Herceptin, docetaxel, petuzamab PTH - Is anyone else currently on this regime?

[Cathysid]

Hi Cathsin,

i was diagnosed in Stockport, on hospital for diagnosis and another for surgery. Hope your port makes things easier for you,

cath x

[Cathsin]

Cathysid I am going to Christies on the 20th to have a Hickman line put in as my arm ended up With phlebitis last session . Do you have your treatment at christies or a hospital more local to you . I have mine at Wigan which is affiliated to Christies x

[Ali49]

Definitely got a great team there Cathy xx

[Cathysid]

Evening,
Just returned from a surprise 40th birthday meal at the pub with a lot of the family - lovely!

I asked about a mastectomy at the start of treatment but they didn’t think it gave any better prognosis than lumpectomy. Maybe because it had already got to the lymph nodes. All they have offered is removing a bit more tissue to get better margins. Odd though as it’s a grade 3 tumour with ki67 80% (20% is classed as high!). I’ve given up asking too many questions as I do trust the team. My surgeon works on a specialist breast unit and my oncologist is based at the christie (massive specialist cancer centre in Manchester). I just do as I’m told!

My armpit is a bit red and sore tonight despite antibiotics. Hope it’s ok for surgery on Wednesday.

Hope you are all well,
Cx

[Ali49]

Cathy good luck for Wednesday.

I had DCIS a year before my diagnosis this year. I had it removed then a cavity shave to get clear margins. I do wonder if they had done masectomy then would i have avoided this now? So i know what Andi means when she says would a masectomy give you more peace of mind. It might be worth asking your team that.

You have done so well Cathy xxx

[Andi71]

Cathy,

You have had such a fantastic response with the chemotherapy, that’s really good news!  

Like you, I had precancerous cells next to my tumour, they knew this from my original biopsy at diagnosis, and because of that decided to do a complete mastectomy from the off.  Had your team not discovered these precancerous cells before your first op?Are you now just having that cluster of cells removed or are you having a complete mastectomy now?  Which do you feel will give you more peace of mind and have they given you the option? .... so many questions, sorry!! Just want you to have best possible outcome 💕

You must be fed up with your seroma.  Have they indicated how much longer it’s likely to go on for?  Having to do trips to the hospital over and over again is such a pain.  It’s good that your getting antibiotics for potential infection, it’ll nip it in the bud 👍🏻

Once youve had this surgery everything will settle down and you’ll get your rads out the way and the champagne will flow!! But like you, I still don’t know when that moment will be for me.  I think it more likely to happen after my last Herceptin jab.  I’ve had 5 jabs so far so we’re looking at the end of the year. I still feel that I’m being ‘treated’, and because of that there’s no defined end time until I stop Herceptin.

like you I’m sh*t scared of what Tamoxifen SE’s I’m going to have. Only on day 4, so still early days.  I’m nervous each time I’ve taken one but know I’ve got to get my head round it and just pop them like paracetamol and have a positive mindset that it’s doing me more good than not.  I have started walking and I plug the old earphones in and on those days my mood is so much better, so I’m making it part of my day every day.

Youve done the hardest bit so far, your through the other side with the chemo and it’s worked fantastically well.  Good luck for Wednesday and before you know it you’ll be home recovering.  Your doing really really well! 

Lots of love xx

[Cathysid]

Andi - glad you are on the mend and feeling more normal. Let me know how you find the tamoxifen - I’m having that too, after radiotherapy, but I’m really worried about side effects.

Ali - so glad you have been signed off chemo. As Andi says, the herceptin is fine. I don’t get any noticeable side effects.

I got my results yesterday. 29 axillary nodes removed. One was still cancerous, 3 had had cancer but regressed. Rest were clear.
Breast mass had reduced from 25mm to 1mm so that was really good. Next to the breast mass was an area of precancerous cells right next to the margin, so I’m back in on Wednesday to have a bit more removed just to be sure. The seroma in my armpit is still filling and needs draining every 3 days - 350ml! On antibiotics again as surgeon is worried skin looks red and infection might be brewing.
So grade 3, stage 3a, her2 positive, oestrogen positive and ki positive.

After next surgery and results rads, tamoxifen and finishing the course of 18 herceptin(up to number 9 this week).

