Hi tina, I’d say the third week after your last chemo you should in they’re be okay for a week away, though I’d probably wait until nearer the time to book it. Are you also having three lots of T after your FEC? Just bare in mind that the effects of chemo are cumulative and that ow you are with T could be different to how you are with the FEC xx
Thanks for that. Yes im having T.
Xx
Hi Tina, we wanted to go away after chemo and before rads started and even asked if we could delay rads for a week but the oncologist wasn’t keen, so we decided against it. As it happened radiotherapy started 3 weeks after last T and I don’t think I really would have felt up to going away.
Last radiotherapy session complete!! ? The consultant has said the effects will continue to build up for a further 2 weeks and wait at least 4 weeks for any side effects to calm down. So far so good tho - just a little swollen and a bit tender. Also went to see the lymphoedema therapist and she was pleased with how my arm has been - the measurements showed that it had improved from last time. Got another new confession sleeve which is a lot softer to touch and if I like it she can order it on black which won’t look so noticable when I wear black cardigans. Going back to see her again in 4 weeks.
So next big step for me will be the phased return to work next Weds!!
Hope everyone else is doing well ?
Xxx
Actually, my celebrations were very quiet! Went out for lunch, updated my facebook status and watched TV!! A friend made me an amazing cake, which I’d like to put a photo of on here to show you all, but I’m not sure if I can work out how to do it!
Mechele, my lymphoedema started just before my second cycle of chemo I think. I was referrered to a therapist really quickly and given compression sleeves to wear which I did most days, but not if my arm was OK (don’t know if it was the right thing to do or not!) Got progressively worse as chemotherapy progressed and I wear the sleeve every day now - this new one is very comfortable, I just don’t like the general look of wearing one. I’m quite confident that it will improve as my body stops having to fight the effects of chemicals and radiotherphy and can concentrate on draining the lymphatic fluid!
I have started to notice my legs ache more than they probably should. I’m wondering if this is the side effect of my hormone therapy tablets or just because my body is still trying to get back to normal. It’s definately manageable at the moment though and I think I should just try to ignore it. I’m trying hard not to find side effects when there aren’t any!!!
Lots of love to you all, I’ll still be hanging around the forum, but would like to say you’ve been a great bunch of ladies and I’ve felt so well supported by you all. So pleased I found this forum all those months ago 
xxx
Great news Elizabeth!! ???
You must be so sick of hospitals, a 4 week break will be very welcome for you ?
Xxx
Hi Everyone,
Congratulations Sissy and Kim for finishing rads and Elizabeth for finishing chemo- (you’ve caught Fiona and me up) it must be such a relief for you.
Fiona- how are you getting on? I’m now 4 weeks since surgery and back driving, ironing, housework, like it never happened!!! I meet my oncologist on Monday to sort rads, I’m hoping to get started by beginning of July then I’ll not clash with school holidays too much.
Kim- my legs are still very achy and heavy, I have been trying to get out for walks but I do think it’s still chemo. My finger nails are sore, I do think I might loose a couple, I’m also struggling with my fingers, picking things up and doing buttons etc, they are not sore just feel weak. My hair is growing, but I’m still quite away off ditching my wig, I’m desperate to stop wearing it. I’ve just taken 4 tamoxifen and everything is fine so far.
It’s been great having everyone here, I don’t think I could of managed without all your love and support. I’m not going anywhere yet though, think I’ll be hanging around for a while yet!!!
It’s great we are all getting there and gradually resuming life back to some sort of normality. I booked a week in Scotland for the family yesterday, not till end of August but it’s something to look forward to.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and we get some sunshine!!
Love and hugs Debbie x
Morning lovely ladies, I hope you are all feeling as well today. I wanted to post as I and so many people have commented on the speed of hair growth. About a month before I finished chemo I has a few fluffy bits showing on my bald head. Hubby suggested I use a bit of his Alpecin shampoo which says it stimulates the hair folicles ?
I finished my last chemo 18th may, am now 6/20 sessions radio in. (So far so good) I have to say I still have no eyebrows, eyelashes or hair under arms etc so it does seem strange head hair would be this good. It is very grey/ white but is starting to curl and is getting the thickness - no patches either. Although at 47 I didn’t expect to be white as driven snow ? hey grey is all the rage! ? Maybe worth a try who knows. Love n hugs Jo x
Hi Everyone! It’s been a little while since I last posted although I have been catching up on your posts regularly.
