Breast Cancer Now Forum

How are you all doing? I hope the last few days have been a bit more gentle on you all and there have been no new effects to deal with. It's interesting to hear that aching joints and body in general seems to be unavoidable. I'm definitely aching more in my knees and arms this time than I was last. This time the pain seems deeper and sharper. I've been given naproxen but it's slow to work to finding hot bath's are more effective. I'm also definitely feeling more fatigued and have booked to see a physio tomorrow as I need some help in getting strength exercises as I couldn't lift my bag of clay at the studio yesterday. It was quite a shock and really upset me to feel the effect on my muscles. I felt completely demoralised for the rest of the day. A bit better today but it's really knocked me. Thanks for the diet info Michelle. I've taken a look and will try out some of the recipes on there. As for my Russian, it's very poor and covers only the absolute basics. My MiL definitely has better English but it does make for slightly limited conversion though we manage by using Google translate which is actually pretty good! My poor husband is exhausted by the end of visits as he spends a lot of time in translation. I've not been to St petersburg but it's where my husband grew up so I'd love to go. Moscow is huge but I loved it.. In particular I loved Gorki's house and the area around it and also the museum of modern art, tho my husband's aunt is convinced they're all reproductions and the oligarchs sold all the originals!! Who knows! Thanks Dorabel, I felt quite proud of myself insisting on the anesthetic. My nurse had actually only returned to work in March after having the previous 9 months off for breast cancer treatment so when she saw me become tearful and say I couldn't cope with more pain she got it I think. You're right , there seems to be a disconnect between our pain and the understanding of that at times. We just need to make sure we're heard. Xx ... View more

Gigi, it sounds like you've had an incredibly tough time but good you're home again and I hope you are managing to rest and have your partner look after you. Its constantly a surprise just how much this treatment takes from us - both physically and mentally. It's quite relentless. Maybe you will be put on Paclitaxel? . My oncologist has put me on this drug as its seemingly kinder than Doxetaxel, but the outcome and success has been proven to be the same. It also has the same success rate when given weekly in smaller doses than then heavy, 3 weekly we had on EC. I suppose tho it will depend on whether its compatible with Filgastem, which I'm not having and hadn't heard of. What ever they decided I hope that it is easier on you and will be thinking of you, you deserve a break! Michelle, how was your daughters prom? I hope she had a wonderful time. It must have been nice to see her all dressed up and excited for her night. You had asked about surgery, I had my mastectomy and diep reconstruction before chemo as it was spreading so fast and in ducts, lobular and lymphs that they decided to get it out ASAP. We had thought I'd avoid chemo but my oncodx score was too high. The toughest part for me was that I hadn't recovered from the surgery when I started chemo 6 weeks after the op and found that hard. Hopefully when you have your surgery you'll be able to recover fully without your body being bombarded by chemo which will hopefully make recovery smoother. I've now had my 3 Taxol so one quarter of the way through, 9 more weeks to go. Its been much easier than the EC for me. I've also got an appointment on Monday with the consultant who determines whether I'll have radiotherapy. I'm praying not as it will be another 4 weeks on top of the 9 and the fatigue is supposit really hard, esp after chemo, but I'll do what they think best. Anything to put greater distance between cancer and me for the longest time possible! Has anyone else been scheduled for radio? And this last week has been a nightmare as I managed to dislocate my to little right toes when I stumbled into the coffee table. Thankfully they weren't broken but were pointing at right angles to my foot. They're popped back now but it was agony. It took 5 attempts I'm so pleased I insisted on it being anesthetised as they were suggesting gas and air! And then to top it all I had an extreme allergic reaction to a mosquito bite on my eye which meant I couldn't open it for a few days. On the up side, my IV steroids and antihistamine managed to bring it down yesterday and I've woken today and see again! I've been told my bloods are showing too much sodium so I'm starting a low sodium diet . I think I've been adding more salt to find taste which has definitely diminished. and my mother in law, who arrives next week from Moscow is also on such a diet so hoping she'll help. Sorry for the long rambling post, once I start it all tumbles out! Best of luck for today Michelle. As my nurse said to me yesterday, let's hope it's a really boring one.. We like boring and uneventful! Happy Friday all.. X fiona ... View more

