MAY 2021 CHEMOTHERAPY STARTERS

[Sammy73]

Hi ladies, im not good at catching up on here, your all so good at replying to each journey, im just saying hi to all and i love that we are all doing this our own ways. On wednesday i had my 2nd EC through my (deaded) picc line, it was great, quick and no fuzzy head like the 1st time, i seem to have more energy and injections started last night with a painkiller (as adviced) no issues!

Is it because i wasnt as anxious this time? Is it cause its topping things up rather then full blown in? God only knows but im hoping for a good calm healthy weekend. 

I wish you all the same. Its gonna be hot so hats on ladies ⛱

[Poacher65]

Morning All,

@Coastal 

I too had my 3rd EC yesterday and unlike my first 2 rounds felt the effects during and immediately after my infusions unlike first 2 where I usually felt ok ish until day 3...... so admitted defeat and went to bed early and slept.

Up this morning early and feel a little less overwhelmed but still a bit 'hungover....my only way of describing how the EC has made me feel. 

Start my injections...which I hate because of the lightheaded feeling they give me....Sunday so like all of you I count the days down until I finish them.

Start Docetaxel on 2nd July for 3 rounds so anticipate there will be a different set of side effects to deal with.....BUT......im 50% through my treatment plan for chemo and 1 step closer to my surgery so I must moan about the SE's......

Going to have a quiet day today and rest these feelings away hopefully

Take care all you lovely, string, inspirational ladies and talk soon.

'We can do this....in our own way....but we can do this' 

Xxxxxx

[TicTok]

Hi all you ladies
coastal ...yes had a good week thanks , ready to start it all again 👍let’s do it .

Karden ....I thought the same with the injections , I think my husband quite enjoyed stabbing me 🤣 but I hardly felt a thing ... did nearly loose one has he took the wrong end off and went down my leg 🙄

Michelle 21 ...so glad to here you are feeling ok , heck of a long day for you though . 

I hope all you ladies have a good weekend and take care xx

[Purpledaze]

Hello Lovely Ladies,

A warm welcome to the new joiners - this is such a lovely, supportive group. Even thought I don't write often, it's a comfort knowing this group is here, and there are always lots of good tips and encouragement.

I had my 3rd EC this week - every time seems a bit different: this time it hit me hard on the day - felt absolutely bushwhacked. Then day 2 felt surprisingly ok, but the fatigue is back with a bite today. Oh well, all the more reason to take each day as it comes 🌷

Lovely to hear about people's plans for getting a break / holiday. Whitby is on my list! I've decided to take some days off work end of this month before my 4th chemo. Not got any major plans, but hoping to get in a special dog walk and maybe a day by seaside. 🤞 Also looking forward to seeing some friends who will visit on the "good" weekends. 

I have to do the injections over 5 days as well. They don't hurt, and are really easy to do.  I was also told to take injection out of fridge 30 mins before using it (not so cold, hurts less). I just don't like self-injecting very much so I think I get wound up more than is strictly necessary 😂 - counting down the 5 days is my mantra and a deep breath at the point of injection - then watching something mindless on Netflix etc - LOL

@Love running I've still got lots of lettuce (surprise!), but the radishes I planted are teeny-tiny - taste good, though!  Have you had any of your strawberries yet or still on the virgin mojitos?

Hope everyone has a the best weekend possible x

[Michelle21]

Thanks @Karden. 
I have a husband like that, I think he is secretly pleased he isn’t able to come into chemo because of COVID, he can’t stand needles of any kind, I’m surprised he didn’t faint when he had his vaccinations! 😂

[Karden]

@Michelle21  It sounds like you have major decisions to make but you have time to think about it and you will make the right one for you.

I'm pleased your treatment is going well and you're not having any sickness. I'm feeling really tired and mildly nauseous but not too bad overall and it's all manageable.

Keep that October break in your mind and it will be here before you know it.

I start the injections on Monday and will see how I get on as my husband is more nervous than me!!

