Hello all, I’ve had awful hot flushes the last couple of nights, I was worried at first that it was an infection, but when I take my temp it’s within safe ranges. Every couple of hours I’ve been waking up with my head dripping wet, it’s just as well I don’t have hair at the moment. I’m note sure if it’s a se from chemo or if it’s to do with menopause? I know I’m at risk of early menopause because of chemo but being 35 it seems a bit odd still. When I had my abdo ultrasound the other day they had a good look around my ovaries and he asked if I’d had any periods lately, I’m wondering whether he saw something to suggest menopause? Excuse my naivety, but are they able to see a difference between non menopausal and menopausal ovaries? Xx
Hurdle 2 successfully jumped! Back home now about to have a cup of tea and a tea cake 
Took my steroids later today at 3:30 after treatment which I dosed through due to lack of sleep last night. So I expect tonight will be the same.
I’ve got the same injections to have days 3-10 and also antibiotics to take from Friday which are standard procedure where I am apparently. They are a precaution as T is harder on the immune system, again this shows how different units work! Pleased to have them mind!
I’m shattered now, lack of sleep and pre-chemo anxiety has taken it’s toll!
Xxx
Just woken up - think no sleep for me tonight!!
Xxx
Well done Kim, another under the belt! Claire, give it another couple of days and I imagine the funny mouth feeling will kick in. I couldn’t taste much for s couple of days, however the taste has now returned, my mouth just feels like the inside is covered with a film! Xx
Well done Kim, 2/3s done!!! Have a nice bath then you might have still get off to sleep ok- good luck.
I’m day 12 now and managing ok, still really tired though, my eyes also feel like I’ve been crying for a week, I have horrible mouth with cuts either side and I’m getting nosebleeds!!! I went to oncology dept yesterday to get bloods checked, which were fine and also rash on my hand looked at which they think was an allergic reaction to something, but not sure what!!! I see my oncologist on Thursday so I’ll ask her.
Fiona- great news about tumour shrinking. I had an ultrasound about 3 weeks ago which showed mine has shrunk about 40%, it’s great reassurance isn’t it.
Hope everyone is doing ok. I can’t believe my next one is next Friday, they come around too fast.
Debbie xx
Great news Ellie! Enjoy your new found wellness!
I’m grateful for not have the FEC fog and dizziness but appreciate this the the honeymoon period before the T pains and exhaustion in tomorrow!!
How are you today Claire?
Have a good day everyone xxx
Morning all, I’ve just been having a chat with my BCN about ‘the fear’ as it has been taking over my thoughts a lot recently. She’s recommended signing up for a moving on course once active treatment has finished and also mention another course called ‘Odyssey’ which is a residential course that teaches skills for dealing with the worries of recurrence.
Day 10 and I’m feeling much better today in myself, mouth still not great but I suppose you can’t have everything! Sleeping is still difficult, didn’t get to sleep until 5.30 this morning. I seem to have got into a bad cycle xx
Hi Kim and everyone
I have not posted anything for quite a while, just wanted to say ‘Hi’. I have been reading everyone’s posts and hugs to all those that have had a hard time of it recently. I found my 3rd FEC the hardest, I felt pretty down at times, felt pretty rough and seemed to leap from one SE to another, all the usual aches and pains, sore throat & chest, sore mouth.
I should be having my 1st T on Good Friday, but the clinic will not be open, so I am plumbed in for Tuesday 29th instead. It is reassuring to see everyone’s posts on having the Docetaxel, I get my head around what to expect, before it happens. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best…
Cassy xxx
Hi Ali, I had no idea either until my Onc told me that we had oestrogen in our fat! Got plenty of it too ?
Tamoxifen blocks it latching on to breast cancer cells anywhere in our body and not just the breast and as Claire says will help prevent reaccurance, secondaries and new primarys, ive been on it a year now and am still waiting for the menopause to hit, i had hoped it would be instant but sadly not! Periods are more erratic but still having them ? Xx
Have had a bumpy rash develop on my hands today and they’ve become quite itchy, went to gp who prescribed steroid cream, apparently it’s the hair follicles reacting to the T. Also, one annoying side effect I’ve found from the T is the dry mouth feeling and very very dry lips. Ladies, make sure you stick up on lip balms, no matter how much I put on my lips it never seems to be enough! Xx
Claire, just stay in bed and rest through it, I found cool things such as Greek yoghurt and fruit really good for my mouth. It’s good that you’re still feeling positive!
How is everyone else getting on? Kim, are you still okay? Ellie, I always worry about my first trip out on my own after chemo, I worry in case I come over feeling ill!
Day 11, feeling lots better, finally had a good full nights sleep. Lips are dry and legs feel heavy, but all manageable. Am of out for an Indian head massage and then to work after to visit my colleagues. Xx
Hi Ali,
I was definately more tired after FEC2, I reemeber having a shower and struggling to get dried and dressed afterwards. I still had the same fuzzy and hungover feeling aswell though. Mentally I didn’t cope as well either, I think because I was so pleased FEC1 hadn’t floored me, that this time I got annoyed by the side effects I was getting. For FEC3 I learned to go with the flow, accept I was going to feel rough and tired, so didn’t expect myself to be doing anything and if I did I saw it as a bonus.