Amazing news... So delighted for you... And as I'm just catching up on posts, happy belated birthday 🎂! ... View more

Oh Michelle, I'm so sorry you have to go through this wait. Will keep everything crossed and be thinking of you Xx ... View more

Sounds as though you've had a rough ride over the last few days so it's great to hear you've had a good day Christine. Your experience is really helpful to know - thanks. Sounds like my plan for routine is misplaced and I will just take it as it comes... Though to be fair, I'm not sure what else we can do!! Your comment about putting things back in the right place resonates Michelle... There are a few things that have a new home on the basis of me not wanting to battle with the cleaner any longer! Good evening all x ... View more

Michelle, how's your swallowing and heartburn going? Even though I have tablets of renitidine and omaprazole as have a hernia and usually have really bad reflux without chemo, I was given intravenous renitidine with the Taxol that seems to have helped as was suffering quite badly in EC. Do you have something that's helping at all? I hope it's eased as It's quite miserable x ... View more

That's great news Gigi that you were able to get on with the chemo... Hope you're feeling OK today and made it to watch the footie. My first Paclitaxel went well and so 1 down and 11 to go.... Though I'm slightly struggling to get my head around the fact I'm doing it all again in 2 days! It was fine on the day and on Friday though sat and sun I didnt feel great but yesterday was almost back to normal and today Im 100%.... Let's see how long that continues for, but Im determined to try get into a routine so I'm going to the pottery studio today and tomorrow and will borrow our neighbours dog for a walk this afternoon and tomorrow. Someone had mentioned about having a cleaner ; it's definitely made a difference to us though we've been very lucky to have found ours as the previous 3 we had were terrible and caused more stress! After the DIEP there was no way I could have done it and though my husband is very good, he has so much else to do looking after me and still working that it really has helped very much. Wishing you all a good day x fiona ... View more

I'm so pleased that you're feeling better today, Michelle. I do wonder if people fail to respond because they are slightly paralised by fear of saying the wrong thing so say nothing and then time passes and they don't know what to say at all .Still, it's disappointing and hurtful at a time when things are difficult enough and from a close friend it stings all the more. I hope the CT scan went well; I've often sat and thought exactly that same thing, of how my life has inordinately changed over the last 6months but like you, am hoping this will be over by the end of the year and 2019 will be a far less eventful year for us all! You're quite right, It was so good to be home. My parents are in their 80s so being able to go there is a bit easier than them travelling down and I also got to see my oldest friends which was also lovely. It definitely made the time pass but I must admit I'm more tired and probably did a bit too much. Still, I prefer being tired from too much that was enjoyable. Thanks for your wishes for tomorrow--keeping my fingers 🤞! ... View more

Hi Christine, CCS footcare cream is excellent if you're looking for a suggestion as there are a lot of creams out there. I've been using it twice a day for about a month and it's really helped my heels which had started to crack. It has 10‰ urea content. I hope that the prescriptions will help with the other skin issues. Back in London and its nice and sunny. The garden has exploded while we were away which is lovely to see. A friend is coming over to see me today in advance of tomorrows Taxol so that will be a nice distraction. Sounds like most of you have got over the last hump and enjoying a better few days which is great to hear and I hope continues. Have a good day, x ... View more

We had a wonderful time, thanks Michelle. The weather was really great and Shetland was beautiful. It was fantastic seeing all the puffins in the cliffs and on Noss, which is a nature reserve, it was like being in a David Attenborough programme! I was a bit tired for the first day but as went into week 2 felt fine again and now going into week 3 we're enjoying the unexpected sunshine in Glasgow.. Hope it stays nice for our drive back to London on Tuesday and everyone is enjoying the lovely weather ! I'm trying not to think about starting on the new regime for now.. It will come soon enough and me worrying about it won't change how I respond to the Taxol! Hope you are all having a good day x ... View more

Sounds like it's all heading in the right direction Linda, really pleased for you! ... View more

That's wonderful to hear Michele, so delighted for you! . ... View more

Fantastic, let's hope we both enjoy a puffin-fest! And good advice... I'll make sure I take a hat too!! ... View more

