@vizsla_mum meant to say that if your BC is OR+ which 70% are then you will definitely be offered a hormone blocker. Standard NHS approach I believe.
1 Like
@anncuk thats good news about being signed off. Sorry about the delayed side effects - not something to look forward to for the rest of us! Also glad to hear youāre doing ok on letrozole. I hate the way they offer more drugs to deal with side effects - if your cholesterol goes up weāll give you statins, if you get bad joint pain (the most common side effect btw) you can take painkillers. What, for 5 years??!! I donāt think so. Another thing I discovered from another thread here is that maintaining a healthy weight, high fibre diet and exercising a lot all help metabolise oestrogen anyway - in the NHS thereās no wholistic approach to these things, no discussion of lifestyle or whether things can be managed differently without drugs. Iām not criticising as I have huge respect for all the staff and my treatment has been amazing. But it does mean that we have to sometimes take matters into our own hands and not just adopt the one size fits all we get fed.
Sorry, enough ranting from me!
3 Likes
Iāve got to have this conversation in more detail with my oncologist too. On the cards for me is targeted therapy & hormone blockers. All of which comes with side affects. That said , there are positive stories out there , itās not to say weāll get all the side affects.
Ultimately, itās our choice whether we proceed to go down the recommended route of treatment. I am so worried about reoccurrence though.
Exercise & diet will be a massive focus for me post treatment which should also help ref side affects.
2 Likes
@trixie17 there are some useful threads elsewhere on here about blockers, worth a read.
Is your targeted therapy herceptin/trastuzumab? 3 weekly injections? If so thatās same as me and I can honestly say apart from feeling a little tired, no side effects. Hopefully same for you 
I need to have a look.as Iām fast approaching end of chemo now @sam1204
Iāll either be on abemaciclib or ribociclib, Iām hormone positive , her2 negative.
1 Like
Iāve had some very good news today. Iāve only got to have one single EC chemo on Monday! Then a break for my immunity to build up before surgery which is scheduled for 7th July. (Single mastectomy with lymph node removal plus skin graft from my thigh as Iāve got secondaries on the skin on breast)
Iām so very relieved that I havenāt got to have months of EC on top of the 12 weeks of Taxol, Pembro and carbo Iāve just had. 
It was so thoughtful of my specialist nurse to phone and let me know instead of me waiting for my phone consultation with the consultant tomorrow.
7 Likes
Great news @sarahcatlover 
1 Like
Thatās great news! Hopefully will be followed by a few weeks of nice weather to mitigate side effects (I swear chemo side effects are worse on grey days)
2 Likes
Hi all just checking in I keep getting logged out and can never remember my password! I hope everyone is doing ok, last chemo for me next Wednesday. Swinging between elation and omg whatās this one going to throw at me! 
6 Likes
Last Filgrastim injection done!! Celebrated with a non alcoholic beer!
7 Likes
Wow, lots of ālastsā for lots of us on here 
! Great to hear .
2 Likes
Congrates to everyone who has completed what an achievement.
to be joining the completed club in 12 days
After another hospital stay and im wiped out and now just spending time sleeping or lying on sofa.
I have to try and make it to the end.
People reaching out in my dark moments has helped thank you
6 Likes
I wish I could be saying the same, Iāve got round 6 of Docetaxel in 14 days than another one after that. I thought EC was bad but somehow this one has been worse. The bone aches and sore tummy is horrible especially on days 6-8. Canāt wait to see the back of this then itās surgery next for me
Congrats to those that are ending this part of their treatment, routing for you all
1 Like
After being so relieved that Iāve only got to have one EC on Monday now Iāve finished my 12 weeks of Taxol with 4 Pembro and 2 Carboplatin, Iām finding that my emotions are all over the place. I keep crying, then feeling high, then being irritable and snapping without even knowing Iām doing it. Anyone else found that the chemo has built up and caused these emotions? I didnāt think Iād feel this now as I didnāt have chemo on Wednesday so Iām not on steroids right now. Iāve done well up until now with quite stable emotions.
The difficulty is that my partner and I were only together 3 months before my diagnosis so itās very hard to navigate this emotional rollercoaster. Itās amazing that he hasnāt run away! (Yet!)
2 Likes
@sarahcatlover I also feel irritable. I think itās normal. But I recognise it and take myself away from my husband as I think he takes the brunt of it. (On the other hand maybe Iāve always been moody.i donāt know anymore 
).
Seriously though, I am randomly down for no reason. I am looking forward to trying to get back to normal in a few weeks. Even if I donāt feel like it, life will go back to the way it was before. Same activities, same routine., same me.
3 Likes
@gheko sorry youāre still in thick of it. Youāll soon be at the end, it comes round quicker than you think.
After round two I was really down, and wondered how I could do it another 6 times.
But then after round three, I felt I was nearly half way and was much more positive. Now Iāve had 7, and itās unbelievable to think Iām nearly finished. 
Bone aches - I have felt better when Iāve kept moving, Antihistamines have also helped. My pain has lasted 48 hours generally, so itās good to know itās short lived.
Keep your head up. not long to go
4 Likes
I know not everyone can but I find if Iāve got pain or stiffness and/or feel cross or moody I just go out for a walk. Either a silent one or listening or some music or a podcast. Fresh air and just moving makes a big difference.
Hope those still struggling find some peace soon
7 Likes
Thanks for your reply. Good to hear itās normal !
1 Like
Thanks. Yes fresh air and birdsong or the sea helps.
4 Likes
Iāve only got to have one EC infusion which is on Monday but I feel very anxious about it as Iāve heard that itās much harder than the Taxol, Pembro and Carboplatin Iāve been on for 12 weeks. Also Iām already only at about 50% energy and lots of side effects. Logically I know that Iām so fortunate to only be having one infusion. I was so relieved a few days ago when I found out. So why am I so anxious now? Anyone good anything good to say about coping with EC?
3 Likes