Haha yes, unhinged is the word I would use to describe me at certain times through the cycles! Combine the drug induced side effects with ridiculous heat, “chemopause” symptoms and lack of sleep and it’s a recipe for mental health disaster. Don’t know if you experience the same, but I can actually get quite hypersensitive and skittish on my bad days. I live on a densely populated and lively estate and can find the sounds of summer quite jarring and was once on the verge of a meltdown in a supermarket because all the stimulus in there was freaking me out. Interestingly the day immediately after chemo is by far my best day and none of this has ever happened at all then. Cool as a cucumber all day long!
1 Like
Hiya, I talked to the nurse a bit about what they do if you have issues on the blood test at my second EC infusion on Thursday. Apparently they can delay treatment for a few weeks as you’ve done, then can also reduce the dosage if that’s beneficial. Are you taking white blood cell boosting injections? I’ve been given Filgrastim to inject for 7 days after infusion. Sounds like that would help you if you’re not already on it!
I’m 46F with stage 3 triple positive breast cancer which was a 9cm mass but feels like it’s starting to ‘go squidgy’. It needs to shrink before surgery (hoping it shrinks quickly as it grew so bloody fast).
First EC was brutal and I was throwing up all night. This time was much better and I’m just tired with new medication.
Weirdly no hair loss yet, but I’m not cold capping, since no doubt this will come.
I hope everyone else is getting through this and giving themselves a treat when they can (mine is walking the dog and frozen slushies!) xx
2 Likes
Hi @jenny9
Thanks for the info. I had a call with my oncologist earlier this week and she said the same thing about either delaying or reducing dose (which apparently doesn’t change the efficacy of the treatment as it will be the right dose for me). However they are not keen for me to have the injections (yet). It’s a back up if my levels drop again but they’re hoping it’s a one off. I will have injections on EC but whilst I’m on Pembro, pac and carbo they’d rather not. So we’ll see. The good news is that with a week off from treatment my levels jumped back up and I had it yesterday as planned. Never have I been so relieved - who’d have thought looking forward to treatment!! So we’ll see how I get on. Also following a diet of 2 tbsp of 100% cocoa powder per day, 2 pieces of very dark chocolate and lots of difference fruits/veg and high protein diet - recommended by another patient on here who has had the same issue and her levels never dropped below 1 again. So I’m giving that a go as it gives me some control back. Passing on incase helpful to others. I have more detail if anyone needs it just message me. Hope all doing okay. Xx
1 Like
Does anyone else get a really achy breast days following chemo?
Sometimes yes, just general tenderness in breasts and in lymph’s/glands/neck for me.
1 Like
Hi - Im due to start paclitaxal after my last EC in couple of weeks, so would be interested in what dietary help I might try to boost neutrophils. I can imagine how disappointing having your treatment postponed must be. We get our routines going with bloods and chemo then someone puts a brick wall in the way. Hoping those neutrophil suckers start behaving themselves and you get back on track. 
Hi there,
Yes very frustrating indeed. Fortunately my levels went back up the following week and have stayed up since so I’m back on track (for now!) A lovely lady on this forum sent me the below message (I’ve copied and pasted), and I swear it has massively helped my levels to go up and stay up. It also gives you some control which mentally really helps too. See below:
Don’t worry there is hope! Exactly the same thing happened to me 3 weeks into chemo (I was on weekly paclitaxel). I read a lot of clinical trials and reports and the bottom line is that the things below work - I’m not just saying they worked for me but for many other women on this forum.
-
100% cocoa daily. Any kind, doesn’t have to be expensive. 2 tbsp in whatever you can stomach it in - smoothies (with cow or plant milk), mixed with plain yoghurt, in your coffee, on porridge - whatever. Plus 2 squares of 80% or even 90% dark chocolate too.
-
High protein diet - I’m vegetarian and I managed it so if you eat meat/fish you’ll find it easy. 2 sources of protein at each meal. Use natural protein powders too if needed.
