Jude & Bibi i too have piled on the weight. Doesn’t seem fair especially as we can’t taste what we’re eating most of time.
Macneech it sounds like you’ve had a rough time this cycle. Hope it settles down for you.
So after a lovely weekend of feeling normal it all came crashing down, mentally. Saw the Oncologist on Monday but it was a waste of time. The CT scan results hadn’t been looked at in full. He mentioned something about extending the chemo or maybe just keeping me on the chemo tablets once the Docetaxal finished with. I feel like I am limbo until I can speak to someone about the scan and what’s happening in my breast, chest and lung. Started round 4 on Wednesday and I feel like my body has been run over with a steam roller. My finger nails feel like they’ve been crushed or someone’s tried to pull them out. Not pleasant. Have to keep telling myself it’s all necessary but it’s not always easy.
The Oncologist offered to do an appt by phone if ai wanted but I like to take someone with me to appts as I don’t always take it in. The Oncologist said he wld struggle to get me into clinic so am due to see a Breast Cancer Nurse who specialises in Secondary BC next Friday but am hopeful she can see me before that. It’s the first time I have come away not feeling confident after an appt . X
Oh, dear Miss Green,my heart goes out to you…it’s tough enough having mets, without walking away from an appointment not knowing where you are…and also side effects don’t help eitherxx
Morning ladies - had a fairly quiet few days after round 5 - ?it seems to have passed without too much discomfort- certainly not as bad as last time . I also find ginger tea comforting when feeling queasy and seem to naturally not want milky things- and use soy milk when I do.
Hope you are holding up Miss Green - not having a good understanding of what’s happening and waiting round for answers are both stressful - take care.
Macneech I hope you have started to feel better x.
Hubby has been a demon in the garden despite the dreadful weather and I’m hoping to get some plants in soon and wait for some warm weather to enjoy them. Have a good week everyone x
Hi everyone hope you’re all well today. I have been quiet lately as I have struggled a bit this time round. Thought it couldn’t get any worse after my low point and I did have a good week when I managed to get out and about and was feeling fine. However at the end of last week I started feeling poorly again. Had chills and shivers and couldn’t get warm. Felt better on Friday and set off with husband, dog and number 2 son to visit my mum and dad who live near Inverness about 3 hours away. It was supposed to be a lovely visit to reassure them that I am getting on fine with the treatment. Instead I ended up spending most of the weekend in bed either shivering uncontrollably or soaking in sweat ?
I phoned the cancer treatment helpline and was sent in to the local hospital where they gave me a full check over and took bloods. All they could tell me was that I wasn’t neutropenic- huge relief - but there was nothing to indicate that there was anything specifically wrong so was sent home again. I felt greatly improved today thank goodness. I have my oncology appointment tomorrow and all going well will be having my first round of docetaxel on Wednesday along with herceptin which is the whole basis for me doing the chemo in the first place. I have my nails painted a nice dark purple in preparation for the potential side effects.
I so admire all you ladies being so strong and positive through the trials and tribulations of this awful disease and treatment.
When I went out for lunch with my friends the other week we had such a lovely time reminiscing about the friend we lost to cancer last year that we signed up to do the Race for Life in Stirling - we will be walking rather than racing! Now I am wondering if I will be able to get round the course at all. Hey ho - things could easily be worse.
Take care everyone x
Hello everyone sorry been bit quiet had my 1st doxcetaxel last tues was ok first few days then Sunday day 6 it all kicked in . So sleepy achy taste mouth changes and so constipated. Have been using movicol for constipation which finally has worked .
Wanted to ask any ideas on drinks to try as even water is yuk . Also is there anyone who has had surgery first and then chemo . My mastectomy implant side aches so much and where the Hickman is just touching hurts . Has anyone else experienced this . Today is my last day of giving myself GCSF injections but I’ve had horrible pelvic ache . Just taking no ibuprofen for pain relief .
On Sunday my molar cracked in half so have had to have temp filling my husband is scared to touch me incase I fall apart and to top it all our garage got broken into last wed morning . Luckily the neighbour had found our expensive hedge trimmers by her gate so I’m not going to bother to claim as the premium will go up .
Hope everyone is coping well like the pic wee bird and yes you are right it is like having really bad flu . I have never slept so much in my life x sleepy drawf would be proud of me x
Glad you’re feeling better Wee Burd. Sounds like you were really poorly.
Chrissy sorry to hear about your garage. Hope it’s not dragged you down too much. You have to go through without others making it worse. Glad you managed to get the tooth sorted.
I can see we’re all struggling with taste and bad skin. What a club we belong to !! Does anyone else find themselves not drinking enough because everthing tastes bad or is it just me? Water, squash, tea, fizzy drinks… they all just taste awful. I definitely found Aveeno worked in my skin but not on my hands. They are red raw, sore & will start peeling. - it’s Hand & Foot Syndrome apparently. Forgot to mention it to the Onc so spoke to a nurse today and it may mean chemo gets adjusted. Can also get infected. She gave me some Diprobase but said udder cream can help too. So if any of you ladies are having hand & foot skin problems please speak your a nurse.