Ali, I hope you’re feeling a bit better about things. I think everyone has basically said what I would say too and hopefully you are reassured that everything you are feeling is normal but hopefully will pass as the months go on and you start to recover physically.
Claire - well done for finishing radiotherapy!! It’s a good feeling not having to travel to hospital every day. Looking forward to getting to over 3 weeks without a hospital visit for some sort of appointment or treatment!!
Finished my first packet of Anastrozole which I got from the hospital pharmacy and I’m now on the packet prescribed my my GP and from Boots, so a different manufacturer. I was a bit worried about different side effects from different manufacturers of the same product (don’t understand how that could be the case, but apparently it can be) and if anything I haven’t ached as much. That could be of course that my body is recovering even more from chemotherapy. Either way, I’m definately improving health wise and even my lymphoedema is improving!
Hair wise, I have 1 eyelash that I can actually see properly now, and pretty sure there’s a couple of others pushing their way through. Eye brows are gradually getting there, didn’t lose them all anyway, just really, really patchy. My husband shaved off my hair again this afternoon to a grade 1 and I can now see some darker hair growing through the white - the overall look is darker now, which is so much better to look at! It is thickening up, but still got a couple of patches where there’s barely any hair, and I think it’s going to be another couple of times shaving it off until I’ve got a decent enough covering to let it grow. Never thought that I’d be going down the shaving it off route, but it feels so good!! Wearing my wig hasn’t been an issue, I’m quite happy with it now but just hope it continues to look good and not get scraggy so it lasts me until my natural hair is long enough to colour and style.
Started back at school just for afternoons on Wednesday and absolutely loved every minute! I’m not working in class yet (that’s my morning hours) I’m doing Special Needs admin and Family Support, so I still get to chat to the kids which is really nice. They haven’t worked out I’m wearing a wig, but were interested in the compression sleeve I have to wear on my arm. “What your whole arm will swell up if you take ot off??!!” Think they expect it to inflate like a balloon!! I’m waiting for them to ask for a demonstration!!
Hope you’ve all had a good weekend - been raining here in Shropshire but I’ve still been managing to get out for long walks, I seize up if I sit down for too long!
Love Kim xxx
I haven’t, just keeping up my water intake hoping I’ll flush it out that way!
Would be interested to see who’s doing what with any successes tho.
My finger nails are lifting at the ends ? Hoping that my putting numerous layers of nail polish on them I can keep them strong enough that they don’t break or split and that they’ll just grow out rather than fall off!! The new growth looks healthy enough it’s half way up they’re looking so awful!
Hope everyone has had a good week ? Xxx
Hi, I hope nobody minds me popping on to this thread. I started FEC on 22 June and apart from being sick, have been ok. 2 more cycles of that and then I change to FEC-T and Herceptin and I’m absolutely petrified having seen the side effects written down of the T and H. Can anyone say that part hasn’t been as bad as they feared?? Is it hellish horrific? Hope no one minds me asking xx
Emma, I didn’t have Herceptin but I preferred T to FEC as I couldn’t stand feeling sick and dizzy. T lulls you into a false sense of security because the side effects don’t kick in until day 3/4. I was able to manage the aches and pains with paracetamol. I’m not saying I found it easier but I think I was probably luckier with my side effects than some others have been.
Well done for getting through your first FEC - I hope you continue to do well with your remaining doses ?
You’re always welcome to drop in on us for help and advise (or a good moan!) as you can see we’ve come out the other end generally feeling more positive than we thought we would be!
Kim xxx
Hi everyone,
Emma, the best thing about T is that you don’t have nausea but I wouldn’t say I found it easier than FEC. However we are all different and you may be fine on it. It has more niggly SEs than FEC but each time I was out of the other side by about day ten,
Kim, my nails are ok but the top third of each looks awful. They don’t seem to be lifting but I’m keeping on with the dark nail polish.
I’ve had reflexology all through treatment and I’m trying to keep up with it, but of course now I’m working there’s less time. My best therapy though is riding which I have started again while I’m looking for a horse to buy. It’s lovely to have the energy to do it again.
I’m very excited because my eyelashes have started to come back, I was beginning to think they never would. Eyebrows still very sparse, but my hair is doing well, I’m having a cut on Thursday to finally get rid of the wispy ends then I can grow it long again. I’m pleased it’s not completely grey but I’m longing to be blonde again!
We’re off to Italy on Friday. Can’t wait!!
I hope everyone is ok
Claire xxx
Thank you everyone for letting me know how you got on during treatment. I know they say everyone reacts differently but I think the gist is, sometimes I’ll feel ok, other times I’ll feel like **bleep** … but it’s not forever! That is what I need to keep reminding myself!!
