no one else has mentioned this I’m choosing to believe it’s because you are all too polite rather than because I’m the only one!,) is a significant drying in my lady bits. Not entirely sure if this is because of chemo or menopause or a combination of the two. I’m having a challenging time finding something that helps other than for short term relief and this has lead to some quite frank discussions with my GP and oncologist! I live in hope I’ll find something that will help.
Well I’ve rambled on for long enough - enjoy the last of the sunny weather - if you believe the tabloids we’ll be knee deep in snow this time next week! Still at least the hot flushes will come in handy if that’s the case!
Hugs and love to all
Sue xx
Hi Sue
Good luck with your next EC - hope you keep on having limited side effects
I’m starting to lose my eyelashes & eyebrows now, which makes me a bit sad 
as I’ve always loved mascara - got a new eyeliner yesterday so need to start practicing!
I know what you mean about dryness down there, I’m post menopause so combining that with chemo!!
I’ve seen YES (corny name) recommended by several ladies so am going to give that a go!
Had my first herceptin today so am still sat on the ward in case I hsve any serious side effects, all good at the moment - first T chemo tomorrow
Take care
Jude x
Hi Jo
Good luck with the T - hope you get on ok with it, I’ve got my first one tomorrow. Not sure what to expect!
Take care
Jude x
Hi Jude
I’ve just booked on (or rather attempted to book on) to a ‘Feel good look better’ session to be told there’s a 2-3 months waiting list. This is a bit of a downer as I was hoping to be taught how to makeup my eyes to compensate for lack of lashes.
I think you can order instructional CDs so might do that while I’m waiting for my number to come up!
I’ve read about YES but not given it a try yet. I’m currently using Replens MD which can be used all the time - not just when getting frisky ?. Will report back on the success or otherwise!
Good luck for tomorrow - hope the new regime goes ok
Sue xx
Hi Sue, LGFB is supported by lots of high street brand, including Boots, Clinique etc. If you go to one of those they will show you how to do your brows, put on false lashes etc. Maybe even give you some freebies!!! Still go on LGFB though!!! It is worth the wait ?. Kx
Hi Sue
I must book a lbfg course, I was waiting until my eyelashes & eyebrows had gone so they could show in real time! There are quite a few courses around me so I should be able it get on one in one of my good weeks - hopefully!
Look forward to you reporting on the down there products!
Take care
Jude x
Hi Jo
Well done on the first T - how long did it take?
Have they given you injections to do at home to generate the white blood cells?
Hope you have a reasonable night - take care
Jude x
Hi Jo
Thanks for the info
Have to say at the minute I’m preferring T to the EC I had previously! I agree that the E (the red one was awful)
I had no reaction to the herceptin on Monday just a long day as you have to stay on the ward & be monitored for 6 hours, but due to the steroids I barely slept Monday night!
The T was fine, no nausea or sickness & I ate as normal yesterday - did go to bed around 9.30 though & slept really well. Long may it continue
Take care
Jude x
Hi Jo
I’ve had another good day today & even went for a 5.5km walk - I do find that I need the fresh air & I think walking mainly on my own gives your brain a bit of processing time (if you know what I mean!)
I will await the tingling to start! Hope yours isn’t getting any worse
Also I’ve been swilling with the mouth wash to try & avoid any mouth issues, as with the first EC I did get mouth ulcers
Take care
Jude x
Hi Lovely Ladies,
Jude & Jo – Well done on getting through your first T/Herceptin – another tick! It’s good to hear how you are getting on, I have my first next week (12th) and I’m really hoping I can avoid the nausea (which was by far the worst SE for me during FEC), but will have to wait and see!
Sue – thanks for bringing up the topic of ‘’dry bits’’ – I’m not aware of any other products other than those already mentioned by you and Jude.
I can highly recommend the Look Good Feel Better course…even if you go just to get the goody bag which is great! They introduced different colours for my eyes and lips that I wouldn’t have used otherwise and really liked it!
Take care everyone,
Cat x
Hi Ladies. Doesn’t appear to be any recent comments but perhaps looking in wrong place?! Hope you’re all doing ok. I questioned why I was putting myself through this **** but few people said how would you feel in future if you didn’t have what’s offered. Last of 3 FEC yesterday and then pacetaxol for 12 weeks then radiotherapy. It’s a long haul but there will be end to it!!! Keep strong ladies. Love and hugs to you all ???
Hi all,
A little unsure of how this works. I have just finished my 3rd cycle of FEC and due to have my first of 3 T on 22nd this month, Just wondering if the SE from the T are likley to be as bad as the FEC ?? My cancer is triple negative and is currently also sat in atleast 3 lymph nodes, hoping having the chemo before surgery was the right move, feeling confused and wondering why I’m putting myself through it all
Hi Memar. I am TN too, although I had surgery first. Talking to the surgeon and oncologist they said it would make no difference to the outcome but the surgery may be less if the chemo shrinks the tumour.
Re chemo, I found FEC made me feel like I had a bad hangover for three or four days, which I could keep on top of with the excellent anti sickness and painkiller meds I was given. I then had two good weeks and could make plans etc. I found the Y cycles more difficult because you don’t feel sick so are ok for the first few days. I then went downhill mid cycle, feeling very tired, with diarrhoea. Had a few days in bed but better in the last week. I found that I couldn’t make plans with T as I didn’t know how I would feel day to day. But do remember it is different for everyone!
I finished chemo on Wednesday ?. Start rads at the end of the month. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and feel free to ask anything! Kxxx
Hi Jo. I took codeine for the bone ache. My GP advised not to wait until the pain got too bad. I found my mouth was hideous, it felt as if it was covered in lard. I couldn’t taste anything and my tongue felt numb. Unfortunately it didn’t stop me eating and I craved sugar and salt! I have put on all the weight I lost☹️
My worst SEs with T were diarrhoea and indigestion. I got a few hot flushes but no prolonged temperatures. Just taking it easy and looking forward to the drugs leaving my system.
Good luck with the rest of your treatment. Kxx