I was hoping to crack open the champagne this week, but not quite there yet! Feels like the day for celebration might be hard to define on this long road.
I had to spend today’s reassuring my family and keeping them positive - I was feeling fine about it all in till they all started getting upset!

Hope you are all well, Ali - hope the rash gets lost now you are chemo free!

Cx

[Jay68]

Ali - I'm pleased I could help at such a painful time x

Good luck for the 19th - you'll be fine I'm sure - the waiting around is the worst part - once you've had it done and back on the ward, it feels as though the light at the end of the tunnel suddenly brightens and the goal is achievable.  Then comes the next worse part waiting for the results - got my fingers crossed for you in advance.

xxx

[Ali49]

Thank you Jay and Andi.

Jay thank you for your supportive and encouraging messages when i was starting treatment and scared! They helped me so much.

My op has now been moved forward to a week Monday, 19th Feb. Eek!! I am having a masectomy with expander implant and a SNB. Nervous but wanting thos next step to be over and praying for good results.

Andi i hope you are stil lrecovering well xx

[Andi71]

Ali49 - 🛎🛎🛎 Congratulations on breaking free from last chemo! It’s such a good feeling when that part of it is finished.  I felt ‘lighter’ knowing it was behind me.  Herceptin jabs are quick and easy. Sometimes they sting and sometimes they don’t.  But only lasts a couple of seconds.  Hopefully your rash and other SE’s will ease quickly now. Xx

[Jay68]

Ali - so pleased your onc saw reason and agreed your body has had enough. You will find the herceptin injections a breeze after the chemo experience!

When is your op planned?

Oh what a skip you must have had to your walk as you walked out of the hospital! and waking up this morning with the thought..... no more b****y chemo.....! Well done for getting to the end - hope the rash clears up and you start to feel a little more "normal" before surgery xxxx

[Ali49]

No more chemo! Onc saw rash and heard list of SE's and said ok thats enough!! Will c9ntinue with herceptin. Feel like 8ve been set free xx

[Andi71]

Hi Cathy

Im hoping to hear that your seroma is all good now and that your cording has eased. Is it tomorrow you get your histopath results?

Im doing ok thanks.  No rads for me.  I’m healing incredibly well from the recon surgery, both my tummy and breast.  

Today I start taking Tamoxifen.  Will take for 5 years then review, it’s all based on whether I’ve gone through the menopause by then.  

Still have Herceptin jabs every 3 weeks.  I’ve got 4/18 tomorrow, so still not breaking free from that blooming hospital yet!  

Got my first annual mammogram in June.

Treated myself to a Fitbit and it’s proving a great motivation to get me outdoors and concentrating on getting fit again. Starting to actually feel quite normal again.

good luck with your results, will be thinking of you 💕

xx

[Andi71]

Ali49 -

Great news on your planned operation!!! I’m amazed at how quickly they are doing it after your last chemo.

Sorry to hear about your rash, it’s not a SE I experienced but oncologist will definitely sort it out!

All the best with your last chemo.... it’s incredible how quickly that last one comes around.

Wishing you a good week

xx

[Ali49]

I have the rash caused by pertuzemab again. It is all on my face and the outer corners of both 9f my eyes. I also have some spots on my arms and 9ne has appeared on my leg too. Seeing my 9nc tomorrow so hoping she can g8ve me something to ease it. Last chemo due next week! Xx

[Cathysid]

Good news Ali, wow they move fast where you are! Glad you are recovering from your last chemo. One more to go!!! It’s such a relief when the end is in sight. Xxx

[Ali49]

Date for my op is 5th march. Just over 2 weeks after finishing chemo! I am having single masectomy with snb and expander recon. Delighted as i thought i couldnt have recon as i have previously had rads.

Hope all is well with you ladies xx

[Ali49]

Thanks Andi and Cathy.

Great news about your results Andi. Well done for getting through it all and for all your help and advice on the way xx

Cathy poor you with the Seroma. Do they occur because the drain has come out? Hope itgoes soon and you are ok.

Dont know what to expect from apt tomorrow but will let you know. Day 8 today and i have felt much better. Still got skanky mouth and pain from gcsf injection but noth8ng too bad.

Sleep well ladies xx

[Cathysid]

Hi again,
Good luck tomorrow Ali. Hope the chat with your surgeon goes well and that you are feeling ok after your last treatment. One more to go!!!

