Starting Chemo in February 2013: February Valentines

[jayney234]

Hi Sandra I just wanted to add my horror at what you are having to go through again! Like everyone else who has posted - how on earth did that happen? I think it has frightened a lot of us as I believed that if undergoing chemo very little c is likely to survive and being one that is having chemo first I am very very worried. Hugs and good wishes and lets hope the next round of chemo sees the b......d off once and for all. Jayneyxx

[Tuppence]

I echo your thoughts Linda. It's really had a huge effect on me, as like you, I was told all the cancer had been removed and that chemo and rads would see off any stray cancer cells lurking elsewhere. I think we have all had a terrible shock and will need time to settle ourselves.
Thinking of Sandra and sending positive vibes x
Tup

[Yankee]

Dear Linda -- I think we are all sharing the feelings you have had! I feel such a huge frustration that there is nothing I can really do to help Sandra; and also a great knotted fear -- what if? Many of us had exactly the same treatment. I only hope that Sandra herself is given a more complete explanation at some point!

I have a friend who is a Reiki practitioner, she was explaining to me the theory of how Reiki worked -- that the practitioner attracts and concentrates the good forces that are already around us and aims them at the patient. Sounds ridiculous to my sensible mind, but apparently it does work for many. If that is true, with all the Valentines and all the wider BCC Forum members, focusing on Sandra, something positive HAS to come out of it! Let's hope so at least.

Hugs for all!! Louise

[millymolly_m]

Xxxxx Sandra.
Granny P....... Sounds like you are Granny P'd off. Thinking of you and the little 'un. PM me if you need a meet up for a coffee and a Shoulder.
MMM x

[Wattie]

I thought I must post on here as haven't for a long time.
Kath I am delighted for your news lm sure the Doppler will not show any DVT and it will put your mind at rest.
Sandra, I said on FB what I feel and that is one of great shock! I am hear sending you love and prayers from across the channel.
all the rest of you vals sorry for not replying personally but I feel as if the stuffing has been knocked out of me with Sandra's news.I hope all your treatments and recoveries are passing without any problems?
Rads continue, 8 more to go, I've had an allergic reaction to the see through plasters that cover my drawings, so boob looks bloody awful! It's red, but not burnt, and has small non healing sores because of plasters and rads not allowing healing. Just picked up different cream from nurse so hope that works!
nearly a whole day tomorrow at hospital, bloods at 8 am, followed by Nucluear heart scan, followed by rads followed by onc, followed by Herceptin! Joy NOT!!
love to you all and I'll be back on here again soon
karen xx

[Lola65]

Does anyone else feel like me? After the awful news from Sandra I am still in shock, and feel like there is a black thunder cloud hanging over me. Despite being told by my consultants that my cancer is in a jar, no evidence of spread, and that the treatment will take care of a potential recurrence, there is still the hightened risk of a new primary, which has only just been brought home to me by Sandra's news. How can this happen so soon after chemo?

[Irenee]

Dear Sandra, I am from the January thread and I am so sorry to hear of your latest diagnosis. I'm sure you will feel so much better when the treatment begins. Sending you hugs Irenee xxxxxx

[Yankee]

Dear Sandra -- what inexplicable and horrible news! Can't think of anything really comforting to say -- just that we (my Husband is just as upset as I am) are thinking of you constantly and wishing you strength.

With love
Louise (and Julian, too)

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Sandra,

I'm sorry to hear of your latest diagnosis. Please do give the helpline team here a ring, they're here to support you through this. Lines open again tomorrow morning at 9am (Mon -Fri 9-5 and Sat 10-2), calls are free, 0808 800 6000.

Take care,

Jo, Moderator

[Cucumber12]

Kath, thank goodness!!!
Sandra, What to say. I am so sadened by your news. We are all here with you in spirit holding your hand. Love and Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Gill_567]

Love and big hugs to Sandra. We're with you all the way.
Gill xxxx

[Cherabel]

Sandra, I'm Lost for words, thinking of you is all I can say.
Good news Kath
Take care all
xx

[Tuppence]

Thanks for poem Kath x just what we need right now.
Tup

[Lola65]

Kath, please don't feel awful for posting good news. I am so relieved for you and hope all goes well with the Doppler scan on Wednesday. I love your poem.