I'll report back Christine on the puffin trip. A friend sent me an article that they're struggling in Farne Island so I'm hopeful they're doing better on Shetland... And that we don't get involved in any fictional murders while there! Hope the trip to the hospital was a hassle free as possible and you managed to find a few distractions..that soup sounds delicious. Hope you continue to keep feeling better X ... View more

Yes, it is puffin chick time so hoping for some good sightings. This morning I feel I'm getting over the first hump of Fridays final EC chemo tho as ever the symptoms threw me and I felt far more nausea than last time, despite the same drugs, and the fatigue was overwhelming yesterday but today is an improvement, so far. I'm tempted to go to the pottery studio even for an hour to keep occupied as its raining here today. I find my anxiety levels are quite high on the first week and so doing and making things help alleviate those feelings which can tend to mushroom if left undistracted. Im so pleased to be finished this section of the treatment but as others have noted, I'm now very anxious about the unknown of the 12 weeks of Taxol though the experiences shared have definitely helped. Dorabel, I love your term superwoman week.... Enjoy yours x ! Your day with the boys sounds wonderful and I hope all goes well for you today Sarah xx Fiona ... View more

I think you're right Michelle, I also find it easier to cope with the symptoms if I keep busy. It seems to me that garden centres must do a roaring trade with chemo patients. I've also applied a temporary halt on further plant buying as I love passing the time there and then in the garden. I hope that the pain subsides in your ribs and that your tummy settles today. Best of luck today Gigi, I hope it isn't too arduous. I hoping that the sun starts to shine for you all this Monday but in the mean time I'm starting to pack for my trip to Scotland and Shetland on Thursday... Im ridiculously excited at the prospect of seeing puffins! Xx ... View more

Wildshell, I bought some too for when I go to weekly. My bro in law shared that Dr Chris clip... I love honey anyway but they had a great deal at Holland and Barret so a good time to pick some up. Also, my nurses told me yesterday that once I move to weekly chemo I need to make sure I eat loads of greens, I can't eat too much- veggies, soups and smoothies ..so I'm going to do that too. All worth a try! X ... View more

Linda, I only have minimal cold cap experience as couldn't continue after round 1 due to migraines but I found that when my hair started to get very tangled, the body shop does a wide tooth detangling wooden comb that works really well but very gently. They sell out fast but I see they have online too. I used it successfully on a short Bob. https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/hair/brushes-combs/detangling-comb/p/p000789 Good 🍀 luck x ... View more

That sounds terrible Gigi... The neck tube definitely feels quite pronounced at first but settles down in a few weeks and as Christine suggests, painkillers help. I had 2 paracetamol then 2 hrs later 2 ibuprofen and continued that for a few days.. I hope you feel better in the next few days and I absolutely love Almodovar... One of my favourite directors.. Talk to her and All about my mother are faves of mine Well, that's me done with the EC - yay!! I'm having 12 weeks of Paclitaxel (taxol) next Michelle. I understand the side effects are less but the tiredness is more as you've experienced... Thanks very much for sharing that; the swallowing sounds quite uncomfortable. I have difficulty swallowing the first 4 days of EC so will see how I fare on the new regime. Xx ... View more

Sorry for the radio silence this week. I've had my nephew staying with me and he's been having abut of a tough time so I've been spending my time with his this week. Its been good to look after someone else and he's been excellent company. Im sad to hear about your difficult week Dorabel and Christine. Those down days come on quickly don't they? I hope they have passed or at least passing for you both. I find them the most difficult of the side effects as there's no pill to ease them but I'm pleased that the wonderful words from Michelle and Gigi soothed you as much as they did me.. Thank you both for sharing them, they really hit the spot. I'm having my final EC today then a 3 week break before starting Taxol. We're going home at the end of next week to Scotland to see family and friends and also going over to Shetland for 6 days. I can't wait and hope I'll stay well. Winshell - that sounds like a real pain for you but hopefully it's all sorted now and the rest of the treatment will run to plan and you have an even better consultant.. Sarah, enjoy your food and filming.. We'll look out for you on the one show! Gigi - best of luck with the port fitting and chemo . It's not the most pleasant thing but it's doable... And by this stage of the treatment you're definitely tough enough for it! 🙂 Warmest wishes to you all for a good day and a sunny Bank Holiday weekend. You are, as ever, a huge support and an inspiration Fiona x ... View more