Breast Cancer Now Forum

WolfEE, I thought the same - that while I was out the could have got on with it without me knowing! An ambulance went passed when I went out for a walk, so I guess there was a casualty after all 😐 I think maybe someone from the air ambulance went to meet the road ambulance and took his kit with him?? Glad your blood transfusion went well rosie65. ... View more

I usually go in, have bloods, have chemo and come home. So this was a new one on me. I used to give Blood, so usually ok with needles. Temp dropped and bloods were ok. As I felt fine treatment went ahead. Glad your appt went well Tree house. I bet you feel better for having a plan now. Sorry to hear your treatment was delayed curlyh, but they have to be thorough as they don't want to make you ill. Bit of excitement for an evening. Air ambulance just landed on the local football field. Doesn't look like there is a casualty thankfully. Just unloaded some bags from helicopter into van. Not sure what's going on! ... View more

Treatment no 5 for me today - pretty eventful for a change! Neutrophils were low yesterday at 0.6 but up to 1.5 today. Had high temp this morning so wasn't sure if chemo would go ahead - phoned help line who were great again. Onc nurses were v thorough - Urine test, blood test, monitored temp - luckily dropped to 37.3°C, seen by Dr. Had 3 attempts a getting cannula in, I fainted after 2nd one (oops). Sent home with antibiotics to keep temp down just in case an infection takes hold. Also have an appt with oncologist prior to last treatment for review. The end of this phase is in sight. Only 1 more to go!! Xx ... View more

Hi Treehouse. I'm all for doing the trial. I know how important it is to get a good sweep of people to either prove or disprove the effects of drugs on these type of trials. They are testing 2 different strengths of aspirin vs a placebo. 1 tablet a day for 5 years. So no quick results, although I think the trial has been going for a a while already. Good luck with your decision on the surgery. I know it's a big decision to make. Your surgeon will be going for the best outcome so take on board what they say as well but go armed with your own questions as its your body. ... View more

Hi Katie. I'm having my 5th FEC on Wed. Unlike most who have swapped regime half way through, I'm having FEC for all 6 cycles. Still feel ok though and managing to work ful time and get out for long walks - I have definitely got off very lightly compared to some for SEs. Fingers crossed this one goes ahead. After this, as I'm so close to finishing chemo I'm going to have to start researching radiotherapy (23 doses) and tamoxifen (min 5 years). I've been asked to go on a clinical trial into the effects of aspirin on reducing recurrance rates after radiotherapy has finished as well..... More research to do. Has anyone else been approached to take part in any trials? Good luck to everyone on treatment this week. Hope SE keep to a minimum for everyone. ... View more

Hi WolfEE. It does sounds like your neutrophil count. I have my bloods done on a Tue before i go in for Chemo on a Wed. Mine have been low the last 2 times but I have bloods redone on chemo ward on Wed and within 24hrs they've recovered well enough go ahead. You've got the weekend for them to improve so fingers crossed they should be fine. The chemo nurse said that most people who have bloods done on a Fri need to have them redone on Mon as they are usually low. So i think it's pretty common. ... View more

Good luck for today tree house, hope it all goes smoothly. Best of luck to everyone else having treatment this coming week. It's hard to keep track of where everyone is now, but I'm guessing for a lot of us we are now half way through.... So the end of this stage is in sight. Xx ... View more

Hi WolfEE, I had WLE before chemo. I've been told that I'll start tamoxifen 2 weeks after chemo, radiotherapy will be 3-4 weeks after chemo finishes. So jump straight from one to the next. Hi Lindiloo, we've all had very different experiences of SEs of chemo. I've had minimal so far, have a furry mouth at about 4-5 days, so just brush teeth after meals to try to prevent ulcers - ask chemo dept for treatment just in case. Constipation is the other big thing for me, so I take senokot to prevent it for the 1st few weeks after treatment. I also make sure I drink 2 litres of squash/fluids a day. Hopefully you'll manage the side effects ok. Just don't let them build up, the earlier you deal with them the better/easier it will be. ... View more

Hi Heather/raitchr. Nice to hear from you. Glad you're doing well. Hope the time out was positive. Fingers crossed that your next stage goes as well as you found FEC. ....And you have a holiday to look forward to now and focus on. Good luck to everyone on treatment this week. ... View more

