I haven’t been told anything about what to do before starting but will follow what you were advised. I was told to moisturise daily before hand to get the skin into as good as condition as possible.
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no moisturisers or deodorants before your rads sessions, you can slap the cream on after the session. I used to wash before going to each session just to ensure nothing on skin. Your teams will keep eye on your skin throughout your rads. I found drinking water helped with fatigue but did find towards end would fall asleep for a bit in the afternoon. I had 15 and 5 boosters 
Shi xx
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Amazing! Love the dress is that scamp and dude? I nearly rang the bell when they told me that cancer shrank but since chemo isn’t quite finished I didn’t want to do it and was on my own which felt weird. The bell is in reception not the chemo ward . Will probably do on 5th march though.
Has a blast in Dusseldorf, clearly way too much fun as I bashed my knees and hands/elbow falling off an electric scooter at 20km skidding over old tram track embedded in pavement. It was spectacular! Yet though apparently I didn’t break /or cracked anything. Btw I can highly recommend minor injury on boxing day there was NO one and I got seen within 5 min 
my left knee got twisted really bad and lots of swelling, tendonitis of patella apparently but looks like I can still ride so not complaining (am sure it’s not advised!!) I’ve taped it and am on strong painkillers. Naproxen. I’ll see a physio too when he finally responds to me text- he’s very good so very popular!! I got lucky it was winter and I had jeans and thermal and big fluffed up coat from M&S as well as gloves as I wouldn’t be quite "laughing " about it now otherwise.
@copperycat my face is back to normal and smooth, so smooth!! Like a baby bum! See pictures of me and Squirrel my horse. I’ve been suffering w adult acne and probably didn’t realise the pill didn’t help as much as in the beginning (had a feeling though) in the last few years as must have gone peri by late 30s early 40s. Chemo might have f*cked my ovaries but but but the lack of production of oestrogens mean I get no spots or cystic acne 
so that’s one thing to look forward too.
Blood tests tomorrow and paired w a new person who had EC treatment and similar cancer as me and op etc and everything was successful for her so looking to hear.
Also looking at riding holiday pre operations. This year is going to be about me and saying more no to other people so am less of a people pleaser. Lots of love all hope you had a lovely Christmas and I bet we’re all looking to that new year! Not that we wish time away but you know what I mean 
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Sorry to hear about your accident @pinklilli3s and glad to hear you’re ok! Physio sounds like a good plan. You look so happy in the pics. 
My dress is from a brand called Kitri, I loved it but stupidly managed to shrink it in the wash straight after my chemo! Maybe it’s for the best… a one time wonder just for that day.
Sending love and completely agree about being bold/less people pleasing in 2024. All this definitely sharpens the mind xxxx
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@pinklilli3s sounds like you had a blast! Sorry you had an accident but good you didn’t do more damage than you did! Happy memories judging by the wonderful smile on your face - and yes beautiful smooth skin 
Thanks for the radio tips @Camy_Radika and @Shi . Had an appointment today for breathing advice. And CT scan next Thursday for ‘tattooing’ and then start 5 sessions on 22nd Jan.
Also had my spine MRI today ( well. Yesterday now as I see it’s the early hours of Friday!) what a palaver! I was so anxious and when I got there they took me to a trailer in the carpark- a mobile MRI scanner! I was so shocked I burst into tears . It was awful - poky and cramped and looked like it had seen better days. Cried most of the way through. It’s done now but honestly feel traumatised! Oncologist emailed me to check I was ok and said he will ring me with the results in the next week or two. 
Big love to everyone , hope it’s not been too awful a Christmas. We will rock it next year and this will be a distant memory 
xxx
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Thank you thank you I was and never been so excited to leave my house and be on a plane still although blood test this morning, knowing what’s coming on 2nd Jan I stayed on my phone and went to bed late. I had been so good cause I wanted to get up the next day to ride, or explore, psychology it’s my way of " delaying" or prolonging the current time.
Shame about the dress!!! There is a cardigan I bought specifically for chemo for its practicality, open in the front and long/warm. I’ll either burn it or sell or vinted. I know this already. Cause it reminds me too much of chemo. It was bought on Vinted new tag on but I don’t want to keep it post cancer
@copperycat thank you. Felt nice to get a nice what my life was and will be. physio will sort me out and being a “tough” week next week I’ll have to rest anyway.
Sorry to hear about MRI I ve seen one of those before and if they didn’t tell can be shock!
Let be next year a year where I live in the present and I’d love it a little less (lot less!) Dramatic!!
Love to you all 
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So glad you had a good time in Düsseldorf, accident aside! Hope all tests are ok.
@copperycat i can really understand how you would feel about being taken out to the car park and that it looked like it had seen better days. MRI’s can feel claustrophobic even in a big airy room but I would only assume a mobile unit would be much more cramped. I see you have also joined the January radiotherapy thread!
