Hello!..wandered if anyone is having TAC at the moment?..I have just had the second lot and have got 4 more to go. Would be good to hear of anyone in the same boat.
Hi
I’m due to start six lots of TAC on Tuesday, how are you getting on? Obviously read all the literature and it sounds horrible but doable. Got an appointment for a wig fitting tomorrow, when I take my first lot of steroids! I’ve opted for chemo first then op then I’ll have radiotherapy. Had bone scan Thursday will get results next week. Which hospital are you attending? I’m Derriford in Plymouth.
Nonny
hello!. Sorry you’re having to go through it too, but also nice to have someone going through same treatment…I have now had 2 lots and have 3rd next Tuesday. I was very sick with the first lot as they did’nt manage to sort out my anti sickness. However, after about 9-10 days I felt absolutely fine, which I was’nt expecting. With the 2nd lot they sorted out the anti sickness drugs to suit me and also prescribed some heartburn tabs as I had awful heartburn…I also felt fine about the same time again. I can’t pretend its not grim, but its a necessary evil I guess…and at least you have the times feeling ok…I would advise you not to suffer in silence with any symptoms you may have as they can fix a lot of them. I also felt ravenous (steroids and quite weepy on the Friday after treatment (downer after steroid rush I guess, so maybe watch out for that one). Of course you may have a different experience to me…I go walking most days, which helps me and do some yoga etc…I had a mastectomy with all lymphs out first so need to do exersizes for this…I am also having radiotherapy after this lot of six. I’m in Hereford for mine…As you say it is doable…i wish you all the best for your treatment, which you are having today I guess. Let me know how you got on…
Lou
hello again…forgot to mention the hair …I kept mine until about 3 days after 2nd treatment…which was longer than I expected…But I did have it cut really short before hand and didn’t wash it for 2 weeks!!. I was really distressed when it came out, but got it shaved off as I looked like gollum, all pretty grim, but am now used to it and my daughter said go away baldy mummy tonight and I didn’t feel upset so I must have adjusted!!!..I hav’nt worn my wig yet as can’t seem to be bothered but am acquiring a nice selection of hats and a trendy pair of glasses, experimenting with a new look…my head does get cold at night if i don’t wear a hat!!
Lou
Hi Lou
Lovely to hear from you. I was surprised how well I still feel. They got my antisickness and heartburn tabs sorted out right from the start. The only problem I’ve had so far is constipation from the anti-sickness pills! Hoping to sort that today with help from my Doc. I’ve been going at the housework like a train, the steroids I expect. I shall look out for the downer, thanks for the warning. Had a bone scan last week and I’ve got a CT scan on Monday. I expect I’ll get the results when I see my Consultant on the 29th. I opted for Chemo first as I want a double mastectomy and implants when this is over. I had a scare, DCIS, with my other breast four years ago which was sorted out by a wide exicision biopsy and nothing else, but I have no intention of going down this road again in four years time. So I need time to make my husband realise that this is what is best for me! I have a lovely soft hat my daughter got me from America and a turban provided by the NHS along with the £100 towards my wig, (that was a surprise) all ready for when I am hairless! I had my hair cut off short just over a week ago so I am all prepared. As you said, I thought the hair went about 10 to 16 days after the first treatment. I wonder how long I will hang on to mine. I’m a bit paranoid about going out, I am terrified of getting an infection, I’ve been given so many warnings. I start 7 days of Granocyte injections tomorrow to encourage white blood cells. Are you having these? I have also heard the echinacea is good to boost the immune system, I asked the chemo nurse and I can take this after the injections have finished. I do not log in every day but hope to hear from you soon. All the best, and thanks for the company.
Nonny
Hi Lou
Forgot the bit about taste, my taste buds seem to have gone on strike, can taste orange or tomato, and bread tastes really strange, but melon and pineapple are lovely.