-
The following foods can help boost neutrophils so try to eat some of them every day: cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, kiwi, papaya, Greek yogurt, seeds (especially ground such as linseed), tofu, cheese.
-
Moderate exercise - I walked every day of my 12 weeks of chemo. Also good are swimming, cycling, weight training, Pilates. Whatever you can manage, in moderation but something every day if you can.
I followed the above regime and my neutrophils never went below 1 again, I had no more treatment delays. I had no injections to artificially boost them.
I hope this helps and feel free to share it. Good luck 
Hope this helps you - always good to share advice xxxx
That’s brilliant - thank you so much. I’ll boost those neutrophils so they don’t stop the treatment. There’s always someone who can help on these forums. 
Hope everyone is getting on as well as possible and at least it is a little cooler these past few days.
Just when I thought I was becoming reasonably familiar with the more bizarre things chemotherapy can do to a human, I discovered something new yesterday. My computer seems to have been playing up and not recognising my fingerprint, so I have to keep entering a password. I suddenly realised, it’s not my computer.
My fingerprints have disappeared! 
So obviously my first thought was that I should make the most of this unexpected development and perhaps it’s time for a bank robbery?
Although, knowing my luck, I’d probably get caught because with my current chemo brain I wouldn’t remember where I’d left the getaway car… 
@anyakuro the gift that keeps on giving eh!
Guys sorry I have not been around , truth be told I’m really struggling with self image at the moment. I ended up shaving my hair last week as it was so traumatic seeing it fall out . I did do cold cap and I reckon the back was ok but just had bald bits starting to show etc . I thought it would make me feel better , it does to an extent in that no more clearing up hair but the reality is so awful . I think I read on here that if you are having chemo no one could probably tell but once you lose your hair that’s it people see you as a cancer victim . I think my trouble is I need to admit to myself that I had cancer and I am going through treatment. I have treatment on Thursday and after that 8 weeks to go but just find it so hard … EC is tough but last one this week before I go on to the one that makes your eyelashes drop out 
Apologies for the moan … I’m still planning on cold capping in the hope that what I’ve left will grow back well . You ladies are so strong but 9 weeks in I still have to find the strength xx
1 Like
I’m so sorry to hear the hair loss has hit you hard @perfectmiss. Its horrible when effects happen that make what’s going on undeniable to others, and to ourselves.
I hope you can be as kind to yourself as possible and not give a damn what others think, even though I know that’s not easy. Maybe you’re just in your punk era?
To have already done 9 weeks is amazing- your so nearly over the hump and on to the second half! I’m joining you in having to find strength every week, every day- it doesnt always come easily but you and I are not alone.
Hope you start to feel better soon. X
I’m so sorry to read how difficult and traumatic you’re finding the hair loss. It’s completely understandable that it feels like such a huge and emotional change, especially when you’re still going through treatment. I hope, in time, you’ll be able to see yourself not as a ‘cancer victim’, but as the strong and wonderful woman you are, getting through this one step at a time. You’ve already come so far, and you’re nearly through the EC. Sending you lots of love, hugs and strength for Thursday and the weeks ahead xx
Thank you both for your kind words , I think it all got too much for me as I had the port fitted in . I’ve had two infusions already via a cannula and was meant to get the pic till they realised that I had, had surgery in May so as not to risk any potential problems in my arms they switched me to a port which I just got fitted. It’s all so overwhelming isn’t it . I also feel like a broken record at home too. The confidence I had pre cancer seems to have gone and I know it will come back but it’s what you feel in the process that consumes you . My family have been a rock to me . Next week we were meant to be going on a big family holiday . My sister will still take my daughter as she deserves the break but me and my husband are staying behind so I guess that’s affecting me too . Usually I would be counting down for some child free time but honestly this stuff that’s out inside us is causing me anxiety which I never had before … I will try to take day by day … I’m going back to work in two weeks with three treatments to go so I’m hoping that will help … I know some of you have such long journeys in front of you so I feel really bad moaning xxxx
2 Likes