Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm sorry to read the tough week you ladies have had. Gigi, I had the port fitted on the Wed the started chemo on Friday so it can be used straight away. I haven't, fingers crossed, had any issues with it though it was uncomfortable to sleep on for a good few weeks it's been fine since . That's such a shame this clot has thrown your schedule out, how frustrating and how utterly unacceptable that you were left in the dark so much...scary! My week has been quite good and managed to spend this afternoon in the garden. My chemo rash has gone wild on my face however and resemble an acned teenager... Hopefully it will pass and really its nothing in the scheme of things, it just feels like it is sent as I was coping too well this week!! I hope that those having their R3 tomorrow manage well and that it is a thoroughly uneventful day X ... View more

And I should have added that I also think it would be lovely to meet once we're through this... I'm in East London. ... View more

Dorabel, so pleased that your temp is back down. That must have been a bit scary. The hope you're feeling better now. I think your comment is spot on. Just feeling better feels great... I feel I turned my R2 week 1 corner on Fri and just feeling like myself again feels amazing! I had my hair chopped really short on Friday and surprisingly I love it so I'll have a nice short cut for a few weeks at least until it all goes. Your hair cutting with the bikini trimmer made me laugh, the situations we end up in through this! At least youre keeping your humour about it, vital I find hope you're all having a good day ladies ...xx ... View more

HI Sally I'm not sure it's the same but I've been given a white blood cell booster the day after both my EC rounds. The only side effect has been that limbs felt a bit achy but it passed within a few days but nothing more that some ibuprofen didn't take the edge off. Hope it helps get you back on track x ... View more

Hi Christine, I also had a mastectomy and immediate diep on 28 Feb and like Gigi I too have been very pleased. I'm 43 so was very worried about how it would look but mainly about the extent of the surgery, especially as you just only tend to find horror stories but my tummy scar has healed amazingly and my reconstructed breast looks great. I was very worried about it but so pleased. If I hadn't been referred unexpectedly for chemo after the mastectomy I think I'd be almost back to my pre cancer/surgery self! Great news on the wig Sarah, so good to hear. Michelle, are you thinking about Sepilok for the orangutans ? I went about 15 yrs ago and it was amazing! Dorabel, I'm biting the bullet tomorrow and having it all cut off... Gigi, I'm not brave enough for your DIY approach.. Hope you've all had a good day, stay well. X ... View more

That's great news, Gigi.. have a super day and enjoy that swing in the sun this afternoon x ... View more

Thanks Christine, it's odd how we are impacted in similar but different ways but somehow reassuring in a strange way! And please, moan away... I'm Sorry you've had a rubbish sleep, it really does seem to impact the whole day but maybe a nap in the afternoon might help? . I haven't been having nose problems but have been using antihistamine spray because of hay-fever so maybe that's helping. I tend to wake with a headache on many days and have 2 paracetamol and a big drink of water and then go slow for 45 mins . The nurse suggested that it seems to be helping me anyway. I hope your day gets better Christine and maybe have this as a very slow day x Michele, I pm'd you the full link if you're interested, it has further research detail . X ... View more

Morning, me again... Sorry for the pre 9am barrage of comment but i wanted to ask if anyone else is experiencing shaking in their hands? It happened a few times yesterday evening and as I was making breakfast this morning my right hand started shaking quite strongly again. It stops shaking when I stop what I'm doing then my hand/arm feels a bit tired... Ive looked up and it is a known side effect but usually later in treatment. Thanks as ever. Fiona x ... View more

Good morning ladies, I hope today will be a good one for all and that those feeling the effects of the treatment more acutely this time will find they are starting to ease. I'm so pleased we have here to share our concerns and moans and that this group set up ensures we see we're often experiencing these things on a similar time line. It sure was hot yesterday and I varied between loving it and wanting to swim in the ponds with the dog! I managed to stay on the sides tho.. Thanks for the food information, I really wasn't every aware at all of some of that. I read an interesting article in the guardian this morning that ties in well with what my onoc nurses have been keen to ensure I know, about how efficient exercise is easing the effects of chemo. I know we mentioned it earlier in this group but hope you don't mind if I share?* that studies in Australia have started to show that If exercise could be made into a pill, it would prescribed to every cancer patient in the world, according to researchers in Australia. The advice comes in a statement from the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, which has launched a push to promote the benefits of patients keeping active. The lead author, Prof Prue Cormie from the Australian Catholic University, said the advice was based on “indisputable” evidence. “We know now that people who exercise regularly experience fewer and less severe treatment side-effects; cancer-related fatigue, mental distress, quality of life.”.... My onco nurse had actually told me that in the days when im just exhausted by the fatigue , even 5 deep squats on those days can be the difference to the experience next day, it doesn't have to be a 5m walk or 1hr pilates every day which made me feel much better! I appreciate that it is Each to their own journey but thought it might be of interest to share xx Enjoy your day, I hope it's a sunny as the one we're waking up to in London ☀️👍 ... View more

Thanks Dorabel and it's so lovely to see the gardens coming into bloom. For me, One silver lining of having to slow down is being able to take time to enjoy the garden as I'm usually to busy with to really enjoy! Enjoy your gernaiums! X ... View more

