Hi Chrissy welcome to the end of Docetaxel. Such a nice feeling. Today I feel amazing and when I feel like crap in a few days I shall remind myself that I am going to be chemo free for at least 4 weeks. Just hope the Oncologist doesn’t put me back on it. I was surprised the removed the PICC today but pleased as it saves me weekly visits.
Hi Wee Burd, sorry to hear you’ve ended up in hospital . Hope you feel better soon. Xx
Hi All. I’ve been absent for a while but thought I’d pop in to see how you’re doing. So glad you’re all reaching the end of the chemo, but gosh Wee Burd, going out with a last hurrah! I do hope everything goes ol from here.
I’m nearly at the end of my radiotherapy now. Finish on Friday. I’m feeling a bit tired now and then, working shorter days at work, but that’s mainly because I have a daily 140 mile round trip from home, work, hospital, home. I’ve managed it ok, with some days working from home (reduces the driving to ‘just’ 100 miles)! Also got a suntanned boob, only a touch sore under the arm.
I’ve had a zoladex injection to suppress my ovaries prior to having them out at some point, and expect to get letrozole today. I’m at the hospital now, ahead on my next appointment. Doing this as I have been on tamoxifen for the last 8 years and my cancer came back, so need to try something new.
Chrissy, I would have thought that if one of your lymph glands had cancer in, they will all have to come out. I’d want them out! One indicates there may be others beyond it. I went to a Lymphodema education session recently and there are things you can do to reduce the risk - it isn’t a given that you’ll have problems. I had them all taken from my right side 8 years ago and although that arm is a tiny bit puffy, my body has got used to it and manages my lymph Ok now.
Is anyone else here having Herceptin? How’s it going? I’ve had 6 of my 18 now.
Oh and my hair started coming back 2 weeks ago, and my eyebrows and lashes are making a reappearance this week! Yay!! Progress. Still need my wig though, for now.
Last Docetaxol done today - felt quite emotional leaving the unit - they have been an amazing support during this **bleep** time. Will still see them after the surgery as I am having herceptin injections too Macneech - have 14 to do as have had 4 lots whilst having the Docetaxol. Also having mastectomy and axillary clearance - said it would be 4-6 weeks from now so will be expecting appointments soon-also interested in any advice on that.
will then be having the radiotherapy. So still a long way to go but feeling like I’ve reached a big milestone today - still got to get over it mind - usually have a good a couple of days first whilst the steroids are in system so will try and enjoy the good weather - although having a new boiler tomorrow as that very annoyingly conked out just before we went on holiday- currently boiling water in kettle and having showers with bucket and jug standing in bath - oh joy !
Sending you hugs Wee Burd and hoping the infection hasn’t stopped your last treatment - I think the thought of it being delayed could be quite upsettting when you e had it mind this is the end - but you will get there so take care.
Thank you all for the support on this journey that we are all getting to the end of - hope we will still continue through the rest of the treatments it would be good to hear how everyone is doing. I will probably look on the surgery threads for some tips and advice so may see you over there as well- well done everyone for getting this far and take care for the rest of the journey xxxxxxx
Hi there everyone it’s good to see so many people reaching the finish line. It looks as if I am going to be cheering from the sidelines for a bit. The Hickman line was taken out this afternoon and I’ve been getting IV antibiotics through a cannula in my arm. However the same problems with my veins that resulted in the line have happened again and the cannula has now been removed and I don’t know yet what’s going to happen next. When the doctor this afternoon just couldn’t get a vein to take a blood sample it hit me that there’s no way I will get chemo in my arm next week. The only way to stay on track is to have a new line in place by next week but that seems pretty unlikely especially if they can’t check my bloods to see if the infection has cleared. In the meantime I am still in hospital but at least I have a private room (Infection control) with my own toilet and shower and a functioning tv as well as the WiFi password! I also have a nice view of trees and the Ochil hills and swallows and swifts flying up to my window. So although I have spent most of the afternoon blubbing, especially when the nurse tried again and failed to get some blood, I know things could easily be worse. I am alive and mostly healthy, the medics will find a way to complete the treatment and although everything will take a bit longer I will get there in the end. And my mum and dad will just have to have an additional late wedding anniversary celebration which I will enjoy all the more for having come through this setback. You never know, maybe I am being too gloomy and it will all work out!