Wee Burd your image of a rocket going off made me laugh out loud ? but know what you mean!
My itch is in same place - thank goodness for the Aveeno - Miss Green I have some of the udderley cream - was using it but didn’t help the itch, but now hands are dry so maybe Ill go back to that for my hands.
Chrissy how awful having a break in - it’s the kind of thing that would just set me off on a bad day. On Monday I was in a real funk as I didn’t know what to do with myself- not really sick, not really well, tired, didn’t want to read/knit/ watch tv / have visitors- the weather was rubbish , thankfully Tuesday the sun came out and I felt better- but it’s hard work at times.
Drinks - bleuh- when the taste is bad there is nothing that seems to help - flavoured water, tonic water, ice pops, chewing gum - try them all but it’s hard to get rid of that taste. Herbal teas I do like - ginger, liquorice are my favourite.
Macneech I’m having surgery after chemo but no reconstruction planned yet. Got a second ultrasound scan next week to check on progress and decide on surgery dates.
For the first time in ages I really craved salad yesterday - maybe the cake addiction will go, I’ll eat salad and the weight will go back to normal,?Our Motorhome came out yesterday - am feeling good , so hoping we will have a couple of nights away - v excited at the prospect.
Hi Chrissy I had surgery in December before starting chemo but it was lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on left breast so scarring is on front of the breast and under the arm and all well away from my Hickman line which comes down into the chest just above my right breast so no interference with surgery site. I would speak to the chemo nurses about it as they might be able to arrange for you to be seen again to see if an adjustment is needed for the line.
As for drinks so far I have been drinking varieties of green tea - with ginger or lemon, also redbush tea and Tesco do an apple and cinnamon fruit infusion that sometimes fits the bill. I have developed a very sweet tooth and was drinking Irn Bru like there’s no tomorrow but have gone off it again as the sugar tax means it’s now full of artificial sweeteners which I detest. Lidl do a range of pressés and I really like their blood orange and cranberry one. They also do an apple one and a Sicilian lemonade. I have been finding it difficult recently to know what I want to eat or drink as everything tastes metallic. I have gone right off ordinary tea with milk but enjoying coffee, especially if I can get a mocha! Tending to avoid anything milky other than that as it’s making me feel a bit nauseous.
I had dreadful constipation last time but ended up eating a couple of dried figs which got everything moving a bit too much however dried apricots were effective too without the “explosive” effects! I think I will go along these lines again if I need to although others seem to be having the opposite problem with docetaxel.
So sorry to hear about your garage. It’s the last thing anyone needs to happen. Hopefully no more trouble coming your way xx
Woo Hoo finally got my scan results. On the whole it’s positive and the poison seems to be doing it’s thing. One area has shrunk and one area is stable. The report missed one area off but that’s being chased. Nothing’s got worse which is the main thing.
Re eye issues – last cycle mine were really watery but not this time around. I haven’t noticed anything else but I will definitely be getting an eye test after treatment to make sure.
Re bowel issues – I was bound up the first 2 cycles but too be honest I was not a regular kinda gal to start with. However, the last 2 cycles I have been more regular and to the extreme where intervention was required.
Just wanted to say I find this Feb Chemo group so helpful. Thanks ladies ?. It’s good to know you’re not alone and there are people out there who pretty much know what you’re going through. With the best will in the world loved ones, friends & colleagues can sympathise but don’t know.
Woo! That’s great news Miss Green - always good to know the chemicals are doing something after all we go through with them. I have an ultrasound on Thursday no am hoping for some good news about shrinkage - last one showed it was stable but not changed , nodes descreased. So ? -trying not to think about it and enjoying the nice weather.
My eyes were watery on last cycle of Docetaxol but have not been to watery this time. Sometimes they just seem a bit more blurry than normal -hadn’t realised it was going to affect my actual sight Mojan, will need to get sight test after all finished .
I njoy the warmth everyone and take care if out in sun ????
Jencat I hope that 2nd T is better for me. I don’t think I could cope with going through this again. I feel like I’ve been run over by a bus! I couldn’t get out of bed yesterday until after 5pm and after feeling shivery all day when I did get up I was dripping with sweat and couldn’t get dry after my shower. By 9pm I was shivering again. Managed to get up at midday today and have finally felt like eating but it all seems to be going straight through me. Feeling very sorry for myself. The heatwave has finally reached us and I don’t even feel like going out into the garden ?
Hi ladies, yes, I’m also suffering a bit…Saturday was day three…and my legs again have tendency to swell, and my eyes are pretty sore. I even find that putting things on my head is uncomfortable…but I’ve now had 12 Paclitaxel in 4 cycles, and I’m finding it accumulative.
i think taxol and taxotere seem to have similar side effects…but I recall during my primary…I coped better.
the heat is also affecting me…I’m very envious of everyone who can just go out in the hot sun and also maybe even get away on holiday?
