Camilla I had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. I couldn’t get a front opening bra so ended up with a soft ( not underwired) one with a larger back and smaller cups than my usual. I didn’t have any drains to cope with. I did have some swelling but it wasn’t too enormous - basically just put my breast back to the size it was before the lump and margin were taken out.
The sorest part was under my arm where the node had been removed. Putting the bra on was a struggle to go home that night because of that but my husband helped me to get dressed. After that it quickly became much easier especially after the exercises. The lumpectomy site gave me no trouble at all. But make sure you have plenty of good pain relief and I used a cushion at night to support my arm so that I could get some sleep.
Oh yes I completely forgot about the cushion for support - again they gave them out at the hospital but I had one made for me too. Heart shaped to fit under your arm but any cushion good. Took me over a month before I could sleep on my side so hubby also bought me a giant u-shaped cushion which was fab.
Hi sorry to change the conversation but a quick question I had 5th doxcetaxel on tue and the hot and cold sweats are driving me crazy at night and constantly waking me x
Has any one any tips ? X
On my last chemo (1st docetaxel) I got really shivery at night and took a hot water bottle to bed. Had it stuck at the small of my back as it was the only relief I got from the shivers. I then found by the morning I was sweating but couldn’t find any way to relieve the hot sweats sorry. It really only lasted about a day and a half like that before I started to feel a bit more normal again.
Chrissy if this is hormonal sweats I sympathise! I’ve had them for the last month and it’s miserable at times. Duvet off - just the cover and a light blanket which usually gets kicked off too ! Fan if needed but too noisy for my liking. Window wide open even if cold outside. I’m cold most of the time but if I try and wrap up it just sets them off. Might buy one of those cooling pillows as mine gets turned over constantly. Hoping it will settle a little once off chemo but who knows.
Thanks girls yes I hope it goes after next chemo it’s horrible and so disturbing at night xseeing oncologist fri so will ask if any help . Has anyone tried sage tea ? X
Hi Chrissy night sweats are awful aren’t they? I am 4 weeks post last chemo and still having. My only tip is to keep a wet facecloth next to bed and when I wake up with one put on head or back of neck -helps to a degree… it’s the insomnia they bring rich is also challenging!! Chemo the gift that keeps on giving?
Anyone suffer with fluid retention? Really struggling with that at mo.
Afternoon everyone - hope you are all sorted with the hot flushes - I barely use a duvet and have window open all night - just too hot. Had 3rd Docetaxol last Thursday and after an initial good couple of days I am struggling to feel well - nausea and disgusting taste in mouth that just keeps lingering ?
Was feeling really good this morning and mowed the lawn, went out for lunch and just felt horribly sick and had to come home ? - so fed up of it. Sofa is my best friend atm.
At least the sun is shining and I can watch hubby working lol?
Hoping to get away next week for a break so let’s hope this weather holds ?
One more to go - can’t wait!
Take care everyone xxx
Hi All,
Back on the treatment tricycle today. Saw oncologist yesterday and she has knocked the docetaxel down a notch in the hope it doesn’t send me quite so low this time round. She was concerned I might not have recovered enough for treatment today but temperature check and second blood test were ok. My haemoglobin was bizarrely low but apparently possibly just a blip but good excuse to treat myself to a few nice steak dinners! Steroids have kicked in so am ravenous again although I also couldn’t get a decent sleep last night because of them. Had my treatment today and so far feeling ok now that my brain freeze has cleared! Cold cap has been working pretty well for me. Hair still hanging on in there. My eyebrows have more or less completely gone now apart from one remaining hair and some stubble! Very few eyelashes too. I went out to a friend’s wedding party on Saturday (not the one in Windsor ?) and tried putting on mascara for the first time in ages. There was barely anything left to catch it?.
Hope everyone is coping and able to enjoy a bit of fresh air and sunshine. I’m making the most of it while I can as I’m expecting to be flat out by Saturday. Hugs to you all xx
Hello girls
It’s so nice to hear from you all and I do wish everyone wellness through this horrible journey.
Thankyou for suggestions re hot sweats I think either I’m getting used to it or sleeping commando is helping . God help if anyone sees me at night with my firm implant, dangly fried egg boob,wiggly wire (Hickman line) and no pubes ! Oh and bald head !
Anyway I agree yes the doxcetaxel is yuk I too have such yuk mouth changes aches and pain . Think the Gcsf doesn’t help either .
But I’ve also got red rosey cheeks that I look like a gnome and my left hand finger tips are numb like pins and needles . Has anyone else the same .?
Still got nails lifting and all the nails hurt . I too will have 1 to go potentially on 5th June ! Then I’ll be onto radiotherapy and possibly auxiliary clearance but won’t know until they have a meeting to decide .