Thanks for the support everyone. I’m genuinely inspired by all your experiences that you’ve shared and it’s really helping me through mine. Love and hugs to everyone - don’t let the treatment grind you down - we’ll come out stronger xxx
Oh gosh… Sorry ladies I haven’t been around for a while. I was struggling to clear dad’s house in between bouts of EC. Which I managed ok, fatigue was the main thing but I kept a good appetite and could squeeze at least a good 10 days of not feeling too bad between sessions. Not so docetaxel. I had my first last Friday. 7 days ago. It’s got progressively worse each day. Weak, dizzy, diarrhoea, just awful really. I had built up a stockpile of steroids which I didn’t really need on the EC. Now I really need them to function at all. It’s great to see you all coming to the finish. I next few days gets me a bit better. I did get quite low at one point but even though it’s tougher now I somehow feel bloody minded to keep going.
Hi everyone had last T last tues thought I was over things but wham today it hit me . Think it’s the steroids wearing off . I was that bad after going for my Hickman line flush etc I had to go back to bed. Eyes so blurry and really wobbly.
roll on the end of mouth. Got horrible mouth changes nails hurt back ache and so tired.
How is everyone else…? Iffel that this thread has come to its end of life now as everyone seems to be moving on. Just wanted to say thankyou for all your support and good health to everyone xx
Hi ladies, I got home from hospital today with oral antibiotics as the bugs were finally identified along with the drugs to tackle them. Frustratingly nobody could tell me today what the plan is now for my final docetaxel cycle as the oncologist was on holiday today. I have been told to go to my oncology appointment tomorrow and fingers crossed that someone will know what’s happening. I’m assuming that nothing will happen until I have finished the antibiotics, although I am wondering if I will get the herceptin as I don’t think that affects the immune system. Fingers crossed for some progress!
Hi Ladies
Glad to hear your out of hospital Wee Burd, hope the anti biotics do there thing.
Chrissy, sorry to hear you’re suffering with the dreaded aches and sore nails. Same here plus the usuall tummy gripes. Especially suffering with my right thumb. Struggling to do clothes up and even get my chemo medication out of the packets.
Not sure what’s happening chemo wise with me now as I had my last Docetaxel last Wed and take my last chemo tablets next Wed but don’t see the Onc until 16th July. Think I will just enjoy being chemo free for a while.
Love n hugs to all
T
x
Hi everyone! It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster this week. I was feeling so devastated last week by the vein access problems and anxious about the delay in treatment. I went to my oncology appointment yesterday and saw the pharmacist who had access to all my blood results from last week. She said it was all okay to go ahead with treatment (scheduled for today) provided there was access to a vein. If they couldn’t get one then they would just terminate the treatment on 5 cycles. So the chemo nurse had a look at my hand and arm. I think she must have been trained by vampires as she got a cannula in successfully! Once they knew it had been done the drugs were prepared and I got my last docetaxel there and then - a day early! I also got my herceptin so everything is still on track. Feeling ok and the steroids are kicking in so have been wide awake since 5am listening to the dawn chorus (and some snoring! ). I’ve been having diarrhoea a lot - it was bad enough with the last round of chemo but the antibiotics have made it worse. Hoping that will settle a bit but not go to the other extreme as I had very bad constipation last time round.
I still have hair on my head, no eyebrows, very few short eyelashes but no hair under my arms and barely any on my arms, legs or pubes. Looking forward to seeing it come back again although I have enjoyed not having to shave anything.
My nails are still okay. I don’t know if the purple nail polish did the trick or if I just didn’t get that side effect. My nails are actually looking better than they usually do!
I am determined to be fit enough to sing at my choir’s annual concert on 22nd June as I have managed to get to all but one of the rehearsals although I have put on too much weight to fit into my posh frock and will need to find an alternative outfit!
I have today free from treatment and my younger son is home from university so that’s a bonus.
On Thursday I go to Glasgow for my scanning appointment for radiotherapy which starts on 4th July and I have my first pack of Tamoxifen to start at the same time.
Progress!
Keep well everyone - we’re all reaching the finish line for chemo at least and what a struggle we’ve had at times.
I’m not looking forward to the inevitable dip but today I’m feeling so positive that I’m just going to enjoy it!
Hi wee bird and Bibi
I’m so glad you managed to get the next round of chemo and well done to the vampire nurse.
I agree with you about the weight gain it’s so annoying. I have bought an exercise bike but I’ve been so poorly I haven’t used it yet but like you said Bibi I will try exercises more ina few weeks.
I have felt terrible this week and usually by now I’m peeking up but I can’t stop sleeping that I’m like my cat ! The fatigue is so debilitating.
