Yep and my mouth feels gritty all the time no matter how many times I clean my teeth.
Anyone else feel like they have a really horrible smell or is that just me?! I know it’s the chemicals coming out but it’s horrible.
On a positive note it’s been a good excuse to buy some expensive smellies. Here’s hoping T smells better x
Sar41 - defo a strange odour as a result of the chemo. I’ve noticed it stronger after being to loo too. Not looking forward to the dreaded T next week. Vic55 it will be interesting to see how we go on a day to day basis seeing we are getting ours on same day. They have changed my appointments to the mornings in case there are any problems so we will probably be getting drugged at same time! Sar41 when do you start your T? Barbara x
Good evening everybody, I hope you are all keeping well, I have an oncology appointment tomorrow before my first of three docetaxol. Dreading it…fed up of needles going in and the aching forearm I’ve had since this all began, any advice welcome.
Hi, I had my first T last Wednesday. I was very worried about all the side effects I had read and heard about. All I can say is that you should not worry too much, I am taking the pain killer I have been told to and the aches and pains are managable. I think I had built it up so much that it could not possilbly be any worse than I thought. I had my T in on Wednesday at Warwick and did’nt feel and effects until the Friday evening which was just as the oncologist had said. I don’t think it has been worse than the FEC but different. I have a wedding at the the weedend and hoping I’ll start feeling back to some kind of normal after my last injection tonight.
Deborah that’s really helpful…I was beginning to worry too! FEC done, so you feel like you are starting again somehow! Am at Warwick too and they said same thing to me, Fri pm should kick in, have a quiet weekend and pick up Mon / Tues. Feel better about next week now
Hi Vic, I thought it was funny what you said about the knitted hats in the reception area. I must be the only one to take one. I wear it at night, it makes me laugh. As I seem to be a few weeks ahead, should anyone want to ask me any questions about the T I 'm happy to answer. The hype about it is very scary.
I’m due my last FEC tomorrow then go on to T for final 3. I too feel like I’m starting all over again as not sure how it will effect me as everyone is different. Is anyone still doing cold cap, if so his are you getting on ? I’m gonna use it again tomorrow for my 3rd FEC lost at least 50% of my hair just before and after 2nd FEC. Still have an all over coverage but it is very thin. Not sure how long it’s gonna last xx
Hi Deborah, thank you so much! It’s really helped. I’m not as worried now but will post after and let you all know. I’m planning warm baths and paracetamol to help with the aches whilst chasing after my newly walking daughter! X
Hello all - I’m new to this forum! I am 32 and was diagnosed with Grade 3, hormone and Her 2 positive breast cancer in May and had to undergo a mastectomy (I had reconstruction at the same time). I today have had my sixth round of chemotherapy … I’m on weekly Taxol for 12 weeks and I have Herceptin every 3 weeks which will go on until next July. I will then be on Tamoxifen for 10 years. Once the chemo has finished I’ll either have to have a monthly ovary suppression injection for 5 years or consider a hysterectomy!!
I noticed a comment on Taxol and would be happy to sharing my experience on it if it helps anyone (although I know everyone is different),
I hope you are all as well as can be expected ?
I would really appreciate anything you can tell me about taxol. X
Hi Lisac… I’m having 3rd FEC today and am doing cold cap. I have lost 40/50% of hair and have a bald crown. It’s a good look! I need to wear a scarf or hat all the time now if I am out in public… I bought a wig and a hair piece. I will use the wig if it all goes but find I am fiddling with hair piece all the time so feel really self-conscious and draw attention to the hair area unwittingly. I’m wearing scarfs and headband mostly for now. My children have to print out when they can spot my bald patch! They are nine and six, hope you have a good day and good luck with yours! . Cxxx
Also lisac… I too like you had a long blonde hair. And I had it cut to Shoulderlength which I really liked. At least I’m not scared of the shoulderlength hair anymore ( had very long hair since about 16 years old!). Nice to know in a way that when it starts growing I would be happy with shoulderlength rather than waiting for it to be half down my back again. Xxx
Hi , are any of you being tested for the BRCA gene? I’ve a wee bit of a family history but no one has mentioned it to me.
Yes I was tested,received a phone call came that it was highly unlikely I have any of the BRCA genes, haven’t recieved the actual results through the post yet so still not sure what that really means. What I do know is the results are inconclusive and my consultant told me its a bit like looking fir a spelling mistake in war and peace. Hmmm not sure that gave me much hope xx
Morning Viv55 & NMT_1 … I’ve got to say that I feel quite lucky so far on the weekly taxol as when the oncologist gave me a list of the side effects I felt very nervous. My worse side effects have been fatigue (and I mean a couple of days wanting to just lie in bed all day) and headaches. I have occasional pin and needles in me hands and feet, occasional blurred vision, sensitive mouth (anything slightly spicy hits me and I use a childs toothbrush now), constipation for 2 days, occasional night sweats and extremely rosey cheeks for two days following chemo which I think is the steroids they give you. I was told one of the biggest side effects is indigestion and heartburn but I’ve changed my diet to be very much alkaline based and so I haven’t suffered from this. I’ve also been freezing my fingers and toes during my chemo sessions to avoid my nails lifting and using a solution called evonail. I had my hair cut short before my chemo started as I wanted to donate it to The Little Princess Trust and although it has started falling out I still have plenty. I hope this has been useful!!
I think the monthly injections would be zoladex (it rings a bell) … my concern is that I’ll still only be 38 when they stop those injections so then my hormones will start up again and will that increase my chances of reoccurrence. I’m fortunate to have a 2 year old so the fertility side is less of an issue for me. Life is most important! ?
Hi Lisac and Josie… I to have a family history and I am having a genetics test for the BRCA gene. Results next week apparently. Health insurance cover mine as it is on both sides of the family in the primary relative. FEC 3 went ok. Feel ok but tired… Xx
Good evening, firstly thank you Angel10 for your comments about taxol I had my first today and am relieved to say that so far I’m doing ok. I had pretty bad nausea and sickness with the EC rounds but today other than fatigue and bright face (got to love the steroids!) I’ve been well I’ve even managed to eat properly- you advice about the alkaline based diet is really interesting-definitely going to be looking into that. I have to go for my BRCA test on August the 14th being 34 and having no history and triple negative I think it’s the only other explanatio, for me the results will certainly impact on my surgery decisions. Hope you are all well c
Morning folks, well sleep seems optional, but feeling kinda good! Hubby took Friday off and we went to Trentham gardens and monkey ? forest, and yesterday was wedding no 2 of the summer. I had to smile, as we saw lots of family, friends etc who hadn’t seen me since chemo started. Firstly the wig was much admired, but I kept being told how well I’m doing / looking!! I think people expect you to look so broken, its lovely but odd in the same way…
Hi Lindy, sorry I can’t help about the radiotherapy really please your side effects have been minimal with the taxol. X
3rd round of FEC complete on thurs, thankfully feeling not to bad yesterday and today last 2 rounds I’ve not left the house between, 7 and 10 days. Next round going on to docetaxel for my final 3 rounds before surgery. My last round hopefully all going well will be 8th October. My 40th birthday is 15th oct hoping I’ll be ok to celebrate somehow. Any tips for getting through the next part will be gratefully received xx