starting epirubicin/CMF on 18th July

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Everything crossed for tomorrow for you.

Mal x

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Hi Gill

Good to hear that you're 'feeling good'. Monday your appointment? Then you'll be busy packing. Have you been to Madeira before? It's a lovely island and no lager louts in union jack shorts (unless your OH falls into that category of course).

Mother-in-law still in hospital in Keighley having tests (heart). She's the one who had BC over 50 years ago (a mastectomy and 3 weeks in the radium institute). She's a tough old bird.

Must dash. Off for rads no 15.

Keep well.

Mal x

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oh sorry your weekend ended badly. hope all is weel now -?

I am feeling good and trying not to be too hopeful!

gill

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Hi Gill

Hope you had a good, relaxing week-end.

Our week-end in Chester started out great. A bit of retail therapy, lots of walking, nice meals etc but then had to come home early on Sunday as MIL had a fall and ended up in hospital. Enjoyed what we had though.

Mal x

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Hi Gill

First hurdle over then. It seems a long wait for the results though, doesn't it?

Getting ready to go for the week-end in Chester (courtesy of my work colleagues). Weather forecast is awful, but don't care. Staying in a nice hotel, look at the sights, a bit of retail therapy and a couple of nice meals. Just what the doctor ordered. I had hoped that my hair would have been half decent but can't do anything with it. Never mind. Not a top priority.

My 'knees up' is now all booked etc. The hotel let me have the room for nothing when they discovered what it was for, and two members of staff at school are in bands and they are playing for nothing. So should be good do. If you fancy a week-end break in 'sunny' Manchester it would be lovely to see you - 28 March. Think about it.

Take care and have a good and relaxing week-end.

Mal x

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Hi Mal and Gillian - and anyone else looking in

My hair is grey a nd dark -I was brown with a bit of grey. about 1/2 inch long.

scan done - just got to wait til monday week now. hum

gill

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Hi Gill

Fingers crossed for tomorrow. Sending you good vibes.

Mal x

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Hey Gillian - good to hear you're doing OK. You sound busy and hopefully the credit crunch won't hit you too. Also glad to hear that you're gearing up for your wedding. Will you have enough hair? Mine's still only about one inch long and very dark (I was really fair/blonde before)

Went for my 9th rads today and it was much quicker (yesterday was there for 4 hours) and I saw the onc who said my skin was 'holding up'.

The onc asked me how femara was and I said ' the few days were awful. I couldn't have carried on for five years.' She told me that was good and they expect side effects otherwise it's not reducing the hormones. Would have been nice to have been warned.

Hope you're enjoying life.

Mal x

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Good to hear that you are ok Gillian.

Tamoxifen is ok, long may it work for you.
Taxotere was ok for me - as long as they keep giving me things thta work I don't care.

I'll let you all know when tI know anything form the scan.

Take care all

gill

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Hi Ladies,
it's been too long...so sorry

Just busy really and soooooooooo glad chemo is over...hoorah!

Was getting to be a bit of a bind near the end, just wanted it over and done with, so here we are now...hair growing back slowly...feeling a bit better every day...jojned a gym to try and get fit for wedding and strngthen myself back up again.

I am glad we all seem to be OK, hope the tax isn't too bad Gill, I know a few that have been on it and boy, is it rough!
CMF was OK but I did feel pretty lousy almost all the time
NO rads for me, so straight onto tamoxifen and it's attendant troubles.

Hope to catch up with you all again soon but tring to get on with a "normal" life, which is generally busy. Hope the recession doesn't finish my business off, was going to be tough enough making up for lost time after cancer.

Still...onwards and upwards...take care all
Gillian

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Hey Gill, I bet you'd be glad to get rid of the line, wouldn't you? That and a break would be great news. Is zometa IV?

You certainly sound better on the tax than you were on epi - no black holes. Hopefully it'll be your last.

Must dash - off for rads now.

Take care

Mal x

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HI Mal,
glad the communication is in place for the future.

I am lucky and get minimum aches from the Taxotere chemo, it is the GCSF injections - but they kick my immune system into action so it is worth it. I'll feel better tomorrow. as long as I am here to complain I am happy!
the onc appt was just set up to be at the end of a cycle.
the Breast Care Nurse has just phoned and I have asked her a few questions about having the Groshong Line out/or not. and whether I will continue with Zometa - for my bones? She is going to ask the Boss and get back to me.

Take care of your self
gill

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Hi Gill

Hope you've had a good but restful week-end and are feeling OK after last chemo.

