Thanks, hoping its mostly chemo related and improvements are in the post once I finish towards the third week in December. The EC was really hard in the end, this PacX is a little better but still some of the joint and muscle pain takes your breath away some days. Just two more to go!
Hair has been shaved in the shower for the last couple of months and my eyebrows and eyelashes are like 70% gone too now. End of chemo (assuming no further delays) on 18th December so hoping for a few new tiny bits of follicle activity from Santa. Failing that I will be just enjoying knowing there are no more chemos to come. It feels a bit weird thinking its all coming to an end. I looked at my work diary today and was putting in appointments where there were no treatments or blood tests, felt quite emotional.
The joint pain is rubbish but I can handle it for five or six days knowing it fades away after that, just another handful of weeks of unpleasantness.
Re: Drinkies. I have had a few glasses on and off on my better days, last week went out for tea in the pub and it felt almost normal for a couple of hours. Some chilled out plans to get past the last of the chemo fatigue around Christmas and then the fires are set under my feet for creeping out of my very small world that has been 2025.
Thanks @sunshine-smile for the puppy pictures. What a gorgeous dog.
There is alcohol mixed with the paclitaxel. It’s enough to trigger a positive breathalyser test if obe drove within 2 hours of the infusion. The other reason for not driving is the antihistamines.
Sorry so many of you have had such nasty joint and muscle pains and other side effects like altered taste. Sounds rubbish.
Are people starting preparing with skin massage/moisturiser for radiotherapy? I was going to start 2 weeks before.
I had a weird ankle/ calf pain for a week that disappeared spontaneously on Monday when I climbed a steep mountain. Chemo is full of surprises . I have about 3 hairs per eyebrow now. Also noticed a few near fainting moments which is definitely paclitaxel.
I have asked for 1 set of bloods 2 weeks after my last chemo..this is not routine at all but I want to know if my white cells and neutrophils have recovered well by then so I can start seeing patients in person:). Also will be good to know before christmas. The nurse i spoke to was so accommodating, particularly as they discharge people straight after final chemotherapy usually.
I’m wondering how to celebrate the removal of my picc line next week……quite excited about that. River swim ? Can’t decide.
@sunshine-smile what a gorgeous puppy, he will certainly keep you busy.
Its so good to hear that quite a few of you will be finishing with the chemo side of things soon, and you have either operations or radiotherapy to go. I’ve got my 2nd doxetaxel cycle on Monday 1st December, my 3rd cycle on 22nd December, so Christmas might be postponed until after the last cycle on 12th January.
I find that some foods taste ok when I first eat them, but then a get a horrid lingering taste after swallowing, its very strange, and has put me off of some foods.
I never really lost all my hair, some parts of the scalp were shiny, but some tiny hairs stayed attached to my head. I don’t know if that’s because I sleep on silk pillowcases which are supposed to be better for hair and skin.
That’s my final chemo done woohoo and they took my PICC line out so I have my arm back . I get a bit over a month off now, apart from radiotherapy planning scan (17th) and flu/covid jabs on the 19th (they called me really late, not sure it’s worth it at 5hat point but figured I may as well get them done) and I also need to get my contact lens prescription checked. But no running up and down to the hospital until early January -date tbc on the 17th - and no waiting around for district nurse. So I’m just planning to rest lots and build up my strength for January.
My mum and sister are visiting this weekend but staying at a local hotel. I’m bracing myself to be under house arrest (mum ) but hope we might get out for a coffee or two.
@sunshine-smile what a gorgeous bundle of fluff . Enjoy the puppy craziness, it goes far too fast.
Hugs to everyone else, hope you’re all getting on ok xx
Thanks all for the puppy love, he certainly is a cutie but yes a lot of work and fun ahead!
@outdoorsy interesting, I thought someone had told me that but I can’t retain anything in my brain at the moment! And yes definitely not driving after those antihistamines! Shame the drowsiness doesn’t last until bed time.
So far (day 4) of second Pax my joint pain doesn’t appear to be as bad as after the first one, but I’ll wait until the weekend to judge that! I definitely feel that coming towards the end is making it all a little more bearable.
