Hi looking to connect with more people on 4Ec and 4 pac i started in march 2026

I completely understand that @cazgib10 . :heart::people_hugging::bouquet:

I think a lot of ladies have struggled near to the end of treatment, both emotionally and physically. I think the pressure weighs even heavier when you know the end is near. Because we just want the journey to be over. We want to jump ship. End it quickly. We are shattered. Battered and bruised. Treatment is tough.

Its like being on a long car journey. We can travel miles, but the last few miles seem to drag on for an eternity. We are shattered, suffering stiff joints, aching from the long drive. Weve had enough.

Thats a really common feeling. But seriously hard to deal with.

After this weeks bashing it naturally makes us more cautious to endure more discomfort. We know whats coming and we have to “choose to go” for chemo, knowing what the next week is going to be like. Thats completely natural and rational… noone would choose to have chemo. Its seriously tough. :woozy_face::person_in_bed:

The way I try and deal with it, is break it up into smaller chunks. I concentrate on today, or the morning, or an hour. Often I am that tired I fall asleep, which gets rid of a couple of hours.

But I find it is “less tolerable” if I try and look “bigger” picture. Pile too much into my mind.

Im planning for Pac, but im also blocking some of that out. Pacing myself. Setting it aside.

I Research, Plan, prep, then shelve/ ignore for a while. Then take it off the shelf the nearer I get to the start dates. Look at small bits. Never big bits.

I learnt to meditate years ago. Nothing heavy or complicated. Basically mild gentle breathing, and focusing on one thing only. Closing out the clutter. I do it even when walking to the Hospital now.

I walk down the corridor but dont think about the chemo. I then wait in the waiting room and just rest, listen to music. Chat to others. I focus on one tiny bit at a time. It stops me getting that awful fear of something I cant cope with…The Huge Elephant in the Corner. :elephant:chemo.

So I visualise nice things. :national_park::beach_with_umbrella::rabbit_face::bird::butterfly::strawberry::stuffed_flatbread::luggage::world_map::sparkler:

I make sure I have treats throughout the week. Probably too many :wink::bouquet:. Nice films, good food, yummy smoothies. I bought some pure Bilberry Juice last week.

Sadly the meds gave me an upset stomach yesterday. So I got fed up of going to the toilet. :nauseated_face::nauseated_face:. So rang 24/7 for advice. Today I am fine. It was not a stomach bug thank goodness.:person_in_lotus_position: Just an over sensitive stomach lining. So I ate nice things to calm it down. Rested.

If I had to think of chemo and a week of yeuk, I wouldnt go. Id be exhausted before I started.

There are loads of Visualisation Videos on YouTube, White Noise Sounds that help us focus on other things.

They got me through some really tough times in life. When I was younger I had seriously bad Panic Attacks. I had no idea what they were. I was a young mum with no sleep, breast feeding and had lost 3stone in weight.

But, i learnt how to not focus on the panic, after reading a book by Dr Claire Weekes. How to relax. How to ride the waves of life and know I would survive.

We do survive. But we need to be kind to ourselves.

Today I looked awful. My friend called round and said so as well. We laughed. Forcibly. :wink::nauseated_face:

I took off my chemo hat, and we discussed how bald I was compared to his bald head . Yet mine has an odd peach, bum fluff, covering it. Seems common. :rofl::thinking: :person_bald:

He didnt stay long as I was too tired. So he went to his allotment and sent me photos of his courgettes and flowers :butterfly::hibiscus::sunflower::blossom:. :cucumber:.:wink:.

Id rather he did that than feel obliged to “be around”. I just went to bed and fell asleep, again, for another 2hrs. :sleeping_face::sleeping_face:

You will get through this. Time wont stop ticking. Thats a good thing. The end will happen. And you will be able to rest and recover when it does stop. And make sure you do rest. You will be shattered. So factor that into your recovery.

You are stronger than you think. Xxxx​:flexed_biceps::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::heart::people_hugging:

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@poppy261 thankyou xx

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Goodness these messages are so amazing. Really helpful to read people’s thoughts and positivity thank you all :heart:

@m1sty.george @cazgib10 did you notice a difference with the dose reduction? They took mine down to 80% for the last one and I’m really hoping I manage things better. My mental health wasnt great the last time so I know that was a huge factor, even so I would love this last one to be a breeze. Wishful thinking on day 2 haha

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@foxgem i did notice a difference on the second one , however I know ita acumulative so not sure how my Third one will go , however despite That at least its ur last one hopefully it will be kind to u but at least u can recover at home now.

