Doing well thanks. EC 2 of 4 is on Thursday and I feel ok about it. Just trying to stay healthy as I go into each. Hoping they follow a similar pattern although some people say cycle 3 can be more brutal?
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Feeling good. 
How are you?
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Not too bad today. Did my first morning walk in weeks, took my time but I did it and feel good about it. I think having only half the chemo this week has given me less side effects. The last two weekends had been a right off.
Glad you’re ok and will be thinking about you next Thursday.
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Hi @naughty_boob ,
Sorry I’ve not been in touch for a while, I finished chemo on Monday. I found sitting in the chemo suite for hours really tough, but am so pleased to have got through it.
Where are you in your treatments now. It must be horrible suffering with your skin, has it cleared up now?
I hope things have been bearable apart from that.
The steroids steal your sleep don’t they?
I hope you’ve got some good things to look forward to even in the midst of this strange, tough time. It sounds like your family and colleagues know and show you your worth which helps so much, doesn’t it? Sounds like you’ve held up really well in the midst of the chaos. It probably doesn’t feel like it at times though.
Wishing you all the very best.
Take care x
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Hi everyone,
I’m feeling really upset and anxious, I’ve had 8 weekly paclitaxol/abraxane infusions but my white blood cells aren’t happy. Neutrophils have been 1 for the last 2 weeks and the oncologist has decided to reduce my dose to 80% for the last 4 sessions. He’s told me this is quite normal, but I haven’t heard on this forum it happening to many people. I’m only 29 and have a grade 3 tumour so I really want to give myself the best chance. I’m angry at my body as feel like it’s failing me, but I’m looking after it the best I can. Sorry for the rant, one of those days, I hope to feel calmer after I’ve had time to digest the news X
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Jess_1 there’s been lots of us over the years who have had reduced chemo because neutrophils were hammered please keep in mind your team have seen it all before and everything is tailored specifically for you and my thinking was at the time reduced dose was still getting that extra doctor on inside giving it a 
Shi xx
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Hi @Geo23
So pleased your treatment has now finished. I agree sitting for hours in the unit is hard, I try to district myself with reading or watching something online. But then my husband comes and I feel I have to chat, I generally suggest he go and get food and maybe a walk as it’s boring for him aswell.
Had my 4th treatment today and all is very after an allergic reaction last week. Been given a variety of tablets to take before and after chemo for a couple of days. My skin was not as reactive last week but I only had half the chemo, so we’ll see what happens this week. The consultant was too bothered when I mentioned it, I’ve tried to take care with it with skincare using The Ordinary Niamcinamide and Zinc serum which is good for breakouts. I did also use some Salicylic Acid toner to treat under the skin, I use it regularly but the clinic has suggested not to use too many actives.
My so. Is coming to stay for the weekend so that lovely to look forward to. I explained I might feel a bit under the weather and need to go to bed for a bit, he’s ok with it and just wanted to be with us.
What re you planning to do with all your chemo free times? Do you have any more treatment?
Take care. X
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Hi @Jess_1
I’m on weekly Paclitaxel, just had my 4 th today. Last week I had an allergic reaction and they stopped the treatment half way through and didnt restart as I was in a nurse led outreach centre and no doctors on site to monitor. They even took an hour to get IV anti sickness authorised. Went to clinic on Tuesday and said I was concerned as I’d only had 50% the previous week, but with the 2 100% that divided into 83.3% over the three weeks. He said it was ok, many people either miss a whole dose or have less for variety of reasons, they give you more than you need and it all works out over the 12 weeks. He also stated that they give everyone more than they need which is why we have side effects, he said it would be great if they could only give what you need to kill the cancer but they’re not there yet.
Doing my maths again, if you’ve had 8 full weeks at 100% plus 4 weeks at 80% that equates to 93.3% over the 12 weeks so that not too bad. Try not to worry the team know what they’re doing and from what the consultant said to me this week ( he’s got over 30 years experience and he’s a professor at Cardiff University)
Take care.
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Hi Jess. I had to have mine reduced too by the same amount and then a gap due to a melanoma found on my foot which needed removing urgently under general. All I can say is that it didn’t affect results on my grade 3 triple negative breast cancer. Its still moving in the right direction as my PET-CT and MRI showed today.
My oncologist explained that they are used to this and factor it into treatment plans. Its really tough and I was just where you were, so sending you lots of love for getting through this.
Xxx
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@rachel60 so glad it all worked out for you with the reduction in doses.
Have you had a treatment this week? How are you doing?
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Hi @naughty_boob, good to get your message. Yes, the chemo sessions can drag can’t they? They really effect my eye sight and concentration, so I find it impossible to read. I had a lovely Nurse who allowed me to go to another bay, pull the curtain around me and I did gentle exercise and paced around when I couldn’t sit still any longer. I was so thankful for that.
I hope your skin calms down really soon, it must be really annoying having the allergic reactions. I get really itchy and red. Have been taking anti allergy tablets. It sounds like you’re working out some solutions though. Well done.