I’ve been trying to moisturise as much as possible already and making sure I try and do as many stretches as possible. I think that’s all we can do really to prepare for radiotherapy.
It’s so nice to have the PICC line out. I know it means I’m going to have to be jabbed a bit more, but it will be worth it. I’m hoping to get back in the gym as soon as the dressing comes off to start building back up.
@pips12 your hair sounds the same as mine, still some tiny hairs attached! xx
@bramble1 congratulations!! Chemo done and PICC line out Have a lovely weekend with your family xx
Have a good weekend everyone, as much as possible! Nearly December (I put my tree up last weekend, just in case I have to take it down early when Roscoe arrives ) xx
@sunshine-smile we picked up our current dog at the end of November 4 years ago, the tree itself survived but she did crawl underneath and chew through the fairy light lead . Roscoe Might be a bit big for that trick (we have a very petite sprollie - working cocker/working collie cross) so she had no issues investigating, but might be worth covering the lead if you can. Also (probably goes without saying) be super careful putting early presents underneath in case he decides to eat them
@bramble1 I’ve got a little green fence that I’ve put around it already, so I’m hoping that will be enough to stop him getting to the wires. I think I was more worried about him jumping up at the fence and getting to the tree. I’m sure it will be fine, he’s not going to be unsupervised around it and it was the perfect reason to get the tree and lights up early! I think I’m now more worried about the toilet training and night time toilet breaks in the winter a summer dog would have been much more straightforward! xx
Aww fantastic news @bramble1 that you are done with it, and through the other side! Well done I’m busy counting down, and can’t wait to join you on the other side! Sending hugs xx
@nutmeg5326 I had my 2nd round of Docetaxel and Phesgo 20 Nov 2025. I was put on a reduced dose because of the side effects which were horrendous. I was good for nothing for about 16 days out of my 21 day cycle after the 1st round. I visited the 24/7 clinic and the staff sorted me out and reassured me about the treatment. I did not experience such severe side effects with EC. This time on the reduced dose the side effects were less but appetite, taste, bladder control, fatigue, skin rash, eye twitching have all happened. Like you I long for normal especially as we approach Christmas. My husband keeps telling me it’s temporary but I find that I’m not consoled by that. I just want the surgery and end of chemo to be here as I want to really look forward to 2026 and getting through this. Good news though my tumour has shrunk
I think my hair is starting to grow back! I have a white fuzz all across my head after not shaving it for a couple of weeks. I wonder what will return? A head of baby hair but white…. ?
I completely relate to this…it’s so hard isn’t it. I’ve now had five rounds (out of 7) and people keep saying to me “wow only two left” For me, two more just feels insurmountable, especially with the pressures of Christmas coming up. I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’ve always tried not to wish my life away…but I am definitely wishing these final weeks of chemo away
So I ended up with a raised temperature last night so ended up in hospital! Been discharged with antibiotics for a week and Round 6 (which was meant to be tomorrow) has been delayed until Dec 11th. The timing of this however does mean I should be okay for Christmas which is a relief - it’s hard work pulling off Christmas magic for three children in the best of times
Also, met with the oncologist today. He’s going to change me from Doxetacel to Nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) for my last two doses. He said the side effects are gentler…but because it’s expensive he’s not allowed to give it unless he can justify it (in my case he can now say I wasn’t handling the Docetaxel well). This gives me some hope that I’ll tolerate the next two rounds a bit better
And some really good news is that according to my contrast mammogram, my 53mm tumour is now 15mm
@outdoorsy Thank you. It’s amazing how different everyone is. I think if it was one or two side effects then I could cope better. The worse are bladder control (Tena are making a fortune out of me) and also the mouth, loss of taste and appetite plus the other nasties. I am having next round next week so close to my birthday and some Christmas meals which I may not be able to eat but enough away from Christmas itself so am hoping I will be on the up 25th Dec onwards.
