Hi,
sorry to hear you are poorly girls and sending you cyber wishes to feel better soon. Try to rest as much as you can and it will pass quicker than fighting it. Hey last epi, you don’t do this bit again. People who find epi hard are usually very happy on CMF. Well done for finishing the epi.
Love
Lily x x
better today, so three bad days then… Im very weak still but def on the mend. I took on the banks today and swapped all my money ( or shall i say debts!) about. Id been meaning to do that for ages so very pleased with myself. can now relax knowing im interest free for 16 months!!! Cooked lovely tea for OH… another sign that im on the mend and i know he’s much happier to see me back on form even if im only on half form!!! Im off to a girls night in tonight with some of the mums from school. Had to miss a xmas drinks night last night as i was so poorly, so im glad to be well enough to go tonight. Im going to make some salsa to take with me and some tortilla crisps. Carol i hope you manage ok… we really should be proud of ourselves for having done the big four as Lilli keeps telling us. Xeloda here i come!! Few more pressies to buy but mostly done. Thank goodness for internet shopping
take care all. xx
Carmel that’s great news - glad you’ve improved enough to be out and about. My new anti-sicks are helping but still feel gross, so I’m missing my school work do tonight - just not up to it. Having a smaller do with some of the girls next week, so should be ok for that. Hope you can taste the torilla crisps and salsa! Well done us indeed for doing the big four - hate feeling like this, so hope cmf will be easier. 4 months of that - feels like this is going on for ever. Anyway Christmas here we come - hopefully we’ll be on fine form by then!!
Lily - as ever thanks for the cyber hugs - how are the rads going? Hope you’re wearing more and not freezing still!!
Happy Friday night everyone - doesn’t it feel different when you’re not working!!
xx
oh carol, its just so grim isn’t it. I was trying to describe it to someone the other day and i really struggled. Its very other-worldly in my opinion. I really hope the fog lifts soon for you. Im getting stronger now but true to form have a shocking cold again. I need to keep an eye on my chesty cough too. My head still feels frozen… yuk.
hello everyone. hope you have/are having a nice wend. xx Carmel
Hi,
well rads in the winter are chilly and getting colder, one scanner room being worse than the other. Guess who keeps getting the cold one? I can wear my thickest jeans, socks and even keep my boots on, but the boob area has to be uncovered completely. I have a cotton top from the hospital, which I keep right through the treatment, just check in, grab a basket, grab my numbered robe out a cupboard and change. The top has poppers everywhere so they can expose wherever they need to and cover the rest up all the time. Then about 30 seconds treatment and back out and change. They see so many people you just wizz in and out, some nurses barely speak, others are friendly and chat through it. It is just bizarre when the sirens go off because of the danger, everyone runs out and you just lie there getting zapped listening to Abba! Such a doddle compared to chemo but annoying to go every day if a long journey. Hormone tablets ok so far, not sure how long before you get a reaction but it takes 3 weeks before the protective effect starts working.
Hope all your colds go soon and good luck with the next one. So glad to see it is moving along
Lily x
Hi all,
Sorry to hear you’re feeling bad Carol and Carmel - but isn’t it great to have finished with Epi. Despite my problems with low wbc I really think CMF is much easier. I managed to have another dose on Tuesday, despite low bloods again. The district nurses are coming to give me neupogen injections on Mon, Tue and Wed next week, so I’ll feel a bit fluey and achey for Christmas Day, but my girls are determined to do all the cooking, so will just sit back and relax! I’m strangely looking forward to rads in Feb Lily. I get to have a CT scan on my first visit in Jan, as you said, as well as tatooes for them to line me up with the machine.
Hugs to all, S X
Hi
OMG - that was a nasty one. Hope you’re ok Carmel - I’m only just beginning to come out of epi 4. Thanks lalala and lily - it’s good to hear cmf may be a little better, and rads even more so. Hope you’re all ok
xxx
Hi everyone
I’ve been checking up on everyone’s posts and sorry to hear that Carol and Carmel have been having a bad time with their 4th epi. At least that’s it now over and now on to new treatments for both of you. I think you’re having Xeloda next, aren’t you Carmel, I can’t offer any advice about that because I’m on the cmf, but hope that it treats you better than epi has. Carol the cmf has been good to me so far. I had my 1st dose of my 2nd cmf on Monday (hope that makes sense) and have felt fine, just a little heartburn that has been kicked into touch by the Ranitidine. I’m feeling a little more tired this time but not sure that my bloods are as good as they have been in the past. I might ask if I can have the GCSF injection like lalala if they are low this week. I’m back in for chemo again on Monday, providing my bloods are good enough, so hope se’s don’t kick in with a vengeance afterwards or that will be Xmas a wipe out this year. Good luck with the rest of your rads Lily and hope that you don’t get too sore.