I’m glad you’ve got your son’s visit to look forward to at the w.e., and that he’s understanding about your energy levels. Have a lovely time with him. Treat yourselves to something special.
Keep me posted as to how you’re doing.
I’ve got Radiotherapy planned for 17th.
Take care. Sending love.
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Hi all. Sorry to have been away so long. I couldn’t access the new system for a while and have had lots going on.
I hope everyone’s doing well. It seems like ages away since we all started on this chemo journey. I had my last Paclitaxel infusion on Mon, and am pleased to have finished chemo.
I’m about to start Radiotherapy in two weeks. Does anyone know any tips/ good videos about mastering the breath hold so that the Radiation misses the heart when targeting the lymph nodes near the breast bone? I found the explanations and videos I was given really confusing, and couldn’t get to grips with it. I’ve been told I won’t receive radiation on the lymph nodes near the the breast bone unless I can master the breath hold on my rescheduled CT planning appointment this Monday.
At the end of the last CT planning session one of the Radiotherapy team members gave me a really good tip about putting tape on your breastTake care x bone, another bit 1 cm lower, then you have to put tape on the mirror. Align the tape on the breast bone with the tape on the mirror and practice breathing in until your rib cage raises 1 cm for the lower piece of tape to raise to be in line with the tape on the mirror. You then have to practice the same breath technique laying down with arms raised. Your heart should then be out of the way of the radiation.
There is apparently a lazer pointed down from above you which targets the area where the breast bone tape is, and you have to consistently be able to raise the rib cage 1 cm, away from the lazer then hold your breath.
If anyone has any helpful tips/ sites/ videos I’d be really grateful.
Take care x
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Thanks! Yes treatment for EC 2 of 4 done. Not feeling too bad so far. I’m sure I’ll have a few side effects like the crashing post steroid fatigue but also know it doesn’t last. Three weeks between treatments is a plus!
Hope you are better - its all so difficult isn’t it but we are amazing at getting through it with each other’s support
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Found this article about friends and how they can help you and deal with own emotions. I’ve had several people say they will help and then not heard a peep.
I’ve decided to do the Macmillan 100 mile walk for October it’s going to be challenging but walking around the house and to the toilet all count! I sent a link to everyone via text,am hoping I’ve opened to door. Let’s see. I’m debating about sending the link to them to read as well. What do you think?
Love and thoughts to you all
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Hello All,
Finally caught up with all your news.
I have not been here for a while either. I am having my 4th and last Docetaxel + Phesgo on Tuesday. A great relief as I have found this more challenging than EC. I had to request for reduction of Docetaxel which helped with the skin irritation etc
I think the injections don’t help the feeling/side effects (ones for the bone marrow) - affects on gastrointestinal tract.
I have been trying to reset my gut micro biome but may have been overdoing it with the probiotics. I had an ‘allergy’ histamine reaction. Got some odd pins and needles too in some fingers. Hoping they go away.
Next phase is op early Nov - tag guided mammoplasty and SLNB. Anyone have any experience of this. I have never had an operation before so a bit nervous. Was told it would take 3 hours on day case?
Depending on pathology and what they find, further treatment i.e radiotherapy will be following that. Although post treatment scan was positive, it all depends on what they find under the microscope.
I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the year and people talking Christmas but then again we have all been occupied with treatments/setbacks etc etc.
It feels like it’s been dragging but on the other hand, time has moved on at a speed.
Stay positive and well all of you and my very best wishes to you all xx
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Hi @Dhillman
Nice to hear from you.
I’m on Paclitaxel and it’s not good on the stomach, diarrhoea but the dexamethasone I take before treating seems to prevent the worse. I have been told not to have probiotics as they are live bacteria and can cause infection while on Chemotherapy. Dr Tim Spector from the Zoe study has said about eating the rainbow to get a wide variety of your nutritional needs via food. Yes normally he recommends kefir and sauerkraut. Please check with your team about probiotics you don’t want to get an infection.
Www.PennyBrohn.org.uk have a treatment programme every Thursday including nutrition and a living well with cancer nutrition. All free.
I get pins and needles and some numbness, as both of our chemo affects the nerves. Told to mention when it’s there all the time. Worth mentioning to your team as it can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
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Hello,
Thank you for the advice and tips. I will look at the site. I was a bit impatient to ‘recover’ my gut to be ‘healthy’ for surgery and wound recovery etc. I know it all takes time :-/
I have mentioned some of the side effects so my oncologist added more dexamethasone to extend past the 3 days and also change my anti sickness med and reduced my Docetaxel.
Take care xx
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Great to hear from you and progress. Almost there with one to go although sounds tough.
Totally understand preparing for surgery. I’m 2 more EC but already thinking I need to prepare. My gut has taken a kicking!
Cheering you on to the end of this phase!
Xxxx
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Thanks for the link. Really helpful reminders of good tips! X
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Happy Sunday all,
We are so lucky with the weather in London anyway.
@rachel60 thank you so much. There is some light ahead 
I hope the remainder of your ongoing treatment goes well too xx
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