June 2021 Chemo Starters

[Louise65]

@Fairie so sorry to hear about your mum especially at such a difficult time in your life. I lost my mum in January she had mild dementia but had gone through breast cancer herself so not having her to talk to has been so hard. I find late night when I cant get to sleep the worst and get so upset. 

Glad you had good outcome from oncologist, knowing you now dont have to go through that again must of been a big weight lifted. I have to have zoom appointments which are ok but no the same as f2f. 

@Flower123 Please don't think your posts are always negative, we all have battles going on and not just the cancer nightmare so to be able to share with each other helps. I find the last 2 injections are my worst I have awful back and leg pain. I take ibuprofen and have hot water bottle which sometimes helps but at its worse i can feel my back throbbing,

As to your daughters boyfriend it will be upsetting for everyone especially as he lived with you but as hopeful said if he was the one he would of not called time on the relationship. 

@Impatience totally understand you having the last cycle but the end is insight which will help you through it and we're all here rooting for you. x

I'm doing ok day 3 felt bit weary at times so havent done anything much. I have the most awful taste in my mouth so not enjoying food and seem prone to oral thrush, but after feeling so rough whilst on EC its copable. Ive sadly gained weight which I know as long as i'm eating is a small price to pay as can focus on this after treatment over. Trouble is I tried on the dress I got for my nieces wedding and its a bit snug across boobs now. I'm thinking I will start radiotherapy before the wedding which will likely impact what I can wear comfortably.

I received my look good feel good bag and wow what a lovely treat so many wonderful items. Next week as I have more energy I'm going to have a practice as cant see when I take glasses off so could end u looking like Ronald Macdonald lol.

Wishing those of you treatment next week all the best and hope everything goes well.

Love Louise

[Impatience]

CHEMO ALIEN

I look in the mirror and what do I see?

A Chemo Alien staring back at me

A bald head devoid of hair

No eyebrows or eyelashes 

An empty vacant stare

Steroid filled cheeks creating a moon shaped face 

A red tongue that has forgotten how to taste

Wrinkled skin that’s dry and sore

Laughter lines not laughing anymore

A torso with a missing breast 

Replaced with an ugly scar

A round hard abdomen sticking out too far 

Emaciated limbs bruised purple and blue 

I look in the mirror and say “where is Imp and who the hell are you?”

Impatience - 12/9/21

[hopeful1974]

@Fairie That sounds so hard re your mum. Sending hugs. I’m glad you have sorted out the plan for the next part of your treatment. I do like that we can discuss our issues with our oncologists and that they can work with us for a more personalised option when necessary. I’m glad to hear your symptoms aren’t too bad and hope that the remaining ones clear up soon. 

I’m having my sleepy day today which always seems to happen on day 3 after my treatment. I’m just going with it and closing my eyes whenever necessary. Being outside is helping quite a bit too. 

Wishing you and everyone else a good day. Siân xxx

[Fairie]

Hello friends

Sorry I’ve been off line for a while. My mum was taken into hospital 26th August. She has severe altzhiemers and is still in hospital u til Weds. it’s taken all this time to find the right care she needs at home. I’ve been caught up with all kinds since this happened.

my oncologist came back from holiday and we met to discuss my treatment. He was in full agreement with his oncology professor colleague who saw me whilst he was away, in terms of me not having the final chemo. He said the risk of infection whilst having such horrendous side effects from the chemo was too high and there would be very little benefit in having the last one and it could have caused longer term bone marrow damage and digestive issues, so I felt relieved as I was worrying that I had failed myself and him!🤦‍♀️

I still have Herceptin every three weeks and have a MRI booked for 22nd Sept, meet with surgeon 8th October to discuss result and surgery and then surgery is booked for 27th Oct.

After Surgery I will be out on a drug called Ibandronic acid which oncologist described as it paints the bones to protect and strengthen them. 
I will have Radio therapy soon after surgery. 
I am still experiencing hair loss and chills and headaches but feeling generally a lot better since chemo stopped. 