Jackie xx
Hi,
well it sounds silly but I am really enjoying rads!!! All the way through CMF I dreamed of being on rads as it would mean only 15 days till I was finished, more importantly no needles or chemo and I think it is even better than I imagined. Once you get over the shock of the loud buzzer, warning sirens and everyone except you fleeing the room, it is painfree and very brief. I let everyone who ever offered help sign up for a day to drive or come with me. Nearly every day is a fun day out with family, friends or neighbours and it has been more like a day out to have fun. I am getting so fat after discovering a place that does fresh cream strawberry teas as big as a whole meal. I have not felt tired and have only driven twice so that has probably helped too as it is 50 miles each day. Too busy talking to notice most days!! Having an early appointment, I can park right outside and I can be in and out in under 10 minutes unless having a review. I get a slight horseshoe shaped tan under the boob but it is not sore so far and has gone by the morning. I don’t burn in the sun and they say this helps as does having dark hair. Time will tell. My last day is new years eve so up early that day too.
Just keep your eye on the next bit getting closer. Every time you walk through that unit door you are a step nearer to finishing. I was sorry to hear epi 4 was rotten, it was for me too. I asked for a week off before starting cmf and got myself really better. I have noticed that people who struggle on epi seem to be much better on cmf and vice versa. I went through with a local lady and I could not believe that she had no side effects except a stripe on her nails from 4 epis, while I had about 40 prescriptions for ‘cures’ . I then got out of step and we caught up recently and she has been really struggling on cmf with low neuts and even had a blood transfusion as her counts were so low. She had lots of breaks in it and she felt terrible. Strangely when I went back on day 8 my neuts had shot up. CMF took my counts higher than before I started chemo!! It just shows we are all different and just hope you all have some good or better bits to help you through.
Hope you are up to enjoying this Christmas and we will soon be in the year when it is all finished
Lily x
Hi everyone
It’s very quiet on here, hope that means you’re all feeling fine and getting the last minute things sorted for Xmas. Well that’s me done now until the New Year. I had my day8 dose of my 2nd cmf today. That means only two more double doses to go. I had my bloods first this morning and was a little worried as my neutrophils were down to 1.6 last week before treatment but they had shot back up to 2.9 today so that was great. It took a bit longer as my veins are very fine now but the needle went in first time and treatment went ok. We’re off to be spoiled at my younger daughter’s tomorrow so I won’t be on again until the weekend. Really looking forward to seeing our youngest granddaughter open her Xmas pressies, she’s nearly three and so excited. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Xmas and New Year.
Jackie xx
Hi all,
Hope you’re all feeling OK over the next few days, so that you can enjoy a Happy Christmas. I’ve recovered from my CMF on 16th, but having neutropen injections this week so am a bit fluey and achey. My girls are home now though, so the kitchen is out of bounds … yea! Take care,
Shelagh xxx
Hi ladies
Just thought I’d pop in to say Happy Christmas! Hope you’re all ok/recovering this week and hope too the new year brings us all good/improved health. Lily - you make rads almost sound fun compared with epi!!! Can’t wait
xx
Hello All,
I am on epi/cmf chemo.I had a lump 9accessary breast tissue) in my left armpit which was removed. My oncologist told me that chemo would benefit me 4% but I decided to take it .
I must say EPI has been very tough for me i had last dose last wednesday. I have experienced every side effect and have been feeling very miserable.I was so bad that my onc reduced the last 2 doses of epi to half because i also had palpitations.
Now Iam thinking of quitting chemo as I am scared that CMF would make me as miserable as EPI. Should I quit chemo? I dont know I am confused please guide.
Thanks,
Shammo.
HI,
Just wanted to wish you all a happy Christmas and hope that none of you will be really poorly at that time. Rotten being on chemo at Christmas. I also want to wish you all lots of luck with your treatment next year.
Carol, you better believe how much better it gets, keep counting down those days everyone.
Love
Lily x
Dear Shammo
Welcome to the BCC forums, where I am sure you will receive lots of support from your fellow users. You may also wish to give the helpline a ring to discuss your concerns, they can offer support and information on these types of issues. Everyone on our helpline either has experience of breast cancer or is a breast care nurse and the team comes from a variety of backgrounds, so you will get to talk to someone who has an understanding of the issues you’re facing.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 2pm on free phone 0808 800 6000. During the Christmas period the opening hours are;
Christmas Eve: 9am - 2pm
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: Closed
December 27th: Open as usual (9a,-2pm)
New Years Eve: 9am -2pm
New Year’s Day: Closed
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi
sorry Shamo, we must have posted at the same time and only just saw yours. I found epi extremely hard, particularly on the bowels and mouth. I took an extra week off after epi 4 as I was still struggling with the side effects and went into CMF with a lot of worries.Everyone I know who has really suffered on epi has found cmf so much easier. You don’t get that foggy feeling as though you are in a bubble and it didn’t bung me up, in fact I then moved to the pleasure of the runs!! I went into CMF telling my onc that I was pulling out after number 6 (the 2nd cmf) and he was quite happy with that as he said going to 6 would be quite acceptable. I surprised myself more than anyone by going right to the very end - 28 weeks and 12 iv treatments. I would say try it and see how you go. Epi really got in my head but cmf is very different. Please ask away if I can help any more and good luck with your decision.