Andi, congratulations on the great pathology report! Cancer free. Such good news. Hope you are healing well - how is it going? Do you need radiotherapy?

I am 2 weeks post op now and still needing to go into hospital twice a week to have grapefruit sized seroma in my armpit drained. Also got some cording so having to stretch and massage my upper arm a lot. Hoping it won’t get worse! Eager to get my histopath results now, but have another 8 days to go,
Cx

[Andi71]

Hi Cathy, winced when I read your post!! 😬 I too had food brought into hospital, the stuff they served was tasteless and bland.

How has your last week been?

My cold turned into me needing antibiotics as I’ve a throat infection.  I threw the towel in in the end and got sleeping tablets because it all got a bit too much with post op pain, hot flushes, not swallowing properly, breathing clearly etc 😂 Only take half a tablet a night and it helps.

My pathology report shows I am now cancer free! There was still a tumour but it had shrunk and hadn’t spread to any local tissue, so the mastectomy removed what was there 👍🏻

Let us us know how you get on xx

[Andi71]

Ali,  just want to say I hope your meeting tomorrow goes really well and that you can move ahead with the next phase of recovery 💕

Yesterday was my meeting with my surgeon to discuss pathology report from my operation.  Chemo made a significant reduction of my tumour, once the mastectomy had been done it showed that there was still a tumour however, the cancer had remained within it and had spread to any local Breast tissue.  So I am now totally cancer free!!! Feeling emotionally drained but happy.  It’ll take a while to adjust to the news.  Moving forward I start Tamoxifen in a week for 5 years.  Then they’ll review as if I’ve gone through the menopause I’ll switch treatment.  Still have 3 weekly Herceptin jabs to have for a year.  I think I’ll celebrate more once that’s finished as I’m still being treated as such.

xx

[Ali49]

Ooh cathysid tjat made my eyes water!! Hope you are ok. I think the tears always hit a few days later so have a go9d cry and let it all out. You are doing so well xx

Andi thank you. Yes 3rd pth 9n wed and last 9ne on 14th Feb. I am seeing my surgeon on 1st Feb ao will know what options i have re recon then. To be honest i think i might have n9ne as i had rads at the end of 2016 and my bcn seemed to suggest that recon might not be possible. I want whatever is quickest and easiest in way of op and recovery so it might be a chicken fillet for me!! We will see.

Hope you can both get some sleep ladies. Lots of l9ve and a gentle hug xx

[Cathysid]

Hi there,

i survived surgery! The op went well. Wide lump excision and lymph node clearance. Anaesthetic was smooth and I was back on the ward as soon as I woke up, eating food an hour later. I couldn't face the hospital grub so Paul nipped out to M&S to get me a salmon salad.  I stayed in another 24 hours, say a physio nurse and breast care nurse, then was allowed to go home.

 I have a drain in my armpit and it's still quite numb down the inside of my upper arm and outside of my chest.  I think that's why the wound didn't really hurt - until about an hour ago when my 4yr old stood on my drain and ripped it out! Now it hurts!  Managed to push it back in but the stitches have pulled out so I've had to tape it in place and hope for the best.  I am at the hospital for a check up tomorrow so we will see what they think. Hope the drain doesn't need to come out early as it's still draining 100ml a day and could do with being left in a few more days. 

Andi, hope you are doing ok, and th cold is improving.  Have you tried olbas oil in a diffuser in your bedroom - seems to help keep the airways clearer.  I got my support bra from Asda and it's very comfy so I'm not bothered by having to wear it all the time. Not enjoying sleeping on my back though, but I seem to sleep ok as I'm so so tired! Apart from the old hot sweats...

Feeling very groggy still and can't really face doing my course work, which I usually enjoy doing.  Feeling a bit tearful too, but holding it in! 

Ali - good luck with your next pth this week. Hope it's ok and the acne has cleared now.  

Lots of love, cx

[Andi71]

Ali,

Well done on coping with second round of pth!  You are only 2 days away from your third!  It’s funny how the treatment day comes round so quickly.  You’ll be able to tick that off your list.

yes I had a DIEP reconstruction. I’m really happy with the results.  The first 24 hours post op is hard going but I was on morphine so drifted in and out which isn’t a bad thing.  I just remember being incredibly hot under the hugger blanket (heater) and not being allowed to cool myself down.  I’d say oddly enough that that was the worst part.  I left hospital on tramadol and paracetamol which I took round the clock.  Both surgical sites are still sore and swollen but it’ll settle.

sending you very best wishes for Wednesday 💕💪🏼

xx

[Andi71]

Hi Cathy,

How are you recovering after surgery?  Another step along the way! Are you managing much sleep?