We all need to advocate for ourselves, if we feel able to. After my issue with the cancer centre sending me 50 miles from home, I’ve decided I will contact them once I’ve finished my treatment about how I can advocate for others who aren’t able to. I had a friend who volunteered for dementia patients, so there must be something for breast cancer patients, maybe MacMillan will be able to help.
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pinklilli you sound like you’ve got your mojo back and great plans to look forward to in 2024 glad your ok after trying to become a stunt double you googled utube yet to see if someone captured it or tiktok 
Shi xx
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Hello all.
Hope you all managed some special times over Christmas. I was grateful to eat Christmas lunch and we had a quiet day. For me this past month of chemo has been way more difficult than the first few months. The cumulative effect is very real. Coming off steroids was really difficult this time too, felt very low.
Copperycat hope you’re OK. I can understand that being extra upsetting. Sometimes the upset of this whole experience is exacerbated by the old equipment/buildings or by jaded and tired staff. It’s all so out of our control.
I have radiotherapy planning meeting next week but still have 1 or 2 chemos to go.
Love to you all
xxxx
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Evening all. I’ve gone to bed , can’t face seeing in the new year as I’ll be glad when this one is over! Just wanted to pop by and say that I hope 2024 will be better for us all🤗xxx
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Hi lovely ladies,
Like @daffodil1 I am finding the cumulative effects tough and have only really got my energy back in the last day or two which is 10 days or so since the treatment. Thank you all for sharing your Christmas stories. I spent mine largely lying on the sofa feeling sorry for myself. But the week has gone by and despite never ending tummy issues veering from one extreme to another I am feeling much better than last weekend. So onwards and upwards one more to go and then i drop down to just Phesgo for a year. I only found out that I carried on with Phesgo recently and am a bit worried that means another year of feeling like this but have an appointment with my oncologist in a week, so I will be quizzing him about what this means. I am really hoping it doesn’t mean carrying on with steroids and self injections…We’ll see. But in good news only two weeks until the PICC line comes out. I hope we all have a happier 2024 with recovery and the return of our health.
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Hi all. Happy New Year. Let’s hope for a better 2024.
@copperycat i went to bed about 11, had no energy and like you I didn’t feel like celebrating. I’ve been a bit bah humbug for weeks.
@frazzledmcsazza so your Christmas has been so bad with side effects. Thank goodness you only have one more left. I’m on Herceptin until sept 2024. We will both be immune compromised and some side effects are similar to chemo but I was told no more blood tests and less clinic appointments. They kept asking if my side effects were worse on my Herceptin weeks as I was on weekly chemotherapy. I didn’t notice any difference. I’m hoping the side effects are much less. Dr Liz ORiordan (You Tube) did warn we need to keep a check on temperature for infections but clinic appointments seem to down play the side effects. I have my first on its own this Thursday and the next 12 will be done by a nurse coming to my home ( saves travel and less use of chemo chair). So will see how I am. Feeling better each day without chemo but still have some ongoing issues with stomach, aches and pains, less energy.
Take care all
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Happy new year everyone! Here’s to continuing our journeys and hopefully ending this year healthy and happy.
I made it to midnight, think it’s the latest I’ve been up since my diagnosis in August! Having a nice chilled one today, need to get the Xmas decs away really.
@frazzledmcsazza my stomach is all over the place too, I don’t like to keep taking additional tablets so planning to stay home for most of January as I’m really sick of the additional stress it causes when I’m out. Re: Phesgo, I’ve been under the impression that they don’t give anything alongside, as when I’m done with chemo they said I just need to “pop in” every three weeks for the top up. I don’t think I’ve been given anything extra on the weeks when I’ve had it alongside chemo. I haven’t really noticed any additional side effects, other than the bruising/soreness around the injection site.
@naughty_boob I didn’t realise it would affect our immunity, once through the chemo. Will definitely have some questions for my next appt on the 15th.
Today marks the final month of chemo for me, my last session will be Feb 1! I have an MRI next Mon and then appts with oncologist and surgeon the following week- really looking forward to having a plan for the next phase.
X
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Hi @plum1
Pleased you are nearing your end of chemo. Not long to go now.
I found this re Herceptin which is included in Phesgo Trastuzumab (Herceptin) | Cancer information | Cancer Research UK. Under side effects it mentions risk of infection because your immune system is low. The information given by my team also mentioned lowed immunity.
There is a thread for HER+ buddies if you are interested.
@frazzledmcsazza and anyone else with the same disagnosis.
HER2+ and need some buddies - #17 by naughty_boob I put a link to Liz O’Riordan video on You Tube about HER+
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Happy New year everyone! My spirit is still high despite being at hospital for first EC and steroids and all the usual. Did have a mood drop and energy drop think my HB is slightly under again and has to stop thyroid tablets I was way over the norm and it’s made my hair thin a lot more than on chemo 
I hear that EC can hit you after you finished the steroids more than any other drugs. Got one done no reaction so the end is in sight. 5th of march for me!! Then op and RT obviously.
