By thesea - sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time at the mo. If it helps, I have an anxiety disorder as well as the BC and worry about everything. I’ve already had my surgery - a lumpectomy, but did have a chat with my surgeon about mx. Even when I needed a second WLE (first op didn’t have clear margins) my surgeon still said that a lumpectomy was the way for me. I had a lump at 6 o’clock and my scar follows my nipple. It turned out to be a 29mm grade 3 IDC. I’m pleased that I opted for the lumpectomy now, but at the time I can remember asking if a lumpectomy would remove it all / give me the best prognosis. I think my surgeon guided me in the right direction for me, although she did offer mx as an option. I think have a good chat with your surgeon.
I worry now a lot about my prognosis. My onc gave me a print out from something called Predict that shows the stats with and without chemo. I’m a sort of person who likes stats rather than vague comments and like to know the evidence base for everything. My prognosis isn’t so great (I’ve had ax node clearance too as 23/26 of my lymph nodes had cancer in - am ER 8/8 and her2 -ve) - I think the best thing to do would be to sit down with your onc and talk it through.
Lesley- sorry to hear that my chemo buddy has sore feet . So far I’m doing ok on t & much better than fec - I’m Day 9 so perhaps the se haven’t kicked in for me yet? Had quite a bit of pain and hot flushes but other than that ok. Got a very gurgling tummy and diarrhoea though. Sorry, I don’t have any suggestions for your feet.
As if chemo and bc wasn’t enough, I’ve got a meeting in work next week to see where things go from here. I’ve got my fingers crossed that work will hold my job for me until I’m well enough to go back. I’m only in my mid 30s so still have lots of work years ahead of me (I’m being positive that I’ll still be here!).
Saw the radiologist too for my rads consent- I’m a bit worried as no one is really clear about the plan for rads - either 3or 4 weeks worth for me.
Quick question about hair… I had my 3rd fec 4 weeks ago and my first t a week ago… I decided not to cold cap again (I just did the first 2 fec with cold cap)… should my hair be falling out or growing? It seems to be doing a bit of both lol!!!
This forum is really great - thank you to everyone and good luck to everyone - I’m hoping se are behaving themselves for everyone.
I’m a bit slow, but I saw people mentioning the MacMillan counselling service - I’m seeing a counsellor through the hospital and tbh, I don’t think I would have got this far through chemo without it. I do though think that things haven’t really gone in for me yet about my diagnosis and the bc will hit me when all the treatment stops - at the moment I’m keeping busy to keep thoughts away ;/. I’m hoping that there will be support then too.
Hi ladies was just catching up to check everyone is ok and saw your question about cold capping Poppywheel. I coldcapped for my 3rd FEC but then gave up for T as the trade off just didn’t seem worth it. I have quite a large bald patch in the middle but like you would agree that my hair now seems to be doing both - falling out and growing (at all different lengths) - it is an interesting process!! I have no idea where it will net out after two more T!
I agree Poppywheel it was the SEs and nausea from the coldcap that put me off - I didn’t want any nausea or headaches on T when I didn’t have too!
I don’t regret trying the coldcap as it was there to give it a go, but wouldn’t do it if I had my time again I agree!
Hello people. I’ve been lurking here enjoying the humour and camaraderie and would like some advice about taxotere and cold capping. I’m on a phased return to work and facing everyone for the first time on Wednesday and my switch to taxotere on Thursday. I’m worried about the tax truck and also I have the monk thing going on with severe thinning but still want to cold cap. Is taxotere really bad? And can my hair grow back during it? I’m really self conscious about my hair loss and paranoid about looking stupid in hats or wigs.
Hi all, I started chemo back in Nov I had 3xEC & now weekly Taxol for 10 more weeks, I had to miss it this week as my bloods were too low, I’m ok just very tired & don’t feel as bad as I did on the EC. I’m meeting the plastic surgeon on Monday to discuss mast & recon which I will have after chemo, it’s a long road but getting through it. Good to read all the posts keep strong ? as hard as it is!
Harryfiddler I had surgery first. It was meant to be followed by immediate reconstruction but my Diep flap failed. I still got a free tummy tuck so all good. There’s only a 2% failure rate so don’t let that put anyone off.
Good morning ladies, was hoping to try and get a walk in but woken up to snow not sure where that came from, boys have gone off to see if they can still go rugby training on the astro.
Well day 4 of T and slightly heavy around hip and leg area and a little tired but not too bad. But none of the normal aches I get from the injections as I finally tried the loratadine last night ?? why didn’t I do it sooner. My onc will never believe when I tell her.?
Have a good day ladies and let’s hope the SE are kind to us.