Had a very lazy time the last few days as tiredness kicking in and when I'm tired I always get nausea. Skin holding up alright so far but then I've only had 6, no 7 later.

Is it your scan this week? Hopefully get it out of the way and relax and look forward to your holiday.

Take care

Mal x

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HI Mal

I remember the driving there and back being tiring - the thing it's self not too bad though I hope. Keep with the cream!

I ma cautiously looking forward to the holiday - fingers crossed. Would so like to go, but trying not to think it will be the end of the world if we don't - it is my friends I feel for, having had to cancel once.

go well best wishes gill

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You OK Gill after your chemo?

I've now had 4 rads and the travelling to and from the hospital is the worst aspect so far. Still applying the E45.
Today was driving through fog and snow. Horrendous journey.

Not much on the horizon at the moment except our week-end in Chester (courtesy of my work colleagues) the week-end after next. That should be good.

Are you looking forward to your Madeira trip or are you hanging fire til after your next scan before getting excited?

Mal x

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Thank goodness Gill.

Hope you're OK with this chemo and you're soon packing those cases!

Mal x

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mal, all went well at hosp - chemo as planned etc. He is not bothered by the lump - as he said - it will not kill me!
we consentrate on the Liver for now.

feeling happier - just hope it has worked on the liver and i do get a break - and go on that holiday!

best wishes gill

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Hope everything went well yesterday and you managed to enjoy it and didn't get bogged down in the kitchen.

We had a hectic New Years Eve and then a lovely meal at my son's yesterday. This morning went in work for a couple of hours and then first of the rads this afternoon.

Take care

Mal x

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Hi Gill

17 for lunch?? You'll be busy tomorrow then. I'm just having 5 minutes before the gang (family) descend (19). Have made a buffet and just relaxing with a glass. Will be glad to see the back of 2008 as I'm sure you will.

Have a lovely New Year's Eve & Day and here's hoping that 2009 will bring everything we want it to and endless good news.

All the best to you & yours.

Mal x

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Just been getting tables ready for tomorrow - 17 for lunch around 5pm!

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Hi girls

Hope you're Ok and getting ready for the New Year. We've got to toast 2009. Hopefully it'll be a much better year for all of us.

Gill - what are you doing for New Year? We're having a party on New Year's Eve and then over to my son's for a meal on New Year's Day. The last couple of days I've just been chilling out with not much energy for anything. Started Femara 3 days ago and have felt a bit dizzy and a bit nauseous (again). I'll probably get used to them though. Start radiotherapy on Friday but not really bothered about them. Can't be any worse than epi.

Not heard from Gillian for a while. Hope everything is OK now you've finished your chemo.

Take care

Mal x

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Glad you enjoyed your Christmas Gill. A walk yesterday sounds good, the weather was lovely. Christmas Day at my daughter's was brilliant - there were 19 of us (10 grandkids) - so it was a bit hectic but nice. Yesterday went to brother-in-law's for lunch and then mum for tea. So today just chilling out. Enjoy the match.

Shammo - I too found epi very hard but CMF is supposed to be easier (I have just finished xeloda). As Gill said you should try to think long term.Personally I would try CMF and see how you cope with it. I just wanted to throw everything I could at it. Just because you had such a bad time on epi it doesn't necessarily follow that you will be as bad on CMF. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Mal x

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Mal - so glad your wedding went well and YOU enjoyed yourself!

hope you had a good christmas day and boxing day. we had a good day at my step-daughter's and boxing day a walk and morrismen and lunch at son's fiance's parents (got it?) - lovely.

going to Twickenham today!

Shammo, Hi, everything is up to you - but try to think long term. I found Epi very hard but am now on Docetaxol and finding it much easier - different. I have not had CMF. You don't know what it will be like - see what others say about it, but you are you.
Best wishes, let us know what you decide.

gill

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Hello All,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I am on epi/cmf chemo.I had a lump 9accessary breast tissue) in my left armpit which was removed. My oncologist told me that chemo would benefit me 4% but I decided to take it .
I must say EPI has been very tough for me i had last dose last wednesday. I have experienced every side effect and have been feeling very miserable.I was so bad that my onc reduced the last 2 doses of epi to half because i also had palpitations.

Now Iam thinking of quitting chemo as I am scared that CMF would make me as miserable as EPI. Should I quit chemo? I dont know I am confused please guide.

Thanks,
Shammo.

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Have a lovely Christmas.