I think of you all often and know you are out there doing a similar journey and it’s comforting to know you are all there and we can be in touch. 

sadly my mum is coming home for palliative symptom control care on weds. She has no understanding of my journey at the moment as she’s too unwell now. 
I’ve struggled emotionally as feel sad but feel a bit brighter today. 

I send my love to you all and will keep in touch xxxx ❤️❤️

[hopeful1974]

@Impatience Really sorry to read about your infections. You have a great attitude, though, and it is wonderful that you are going ahead with your final one. I think we are all so brave going through this! Short term pain for long term gain. The thought that you only have to say ‘Yes’ one more time must be a great motivator. I have to say ‘Yes’ two more times and then just have the targeted therapy, which I am hoping will be much easier. 

lots of ❤️ Siân 😘 

[hopeful1974]

@Flower123 Please don’t apologise for posting anything negative. Do you take some painkillers for the pain from the injections? I usually get the pain a bit on the last day of them and don’t hesitate to take paracetamol (I check my temperature first). Really sorry to hear you’ve had an infection. My infected finger seems to be clearing up a bit after a week of antibiotics, which is a relief. 

I’m glad to hear you have cuddles from your mum. I find I need cuddles a lot when I’m not feeling so good. Don’t blame yourself for your daughter’s partner. You are the number one priority and if he really was the one for her, he would have stuck around. She deserves better! Lots of love and hugs to you. Siân xxx

[Impatience]

Hi @GonnaGetThruThis  and everyone else. 

You are right I haven’t been on the forum for a good while. However reading the latest posts it does seem everyone is nearing the end of this journey. 

I had my 2nd Docetaxel on the 1st which was reduced to 80% as the first one had brought down all cells and put me in hospital for 4 days. This cycle has been my worse and I did much better on EC. However I still count myself as lucky as throughout I’ve been able to function and not needed my bed and my SEs have been manageable. 

This cycle put my temperature up again so I’ve had a hospital stay for one night. The oncologist did talk about not giving me the last cycle however I know I’m high risk for reoccurrence and would never forgive myself if I didn’t do everything in my power to fight this awful disease so my last cycle is booked for the 22nd - yay!! I expect in a couple of weeks I’ll feel crap and be saying “why did I agree” 😂. The thought of that last cycle is keeping me going. 

Wishing everyone a good weekend. Take care - Impatience xx

[Flower123]

@GonnaGetThruThis 

That is such lovely news about your mum so pleased for you . I’m so lucky as my mum lives 5 minutes walk from me so comes round every day for cuddles and support me . 
Hubby and children been amazing.

Regarding chemo I had  80% Docetaxel over a week ago,it has hit me very hard . Came home and had a reaction to it was told to take antihistamine for 3 days .Oncology have said they will run antihistamine iv alongside chemo next lot ! Have been taking injection for 7 days and the pain has been so bad in back and chest , had high temp Friday so got taken in and had bloods got slightly infection so on antibiotics tablets again for 3 days . 
Sorry my posts always seem negative!!!!

My daughter( 23)  and her boyfriend of nearly 5 years love with us and 2 days ago told her he didn’t want to be with her as doesn’t love her anymore . It has been a emotional few days and I have been blame myself as having cancer has put a lot of stress on everyone. 
Well today is a new day the sun is peeping through and it certainly is not cold .
I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.

Sending love to all 

Jennifer xx

[hopeful1974]

@GonnaGetThruThis Such good news about your mum. I’m really pleased for you. 

@Louise65 Great news that you are feeling better and starting to see the light at the end now. I had my treatment yesterday so now have only two chemos left. I will then be continuing with my targeted HER-2 treatment until June next year, but that should be a lot easier than chemo. My finger is starting to look better. A nurse suggested bathing it in warm, salty water and that seems to have really helped. 

I usually have a bit of a crash once I have stopped the steroids, so we’ll see, but as I only had 60% of the Docetaxel this time (due to the finger infection) and 50% of the Carboplatin, I am hoping the side effects may be a bit less this time. We will see! 

Love to you all. Siân xxx

[Louise65]

@GonnaGetThruThis so pleased it's good news about your mum it will be a very emotional reunion.