Take care. xx

[Michelle21]

Hello all, hope everyone is having a good day. 

I’m pleased to report I have had my first of the new regime, so one down 11 to go! More good news despite my oncologist saying it can cause bad sickness I don’t seem to have any sickness. I have taken the same anti sickness meds that I took on FEC but still felt nauseous on FEC but, touch wood, sickness fine.  However it didn’t exactly run smoothly yesterday I arrived at 9:15, by 10 still no treatment, but did have reflexology which was lovely. At 10:30 they explained that my bloods had gone to another hospital by mistake and they were waiting for the results. Thankfully they received them at 12 and I left at 3:15, it was a long day especially as I’ll be back again on Thursday, but in the big scheme of things there are worse things that can happen! 

@noodledoodle I hope you have similar results with your SE’s from this treatment. Did your oncologist mention the high risk of anaemia and blood transfusion? My oncologist likes to give me the worst case scenario on everything! I’m not looking forward to feeling the fatigue but one day and one cycle at a time.  Yes on a plus let’s hope the carboplatins kick our unwanted breast guests out!

I have surgery next and spoke to my oncologist yesterday about a double mastectomy and she said that is definitely an option that needs to be discussed with the surgeons. I want to have it because I just dread the thought of going through this for a third time, but also a double mastectomy is a big decision . I have a few weeks to think about it. They don’t do recon straight away here I think it is at least 18months but I think I might wait even longer. 


@TicTok I hope your white blood cells come back thick and fast for you ready for your next cycle.

@Karden How nice to get away for a break. When I had BC in 2018 my OH and I went to San Sebastián after my chemo and surgery. We had an unexpected warm day so had the afternoon on the beach.  I remember going for a swim in the sea, it was freezing cold but I just felt so alive after an awful 6months. Also the swimming felt great on my arm after having my nodes removed, I highly recommend if our pools ever open or if it is warm enough for the sea! I am focused on a break in October but will like be closer to home than in 2018! I hope your chemo ran smoothly for you yesterday and that your are not suffering with too many SE’s. Hopefully your trip will have helped boost your white blood cells and although I am a wimp when it comes to the injection and get my daughter to do it for me it actually doesn’t hurt at all. 

Take care all

Michelle x

[Karden]

@noodledoodle I'm pleased to hear that the injections have been straightforward, I only need them for 5 days too so they shouldn't be too difficult to deal with. I have lost weight since starting treatment but the stubborn bit around my middle will come in handy now. Lol.

Hope you are doing ok. x

[Coastal]

I hope everyone has been having a good week! ❤️😍

@Love running yes I totally did love the sound effects!  what a shocker! didn't take many of the sachets either - it's been fantastic as I've gone every day.  I had such a bad time first chemo with constipation, I'm so grateful it's worked!  We don't have a door on the toilet this week (diy) only a sheet so my daughter thinks it's hilarious!  good to have the laughs!

I've been thinking about all the training that you do - I would really like to do more.  I used to go to the gym and do things like body balance, but haven't been since lockdown and now can't go due to chemo.  I've been really lazy and seemed to have lost my fitness a bit, in terms of core strength.  How are you finding the pilates - are you back in your normal routine for it, or just keeping it very gentle?  I've been trying the yoga with Adrienne on you tube, but worry about overdoing it.  

@coffeeandcake - yes it's so weird our reactions to the drugs!  this 2nd chemo I feel much better than the first (although have now lost my sense of taste - argh!  there's always something!  I'm on the lookout for strong tasting things to make up for it).  I don't think not having a strong reaction means it isn't working - having hair falling out is a definite sign.  It is just we are all different - the oncologist told me that if you have any weak points it tends to effect those, I have a dodgy stomach and digestion so I guess it was always going to effect that.  

@Guest user really glad you had a mild response to your chemo!  that's really good news. 

