Hi ladies
So four days round three EC feeling pretty **bleep**ty again but only one more and I’m half way I’m so hoping the doxetaxol is kinder to me xx
Good morning everyone…
Sar_ah, hope you’re well! ??
Bad_boob, good news that you’re bloods are okay for chemo on Tuesday next week - and yes, over halfway through!! ??
Elliesmum, Thank you for you good wishes… I’m actually in a bit of a tiz to be honest, I sincerely hoping chemo likes me this time!! ??
Interesting to read what different chemo everyone is on! ??
I had a call from oncology yesterday to say my bloods are fine and the blood transfusion i had “obviously did the trick” so C4 will go ahead today… I did say I defo only want the good stuff this time!! ???
Elliesmum…hope you get on okay today, will be thinking about you… hopefully all you other lovely ladies are well!
Have a fabulous day x ???
Stay strong…
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Morning Ladies
Blimey Aneeebel, you were up early ?
Good luck today to you and ElliesMum ?? I’ll be thinking of you both and sending big hugs ??
It’s our works do today, it’ll probably be the first Christmas do I’ve attended without getting drunk ? I suppose it’s good to do new things ? I’ve managed to get a long purple wig for the occasion (mega cheap so rubbish quality but it’ll do for an afternoon ?). I’ve also got a Christmas headscarf but I’ve not been brave enough to wear a headscarf in public yet, they show off my “cheruby chops” too much, as my husband likes to call me. Trouble is, my head gets too hot with something on it all the time. I’m normally a baldy at home so this afternoon might be a bit of a trial ?
Stay strong and take care ???
?Fiona xxx
I hope you’re ok, Sar_ah, after your first T yesterday!
I only remembered that I had to take steroids the day before T chemo last night so didn’t get a lot of sleep!? I was getting too complacent; clearly I need to go back to setting a plethora of alarms on my phone again to remind me!?♀️
Good luck with next Tuesday, Badboob. I’m counting down the days and cycles too. Hope you’re feeling alright, Kateday!
Thank you for the hugs, Fiona!? I hope you have a fab time at the Christmas party. Loving the sound of your purple wig!??
Thank you for the lovely kind wishes, Aneeebel.? Fingers crossed the side effects are kind to both of us after chemo today!??
Love and hugs to you all. Stay warm!
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Yes…too early ?Fiona… flipping steroids! I actually woke up at about 3.15!!! ?? Thanks for the hug!
Enjoy your party! ??? x
Thank you ElliesMum… keep your chin up! ??
Take care everyone… it’s freezing out, you’ll defo need your “big coats” on when you go out!!
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As I’m sat hooked up to chemo bag, I’m thinking about genetic testing. Would any of you ladies who have been offered it mind sharing why or how this happened? It has not been offered to me (or even mentioned) thus far, and I’m 4 cycles in. I read through the NICE recommendations and I don’t fulfil the criteria for automatic referral. I don’t have any family history of breast cancer, but my paternal grandfather died of prostate cancer (he was diagnosed in his 70s). I literally have zero of the risk factors for developing cancer, with the exception of sometimes eating red/processed meats. I’m 33. My cancer is ER-/PR- and HER2+. Aside from those with extensive family history, I think only triple negative ladies my age are offered genetic testing. I would like to know if I’m a carrier of any of the identified genes, as I have a little girl (and a sister and Mum) who may also be affected. Should I push for this, or will I automatically be rejected so there’s no point? Thanks for any advice! Xox ??
Hi Ellie’s mum, I had genetic testing because I was a tn and also bc runs in family, it was a simple blood test that they have to send away, I got results 2-3 months after having it done. I personally couldn’t wait to get it done and was happy to have the option, some of the ladies on here have had to fight tooth and nail to get one. It was more about knowing that if the tn was caused by faulty brca gene then I would have had additional surgery ASAP at my choice, in a crazy as it sound way, I felt it gave me back a bit of control if that happened, as it turned out I didn’t have faulty brca, the tn was just what mine happened to be (I think it was years and years and years in very stressful jobs) needless to say I don’t do stress now in anyway shape or form. No harm in asking if you could have one as you want to try and protect your daughter ??hope that helps with your decision to pursue the test or not. ???