Chat again soon
Nonny
hi!. Really pleased to hear you have’nt had the other side effects I seem to have…I thought you’d be laid up in bed for a week like I seem to be…I have got my 3rd one tomorrow. I have caught a cold though, we’ve all got it…both kids and husband too, so not surprising really…I just hope I can still have my chemo as I just want to get on with it…I’m taking echinacea, but still got cold, though am taking it in tablet form which my mum says is not as good as the drops, so will move on to them…the only injection I have is one the day after treatment…have’nt heard about granocyte, will ask about that tomorrow…I don’t seem to have had much change in the taste of things, but really crave pineapple!! How is your husband coping, mine has started smoking again and works very hard!!! he’s not one for counselling…so sticks to self destructive behaviour in times of trouble!! but there you go…I just keep looking forward to the summer hols…I’ve booked us 2 weeks in Tuscany for August so I just keep thinking of that. Also a good friend of mine who lives in singapore is coming to see us in july so another thing to look forward to. At least we’re not doing this in the summer…it does’nt seem so bad to be hunkering down now…and at least all will be over by the school summer hols. If I have cemo tomorrow probably won’t visit this site until week after this, but will catch up with you then…hope you continue to feel well!
Oh and by the way, I was really paranoid for the first lot but have relaxed about it since, though do get kids to use anti bac hand stuff before and after nursery/school etc… I use it all the time too…I accept now that I am probably going to get a few things along the way but its not life threatening and they can treat it all with anti biotics…its just a hastle we don’t need…
Lou
Hi Lou
I do seem to have been very lucky so far in the side effects stakes. Some days are worse than others, but I have not had to stay in bed yet! I hole up on the settee with a blanket and watch the box. My two daughters are grown up and living over 250 miles away, and I have three grandchildren. I am 61 so maybe, chemo doesn’t affect us wrinklies as badly as you young ones. It must be really hard coping with young children and feeling so under the weather, also children do seem to bring all sorts of nasties home from nursery and school. My husband has gone to pieces but is trying hard to be upbeat, he’d heard about pineapple and bought me a fresh one, it is lovely sliced up and kept in the fridge. Unfortunately he has upped his alcohol intake, not to excessive levels, but certainly more than usual. He generally gets through about three or four pints of an evening now, whereas it just used to be the one and a bottle of wine over the weekend.
I have two more Granocyte injections to go, I am also taking Ciprofloxacin 2 x 250mg twice a day, these are broad spectrum antibiotics, on days five to fourteen of the treatment. I’ve got some echinacea tablets for when I finish the injections and the tablets. I didn’t know you could get drops, I must have a look. I seem to spend all day either cleaning my teeth or washing my hands, as you say I will probably get more laid back as the treatments go on. I keep thinking one down, only five more to go.
Had first of many CT scans yesterday, my Consultant wants to watch my tumour shrink (hopefully).
I hope your chemo wasn’t too bad and you feel better soon. I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you again when you are feeling up to it.
Kind regards
Nonny
hello! well I am feeling better than last time as its the day after treatment and i’m on here!. I took the steroids earlier which meant I could sleep last night, well until 5.30 am when felt a bit sick so took advantage of the help line and took some anti sickness tabs…then fell back to sleep agian…I’m going to take it easy today though and will slope back to bed soon…I do wander whether I feel less anxious this time as I’m not necessarily expecting to sick…it is hard having two young kids, but I am lucky to have supporitve parents who have paid for me to have full time childcare help which is a god send…so that takes huge pressure off me and the rest of the family…I am pleased to feel that the kids lives are not too disrupted through this episode…and , like you am thinking 3 down and half way!!!..its tough for the men folk looking on. I guess you have to hope thay can work their way through it. I don’t feel I can offer much support to Dave as I am keeping myself going, I do feel abit like a lady who lunches as I have childcare, go to yoga, go on walks and have reflexology and massage etc…not forgetting the counselling!!! oh well, I spose you need some perks!..I feel like a real rattler with all these pills to take, don’t usually take pills, I was saying to my sister if you did have side effects how the hell would you know what its from??!
Anyway, think i’ll go and lie around aimlessley for a bit, oh and take some more pills!!
lou
Hi Lou
Really glad to hear things are going on OK. I seem to spend a lot of time lying around aimlessley, but I am beginning to feel better so you never know I might even go out for a walk! The sun is shining and it’s not too cold.
Last injection today next chemo 4th March. Not looking forward to that. Seeing Doc on 29th for results of scans etc. hope all is OK.
Be in touch again soon.
Nonny
hello again!. Got my blood results back today and neutrophils 0.04, which is very low!..so am now told not to get an infection! have been prescribed anti biotics just in case.
wandered what reports (if any) you had read re: tac and its effectiveness…may help to steel my resolve for the next 3 lots!!
hope all is well with you and you are enjoying your good weeks!