@Michelle21  so glad your PIC line went smoothly!  mine did too, it was a real relief.  Hope the new regime goes well for you with the carboplatin x

@TicTok sounds definitely a good idea to get the white cells back up!  Hope you are having a lovely last week and the sun shines!  it feels so good to get the weeks ticked off.  I've created (in a manic steroid fuelled moment) a daily medication/reminder chart with lots of tick boxes to tick.  I did it initially as on a bad day I wasn't totally on the ball with remembering what I'd taken, but it also feels so good to tick off the boxes! 

@Karden  So glad your trip went well!  that must have been wonderful to get away, your husband sounds a star!  I have the injections to increase my white blood cells for 5 days following chemo.  I was initially anxious about it but it seems really okay.  The only thing I've found is remembering to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before, and it does seem to give me bone ache (but not too bad this time round).   

Lots of love to everyone 😍 xxx

[noodledoodle]

@Karden @so glad you had a well deserved break. I love Whitby. 
I have been having the injections to stimulate white cells and they really are simple to do once you get over the first. I think it’s just psychological, putting a needle into yourself but if you pinch the fat(and I have plenty to choose from) firm, it really doesn’t hurt. Good luck with it all. Not long before you finish your treatment which must be a good feeling!

take care XX 

[noodledoodle]

Hi @Michelle21 @and welcome. I too have TN BC and am on the same regimen as you   I have had 2 EC and am having 3rd in a week. I will then move on to 9 weeks of paclitacel and 3 weekly Carboplatin. My oncologist did say triple negative cancers respond really well to Carboplatin, so that should give it a good old blast and get it shrinking! You are a bit ahead of me on the chemo but I have already had a WLE and will need radiotherapy too after chemotherapy. Let me know how you get on with the weekly. It will be handy to have some tips. Good luck with the Picc line, it is so much easier and well worth it

[Karden]

@Michelle21 Welcome to the group, we're here to support you every step of the way. It must have been such a shock to get your second diagnosis but you have got through it once and you will do so again.

Glad to hear that the PICC line has gone in ok, you will find it makes it so much easier to have the chemo infusions. I also bought a sleeve from Amazon as the ones supplied by the hospital were not a good fit.

I had my line removed after the first 4 chemos as I then had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal but then had another put in for the current 4 chemos. Removal was a doddle and didn't hurt at all. A nurse literally pulled it out slowly straight after my 4th chemo session and that was it. 

I have had no trouble with either of mine but it was lovely to have it gone and not to have the dressing permanently on. The first shower without it was blissful.

Good luck to you that all goes well this time. xx👍

[Karden]

Hi everyone,

I've had a wonderful few days away in North Yorkshire, not too far for me as I live in Sheffield but it has been such a joy to be somewhere new after 9 months of staying local. It was good to spend this time with my husband who has been amazing in supporting me at this time and is an absolute star.

My oncologist called me whilst I was away, which I was expecting as I have got my 3rd chemo today ( or the 7th if you also count the first block of 4).

She has prescribed a different anti nausea drug, I can't remember the name but told me not to be alarmed when I read that it's also for schizophrenia, it's a very small dose and only for a few days.

My white blood cells were still slightly low when tested on Monday and I am having another test early this morning. She has prescribed an injection to be done at home over 5 days from Monday to Friday following chemo. I have been ok since first starting Chemo in December but she says that it could be a build up effect and doesn't want me to have any delays between this Chemo and my last one on 1st July.

I've never injected myself before so hope it will not be too difficult.

I've got an early start this morning so will be back on here later with an update.

Hope you all have a good day. 😊😎🌞

[Sammy73]

Welcome @Michelle21 

Sorry tjat your back but you seem jolly nice, i have had some emotional experience with my picc line, but 2nd EC with it yesterday was a dream in and out of the chemo suite in an hour. So easy. 

