Sam hope you’re ok after all that yesterday and well done on getting halfway. I think the mood swings are caused by the steroids I found whilst taking them I was ultra active and when they stopped really down in the dumps, just keep positive you’re doing really well.
Mamadeacs I had a severe reaction to docetaxel on first chemo when I also had herceptin. Oncologist then suggested weekly paclitaxel on a desensitation which is still from the yew tree but a different one. They packed me full of steroids and antihistamine but I still had a severe reaction within minutes again.
They have now switched me to abraxane which is a paclitaxel but in albumin pockets not solvent. Fortunately this worked for me otherwise there was no other option with the chemo. But be worth asking about this if you have another reaction but I’m not sure that all trusts fund it for primary breast cancer. I know they can only try it if you have two reactions due to costs. Good luck for Friday xx
So sorry everyone. Recent posts sound horrendous. Sending positive vibes and know that all over the country, wherever you are you are not alone going through this. We are on this journey with you, in spirit and empathy. Big hugs.
Hi Rabbit…it is scary. My Onc said your are more likely to have a reaction to both docetaxel and/or herceptin that the epirubicin. Even he is concerned about whether I will react again. I start on 8 dexamethasone from tomorrow for 3 days then 4 for 2 days and on Friday they will dose me up with hydrocortisone and piriton as well. Onc’s opinion is if I react to this I drop chemo and just try herceptin on it’s own. The trouble is they are never quite sure which ingredient the allergy is to. I’m glad your recent dose worked. Xx
Ladies I was just wondering how you cope day to day whilst going through chemo. Im 39 and my job requires me ro be out on site 50% of the time and the rest in a germ filled office so my doctor has signed me off during surgery and chemo treatment. I am still doing the occasional work from home.
Chemo pretty much drains me for the first 10 days and I literally struggle with more than a 20 minute walk each day (I was very active before this journey) and can go 10 hours a day wirh no-one to talk to Mon to Fri. I struggle wirh concentration now so reading I quickly lose interest and there is only so much TV you can watch!! Im starting to feel very lonely and isolated - what do you ladies do to combat this? Im dreading another 3 cycles feeling so bored, fed up and isolated!!
I agree with the mood swings in the ten days after treatment and just so tired . mamadeacs if they putting you heceptin which I believe is a targeted drug for HER2 positive why are you not having Perjerta as well as they are saying it is the new wonder drug for HER2 positive . It’s with an ask
Runaway girl sorry to hear you are feeling so down. I too have been working from home when I am up to it it helps me focus on something other than the illness and side effects and has really helped my mind x
Hi Cathsin…Perjita has never been mentioned. I bet it’s another ‘depends on which trust you are in’ thing. I will ask chemo nurse on tomorrow. Having docetaxel on it’s own this cycle. X
I just googled perjerta and it says it’s used in combination with chemo and herceptin for people with ‘high risk’ of recurrence. I’m only grade 2/stage 2 and no nodes affected so that puts me low risk. X
Runawaygirl…I was signed off whilst going through diagnosis and didn’t go in right up till Xmas. I was literally crawling the walls, constantly googling and was so low being at home. I’m now going into work around day 10-20 which has really helped my mental wellbeing and makes me feel some kind of normality. I’m in an office but I’m constantly hand sanitising/ anti bacing and just being ultra careful! Xx
I work for two councils where I was in contact with hundreds of people and general public each week and was told to stay at least until after chemo. I’ve been really neutropenic so it was the right decision. X
Yes Kirsty the post code lottery is disgusting . Mamadecs yes mine is a grade 3 and affected an intermammory lymph node so that’s why they have chucked the big gun perjerta at it I suppose x
PIP benefit stands for Personal Indemendance Payment it is not means tested and the form is a bit of a nightmare to fill in but get Macmillan staff to help you it’s about 55 pound a week and a bit more if you get the enhanced payment . A colleague of mine was awarded it for 18 months . It’s worth a go x
They don’t really ask about working but I am working from home it’s more about what help you need it’s worth a try . Will let you know if I am successful but you need to phone and make the claim asap as it will start from date younfiest made contact x
Hello lovely ladies x Waiting in the unit for my third cycle ? my daughter is still poorly so fingers crossed I don’t get it.
I know what you mean about isolated. You feel so awful with the side effects & not getting out doesn’t help. I don’t know if you’re in Facebook but I find that doesn’t help seen everybody getting on with their busy lives whilst ours is all around hospital appointments & feeling rough. I also have found that when I go to the school some of the mums avoid me or pretend they’ve not seen me. I feel like putting a sign around my next to say it’s not contagious!!
The PIP benefit is very hard to be eligible for. From what I was told you need to not be able to wash yourself/make food etc. That’s what the man in the Macmillan helpline told me xx
My colleague got awarded PIP FOR 18 months for breast cancer she I said going back to work next month. She got help from Macmillan filling in the form so fingers crossed if I don’t get it it was worth the try x
I had a lovely hand massage today and some flower remedies to help me sleep and my moods.
Am going to relaxation classes tomorrow
I had a great centre 10mins drive from me
They offer great services and a lovely cuppa
Xx big hugs