Good news the scan is no longer picking up cancer. Sorry to hear your skin is reacting, it looks painful. Have you spoken to anyone? They may be able to prescribe something to help. I can’t believe you had the energy to do a pilates reformer class and ride your horse. Weekly Paclitaxel has really took its toll on me, definitely got worse after 7/8 sessions, the last 4 weeks have been more or less a right off. Some normality on Wednesday and Thursday but was back in the chair and travelling so had no time to do anything!
Yes excellent news!
Oh don’t get me wrong I’ve needed a 2nd transfusion a Hb was low again and this has given me a 2nd breath literally.
I am on fexofenodine and mild steroids cream. Paclitaxel is awful and nearly killed me.twice. was grateful to change over to Abraxane as could function better but it seems to have an effect on my red blood cells. The last 2 cycles have been dreadful and last Sunday 10 days ago I couldn’t even wash nor stay awake long enough to eat my food let alone cutting it, the bone pain was so intense. Pembro also affects my thyroid but am trying to ignore all of this and currently looking and dreaming at my next riding holiday for next year. Who needs money when you’ve got health
Am off Wednesday and I cannot wait. Tomorrow I booked reformer again and will try to ride my horse straight after… I used to do it all the time but don’t know if I’ll be completely zonked and over so it, but If I don’t try I won’t know, pilates used to be my warm up, mad. My battery life is defo reduced . Am Also trying to wake up those muscles before going away as I expect we will walking loads which is not something I’ve done in a while since being so unwell in last couple of cycles (6w) last thing I was is a silly injury like rolling my ankle or plantar fascia like I’ve suffered from in the past post lockdown!!
How many more sessions of pacli do you have left? Weekly is the worse I agree but hang in there and rest, do what you can when you can
I’ve just finished my last on (12). Starting to feel a bit better today although, haven’t slept well since Thursday and have very fuzzy head.
Next step is radiotherapy on 10 January. So I get a break over Christmas to recover before. The breast care nurse fro the surgery team gave me a call today and explained their follow up after radiotherapy, will call end of January and the arrange a face to face in February. The nurses from this hospital have been brilliant checking in on me and we talked about my mental health and that she could arrange counselling for me as well. I talked about how the oncology team just ignored my crying on the phone the other day and just kept talking. She said not to worry they have me and will support me. They are always there if I need them.
I’m glad you’ve got steroids and antihistamines. Have a wonderful time on Germany.
@pinklilli3s congrats on no signs of cancer that is great news. Recovery is on its way even if it is hiding behind other treatments, Hopefully your skin will recover soon along with taste.
@naughty_boob congrats on last chemo. That’s good news. Even better is that you have founds some sympathetic nurses for your next treatment. It makes such a difference when the people treating you care. Enjoy your Christmas break and fingers crossed that radiotherapy is not as traumatic as chemo.
Lastly a shout out to all the ladies having another round of docetaxil at the end of the week. I think there are a few of us. I hope it goes as well as it can for everyone.
@pinklilli3s that’s great news that no sign of cancer🥳. Sorry you are having a hard time on the weekly chemo. Hope the break away will help.
@naughty_boob hope you get a break from the symptoms of your last chemo and enjoy the festive break.
I feel like I’m having a full on week. Yesterday had wig fitting appointment and made an eejit of myself as soon as I walked in as I burst into tears. The woman doing the fitting was very matter of fact and didnt bat an eyelid. I suppose she’s seen it all before.
Then today had my Heart tracer fitted for the palpitations. Have to wear it for 24 hours. Good news is that my palpitations have been happening all evening. I was worried that it would stop happening and wouldn’t show up - they have a habit of doing that with ECG’s lol. But they should show on the tracer.
And tomorrow I have my first oncologist’s appointment since starting chemo. Think he will tell me what my radio therapy plan will be for the new year.
Then last chemo on Thursday. Stupidly worrying about bursting into tears again in the chemo unit when I’m done. I’m so emotional just now. There’s no privacy as it’s a big open room with about 40 people in. And can’t have anyone in so I have to walk out on my own. I won’t be ringing the bell. I’m not done with this stupid thing, not yet. I don’t want to tempt fate! I still have my mri on the 28 th to see if the cancer has spread. So I’ll wait til that and the radiotherapy is done before I even think of celebrating.
Yeh it’s a lot to deal with at once. Glad of the support in here, has really carried me through. Thank you pink ladies, you are the best! It will be good to know it’s the last chemo on the 21st though for a lot of us, and I hope those that can, ring the bell loud and clear! xxx
On another topic those who done the feel well look well seminars, was there any recommendations for eye lask serum ? I’ve lot the bottom ones more than tha the upper and my right eye seems to be collecting more dust and I suffer from blepharitis.
Just wondering if anyone has used a similar product and could recommend one pls ?
@copperycat do not beat yourself up about bursting into tears. This sh*t is tough. I expect everyone in that room will have cried many times and will just think, ‘yep I know how she feels!’. Like you my chemo is in a massive open room with no privacy and no visitors so we are going it alone in there. I don’t have last chemo until the 11th Jan but like you I won’t be ringing the bell as still have surgery and other treatment to go. So I don’t in any way feel like that is the last day. Not least to mention the 7 or 8 days of horrible side effects from the treatment. Maybe I’ll stroll in there in about a year and give it a go.
Good luck for tomorrow. I hope it goes well.