We are all on different paths but we all know we are on them together xx

[TicTok]

Hi all you ladies and welcome michelle 21 so sorry you have to go through this again , I guess we will all have that on our minds at some point the dreaded c word coming back 😒 , but embrace life we will  👍 you sound a very strong lady .

coastal I don’t have my next chemo till the 17th next week every 21 days Think I need the extra week to get my white cells back up glad you are feeling better .

love to you all nearly another week ticked off 👍xxx

[Michelle21]

Hi @Love running  thank you for the welcome. I am so impressed that you are still training! I am also a runner but stopped when I was diagnosed. I am walking a lot and as I live in Wales there are lots of hills to climb! How far are you running? Keep it up I’m sure fitness helps you through. 
The low that follows steroids is awful isn’t it? Even once you have identified that’s what is causing the downer your emotions still go all over the place. At least you know it will only last a short while. 
Michelle xx

[Love running]

@Coastal

Glad to hear that Movicol is working😉

Did you experience some of the LOL moment I had?

[Love running]

@Michelle21 

Welcome to this group. Sorry you are back. We certainly can help each other and learn from each other. I would not be able to do it on my own and this group has given me a lot of comfort. All the women here are so strong and wise, loving and caring.

I do worry about the future, but as you said, I am also trying to embrace life to the fullest since I have received the diagnose. At the moment, my body tolerates the chemo rather well (lost my hair, some emotional downs when I am getting off the steroids). I spend so much more quality time with my family, after years of working too much. I meet friends more lately (after the past year and half) and I am able to  to train quite a bit. So I feel that I am one of the lucky one.

I don't have the same treatment as you. I have grade 2 ER/PR+ HER-, micrometastisis in my first SLN. I have done 3 of my 4 EC cycles and I will follow with 12 paclitaxel and radiation. I have got my surgeries already (2 of them for unclear margins). 

But I have a PICC line and it is great actually. It has not bothered me at all, even when I run. It makes the infusion so much easier. The only thing against is my skin does not like the plaster. I get a bit irritated but nothing major. So I get my PICC line cleaned and flushed through, I joke with the nurse telling her it is the equivalent of being at the spa and having a facial. I enjoy the cold disinfectant on my arm and my nurse is cool, she takes really her time so I can be as long as possible without the plaster.

Lots of hugs for now and talk soon

[Michelle21]

Thanks for such a warm welcome, it’s very much appreciated. 

I have had the PICC fitted and it ran pretty smoothly so I start my new regime tomorrow. My oncologist has made it sound like I’m not going to be able to get out of bed due to fatigue caused by the carboplatin over the next few months! I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. 

Coffee and cake I had minimal SE’s last time and still had a complete response to chemo so hopefully you will have the same. Just another of the the irrational thoughts that go through our minds these days!! 
Thanks for the Limbo recommendation Coastal, i have been given a waterproof sleeve which I will give a go but no one measured my arm so I hope it will be tight enough, if not I will be on Amazon. 
Michelle xx

[Guest user]

I had a fairly mild response to my chemo (incredibly tired but outside that I did well). I asked my Oncologist does this mean the drug is/was not working - he said 'no' not at all - everyone's body is different some fair better than others - but the drug remains the same irrespective of how you react to it.

Poppy xx

[coffeeandcake]

@Coastal im glad to hear you have bounced back today! Hooray for a good day - long may they last x 
I find it interesting how we all have such different reactions to the treatment even with exactly the same drugs. I find myself wondering if it’s better to have a big reaction to the drugs as that means they are working and my lack of reaction means the chemo isn’t working? I know it doesn’t work like that but it’s one of those random thoughts that pops into my head! 

[coffeeandcake]

Welcome @Michelle21  I’m sorry you find yourself back here but welcome to the group. I’ve had 2 rounds of EC so far and will have weekly paclitaxel after 4 rounds of EC. I don’t have a picc line but do have a port fitted which has been great so far and makes the transfusions really simple.

 I think I feel like a medical marvel as so far I’ve had hardly any side effects (so far). I even said to my oncologist that I think they gave me some dud drugs as I am feeling so normal, but then my hair fell out 2 weeks after my chemo so I guess it was the proper stuff after all!