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That’s great you noticed the difference! It does build up but I’m sure it doesnt build up as much as the dose reduction comes off if that makes sense. They must know enough now to know what works. Keep as positive as you possibly can :sparkles: I really struggled on my 7th because I was grumpy it wasnt the last one and it definitely made things harder

@foxgem i am definately getting grumpy, I am more concerned about the side effects showing themselves more and then i will struggle to continue How did u feel after the 3rd one were u in a lot of Pain ?.

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It wasn’t more pain it just lingered for longer I think. Because I wasnt in the right frame of mind I probably spent far too much time on the sofa and didnt snap my body back enough. Plus my daughter had a sore throat so I think maybe my body was fighting that off. Although my bloods were great so really it could have just been the mental struggle. I am day 2 post chemo, I am definitely less grumpy :slight_smile: And you will be too. That alone for me will probably help ease the side effects that are coming

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@foxgem @cazgib10 the dose reduction really did make it more bearable (down to 90% in my case) and definitely running at a slower speed (4 hours instead of 3). The mental strain and grumpiness is real though, isn’t it?! I started to feel grumpy last time because the ward was so busy with loads of beeping everywhere and I was hanging around much longer than I needed to be in the end. 9 hours in total. :grimacing: The price of scalp cooling I guess. The nurses are amazing but so so constantly busy - they deserve a medal! Can’t wait to get the other side of my last one on Friday!

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@m1sty.george is it ur last one friday then?

9 hours! That’s really awful. I think 7 was my longest. Your last one friday? Woohoo! You definitely wont be grumpy that day :slight_smile:

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Sending you positive vibes for Friday @m1sty.george . :heart:

Hope the side effects are manageable and treat you kindly on your end run. You will be so pleased when its all finished.

Ive been reading some of the Posts across different Months re how Pac has been for others.

Goodness its a tricky one isnt it? I can really understand why ladies have got run down with it. Especially when its the treatment often given after EC, so end of the road stuff. The cumulative impact is very emotionally and physiologically draining isnt it. Very real. Not to be ignored.

Sending huge strength and love. :people_hugging::flexed_biceps::heart::bouquet:

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@cazgib10 Yesss - can’t come bloody soon enough! :joy:

@foxgem thank you - definitely not a grumpy day! :joy: With this heat it might be the one time I’ll be feeling smug with my freezing bonce!! :joy:

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Thank you @poppy261 :smiling_face::smiling_face_with_three_hearts::hugs: The psychological side of it is definitely a thing at this stage. Marathon not a sprint! My hands have been so much better this round too, so hope that continues. Emollients rule! :grin:

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Thats good @m1sty.george so glad it has been easier for you.:heart:

I will definitely try and get my act together re emollients when I go on Pac.
Hope you are relaxing in this heat.:sun_with_face::thermometer: Evenings and early mornings are my best times.

Otherwise I hunt out air cons. Hopefully next week will be cooler for everyone. Or more excuses to eat Ice Creams :smiling_face_with_three_hearts::ice_cream::soft_ice_cream:

This is definitely where cold caping comes into its own. :rofl::rofl::cold_face::hot_face::smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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I am proper confused they have stopped my treatment today due to peripheral neuropathy im really comcerned as they havent given me enough information on why they have chosen to stop it now I have only had 75% of my treatment I think they could have offered another dose reduction,They are saying the drug isnt safe for me to have anymore , and i should go straight to radiotherapy.

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Can you arrange for another call/meeting with your oncologist to get a better understanding? How many rounds have you had in total now?

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@foxgem I have had six one was at 80% They gave me a break which lasted 4 weeks because they couldnt fit me in, during which time my neuropathy got better , but it came back 3 days after treatment

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I am so sorry to hear that @cazgib10 :heart:.

But if they are saying the treatment isnt safe for you, I would try and take comfort in them being vigilant. I know you were getting very anxious about the treatment yourself. Perhaps deep down, you were also getting concerned there was a problem. We know our own bodies better than anyone, dont we. :heart:

Like @foxgem says though, I would request a face to face with the Oncologist so they can explain things in more detail. Give you time to feel reassured. Explain their rationale.

May also be worth ringing BCNow Nurses just to sound out your thoughts, prior to seeing the Oncologist.

Sending you love and strength. :heart::flexed_biceps::people_hugging::bouquet:

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Thankyou @poppy261 I think they have picked up on the anxiety aspect but at no point did I say i want to cancel my treatment.
I feel quite vulnerable now if im honest.I have got a call with the breast care nurse today.

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