I had 4 nights in hospital.  Currently 13 days post op.  I have a little bit more in the way of mobility but tummy is still sore and reconstructed (DIEP) Breast is still sore.  It’ll take 3 months in total to settle down properly.  Having to wear post op bra 23/24 hours and big support pants for the same time for 6 weeks.

sleeping has been difficult as having to lay on my back with a stinking cold and support gear isn’t the comfiest.

Each day is a little bit easier.  Tiny steps! 

Wishing you you a speedy recovery! 💕

xx

[Cathsin]

Thanks Andi x

[Andi71]

Cathsin,

My surgeon said between 4-7 weeks.  My surgery was 7 weeks after chemo.

[Cathsin]

Thanks Cathysid x

[Cathysid]

Hi Catsin,
My oncologist said 3-6 weeks after chemo finishes. I’ve had my surgery 5 weeks post chemo. X

[Cathsin]

Hi I am on tchp and wondered how long after last chemo did you have your operation x

[Cathysid]

Gosh Andi, the op sounded like a bit of an ordeal. I hope you are feeling ok now and it is soon a distant memory! Fingers crossed for a smooth recovery and speedy wound healing,

lots of love x

[Ali49]

Hope you got home Andi amd you are feeling ok. Did you have diep flap?

I am still.ok after 2nd pth just got hortible acne type rash bit it seems to be getting a bit better.

I have treatment on 24th Jan and then last one on 14th Feb! Not long now.

Xxx

[Andi71]

Ali49,

Its really good to hear you are doing better with your second cycle of PTH.  The bone pain isn’t great but you seem to have it all under control with meds which is good.  

Cath,

Soon TCHP will be a distant memory 🙂 Herceptin is so much more manageable than chemo.  Not sure if it’s that causing the sweats or induced menopause, but sweats look likely to stick around for some time yet.

I had my operation on Tuesday 9th.  My operation was just shy of 10hrs as my blood vessels weren’t playing ball.  My plastics surgeon described it as ‘mushy in there’ due to chemo.

the first 24hrs was the hardest bit and to be honest wouldn’t want to go through it again.  Mentally had to dig deep into reserves I never knew I had.  The blanket ‘hugger’ was like torture, akin to being placed in a fan oven for 15hrs it was unbearable.  Anyway, beyond that everything has been great.  Round the clock monitoring and pain relief and great staff have made the second part worth it.  I’ve had 2 drains removed yesterday and today the other 2 are coming out.  I’ve managed to do the important discharge bit which is having a 💩 (apologies) so technically I should be going home later today.

Good luck with your operation for the 17th - you’ll be absolutely fine!!! 

Lots of love ladies

xx

[Cathysid]

Hi everyone,

its 5 weeks since my last TCHP and I'm slowly recovering my energy levels, and hair! I've got a fluffy covering of whitish blonde hair now, though it's very thin. Didn't lose any nails. Despite no nail polish. Nails are very ridged and only big toe nail is bruised looking. Tummy is still a bit iffy.

Andi - naturtint do very good hair dye, organic with no harsh/toxic chemicals. I've used it before and the colours are accurate, too. It's about £7 online, £10 in my local health food shop.

my op has been postponed to 17th. Pre op check tomorrow. When is your op, Andi? Is it this week or next? Sorry, poor memory!

Herceptin on its own was fine. I don't think I got many side effects - mild dry mouth, aches legs(might just be residual from all the chemo, runny nose still, and gums bleeding a bit again but all manageable!). 5 minute appointment so very easy.

Hot sweats are back with full force - could be the herceptin or just bad luck! Need to buy that sage, too!

Ali - how are you finding the THP this time? And you million?

Lots of love,

Cx

[Ali49]

Milliemoo i hope you are feeling better and if you have had 2nd cucle i hope its kinder than the 1st. I have been much better after the 2nd cycle of PTH than i was after the 1st. Take regular painkilkers for the bone pain i take 1 co codamol with 1 patacetamol every 6 hpurs if necessary and if i need pain relief in between i take 2 ibuprofen. It has worked great and to be honest never needed to take them every 6 hours after cycle two.