I hope you’re all able to enjoy the blue skies and sunshine we seem to be having (here in the UK anyway). 

Beat wishes to you all x

[Coastal]

Hi @Michelle21 lovely to meet you!  I'm not on your regime, but will be having 4 paclitaxel in July/August. I've just had round 2 of 4 EC, which is every two weeks.  I had the lumpectomy and full node clearance before the chemo, have 4 lymph nodes involved and grade 3 ER+ HERneg 6cm. 

I hope all goes well for the PICC line - I've found it so much easier having it as no faffing trying to find veins for chemo and blood tests.  I bought a limbo waterproof PIC line cover, which I think is really good.  It makes it so much easier having a shower - I had initially tried with cling film but it didn't seem to seal properly so had to use tape as well - bit of a palavar!  If you don't mind buying from Amazon, this is the link for the one I bought - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0056PS2CW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 you have to measure your arm before you order to get the right size.  I have a weekly appointment with the community nurses IV team who flush out and check the PIC line weekly and do the blood tests before the chemo. 

Thanks so much for joining our group - it must be difficult to be back here again for you, great to know that you did move on after cancer, and you will again.  I'm definitely embracing life much more now than I ever did before, it does really make one re-evaluate ones life and make the most of it.  

lots of love xxx

[Coastal]

Hi @TicTok Really good luck on Thursday!  My 2nd chemo went okay - had a bad 2nd day but totally bounced back today phew!  Take care xxx 

[Coastal]

Hi @coffeeandcake so glad that you had few side effects with your 2nd EC.  I've just had my 2nd EC on Monday, felt absolutely shattered yesterday, with sickness, aching and tiredness but have bounced back today thankfully.   I have 4 EC and then 4 pactixacal every 2 weeks.  The team decided to operate first as initially I had a grade 2 lump with only 1 lymph node effected, I'm also ER+ and HER2neg.  However, following surgery, this was actually much bigger - 6cm grade 3 with 4 lymphs.  I think there has been so much research for breast cancer to make sure we are on the right treatment pathways for our particularly pathology, it feels very reassuring.  I hope your treatment continues to go gently for you,  I only have a 14 year old daughter at home (rather than early years), but remember how tiring it can be.  I had a difficult first EC, (really bad constipation) but have been having movicol which is working so far! yay! 

Love to all xxx        

[Shi]

Michelle ❤️ See that blue sky and sunshine out the window this morning, go out side and smile up at it 💪💪💪 you are stronger than you think you are and everyone is more amazing than they ever think they are ❤️ 👭👭👭 The ❤️👭on these threads is for always for everyone ❤️ You are doing great ❤️ 😁💕💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Michelle21]

Hello May Ladies

I was wondering if I could join your group as you all seem quite active on the thread and quite honestly I could do with all the support I can get! 
This is my story so far. In 2018 I was diagnosed with HER2+ BC in my right breast. It was a devastating shock as it is for everyone but I got on with it. Chemo with herceptin and Perjeta, which gave a complete response, followed by a lumpectomy and rads. It took me a little while to mentally recover but actually I was jogging along nicely, appreciating every second of life, even in lockdown! Then in March I went for my routine annual mammogram and to my complete and utter shock they found cancer in my left breast. This time it is TN. 
So I started chemo in April, so far I have had 3 FEC and on Thursday I start weekly paclitaxel with 3 weekly carboplatin. Is anyone else on this regime? I don’t know yet if this is for 9 or 12 weeks but I had a halfway ultrasound and the tumour had stopped growing but hadn’t really shrunk much. I also have node involvement and they had shrunk a bit so that was good news.
I am having having a PICC line put in today which I haven’t had before but my veins are starting to ache and as I’m going on to weekly it seems like a good idea, although I’m a bit nervous. 
I read comments that a few of you wrote about being scared about the future. I realise I’m not the best example as I’m back here again however I can say that I did move on cancer and really embraced life more than ever. Hopefully I will again and so will everyone here. 
Sending love to all 

Michelle x

[TicTok]

coffeeandcake ....Hi glad you are doing good and able to carry on with some normality, it does seem the larger the lump the chemo goes first , be good if they shrink as much as karden’s i have about 3 nodes involved also , my 2nd chemo next Thursday.

coastal yes very scary 😳 been fine since though 

love to you all xx

[coffeeandcake]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I have not been active on here the past couple of weeks. I do keeping reading your updates and meaning to catch up but life is busy at the moment!