I am glad you have all reached the end of your treatment and able to look forward. … I can’t wait to be in that position, only having had one treatment, feels it’s so far away, I can’t imagine it!! Xx
I ache ache at night (hands and feet - sometimes legs too) and first thing in the morning. My joints seem to seize up if I’ve been lying or sitting too long making me walk like a 90 year old!! My hips are sore too. Really don’t know if it’s still chemo related but I’m thinking now it could be related to the Anastrozole that I’m taking. I’m walking loads too, but surely that wouldn’t be causing it? My body should be used to the excise by now? Have mind of assumed I’m going to be like this for the next 10 years!! I’m fine when I’ve showered and got moving do it is livable with
Xxx
Have a lovely holiday Fiona ? Xxx
My toe nails aren’t great - got one black one but I didn’t put any nail polish on them during treatment. They seem strong enough so I don’t think I’ll loose them. My finger nails have lifted to about half way down and are various colours - black, red, yellow and green (!) But again they seem strong enough so I’m continuing to layer nail polish on them and hoping they’ll just grow out ???
Xxx
Hi All, good to hear from everyone. Fiona I hope all is ok with you, best to get to the doctors and ask them. My legs ache most of the time, really bad if I’ve been sat down for a little while, I think it’s definitely chemo related but I also get herceptin every 3 weeks so don’t think that helps.
My nails are ok, some look like they’ve lifted but like Kim they appear quite strong so think they might stay put! I have 1 black toe nail, well I think only 1 as I’ve had nail varnish on them for a few weeks!!
My hair is growing back ok, I put a no1 through it to even it out and get rid of the fluff. My eyebrows and eyelashes are growing well too. This is all 11 weeks after last chemo. I still feel quite tired though.
I had my 1st out of 15 radiotherapy sessions yesterday and all was ok. 1 down 14 to go. It’s going to be a busy 3 weeks juggling radiotherapy, kids school stuff, kids finishing school and husband working away!!! Roll on 28th July for my last session, then we are going away on 30th July for 3 nights.
I’ve got a CT scan on 18th July to retest a small nodule on my lung from my CT scan on diagnosis in Dec, so that is really worrying me at the minute, I just want to hear the ‘all clear’.
I’ve noticed my skin has changed, it’s like it’s got tiny bumps all over, it used to be really smooth!! Has anyone else noticed this. It could be chemo, herceptin or tamoxifen related!!!
Keep going everyone, Chemi is slowly becoming a distant memory.
Love to all
Debbie xx
Hi all, sorry I haven’t been on for a while, have been trying to get everything back in order and have some kind of normality!
I’m 12 weeks post last chemo and 4 since last rads and have a lot of the symptoms you are all talking about. Fingers and toes are still tingling as a result of the neuropathy, some days are better than others with it but the finger tingling is frustrating at times. Finger nails are all still on, but multi coloured, the white parts extend half way down on some of them. Toenails are all still on, they’re all differed colours and one is black, so I think that one will fall off!
I think the bumps over the skin are the hair follicles kicking back in to life, I am no longer smooth like a dolphin, lol. My lady garden hair has come back black, very odd as was blonde before. Head hair is coming through well and is also starting to darken and the patchiness looks better every day. Eyebrows also growing, am going to have them tinted next week, eyelashes also growing and very stumpy but at least they’re there!
I’ve lost around half a stone since stopping chemo, which I’m pleased with, started walking more and yesterday went to gym for first time where I started interval training to get back into running. I’m up to 6 hrs a shift at work now as well. The aches and pains come and go, I’m not on any hormone treatment yet as I’ve got my 2nd mx on 11th August and you can’t take tamoxifen before an op. Some of the aches I had before dx, so I’m not too concerned about them. Yesterday was the first day since chemo started that I felt kind of back to normal! Off to see the oncologist today. Love to all xx
Hi again,
Just wanted to share that I went into work without my wig and have decided to stop wearing it! I was feeling insecure about this but I was finding it difficult with the heat. I am a bit thin and patchy at the front and very grey, but it will grow better without the wig
Cassy, I’m thinking about doing the same. My wig has been great but I’m fed up wearing it now and it’s far too hot for wigs. I just need to be brave!! I have my last radiotherapy on Thursday so I thought I would do my last one without my wig as a ‘end of active treatment’ celebration!!! My scalp is covered but it is slightly shorter at the front, it is dark and grey!!
I hope everyone is doing ok.
Debbie xx