This week has been pretty good. I still have the leg pain and swollen feet. The nurse today  checked said its fluid so the heat, my weight gain, chemo and my osteoarthritis are all contributing. 

Today's session went well I snoozed for a while as one of my premeds makes you sleepy. I now have 6 sessions left. I booked all my bloods in Wednesday and can see the light at end of tunnel getting bigger.

Hope those who had treatment today are OK and you have good week ahead.

Hoping everyone else is doing OK. 

Can't believe we almost half way through September.

Hope everyone has good weekend.

Love Louise xx 

[GonnaGetThruThis]

Good news -  my mums application to come from Australia was accepted so now we just have to make plans for her to come.  We are thinking November time when I should be on the last couple of sessions of P and then she can be here for surgery and afterwards.  Cant believe it has been over 3 years!

@hopeful1974hope that you have or are having your chemo now and the finger gets better soon.

@Trowsterhave you made a decision about your chemo and holiday?  I think it is totally dependent on how you think you would be.  I went away (albeit to visit a friend in Leeds) on week 3 of my last 3 weekly EC cycle as I knew (based on the previous 2 cycles) that I would be fine. 

@Heels to walking boots  good luck with the running.  I am not a runner at all and have started C25K twice and even though I didn’t finish it (something came up both times), the program absolutely works and I would like to finish it one day!  All going well then you and I will be Monday treatment ‘twins’.

@Mum2boysare you on weekly treatments now with D? Hopefully the side effects went away and next time they aren’t as bad.

@Louise65how’ve you been this week?  Did back and leg pain subside?   Did you have treatment today?  This week I had pain all the way down the outer side of my left thigh.  I tried to explain it to my husband but it was the oddest feeling.  Lasted a few days.  Today I have a slight sore back.

@Flower123did you have treatment again today?  Hope you’re doing ok.

@BabyBuntinghave things improved for you recently?

Hows everyone else?  We haven’t heard from you in a while @Impatience @Fairie @simplyeve @JessicaB 

Think about how far we've all come in such a short time.  We are all one step closer to the end of this.  Enjoy the weekend everyone as much as is possible.

kim x

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots I am very much a fair weather runner too! I don’t know whether I will be up to it next week, but usually feel fine from week 2 onwards, so probably will end up doing the running on those weeks. Fingers firmly crossed for good blood results tomorrow for you. xxx

[hopeful1974]

@Trowster I would try and speak to your oncologist as I have found that they have a pretty clear idea of what is and isn’t advisable. When restarting chemo, I had an event I didn’t want to miss before my first chemo and I was allowed to have it pushed back by a few days. I would ask and they may make the choice for you anyway. I think a holiday would be very beneficial, especially given the circumstances, so they may be a bit flexible. Let us know how you get on. Love, Siân xxx

[Trowster]

Hi Ladies

Just wondering what you would do, my next chemo is due on the 24th Sept and I’m due to go on holiday on the 27th, originally it would of been on my good week but chemo was pushed back after session 1, I’m going away with my hubby, sister n brother in law, my sister has stage 4 palletive care only, I really want to enjoy the holiday as it might be the last one we have, but I hope it won’t be, I’m thinking of asking if my treatment can be delayed for a week, do you think this is a wise thing to do, or should I just have my treatment n not be able to enjoy the week away, I’m having quite an emotional week this week my first since diagnosis, 

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974  great news that you are able to have chemo tomorrow and hopefully as you say you will feel a little less sick. 

I will definitely keep you posted on progress on the couch to 5K, i am planning to start tomorrow as it's a bit wet here today (and yes i am going to be a fair weather runner lol 😂). Treatment will be Monday for me--tomorrow will be bloods, so i am hoping they have recovered now, so have everything crossed 🤞

Anabel xx

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots I am having my chemo tomorrow which is a relief. My finger still looks inflamed and they don’t want it to get worse. So, they’re giving me 20% less of the Docetaxel to see how I get on. So, I’m on 50% of the Carboplatin and 60% of the Docetaxel. I am hoping that I may feel a bit less sick this time as a result. 