I have now had my second EC - that was a week ago and I am feeling grateful that I have had few side effects so I have been able to carry on as normal for most of the time. Although I did have an epic 14 hour sleep at the weekend! My kids are still young (early years) so i need to be able to keep up with them at weekends. Work are very understanding - again I am very lucky to work for a supportive employer. 

My port has been in a month so that has really settled down and i have even been out for a very slow jog this weekend which i found ok - just need to take care of the pressure on my heart and take it easy as i think this is one of the side effects of chemo.

My plan is 4 rounds of EC (3 weekly)  followed by 12 weekly rounds of Paclitaxel (sp?), then surgery and finally radiotherapy. so all in all about a years worth of treatment i expect! My tumour was 12cm (yes 12cm!!) and is grade 3 with lymph node spread so I think the MDT decided to try and shrink it before surgery, although it was a close call between which to go for first. I am ER+ and HER2neg. 

Best wishes to you all xx

[Karden]

@Poacher65 Good luck with your chemo on Friday my 3rd FEC is on Thursday. I started with 4 x Docetaxel in December before I had the lumpectomy. My side-effects were loss of taste, mouth ulcers and diarrhea but the fatigue was mild. We will all react differently so it could be different for you just as we are all having different experiences now. In addition to Docetaxel I had cyclophosphamide, pertuzamab and Herceptin but you may not. I am on the ROSCO trial and that's why I had 4 instead of 3 and why I am now having 4 x FEC.

My tumour was HER+ and it shrank from 25 mm to 5 mm following the Docetaxel and I have not had any lymph node involvement at all. 

I also work from home 4 days per week and I'm lucky that my employer doesn't put any pressure on me so that I can do as much or as little as I feel capable of. It really does help me to feel as normal as possible and connected to my colleagues but I know this isn't possible for everyone and we all need to make choices that are right for us.

I always have a list of questions for my oncologist and she's always happy to explain why decisions are made. Knowing the reasoning behind it helps me to accept what treatment is advised.

Best wishes, Karen x

[Coastal]

@TicTok so glad you are ok! 💐 That must have been so scary for you, but really well done for making the call, we need to make sure we are listening to our bodies and keeping well!  Take care lots of love ❤️

@Karden have a lovely time in Whitby! May the sun keep shining for you 🌞

Love to all xxx 

[Karden]

@TicTok That must have been frightening for you but glad to hear that all is well and you are home now.  You did the right thing in calling your advice team, it's best to be safe.

@Sammy73  it sounds as though you had a good time with your Mum and sister. I think it's good to have social treats as and when we feel well enough.

@Love running how are you feeling since your last chemo? Are you managing to keep up with the running?

I have felt pretty good for the last 10 days and my husband and I are going away from Monday to Wednesday and I am really looking forward to seeing the sea again at Whitby in N. Yorkshire.

My 3rd chemo is on Thursday and I'm hoping it goes as well as the previous one. I expect to be really tired from day 3 to 5 or 6 and then will start feeling ok again. 

I have signed up to the Breast Cancer Now Afternoon Tea in August. It's going to be in my garden, weather permitting, and my active treatment will have finished by then. I wanted to raise funds and this will give me something more to enjoy planning.

I hope everyone has had a reasonably good weekend. xx 💜

[Love running]

@TicTok

So good you are back home 🌸🌺 I hope you can have a more relaxed evening and good night of sleep.

