Hi, thought I’d let you know that the lower neutrophil limit for chemo at my unit is 1 and I barely scraped that each time when I was on EC. I had to delay bloods a day or two each time as I was at 0.54 on one occasion and 0.92 on another (can’t remember the others but they were just over 1 by 0.05 or so). I was fine throughout with no severe infections etc and got through it ok (and the rest of my blood readings were within limits) so 1.2 should be absolutely fine as that’s above the limit for everyone in my area. Hopefully this reassures you as I think your treatment centre just has a higher lower limit than some other places 
all the best for the rest of your treatment too and have a lovely Christmas
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Again, NHS trusts seem to work differently. Mine will not give chemo unless neutrophils are 1.5 or above!
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Was meant to be getting dose 2/6 tomorrow but have had it delayed by a few days dur to a cough and coughing up flem so they want to pop me on antibiotics agian as i had this the first cycle i ended up getting extra fluid and antibiotics 7 days after 1st cycle, scared i would end up the same again x
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Hello everyone…Fara here…age 43…was diagnosed with IDC Stage 2 Her2 ++ in september this year…finished 3 cycles of chemo EC And 1 taxotere.2 more taxotere to go.my tumor somehow shrinked but i’m unsure of the
Size now.my side effects of all the chemos are quiet bad…naisea…vomitting…diarrhoea…most importantly headaches and muscle ache. My oncologist said that i hv a good response so far.i really hope i will be having a lumpectomy to clear the lump and margin…anyone has done a successfull lumpectomy with this type of cancer??
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Hello @farra and a big warm welcome! I think there are lots of girls on here who’ve had a successful lumpectomy and it sounds like it’s good news that your tumour has shrunk.
Good luck to those of you having chemo this week and for those with a delay, rest up and be kind to yourselves. @jeml - We’ll be thinking of you this week. You are going to be just fine.
@arty1 What a valuable friend to have who can speak with authority and help put your mind at rest in a very stressful situation. I hope you do get to enjoy Christmas a bit without being completely floored.
My wish for everyone is that we get some peace and can enjoy the festive season without bc infiltrating our thoughts and lives. I really hope we can all put it in a box that gets put at the very back of the broom cupboard and which we don’t have to retrieve until some time in January. It’s probably a good thing you can’t post videos on here as I’m feeling compelled to sing some carols to you all and that may do more harm than good!
In case I haven’t said it for a while, YOU ARE ALL FRICKING AWESOME WONDERFUL WOMEN!!!
Salbert
xxx
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@belle1 thank you so much. You had no idea how reassuring that is to me.
I just get inside my own head and I need to do that less xx
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Hi @farra Welcome to the thread.
I had a bilateral lumpectomy in July 2023. I had 2 primary cancers at the same time. Grade 1 0.9mm and grade 2 20mm had a sentinel node biopsy on both sides and they were clear.
I discussed the options with my breast surgeon lumpectomy v mastectomy and she said the research was comparable but the lumpectomy surgery was less invasive and would save my boobs. I have annual mammograms for 5 years. My scars are on the side of each boob and they managed to get the lymph nodes from the same incision. They are now pale and barely noticeable ( even though I can see them!)
Thank you for the warm welcome @salbert and @naughty_boob… It feels so good to be here with all of the encouraging words and positive people.
When i was diagnosed,I was feeling very scared and lost…Now that i’m already closer to finish chemo and being in this group, reading all the positive posts, i feel so much better…I have anxiety though,was prescribed xanax to calm me down whenever i feel so anxious thinking about it. I’m also on sleepung pills to help me sleep at night…whatever helps me through this tough time, i take it…
However here in Malaysia we dont have weekly Paclitaxel My taxane dose is given 3 week once for 3 times… If i may ask what is the difference…is it the dosing??
And also if I may know…when can i expect my hair to regrow after the final taxane infusion?? Is it common to have body pain during chemo?also I have alot of muscle knots on my body and my body aches like crazy sometimes…
Wishing everyone good and fast recovery and since its end of the year,hope everyone have a very happy holidays and new year…
Hello…I hope i can have a lumpectomy too as i would like to keep my breast…Did your breast surgeon tell you anything about reccurence rate for people who opted for lumpectomy instead of mastectomy… cant help but thinking about it everyday…
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Hello everyone been a bit quiet this week. I got a new phone and left my old one at home, i moved into my mums for a good few days. My new phone would not let me log in for some reason! Its finally worked now.