I am pleased you may be joining me in the Couch to 5K. Let me know if you do it! Are you having your treatment tomorrow or have you already had it? 

Sian xx

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974 how did it go at the clinic? Are able to have chemo this week?  Love that you are doing teh couch to 5k --i did it a few years ago and may join you in doing that as it's a good idea to try and do something with no pressure but having something to aim for is a great distraction from all this.

@GonnaGetThruThis  i hope you manage to get your mum over --and will keep everything crossed. Having the extra help will no doubt give you a bit of peace of mind. Yes, i do have some iron tablets but they play havoc with me but will do my best to keep taking them!

@Mum2boys hope you are feeling better?

Hope everyone else is doing well! Thinking of you and sending lot of love

Anabel xx

[hopeful1974]

@GonnaGetThruThis Keeping my fingers crossed for your mum’s application to go through. I found that I needed lots of help after my mastectomy as I was not allowed to lift anything heavy for quite some time and my right arm was the one which was affected. It was very hard not to do anything around the house for a few weeks but I got used to it. Everyone else had to rally round so if your mum can be there to help, I think that sounds wonderful. 

@Heels to walking boots I’m sorry your chemo was postponed. 3 out of 4 of mine have been postponed so far and each time it is frustrating as my end date keeps being pushed back. My breast nurse specialist did tell me that it is very normal for a few of the sessions to have to be delayed. The plus side is that it does give you an extra good week before the next one so that you can be as strong as you need to be. I have my clinic tomorrow and will find out if my finger has healed enough for chemo to happen this week. I will be gutted if it can’t as that will then have been a two week delay. 

I’m doing the Couch to 5K and am on week 2. I did it last summer to the end but this year have lapsed back into walking, which was fine, but I feel good enough now to run a bit on my good weeks. I like the structure of it and it feels good to have something to aim for. I’m not putting pressure on myself though as to when I should complete it. 

Sending love to you all. Siân xxx

[GonnaGetThruThis]

Anabel @Heels to walking boots also sorry that you couldnt have treatment but we know that this is for the best as we need to be in tip top condition to take it all on board. Have they given you the injections for the white blood count or just hoping the week will do it?    Also for the hemoglobin have they given supplements?  I still take my iron/hemoglobin tablets daily (or when i can rememeber) as mine are always borderline low.

My treatment was fine.  i was there 5 hours (usually 3.5-4 if all running quick and smoothly).   they said to me that the treatments are always delayed Monday morning because the pharmacist has to check all the blood work and patient details that morning and make every chemo afterwards.  Not the end of the world as I consider Monday as treatment day and don’t make any other plans.

Put the cold cap on again but this time I asked for a medium sized inner cap (rather than small) and a small outer cap (same as before) as I think the small was just too tight and I was struggling with the cold and the pressure as well. This time it was mainly the cold and not so much pressure really, oddly I could feel the cold more so fingers crossed the new combo works as well as it has been so far.  I didt feel as drowsy after they gave the antihistamine but oddly felt more tired when i arrived home, but maybe that was because of the heat.  Last night i just chilled and watched the tennis and w

the treatments are always delayed Monday morning because the pharmacist has to check all the blood work and patient details and make every chemo up on the day, but that’s not the end of the world as I consider Monday as treatment day and don’t make any other plans.

Put the cold cap on again but this time I asked for a medium sized inner cap (rather than small) ad a small oute4r cap (same as before) as I think the small was just too tight and I was struggling with the cold and the pressure as well. This time it was mainly the cold and not so much pressure really, oddly I could feel the cold more so fingers crossed the new combo works as well as it has been so far.

Last night i jsut chilled and watched the tennis.  Went to bed about 11.  Didnt want to go too early incase i was up too early but i slept normally (till about 2am for the loo then up at 6).  today im feeling totally fine.  Long may it continue.  It'll be interesting to see if i start to get the aches and pains on thursday evening as per usual or anything else.

i just spoke to one of the BC nurses to get then to write me a letter so that it can help with my mums applciaiton to leave australia to come and support me during this.  Currently im fine but I have no doubt along the line it will get tougher and she wants to be here and of course i want her here as well.  Hubby is doing well so far but he cant be expected to 'look after' me and also deal with the day to day logistics of getting our daughter to school and back and also working etc.  Hopefully the applicaiton will be accepted and then we can make plans for her to come.  We are thinking mid/end of October when it will be half term so that she can be here for the last half term of school if i need and also that will be the end section of my current chemo. 