Take care

[Shi]

Hi tiktok, glad you are home ❤️ If you are having chemo every 3 weeks, day 11 you are within the nadir phase, so good for you being vigilant and ringing your team ❤️ Always check everything with your team during chemo, what you might think is nothing or you think oh I’ll wait an hour please just always ring your team to check, things could need antibiotics ASAP during chemo. Keep safe and help your team keep you safe ❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[TicTok]

Hi I am back home tests were ok apart from white cells are low which we expect anyway , the doctor rang oncology and they were happy to send me home as it is most likely a side effect of chemo .... thought I was doing to well 😏.

cumbrian lady that is probably the case as mine is 14 ml plus calcification up to may be 30ml and yes I agree any reduction is good .

shi I am on docetaxel and taxotere and day 11 I will keep skipping 😁👍

loverunning I haven’t been given anything to boost the bone marrow , hopefully they will get better before my next blood test . Any way enough about me I hope you are all ok 

love to all xx

[Love running]

@TicTok 

I am taking Pelgraz for boosting the bone marrow and I was told that it could give strong chest pain (due the number of bones we have there), which can ressemble a heart attack. I had only once a strong pain but it resolved after few minutes. 

I am glad you are taken care of and they checked you throughly and it is over. 

hugs

[Shi]

Tick tok glad you rang helpline 👍 which chemo are you having and what day in your cycle are you on? Remember your team have seen everything before and will know what to do ❤️ Chemo can be a bit like skipping double Dutch (if you are old enough to remember the Malcolm mcclaren double Dutch video) you just gotta keep skipping 👍😁💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Guest user]

@TicTok My surgeon told me that the way they work your treatment out, is due to the size of the lumps (well in my case it was )  (I could have decided against it) but as the lumps in my lymph glands were fairly large they wanted to try to reduce them in size before surgery - it worked for the two in my breast but not such a good result on the others. I do not regret having the chemo any reduction has to be good in my view.😁

Poppy xx

[TicTok]

Morning ladies not a good start to the day 🤔woke up with a pressure on my chest and thumping heart it got worse when I sat up and very scary … I rang my help line it said if got heart issues ring emergency, which I did , paramedics came and did all the tests which were ok . They took me to Leicester royal where I am now awaiting blood tests etc etc …. Had anyone else had anything like this happen pains have gone now just got a very woozy head 😱…. Love to all xx

[Coastal]

I also meant to say I got a wig prescription from the chemo nurses.  It's £150 if you receive benefits or £75 otherwise.  A real saving! My wig was £165 from trendco so with the prescription really good value.  I tried on loads of their wigs and they were really helpful.  Xxx

[Sammy73]

@Love running @Coastal @TicTok 

I had Op first, nipple sparing mastectomy with implant and lymph node removal all on left then treatment. I do think maybe it depends on the surgeon and oncologist. 

I will say im still recovering from that nearly 9 weeks on and having chemo, maybe surgery after is not so abbrassive. 

A sunny day and im going to work for a couple of hours which feels good. 

Enjoy your sunday all xx

[Coastal]

Hope the sun is out for you all 🌞 @TicTok I'm only having 8 sessions too, and had the op first.  Wish I knew the reasoning behind it all! Or could be a fly on the wall on the mdt meetings where they discuss our treatment! 😬 Or maybe not!!! I'm freaked out enough as it is.  Have a great day everyone! ❤️😘Xxx

[TicTok]

Love running …I hope to get my opp for a Christmas present , Sorry I didn’t realise you had had your opp , it’s weird how some they do chemo first and others the opp 🤷‍♂️ …. Don’t worry if so they are being hunted down by the wolf 🐺… 

enjoy this beautiful day xxx

[Sammy73]

Hi @Love running 

Well we had lunch and probally over did it as we went to Arundel to see a bird sanctuary. Im going to be a bit useless today for it but mum enjoy us girls giggling and i suppose that helps her. 

