Funki Im not gonna pretend when I read your post that it spooked me a little hun…only cos the last 3 days I have had an achy boob and some pain…not really bad but its there… to the point I actually examined myself just in case!!..I have pain in my right shoulder like I did before …I had a WLE I dont know whether its the cold getting to me etc or not… I havent even said anything to my OH just been having warm baths each evening…wonder if its worth asking BCN or someone to see if this happens sometime throughout treatment??.. Im due 3rd round of FEC next Tuesday I might mention it to them cos if you are experiencing something it could be related?? im waffling on now…lol x
I am 1 day behind you Sandra and due for my 3rd FEC Wednesday. I think it must me Chemo related dont you if we both have the same symptoms at the same time? If it’s still this tight by monday I will ring my BC and let you know what she says but of course you must ask your chemo nurse on Tuesday too. Thanks for the reply Sandra, you have put my mind at ease and I’m very grateful. You are not waffling at all XxX
Thanks Jen. I will start the exercises again as I had stopped them weeks ago as all was fine. X
TCH3, Day 9.
Dear All, I don’t post on Valentines that often, mainly because I have to share the laptop with my son, but I read the posts. I have been generally good on treatment 3, but joint/muscle aches the last 4 days have been annoying and a bit more fatigue now. My nose runs all the time - I feel like I have a permanent cold - this is a SE of herceptin. Anyway, another good poem from Kath - I too have my breast in a box, worn on special occasions! I really need to wear it more often, but I’m more comfortable without it.
Funki, I had m/x with full anc. Like you, I don’t think it’s ‘Lyn Fo Dima’ but the tightness, and achey arm/shoulder is definitely more pronounced now I’m on the chemo and is probably due to it. I just keep doing arm exercises, but gently.
Jen xx
Lol christ knows how my reply to Jen appeared before her post. Forum gremlins are out tonight.
Funki and Sandra – as I wrote above, I had FEC3 today. I also had a WLE and full node clearance. I definately have the numbness and tightness still, also have started having some sort of mild stabbing/pulling sort of sensations in the breast. I also must admit to having gotten quite bad at keeping up my exercises – all part of my “detached” frame of mind. XXXX Louise
Thanks for letting us know that you are having the same symptoms Louise. It’s put my mind at rest and I’m sure it will Sandra too x x x
Hi I am new, have breast tumour and lymph nodes removed and now waiting for chemo in april. Anybody else the same?
Thanks Funki and Louise
So its not my mind working overtime then…will ask about it on Tuesday…like yourself Jen…I feel like I got a permanent cold… nose running all the time… driving me mad!!..
Hope all ladies are keeping warm today I dont intend going out in this snow so its a pj day for me…hope its gone before Mondays visit with my onc though…managed to sleep better last night but aided with a sleeping tablet which Im not keen on taking but if it gets me an extra hour a night hey ho
Love to all Valentines xxx
Hi all , day 12 Fec 3
my SE’s are adding up , all of them managable but so many ! Tiredness ( much more this cycle ) detached feeling I get that at times, constipation & piles ( cactus poo ! ) weight gain ! Don’t dare go near the scales I liked your comment Angie about the two breakfasts I’m guilty of that , I can’t stop the carbs but with little exercise its having a shocking effect … I’m just not as chirpy this cycle & agree that the weather isn’t helping
sorry Funki you are feeling low , I’ve had my moments too
Mandy I like your fancy posts just thought u were showing off your techie skills
Good morning Valentines. FEC 3 day 5. Doesn’t time go quickly when you’re having fun? 7 hours good sleep but woke with a red face again. SEs still minimal and manageable although I do have a bit of a ‘crash’ in the evenings. OH says this has been a much easier cycle.
Funki and others: feeling very dark and down seems to be part of the pattern of this condition and treatment. It would be odd if we all sailed through it psychologically unscathed. I’m pretty positive about stuff and my OH is wonderfully cheerful and laid back but I still have those moments where I feel overwhelmed by what is happening and fearful about the future. If that happens I talk to OH or text or speak to family and friends to pull me out of myself. OH says the worst thing for those around me is if I retreat into my own world and don’t communicate so I try not to go there.
Penguin: very sorry you are going down the double mx route but it sounds as if you know you are on the right path for you and you seem pretty confident. I wish you well. I like your focus on pert!
Kath: loved the boob poem! Nearly fell off my chair laughing.
Mandy: love the big and funny posts. We know it’s you!
Elaine: I have choir on my big list of things I am going to do once chemo finished but I should do something about it now! Used to be in a choir many many years ago but like so many things I enjoy it got pushed out by working long hours and too much focus on domestic stuff. Won’t let that happen in the brave new world!
Black/dark nail polish debate. I’ve been told that polish helps but not necessarily dark polish. I have also been told to wear sensible footwear (the Laboutins are out then) as big toenails are vulnerable with Herceptin (there’s a thing I never expected to write!). My very inquisitive family want to know the science behind dark nail varnish. Is there there any?