Mal x

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Back from the wedding. Absolutely exhausted! Dancing til about 11pm then went to bed. Hubbie stayed on drinking and finally came up about 2 am, staggered in and promptly fell asleep on the floor. It was a lovely country hotel and we had a lovely room, with a four poster bed and a living area overlooking the river, but NO tea/coffee making facilities. So I woke up gasping for a cup of tea and dragged my hubbie (who was a bit delicate) down for a full english + drinks. Happy couple off to South Africa today for their honeymoon.

Soooooooo glad it went well. You can relax and enjoy Christmas and New Year now. And after that you will be getting your suitcases out! How long are you going to Madeira for? I've booked flights for February half term to our apartment in Spain (which still hasn't sold) and am so looking forward to it. Might even be wigless by then.

Pressies all finished now except Hubbie's! Will have to get on Argos website and reserve something (a digital camera I think, as his other is playing up).

Anyway relax and enjoy the festivities.

Mal x

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All went well with onc - going back for last Taxotere on 5th Jan - MRI scan on 19th and onc again on 26th - then - holiday on 2nd Feb!!!!! oh I hope I get there!

Kitchen not finished yet - tomorrow 😞

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Hi Gill

Vitamin C is a good idea. It is just a cold & don't feel ill. Just a drippy nose. Mum still in bed with flu (nearly two weeks now) so have been doing her shopping as well as ours.

All set for the wedding tomorrow and will be staying overnight so will be offline til Tuesday evening. You sound as though you've get a hectic Christmas lined up too, but it's brilliant being with family isn't it. It's what Christmas is all about. My daughter is doing Christmas Day for us, my mum and my sons and their families, Boxing Day over to Burnley to the brother-in-law's for a get together with OH's family and it's our turn for a party on New Year's Eve.

Glad to hear you've got the important things in life sorted, like the dishwasher and washing machine. We didn't reach the kitchen when decorating but managed to get the lounge, dining room and hall done. I'm envious of your posh new kitchen.

Really hope all goes well with your onc tomorrow. Will catch up with your news on Tuesday.

Take it easy - you too Gillian

Mal x

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HI Mal and everyone.

Hope your Cold goes - I take extra Vit C all the time at the moment.

I have got at least one son or lunch on christmas eve and maybe more plus Parents maybe or dinner.

Step daughter's house for Christmas Day, Boxing Day = a walk to a pub with son's fiance's family, Saturday =
rugby at Twickenham with family; Sunday have a lie down!

Tiles tomorrow and then kitchen just needs painting to be finished!!!
Have dishwasher and washing machine working again - hurrah!

Onc appt tomorrow - don't like it; he will say something I don't like - oh I hate all this. Must be positive!
best wishes all

gill

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Hi girls

Hope you're OK. I started with a cold yesterday so am dosing myself up. Must get rid of it for Monday - it's the big wedding and I still haven't got shoes or bag yet.

All sorted for Xmas? I think we're done now. Have booked a meal for teatime on Christmas Eve then after the grandkids have gone to bed we do a 'Santa drop', taking all their presents round.

Stay well

Mal x

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Hiya,
Thanks for the replies. It's stopped now, only lasted a day so must be a hormone thing. It's a pain being a woman sometimes isnt it!!! OK all, have a lovely christmas and New Year.

xxxxx

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Dishwasher still being analysed! I will be OK as long as the washing machine is plumbed back in.

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Karen, last epi done - great. You should feel OK over Xmas and New Year. I can't help you with coil query although I did a search for topics on here on the Mirena coil and there are quite a few. Have a look.

Gill, have you got your dishwasher etc sorted out now. Can't manage without them over Christmas.

Take care

M al x

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sorry Karen don't know anything about coils. as long as it seems 'normal bleeding' it is prob nothing to worry about - but if you are worried ask your GP - ring don't go in.
Epi is horrible.

Mal - we can tell you love your family!! it is great to have them all around, isn't it?

It is good to concentrate on material things like dishwashers for a while.

gill

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Hi all,
thanks for the replies re CMF. I will be starting that on 6th Jan so at least I have a bit of breathing space between now and then. I had my last Epi last Monday and was given stronger anti-sickness pills, but was sick yesterday! Today I am bleeding (can't remember the last time I had a proper period), has anyone else experienced that at all? I know chemo plays havoc with your hormones so perhaps it's just a small blip in the system. I've still got a Mirena coil fitted and wondered if anyone else still has theirs in. I did tell the doc's when I first started chemo but they didn't seem to bother about it. I was a bit concerned because it's the slow release progesterone coil. To be honest I don't think the oncologist or chemo nurses knew anything about it because they all looked a bit blank when I told them about it. Perhaps it's just me worrying too much!
Anyway, best wishes to you all
take care
Karen xx

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Hi Gill

Kitchen nearly done then? Brilliant but you need the washing machine and dishwasher sorting out before Xmas.

