How is everyone feeling today? I hope you are all doing as well as possible, given the circumstances. Now I’m starting to feel a bit better, it’s finally dawning on me that I only have one cycle to go!?! How do you mark the final chemo session? I’ve heard of some units having bells, but ours doesn’t. I’ve been treated at a fabulous nurse-led unit at our relatively small local NHS hospital, and I couldn’t have asked for better care. Would bringing a cake and chocolates for everyone who works at the unit be appropriate? Or is that a bit strange, since I will undoubtedly be back in the following weeks anyway (to get my line out, as well as post-chemo checks). Any thoughts/suggestions? Xox ??
How is the eczema, Aneeebel? I hope it has settled down for you. Chemo really is the gift that just keeps on giving!?
I’m feeling ok and have managed a few more days at work this week, which has been good. Thinking of all of you ladies and hoping you’re doing well! Xox ???
Morning Ladies, I hope you’re all well.
Well done ElliesMum on doing more days at work. Ì went in yesterday for a few hours for a meeting but really struggled.
Aneeebel, I hope your excema isn’t too bad.
I’ve been to the onc today and chemo 5 is on tomorrow but at a reduced dosage and piriton injection first ? I’m quite relieved about that ??
Take care ladies, and stay safe ???
?Fiona xxx
Best of luck with round 5 tomorrow, Fiona! I hope the reduced dose helps you - it made a big difference to me!!!??
Aneeebel, I can’t quite believe our final chemo session is only a week away. You’re almost there! ???
Doesn’t it seem ‘strange’ Elliesmum!!!
There were several points when I seriously didn’t think I would make it to No.6!!!
My Oncologist even cancelled my chemo after 4 sessions as she was convinced I was going to be ill again so when no.4 was relatively kind to me she had to re-book 5 and 6! ???
Perhaps I’m stronger than I thought!!! ???
Hope all you lovely ladies are doing well! ???
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Badboob, I think the tiredness may just be an accumulation of the drugs. I was 3 FEC and tomorrow will be on my 2nd of 3 T Docetaxal and am definitely more tired and less energetìc than I was on FEC. I am so relieved my dosage is being reduced tomorrow.
And my thoughts are with you after your friend’s funeral. I bet you wanted to punch that inconsiderate person who asked such an insensitive question ? Do people not think how we feel?
I’m due for a lumpectomy too after chemo followed by rads. I have an appt with the breast surgeon in a couple of weeks and will hopefully have a date given to me then.
And we have a bell in our chemo unit so come 8 Feb I think I might be ringing it ?
I’m so jealous of you, ElliesMum and Aneeebel, that you’re on the final round next week. I really hope it all goes well for you both. I was really stressed this morning, worrying about tomorrow’s cycle but the onc was more than happy to reduce the dosage. Let’s hope the piriton injection first stops the allergic reaction.
ElliesMum, how’s your little girl now? ?? she’s getting better.
Take care ladies, stay safe and warm (it’s been blooming cold here in Derbyshire) and ??
?Fiona xxx
Evening ladies, hope your all feeling well and getting plenty of rest 
I can’t believe how close we all are to the end of chemo! It’s a really strange feeling! I feel kind of nervous to be honest, I’ve got use what to expect from chemo now it’s all going to change again.
I’ve got my final cycle on the 31st, I’ve been feeling fine after the last two so we’re going to be naughty parents and break my son out of school (well say he has a dentist apt) and go celebrate with lunch and ALOT of cake :)) I cant wait!
Elliesmum that’s so lovely that your mums coming to stay for a bit how is your little girl now? Hope you were able to rest while she was at the in laws.
Aneeebel hows your rash now? I had an eczema type rash, my oncologist gave me a cream that really helped (and I seemed to have misplaced at the moment!) I can find you the name of it helps? Apparently it’s good for the dec rash?!
Fiona hope tomorrow goes well for you. I like Elliesmum had none reduced and the side effects have been much easier to manage fingers crossed you have the same experience.
Badboob, I hope your ok after today and also after what that insensitive t*** asked you! Some people ??♀️
I’m on to rads after chemo, I had surgery in August, I’m not sure when the tablets and injections start though, I’m finding it all a bit confusing to be honest!
Oh is anyone’s hair growing?! I think mine might be and I def have some hairs on my legs! I never thought I’d be excited by hairy(ish) legs! I don’t want to get too excited as I know it could drop out again anytime but I can’t help that my hair legs have made me feel a little brighter over the last few days!
Sar_ah, my head hair is growing too, but like Aneeebel, no plaiting it yet. I noticed on Sunday it had started to come through and I can see a difference each day. It’s good to have something to look forward to isn’t it?
Just waiting for chemo 5, turned up 30 minutes early. Dreading it but hopefully it shouldn’t be as bad this time ?
Take care ladies, it’s nearly the weekend ?
?Fiona xxx
Best of luck with chemo today, Fiona! You’re in the home stretch now. ?
Badboob, I’m so sorry about your friend - and the insensitive comments. ? ? In response to your question, I had surgery before chemo (in August, like Sar_ah). I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, but they didn’t get clear margins. So I’ll be having some targeted radiotherapy after chemo, followed by herceptin for a year.