Day 3 of T! Starting to feel a bit tingly and a little achey, but so pleased I’ve none of the fuzziness and hungover feeling of FEC!! Started the 7 days of injections this morning, so I’m sure the pains and aches will have arrived by this evening. I’m keeping a close eye on you Claire to see how you’re coping too!! I’m in 2 minds whether to start my usual constipation sachets like I did on FEC as I really don’t want it to go the other way especially as I start the antibiotics on Saturday and diahreoa is a possible side efffect of them. (Sorry if anyone is eating while reading this!)
Good to hear the rest of you are feeling better now, hope you all have a good run in ready for the next dose!
Having a bacon sandwich for lunch, my appetite is still there!!
xxx
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Starting to feel the same Claire, although fortunately I have been able to sleep but then again I am a day behind! Sore tongue, filmy mouth, sore ears and stabby pains in the top of my feet and hands. I’m just waiting for it to get worse.
I was doing the same on Mothers Day - looking on Facebook at everyone going out for nice meals posing with a nice glass of wine!!
I can see the end in sight now though. When school goes back after Easter, I’ll be in for no5, then just one to go - I’m hanging on to that!
What painkillers are you taking? I’ve had paracetamol and got cocodamol in reserve, but I really don’t want the constipation that goes with it!!
Sending loads of love and virtual painkillers!
Kim xxx
Hi Ali, I haven’t posted for a while but seems you are on the same treatment. I have had 3 EC and did quite well I thought. 1 trip to A &E on cycle 2 (infection)and the usual sickly, fuzzy head and aches and pains but managed to go into work Inbetween. Cycle 3 was the worst, I seemed to catch everything had a bad water infection followed by the nasty cough and cold making its way around. The result being my 1st T was delayed, in one way I have to say I was at that stage thankful for a week off and definitely felt the benefits. Had the T wed’s this week and have to say so far I have been grand. Eaten 3 meals a day, no sickly feeling and definatley feel more alert. I met a lady who had just finished her 9 paxlitaxel and she gave me hope this is going to be easier than the EC. I hope you do as well on the T. I have had the odd glass of wine with friends, I’m getting into making dates to do things as I am determined to not let this thing rule my life. I hope everyone is doing ok and wish you all a fabulous Easter. Love and hugs Jo xx
Well it’s day 5 and I’m feeling more confident today! Still got stabby pains on the tops of my feet and generally achey but was able to deal with it all yesterday without any pain relief as I was constantly taking my temperature and didn’t want the paracetamol to mask any fever I might get!! Started the precautionary antibiotics this morning, so that’s giving me more confidence too. My hands ache and thumb nails are tender. Didn’t get showered and dressed yesterday, but hoping I’ll manage today, I have some lovely Easter decorations that I want to get out and make the house feel a little more ‘Eastery’!
Mouth still feels filmy and a bit sore, but happily I was able to eat chocolate yesterday and enjoy it! I’m not as starving as I was on FEC, and although these pains are painful (!) I really, really don’t miss FEC!
It’s great to hear you’re feeling better today Claire, something for me to hold onto!
Hope everyone else is having a lovely Easter Weekend
Xxx
Happy Easter Everyone.
I hope we are all having an ok Easter weekend and SE’s aren’t too bad. Just think next Easter all this c**p will be behind us.
Debbie x
Morning everyone
Well on the plus side, I was able to enjoy my Easter egg which I did think I wasn’t going to be able to, plus I was able to shower and get dressed yesterday whereas the 2 days before my legs really didn’t want anything on them other than PJ bottoms! The stabby pains are definately less and I wasn’t so tired. I think I still prefer T to FEC, but I reserve the right to change my mind as the days progress!!
Now as for itchiness! I sent my husband to Tesco yesterday (it was closed of course!) because I was convinced my itchiness was piles! No other symptoms, just couldn’t think what else it could be! Anyway I e been using good old sudocream as it does seem to be easing so might just be delicate skin… It’s funny how I can sit through stabby pains but not ‘delicate itching’! It’s the minor things that get me down more I think!
My mouth feels really think like it’s had a coat of anaesthetic coated on it which is affecting my taste too 
The boredom is really getting to me now too!
Hope you get sorted at the chemist Claire - then I’ll send my husband down to buy the same!!
Xxx
Hello all, Kim and Claire I had the same issues ‘downstairs’ it does pass after a couple of days, I don’t think the lack of hair down there helps, and thinking about it maybe it was the hair follicles causing the itch as I had itchy hair follicles on my hands around the same time.
I’m day 15 now and feeling good. The constantly runny nose is annoying and taste buds still not 100%, but managed a few glasses of red wine yesterday even though it tasted a little odd! Claire and Kim, a few more date and you’ll be feeling much better. Four more weeks until my last treatment! Xx
OK - fed up of the pulsing lower back ache now! One more day of injections and really hoping that’s the end of the pain!! Not impressed by the lack of taste buds and filmy mouth either, actually not enjoying cups of tea now 
Hope everyone else is happier!
Xxx