Cathy and Andi good luck with your ops this week. You have both done so well gettingvthrough the trials and tribulations of chemo!

I will be thinking of you both xxx

[Andi71]

Hi Milliemoo - when I was on FEC my tumour didn’t have much of a response in that it didn’t decrease in size, it just made the tumour less ‘solid’ so after 2 FEC they switched me onto PTH.  PTH reduced my tumour from an inch in size to the size of a pinhead.  It’s the strongest most effective treatment that there is for Breast cancer.

With the runny tummy, ask for some Loperamide if they haven’t given you some already. I found it stopped it in its tracks.  I also switched to sensitive baby wipes would you believe when it was really bad, followed by Sudocream immediately after.  

I didnt suffer too much with a sore mouth/ tongue until right near the end.  I made a point of brushing my teeth about 6 times a day.  Seems a lot,  but I really struggled with that ‘taste’ in my mouth, and it freshened it up and prevented sores. I never had a swollen tongue but it did hurt on my last cycle.  I drank iced water, anything cooling really.  I found raw and cooked tomatoes along with pepper aggravated it the worst.

The good news is that there is an alternative to pretty much most side effects.  The best thing is talking to your Consultant and popping on here for top tips.  The achy bones are painful at times, for me it was worse at night.  I took paracetamol 20 minutes before bed and it helped a bit.  Unfortunately it is a side effect which is harder to tackle.  

I hope some of this is a help.  Best advise I can give is rest and listen to your body 🙂 and to come on here and be free to say it as it is, because we have all had our meltdowns on here and there is an understanding amongst us ladies on here that people who haven’t had chemo treatment understand.

Hugs

x

[Andi71]

Hi Cath - Isn’t it good being off chemo.  Whilst your having treatment it seems never ending, but we got through it!

Wishing you all the very best for your operation on Wednesday.  It seems we will both be laid up in hospital for a few days.  I’ve been told to expect to be in 4/5 nights.  So I’ll have my trusty iPad and will no doubt be on here.

Your poor fingers.  I take it your using lashings of hand cream on them?  My skin is ok, just very dry.  Although I could always do with drinking more water!

The Herceptin jabs are a breeze.  Top tip, offer to warm up the Herceptin vial in your hands whilst waiting for your nurse.  It helps to have it at room temperature to stop it stinging.  If it does sting, just tell your nurse and she’ll slow down putting it in and you’ll be fine.  You’ll be sat for about 3 minutes whilst it’s going in.  I don’t need rads thankfully.  But there’s talk of me going on Tamoxifen.  I want to have a good long chat with my oncologist before deciding to go on it.  So many women have side effects to the point that they stop it after just weeks, and some a couple of years. It’s hard to know what to do for the best.

Ill have a look at sage capsules once I’m able to get into town next as I want to find a suitable hair dye!  Finally have some hair to dye, but won’t put it on for another 4-6 weeks.  My girls are trying to convince me to stay grey!!

keep in touch and all the very best for next week! I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about an 8 hour op, but I’m told this is easier than chemo.

Andrea

x

[Jay68]

Hi Milliemoo - sorry you find yourself on this horrid journey. I started with EC in May and moved on to Dox/H/P in June. The side effects are different for them both that's very true! A lot of ladies complain of bone pain with this regime - I understand antihistamine tablets can work - I never experienced bone pain too much luckily, just the odd muscular pain in thighs which paracetamol dealt with. I did suffer with a sore backside - recommend annusol and sudocream for that. However, the mouth and tongue for me were the absolute worse part and I sympathise totally - there is no magical formula I'm afraid - days 3-8 are the worse and then it slowly improves - things to help are; ice lollipops, lemonade, lemon and ginger tea, peppermint tea, lots of carbs (rice pudding, custard, mashed potatoes, super noodles, yogurt, white bread just a few things) - frequent mouth rinses with salt water, cordysil mouthwash and I had another mouthwash from onc. Also worth asking for something for oral thrush as it's quite common se which isn't necessary caused by chemo but by steriods!

If you get acid reflux - again ask onc there's a great med available for that but only take it for the 3/4 days at beginning of session.