Aneeebel, while everyone is different, I found the mastectomy to be better than I expected. I had an immediate implant recon, but this got infected and had to be removed. So I’m now a uniboober (I suspect that’s not a real word, but you know what I mean! ?); they won’t consider any other recon options until at least a year after radiotherapy. It took a little bit of getting used to, but there are some excellent items that help. I love my knitted knocker, and I highly recommend ordering one ahead of your surgery. (I was given a “softie” to take home from hospital, but mine didn’t keep its shape very well or stay put.) I’ve recently ordered an aqua knocker for when I’m allowed to go swimming again! ?♀️
My little one is much better now, thank you for asking after her! ? Somehow my immune system held out, and I just came down with a cold/sore throat - avoiding catching anything serious, thank goodness!
Sar_ah, your plan to celebrate with your family with a delicious meal after your final chemo sounds wonderful! Yay! ? Like Aneeebel, I have a very sparse covering of soft, fluffy hair on my head now, which has started growing. Also, my lower leg hair never fully departed. Seriously disappointed! ? I lost pretty much all of my hair everywhere else! ?♀️ Eyelashes and eyebrows appear to still be thinning. The microblading is doing a good job of disguising the latter, though! ?
Have a fabulous Friday! Xox ???
My hair never completely dropped out… it’s my remaining tiny wisps of hair that seem to be growing…no new hair as yet! ?
ElliesMum… Thank you for telling me about your experience with your mastectomy… I just can’t get my head around a mastectomy!
I have got 2 Knitted Knockers in preparation tho! ?
Have a fab day everyone x ???
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Hi Fi ???you got this Mrs ???and we’ve got you ???Oct ladies get your meet up planned your getting closer to it now It’s brilliant when you meet up ???keep focused you are all doing amazing and don’t forget the red dot lush shampoo bar called new and Jamaican black castor oil to rub on bonce too, helps hair come back quicker and nice and thick ??mishy18 from july17 thread was the hair fairy who tipped us all off in this and worked a treat ???
Shi xx
Hi Fi great news about t being fine this time ??we didn’t use the red dot or castor oil till after chemo probably bit Ott but didn’t want anything interfering with the chemo ???Shi xx
So pleased your chemo went ahead without any issues, Fiona. Only one more to go! ?
I was only told to take my dexamethasone steroids “morning” and “afternoon”? ?♀️
Interesting to hear that a number of you fellow HER2+ ladies are having/have had genetic testing. When I asked my oncologist about it, she replied that my limited family history and receptor status (I’m also ER/PR-) meant that there was unlikely to be a genetic link, so I wouldn’t need to be tested… I might ask again!
Xox ???
Hi Ellie’s mum, I was a tn and got the gene test ok at my trust but I know others have had to really push for the test at their trusts, if you want it darling you fight for it, do what ever you need to do to get them to let you have it if you want it, because as you can say to them, with all due respect it’s your journey not theirs. I know none of us like to make a fuss but you have to if you are not receiving the care you want. ???Shi xx
Yes ElliesMum…ask again about the testing!
It would obviously put your mind at ease and we all know we have enough on our minds at the moment without something else to add to it!
It was my BC nurse who suggested it to me… I hadn’t thought about the test to be honest!
I don’t know if it’s of any relevance to having the test but I’m ER positive!
Hope you manage to have the test at some point x
Not long now to C6!!! Hope you’re well! ?
Fiona…hope the side effects are being kind to you after yr chemo last week x?
Hope all you Ladies are fighting fit! ?
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ElliesMum, I agree, ask for the test. It’s a simple blood test but results take a while to come through. I’m tn and because I’m under 50 my bc consultant decided to offer it to me. I’ve got my appt with genetics tomorrow so hopefully that means I’ll have the results and that will decide next step of surgery.
S/e of no 5 are considerably less than last cycle so far, I’m pleased to report. ?? it continues that way. Think I did too much yesterday though, a 4 mile flat walk with a hot chocolate stop in the middle ? I do have some joint pain (my onc has started me on injections from day 3 this time and for 7 days) and slight oral thrush again but so far I’m coping. Let’s hope I can keep the temp down this week and not have a Casa NHS visit again.
Hope you all had a good and healthy weekend. My parents left yesterday morning so that me and hubby could have some time together ?
Aneeebel and ElliesMum, I hope you’re both fighting fit for your last chemo this week ??? I really can’t wait to be done with chemo ? .
Take care ladies and have a lovely relaxing Monday ??
?Fiona xxx
Hi Fi have you started your fluconzole tablets for that slight oral thrush? Please phone your unit if you’ve not got anything antibiotic wise, there is no such thing as slight oral thrush during chemo, please keep safe ??Shi xx
Thank you all for providing your experiences with (and knowledge of) genetic testing! It was both interesting and very useful to read the details of the studies you’re a part of, Badboob! ?
Reddi, you mentioned the genetic tests that are offered to those over 40; do you happen to know if there is there any difference for those under 40? (I’m 33.) I will mention it again to my onc and see what she says!?
Good to hear that the T has been a bit kinder to you this cycle so far, Fiona. I hope you manage to keep on top of the oral thrush.
Big hugs to you all. Can’t wait for the final round on Friday! ? I hope you’re planning something fun to celebrate, Aneeebel! ???
Thanks reddi!!!
Afternoon Ladies, I hope you’re all well.
Good news with my genetics appt, I’m all clear. Such a relief for me ? ElliesMum, I would recommend pushing for a check if you can.
Shi, thanks and yes I started on fluconazole on day 3 together with the GCSF injections and today I’ve started on the antibiotics. Temperature just about behaving itself but I am so tired, it’s another duvet day this afternoon ? plus half a tub of ice cream helps the mouth ? Fingers crossed they all do the job ??
Have a lovely afternoon and stay strong ??
?Fiona xxx