Keeno paracetamol is fine, but you might want to ask your go for something stronger like codeine. Kx
Thanks all thats awesome! I am also a hypercondriac now its a perhaps a good thing as a dear friends BC came back secondary after a few years after she didnt notice symptoms so I reckon its a good thing abeit Iām driving my onco and nurses crazy every time I have a round of chemo!
An update on the side effects which was like cold turkey they are going to give me painkillers specifically for this on next round and could have taken paracetamol and ibropufen instead of being paranoid about masking an infection! The nurse thinks Iām a prize pratt!!
If worried about the T advice is call out the side effects if they happen and day 5 and 6 feel much better so better than the FEC in terms of timescales, no sickness either so there are positivesā¦make sure theyve given you good mouthwash terrible mouth issues thanks for advice re VIT C Iām off to get some! XXXX???
Hi everyone,
Ā
Iāve been a bit quiet this last week due two my double-dose of Paclitaxel and carboplatin, which knocks me out a bit. Had a new SE this time - yipee! Bad dry cough and terrible breathlessness when doing anything other than sitting. I also struggle at night if lying flat, so have to have three pillows in various positions amd canāt lie on my side, as this seems to restrict my breathing still further. Iāve had additional bloodtests and swaps to rule out any infection and gastric reflux; all were clear, so itās just something I might have to get used toĀ :smileyfrustrated: Hopefully it will wear off a little over the next week and I am also trying to find other ways of dealing with it. For a start my BCN told me to slow down! I still leave the house walking at some pace, only to find that after a few yards I am breathless, so yes, slowing down seems like a good plan! Went to the theatre last night and in order to control my cough I had 3 Jakemanās sucking sweets, which oddly eoungh seems to make quite a difference once I was back at home and in bed - better night. Has anyone else struggled with breathlessness and got any tips?
Ā
Iāve got an MRI scheduled for next week to check on progress. Am rather excited about this and hope that the news will be good. If the tumour shows signs of shrinking, they may consider lowering the last Carboplain dose, which would be lovely. Then I move on to EC.
Ā
I have stopped cold-capping, as my hair is falling out big time. Well, at least I tried. Actually, itās quite nice not having to spend an extra 2 hours on the chemo ward every Wedesnday, far less tiring. I donāt bother wearing anything on my head at home, but am aquiring a selection of nice little beanies and scarves for going out and sleeping. I didnāt want a wig, itās just not me. Also havenāt braved the shave yet, as I still have just enough hair to get away with it. I have a hairdresser appointment in 10 days, so will see if there is anything left to cut by then, otherwiseā¦
Ā
Hope everyone is having a reasonable week.Ā :smileyhappy:
Ā
Gx
Hi Jacq,
I had some nausea on my second cycle of Carboplatin but have since made sure that I wear sicknesses wrist bands during and for three days after each treatment which seems to have helped. I was also told by my BCN that itās a good idea to snack while having the treatment to prevent nausea, so I go in to the ward armed with a bag of goodies, lots of fruit and veg, nuts, a sandwich, and lots to drink. However, this week something odd happened at the end of the treatment. I didnāt feel sick, but I felt completely spaced out and this feeling lasted until I got home and had a rest, very weird. Maybe it was the Piriton? Iāll mention it to the nurse next week I think, as it was a very unpleasant sensation. Thatās if I remember of course. Iām a bit forgetful at the moment and often canāt even think of the right words, much to my 11 year old sonās amusement, who just repliesā chemo brain, mum!'. ?
Hope you have a reasonable day.
Gx
Ahh Iām so forgetful too GabyF - pleased itās just not me ? xx
Gaby that does sound like the Piriton. It sends some people to sleep, and they say you mustnāt drive. With regards your breathlessness, I had that too. It did eventually wear off, but it took me a long time to recover from T3. I had 3xFEC then 3xT.
Keep going ladies, you are doing brilliantly!!! Kx
Hi ladies. I had FEC3 yesterday and generally ok apart from hot flushes and lots of gas (both ends).
Iām having a debate with myself at the mo, and not sure what to do. I am on the ROSCO trial which means I should have 4 FEC, then a scan and my surgery, but then may need 2 or 4 T cycles afterwards and possibly radio. That would mean last FEC on 22 nov, and then surgery probably new year. Then if I need chemo again or radio that wonāt be til Iāve recovered from surgery so might not be all over til April/May/June??
I can leave the trial at any stage, so Iām now wondering whether to leave and go onto the standard 3fec 3t. But that would mean that Iād be having chemo over xmas/new year rather than a break. But surgery would then be Feb and possibly radio after so it might be done a bit sooner?
I would feel bad leaving the trial (as research benefits future treatments) but need to think whatās best for me too. Any thoughts?
To be honest Pulapula if you have T you might as well write Christmas off!! I think your timeline will be similar which ever you choose. You need to talk to your family about this and decide what works best for all of you. Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you. Xxxx
Been a rubbish dayā¦think it must be my neutrophils low point. Had the same feelings last FEC just a day or so earlierā¦thought I had escaped them this time round. Hoping that, like last time, I come bouncing back the next day! ?. Feel like chemo is going on forever I had my first FEC at the beginning of Augustā¦then lost weeks because of infection and removal of implant, started chemo again end of Septemberā¦from the beginning again which I as happy about but my last T will be in January which seems a hell of a long way awayā¦
Anyway Grumpy is gong to bed and looking forward to waking up with a clear headā¦and some energy! ?