Good luck to everyone else having treatment this week and thinking of those who are waiting for their next one.  Keep in touch.

Kim x

[Mum2boys]

Oh Anabel @Heels to walking boots I'm so sorry you weren't able to have your chemo. Of course you were disappointed. I hope you can enjoy your week and your bloods are better for you next week.

I've been so conscious of my weight too but eating was the only thing that helped with nausea! But your husband sounds really supportive and I agree we can just sort it out afterwards. 

I've taken one paracetamol every 6 hours. But haven't taken other meds cos I'm too worried about it playing havoc with the other issues! 

Hope you have a good day and hope everyone is coping okay with their treatment 

Beth xxx

[Heels to walking boots]

Morning ladies,

How are you all doing? 

How was your treatment yesterday Kim @GonnaGetThruThis ? I would like to say reading your post re weight and appetite so resonated with me..as that is exactly how i feel. Hubby says it's better this way and that i can sort it all out once this is over.

@Louise65  hope you are feeling better and the aches have eased and that you enjoy your lunch with your dad and brother. Lovely weather for it!

Beth @Mum2boys hope you to start feeling better soon and the headache and tummy pains subside--have you taken anything to help? I did find that taking paracetamol helped with headaches--once i checked my temp numerous times

I unfortunately did not have my first round of Paclitaxel as my white blood count wasn't high enough and my Hemoglobin was low again...so have to wait a week ... all very frustrating and i burst into tears. But i know it's the right thing to do to delay .so keeping all crossed that they recover within the week.

Hope anyone else who is having treatment this week that it goes well!
Lots of love
Anabel xxx

[Mum2boys]

Morning everyone,

How are you all? It seems that your P drug seems to be a bit easier than EC for most of you, that's really good. Hope your work meeting goes okay today @Louise65 

Re hair loss: I lost most of my head hair day 20 in the shower. My armpit hair hasn't grown back after shaving and my legs have a few hairs on them. My eyebrows and eyelashes are sparse but haven't fallen out completely...yet. My pubic hair is a bit thinner but still there unfortunately! I was hoping for that to all go and never come back lol. 

I had my first round of Docetaxel last Wednesday and it has really knocked me for 6. First couple of days were okay but the muscle pains and aches have been bad. Plus I've had headache and tummy pain with diarrhoea. Alongside the usual GERD and trapped wind that chemo seems to always give me grrr. Hopefully I'll start to feel better soon. 

I really hope you are all keeping okay. 

Much love, Beth xxx

[Louise65]

@GonnaGetThruThis I had a terrible night of back pain and leg pain I'd put it down to my osteoarthritis and walking in the heat yesterday but reading your thread it's likely to be both. Today I'm feeling weary but ok. My brother is bringing dad up and we going out for lunch.

Was planning on going into work tmz for catch up with team leader and HR but wil be zoom meet now as dont fancy the drive. 

Hope those who have treatment today get on ok.

Love to all.

Louise xx 

[hopeful1974]

@GonnaGetThruThis I too am gaining weight on TCHP and am 4kg more than when I started. I figure that I would rather it this way round, though, as being able to eat hardly anything on EC led to all sorts of problems for me and I ended up having to have a break from it. I’m glad to hear the side effects are ok for you. Siân xxx

[GonnaGetThruThis]

Oooh anabel @Heels to walking boots so you are going to be a Monday P girl as well then.  Good luck for tomorrow and let us know how you get on.  I'm also back tomorrow and it will be 3/12.  Are you also only doing P, and not C?  I know Louise is o a similar plan but is doing C every 3 weeks with her P.