Hope everyone is managing this poison but we’re all getting there in a strange way I feel it’s gone quick but also it seems that it’s been forever xx
Hi Ladies
Well done Daisy to making it to the end of this stage ?. Sounds like Docetaxel has floored most of us over the last few days. I don’t mind admitting i have felt sorry for myself the last few days. Side effects are taking their toll, although they don’t seem as bad as cycle 4. It’s the wobbliness, tiredness (slept for 12 hrs last night) and mouth issues which get me down. I kicked myself up the bum, painted my toe nails and got outside on a sun lounger today.
Question for all of you who have had nail issues … my finger nails were really sore and now two are lifting. How do you know when infections set in? The reason I ask is I took off my nail varnish and wish I hadn’t as they look disgusting ??
Love n Hugs
T
x
Well done Daisy for making it through to the last treatment. You’d think you’d be laughing all the way but emotions are all over the place. Hope the side effects are not too bad for your last time on the merry go round. Hugs due big style for reaching the finish line xx
Hi All, yesterday was my 100th day since starting chemo. Have been a lot better this cycle since the dose was dropped a notch however yesterday forgot to do my filgrastim injection and have had a bit of a relapse today. Couldn’t move this morning and have been flat out on the couch since I got up around lunchtime. Catching up on trashy tv! On the upside I have been sent my radiotherapy appointments and should be finished all treatment by the end of July - just in time for my parents’ diamond wedding anniversary! The end is in sight!
Fantastic news Wee Burd ! xx
Good morning all - currently sitting outside my Motorhome enjoying the beautiful views in the Lake District ? feels so good to be having a little holiday .
Macneech hope all goes well on your last lot today - agree the whoop whoop it’s over feeling will probably be when you have recovered from it - hope the SE’s are not too bad for you.
Wee Burd how great that you have an end date and a lovely family event to look forward to afterwards ?
Daisy hope all your house stuff gets sorted - as if we do t have enough to contend with -must be good to have your sons support to get you through.
Im hoping the good weather in the lakes continues before I get back for my last lot next week - feel like I’ve just about got over the last lot - although the tummy troubles grumble on.
Look after yourselves everyone xxxxx
Hi Ladies - bit quiet on here lately. Hope everyone is doing ok and not suffering to much with side effects. Big hugs to those with treatment this week .
Good luck Bibi with trying to find a bra - i found it a nightmare ! x
Hi ladies
Hope you’re all as well as you can be ?
Cycle 6 starts today so 14.5 days of chemo & feeling like crap here I come. It’s the last one of my original treatment plan - yipee. My PICC is coming out today to free me up from weekly maintenance appointments. I will be chemo free at least until I see the Onc on 16th July for the next plan of action. Next scan is not until 3rd July and I already have scan anxiety lol.
T
Xxxx
Hi ladies
Had my last chemo 6th doxcetaxel yesterday very restless night with steroids but I have to admit I’m so glad to finish and I know that by end of this month I should be feeling better. On 15th after oncologist meeting I should be able to find out when radiotherapy will start and if I am having axillary clearance. In a way I hope it’s just radiotherapy as I’ve heard that radio should do its job . I may have clearance done and then pose the risk of lymphodema and there may be no cancer cells there. On my SNB I had 3 glands removed and 1 was cancerous . Has anyone else had or heard similar things.
I’m thinking of doing the add aspirin trial too as I’m triple negative I won’t be able to have any more treatment after radio.
So chemo I’m really tired and have put on 17 pounds though ! My legs are really weak and I feel like a little granny . I was really fit before and can’t do to much so I’m hoping this will improve with time . Has anyone else had this . I’ve got all the other symptoms such as tummy issues nails tender and they appear to be lifting indigestion but omperazole is helping . Taste changes will happen soon .
Oh my hair has started growing back has this happened to anyone? but my eyebrows and eyelashes have nearly gone and I’ve got terrible night sweats.
With regards to those of you now under going surgery good luck . George is good for post surgery bras . Make sure you do your exercises and if you’re not ready for discharge say I stayed in 2 days after mastectomy reconstruction with implant and SNB .
Hope everyone is coping with the side effects.xx
Miss green I’ve still got my Hickman in they have said it could be a month before it’s removed x
Hi All, I am writing this from a hospital bed. Woke up yesterday with a temperature of 39° and was told to come to the hospital. Of course by the time I got here my temp was back to normal! However the most likely reason for the fever was an infection in my Hickman line so was given antibiotics and they took bloods to do a culture. Got a phone call today to say there are 2 kinds of bacteria in the line and to come back for some intravenous antibiotics. The consultant has just told me that they probably won’t use the line to do the antibiotics today in case it spreads the bugs around. Also that they may want to take the line out and do my last chemo in my arm. Just as long as there’s no delay to the treatment at this late stage. But I’m terrified at the thought of having the chemo in my arm again. Wish me luck!