Shi xx
ElliesMum, I hope today went well, I’ve been thinking about you and Aneeebel.
As for genetic testing, I was offered this initially because of my age, I’m 48. At the time, the consultant didn’t have all the results back from the biopsy so we didn’t know I was triple negative, it was purely based on my age. There is no family history of cancer, other than my mum’s cousin who had pancreatic cancer. When I met the genetics person she explained I was borderline, just approaching the 10% line where they do want to test. We know I’m triple negative, 48 but that’s it.
We had a really good chat with genetics and I was happy to do the test, which is simply providing a blood sample. I was fortunate that I was going for a blood test the next day anyway. It takes about 8 - 10 weeks for the results which should fit in with the end of my chemo and whatever the results are may change what surgery I have (currently thought to be a lumpectomy).
If I was in your shoes I think I’d want to know so I’d try and push for it. But everyone’s different.
Good luck with the rest of your evening, I hope you’re ok and not suffering ?
Oh, the purple wig went down a treat ? Getting a load if blokes trying it on and then seeing them flick their hair is hilarious ?
Take care ladies ??
?Fiona xxx
Fiona, Shi and Aneeebel, thanks for sharing your experiences and offering advice. I will call my BCN and ask her about my options, as it is something I would like to know more about.?
Feeling ok after first docetaxel chemo. Usually feel really unwell by now ?, so definitely an improvement over FEC so far! ? Fingers crosses that trend continues.?
Love to all, and stay warm tomorrow. We have a snow and ice warning in the Midlands! ?? xox
Morning 
well that’s round four 
:)))) and I have to say despite the terrible state I was in pre chemo and some rather strange issues I am having with smells in the hospital! (The hospital doesn’t smell bad, think it’s more association thing!) chemo was fine!! I even when for a 40 minute walk yesterday!!!
Aneeebel how did Friday go for you? Hope you’ve managed to have a “good” cycle, fingers crossed for you.
I’m on FEC-T but had herceptinbat the end. I also had in sprang on my I would be on long term injections in addition to tablets (which I was aware about after the chemo) but have no idea what or why to be honest I Didn’t ask as it wasn’t a great consultant appt.
Fiona my consultant seems to think side effects are much the same!? Only bonuses mentioned were tingling hand and feet (which they said too call if I get) and a runny bottom! So fingers crossed!!
How was your works xmas do? Ours was last night but I didn’t go which was a good idea, I was asleep at 8am!
Loving the idea of an xmas scarf! I tend to have the opposite problem at the moment, my wig makes me look like a hamster ? so I tend to wear scarfs, people do look but I don’t notice it as much now! My little girl also loves them which is a massive help! She has a mini one she wears sometimes, although she def wears it better ?
Elliesmum how did Friday go? Hope your feeling well and been able to get some rest.
Re the genetic testing I’m in the same boat as you, it was briefly mentioned by a BC nurse in one appt at the start and shut down by the consultant, I’ve also been thinking about it a lot. Did you have any luck when you asked about it? I wasn’t sure when is the right time to ask, or even really who to ask!? I see the consultant but don’t see any BC nurses as that’s at a different hospital.
Good luck also on Tuesday badboob! It’s a heady feeling reaching the half way point isn’t it!!! In ways it’s gone so fast but others sooooo slow!
Kateday, hope you are feeling better today! Every day is a step closer, also hoping that T will be kinder for you. If it helps at all I’ve found the sickness has massively reduced with T!
Hope you all have a lovely weekend ladies, thinking of you all ??? Xxx
Lovely October ladies, I’m feeling well the day after my first T chemo. Woohoo! Not sure how long it will last, but I’m so pleased. I was feeling pretty awful (or physically sick) and nauseous at this stage after every FEC. So pleasantly surprised. Long may it continue!???