Carole x
Hello you lovely ladies. I’m from the January group. A couple of our ladies are having a bad time after their first chemo and though we are doing our best to support and encourage them there’s nothing quite like someone who has been there before. I wondered if any of you struggled to begin with and found it got better ? If anyone has some good encouraging words for those struggling do you think you could pop on our board and leave a message. I didn’t have it too hard with the first one, my second dose it this week so we will see how that goes. It having a not too bad time doesn’t place me well to say don’t worry you can do it.
Thanks all and hope you are all seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now x
Aliand? What’s the title of your thread please? Can’t seem to find January 2018 chemo starters? Or get the girls to pop onto our Oct 2017 thread we’ll all be happy to help in anyway we can, also you could let ladybowler a cc on the breast cancer care form know by pm her and she can get other cc’s who are here to support and guide us on this journey involved too. ???shi (Oct thread) xx
lots of celebrating friday night meant a bit of a quiet one yesterday … self inflicted … no sympathy requested or expected!!
I am pleased to report that my feet are improving. I can put both of them down flat on the floor and put my full weight on them. Friday that was impossible.
As OH says, it might be because I literally vegged out all of Saturday and gave them a break, rather than constantly bobbing around the place??
But either way, if they do flare up again, I know that rest will help them.
I am day 11 and feel back to normal again… this is a full week earlier than I have on FEC. So for me T has been an easier ride … so far.
Otter - are you pains getting any better?? Do you think it is the T or FM??
Carole, glad to hear you are feeling ok - keep it up girl!
Lesley, otter, stuff the diets till after chemo, listen to what your bodies want and get through the chemo darling nhs, plenty of time to think about slim a soups after all this, I think we’ve all had wild eating patterns, on my first 3 fec, I had to have Madeira cake and custard every pudding at dinner time, everyday, thought I was going to turn into a walking ???shi xx
So underwhelmed by dancing on ice so catching up here! Thanks again for your support on Friday when I had a little wobble. Will call my BCN first thing tomorrow but feeling Much better about it and that’s down to all of you fabulous ladies.
Glad to hear you went overboard on Friday Lesley I’m well jell!!! And that your feet are feeling better x
Annakarenina Mr LaBlast is a hoot. I did the 10 min workout sitting on the sofa watching him. Felt much better after ?.
I had a wander round the local charity shops looking for other people’s broken dreams or cast aside diet books. I have decided I eat too much red meat! I don’t like touching raw chicken so we don’t eat it. Last night was cous cous with vegetables and tonight was fish cakes. This morning I had avacodo on toast. I’m really enjoying making new things. Think I had got into a cooking rut and was just making the same things.
im working up to trying the 5:2 diet. Resetting my lifestyle. This is good a time as any ?
Well, the surest sign that I am ‘back in the room’ is my sleep and last night was the first proper nights sleep I’ve had since chemo 4. Still ahead of the FEC schedule so I’m a happy bunny.
Feet are walkable on again but still very tingly - another plus
Just wondering what could possibly go wrong!!
I’m guessing th JC, Otter et al will be on the chemo 5 ? this week - good luck to everyone’s pre checks etc.
Chemo 5 … WOW … whether you are on 6 or 8 … that’s a sizeable chunk ticked off!!
???just wanted to say ???you are getting there amazing Nov ?Lesley have you got everyone in the gold power rangers onesies now ???you are all doing ???shi xx
Hello all, Happy Monday ??
Round 5 here we come. So hard to believe the end of this journey is in sight!.
So T for me has had more challenges than Fec.
More tiredness throughout the 3 weeks and I didnt seem to have the ‘good week’ that i felt just before the round of Fec.
My oncologist has given me stronger pain killers in preparation of the body pains that i saw from day 5-12 after T. I have Naproxen so hopefully this will help get through the pain.
My eyes and nose are extremely wet and my onc said this was due to thinning of the mucous in the body so to be expected.
I cold capped for treatment 1 and 2, however my hair fell out on Fec, with T my eyelashes and eyebrows are coming off.
I went on the LGFB course last week which was fabulous!!! I’m not really into make up but had fun meeting others on this journey and coming away with some great tips on dealing with the loss of my eyebrows…
I love reading everyones comments and sharing on this site, truly helps.
For all the lovely ladies on round 5 this week, best of luck xxx
. So far I’m doing ok on t & much better than fec - I’m Day 9 so perhaps the se haven’t kicked in for me yet? Had quite a bit of pain and hot flushes but other than that ok. Got a very gurgling tummy and diarrhoea though. Sorry, I don’t have any suggestions for your feet.
