Itās quite normal to not feel anything when you finish parts of your treatment if there is something more to come. With surgery next, itās not over for you yet, but you will get there.
I had surgery first then chemo with Herceptin ( the later lasting 1 year), then radiotherapy after chemo. I didnāt feel my treatments had finished until my last Herceptin injection on 15th September 2024, surgery was 5th July 2023. Iām on aromatase inhibitors and Zoledronic acid but I feel that is now more the maintenance. I had my last Herceptin at home so no bell to ring, on the HER2+ and need some buddies thread it was suggested to āslap a benchā when treatment finishes. This was due to the fact that some centres donāt have a bell as many patients donāt āfinishā their treatment as itās ongoing, thinking about them itās understandable.
@chita sorry you felt you had to decide there and then. Is there anyway you can call your own breast care nurse to chat it through some more. Write down any questions you have so you feel better informed. I suppose when they book you in for surgery they need to know what is happening to allocate theatre time and how many operations can be done that day.
For me I have radiotherapy on both boobs as I had a tumour in each. Radiotherapy didnāt shrink my boobs, they became a bit bigger for sometime due to weight gain with chemo/steroids. Iām now back to my pre operation size, I have bra checks at M&S and wear their full support non wired. Due to the position of my scars I canāt wear wired bras as they rub. I was warned they could shrink but it doesnāt happen to everyone.
You can also call the BCN nurses on 0808 800 6000 9-1 Sat or 9-4 Mon to Fri.
No not at all - I had my last and 8th round on Wednesday. Friends and family are delighted for me - which is very kind but I feel a little ānumb and detachedā.
Just feel a bit battered after the last 6- 8 months -and although incredibly grateful that I appear to have had an okay Chemotherapy journey in comparison to some of the really brave women on this forum - I still feel quite meh.
While I feel that the vast majority of my relationships/ friendships have been strengthened and deepened by this experience - I have been hurt by 3 friends not been there for me.
Ironically these friends are the ones that I would of provided huge support to over the years - one for instance suffers from chronic lymes disease. They just couldnāt cope with the role reversal - I was very upset initially - particularly when some of their responses/actions were quite manipulative in that they attempted to constantly minimize what I was going through so we could pivot back to their issues. Despite my thinking I am intuitive and self -aware to be honest I āonly cottoned onā to this behavior about half way through my treatment.
The diagnosis has also had a big impact financially given I am self employed.
So I guess I am ācoming out the other sideā and still trying to assimilate it all. I am also of course conscious that I have 20 Sessions of Radiotherapy ahead of me!
Make sure you moisturise your boob(s) during radiotherapy. I used Radiderm R1 and R2 and had no reaction at all. One was a cooling gel the other a moisturiser. Won via Instagram from Dr Liz OāRiordan. My team recommended to use normal body cream to prevent any allergic reactions, otherwise those aimed at eczema such as QV, Epiderm, Cetraban. Radiotherapy can cause at a lot of fatigue so be kind to yourselfā¦ 20 session is nothing to be sneezed at.
I had 5 high doses and was so pleased due to travelling distance of 30 miles each way and research has shown itās as affective as 15 lower dose. Assuming your extra 5 doses are boosts?
Oral thrush was quite intense despite taking meds for it.
Zero muscle energy especially in legs.
Lack of appitite, nothing makes me feel hungry, everything tastes wrong. Infact, the texture of most foods are making me gag when trying to swallow it. Yet I STILL pile on the weight!
Very bloated, and my stomach is totally out of proportion with the rest of my body. I look like Humpty - flaming- Dumpty.
Hands and feet occasionally tingly, and generally feel depressed. Sick of feeling crap to be honest.
Wake me when its over!
I know Iām supposed to be ākindā to myself. but I donāt feel like I can enjoy anything feeling like this.
I dare not look in the mirror anymore, as that just sets me off.
I reckon Docetaxel has really challenged my mental health , even though Iām doing everything in my power to keep on top of it.
I just want to feel normal, now. Iāve had enough.
Sorry, I canāt be possitive right now. Iām SO hoping this will pass soon. All 3 Docetaxel cycles were the same.
Hey @tigertot - I have been wondering how you are getting on. I feel exactly the same and have read that docetaxel impacts the mental health. It gets me on day 3 for sure. X
@tigertot@sbee i hope you both feel better soon itās terrible. I had my last docetaxel/carboplatin nearly 5 weeks ago and I am starting to feel a little more normal although I am still struggling with textures of food I hope it gets better itās everything I used to love is it with you too? I didnāt realise docetaxel impacts your mental health as I am struggling in this way too. Letās hope this passes soon xxx
Yep @anb1 seems it tends to attack mental health. As Iām just learning.
I mean Iām already on Fluoxetine and have been for many years anyway. But Iāll be buggered if Iām going to up them.
Iām a rattling meds cabinet as it is , which as @sbee has said previously, and myself are finding quite hard to accept, as I personally go down the good diet and natural remedy way best I can.
I know what you mean I have surgery 10 July then more treatment do you? When I had my pre op they could tell I was struggling mentally I am going to ask for counselling after my op. I too rattle with the amount of tablets I have been on xx
@sbee Yes all done thank goodness, - day 10 since last infusion.
@anb1 I had mastectomy first as I requested due to Grade 3 tumor, then chemo. Next is 10 year hormone therapy.
Wishing you all the best for 10th July, just one step at a time x
Iām so sorry youāre feeling alone. As @naughty_boob mentions our nurses are here for you, please donāt hesitate to give them a call to chat things through. They are incredibly kind and knowledgeable. You can reach them on our helpline 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.
Outside of these hours, the Samaritans are here to listen 24/7. You can reach them on 116 123 or find out more on their website: Contact Us | Samaritans.
The forum is always here for you, please know that weāre thinking of you.
everything makes me feel sick x