The only real side effect i have noticed, is that both weeks, in the evning of day 4 (so thursday) my back started to hurt a bit and then by the next day my knees were sore and also my quads.  Like I'd had a workout or walked too far.    Same thing happened this week but on Friday night (as i had treatment tuesday cause of b hol) and they are still a bit sore.  im hoping that by tomorrow they are back to being ok.   Oh and assuming it is all the same then they will give you an antihistamine which made me instantly drowsy and only really worse off a few hours after i was home.  So i spent most of the treatment curled up with my eyes closed.

Off for a bit of a walk now down to the local reservoir.  My daughter has a paddle party for her old school friend at the canoe/kayak place there so we are walking and ill have a walk round with another mum friend.    I have been terribly lazy the last couple of months and need to try to get back to some sor o daily activity and exercise.  Before this i was super fit and training alot  and eating well and now i just sit on my butt and eat alot of crap.  I (unfortunately) havent suffered at all with loss of appetite and seem to have gone the opposite way.  I have already put on about a stone and i can feel it and jsut dont like it at all! 

Enjoy the next few days of lovely weather everyone (although tomorrow for me will be an hour round trip for the school run in the morning and then ill be in the hospital from 9.30.

[Kitkat23]

Meant to say in post below...my pubic hair grew back very quickly....back exactly as it was before.

[Kitkat23]

Hi Everyone

just jumping on your thread, if that’s ok.....I’m a year ahead of you....I had chemo last july to November.....I had 12 paclitaxol and 4 EC.... I lost all my head hair by day 16 ....all arms/leg/ pubic hair After 12 weeks....my eyeBrows and lashes hung on ....then lost them all about 2 weeks after my last chemo...but they grew back really quickly...within a few weeks....I have had hardly any leg hair grown back and nothing has grown back under my arms.( winner!).... the hair on my head did nothing for 8 weeks then took off at a mad pace...thick and curly....I’ve had 2 hair cuts since.....it’s about 4 to 5 inches on top Now....I’m 55 so was expecting grey .....But after an initial white/silver fuzz....it’s actually grown a Dark browny/grey which I’m ok with....I’m on letrozole but hair doesn’t seem to have thinned with that ( yet anyway) ...

hope rest of chemo goes well for you all

of course we are all different....but just sharing! 

[Heels to walking boots]

Hi Kim @GonnaGetThruThis 

I am on the same treatment pathway as you and I too have lost all hair down below .. legs like you still have a bit but doesn’t seem to be growing ( I too have waxed for 25 years odd) and my under arms have not grown back since I shaved before treatment. So I am guessing that is normal.

I have been told that eyebrows and eyelashes are the last to go and the first to grow back .. mine are still in tact although I guess If I look closely I can see that I have thinned a little.

Will see how I get on once I start P tomorrow to see how the hair loss goes. A little nervous about but hoping that it will go well!

@Louise65 hope you are still feeling well and have managed to get on with your planned activities.

lots of love to everyone 

Anabel xxx

[GonnaGetThruThis]

Ladies can I be nosey and ask 'can we take about hair loss' as in body hair not head hair.

I know we are at different stages and oh different drugs but I'm wondering if you have lost or started to lose hair on other places?

I've just realised that down below is quite sparse now and my underarm hair hasn't grown at all quite i shaved before i started treatment. I don't have alot of leg hair but that is down to 25 year of waxing.

So far the eyebrows and lashes seem to be ok.  I did join a couple of FB groups and apparently these can all still fall out AFTER the final chemo. 

Kim x

[GonnaGetThruThis]

@Louise65that is a long day isnt it, especially with your commute.  I think i can say for everyone that we are all hoping you have a much better week than the previous ones youve had. i really hope that you get to enjoy your planned activities in the coming week.

I have to say that so far in 2 weeks of just having Paclitaxel that i am 'fine' and havent had any untoward side effects.  It was different last week not having meds to come home with.  They have said that it should stay this way dependent on how the weekly bloods go. 

I find it odd how different NHS trusts operate in that you still have to test and osolate for 2 days before treatment.  I just get a call the day before and are asked the standard covid check questions.

Thinking of everyone and hope youre all feeling good.  if not, feel free to come on and have a good moan!