[millymolly_m]

Glad to hear your news Kath. Sandra, we are with you all the way. You only need look how many Valentines are online on FB right now to see how important you are to us. We've all been in the waiting room with you and are going to fight this fight with you too.
Two fingered salute to the b*****d cancer.
MMM x

[poemsgalore]

Also forgot to tell you I have to go for a DOPPLER scan on Wednesday. They want to rule out DVT.
Poems, Tup? I have tried to write a new one all about a shepherdess, but it's not working out very well. so here's one from a few years ago.

Ars Not A**e

A dead cow floats in Formaldehyde -
is someone taking me for a ride?
Rodin's "Lovers" tied up with string!
Some people will pay to see anything.
If you want to look at an unmade bed
Come and visit my son's room instead.
Bring back Waterhouse
bring back Rossetti,
don't show me displays
made from cans of spaghetti.
The art world is turning into a farce,
What we all really want is Ars - not a**e!



Love Kath xx

[Tuppence]

Kath so glad to hear your good news x Any more poems in the pipeline?
Tup

[Tuppence]

Sandra this is such tough news. Like all the Valentines I am sending you love and hugs and will keep you in prayer. xxxxxxxxxxx

Tup

[poemsgalore]

I feel so awful coming on here with good news after Sandra's devastating story. Sandra, you know we are all thinking and praying for you and hoping the next lot of chemo is better to you than FEC was!! 😞
I had an ultra sound. No lumps, just normal breast tissue. The tenderness and pain is caused by Costochondritis which is inflammation in some of the ribs, that can cause pain the the breast. It can sometimes feel so bad, just like a heart attack - only mine is on the right side so I would never have thought of that. I was also told that my little cushion beneath my arm on surgery side, is because the surgeon left a good amount over as nobody knows just how it is going to heal. I can have it tidied up if I want, but that means surgery just for the sake of it, which I feel is unnecessary. It doesn't really bother me so why fix something that isn't broken??? Thank you for your support and prayers;
Good to hear from you Elaine, glad you are feeling reasonably ok.


Love Kath
PS Did I ever tell you that my screen saver on my netbook is the words FEBRUARY VALENTINES swirling around my screen?

[Lola65]

Sandra, I am also lost for words at what this cruel disease has done to you. We are all with you, all the way, so please keep posting when you are up to it. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Guest user]

Sandra my thoughts & prayers are with you now ... I don't know what else to say but I look forward to hearing from you once you feel stronger.

Love Dyane

[Guest user]

Dear friends... we have just got back from the hospital ..and...its not good news....it seems that I have a new C on my chest wall...I cant even bring myself to say the word anymore....so no rads...no more hormone tablets.. just more biopsies and more chemo ahead for me.. oncologist assured me it hasnt spread from my breast but it is a new one.....:-((( I am feeling emotionally and physically drained from the news... different chemo as well as it seems this new lump appeared halfway through last chemo and didnt do its job well.... I really do thank each and every one of you for the support and love you have given to me and my family who are devastated....now another battle begins!!!!

[millymolly_m]

Hi Elaine, glad you're having fun. I've had a very lazy day today following a full on social weekend.
Thoughts, prayers and hugs with Sandra and Kath today.
MMM xxx

[Guest user]

Lovely to hear from you Elaine,glad all going well and you are out there socialising.xxxxxLove Chris

[Guest user]

Hi all, sorry for my desertion, I have been so busy since chemo finished, even through radiotherapy. Have been reading up though and my thoughts have been with you all, especially Kath and Sandra today. I noticed Dyane was suffering with itching and thought I would let you all know that I was advised to use piriton if this was a problem, it wasn't, so I didn't but might be worth trying if it is. I was also advised to use aqueous cream twice a day and to put plenty on my back and shoulder if I could reach, I actually used it 3 times a day as I was showering more due to hot weather and no soap or deoderant. I slathered it all over breast, armpit, shoulder and back. I am now one week past and only have small uncomfortable patch under breast where I've been wearing a bra for the last couple of days, I went without all through. Also drank gallons of water and only felt tired the weekend after I finished (that could've been heat and the fact that I've been full on socialising and having an absolute ball since chemo finished 😕 )
I am now on day 1 of diet and a getting fit, have at least a stone to loose.
Hugs to all and best wishes to all still going through treatments
Elaine xx

[Lola65]

Oh Sandra, how awful for you. I am sending massive hugs and am holding your hand all the way with everything crossed. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I just had a look at my RADS consent form. There is a section entitled "Name of proposed procedure ...... etc"

There is a check list of areas ...... Breast, Chest Wall, Axilla, and Supraclavicular fossa. On mine just "BREAST" is ticked. There are also other interesting bits on the form. If mine is just breast (my nodes were clear and I had a lumpectomy) I am hoping I won't be zapped anywhere else. I'm not having mine till September.

