I had my second pax on Friday. I’m having it every two weeks. I was really tired and sleepy for a couple of days after, but that could also be because I had zoledronic acid as well. I’ve just about come to the end of the bone pain, but I think the last couple of days were injection related. Hoping for some good days now. I’m finding it easier than EC.
Hope everyone is managing ok.
Good to hear how others are getting on.
2nd weekly, reduced dose Pax tomorrow. Not having filgrastim jabs now so it is definitely the Paclitaxel itself that has been causing the pain for me, only for 3 days instead of 9 now so much more doable. PICC on Wednesday, better late than never!
Keep going everyone! 
Great to hear from everyone. It’s strange how we’re all so different. I have found docetaxel much harder to deal with than the EC - the pain really freaked me out. Dose 1 (4) one was at 75%, so I didn’t want to reduce it any further. For dose 5 knowing what to expect helped, and they gave me omeprazole to deal with the heartburn 
I thought I was doing well with my eyebrows and lashes but they’re looking very sparse now. Hats off to all of you that have had a hard time of it. We’re getting there 🩷
Yes, my eyebrows and eyelashes are noticeably sparser now.
Yes I have hardly any eyelashes or eyebrows. Luckily I had my eyebrows tattooed on a few years and go and I’ve been using Lola’s pre glue lashes which are a god send so I don’t look too sick!
Had my third pax yday so really tired today. Think I’m going to treat myself to a few Easter eggs!!! Couldn’t sleep last night because of the steroids even though I took a lorazepam. God job I don’t need to take any more steds! On a side note, anyone watching The White Lotus… great binge watch!!
Last pax on 1 May 
then I have ALNC and the radiotherapy but don’t think anything will be as bad as this.
I mad a masectomy with reconstruction and slnb end of Oct, anyone know how psinfull ALNC is and recovery time. I’m still struggling with my arm and numbness from slnb…
Ok, can we talk surgical bras. Currently a 34JJ and will be having a partial mastectomy which the surgeon described as being exactly the same as a reduction and reshape of boobs while removing the damaged tissue. Operation is schedule for 6 weeks after last chemo so around end of July start of August. My issue is surgical bras. The BC nurse said just go to M&S but I have found in the past they dig into my armpits (ouchy) and I know already I have a cancerous node so will be getting work done there too. I am going to be around a DD cup so just wondering where everyone else got bras when you can’t try them on 
@fimac1 I have no good answer but that’s a really valid point! You would think theBC nurses would help with that first instance wouldn’t you?!
I guess we would have to just get a cheap ish one to see through once op is had, until you then feel fit enough to go get a proper one?
I have a store near me that is a wig place, but they also have bras and fillers, is there possibly somewhere like that near yourself?
Thanks for answering @leelee1. I too thought it would be something that would be fitted in the first instance in the hospital by a BCnurse. It’s all a guessing game. Surgeon suggested I will be a DD so should buy that size.
@fimac1 I would have thought so too. I have an appointment with my surgeon this week so this is something to ask about. Hope you find something. I’m also having a lymph node clearance so concerned now about fit as well!
I bought post surgery bras from Asda online after my lumpectomy. Cheap and very comfortable. The pink and grey 2 pack with hook and eye fasteners. £16 Here’s the link:
https://direct.asda.com/george/lingerie/bras/post-surgery-bras/D27M3G1C9,default,sc.html
Thank you. I will have a look at these. Just want something ready for hospital until swelling goes etc. Then find a perfect fit once healing has started
I had a mastectomy (delayed reconstruction so flat on one side for now) and ALNC and was fitted with a post-surgery bra by a nurse at the hospital before discharge. It also came with a leaflet showing where I could order more so I just did that for the period during which I was healing and couldn’t get properly fitted. They were just soft, sports bra type though and I was already part of the itty bitty titty committee so, whilst I found them perfectly fine, I’m not sure how supportive they’d be for bigger sizes!
I have my last chemo on Friday - they’re switching me to Abraxane as I had another hypersensitivity reaction last cycle despite the excessive steroid / antihistamine pre-medding. How is everyone feeling about finishing up? It’s putting me in a bit of weird space mentally. I thought I’d be ecstatic about it, but the closer it gets, the more I’m not looking forward to it. It’s probably something about leaving the ‘comfort blanket’ that it provides but it’s an unexpected feeling, for sure! Still have literal years to go until I’m actually done (I have radiotherapy and then ovary suppression, AIs, Zometa infusions & hormone treatment ongoing) so hoping the reality won’t be as scary as it feels in my head right now! Hope you’re all doing well x
I think I will miss the weekly contact with the unit and knowing there is a 24 hour line to call. It does feel like a good support. My last chemo is 9th May so I’m still also thinking still got to finish getting through this cycle and 1 more to get through.