Mai. Sorry to hear you're having a hard time. I was going to say that my onc said if you have 4 or more bouts of diarrhoea in a day then to phone help line. Glad you have done the right thing and they are looking after you again. ... View more

Treehouse. Sorry to hear your news, forewarned is forearmed. You know what you have to deal with now. I hope you feel it's better to know in order to have the best treatment available. With regards your bloods, I know it's not the same but I have had low WBC and neutrophils from a test taken the day before treatment on the last 2 cycles. They have repeated the test again on the day of treatment and sent it to the lab as urgent. And both have come back fine and they have gone ahead as scheduled. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. xx ... View more

WolfEE, sorry to hear your sill suffering but glad you went and got it checked out. At least you now have some measures in place to try to alleviate the symptoms. If it follows a pattern in your treatment cycle you'll know when to prepare next time. Glad you're back home Trisha. AnnieJ, how are you getting on? ... View more

Sorry to hear that some of you are struggling at the moment. Trisha and AnnieJ, how horrible that you've both ended up in hospital, but glad it's now getting sorted. Just remember, every day is a day closer to finishing treatment. ... View more

Hi WolfEE. I'm having the bottom issue as well, but only when I go to loo. Was going to phone help line yesterday but wasn't sure how to start that conversation! I decided to take senokot and see if it helps. I'm on day 11, last cycle the pain peaked on day 12 so not looking forward to tmrw... usually last 3-4 days then eases. I'll try to get through it this time and ask next time I go for treatment if there's anything I can take/use. I guess the lining has been 'stripped so nerves are a bit exposed. Hope you find something to help. Saw oncologist for a review meeting in week, she asked if periods had stopped - haven't had 1 since end April. Guess what made an appearance today?! No wonder I've been raiding the cupboards! Hope everyone's been able to get out and enjoy the day. ... View more

Wande, I found the 1st was the worst as I was anxious as I didn't know what to expect. I had mouth ulcers (v minor) on the 2nd, and the 3rd, so far, there has been less SEs, prob because I've got more of an idea what's going to happen when, so pre-empt it. AnnieA, so glad you've had a good news day and that the chemo is shrinking the tumour. So pleased for you. ... View more

Trisha, I had a couple of mouth ulcers on the last cycle. I mentioned it to the nurse who was giving me chemo and she have me a box of gel clair which is a mouth rinse for chemo patients. It's very expensive to buy and you can only get it direct from manufacturer, but it is available on prescription or from onco ward. Please phone them and ask if they can supply any. The other thing I was advised by helpline was difflam mouthwash, fresh pineapple and vit C tablets. ... View more

Hi Rosie, real boost to the ego for you today! Bet you spent the rest of the day with a spring in your step. Hi tree house, Mai and all.. I feel a bit of a fraud on here, I'm doing really well Thanks, hate to say it because I don't want to jinx it but hardly any side effects really, just little niggly things that don't last too long. Still working and going out for a 5 mile walk after work each day, though too hot to do that the last few days. Keep well and hydrated ladies!! ... View more

Looks like everyone has reason to celebrate. Great news WolfEE. Really please for you. ... View more

Hi Katie. I'm doing ok today thanks. Face is a bit flushed but it's keeping me warm, so I don't mind. 😶 you sound like you've kept a bit of your hair in patches. Mines fallen out pretty much evenly all over, with just a bit of fluff left over. Does anyone know when the eyebrows and eye lashes fall out? I keep having a bit of a tug at mine but there doesn't appear to be any loose ones. ... View more

Hi tree house. I had a lumpectomy before surgery, so chemo is just to make sure it's mopped up any strays. Followed by 23 radiotherapy sessions. If there's anything left after that I'll be well miffed. 😅 MJK it is good to be at this point. Have the 3 week recovery then it's def 1/2 way through. I was told by nurse today that there's nothing you can do in terms of food or rest/exercise for the white blood cells. It's just time - to let the body build them back up or injections. As I'm on 6 FEC they don't give injections unless it results in a big delay in giving next treatment. Maryann - welcome to the group. Hopefully you'll find the posts helpful and supportive. I dont post too often but i do check in daily and I wouldn't do without it now. Big hugs to everyone. xx ... View more