It's been perishing here too. Just can't get warm. Frosty every morning and a little foggy. No rain though.

Glad your injections finish tomorrow. I never had any aches or anything from them. You should be fighting fit next week for Xmas and New Year. My side effects are slowly disappearing although I felt really nauseous yesterday and wondered if it was the sick bug that's going around work, but today much better. Still exhausted though and still need my afternoon nap. Hope we'll be free of side effects for the festivities.

Went into the city last night for 4 hours for the last Xmas shopping and was like a zombie by the time we got home. Keep thinking I can do more than I actually can.

Bet the dinner at Twickenham was good. We've nothing planned except family stuff, but with OH having 4 children and me 3, plus all the grandkids, that adds up to a pretty hectic time. Wouldn't swap it though.

Take care

Mal x

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Good to hear from you all.

I have lino on the kitchen floor at last!
The washing machine ins not plumbed in and the dishwasher needs to go to hospital - but at least we can get in there now!

It is very cold down here, but at least the rain has stopped.

feeling a bit pooped - out to dinner last night in Twickenham Stadium = long drive home.

Last GCSF injection tomorrow so my back will stop aching. Then no more chemo until 5th Jan!!

Mal have you recovered from your last chemo dose?

Gillian will you stop for a break soon?

best wishes gill

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Hi girls

Tabbykaz - so glad you've finished with the dreaded epi and hopefully you'll find cmf easier to tolerate.

Gillian - 10 hour days is a bit OTT. No wonder you're shattered. Last one next week and then you'll feel like celebrating! How long is your hair now? Mine seems to be growing soooooooo slowly. It's also a lot darker than before.

Gill - how are you? All sorted for Christmas? All your decorations up in your posh house? I've had a really busy few days with grandkids etc plus mum's not well at the moment, so am running round after her (Mum's the one in our family who gets 'man' flu!). We've got the big wedding a week on Monday and I still can't muster any enthusiasm. Still need some shoes (although wellies may be more appropriate for a marquee at this time of year). Hope you're keeping well.

Take care

Mal x

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Hi all,
I have found CMF a bit of a struggle but I think it's because of the culmulative effect now and I have had to take monster ammounts of anitbiotics which has caused mouth rpoblems HOWEVER...
on the whole it is not bad at all, occasional slight nausea but not as tired afterwards as with epi.
hair growing back and sooooooo looking forward to the last one, next week
It seems to have been such a long time since I started , I have learnt to barely touch the steroids as they make me swell up and sleep badly
I am working 10 hours a day, 6 days a week at the Mo, so can't be that bad!Good luck ladies and as you start the CMF you are heading full steam towards the end!!
Lots of love to you all
(the 10 hour days are why I am barely on here these days)
Gillian

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Hi all,
Sorry I haven't been on for a while but I find I have to be in the right frame of mind to come on here, sometimes I read things and I'm on a downer, whereas other times I'm ok. Well I've just had my 4th Epi (yesterday) and next time I will be going onto my CMF for 4 lots. I was fine with my 1st and 2nd Epi's, bit nauseous but the anti-sickness pills managed to keep it at bay. My 3rd Epi I felt sick for a whole 2 weeks and I actually was sick one morning! I have been given some stronger anti-sickness pills this time so hopefully they will do the trick. I'm told chemo has an accumulative effect so now I'm dreading the rest of the treatment. I'm hoping the CMF will be better than the Epi.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2009.
Love Tabbykaz xxxxxxxxxxx

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Hi GillyT

The title of this thread is epi/cmf but as it's worked out there's only one of us who is actually having cmf. That's Gillian and hopefully she'll respond to your query. I think she's found it easier than epi, she's working and has had 3 out of 4 cmf.

I ended up on a trial and have just finished chemo completely (I have been treated at Christies too). There's a thread asking whether anyone lives in West Didsbury (I don't know where you are exactly) I live in North Manchester (Middleton). There must be loads of people in your neck of the woods though.

Gill hope you're OK after your tax.