Lou
Hi Lou
Good days rather that good weeks! Thought I could only improve towards the end of the three weeks, WRONG!
Each day is different. Still I shall know for next time.
I have been reading up the Scientific Papers on Breast Cancer Treatment (it is sometimes useful to have a BSc in Biology) and as far as I can ascertain from one particular piece of reserch in Belgium, the overall survival and disease free survival rate is 6% higher for TAC patients than FEC although the side effects are supposed to be a bit worse. However, this is only the result of one piece of research, so other factors could be involved, but overall it looks as if TAC is really effective. Our Consultants obviously feel it is the correct treatment for us, and as they are the experts I’ll go along with that. Hey, you’re halfway through now, after the next one it’s nearly over, keep smiling and think that it will all be worth it in the end.
My hair has just started to fall out, it somehow makes the situation more real, up to now everything, even the scans and first chemo has seemed very surreal, as if it is all happening to someone else, not me. Down to earth with a big bump, still I get to wear my wig which is rather nice.
Seeing Doc tomorrow for results of scans, and talk about chemo, I’ll try and remember to ask him why TAC rather than FEC and see what he says.
Kind regards
Nonny
Hi again
Saw Doc yesterday, scans clear, heave big sigh of relief. Lump shrinking already so on the whole things are looking good. Asked him why TAC rather than FEC, he said TAC is the most effective treatment especially if there is any indication of lymph glands be affected, as long as the patient is young and fit enough to have it!
Taking Echinacea drops got from Boots so hoping bloods will be alright on Monday. How are things going with you?
Best wishes
Nonny
Hello!. Thanks for all the info. So pleased to hear your scans are clear. How marvellous. Another stepping stone over…I found the hair thing really hard, actually worse than loosing boob, more visible and as you say makes it more real. I cried a lot that day and got my hairdresser to shave it off. I can’t be bothered with my wig that much and just see it as a dressing up tool now and agian. I tend to rely on hats as its a bit perfect looking and I feel like i’m a bit scruffy for it most of the time!. I am now ok with my shiny bald head. My hairdresser told me to to treat it like rest of body and moisturise etc… v nice to have indian head massage too!! no hair to get in the way. I quite like fondling it actually!!..I,m feeling ok now neutrophils on the up and doing a lot. Went to Ikea yesterday,what a mistake as loads of traffic etc…but doing normal things which feels good…going to plant things in the garden so will sign off
tuesday 11 March for no 4.
Good luck with your next one
Loux
Hi Loux
You are sounding really chirpy. Had 2nd Chemo yesterday and seem to be a bit better than last time, maybe because I knew what to expect and was a bit more laid back. Am determined not to get constipated this time though. That was the pits. Have had a viral rash but was told nothing to worry about, my neutrophils were fine so full steam ahead! Still have some hair but not much, am wearing a hat most of the time now, your head gets awfully cold doesn’t it? I was wondering about have my head shaved but I think it’s a bit late now, perhaps I’ll get my hubby to do it, that should be good for a laugh. I have read somewhere that sweet almond oil is good for the scalp when the hair has gone, but I shall stick to my usual Clarins moisturiser.
Good luck for next Tuesday, then only two to go!
Speak again soon
Jennie
hi, nice to hear from you. Pleased the chemo was better than previous. Clarins for head sounds good too!!. I had a bit of a wobble at the weekend as found a small lump above my mastectomy armpit on my underarm. Immediately went into the fear cycle, which was horrid, but took immediate action and phoned a friend who is a cardiologist but has worked in BC unit when training who offered some reassuance and then managed to get hold of my surgeon who saw me today. He reckons its a thickening in the vein and is pretty sure its nothing to do with BC, but i’ve heard that before!!!. He took a biopsy so should find out the results in due course. Of course it was the day of my daughters birthday, which I felt v angry about…better to be safe though I guess…feel better now though but tired after emotional truma of it all…ready to face 4 th one tomorrow (ish)…will go out for a walk soon as have a bad headache, which the rain might wash away. Hope you’re not getting flooded down there.We live on a hill so at least that isn’t a possibility!..Yes the head oes get cold. I have a ‘night cap’ well a black hat at nights and day hats. It’s quite good to have no hair in the winter as you look quite normal wearing hats at this time of the year !. My day hat collection is expanding slowly, but I can see I’m going to be well bored with them by the time I get any hair back!!!