Aww sorry itās been a rubbish day Galligirl hopefully tomorrow will be better. Iāve been eating like a horse this cycleā¦I was rough a couple of days after FEC(2nd) but after 4/5 days Iāve been eating non-stopā¦and like you Pulapula lots of gas both ends! Your dilemma re:ROSCO trial is interesting. I was asked about going on it and was up for it but my ER and PR was too high. I liked the idea of going to surgery halfway through chemo to break it upā¦but I understand your dilemma. Let us know what you decide to do. Anyway off to find food ?? Have a great weekend guys xx
Sending big hugs Galligirl ā¦ it really does feel never ending at times! Keep going ā¦weāve got this and we will get there ??
Night night Grumpy ? tomorrow will be a better day Xx
Thank you Aley and Lisa Tā¦woken up much perkier although havenāt actually got up yet!..my H has provided my tea! And the sun is out so feeling more positive already 
?
Morning everyone,
Ā
Iām very glad Iām not the only forgetful one and also relieved to hear that some of you have struggled with breathlessness. It does help to know that otherās are going through the same rubbish.
Ā
Galligirl, Iāve been feeling a bit grumpy and miserable too these last few days. Iām halfway through chemo (Iāve done 8 out of 16) and have my MRI scan coming up on Wednesday, so should really be feeling a bit more positive, but like you I feel that this is dragging on. Midway-blues?! I donāt have enough energy now to do much and canāt remember the last time I felt anything like ānormalā. Still, as you say, the sun is shining today and we need to stay positive. Itās just not always that simple.
Ā
On a much more positive note, we have started to think about planning a lovely holiday next year in August in the sunshine somewhere in Italy. By then, all this should be well and truly over and having a holiday to look forward to will be just lovely.
Ā
Have a restful weekend.
Ā
Gx
Hi all, itās been a bit quiet.
Whoever suggested the vit c tablets - thank you so much. Hubby got me some today and they do help - just a quarter seems to make a difference.
I also find original lucozade helps with my energy levels and taste too - or maybe itās just because I associate it with childhood memories of being ill and it being a special treat 
Feeling really feeble at the moment. I laid in the bath this morning unable to motivate myself to climb out until hubby came back from his run. I have since managed to put some washing on which is progress as sometimes I canāt even get the energy to do that! But I have also laid/slept on the sofa all day tooā¦
Hi Pulapula, I like the sound of lucozade and Iām going to try it Friday after my 3rd FECā¦sorry youāre feeling so weak, hopefully youāll feel better soon ? I keep feeling my lump hoping itās getting smaller with each FEC! Not feeling much difference yetā¦anyone notice any difference after each chemo? I didnāt think Iād have a period, I donāt know why?! Iām 45 and havenāt gone through the menopause. I think I thought chemo would stop them but I can feel one coming on-mainly because I have endometriosis and I have horribly painful periodsā¦anyone else continue to have periods throughout chemo?
Hope youāve all had a nice weekend ?
Hi ladies,
Aley, I thought mine would stop too but Iāve had them throughout FEC. Although they are a lot heavier for first day they donāt last as long. Got my first T this week so not sure if that will change things.
Pulapula, rest days are important so listen to your body ā¦ take it easy ā¦ donāt feel guilty. I always seem to have a few low days after treatment (I blame the steroids but itās probably just a combination of everything!) Hope you feel more energetic today
Love and hugs ??
Lisa xx
Wishing you all a happy weekā¦good luck with all of your treatments and hoping for minimal SE. ?
My final FEC on Thursday - told Hubbie he doesnāt need to be thereā¦but now thinking maybe opportunity for lunch out! With a bit of luck and a few chillis I might taste it ?.
Ā
Ā
Galligirl - definitely worth a special lunch after your final FEC. See if hubby can make it after all? My hubby came to first FEC but then heās been busy working so Iāve had a friend with me for company. But might see if he can make my last one.
I was wondering about periods. I have a coil fitted which the oncologist said I might want to consider removing. But the thought of periods (not had any for over 7 years due to coil) is putting me off!
Aley - Iāve noticed some shrinkage of my tumour but not straightaway. Mine was about 3cm height and length. Itās shrunk in height but is still long so maybe 2cm by 3cm now? But at the end of the day I donāt mind lumpectomy or mastectomy - just want whatever is left taken out!
Hi Ladies,
I havenāt had a period since just after my first chemo. I was told to expect that and canāt say I miss it!
Aley, I noticed a difference in size and texture of my tumour almost as soon as I started chemo and now I have trouble locating it at all. Iām hoping that this is due to real shrinkage and not just my tumour trying to āhideā. My MRI scan on Wednesday should tell me more. I have seen comments on some of the other threads about tumours feeling larger, smaller, harder, softer etc. None of this seems necessarily to indicate anything about the effectiveness of the treatment. I had a vision of my tumour going in to horrified shock after the first chemo session and Iāve clung on to that happy vision since. ?
Gx
Thanks GabyF and Pulapula hello everyone!
Seeing my oncologist tomorrow so no doubt heāll get his callipers our to check my lump! Mine defo feels different, I think smaller but sometimes feels the same if that makes sense!! I have severe endometriosis tooā¦ really lucky to be a woman hey?! ? I have a 6cm cyst on my left ovary thatās been monitored for the last couple of years-it hasnāt changed so left it alone for now. I saw my gynaecologist last week-Iād like a total hysterectomy and the ovaries out ASAP but it looks like Iām going to have to wait until sometime next year for thatā¦