Good luck - some days seem to last forever but for me it this treatment worked so well - when I went on to have a MX and node removal - the pathology report came back to say all cancer was gone due to the chemo working - surgery had taken everything away then as a "belts and braces" I've just completed 15 sessions of radiotherapy and I'm still on a 3 weekly injections of Herceptin until next June time. It's a long journey but you'll get there and be so much stronger for the experience. x

[Milliemoo]

Hi 👋 I started this regime last week after finding out that my EC chemo wasn't doing the job and my tumour had grown, which was pretty much the last thing I remember hearing before signing up to start Dox on Wends and Trans/pertuzumab last Friday. Don't remember them explaining side effects really, although someone must have, my signature is on the consent form! But... can I whinge? So much worse than EC!! OUCH! My bones are so sore!! My mouth and tongue are so sore! My backside is so sore (is that normal with the dickie tummyl?!).
I have painkillers and happy to take, but does anyone have any other tips for the mouth ulcers and swollen, red tongue?

[Cathysid]

Hi Andi,
I’m the day after you for surgery. 10th of January! I’m having a wide lump excision and full lymph node clearance on the left side. Not looking forward to not driving for 3-4 weeks!

Like you I’ve also got numb fingertips but we have carried on docetaxel at 10% reduced dose this time. Hoping it’s no worse- grade 2 at present. My thumb tips have split skin too and despite superficial skin numbness they still hurt! Side effects have kicked in early this time. Sleepy and nauseous from day one! At least that meant no insomnia to deal with. Thinking of what food to eat is already challenging though. Maybe onion mushroom and tomato omelette today.

I totally forgot about carrying on herceptin for 12 months! I was thinking no more chemo but will have to factor that in every 3 weeks. Hoping it can be done at my local outreach clinic to save time and driving.

After surgery it will be rads for 21d and then hormones for 10yrs.
Still having hot/cold flashes on evening and night. Advised sage capsules and black cohosh also evening primrose oil. Might start them once this chemo is done if the sweats persist.

Hope you all are doing well, keep in touch,
Cath x

[Andi71]

Cathy - Good luck with today’s LAST treatment!!! 🛎 The last one is always the toughest mentally, but you are there now!!! Congratulations on finishing!  What is next ? 

Hugs

xx

[Cathysid]

Hi everyone,
I have my last of 6 tchp on 14th. What a relief it will be to put chemo behind me! I think it gets more mentally exhausting each time.

Sam - you will likely feel ok through the infusion and while you are on the steroids the day after. It’s day 3-8 you will feel worst. I usually feel tired, dizzy, foggy headed, Dry mouth and food tastes of nothing, yucky taste in mouth, sore mouth, bleeding gums and nose bleeds. I did get nausea too until I started akynzeo - now I don’t get nausea at all. Diarrhoea tends to be a problem and gassy indigestion - you will get loperamide tablets to take if needed. I usually spend day 2-8 mainly in bed sleeping or reading and get help with the kids as I really can’t cope with much. I think some people manage to get on with normal life better than I do!
Things I think help are aloe Vera mouth wash, benzydamine mouthwash to numb it if it’s sore, sipping sparkling mineral water, bland food especially potatoes cooked by someone else, Epsom salt baths daily to help with aches and pains from Gcsf injections, short walk daily if able.
I lost my hair about 18 days after the first one and didn’t cold cap. My eyelashes and eyebrows are thin now after 5 treatments.

It has been tough but my breast lump and lymph node lumps have gone and there is now no sign of cancer on my mri scans so it’s wirth it.
It got a bit easier with side effects each cycle too, though more tiring!

Good luck, let us know how you get on x

[Andi71]

Ali - bless you, yes the pain is pretty severe sadly.   It’s the Docetaxal that’s the cause.  See what your Consultant says.  The consulatants work on a ‘tier system’ for pain relief, so they’ll either offer codeine or co-dydramol next. I found that my pain happened on and off during the 24hrs.  Probably only 30 seconds of stabbing pain at a time and then a less severe ache for max 3 hours spread over the daytime.  Would usually fall asleep to stabbing pains and then wake in the night with the odd one, but tiredness kicked in and managed to fall back to sleep.  My pains were predominantly in my shins and breast bone.  Let us know how you get on.