@nutmeg5326 pleased for you that the treatment is being modified to help you through it. My dose was reduced by 20% - not a great deal of difference but some. Great news about the tumour
Hello everyone! Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet again, just catching up now! I’ve been feeling good post final chemo, been in work (actually in the office which was nice! Masked up of course, feel like I don’t go anywhere unmasked at the moment) and I’ve popped my tree up to try to lift the Christmas spirit some as it’s a wee bit lacking at the moment! I do have a Christmas Day out on Saturday for some cocktails (non-alcoholic for me) and a nice dinner, so I’m hoping that help brings the Christmas cheer too! I’ve been out walking more and have even managed some home workouts this week. I’m at the hospital tomorrow to get my savvy scout fitted for surgery, because my tumour is gone on scans they need to pop that in my breast where my previous marker is so the surgeon can see where to cut out. The scout sends out radio waves and the surgeon uses a wand type thing to be guided to where to cut - how amazing is technology?? I have my first solo phesgo on Monday - it will be weird going to the chemo ward and just being in for my injection then leaving! Had my pre-op today too and surgery is in just over a week so between trying to get everything sorted for Christmas and prepping for that (exercises are a go!) I’ve been kept quite busy and grateful to both physically and mentally feeling good for the moment the mentally part can be a bit up and down though as you’ll all be aware of!
@emma-jayne how are you feeling now? Have you had your pre-op? And did you get an answer about the serum? As I said, I’ve been using throughout with no issues but I know my breast nurse advised patch testing for any new products I want to use, just in case I have had any changes to skin sensitivity through chemo. I’m planning on starting to use my rosemary serum again for my hair from next week so we’ll see if that helps my hair growth come in healthy! I have also heard good things about Nioxin - a lady I follow on Tik Tok uses that and she’s like 8 weeks post final chemo and her hair growth looks amazing!
@pg92 how is your mouth doing now? My taste is back and I’m enjoying food now thankfully. It’s only recently come back though!
@outdoorsy did you manage that river swim to celebrate getting that PICC line out?
@sunshine-smile not long till you get Roscoe! Such a good name by the way and he is so adorable how are you feeling post chemo number 6?
@bramble1 yay for final chemo! how are you feeling now?
@scubacat i struggled with my Docetaxel too after tolerating EC. Apparently if you tolerate one well, that other can be hard by my chemo nurse had explained that Docetaxel is a particularly brutal drug. And with us getting it alongside phesgo, that can also have its own side effects. How are you feeling now with the reduced dose? And yay for tumour shrinking! Amazing news
@nutmeg5326 amazing news on the tumour! It’s so nice knowing the chemo is doing its job isn’t it? Hope your new drug is kinder on you
Hi @louise15, so lovely to hear that you are feeling more “normal”, and back to doing some of your normal life things, and feeling better not just physically but a little more so both mentally & emotionally. I know there’s still a long way to go for all of us, but having chemo ticked off is such a big milestone. Hope the hospital visits went well, especially the marker insertion.
Glad to hear you have your taste back & enjoying food. Sadly I’m still suffering somewhat, and not really enjoying eating other than the protein bars. My nurse told me to try scraping the tongue with a soft brush as it will help. I think it has a little, but going yo get a proper tongue scraper. My weekly Paclitaxel is just building up I feel, so not getting any respite, and have to anti-sickness tablets daily, and back on ginger biscuits too.
But counting down…….and can’t wait for it to finish in mid Jan. Sending love to all xxx
. I have about 3 hairs per eyebrow now. Also noticed a few near fainting moments which is definitely paclitaxel.
and they took my PICC line out so I have my arm back 
but staying at a local hotel. I’m bracing myself to be under house arrest (mum 
) but hope we might get out for a coffee or two.
. Enjoy the puppy craziness, it goes far too fast.
Have a lovely weekend with your family xx
(I put my tree up last weekend, just in case I have to take it down early when Roscoe arrives 
. Roscoe Might be a bit big for that trick (we have a very petite sprollie - working cocker/working collie cross) so she had no issues investigating, but might be worth covering the lead if you can. Also (probably goes without saying) be super careful putting early presents underneath in case he decides to eat them 
I’m busy counting down, and can’t wait to join you on the other side! Sending hugs xx
?
the mentally part can be a bit up and down though as you’ll all be aware of!
how are you feeling post chemo number 6?