Ive finished chemo. Line is out. Trying to get myself ready for radiotherapy on 18th.
No river swim yet due to floods and rain. I did a pretty post last chemo walk though.
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@outdoorsy Did your PICC line come out soon after your last chemo? My last chemo is 15 Dec and start Radiotherapy on 29 Dec so hoping PICC line will be out by then. Can’t wait to have a shower without having to put on a cover. Your walk looks stunning xxx
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I’m so sorry your taste is still affected - that would last almost two weeks for me, it’s awful isn’t it? I found I couldn’t really describe it to anyone how awful it was. I avoided any foods I liked when it was bad and had such a bland diet just to get some food in me. I did find water melon was something I could stomach as it doesn’t taste like much but was very refreshing to eat. Is your mouth sore too?
My hospital visit went fine, the tracker is all set up. My friends & family are joking about my bionic boob now! They showed me it on the mammogram after it was inserted and it was so nice not seeing that awful white mass on the mammogram and seeing a nice clear breast - other than my new tracker pal.
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@dianne3 yes. Straight after. Came out easily. Small yank at the end. I did have to remind them to remove it but otherwise it went well.
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It’s so lovely reading about so many of you finishing chemo. Congratulations on getting through the bugger and being so inspirational for the rest of us.
All being well my last Pacli should be on Tuesday and @dianne3 the nurses have already told me they’ll take my PICC out then too so hopefully you won’t have to wait any longer beyond your last infusion either.
Not sure if anyone else is taking Ibandronic Acid but I started that a couple of weeks ago (no big side effects to report but a right pain in arse having to stand up for an hour first thing every day before a cuppa or other meds).
I’m also due to start 3 weeks radio on 29 Dec (anyone else at Jimmy’s in Leeds?), and as I’ve already had 3 operations, no more surgery is planned. Due to start Ribociclib in Feb tho which will no doubt have its own joys but we’ll see - and am sure/hope we’ll all continue to share our experiences.
Lots of love to y’all xx
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Hi @louise15 Yes one week post chemo and I’m feeling great, last filgrastim jab this evening too woohoo. I’ve been tired this week, but my Mum and sister were up last weekend so I was busier than normal for the first couple of days after chemo, not sure if that’s why I’m tired or if it’s just relief of chemo being over. But I slept 11 hours last night which is unheard of for me - I’m normally fine on 7 hours - but I figure I need the sleep and it’ll all help rebuild my strength before radiotherapy.
@dianne3 they took my PICC out as soon as chemo was done rather than tucking it away again. It stung a bit as it came out but it was out in seconds. I had a small dressing to keep on for 24/48 hours so I used the shower sleeve over that the next day, then lost the dressing and showered completely naked the second day! Felt like a right rebel 
. My skin is almost back to normal now a week further on, just a few pink patches where the dressing was stuck on for 4 months but it’s all clearing up fast.
@pollypox I’m on ibandronic acid too (couldn’t face the infusions, so am on the tablets), I think I’ve done about 3 months now, and like you no side effects to report. I keep them by the bed, and if I have to get up then take one then shower and dress before I eat, or if I can be lazy then I take it and read sat up in bed. A bit of a faff, but you soon get used to it. I was more worried that I couldn’t drink water because I’ve had such a dry mouth on paclitaxel and have been drinking about 3 litres of water a day, including through the night, but that is ok apparently- if I have read the leaflet right it is anyway 
.
Hugs to you all especially those still plodding on through chemo xx
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Hi everyone, best wishes and hugs to those finishing their chemo, it must be such a relief to know thats over with. Hoping everything goes well for your next stages, either surgery or radiotherapy.
I’ve now done my 6th out of 8 chemo, my 2nd round of doxetaxel, just 2 more to do, scheduled to finish in January. So pleased now that the finish line is in sight, and like all of us beautiful, strong ladies, pushing hard to get there.
Take care everyone 
xx
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Hi @louise15 my mouth isn’t as sore as it was with EC. I’m on weekly Paclitaxel, rather than Docetaxel, which although it’s meant to be easier, means you don’t really recover between treatment. So my taste is just off constantly. Like you said, just eating to get something into me. Thanks for the tip on watermelon. Just suffering a lot now with fatigue, barely been able to stand. The cumulative effect of it all is taking its toll.
Glad to hear all went well at the hospital 
Hope you enjoy your time before the op, and build up strength with some good nutrition. Sending hugs xx
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Hi @bramble1 I too am suffering with a really dry mouth on Paclitaxel. Sipping water in the night to cope, and lots of mouthwash to try to refresh.
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@louise15 so pleased to hear you are feeling good - did you have a nice Christmas day out on Saturday? It will be good to get your surgery out of the way before Christmas so hopefully you will have enough time to be comfortable by then.
I’ve got chemo number 7 tomorrow (my penultimate one yay!) and then we go and pick up Roscoe on Wednesday - I’m so excited, a little nervous, but mostly just can’t wait for him. Haven’t felt too bad at all post chemo 6. First 7-10 days were pretty annoying with the achy bones but apart from that not too bad at all (apart from the hot flushes and lack of sleep!!). Once tomorrow is done it’s the home stretch.
I think I have my radiotherapy planning CT on Monday 15th (was supposed to be today but all pushed back due to the delays), then will be starting 3 weeks radio early-mid January. I’ve got my prescription for Exemestane to start 3 weeks after last chemo and I’ve got an appt on 7th Jan about having my ovaries out. Will start Ribociclib and Zoledronic Acid after radio. So still a busy month or two ahead.