Kim x

[Louise65]

Morning Ladies Hope you are all ok. Hope those who had treatment yesterday went well and get through with minimal issues. 

I had my 2nd round but it was just the paclitaxel as only have the carboplatin on the 1st round of each session. 

It was a long day left home 9.20 sat in waiting room an hour then in the chair fir further hour. By the time I had premeds, treatment and flush I finally left at 3.30 getting home an hour later. I did have a dose in the chair as wanted to stay relaxed.

I don't have injections or steroids this time which I'm happy about. 

Feeling good this morning and have things planned next 4 days until I have to isolate again from Tuesday evening so fingers crossed all goes to plan.

Love Louise xxx

[hopeful1974]

@GonnaGetThruThis Just during the Docetaxel treatment. Xxx

[GonnaGetThruThis]

@hopeful1974do/did you use the ice gloves/boots only during treatment time or generally at any time?

[Heels to walking boots]

Thank you soo much SIan @hopeful1974  for the link!!

@Flower123  hope all goes well tomorrow and i hope everyone else is well!

Lots of love

xx

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots 

These were the ones I bought but I see they are not available on Amazon at the moment. It will give you an idea of the kind of thing, though.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NatraCure-Cold-Therapy-Socks-Treatment/dp/B003L4WOKG

[Flower123]

@GonnaGetThruThis @Happy birthday for tomorrow I hope you have a lovely day xx

@hopeful1974 @Sorry to hear about you finger hopefully it will heal quickly and next week you will get your treatment 

I had bloods back and all going ahead for Friday for Docetaxel as I have been on antibiotics for 10 days they have said it will be at a reduced rate of 80% and if side effects ok then 100% cycle 5 . 

Hoe everyone doing well take care

Jennifer x

[Heels to walking boots]

@hopeful1974  sorry to hear that your chemo is delayed due to your finger but fingers crossed that it heals quickly and as you say it is best to be safe! 

Also, thank you for the advice on the gloves ....i think i will give them a go as i don't have anything to lose in giving them a try and also if they work it will be a bonus 😁 . Sian do you have recommendations for the make or where to get them from? 

Anabel x

[hopeful1974]

@Heels to walking boots I am so happy for you that you managed a good break away. It will have done you a lot of good, I’m sure. 

In answer to your question about iced gloves, I have used iced boots and gloves as I read that it can help lessen the neuropathy induced by the taxanes. I can’t say whether they have helped or not but I don’t have bad neuropathy so I’m going to continue with them. 

I had my clinic today and because one of my fingers looks quite inflamed, I have been given a week of oral antibiotics and my chemo has been postponed to next Friday. My bloods were fine this time, so it’s annoying that my finger is now the problem. I’d much rather be safe than sorry, though. 

Love to all, 

Sian xxx

[Heels to walking boots]

HI @GonnaGetThruThis  glad to hear that it is going ok with P ...i am quite nervous about starting so it's good to here that apart from fatigue and drowsiness that you have tolerated it well. As you say we don't know how each of us will react but i am hopeful that i will follow in your steps. 

I hope have a wonderful birthday celebration tomorrow! I can recommend --Nozecco (Tesco), Fizzero ( M&S) or if you want to push the boat out Sparkling Tea (Fortnum and Mason)..i have become an expert lol in non-alcoholic fizz.  🙂 

xxx

[GonnaGetThruThis]

@Heels to walking bootsglad to see you back and even gladder that you had a restul 2 weeks away.  My last EC was definitely alot tougher than the previous 2 but it was also only mainly fatigue (2 days of absolute extreme fatigue though).  I have moved onto Paclitaxel now for 12 weeks and had my 2nd one yesterday.  So far totally fine, last week and this week.  I was drowsy all afternoon and evening after the treatment but that was because of the antihistamine.  I struggled to go to sleep last night but that was also expected because of the steriod but did finally sleep.  Woke up every few hours for the loo but this is fairly normal for me sadly so im used to surviving on broken sleep.  Woke up extra hungry so had a nice cooked breakfast then at 9 we went to my daughters new secondary for covid testing and then  stopped at the shops on the way home.  All very 'normal' so im happy about that.  So, seeing as you have also seemed to cope well with EC then hoprfully P will be even better.  I was actually really quite nervous and scared over the weekend  as i knew what to expect on EC but this was new.  Yes everyone said that P was easier than EC but noone can really know how our bodies will react.