Linda xxx

[Guest user]

Hi all,
Louise, I too have the itchy slightly pink square on my back, it is indeed where the beam has gone through, the highest dose is to the target area, and it is all carefully planned so that the dose to the other organs is within acceptable levels, but obviously enough to make the skin itchy.

I have a very sore itchy patch from the supraclav field now, they told me to expect it to get worse for 2 weeks after finishing, then slowly get better.

Like Chris said the radiographers can show you exactly where the fields are, which is how I found out how high up my neck the field went.

Jo
x

[Guest user]

Morning Vals
Oh heck Sandra,not the sort of call you want,I am scared with you,am holding your hand very tightly all the way,whatever they say we are all with you.Everything crossed,prayers said.BIG HUGS ((((((<3))))) xxxxxxx
Kath good luck for today also,hope you post on here when you get home,HUGS (((((<3))))) xxxxxx
Girls the radiographer can tell you exactly the area affected so that you know what to cream and keep covered from the sun.The rays should not go through you as they are all precisely measured to the depth as well as the area so as not to affect other organs.Hope your skin not too sore,make sure they keep checking it for you.
Bit of a worrying day going on for Kath and Sandra hope everyone else is ok
Love and hugs to all Chris xxxx<3

[Guest user]

Sandra & Kath - thinking about you both this morning. Please let me know how you get on as I'll be on tender hooks until I hear. I'm keeping everything crossed for you both.

All my love, best wishes, thought, prayers & everything else.

D xx

[Guest user]

That was a phone call not expected from my oncologist.... needs to see me urgently.. like in a couple of hours!!....i asked good or bad news and she said I need to talk to you face to face.... oh hell!!!!... crying and a bag of nerves xx

[Yankee]

Just to add more complications to the great skin adventure -- I have just realized that the skin on my back has also been affected by the Radio. Can't for the life of me figure out how it could have been, as it was firmly pressed down into the table when the machine was on. My Husband thinks that the X-rays must have gone right through my body (it is a rectangle of red, itchy, roughen skin pretty much the same size and position as the area affected on my front side around the collarbone and "super-clav"). I'm rather hoping its not that, as it would mean that I'm "cooked" all the way through -- so to speak Anyway, it explains why I had such terrible itching on my back all through -- which I thought was all in my mind, as it couldn't possibly be from the X-rays. Looks like the aqueous cream should be used on just about everything from chin to waist!!!
XXXX Louise

[CEA49]

Good Evening Valentines! I have had a lovely weekend, meeting up with an old (I mean long-standing!) friend on Saturday, spending the day with my parents today and booking flights for a holiday! I have been slapping on the aqueous cream for rads (7 down, 13 to go) and hope that my skin holds up. Louise I hope your skin is now much better - since reading your post I have been using cream from my neck to nearly my waist - I have no idea which area is being zapped other than my left breast & collar bone and think I remember someone posting about how high up the neck the rays are directed. Hope it works. The radiographers have also said I can use 100% aloe vera.
Kath - hope your tests go ok tomorrow and hopefully Sandra will have some news soon. Sorry to hear that some of you are still having chemo SEs with PP and PN. My calves and ankles still swell up towards the end of the day and my taste buds still haven't completely returned. I guess it's a small price to pay in the long run.
Everyone else is very quiet so I hope all is ok. I know I haven't posted in a while but I do read everyone's news regularly.
Caroline x

[Guest user]

Evening Vals,
Annabelle good luck with surgery,at last.Golden girlxxx
Kath hope the nurse reassured you.xxx
Sandra,such a worry,hope they give results soon and all is well xxxx
Girls I had a sweat rash above my breast and was getting a bit sore under as my bra was soaked in sweat and the under band was causing it to be a bit sore.Have now finished hospital cream and am using vaseline lotion with aloe vera,very soothing,not sore now and rash just about gone.My friend had a rash with rads like heatrash/hives,she said it itched like crazy.
My eyelashes have just grown back quickly in a week,I did have just short ones left,but long ones back now.I didn't use anything to help them.
Sorry to hear some of you still suffering various se's hope you all get back to normal soon xxxx
Love to all Chris xxx<3

[Gill_567]