hope you have managed to maintain feeling better on this one…
will look you up again when feeling better after next one
Loux
Hi Loux
Sorry to hear about your scare, hope everything is OK for you. Just beginning to feel normal again after my 2nd chemo, hoping to go into work next week. Then its my 3rd chemo, halfway through! Keeping a diary was a good idea as it gives me a bit of warning on how I am likely to feel and so far this time is following the previous pattern.
We live on the side of the River Tamar Valley, quite high up. From the front of our cottage we can see out over Dartmoor in one direction and all the way down to Plymouth Sound and the Sea in the other. It is a lovely spot we have lived here for over 40 years now.
Hair has almost all gone, trying to pluck up courage to shave the rest off, it is just a nuisance now. I went into the Bathroom the other morning and took my hat off, looked in the mirror and there was Gollum from Lord of the Rings looking back at me, not a pretty sight!
Look forward to hearing from you again.
All the best
Nonny
wow, it sounds lovely where you live…do you know the two bridges Hotel in Dartmoor??by chance. We had a lovely romantic weekend there before kids etc…we live in Hay-on-Wye, which is ‘the book town’ famous for the hay literary festival…coming up soon actually. Rather nice too…
Can’t believe you’re going into work, that sounds amazing. I stopped any work when this kicked off, but was only doing a bit of lecturing and a bit of design work around the kids so was’nt too difficult for me to stop…
well, I’ve just had number 4 and even though I feel s**t its not as bad as last time, but still not great obviously. I had reflexology before I went in…don’t know whether that helped me, or it may just be getting used to it…who knows…
the gollum look is a real treat isn’t it !!..I think the shave option is a good one as its dealt with then…
I hope number 3 is ok…and work went well. Keeping a diary sounds a good idea. I do that too very loosely, well I just write off the first few days and then after about a week start planning nice things to do, which I will enjoy. This helps me through
Loux
Hi Loux
Yes, I do know the Two Bridges Hotel, my eldest daughter and her husband spent their wedding night there. My husband, Den, and I used to go out onto the moors a lot before the children and when they were growing up. I used to ride on Dartmoor every weekend, but not for a few years now. I know it’s terribly politically incorrect now, but I used to hunt with the Spooners and West Dartmoor, not that they ever caught anything when I was with them! Both my daughters were horrified when they found out what I used to do.
Work went fine. Den drove me into Plymouth and picked me up to come home (20 miles each way) he wouldn’t let me drive myself and I wasn’t prepared to risk the train, too many people caughing and sneezing and it’s crowded in the morning and evening. The Boss was soooo glad to see me, he was dreading having to do the payroll, so I was welcomed with open arms! I did the month’s wages and sorted out a couple of computer problems that they couldn’t sort out between them! Men! I am the only female on the staff by the way. I had a reasonably quiet day but I was very, very tired by the time I got home. I persuaded Den to get fish and chips on the way, I love shop fish and chips and my sense of taste is just beginning to get back to something like normal. I have promised that I will go into work one day each month to do the Payroll and sort out any problems during the five or six days prior to my chemo, when I am feeling fairly normal.
Will be in touch again after number 3 - halfway!!! Hooray.
Nonny
pleased you sorted all your things out at work. In a way its probably good to have something ‘normal’ going on …I too am a rider and used to ride loads as a kid, also went hunting, which I kept very quiet at uni and onwards really!!! not very PC, but what fun!!..I sometimes ride now and have found an excellent stables with good horses. They let you ride on your own on the hills. Going next week with my sister and the kids, which will be fun. Its very exposed up there, but fab views of the brecon beacons etc…
I can’t believe I’ve got no 5 next and then the last one hooray…I don’t feel particularly concerned about the next two as no.4 was a doddle compared to the others and i’ve recovered much quicker and did’nt feel depressed at all…
I’m now starting to think about the next phase which will be radiotherapy…I’m going to velindre in Cardiff for this as its closer than cheltenham. Have you got an op next or do you have radio next too??
hope no.3 goes well for you and as you say half way already!!
Loux