It is my birthday tomorrow and even though we dont often do much, I am happy that i should be fine and we can do a bit of shopping and have lunch (last day before Y7 starts) and then in the evening can have a meal out when my husband gets back from work.

Sending good vibes to you all

Kim xxx

[Heels to walking boots]

@simplyeve sorry i am a bit late but still catching up! But just wanted to congratulate you......what wonderful news to know that you have another grandchild on the way! And hope you are able to travel to see them! 

xxx

[Heels to walking boots]

HI All,

Sorry i haven't posted in a while and i have a lot to catch up on! My hubby took me away for a couple of weeks after my EC which was lovely however no internet --which actually was quite liberating. Thankfully, i only suffered from fatigue after my last EC  and now i have 9 Pacxital to look forward too! I think @GonnaGetThruThis  you are also starting on this soon?

@Louise65 @Flower123  sorry to hear that you have been unwell but glad to hear you are both doing better now!

@hopeful1974  glad you had a nice time in Wales and i hope that rest up well!  Sian i do have a question for you ...you mentioned cold gloves to help with neuropathy--is this something you were during treatment?

I do hope everyone else is well!  I hope those having treatment tomorrow that it all goes well! And although i haven't been online i do think of you often!!

Love

Anabel xx 

[hopeful1974]

Hi @Flower123 , I’m so glad you are feeling a lot better and that the PICC line insertion went well. I am having chemo on Friday too as long as my bloods behave themselves. We have just had a few days in Wales by the sea which has been a lovely break and change of scene. I am quite tired now so planning to have a quieter time for the next couple of weeks. Love, Siân xxx

[Flower123]

@hopeful1974 

Good morning,

Im feeling much better from the infection thank you .I have got 2 more days antibiotics as they gave me an extra 5 days. Had pic line put in Friday, felt nothing apart from local anaesthetic. Had bloods taken and dressing changed yesterday all went very smoothly. Get oncology phone call later today with blood results and hopefully then chemo on Friday.

How are you doing ?

Hope everyone had a good bank holiday weekend .

Jennifer xx

[BabyBunting]

Yes I think they decide once they can see how much it’s shrunk

[Mum2boys]

@GonnaGetThruThis I am a planner too. My Breast Care Nurse told me that they would start discussing surgery with me around my fourth cycle. I actually have an appointment with her in the morning and I wonder if that's what it's about. I'm still not sure what surgery I'll be having - whether it will be a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I imagine that due to the size of the tumour originally and because they've found another smaller one in there, that it'll be a mastectomy. But the chemo is supposed to shrink it, so I wonder if they have to wait and see how much it shrinks. 

The place I have my radiotherapy isn't close by either, so I will have to travel too. Fortunately I have family and friends that have agreed to take me. Or maybe I'll get a hotel for a couple of nights and let the boys and hubby explore the area while I'm getting zapped. 

Well done for your productive day! I love a day like that. 

Beth Xxx

[BabyBunting]

Oh-chemo again after Op!

[BabyBunting]

Good luck. My employers have been mega supportive-it’s me who’s desperate to be there 😉

[hopeful1974]

@Flower123 How are you feeling now? Have you recovered fully from your infection? I have a portacath rather than a PICC line, but I had to have an operation to have it inserted. It has been great, though, as it can be used each time for both blood tests and chemo infusions. I think PICC lines are very good too but need covering when you get wet. At the stage you are at, it probably makes more sense to have a PICC line. My port took a while to settle down and I was sore on that side for quite a few weeks. xxx

[hopeful1974]

@GonnaGetThruThis I was told there would be 4-6 weeks from chemo to the operation and then 6-8 weeks after it for recovery, although I didn’t have radiotherapy so not sure if that can be started sooner. In the end I had 7 weeks from chemo ending to my op and 7 weeks afterwards before chemo was restarted. xxx