Hi Hasnae hope you are getting some support - how are you doing?
Hello feck, I am feeling bit down. Didn’t go out for two days as I had an appointment with breast surgeon three days ago stating that she can’t save my breast and I have to do mastectomy and there is sign of cancer in my second breast now and I am waiting for more ultrasound appointments.
I keep hearing just bad news and I didn’t get results from my genetic test yet which freaking me out as I have a twin sister that she lives in Canada and she is my only friend and my true love and I don’t want her to be affected like me.
I am still waiting for my oncologist appointment on Wednesday nothing about chemotherapy starting day yet.
Hopefully will go through this and become stronger.
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Sorry to hear that. This is not an easy road at all. Can suggest ask the nurses on here if they can match you with ‘someone like me’. There may also be other services they can offer? @Bernard_BCN @Shi
Hey everyone
I had my first chemo on the 19th Feb. I’m having my second this Wednesday 5th. So I thought the March starters would be the group to join!
Little about me, I’m 39 with 5 children, ages ranging (21-7)
Still really struggling with the diagnosis.
My mental health has taken a serious nose dive and I could really do with being amongst others who understand the worries and panic and also to help uplift each other x
I was diagnosed early January with IDC grade 3 er+ her2-
Although I’m still being tested and biopsied as a few more areas were picked up on mammogram. Oh also 1 aux lymph involved.
Surgeon suggested we crack on with chemo and then it’ll be surgery.
I’m doing 4 EC 2 weekly and then paclitaxal (think that’s how it’s spelt)
Hope everyone is doing well today xx
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@KazED thanks for the tip on Polybalm, going to get hold of some this week. @chita I’m glad the nausea has eased up, nothing been mentioned to me about needing a picc/port so I’m hoping I will have it in my hand. @hasnae87 im still waiting on my genetics report It was sent to Southampton on 12th Feb.
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Hi @hasnae87
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and all that is happening to you aswell. Please know that the BCN community is very supportive. Being part of this chemo thread will hold your hand.
I had bilateral (both) invasive carcinomas, two separate primaries and am also HER2+. I had bilateral lumpectomy, chemo with Herceptin, radiotherapy. Now 20 months on from finding a lump cancer free, with Letrozole soon to change to Exemestane and 6 monthly bone infusion (3/6 due early April). Over a year ago a threa called HER2+ and need some buddies started and it’s had over 20k views and numerous people join at different stages of their treatment. It’s a really friendly and supportive thread you may like to join. Link below
Thinking of you. 
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I noticed @feck had mentioned the BCN secondary group so I thought I would post the link here
- Secondary breast cancer is full of uncertainties. But you can count onLiving with Secondary Breast Cancer to be there for you, no matter what. You’ll be able to talk, listen and learn with people who understand the challenges that secondary breast cancer brings. Our groups are open to people with a secondary diagnosis. Monthly sessions, facilitated by a therapist, are held in a variety of locations across the UK and online. Find a group. And if you are 45 or under? Our Younger Women with Secondaries Together events provide information and support
- LiveChat: Open to people with a secondary diagnosis. A private chat room where you can talk to others in a similar situation.
Someone Like Me: Will match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. They’ll be a phone call or email away to answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen. Call on 0800 138 6551 or contact our email volunteers may be able to match you with someone else living with secondary.
Hope the links help.
@feck I cold capped and wore my glasses, Paxman recommend wearing them over the neoprene outer cap. I didn’t find this out until a few weeks into my weekly Paclitaxel and ended up with bald patches above my ears on both sides. But overall I kept most of my hair. I did cut mine into a pixie from a bob but after finding Paxman I think I could have kept the bob. My hair thinned but it wasn’t so noticeable. You seem so organised. I hope sharing your diagnosis on here helps as I noticed you said you haven’t told many people in your life. I hope you have someone close that can help if you need it. I had my husband and he was brilliant.
For all please look at and book the course on Look Good Feel Better charity. Great for skincare and makeup, nails ( especially if on taxane chemo eg Docetaxel/Paclitaxel) and hair care etc
Cancer Hair Care Jasmin is great and works with Look Good Feel Better as well as Paxman for cold cap @feck already posted the link. Please check it out if cold capping as many do not fit the cap due to time and it can prevent it from working properly. Your time is booked to include the cap fitt8ng so don’t let the nurse rush it.
Little Lifts are a wonderful charity who will send you a chemo bag of goodies if you provide your diagnosis, this information is destroyed once the parcel is issued. I still use my fabric bag regularly.
Thinking of you all
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Thanks @naughty_boob for your help.
I’m in the BCN SBC Group in Belfast. I joined just after my secondary diagnosis and it has been invaluable as we are all in a similar position. We really do support each other. I would recommend it to anyone with SBC.