A number of you have mentioned discomfort and recurring pain following node clearance. Mine was very painful after the op and I had bad cording for a while but the exercises really helped and I have great movement now. The chemo has made me a bit lazy and I stopped doing the exercises every day. The discomfort did return which taught me a lesson and I am back doing them again and they really do worK! So keep at it people! (Spellcheck wanted me to type Leopoldo just then!).
Karen: I think I am just going to avoid getting on the scales!
In other news, it’s been snowing here in south London this morning. Last March we got the BBQ out. Extraordinary. Today is shopping and basic cleaning. Tomorrow the five of us (me, OH, two sons and daughter) are meeting my brother and his OH at a pub in Crystal Palace which has jazz on a Sunday. So looking forward to that.
Hope today is good and manageable for everyone and apologies for leaving anyone out - there are so many posts!
Angie xx
Angie I am crap at explaining things but the theory is meant to be that Tax reacts to light ( which is why it’s covered by a black bag during infusion) to stop the light getting to it before it gets in to your body. Apparently that’s where the black nail varnish theory come from that it will protect your nails from photosensitivity.
Funki - thank you! Will let you know if there are follow up enquiries. Just read this to OH who said good god as if infusing you with red poison isn’t enough there’s stuff in a black bag? Like medieval torture!
Angie xx
The red one freaks me out! My CN said that if it gets on to their skin it will burn it off down to the bone :o WTF is it doing to our insides then??? :o How does it not burn through our veins??? :o
Re the Epirubicin – the horrid, horrid Epirubicin! At least it comes and goes quickly, that is why we need to drink so much liquid. Yesterday I had stopped peeing red by the time I left the Chemo Suite (I have to stay 2 hours after treatment for the CC). And that means its out of the system!
Forgot to say the one good thing yesterday when I was ranting! It was the last of my FEC’s – its over, over, over and I am half-way through!!!
Hugs to all, Louise
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay at being half way Louise 
Congratulations x x x
Good morning Vals,
Sorry to see so many of you are having problems, some of which are different from what you experienced on previous cycles. The depression must be especially awful because not a lot can be done about it in the short term. Thank goodness it is temporary. It is a known fact we suffer psychologically when we have prolonged bad weather, so that can’t be helping at all. I haven’t started chemo yet, but I still ain’t leaving the house today.
My OH said the reason for black varnish is exactly what was said earlier - it is to stop the light getting in and therefore black is by far better than dark red.
On a hairy note - has anyone lost eyebrows or lashes yet?
Have a lovely and peaceful weekend everyone,
Linda xxx
Kath , I had Fluconazole and cannisten – it is now clearing up a treat (I think it’s cannisten duo over the counter – but I had a stronger version). If I have to have strong antibiotics again I will have the tablet in the medicine cupboard ready in preparation. Boob poem is awesome!!
Funki , I am pretty crabby with my other half and get teary quite frequently. I was putting it down to hormonal changes from chemo (I haven’t gone through the menopause yet) and fatigue. I also need loads more cuddles than normal and reassurance.
I have been getting on the scales loads – but I am losing weight rather than gaining it. I put this down to not snacking at work (as I am working from home) and not drinking (or hardly). I have a few extra pounds hanging around so I am not too worried about it. I am certainly eating loads of junk though – I have strange food cravings and just go with them. Some days I only eat puddings (the inner kid loves this). But as the cycle goes on I get back to the normal diet (with mini magnums), so at the moment I am eating properly.
Alison xx
Hi there Valentines
funki my tumor was above my left breast on my chest wall & I only had two nodes removed that were clear however I have noticed that since starting chemo my chest wound (not my underarm one) has been painful when I get up in the morning. It’s not sore any other time but then, strangely it never hurt before chemo even the day after surgery. It can only be down to the chemo. Also, I too haven’t really done any exercises since chemo, so maybe I should start them again.
Penguin I know a double mx is a big decision but this time next year you’ll have the best boobs on the beach … and just think people pay thousands for that. If I had the opportunity I’d definitely have a double mx & reconstruction.
Mandy did using a hot water bottle help your arm/veins? I’m trying it as my veins are swollen & very painful.
Of the girls who are already on round 3 have you found your symptoms different or do you see a pattern emerging? It seems that most of you are moving onto ‘T’ for your next chemo, is there anyone else doing all 6 of FEC only? I’ll miss all the tips from those who are ahead of me.
Today has been the first day that I can honestly say I feel good. I haven’t had any low days emotionally just mainly nausea. i think when my neutrophils start to drop this is what’s making me feel ill, I don’t have a temp or anything. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m going to speak to my onc about it as I feel too ill to go anywhere, so have no life for the first 11 days & then have to be very mindful of going anywhere until day 15.
Dyane
FEC 2/6 day 11, Antrim Area Hospital
Dyane: glad you are feeling well today. My onc recommended a covered hot water bottle on my sore vein for 15 minutes three times a day and it does help to ease it.
Linda: I still have eyebrows and eyelashes but I am expecting to lose them during my three doses of Tax. Still have my fluffy chicken hair too on my scalp. Waiting for the weather to warm up before shaving it!
Angie xx