Herceptin injections post chemo - I had my 1st one done on Friday.  Nothing to be scared of! 👍🏻 A nurse administers it into your thigh over the course of 3-5 minutes.  I don’t like needles, but this was actually ok.  Had to wait 2 hours to see if any side effects, but there were none and haven’t had any symptoms since being at home. Had an echocardiogram beforehand to check heart function and everything was good.

things coming up for me - a week on Tuesday I have my pre-op appointment.  After which will just have 3 weekly Herceptin jabs and my portacath flushed.  Then bloods are 3 monthly and so are the echocardiograms.

xx

[Andi71]

Hi Cathy,

Well done on getting through 2/3 chemo.  Just ONE more to go!  I hope the SE’s aren’t giving you too much bother.  Have you been given a date for your operation yet?

I have come to the end of my chemo treatment! 🛎🛎🛎  I ended up getting some numbing sensations in my fingertips and toes/feet, so it was decided that I didn’t have last 2 Taxol’s.  The reason being that had I continued, the numbing would have got worse.  This was also based on the fact that the treatment had already shrunk ,pay tumour to virtually nothing.  So my last treatment was on 10th November.  Since then, the numbness hasn’t changed.  I was told it will either stay like this long term, or will ease off over time.  It’s basically damaged the nerves.  3 weeks on -my tastebuds still haven’t improved, but I’m hopeful 😃 Still having night sweats then going freezing cold.  (Will have to pop into Waitrose and have a look at the tofu!) Still no periods, but was told that they’ll likely come back in 6 months or will have stopped completely moving on. It was lovely to pack up my unused meds’ and not have to look at them anymore!  It’s quite something to get rid of the mini ‘pharmacy’ 👍🏻

I told Work that I wanted a year off!  So I am working my notice as of Monday as part of the whole phased return to work,  it won’t actually be with them beyond the end of the month.  I’ve got my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on the 9th January so it’ll be good to get over the op knowing that there’s no pressure I having to get back to work.  On my list of ‘to do’s’ is having a go at yoga 😃 I think it’ll be good for mind and body.  So I’ll ease myself into that once I’m fit enough to get going.

be kind to yourself and listen to that body when it comes to not over doing things, and I hope you are keeping well xx

[Ali49]

Pain is awful Andi!! It has taken me totally by surprise. To be honest the painkillers are not really touching it for long. They take the edge off but not much else! I think i am going to ask for nerve pain meds. I have 3 more of these to have! 😭😭

[Andi71]

Hi Ali,

Big hugs lady 💜 Unfortunately how you are feeling can last for up to day 8 😬 sorry to have to tell you, but it’s best to be prepared in your head for it.  I found that my objectives over these days were simple, eat, drink, sleep.  On PTH I too had to nip to the loo round the clock.  It’s a pain getting up in the night.  It’s best to just go when you need to and not put it off.  Do you think your tummy pain is due to leaving it too long to pee? Constipation or a bubbly tummy can make you feel a bit yuk too.  

With the cacky coated mouth - I used to give my teeth a mini brush after eating anything (20 seconds)  Sometimes I was doing it up to 6 times a day.  It does help.  Also I found mint imperials took that nasty taste away too.

well done with the gscf injections!! It takes some getting used to, but before you know it, you’ll be stopping.  I found that period of treatment flew by.

check your temperature first before you do this, but paracetamol can help with the joint pains.  I found my pains were more severe at bedtime, so I did my temperature half an hour before bed, and it helped me to sleep.

you are getting there lovely, only 2 more PTH to go !! 

xx

[ladybowler]

Ali

Hope you are feeling at least a bit better today

Loads of love

Helena xx

[Ali49]

Day 4 and felt a bit rubbish! Lower tmmunpain and feel.lije i need to wee all the time. Cacky mouth! Pains in my ankles and legs. I have washed and ironed today but feeling sorry for myself tonight!!

I have eaten and been drinking. I have done my mouthwash and my 2nd gscf injection.

Hoping to feel better tomorrow xx

[Ali49]

Day 2 for me Sam and not a bad day at all. Have ironed, nipped to the shop, picked kids up and cooked tea for 8!

Fi ished my steroids today so will see what day 3 brings!

The treatment day itself was fine - a bit long but went quickly. I didnt have Carboplatin.

I know you cant help but worry but please stay positivr as this helps massively xxx