Great to hear you've got a date for surgery Annabelle. The golden seeds sound exciting. I think they've been used for a while in prostate surgery, but not sure. Keen to hear more after your next appointment. You'll be our Golden Girl if you go for it!
Gill x

[Gill_567]

Dyane: sorry to hear that you're itchy and sore. As Louise mentioned, the zapped area is quite large, so keep slathering on the cream! Hope it's better soon. I have also got a strip of hard and thick tissue in the breast which the BCN says is from scarring. I've seen them twice about it in (once during chemo, and again yesterday) and it's never been looked at. She has agreed though that now that I've finished rads I can be referred back to the onco-physio for treatment of the cording and also this scar tissue (ultrasound treatment probably). So there is possibly something to improve it..... but yet again we have to ask, ask, ask!
Gill x

[Gill_567]

A little bit more for Yvonne. These are the snippets on both PP and PN from MacMillan (undere side-effects of Docetaxel). Hope they help.

Gill x



Soreness and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
This is known as palmar plantar, or hand-foot syndrome. It's temporary and improves when the treatment finishes. If you get hand-foot syndrome, contact your specialist doctor or nurse for advice.
Your doctor may prescribe creams or a vitamin called pyridoxine (vitamin B6), which some people find helpful. It can also help to keep your hands and feet cool and to avoid tight-fitting clothing, such as socks, shoes and gloves.


Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
This is due to the effect of docetaxel on nerves and is known as peripheral neuropathy. You may also notice that you have difficulty doing up buttons or other fiddly tasks. Tell your doctor if you notice any numbness or tingling in your hands or feet. It's important to report your symptoms to your doctor as they may be controlled by slightly lowering the dose of the drug.
This side effect usually improves slowly for a few months after the treatment has finished. Sometimes symptoms can persist, talk to your doctor if this happens.

[Gill_567]

Quick reply for Yvonne: Tup and I both developed peripheral neuropathy (PN) which is not the same as PP. It's a known side-effect of Tax and can start during treatment or weeks after last dose (cumulative effect). Nasty tingling and numbness in fingers and toes is common as are nerve pain (eg shooting pains down legs) or muscle pain when moving. Sorry - not sure if this helps, might just rule out PN rather than confirms PP. I should get it checked out if it continues. Might be something completely different with an easy solution!
Gill x

[Guest user]

Thanks Jenny. Good to know it works.

Dyane

[jenny5931]

hi dyane
Rapid lash is fab try amazon or e bay much cheaper my lashes are now back after about 4 weeks of using it well worth the 28 pounds i paid

jenny xx

[Guest user]

Morning Vals

Louise the itching is driving me mad but I'm trying not to stratch. I will mention it at my weekly rads check-up although it's probably something I'll just have to deal with. At least it's not sore.

Linda survivng on 500 cals is not easy but I just keep thinking that it's saving my life ... at least I hope it is lol. I have lost 4 kg, which is great if I was trying to lose weight but I'm not I only weigh 46 kg now, so may well go from 2 fasting days down to 1 per week.

Mandy I'll keep you posted on the eye lashes.

Sandra did you manage to chase anyone down at the hospital yesterday? The waiting and not knowing your results must be killing you. I honestly hope it is someting simple that can be rectified once diagnosed. All my love & prayers go out to you.

Kath, as with Sandra, I hope that your's is something simple like a cyst. I'll be thinking of you on Monday morning, so keep me posted.

Yvonne I hope the foot settles soon.

Good luck with the surgery Annebelle, at least things are heading in the right direction now.

Love to you all
Dyane

[chicita]

Hi Funki,
Did it start before or after you finished chemo?
X Yvonne

[Funkilala]

Hi Yvonne
I had this on my left foot until about a week ago. I am 7 weeks post last chemo. I hope yours goes too.
I'm still having problems with the same foot swelling in the heat and sometimes it feels like my skin is really tight.

[millymolly_m]

Glad you've got a date Anabelle. Sorry, I can't help with your feet Yvonne, hope you get an answer soon. Dyane, My sister in Law bought me some rapid lash but I keep forgetting to use it. Will start now and compare notes with you. I'm trying to stick to the diet too but struggling a bit!
Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend. Holding hands with the ladies in waiting.
Xx

[chicita]

Hi vals, I need a bit of advice please.
4 weeks post chemo the sole of my right foot has become very tingly and tender. Is this plantar palmar (sp?). I was warned about this pre chemo but wouldn't have expected it to start now.
I know a couple of you had this - sorry can't remember who. does this sound like PP or am I being a hypochondriac again?
X Yvonne

[Lola65]

Blimey Annabelle, your boob will be worth a fortune! Good news about your date, not long to wait now.