First ride of the day done yesterday, customers and horses all happy and back in one piece
@Shi no stunt for me
No doubt I’ll be up till ghost 
stupid time this evening I can already feel the steroids kicking in. I’ve got stronger anti sickness this time as well.
I’ve read loads of books and looking for thriller recommendations, looking on Goodreads but will take your recommendation ladies if any? Anything else, I don’t read it !!
Am lucky that horse riding is outdoor I rode most days this week and that was a brave move w these storms god the weather was dreadful!! But sooo glad I did inahve lots of memories. Thinking of doing a riding holiday end of march after my chemo finished and before op to celebrate. Everyone seems to warn me I may be tired to ride every day, due to cumulative effect, seems like EC hit different and makes your exhausted. it’s a trail ride but back to same hotel every day average of 4 hours a day and there a pool and spa if I am too tired! Waiting to see how I feel and date of op tbc before booking anything anyway.
Good luck to all those finishing chemo and moving on to next steps. I do say there is still a small part of me who fears it might come back although I know not to think that way!!
Anyone also getting dull pain lately in the cancer areas and around? Nurse said it can happen, scar tissues and nerve endings trying to regenerate. Means chemo is working but thought I’d ask you as well.
Hope you all have a great week and probably speak later at night 
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Hi @pinklilli3s
You look so happy with your horse and your skin is so much better.
I think all chemo is cumulative, I finished Paclitaxel 3 weeks ago on Thursday and am still fatigued, not sleeping well and have very swollen ankles, which when on chemo went up and down. They seem to be swollen most of the time. I am increasing my walking and been on my feet more than before so it could be that. Back to Cardiff cancer centre on Thursday so will ask. I was there today for Heart MUGA scan which ended up being 3 hours as the radiation they inject you with had to come from Birmingham they were an hour late and didn’t call to say they would be late! Total 5 hours with horrendous weather to drive in. I did it on my own, first time since September, and makes me feel more normal.
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Hiya,
@pinklilli3s Hope you are doing okay on the old steroids. They always make me feel like my brain is going 100 mile per hour. I thought your comment about dull ache in chemo area was interesting. Feel like I have this. It comes and goes so it is interesting to hear that the nurse thinks this is normal.
Amazed you are continuing to manage getting out for a ride with your horse. You must be super woman. A lovely bit of normality in the midst of the madness. I hope you can continue throughout.
@naughty_boob sorry to hear of your five hour special round trip. That seems to be par for the course unfortunately doesn’t it. When I go for my bloods that takes three hours all in for a ten minute appointment. It always feels like there must be a better way…So pleased you managed on your own again and that felt more like normal. Another bit of light at the end of the tunnel.
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Thank you, remember I’ve had a break which was much needed and boosted my spirits and allowed me to be/feel a near as normal as I could be. Nearly 3 weeks due to oncology decision to forfeit last week since tumour shrank. Am also younger just turn 43 so maybe that has something to do it . I just pray my HB is not affected as much as before but it’s already lower than Friday was 105 and now 95.
Riding has been my soul saviour and w no chemo (but busted knees lol) I’ve tried to squeeze as much as I can as I know what’s next, the dreaded gcsf injection. What’s bothering the most aside from usual side effects, it’s dry eyes due to eye lashes lost. Blepharitis is back but I think I do everything I can to have good eye lid hygiene and am getting my eyes checked I’m a couple of weeks.
@naughty_boob I felt I was overall swollen especially in the face like I had been drinking for a while so I think some of the drugs have been on in IV had some alcohol. Sorry to hear about your ankles and life is moving so grab it till you can and feel ok to walk. Very very brave to drive 5h in this weather, hope you’re safe home.
@frazzledmcsazza I will talk to oncologist about the dull ache. Turns out also the thyroid tablets I was one since I’ve not been on Pembrolizumab drove my thyroid out if whack 
I’ve lost more hair (really thin) than during chemo. I’ve got a wig… I guess I should be lucky to still have some hair…
I’ve bought a new book recommended by the book keeper at Waterstones. Billy summers from Stephen king. Will give me a good reason to stay awake on those steroids 
I can highly recommend Twisted from S cavanagh and The family upstairs (a bit dark) but they’re a sequel which I got on Vinted !
Lots of love all and food luck to those on treatment week. Every day is day closer to our healing 
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The Paclitaxel has alcohol in as I was advised not to drive to the appointments and get a lift. My asthma inhaler also contains a small amount of alcohol but I’ve been told it would not affect my driving. They couldn’t guarantee you would be below the legal limit. I haven’t drank any alcohol since early October, I had a couple of glasses of wine but felt awful. I was told my liver and kidneys were working overtime processing the chemo and all the other drugs that it couldn’t cope with the wine.
Had some lovely Noseco and Kylie sparkling wine, as well as Gin type drinks with 0% alcohol with added tonic taste like a G&T so I haven’t missed it at all and will probably continue with no alcohol.
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Pinklilli you absolutely get that booked if dates work out it’ll do you world of good it’s lovely to see your mojo back btw super photo and horses are so amazing they lend you their strength when around them Shi xx