Blimey Rachel, you have written a lot of books! I shall definitely read some and think of you 
I have been rather quiet, problems with liver again after first Paclitaxel ( weekly) and the Phesgo injection, thinking it is more likely the Phesgo as I read online that it can cause liver inflammation ( hepatitis), so off to give blood again today and if OK ( not sure it will be) then Paclitaxel number 2 tomorrow. It perks me up seeing how well the rest of you are coping and getting through the chemos. Congratulations on the Penguin revamp - you must be one of their stars! Jane x
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Sorry to hear you are suffering. I have only had one weekly Paclitaxel ( given with the first Phesgo injection) but ended up with high liver readings again, so number 2 was cancelled - may get it tomorrow if liver has improved. Unfortunately I react to almost everything - I developed an auto immune condition, when pregnant with my son and then nearly died when they gave me an epidural and my blood pressure crashed, during a bank holiday weekend with minimal staff, luckily the anaesthetist popped in and found me white and not moving! Hope you improve soon. Jane x
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Hope you are improving. I have had problems since my first weekly Paclitaxel, given with Phesgo ( herceptin), so I missed dose 2. Hoping I get to have it this week or next. I never thought I would be upset at not getting a chemo dose!! Jane x
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@story1 my neck is also super saggy - shockingly so!
Since starting chemo I haven’t used any skincare with active ingredients- I used to use vitamin c in the daytime and retinoids at night - so I’m looking pretty ropey!
I hate the steroid days too - I’m looking forward to less steroids on paclitacel
The hospital are saying I can’t drive home after paclictacel but I’ve checked the amount of alcohol in it wouldn’t out me over the limit - has anyone driven themselves home after paclitacel? I drove myself home after EC without issue
Thanks Jane, I’m improving every day. Appetite increasing along with energy levels.
I’m a bit mixed about the pause - on the one hand glad of the break, on the other it prolongs the chemo treatments to beyond Christmas 
Hope your situation improves And you’re back on track asap xx
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Wimpole sounds amazing!! Yes, I love reading and definitely crime, but actually weirdly don’t have much concentration for books at the mo. I’m loving audible, are there audiobook versions?
Hope you’re treatment today is going well @cathie2
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So weak and unsteady today, it feels as though this is me just getting steadily bashed by the drugs, thankful I’m nearly half way, number 11 tomorrow. I’m on sofa already, in new pjs. Fire on. Also think now we’ve no kids at home I’ve let go and I’m a bit emotional today… there was a young girl at the centre when I went to give blood, in tears, telling the nurses her mum was too weak to go in, it broke my heart.
@emsd2025 all books on audio xxx @bellbert Jane I’ve been writing full time since 2018, I wish I could work faster! Penguin took over my publisher last year and it’s very exciting, the industry is tough I’m very very lucky. Bugger about your bloody liver love, such a downer, hope it goes ok, sometimes we need a break, these drugs are vile. @anim4l ive been looking at neck lift before and after photos and dreaming 
I definitely couldn’t drive after paclitaxel, too spaced. @buggeringon hows your time off helping? Hope you feel much much better though it’s so frustrating as I know you wanted it all done before Christmas, weren’t you due to finish 23rd? If that’s what your body needs then we’ve got no bloody choice have we, sending love to you, I’m desperate for a break from this incessant weekly poisoning, I feel pathetic laying on the sofa watching Jamie sodding Oliver stuff a turkey and tell me how to rub a ham with jerk seasoning from his garden… I’d just rather not have a tumour titty thanks Jamie, can’t do that, can you eh?
Love vibes to all❤️
Hi lovely, am feeling better every day - had a touch of drama at lunchtime though, because the wound popped- not nice, but better out than in I suppose. Thankfully the district nurse came back and cleaned and dressed it. Should still be ok for restarting next Tuesday.
Are you allowed to give blood on chemo? I’d have thought it’s a big no no, as it doesn’t fully leave the body for a while xx
Ps - I’m an avid reader, so am adding one of yours to my Amazon basket for later. Though have switched genres during treatment. I’m currently reading a set of books by an author with a nom de plume that drew me to her - Iris Beaglehole!!!
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I had my halfway contrast mammogram today and it was amazing to see a lonely marker with no visible tumour next to it!
Confirming it’s all worth it.
I have cycle 4 of 6 on Wednesday so had bloods this morning. Neutrophils were just below where they should be - even with 7 Filgrastim injections - so the oncologist has said he’ll reduce my chemo by 20% ongoing.
The bad news today is I’m to try a cycle dairy free as I’ve had a few episodes of diarrhoea, not immediately after chemo, so possibly a chemo induced dairy intolerance instead of directly chemo drugs related.
That’s more impactful than stopping alcohol! Especially as my favourite drink at the moment is strawberry milkshake! And no yogurts or cheese.
I’ll also need to review my chocolate intake!!
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Good vegan dark chocolate? There are lots around xx
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No I’m not giving blood! Mondays I go to the clinic to get my blood tested for chemo Tuesdays x
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That’s awesome!!! Ive gone dairy and gluten free bc if bowels, loads of alternatives, oat milk, cream, olive oil for butter, vegan chocolate, coconut yogurt, I’ve found it quite easy. I can tolerate a bit if hard grated cheese bc lactose is higher in soft cheeses… experiment
The skin around my picc line has gone red, so I’m waiting at a and e - it’s carnage here - I think I need iv antibiotics within an hour - I’m waiting outside the doors as it’s so crowded in there!
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Oh dear I hope you get seen soon. Have you got a Cancer treatment alert card? That should help you to be seen quickly and kept safely apart from the germy masses.
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@anim4l sending love and strength, hang in there, it must be so unsettling knowing exactly what you need but just watching the queues and not even in the room! Have you been triaged? Ffs
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Thanks for the ideas. I already have coconut milk as I like drinking that either on its own or for hot chocolate. I drink my coffee (only decaf at the moment) black or peppermint & liquorice tea so no changes needed there. Since starting chemo I have been drinking lots of strawberry milkshakes and eating lots of yogurts so time to stop that. I’ll get some coconut yogurts, vegan parmesan & dark chocolate and olive spread.
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Oh dear, hope you get seen and sorted soon xx
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So sorry you feel so bad, I understand they are cumulative, so you have done really well, a lot of people have less than the 12, due to too many side effects - I expect I will be one of those! Gave blood today, also asked if it mattered that 2 weeks after the Phesgo injection, I still have a big purple circle, but was told it’s ok, as not sore or swollen. Fingers crossed I get number 2 Paclitaxel tomorrow, but not terribly hopeful! Brilliant that Penguin took over your previous publisher. You must have a really inventive mind, to have been writing continuously since 2018! My neighbour wrote a book last year ‘Zena, the housewives detective’ ( by Lyndsay Bird ). Zena was her aunt and the first woman private eye detective. She had only written a cookbook before that. Hoping you get through number 12 without too many problems. I wasn’t too bad on EC ( after they lowered the dose, due to liver issues of course). I only felt slightly nauseous and was only actually sick once, the whole time - and I still ate like a horse! So you may be much better than you currently feel, I will keep everything crossed for that. Jane x
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Thank you, I have fingers crossed for tomorrows treatment. I like you was disappointed last week, but have enjoyed feeling well this week, with no chemo inside me! Hopefully we will both be back on track soon! Jane x
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