it is interesting the variation, my oncologist said I could do Onco Dx if I wanted but that it might come back with an ambiguous result and I would have delayed treatment because of it or we would be no further forwards. She was keen for me just to get cracking with chemo as soon as possible - literally six weeks to the day post surgery.
I agree about positive attitude, I’ve also worked for the NHS for a long time and have seen that too. It can be really hard but just keeping going and doing what you can when you can gives you a greater sense of control.
I think lymph node spread is also a factor in deciding on chemo for ER+ breast cancers and if I remember correctly, you had a couple of nodes involved? Your oncologist sounds on the ball and it’s great managed to start your chemo so soon after surgery. Hope you’re doing ok. x
Morning @mssteel, well remembered! I’m struggling to remember what I had for dinner yes, was in 2/3 they took and I will have full node clearance after chemo. My oncologist is direct, reasonable and thorough - exactly what we need.
I’m doing relatively well this week - it’s the better week . My other half has been on holiday, so we’ve done one nice thing every day. Went to the cinema at 10am yesterday. Only two other people in the same screening, got the fancy recliners and enjoyed a couple of hours lying down somewhere else. Very enjoyable.
Cycle 3 EC tomorrow, not looking forward to it but only one EC left after this.
Hey ladies , just competed my 4th EC cycle it’s been a long journey and the nausea proper kicking in now!!
My next lot is the carboplatin and paclitaxel For the next 12 weeks!! Anyone experienced this? Your thoughts? Side effects?
I’m a little scared as she kept talking about the tingling of hands and feet!!
Also having eye side effects at the moment! Sticky eyes and watery and dry all the same time! Oncologist says this is common with chemo but what can I do to help it? Xxx
@LittleBitBrave well done for getting this far with it. I’m going back today for cycle 3 of Docetaxel and Carbo so not quite the same regime but the tingling they would have told you about is likely peripheral neuropathy. I have taken vitamin D, compression socks/gloves and cold socks/mitts but still have some symptoms unfortunately. Hoping it’s not too progressive each cycle.
I also have the dry eye and I bought some hycosan over the counter that is helping. There are loads of different artificial tears out there and I’m sure a nice optician or pharmacist might be able to recommend some products.
@LittleBitBrave i second compression for neuropathy prevention.. I wore compression sports socks and surgical gloves that are too small x 2 pairs on each hand and cut out a hole for the cannula. I also sucked on ice cubes intermittently during infusion and have had no mouth issues at all.
second the suggestion of seeing a nice opthamologist optician or speaking with a pharmacist. Chemo can dry out eyes as well as every surface of the skin. your eyes may be watering due to how dry they are but that does not mean your eyes are being coated with the right kind of tears for lubrication. my skin and eyes tend to be dry on a good day. CHemo made it a bad day. saw my optician who recommended Theoluz duo drops and Theoluz Gell to use at night and to use the duo drops far more often than normal whilst on chemo.
Just popping over from May to suggest help for @LittleBitBrave and the eye issues. I’ve got the same, waking with hard sticky eyelashes glued together, but have ‘Dry Eye’ anyway. My optician always tells me to soak cottonwool pads in hot water from a boiled kettle, let them cool a bit, obviously, then pop them over the eyes, repeat a few times, then remove them and gently massage beneath the lower eyelids, in tiny circles, with the fingertips. Helps open the sticky tear ducts. Then apply eyedrops. Your friends on here have suggested some good ones, so I’ ll just add in Systane Complete Preservative-Free ones, which my optician recommends. You need to repeat this routine a couple of times a day. Tiresome, like everything else with chemo, but worth it if it helps. Hope it does.
Hi everyone, just checking in to see how you are all doing? Has anyone had their last EC yet?
Cycle 3 was on Friday for me, so I’m entering the twilight zone, where I emerge to make my meals and water my plants (stretch goal there), otherwise it’s three days pretty much in bed. But I resurrect on Friday, dawn of the living dead style.
My biggest issues so far have been Mucositis and Thrush, but on top of that with Difflam and Nystatin. Serious fatigue and a heart rate that occasionally soars for no sexy reasons.
Looking very much forward to getting the last EC out of the way at end of the month.
Last two blood tests showed low haemoglobin so ended up having a blood transfusion yesterday. In hindsight I was starting to resemble Uncle Fester and was moving like I’d been recorded and played back in slo-mo! Feeling much better now.
I’ve got another 3 weeks of my Pembro/Pac/Carbo concoction then I move onto 3 x 3 weekly Pembro/EC so even though I know it’ll probably be rough, I’ll be happy to knock the weekly infusions on the head.
Happy to hear you’re nearing the end of the EC. Is that it for you then or are you moving on to something else?
Was fully expecting it to be the worst…have had mainly the same side effects but slightly worse than cycle 3. Am not going to lie….pleased for it to be behind me now.
Feeling better the last few days.
Start the 1st of 4 paclitaxel a week today….anyone had this yet….if so any tips?
Absolutely fine. This time I just made a point of going to bed as soon as I could so went at seven and woke at seven. I have just chilled . No sickness at all . From memory it was Thurs and Friday I was exhausted so just trying to rest as much as possible so that hopefully doesn’t hit as hard but I’m not sure if that’s possible
@beef2000 I can imagine it feels like a relief to get past EC. Glad to hear the 4th one was not dramatically worse. It’s weird how something so scary becomes sort of normal.
I will be going on to PAC in Mid August, so I will be following you and others are faring. Hoping it’s a bit easier. Need to protect the fingers and feet with it though.
Thankfully I haven’t been nauseous either except on very few occasions, which was one of the things I was concerned about most. Absolutely hate feeling sick, but the meds they give you take care of it.
fingers crossed that you don’t go down too low and are on the up soon! X
yes, was in 2/3 they took and I will have full node clearance after chemo. My oncologist is direct, reasonable and thorough - exactly what we need.
it’s been a long journey and the nausea proper kicking in now!!