I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow so trying to get my head round moving onto the next stage of treatment and my oncologist will be talking about hormone therapy at the next appointment with her. Lots to be thinking about.
Morning, I have my last treatment tomorrow. I’m in a weird place too. Delighted chemo will be over but I’m worried about the future and the possibility of reoccurrence. My oncologist told me yday I’ll be going on abemaciclib for two years as well as tamoxifen. Worried about side effects too. I’m also have to have ALNC, any advice on this, is it painful, and radiotherapy.
I had my Masectomy with reconstruction and SLNB in Oct. It wasn’t awful but it certainly wasn’t a walk in the park.
And yes I found Asda bras much better. The M&S had no stretch so was quite uncomfortable.
Hope everyone is enjoying the sun. See you on the other side. Lots of love 
I had my ALNC at the same time as my mastectomy as I’d already had a confirmed LN biopsy so can’t be entirely sure what was attributable to what. That said, I found my overall recovery generally to be easier than I had assumed it would be beforehand. The worst part of it for me was a few days of what I would describe as like ‘buzzy’ nerve pain down my arm as things were coming back to life and the nerve blockers were wearing off. My ALNC drain was in longer than my mastectomy drain, although it still came out 10 days post surgery so not too long. The numb armpit and upper inside arm have taken some getting used to (again, not sure if that’s solely from the ALNC so you may already be dealing with it). That’s not painful (obv) but is just an adjustment. Things like putting on roll-on deodorant afterwards were just weird (felt like I was putting it on a slab of meat 
) but I’ve gotten used to it now. The most valuable thing I had during that time was a heart shaped cushion the hospital gave me which just tucked into my armpit and stopped any rubbing, particularly as you can’t really feel anything so you might not realise if it was becoming sore. If your hospital doesn’t provide them, I know Cancer Research sell them on their website.
I have my last docetaxel 1st May too 
Sharing the feelings of uncertainty though. Especially as my oncology unit has been amazing. Always a seat for someone to come in with you and offers of a sandwich, biscuits and tea/coffee.
I’ve been a lot luckier than many of you, in that I was diagnosed with hormone+ and her2- BC, treated with a lumpectomy and sentinel nodes removed. Micromets in 1 node and an extra test score of 38 meant 6 3weekly cycles of chemo. 3 EC and 3 Doce. I really thought I was coming to the end of the hard bit and thinking about getting back to work - I’m a teaching assistant in a secondary school. But my oncologist casually mentioned yesterday that because I’m going onto abemaciclib (I hadn’t noticed it in my notes), I’d be immune suppressed for 2 years. I also have to see how I go with the radiotherapy.
I’m determined to do something work wise as I’ll go potty at home for 2 years. My school are very understanding thank goodness, and will accommodate my needs if possible.
I found a forum for people on abemaciclib. It’s informative though not too cheerful, but I figure you don’t start posting on these forums if you’re feeling fine. Link below. Good luck everyone. Onwards and upwards 
Hi there. I found another abemaciclib forum that’s a little more upbeat from about halfway through. I have to admit it’s been worrying me a lot and I’m fed up of putting on a brave face, but this is a bit more positive 
Primark do a very good range too so also a possibility to look at 
Shi xx
Hi everybody. So I am currently on the 12 x weekly paclitaxel. Wednesday coming would be week 7, but it’s been cancelled because of my bloods.
Last weeks was cancelled too.
One a couple of weeks previously was cancelled as well.
I don’t mean to sound ‘poor me’, as I know we’re all going through it, I’m just a bit fed up as it seems never ending at the moment. Just give me the treatment, or chop it out!!
Sorry, moan over…
You CAN say poor me, even though we all can too. It’s must be so frustrating and worrying with all the delays.
I’m currently struggling with my attitude to my diagnosis. I feel like I haven’t really had it explained to me fully. I had a pretty positive outlook, thinking it would be a hard few months on chemo and then the follow up radiotherapy and hormone suppressant would be a breeze. Having to take abemaciclib made me re-examine my full test results as I thought it was only given to stage 3 BC patients. I seem to be on the border. Probably stage 2b and HER2 low (+2). Also, because of the position of my tumour, 2 sides didn’t have clear margins. I know they don’t want to scare you, but the surgical team seemed quite positive and my oncologist always rushes out the information and gets me out the door as soon as she can.
I definitely need to talk to someone about this. Plus I know I’m spiralling because I’m still in my first week of the last docetaxel cycle.
I also know that many of you have had a much harder time and admire you all for keeping going.