Hope everyone is doing well xx
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@schwartzwald me too, a few darker ones. Nowhere near across all of my head but some on top and at the back. It definitely feels coarser so very hopeful xx
@bramble1 Glad you’re feeling good post final chemo too! I initially felt tired after chemo was done, I’m not sure if it was the post chemo come down or something - like just being in survival mode trying to make it through each appointment and then the relief causing The tiredness. I’m not feeling that way now though so it may pass for you. When is it you’re starting radiotherapy?
@sunshine-smile Saturday was so fun, it was just nice being out and socialising and eating some good food. I even enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine! And it was so nice getting dressed up glam too - feel I’ve been walking around looking like a hobo since I started chemo! yay for penultimate chemo! And also for getting Roscoe 
Sounds like you have a busy couple of months still with treatment. I am so happy being done with chemo, that I think that’s brightened up the fact I still have a bit of a slog to go still with treatment.
I was up at the chemo ward today to get my phesgo injection, and it felt so weird being in and out within the hour. I also had a catch up with the nurse who administered my first chemo (because of the change in my days I haven’t seen her since) and that felt a nice bookend to chemo that she was administering my first push post chemo. Though she has bruised me a little
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Haven’t been on here in a while. So good to see everyone moving on!
I’ve just had my first Docetaxel. Holy Moly!
I didn’t cope very well with EC, so was told that they weren’t even going to attempt a full dose of Docetaxel and it was reduced to 75%.
I’m glad they did! I couldn’t imagine a full dose of this!
Ticking them off - five down ( it’s only been five?!!) and 3 to go.
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Is anyone here premenopausal, no nodes, but having an aromatase inhibitor for primary breast cancer, with or without ovarian suppression?
Hi @louise15 I think the tiredness is easing - I only needed 9 hours last night but I don’t think the short days are helping either.
I don’t have an exact start date for radiotherapy yet, I have my planning session on the 17th where I think they scan me and work out angles and positions? I have to allow an hour for that. And they should tell me my start date that day. I know it will be early January, as they didn’t want Christmas/New Year delays. So I’m anticipating some time w/c 5th as I don’t think they’ll want to leave much longer than that from the final chemo (2nd Jan will be 5 weeks).
I have a video consultation with oncologist on 29th Jan to discuss abemaciclib and letrozole (oh the joys) so I presume she’s expecting me to be done and dusted by then. I just really want my dates so we can book a short break! But at least I get a nice break the next few weeks 
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Just had my COVID and Flu vaccine today and hope to keep the big bad winter bugs at bay until the end of the year where hopefully my immune system might be on a path to recovery.
Last chemo next Thursday! I cannot cannot cannot wait to be done with it. Only wish I could say it was complete but so very close now. I am so pleased to see many of us reaching the end of the very harsh part of the treatment.
Hair is still present on my head, about 2mm of it and very fluffy but all of my eyebrows and eyelashes have gone. Classic look.
Anyone else having pulsating pain across the upper back on paclitaxel? Just for 5 second bursts and often at night time when in bed but its very weird. I’ve had it every pacX treatment about days 5-8. Reliable timing and fading of symptoms so not too worried about it but it is very weird.
In other positive news, I have now booked myself in for two nice eateries between now and Xmas and have a couple of social meetings with more than two other people planned too. I’m not super social but I am ready to mingle after 10 months of a very shrunken world. Hope you all have some plans to lift your spirits very soon. x
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@preferablywithfood docetaxel is brutal! I was honestly shocked at how awful I felt and how may random side effects I had from that. Take care of yourself through it! You’re nearly at the end 
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@schwartzwald I had a similar thing on Docetaxel, it was like mid way up my back and was pulsating pain as you describe it. Same with it lasting a day or two and usually about 5 days in, was so weird. I’ve not had it since my final chemo though.
Glad you’ve got some nice social things planned! I have a Christmas craft night with my friends tomorrow and then resting up for surgery on Monday. Some tentative plans booked in across Christmas and new year week, we’ll see how I feel post surgery though. Nice being social after such a hermit period isn’t it 
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Sounds like the same neuro symptom, now on Day 7 and the back pain has gone away. Time to enjoy the next 7 days until the last dose next week. 
. I’ve gotten too used to being hermit like and come blinking out into the world some days like I’ve been living under a rock.
Best of luck for surgery next week @louise15, another step towards a return to new normal. Hope you have minimal pain and some good quality meds to help.
Went out today and realised I went out without my boob in. I have a new checklist before I leave the house… keys, phone, wallet, boob.
Ok, now we can go …
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Today I rang the bell to signify the end of my chemo journey. It has been 18 weeks of chemo infusions, steroids, scalp cooling, nausea, tiredness and bone pain. Why did I do it, simple answer is to give me a fighting chance of being here for many more years to come. I have had so much support and love surrounding me during this journey from family and friends. A massive shout out to the Nurses and Volunteers at The Combined Day Unit at the Royal Derby who made me feel so safe and supported during my treatment, they work so hard and do it all with empathy and humour, this is the NHS at it’s very best.
My PICC Line is out and I have had chemo and cold capped for the last time, what a milestone to achieve before Christmas and although there is still 3 weekly Herceptin injections and Radiotherapy to navigate I feel the worst is finally over 
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