Hope you are well enough to enjoy Christmas
Love
Lily x
hi there ladies. Merry christmas. I hope you are all having a nice day. Sorry Iv not been on for a while. Yes I did have a bad time (in parts; as always) on epi4. As I picked up so did the pace of life with all the events to attend, last minute shopping, school nativity, xmas party ( what a night- I even wore my blond bombshell wig!) etc. I have definitely noticed alot of fatigue this cycle. I guess it is cumulative and it all seems to be catching up with me. I walked with my friend on monday last week and pretty much collapsed after wards. My friend had to put me to bed… couldn’t believe it.
I went to hospital on Tues for my capacitamine (xeloda) tablets, and got stabbed again as usual to no avail. In the end they got bloods with a butterfly needle from the back of my hand. I know what to insist on next time. The veins are so wrecked there is no point letting them near me with a big needle again.
Since i usually have my chemo on the thurs, I asked if i could start my tablets on Thurs eve rather than wed morning. Hurray, they agreed which means Iv been well for Christmas eve and day. Iv just started my xeloda now so wait and see. I m going to hunt around to see if anyone else is doing it to get some tips etc.
SHAMMO sorry to hear you are feeling so glum about the next stage of treatment. Lillys advice seems spot on to me. Im at pretty much the same stage as you so please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on - we’ll offer support, what ever you decide, as best we can.
Good night all and enjoy your families, especially the little ones.
xxcarmel
Hi
I hope you don’t mind me popping on but i have just finished my last epi on 19th dec and i had to go to hospital as i had phybitis in my veins and the pain was awful ended up on anti biotics which have made the sickness worse. My question is how bad is CMF as i have had areally tough time on epi and i am scared they wont be able to get the chemo in my arm and that this constant sickness and light head will go on until i am finished in April has anyone got any tips for CMF as it seems such along haul and i am getting very tired.
Poppet x
Hi Poppet, So sorry to hear that you’ve had such a rotten time with your veins… sounds worse than me and mine have been bad enough. Fortunately for me I’m now on a trial chemo which is tablet form so my veins are off the hook. Id be worried too if i had to continue with vein treatment. The CMF ladies on this thread should be along soon to advise you…as I can’t but what iv picked up reading others comments is that it is often alot easier than Epi for those that have had a rough time on the epi. Keep posting and we’ll try and keep the spirits up… or at least offer a bit of support when they can’t be propped up! The tiredness is frustrating isn’t it?
Take care all.
xx carmel
Hi,
poppet I finished epi/cmf on 18 Nov, on the TACT2 trial. I got arm one so it has been 28 weeks on chemo, yuk. I found epi hard and felt like I was trapped ina bubble for about 4 or 5 days and had to more or less just lie on the sofa or in bed for all that time or went really dizzy and my eyes could not focus hardly at all. Lots of other side effects too, too many to mention. I had to take an extra weekoff to recover from epi 4 before going to cmf. despite epi being so horrid, I was still scared of changing to 3 drugs - better the devil you know, I guess. I had a reaction to the Cyclophosphamide, not a bad one and I had to have that through a drip very slowly to tolerate it, but that was just while being treated. I felt so well on cmf, for the first time I could have considered going to work for part of the cycle. i never could have on epi though. The bad thing about cmf is having to go back for the second one but even that was not as bad as I thought as my head felt clear and mild effects. You will feel yourself on cmf again. It gave me the runs as I went through the doses but my neuts shot up on cmf and my hair started growing straight away.
I hopethis cheers you. I found that all the people I spoke to who were bad on epi found cmf much much easier and I hope you do too. I told my onc I waspulling out after the 6th dose and he said that would be quite acceptable as a treatment. I surprisedmyself by going right to the end, all 12 visits. I started in May this year and understand howtired you must be. I reallystruggled and without family and good friends on here would not have kept going. Find someone who is going through the same one and hang on to them, it is the best support you can have. They called Julia and I the marathon runners as evryone finished before us as most were on 18 weeks. I did not ever think I would last it out and I am definitaly no hero, you can do this.
Love
Lily x