Hi all - hope all the problems are getting sorted for you - Wee Burd I suffered terribly with acid reflux on first FEC and am on Omeprazole- not a hint of it since - can recommend - can buy a version of it from high street chemists called Nexium.
I have been feeling really well on this second round of T and have been away for a few days in our Motorhome- it was bliss, cycling, walking, birdwatching, fresh air and general chilling - feel very refreshed and ready to tackle last cycle next week ! Scan tomorrow to check on progress and feeling hopeful there has been shrinkage. Have come back sneezing though and am hoping it’s not going to develop into a cold.
I have tried to keep active as much as I can and don’t expect to be wrapped in cotton wool but there have been days when I have felt so sick or fatigued I couldn’t have managed any exercise. I’m sure keeping active is good for the soul as well as the body but it would be awful if people were made to feel guilty if they weren’t exercising when feeling really ill.
Feeling positive! Had scan and the little bugger has shrunk!
Was feeling really nervous going in as last times hadn’t shown any change - but thanks to 2 rounds of T and Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab it looks like it is responding. See my oncologist Tuesday and hopefully last chemo next Thursday ??
have had first T and turning the corner except half tooth fell out so got to have filling Monday if I’m not neutropenic. ( luckily I found out to get checked as dentist never said , what a terrible thought that could have been .
moijan - hope your leg pains get better soon.
weeburd- don’t buy your scripts have you got medical exemptions card . I was on lansoperazole and gaviscon but didn’t help towards end of FEC I’m now on omperazole and it’s worked brilliant so go to your GP Or ring them like I did and they organised over the phone (telephone consultation- you won’t pick up bugs then )
jude51 I totally understand you with back ache . I have a repeat bone scan on 21st may due to lumbar changes I was told I’m hoping that it’s due to the op or the Gcfs injections I heard can cause them and I hope that it’s not bone cancer .
Bibi - I wish we had a holiday home oh I so need a break and the family but eldest daughter starts GCSES so not good time to go away and Youngest daughter is 12 and stroppy ! Ahhhhh !
Green damsel thankyou for the tip on coconut water will add to my tesco shop .
i know it’s not major but has anyone had fingernail changes I had ridges already but the white nail bit is going down the beds so not sure if lifting from beds . I did paint gothic colour but chipping so took it off to discover what was underneath.
2nd T (5th cycle ) due Tuesday good luck everyone talk about wishing my time away . Is anyone going for radio after ?
I only got around to painting my nails a couple of weeks ago, after cycle 4 of Docetaxel & Capecitibane, as they had been sore for a while. Like you i removed the varnish today, fingers only, to see what was underneath as they had become really sore and doing everyday tasks was becoming a pain in the bum. My nails have horizontal dark pink lines on them and they are discoloured but no lifting as yet. Will check my toes later.
Thanks for the tip re the reflux Chrissy I will give my GP a call. No need for medical exemption card as all prescription in Scotland are free. However if there’s something I can get over the counter I will probably just get that.
Green Damsel I haven’t been out shopping for ages but will be getting some coconut water when I go tomorrow.
Great news Bibi on the scan. It must be a great relief.
I finally seem to be improving today. Had a good sleep last night and have been able to get out for a good walk with the dog. Yesterday I started off feeling pretty good but was asleep on the couch by 2pm!
I have just been touching up my nails which are a lovely gothic purple. Not seen any changes so far. It’s quite a novelty for me to have painted nails- they usually chip so fast I can’t be bothered but maybe this life of leisure isn’t all bad!
I saw the article about exercise. I know that when I do get outside in the fresh air it really helps but there have been so many days when I have felt really awful that I would hate to feel under pressure to exercise. You can only do what your body tells you. I do wonder if any of the doctors who wrote the report have been through a chemotherapy treatment themselves?
Hi everyone, sorry to have arrived so late to to the party, but I’ve been reading the thread and wish I’d found you all sooner. I was diagnosed in December, grade 3 invasive ductal, and operated on (lumpectomy and sentinal node) two day after Christmas. I too was a February starter, FECT. I’ve cold capped and kept all of my hair so far, although it could still go after this (5th) T and another one still to go. I’ve certainly found this T phase harder, I bounced back from the FEC and the first T, and apart from the actual chemo day (Thursday) and the following day, I was back at work the following week. Not this time though, it absolutely floored me. Practically spent the whole week in bed, not sick or feverish or anything like that, just exhausted.
Also going through a divorce and the man I left him for turns out to be a bit of a dickhead, so just dumped him too. In for a penny…
Anyway ladies, just thought I’d introduce myself. And we’re almost there. killer drugs wise. I’ve got radio next, but somehow that feels less scary.
Sorry to hear you’ve struggled with your most recent round of chemo and found out your new man isn’t the person you thought he was. We’re a lovely bunch here even if i do say so myself lol.
. X