Kath, your news must have reassured you a bit, I hope. It isn't much different from what my oncologist told me last Tuesday - very rare to have a new cancer so soon after chemo.

Sandra, my thoughts are with you. Have you chased the hospital up?

Dyane, well done on sticking to the diet. You have more will power than I do.

Love to all Valentines, may you have a good weekend with happy outcomes to all those waiting for news. xxxx

[Yankee]

Hi Dyane -- yes your feelings sound like mine, very itchy first, then the red. As of today I am one week past treatment. I still have quite a bit of discomfort under the breast and on the collarbone (worst bit, so red it is almost an open wound), but for the last day or so I have discerned slight feelings of it getting better! So the good news would seem to be that it doesn't last for all that long.

Oh, by the way, until my skin got red and began to break down, I was never very sure exactly what was being targeted by the X-rays. I was under the impression that they were very focused and only hitting specific little bits. After it turned red, I realized that it was a huge square area from underr the breast to above the armpit and from the middle of the breast bone right around to nearly my back. I think I would have been much better off if I had used the various creams over much wider an area! Just a thought!

Hope everyone has another good weekend and that those in waiting hell get happy resolutions very soon!

With love, Louise

[Cherabel]

Hi all
I have a date now for surgery 9th of August I looking forward to having that bit done and dusted and one step closer to the end. But most of all having my PICC line removed no more hours drive to the hospital for a while.
The golden seeds trial is we're they put real gold seeds in when you are having the wle . they will go around the area where the tumor was so that the radiographer can be more precise when doing the radio therapy. That's all I know at the moment will find out more on Wednesday when I go again.
Gill the tummy problem still the there but not as painful my gp has put me on rantindine to see if that helps but he is putting it down to a side effect from tax.
Hope everyone ok.
Annabelle x

[Guest user]

Sorry Girls I'm not avoiding you, it's just easier to post on our FB page via my Kindle Fire than on here.

Kath I've never had cysts until after surgery where they found one when I went back to the breast clinic for my fat necrosis. I have more fluid there now, my Onc even felt it the other day, so it could be another cyst ... who knows. Luckily it's not giving me any gip. To be honest the skin around my scar (the fat necrosis) is very hard & feels thick, definitely not the soft, delicate skin I had before surgery. I hope you get sorted on Mon. BTW in your profile pic you still have more hair than me, mine seems to be taking its sweet, old time coming through.

Louise I'm almost halfway through rads and am starting to notice my chest area has become very itchy, did you have this? I suspect it'll start to get red soon, like your' s.

I treated myself to some rapid lash serum, I wouldn't usually spend this sort of money on something like this but as I've so few lashes & brows, I thought I'd splurge. They say it takes 60 days to see the full effects but there should be some noticeable growth after 30! Anyone else tried it? The reviews are pretty good so I hope it does the trick, shame I couldn't get some for my head!!

I'm still following the 5:2 (500 cal) diet, next week will be my 7th week on it, so I hope it's doing it's magic internally & creating a healthy body ... another 40 years would be nice nice lol.

Have a great chemo-free weekend now we are all at the car park.

Dyane
14/30 rads, Belfast City Hospital

[Guest user]

That sounds reasuring Kath....Im hoping the lump in my breast is scar tissue.. but I know the abnormality they found is on my chest wall.. just wish the hospital would ring back....and quick!!! xxx

[poemsgalore]

I just got a message from one of the cancer nurses on the Maggies site. I'd asked her if she had ever heard of anyone getting cancer so soon after chamo. This is what she said.
"Truthfully, Kath, very occasionally there was found to be cancer....but it was rare, and I'm not just saying that. Putting it in perspective, I would have several ladies a month who would phone up post chemo with new lumps in same or other breast...and we would put them all through the triple assessmnet process just to double check. It was very rarely that a new cancer was found. It would be very unusual to have a new breast cancer so soon after such significant treatment....and I'm still wondering if hormonal changes due to arimidex/Anastrozle have caused some lumpiness....as although it's not a common side effect, I've heard it happening before, and the person had to have her medicine changed...."
I know this won't explain the lumps that others have had as not all are on hormone tablet. But I'm hoping it will explain mine, or possibly cysts. Although I never had cysts before!!

Love Kath xxx