Well I’m waiting to see my onc today to discuss when radio will start . Fantastic you have a date already weeburd I have a funny feeling I won’t have a date today as I have to be referred to a different hospital. But I’m hoping they will tell me if they are going to do axilla clearance (previously I had SNB but have node involvement).
Good luck with surgery, in hind site I wished I’d had chemo first but can’t turn the clock back . Take it easy think this round is the worse so don’t book too many things unlike I stupidly did this week x had acupuncture yesterday which was nice xx
All the best everyone xx
Hi
Not sure if there is anyone left in here but need some advice. After suffering from bad nails for a few months I have finally lost one. My thumb nail came off today and I wondered do i need to do anything with the bare thumb eg. Cover it, use creams on it etc etc ?
Teresa
Hi Teresa
Nail or lack of sounds sore!! I haven’t lost nails they are all discoloured, some blacker than others but just really weak.
Does it look like a new nail is growing? If it looks clean and healthy I would just leave to air. If it’s a bit manky then maybe ask your pharmacist for advice, they may have a dressing you could use or failing that practice nurse.
How are you in general? Have you finished chemo now?
Take care hope the new nail grows back super quick!!
X
Hi kitty
The nail area is sore but only if I touch it. It’s actually less sore now the nail has gone. Don’t think it’s the only one that going to go.
I finished my original treatment last Wednesday. I had 6 cycles of Docetaxel & Capecitibane running concurrently. Chemo free at the moment until i see my Oncologist on 16th July to discuss my next scan which is next week. Think they are going to put me back on chemo but just Capecitibane.
Teresa
Hi Teresa I would agree with Kitty that as long as the finger is clean and not sore then probably best just to leave it uncovered. I’ve managed to keep all of my nails although some of them look as if there’s a new layer growing underneath the existing nails. I am enjoying the feeling just now of increasing energy levels and the knowledge that I don’t have to put myself through any more chemo. Beginning to feel that we might get our lives back soon after so long on hold. We have booked ourselves into a gastropub with rooms for 2 nights this weekend as a Little treat before radiotherapy starts next week. And I haven’t escaped the chemo ward entirely as I’ll be back there next week for the herceptin injection. But there’s an end in sight at last.
Hope your next scan shows positive results.
Hi miss green , kitty75 and weeburd,
Lovely to hear from you again and hope you are all ok.
Miss green I would ring the chemo ward for advice as they are more used to it than perhaps other health professionals. I think I’ll be joining you soon in loss of nails as mine are incredibley painful and I have terrible pins and needles in both hands and left foot . But slightly less tired . Hope the radio goes ok i still don’t know my start date .
Wanted to ask did anyone have bloods done following chemo to check how things were . I was anaemic before having my last chemo and only because of doing the add aspirin trial found out I’m still anaemic so have put myself on iron . When I asked the onc if they repeat bloods post chemo was told no ! Bit daft to think it’s like well you are finished now .
Anyway good luck hope the nail grows soon make sure you keep it clean xx
Good luck with scan too and any other treatments xxx
Hi thanks for the advice re my lack of nail.
Chrissy, no I didn’t have anymore bloods taken after chemo stopped.
Weeburd, my boyfriend booked us a couple of days.away this weekend to celebrate getting to tje end of this phase. I cant wait for sea air and to enjoy eating food I can taste.
T
X
Hi Chrissy I haven’t been given any more appointments for blood to be taken after the last cycle. I was slightly anaemic too but was just advised to eat plenty of iron rich food and as far as I know I am okay now as I’m a lot less tired.
I had a phone consultation with the oncology pharmacist yesterday and she asked about the side effects from cycle 6 and confirmed my appointment for my next herceptin injection next week. I think that’s about all the input I will have now. She certainly didn’t mention any future blood tests being done.
I hope that you are feeling better now that you’ve been taking the iron. Just be careful not to let it bung you up!
Hi everyone thanks for your reply’s .
Hope you have great time away I want to go away not had a break or day awaysince diagnosis on 5th Dec 17 .
Hope your nail is abit better mine are killing me too xx
Let’s hope this journey had nearly finished xxx
Hi Chrissy.
Some of my finger nails are really sore and have lifted. A few others lifted but have gone back down but I still think I am going to lose 2 more finger nails and a toe nail as they leak fluid and a little blood. Had to bandage one finger up today to stop me catching the nail especially after yesterday when I banged it and it bled for 10 mins. Chemo has a lot to answer for.
Having said all the above I have had a fab weekend, walked loads (comfy trainers are a must even in this heat), eaten far to much but above all i have laughed and smiled. I def recommend having a weekend away when you can.