hi , hope everyone is ok . i havant been posting for a while as had my last taxotere 9 days ago and have been feeling a little rank this past week what with no fingernails , runny eyes , heavy legs etc i felt more crappy than normal so asked for a blood test and my reds were down so i have just come from the hospital after 8 hours and 3 bags of blood . whites had dropped also so no wonder i felt poo. got an appointment for end of treatment scan this thurs , seems quick as only had one 5 weeks ago .
anyway am relaxing with a glass of wine now while hubby cooks the dinner .
hope all is well with everyone , i do think of you all often and look forward to meeting you when possible xxx
Hi Tracy
Don’t think we’ve corresponded before but just wanted to say that I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time with the taxotere. Hopefully you’ll be running around (??!!) soon with all that new blood in you!
Take care.
Pinkdove
x
hi tracy, u celebrate girl well done for getting thru your taxotere i’m proud of you , i had my first tax 10 days ago bus hit at about day 4 but ok again after 2 days .Dont for one minute think the next 3 tax are gonna be easier as i believe it gets worse with the more sessions you have! Already done 2 EC but it wasnt working so they changed me over. U got op to come or bin there dun that?
jinpip
no op , had that 5 yrs ago got mets to liver and bone 1 year ago , yes tax was very hard for me compared to cmf and andrioymicin. but would do it again despite feeling so bad throughout just to see my kids grow up .xxxxx
nearly didnt reply tracy , i am humbled , i am 42 ,my boys are grown, sometimes i feel angry that this is happening, but you have been living this for 5 yrs since your op, its is hard to know whats right and whats wrong to say but i truly admire your strength and determination and am so glad you have your wish. xx
Hi Tracy
Tax is horrible, but worth it. I am glad you are through the other side and can look forward to a bright new Spring. My hairdresser always said that hair and nails grew quicker in Spring (don’t know if it is true or not) so you have timed that well and will have your nails back in double quick time.
Blondie
Hi Tracy
Good to hear from you again and to learn you’ve finished the tax. My finger nails (finished taxol in early December) are growing really well - just black now for the top 1/4 - 1/3 rd. Every day they are looking better. Toe nails aren’t growing so quickly but at least I can keep those hidden!
Must arrange a meet soon - I’m probably fit enough again after my (non) op to make it up to London. Will see what others think…
Love Kay x
Hi All
I thought you may find of interest Breast Cancer Care’s Secondary breast cancer Telephone support groups, The aim of the group is to give you the opportunity to talk privately and confidentially to other people around the UK with similar experiences. Discussions cover issues such as relationships, work, money, living with uncertainty, treatment, as well as everyday life. breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=11306
For more information either call telephone 0808 800 6000 or email <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%74%65%6c%65%70%68%6f%6e%65%73%75%70%70%6f%72%74%67%72%6f%75%70%73%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%74%65%6c%65%70%68%6f%6e%65%73%75%70%70%6f%72%74%67%72%6f%75%70%73%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>
Kind regards
Katie
Katie
Just out of interest - is there a limit on how many can participate in the telephone support group?
Cheers
Anne xx
Hi Anne
They are run in groups of up to eight, a therapist and nurse facilitate the group to ensure you and everyone else is supported and feels comfortable taking part. For dates and times of forthcoming groups please see the link breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=11306
I hope this helps
Best wishes
Katie
Sorry to be really thick, but I don’t understand. Are ten people all on the phone at the same time?! How does that work? Doesn’t everyone all talk at once, or no-one talks cos they’re all too scared of talking over someone else?
I just don’t get it…
please explain
jacquie
Hi Jacquie
You thought the same as me, but it is like MSN, where you are on line chatting in a forum. So not on the phone. Glad someone else had the same idea, which is why I never tried till last week, as thought would either be emotional wreck trying to talk or stay quiet.
Take care
Love
Dawn
x
Hi Dawn and Jacqui
Just to clarify, the telephone support groups do take place on the telephone although we do also run a secondary live chat on Tuesdays (I think you are referring to this Dawn). The TSG’s run with a group of around eight users who are talking about their concerns whilst supported by a therapist and a nurse is on hand for any clinical input that may be required. The users get to talk in turn initially and then each person can start a discussion or bring something to the group which they are concerned about, everyone gets a chance to talk as the therapist will facilitate the group ensuring that people don’t talk over one another.
Hope this helps to explain things a little more and please do check out the link above in Katie’s post for more information on TSG’s.
Best wishes
Lucy
hi again , hope all is well , well i am gettting so anxious about my end of trearment scan thursday i had to come in and chat .! it will be only 5 weeks since my last one but have since had 2 taxoteres . not sure if they would of made a difference as they say the most good would of been done with the first few . my markers are now 30 last count and ennzymes all normal .
i get myself in such a state i normally cry before and after scans !
other news is i am getting a port fitted a week friday , anyone have one ?
anyway better go get dressed promised my daughter and her friend bowling .
much love Tracy xxxxxx
Hi Tracy, that’s good news about your markers and enzymes.
Friends with ports have said how it’s made life much easier, Good Luck with your scan.
Love Belinda.x.x.x
Hi Tracy
Great news about your markers and enzymes. Having scans is really stressful isn’t it? When do you get the results
I had a portacath fitted last July and it has been great - makes life so much easier as my veins are really poor now. Had mine fitted under a local (and sedative) which was fine. Bit bruised and sore for a few days but they were able to use it more or less immediately. Not using mine now as not having chemo, so just have to have it flushed through every 4 weeks.
Love Kay xx
I’d add my vote for the portocath. It’s wonderful and having it fitted ws painless. They did it under a local with some wonderful ‘destressing’ stuff beforehand. I was on cloud nine for ages. I’ve finished my tax now so they aren’t using it at present - just flushing it once a month like Kay. If the results of the arimidex are good they’ll probably remove it shortly. Fingers crossed
xx manon
Hi Tracy,
Hope you’re okay tomorrow and not too weepy. How long do you have to wait for the results?
I had a partacath last July. Like the others say, it’s been great. Still hurts a bit when they stick the needle in each time but it’s much more short-lived, and once in you don’t really feel it, unlike a cannula.
I’d had a WLE before, and found I was unprepared for the psychological impact of having a scar on a (sometimes) visible part of my body. I wear quite a lot of scoop necks/v-necks and I was a bit upset about the scar. I just hadn’t expected to be able to see it or for it to affect me at all. Just thought I’d mention that so you’re prepared.
The actual thing was easy peasy. I chatted to the surgeon throughout as my sedative had worn off by the time I went in (they squeezed a more urgent patient in before me). I went back to the ward with a needle already inserted and they used it immediately to give me my chemo.
Hope it goes well
love Jacquie
hi thanks girls , i posted on liver secondaries re scan etc xxx did ask not to be put to sleep when we were arranging over phone but it seems i will have to be which i hate !
What, for the portocath?! Everyone else seems to have a local anaesthetic, exactly like when you go to the dentist. Then they give you a bit of sedative half an hour or so before, to make you a bit relaxed and dreamy. I think you could ask hy they want to put you to sleep. From their point of view it’s a greater medical risk and more labour-intensive too. Doesn’t make sense (unless they’ve got you down as an awkward patient!?)
Glad you were calmer this time for your scan.
love Jacquie x