Its warm and sunny here, i worked last weekend but wont be today lucky i live with the boss man 💕

2nd treatment next Wednesday with my picc so hope all goes smootly and quicker then there i go again. I keep saying to myself be patient,  i have never in my life been bloody patient!! 

Us woman are doer's but now we take a back seat. Hey ho enjoy the weekend, hope it stays dry wherever you are x

[Love running]

@Sammy73 

I hope you had a good day with your mum and sister💕.

It is sometimes hard to be with friends and family and to have to deal with their emotions, and to be strong and supportive to them when you feel yourself vulnerable. 

I know what you mean with the countdown freaking you out, when I think about it, it feels like an unreachable goal. I won’t be done with treatment before Christmas. Looking at it, it will mean that almost a whole year will have been lost for this.

But let’s not get ourselves down today, it is Saturday and where I am it is sunny and warm. I will take it easy and enjoy it.

take care

[Love running]

@TicTok 

I have 16 cycles in total (4EC + 12 paclitaxel) and 3-5 weeks radiation.😩🥺. 
If all goes well, this will be my Christmas gift. Feels so far away. 

My 3 little pigs (3 tumors) are gone (2 surgeries done in March/April) hopefully burnt in a biohazard disposal oven but I am worried about the individual malign cells that might have left my little pigs to travel and nest elsewhere in my body. 

[TicTok]

Morning poacher sorry to here you had a bad week 😞….I can’t imagine at the minute how good it will feel to be halfway through am I the only one who is most likely having 8 sessions ? It seams a life time away . I like to think of Boris gradually curling up and shrinking  and getting the hell out of my body but like you in reality the what ifs sometimes take over 😏… BUT let’s have non of that we are all in very good hands and positivity will get us all through with our lovely group. ….. love to all xx

[Poacher65]

Hi Everyone 

@Love running @Sammy73 @noodledoodle @Coastal @TicTok 

And Everyone else I've missed.....

Been quiet for a while due to bad week after 2nd EC then busy good week at work, although still working at home, it's been busy for me.

I have been catching up on how you are all doing and what you've been up to and it's seems a lot of what I've been experiencing symptom wise and emotion wise you all have too! Which means I feel 'normal' which when going through this is a good feeling as you begin to worry whats normal and what's not.

I have my 3rd EC on 11th June so then is all goes to plan will be 50% through my chemo.....then start 3 cycles of Doecetaxal....anyone had any experience of this drug so I know what to expect?

I'm worried that this drug will affect me in a worse way then the EC although to be fair the EC hasn't been too bad...my side effects.... I think...stem more from the Filgrastin injections......they make me feel rubbish! Although I know what they do help avoid me being unwell with infection so they are worth it.

I have my appointments for my mid- point scan to assess if my tumour has shrunk, appointment with oncologist then have my appointment with my surgeon to discuss my surgery in more detail just before my 4th cycle on 30th June. Dreading these appointments as they are the first where they will give an idea of the effectiveness of those first 3 chemos on tumour size and the inevitable worry that its not doing its job creeps in! What if I am the one who has no response....

You are all such strong women who give me strength to fight and beat this thing.....please all take good care and enjoy the good days....we have got this  xxxx

[Sammy73]

@Love running 

Sounds very simular path phases to me apart from phase 2 i have x3 taxotan.

Again counting down helps sometimes then also scares the bleep out of me. 

Bought loads of hats yesterday online and feel better today going for lunch with my sister and mum. Might be the worse thing to do as mum getsvso emotional but its a change of scenery.

Have a good day in the rain all xx

[Coastal]

@Guest user thanks so much for all your tips!  It's great to hear about your experience.  I'm sometimes glass half full and can look for the worst possible scenario in things - totally unhelpful I know!  It's good to see a positive outcome! I've stopped the googling and freaking out that I did at the beginning!  I love the idea of your hair looking like a Badger! I think mine will be like that, I've been dieing it for years, no idea of how much grey I have!  X