Hi,
I’m new here but very glad to have found this site. I had a mastectomy last November and had the fourth lot of FEC a fortnight ago; due to have four lots of docetaxel next, then radiotherapy. After chemo and before radiotherapy I will have to have a minor op, under general anaesthetic, to have a large haematoma removed as I’m still very swollen and it can’t be aspirated as it is hard. I’m OK sort of - everything tastes weird and my face has gone red for a couple of days after each treatment. I never thought I would miss having nose hair but I’ve started having a mini nose bleed every day (blow my nose, dislodge a bogey and have to dab it for a few minutes). My arm really hurts and it has been more and more difficult to put the cannula in each time. One of the chemotherapy nurses suggested I massage my arm with Udder Cream which I have been doing but although it’s making my skin nice and supple I don’t think it helps the veins at all.
After my last blood test the nurse told me my platelets were low and if they had been any lower she would have had to ‘take action’. I didn’t like to ask what action she was going to take.
I’m 60 and have 3 grown up children and a thirteen year old son. He is autistic and is finding my illness difficult to cope with. I thinks he is afraid of losing me and shows it by being physically aggressive towards me, which is worrying when I’m feeling sick and ill.
Because the tumour in my lefty breast was lobular I was told there was an increased risk of a tumour occurring in my right breast. I have said right from the outset, even before a formal diagnosis, that I would prefer to have both breasts removed. The surgeon is happy to remove my right breast but it will have to be after my chemo and radiotherapy; I will also have to assure a psychologist that it is what I really want. It definitely is what I want as I have lost my mom, younger sister, aunt and grandmother to breast cancer and I want to do all I can to stay around for a while. I’ve had a blood sample taken for genetics testing as my two daughters are really anxious to know if I have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. We’re waiting for the results.
Sorry if I’ve rambled on.
Hi Likeslilac
Big hugs for reaching the halfway point. I’m only a third of the way through (having treatment as I type) but I miss my nose hair & have had a slightly bloody nose for a while. I am fortunate to have a port in my chest for treatment & blood tests. Wonderful being spared the pain of using my arm. I was told to drink Guiness by the chemo staff to help my blood count. It was tested Monday & was wonderfully normal so it must be helping! The action they are threatening to take with you will take the form of injections to boost your white blood cell production plus a slight delay in treatment to allow your body to recover a bit.
Very hard for with your son. Hope there is someone else at home to help when he becomes aggressive. A difficult position to be in. Don’t worry about rambling on here…we all do it!
Twinky x
Hi Likeslilac
I had x4 FEC and now just coming to the end of x4 TAX, just a week after my 7th one so got one juicing left…cant wait to see the back of chemo. Currently my mouth is horrid, tastes like KAK!! My body aches have eased but my back pain is so damn irritating…ive spent the last 3 days in bed so that really doesn’t help my back but I’ve just been so shattered I had to lock myself away.
I had nosebleeds on TAX, just through my first cycle, it hasn’t happened again since but I currently have a head cold and my nose just will not unblock having to breath through my mouth just makes my mouth so much worse as its so dry all the time.
I have the injections to boost my white cell count, I am given them for 4 days after every chemo cycle since I started TAX as on the first cycle it put me in hospital for a week with Neutropenia. It seems to have done the trick so far as my last 2 TAX cycles my white cell count has been OK, so don’t be worried if you have to have them, they don’t hurt and my hubby gives me mine, the needle is so thin I can’t feel it…however my tummy has so much blubber on it - I’ve gained nearly 3 stone since being diagnosed. Oh the joys!!!
Just finished watching a program about a lady in ireland who was kind enough to share her BC journey. Its brilliant, if you haven’t watched it please do, so much of what she went through is preparing me for the rest of my treatment.
Its only available until this Monday on line so watch it quick.