Sar_ah, I plan on contacting my team on Monday to ask about genetic testing. I need to chase up a few other things (echocardiogram appointment hasn’t come through, for example) anyway. I will let you know how I get on!
I hope you’re all keeping warm and dry in this freezing wet weather! 
? xox
That’s brilliant news I’ve also been feeling well (other than fatigue, but that I can do with!)
Good luck Monday, hopefully you get somewhere with your team.
Xx
Have a fabulous time at your granddaughter’s concert, Aneeebel! ??? I hope your temperature stays in the safe range for you. You’ve reminded me I haven’t been checking mine as regularly as I should be…?♀️
Have a wonderful Sunday, ladies! Xox ??
Hope you enjoy the concert! :)) and well done to your granddaughter for her solo, brave girl :))
Has anyone been given any tips re joint and muscle pain? Struggling today in my legs and hips mainly, taken some painkillers but didn’t know if anyone else had any other works or wisdom? Also anyone else also constantly cold! Currently sitting with heating on, heated blanket, and extra blanket and lots of layers!
Ladies the pain in joints and bones from T can be eased by Epsom salt baths i had one every night after T chemo once the pain kicked in can be taken along side painkillers put them in a hot bath but don’t get in until its just over warm as i found during chemo a hot bath caused palpitations!!! Lots of ladies on they forum tild me to use the salts and they do help i found adding a couple of drops of lavender and chamomile essential oils helped relax me xx thought i would pass on the tips clicked on your thread by accident but thought i should share my tips while im here i finished my active treatment end Jan this year xxxx
The T makes you ache in the joints ladies mainly at night added to the injections making it feel worse it lasts about a week, but if you aee feeling cold all the time keep an eye it could just be the weather and lack of body hair, i used to feel really cold but i was told a low temp below 35.5 to ring unit too mine fluctuated on Doxetaxol its best just to air on side of caution if at all unsure, take care everyone, it will be finished before you realise it goes fast once you get to 4th cycle xxx
Mishy18, thank you for the advice I feel a bit silly now, I have loads of Epsom salts for after runs and the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind!! Just waiting for the littlen to go down (hoping she sleeps today) and be on that job :)) thank you so much!
How was the concert, Aneeebel? I hope you were well enough to enjoy your granddaughter’s performance! Did your little one let you sleep last night, Sar_ah? I hope so! I hope all of your October ladies are feeling ok.
In the interests of full disclosure, I feel compelled to report that I may have been a little hasty in my assessment of docetaxel… Turns out it does kick in a few days later than FEC! ?♀️?♀️? Still, aside from some aches and fatigue it hasn’t been too bad. Haven’t been sick, which is good!? I intended to get a full day of work done from home day today. Dropped little one off at nursery, decided I needed a quick “nap”, and woke up four hours later! ? Where did the morning go?!? Still, I feel a bit better for it so it was probably a good idea.
Have a lovely Monday wonderful ladies! Xox ???
Glad your granddaughters concert went well you must be very proud
I was massively jealous of your naps!! I’m in bed today, has a rough afternoon yesterday and not feeling great today, I think I’ve hit the Christmas wall and thinking a lot about a “normal” Christmas.
Hope your feeling a bit better today Elliesmum and less achy.
Xx
Lol Aneeebel, that was funny ?
I’ve just spent 2 hours in Chesterfield like a whirling dervish (does anyone actually know what one of those looks like?) treating myself to new clothes. I’ve now got the task of trying them on at home. It seemed far too much effort to do it in the shops ?
All presents are wrapped, work is pretty much wrapped up for the year, I’ve bought some new “fat” clothes, I’m not sure there’s much more to do other than put my feet up and enjoy 
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Have a lovely day ladies, thinking of you all and sending big hugs ???
?Fiona xxx