Take care

Mal x

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Hi all, this is my first comment on this discussion, i have had 4 epi and start my CMF next wednesday. I have coped pretty well on the epi not too many bad side effects, but suffering with cyclical depression so needed to go on antidepressants!! I just wondered how other people have felt after CMF. The nurses at The Christie say that people seem to cope better with it. Just wondering what to expect.

If anyone lives in south manchester and fancies meeting up for a coffee and chat, let me know, i have really struggled to find any support groups near me.

GillyT x

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I will discuss 'local treatments' on 22nd so it will be good to see him. also he decides whether I have the last Taxotere - it depends how he thinks I ma coping -I think fine but it is the bloods thing.

I have a scan in January to decide how well it has in fact worked over all and then what to do now. Let's hope that it has carried on working and I do not need anymore for now. But what ever it takes I will do it.

take care
gill

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Hi Gill

Glad you had a good break. Did you get to the Eden project?

As for our little band breaking up, I think it will be a long time (if ever) before I stop visiting this site. I know a recurrence will be in the back of my mind due to the nodes involved and being grade 3, but I'm not going to let it run my life. So I'll still catch up and hear your news.

Good luck for tomorrow. Onc on 22nd? Just before Xmas too but it's good that your last chemo is being put back to let you have a good festive season. Will you be having another scan after the last tax? I really, really hope you get the results you deserve.

Take care

Mal x

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HI Mal and Gillian,

our happy band will soon finish!

I had a good few days away and the job is done.

Had a good stay with my huband's cousin.

Chemo tomorrow pm. then onc on22nd. should have last chemo on 30th but prob going to delay unti 5th Jan so i can do stuff over New Year - not parties just visitors. We ll my nephew has an 18th party in Newark.

Hope you soon recover yourself Mal.
Take it steady Gillian.

gill

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Hi Gillian

Bet you are looking forward to finishing chemo on 19th and hope you're OK for Christmas but you'll definitely be ok for New Year - one hell of a party eh? And no rads you lucky thing. I'm not really bothered about them. I think after chemo we can cope with anything. Sounds good having a break over the festive period. I'm taking 2 weeks off and think we may go away for a couple of nights between Xmas & New Year. Just wish my hair was growing a bit quicker. Most of it is about half an inch except on top and it's coming through nearly black (I was really fair before) with white bits at the side.

I took my last chemo pill last night and wonder how long it will be before my energy levels rise and I feel a bit more like myself. My Mum said 'hasn't it gone quick the last 6 months?' and I just nodded but thought 'it may have done for you'. Just feel so battered etc

I can sympathise about the oral thrush, I suffered all the way through epi. Tried various meds but nothing worked. Hope you find something that works for you. I think that was why I lost weight (still haven't put it back on).

Gill - you are due back today I think. Hope you made the most of it despite the circumstances.

Take care

Mal x

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It's the curse of the self-employed I'm afraid...feast or famine

So while the work is there I have to get stuck in, I've lost so much over the summer with surgery etc.
I'm OK tho, but having big mouth problems just now. Have developed oral thrush (yum) which does not seem to want to shift...so it's difficult to eat and even drink sometimes.
Ill go to the docs again on Monday and see if there is anything else that can be done

So looking forward to last chemo on the 19th, then I may not go back to work till the New Year...so just a couple more weeks of toil!

I'm lucky and have been "randomised out" of getting Rads so just the tamoxifen and attendand menapause to look forward to in the new year

Bring on the mulled wine
Take care ladies
Gillian

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Off to Devon this lunch time. hope for no rain on Friday, when standing in the churchyard!

have bought some presents now and started to organise the address book - cards next week when I am not feeling up to going out.

we had a good frost this morning - no snow here, Mal.

Take it steady Gillian, don't wear yourself out.

best wishes gill

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Hi there

Good to hear from you Gillian. You sound as though you're overdoing it a bit.Don't know how you're managing to work long days, I can still only manage about 5 hours a day but not too eager to work the long hours I used to!! Only one more chemo - great but bad timing just before Christmas.

The femara sounds OK Gill. Thanks for that. Are you still going to Devon? If so, hope you get some nice down time. Have you done your Christmas cards and made a start on pressies yet?

We had quite a lot of snow this morning (well it's still here) and the gritters hadn't been out so it was like a skating rink. I've never seen so many accidents. The whole of the road network around north Manchester was gridlocked. 2 hours to go 2 miles!

Take care

Mal x

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Gladyou are ok - don't over do it.
It is good to see the end in sight for your chemo - do you have to do anything else?

Best wishes gill