I am doing a virtual LGFB Nailcare workshop tomorrow evening and a Hairloss one on Thursday. Also one for Wigs, etc in a few weeks. I’m still undecided about the cold therapy socks/mitts so I might get some advice tomorrow.
K x
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Thanks so much @naughty_boob ! Will look into those 
on the hair front great to hear your experience so encouraging
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Let us know how no.2 goes - my 2nd is a week after you. Hoping will go like my first one. Have a look at what @naughty_boob posted below on some of the support this forum can offer.
HI @hasnae87, I hope you are feeling a little better today.
Would it help to chat to our team of breast care nurses? Don’t worry if you’re not sure what to ask, or if you need time to think things through - our nurses are happy to talk, at your own pace.
You can reach us on freephone 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm).
Sending our warmest wishes
Bernard
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Hello ladies,
I hope everyone is doing okay today
I had my second round of EC this Morning. Hoping it’ll be similar to my first round. I found that if I kept on top of the anti sickness tablets then I was pretty much without nausea.
But the steroid crash was something else, my whole body buzzed and I had the loudest ringing in my ears for a day or two.
Not looking forward to the filgratstim injections again. I really struggled with these. Hoping I find a good coping/medication routine that makes the aches better!
I’m cold capping too. The first time I found it pretty much painless. Today though, I did feel that initial 15/20 mins of brain freeze which did make me feel a little nauseous. But, after those first few minutes it was fine 
Is anyone else cold capping?
Also, how is everyone looking after their nails? I read on here that polybalm was recommended. I wondered if there might be a slightly cheaper alternative though that someone is thinking of using
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Hi - glad went well for you
my 2nd EC next week, also cold capping. I took filgastrim at 6.30 or 7 at night with a paracetamol. The only one I had any slight symptom from was the morning after the 5th but even then mild lower back ache that paracetamol quickly resolved
Nails - I bought and use vitamin E nail and cuticle oil which was suggested in another forum. Guess I’ll know at the end if it worked or not
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Hi everyone! Good to see that everyone is having progress 
I had my second chemo (only Paclitaxel) on Tuesday and so far feeling almost normal. Some nausea here and there but the antisickness meds are helping. The only unpleasant thing is an almost sleepless night after steroids but hopefully will catch up today.
Bought my wig today! I noticed that I’m mentally ready to lose hair in a way, bought a bunch oh hats, warned everyone around that it’s coming. In some way I’m in piece with this fact.
What are your plans for the hair loss/thining? Will you get a wig or just some covers (or nothing at all maybe)?
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Hi
I had round two of Paclitaxel today. Same as last week, my BP/temp/heart rate went high so they triaged me. One of the nurses tried to stop it as she knows it happens but a Dr insisted. Everything was ok but gave me IV antibs just in case. Anyone got the chemo over 2 hours instead of one and all was ok. A 6 hr stay but home and yes wide awake but exhausted!
They now know this is the norm for me so say it will be ok next week. 
Last week I was very tired and a bit iffy but didn’t take the sickness meds as I think it was partly stress causing it,
I got my wig last week but need a fringe cut into it by my hairdresser when I eventually have to go get hair shaved! I’m a bit traumatised by the thought of losing my hair so want to look as normal as possible. That might change as I will probably melt under a wig in summer!
K x
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Hi
I bought the Polybalm as it is ‘The Only Product Clinically Proven to Profoundly Reduce Chemotherapy Nail Damage’. It was recommended on Cancer Pal and somewhere else so I checked the Polybalm website. It is unfortunately very expensive but I thought if I didn’t use it and my nails were affected, I would regret it. Other products may work just as well.
K x
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Hey @feck
Are you on a 2 or 3 weekly course of EC?
I’m 2 weekly.
I think I’ll give evenings a go this round, see if it makes any difference
I’m injecting into my thigh as after the first two in my stomach I had really bad pain in my stomach. Felt like labour 
Hope everyone has a good day x
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3 weekly. Jabs start day 5 for 5 days. I inject in tummy as frankly plenty of padding! I alternated sides. Hope all good after cycle 2?
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This time round I have started the injections the day after chemo - still for 5 days. I am trying evenings this time round too.
Feeling okay, still on the strong anti sickness and steroids. I’ll have my last lot tomorrow and then the side effects will kick in 
Hoping I find them easier this time round as I know more of what to expect.
One thing that has happened again is 24ish hours after the EC I get a hot, flushed face. No temp or anything though. Lasted last cycle for 48ish hours. Strange symptom I haven’t heard of anyone else having!
I hope everyone is having a peaceful night x
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