Thank you @salbert the big day is tomorrow! Feeling a bit nervous now. Packing a bag later on and made a list to see if i have everything i need.
Any advice on anyone? Having both of the boys off tomorrow as i keep calling them. Feels odd to say i have this last day with them… i know they dont define as a women and i can get them done again eventually… ( wont be the same ) anyway i do feel a bit sad and i will have a cry later when i see my mum again and tomorrow! What a rollercoster this is.
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@jeml you are a very strong and brave woman…I hope everything goes well with you tomorrow…Finally you are getting rid of this dreadful disease and back to living your life again…warm hug from me…
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@farra I’m so pleased that this thread is helpful to you. It has certainly been a lifeline to me and it’s wonderful that it helps others. It’s great to know that we are not alone; we have each other. Many of us were prescribed anxiety meds and sleeping pills. I am one of those people. Whatever gets you through!
I was told that the only difference between weekly or 3 weekly Paclitaxel is that if it’s weekly then it’s spread out more thinly so you don’t get the ups and downs, it’s more steady. Does that make sense? You don’t get any more or less of the drug by doing it 3 weekly.
My hair had started to poke through by the time I finished Paclitaxel. That was 4th July and now I have a right old mop of dark curly hair going on! I like disturbingly like my mother!
I think aches and pains are quite standard. Can you treat yourself to a nice massage?
I was also told that the odds are no different between lumpectomy and mastectomy. If a lumpectomy is all you need then it would make no difference to your outcome if you were to have a mastectomy. This info was given to me by Katherine Krupa at Royal Marsden so a very reliable source.
@jeml I said goodbye to my right boob back in August. I wrote a poem which I posted on this thread. My tissue expander feels a bit weird (the soft implant won’t when I get it in April 2025) and I no longer have a nipple but that’s ok. We all have to process this in the way that is right to us individually. There is no right or wrong. Have a bloody good cry if you need to. That’s important. It is a big deal and all your feelings are valid. We are all with you tomorrow. We are your sisters.
Love Salbert
xx
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Aww thank you so much! And i hope your treatment continues to do well 
@farra
@salbert how did you feel after around a week after surgery? I know its not the most important but had a crap year so christmas this year i want to make most of it! Planning to go to my mums christmas day. My nurse told me i should have the drains out in 5 days. Aww thank you, i nearly cried then! X
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@farra i was told with the mammogram they would be closely monitoring me and they deemed the treatment ‘curative’ I also have to be breast aware. The only reason they would have said to have a mastectomy if I have a genetic disposition but for me it was negative.
In the U.K. you can have taxane as 3 weekly in the form of Docetaxel with Paclitaxel as 12 weekly. Although they can be both used in combination with other drugs at different intervals depending on your treatment plan. It is believed that the weekly Paclitaxel is gentler as you have a small amount each week rather than a big dose 3 weekly. I had existing health conditions and family history that determined the taxane used.
I cold capped nd kept most of my hair but I’m sure another of our lovely ladies will comment on that.
@jeml you can do this! We are all here for you.
It’s totally understandable that you had a cry, no matter what we think our boobs whatever shape or size do define who we are as women. Even though I had a double lumpectomy, with very neat scars, they are forever change for me. The name I chose last year still stands but I have 2 naughty boobs and I will always think of them as that. They served me well over the years and fed two children but they misbehaved and I’m not sure I can forgive them.
Be thinking of you tomorrow.
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I feel the exact same about my boobs! Well one of them, i just cannot forgive. I do plan to get them reconstructed at some point in the future so i will have some form of boob back. Had a nice bath and just waiting for my chicken burger now from takeaway. Not really had any time to relax beforehand… little one been poorly again! Think its been.covid this time…cant seem to catch a break these days. Im exhausted x
@naughty_boob
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It can’t be easy with a little one to look after. So pleased you have your Mum’s support.
See you on the other side🥰
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@jeml will be thinking of you tomorrow. Enjoy your chicken burger and know this time tomorrow you really will be into tue next stage of your recovery xx
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Thank you everyone!! Will report tomorrow if i can or in a few days 
little one is going to be with my mum until my drains are out 5 days later. Going to miss her 
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@jeml I was honestly fine a week after surgery. I had the op on a Wednesday and drain out on the Monday. Praying yours are also out on Day 5. Now get that chicken burger down you and try to get a good night’s sleep. Go on, our Jemma! You can do this! See you on the other side. XXXXXXX
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