@pinklilli3s - I’m afraid I don’t have any recommendations but would be interested to hear some too as have lost quite a lot of lashes.
Sending lots of love to you all and will be thinking of you @copperycat@frazzledmcsazza when we all have our last docetaxel tomorrow marking end of chemo. Is anyone else finishing tomorrow?
I have decided I am going to ring bell as I like the idea of closure from it, tho I’ve got absolutely shitloads of treatment ahead. I do feel tho for people on ward w stage 4 cancer and hope it doesn’t upset anyone.
I’d planned to wear sparkly outfit for last one but just doesn’t feel right now… think I’ll be crawling over to bell wearing my oldest rags! Weirdly I’ve not really cried (apart from the horrid wait for initial op due to the nhs being screwed). I know it’s in there though, needs to come out, suspect it’ll hit me tomorrow. Weird time.
Big hugs you are all amazing. Off to do some weird/wired online pressie shopping on steroids xxxx
Hi dear, well done you are nearly done chemo. I am so happy for you, hopefully the palpitations will gone and you will feel better.
I didn’t ring the bell too but we have one at the radiotherapy reception if I decide to do, but I cried when all the nurses and doctors congratulate me and we end up to hug eachother , sorry we will be by your own but I will think about you.
Today I had my first session of radiotherapy, I will 15 session do till 10 of December. @naughty_boob I am so happy you done with chemotherapy, and yippee you are cancer free now:muscle:
You had a hard time too, hopefully the Christmas break will put on your feet and you will have a great season holiday
@pinklilli3s how you feel, I saw the picture with your face, are you better? Enjoy your holiday. @annemanc@frazzledmcsazza big hugs and hopefully you are doing well with the treatment , have a lovely season holiday and a great time with your family and friends.
I am going to radiotherapy on Saturday to, they want I be on plan because I start today Wednesday, to many days off with end of the year.
I had the staff Christmas party on 8 December, I went for an hour, I had a lovely time with my colleagues.
I still have a few days with steroids, cough is only a mild almost disappear, but I have a side effects from steroids, the moon face, I have a very fluffy face , I look like my children hamster . The nurse said my face will be back to normal look after a few weeks when I done with steroids.
I spent lots of time in the kitchen, and I decided to do this Christmas a few treats for my friends as I done every year, I used to baked before I started working in preschool , I attended a picture with the cakes I done last year.
You’re not the only one who’s been very emotional. I did find my last chemotherapy hard. I wanted to be alone and everyone seemed to be watching me. I had Herceptin injection and had the curtain drawn but they have to open to watch for side effects. I asked for it to be closed again for the PICC line removal and they left it slightly closed until I left.
I didn’t ring the bell as I was at an outreach centre which is a bit unfair, maybe 8 will after the radiotherapy.
Be thinking of you too with your last chemotherapy
Thanks for the good wishes everyone, I really appreciate it. Feeling a bit calmer after having seen the oncologist today. I have a date for my radio of 15 Jan, 5 sessions so not too bad . And no Bisphosphonates! He said my predict score showed 1.3% benefit so not worth it .
@annemanc i was going to wear a sparky wig , but don’t have the heart. So think I’ll wear my Christmas jumper which is more on the quiet side
Wide awake on steroids. Trying not to buy anything! I put an order for Christmas food shopping at M&S on my first chemo steroids and they sent a collection confirmation reminder today - I am gobsmacked, I ordered £180 of food that no one likes and I can’t eat with the nausea , seafood, a Brie ring melty thing, brussel sprout gratin and a lot of things feed 16 and there’s only 4 of us . I phoned M&S but it’s too late to change the order ! Fam are seeing the funny xxside , but I also have no fridge or freezer room
Good luck with the last chemo tomorrow ( or today now) for those having it.Be thinking of you all - It’s def a milestone xxx
@copperycat beware the chemo shopping! Perhaps you can give to friends and neighbours and bring some Christmas cheer. Although £180 of food in 2024 is barely anything compared to last year so volume wise it might not be as bad as you think.
Chemo done for the day. One week of intense side effects and then the slow recovery until next time on 11th Jan. But so happy to only have three more weeks of picc line. I have developed allergy to dressing now so have changed to new type but it is very sore and weeping. Boooo. Roll on next month.
Congrats to those finishing today. Even though we all have follow-up treatments is it so nice to hear of people moving through the process. We are getting there…
Have a very merry christmas all and if being merry is too much just strike it off as another day done and this time next year we will give it large on the celebrations and stuff ourselves with as many cheese rings as we can shake a stick at.
Ha I love your M&S spree @copperycat - I must say I quite like the sound of a brussel sprout gratin but then I am on steroids so I’d probably eat your carpet.
Did your final chemo go ok today? And for you too @frazzledmcsazza ? Mine was good, I’ve made a couple of mates on the ward, both with breast cancer (one lovely woman w triple negative bc but treatable and a very inspiring woman my age w stage 4). I hung out with them and had hugs which made it all good, and we’re meeting up.
I rung the bell which felt emotional (screengrab attached if it uploads).
Hope you’re all ok, and @pinklilli3s thinking of you at the markets!!! Have a blast xxxx
for next year. Who needs money when you’ve got health 
xxxx
and we end up to hug eachother , sorry we will be by your own but I will think about you.
, I look like my children hamster 
have a good time and enjoy the Christmas.
.
. I phoned M&S but it’s too late to change the order ! Fam are seeing the funny xxside , but I also have no fridge or freezer room 
xxx