Morning ladies, this will probably be a long one as i I'm pleased to report that round 2 chemo went well , my port worked though needed a tiny bit of sharp adjustment but then it was excellent - I was reminded that it's a baby port so still settling down. I am also feeling a million times better than 1st as they've found an sickness that I'm not allergic to so that the my experience this time has been far better. Its really amazing when it actually does what I expected and stop the sickness rather than heighten it as before. I felt so much better that yesterday I had a lovely day of garden centre in the morning and a 2hr dog walk in afternoon . Figured I'd get out while I felt good as expect I will get tired in the next few days. I also made the decision not to cold cap any more and as I've thinking about for 3 weeks that it felt such a weight off my shoulders and I've made the right choice for me. I'm going to have my chin length Bob cut very short mid week and take it from there. I feel I'm able to take control of just this one aspect of the experience and as I suffered such terrible migraines after the first cap it just didn't seem worth the further pain and what was becoming a constant worry of how much will fall, so with my turbans, I am going to" style it out" as my neice says! I think Not working during this time makes the decision easier for me but mainly, I think that not having my hair will help me look more like I feel at this stage, rather that outwardly like the pre chemo me and that when my hair comes back it will be a signal that it's over. I've been really overcome by the positive support my family and close friends have given since I told them. After I made my decision I was Introduced to a lovely lady at the clinic on Thursday who was on the exact same path as me but 10 weeks in front and had aslo made the decision at the same stage as me and seem to have made it for the same reasons as me. Gigi, she was wearing your namesake suburban turban and said its been her favourite! She looked great in it. As for eating, which I couldn't last time for about a week but I'm able to eat again which is so nice though perhaps the 2 ice creams were a bit much!? I did however have a terrible nights sleep with insane acid reflux burn despite all my ranitiden and omaprazole so I've woken feeling a bit groggy this morning but hubby brought me tea and toast and I've take my first anti sick of the day so it's passing quickly. Again, a makes improvement on round 1 I'm hoping to get out into the garden again today. I so wanted a swing but London terraced house gardens don't quite have the size to fit it so we brought a new non swinging bench instead and I'm hoping to spend a day pottering and sitting looking out in the sun... Definitely with factor 50, my face was really hot last night after my walk even with a hat and factor 30! As ever I've been inspired reading your progress and support of each other, and me, over the last days and welcome to the new joiners too ... I really am so very thankful to be in this group and I hope that you all have a good day.. Xx Fiona ... View more

It's definitely been difficult for my husband too. On the outside he's been amazing but he's definitely had some tough times - mainly driven he says by seeing what I'm having to go through and not being able to take it on. After the surgery was really tough for him but it definitely broke his heart seeing me hooked up for the first chemo. He's very open about how he feels though, probably due to his Russian upbringing rather than being a repressed Brit like me! But we have been super lucky and our nurse specialist has been a huge support for both of us separately. Gigi - I did buy a turban - well I've actually ordered 2 to try.. The merle and the maye so will see how they look. I'm trying to decide whether to give up on the cold cap and just to brave the shave on the hair and go for turbans..anyone else thought whether they're going to keep going with cold capping? I thought I could stop it when i finish EC and start with 12 weekly Paclitaxel but seems I'd need to do it weekly then too which seems necessary suffering!.. I know it's a decision only I can make unfortunately but keen to know others thoughts if you can bare to discuss. Christine, good for you going to the gym - I really need to get back into it. I've been walking but like you and Michelle, I feel I need to sweat it out some more.. Maybe next week! Gigi, hope your throat gets better, windshell I hope the extra sleep will help revive you and Dorabel, hope your skin heals quickly, maybe some gauze over it might help? Sorry for the super long message, I think I'm getting it all in there as know I won't feel like it over the next few days. Thanks for the good wishes for tomorrow - on the plus side, it'll be another one down! Fiona x ... View more

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time at the moment Michelle. The hair aspect seems particularly cruel - especially after the extreme discomfort we out ourselves through with the cap. Mine has really stated to come out a lot over the last few days and virtually all my public hair seemed to fall out this morning in a single shower which was a bit of a shock! I'm due round 2 tomorrow and, as I was before the first session, finding myself quite tearful today. I don't think the horrid weather is helping. I've been seeing a specialist oncologist psychologist since I was diagnosed and I've certainly found it extremely helpful to try get some sort of a grip on this. She's based privately in London but her name is Amanda Ramirez if interested. Thanks for the suburban turban tip noahandwillsmummy... . I quite fancy the 1950s looking one and it's quite reasonably priced as well as the big grey/lavender one. I hope you find some comfort today michelle and send positive thoughts to you and all the April ladies xx Fiona ... View more

Morning Christine, I've only been to one lunch with a group of friends and I was a bit anxious before we went. And, though we definitely did talk about me and the cancer for a little while, it really was only a tiny amount and then moved onto other topics that others wanted to talk about. I found it really good actually, hearing about everyone else and what they're up to and laughing too. It really took my mind of just thinking about my treatment etc and also just reminded me that this is temporary. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a good day. X ... View more

Hi Linda, I've been having those spots on my cheeks and side of face the last few days as well. I used one of my antibacterial wipes on my face last night and it seems to have settled today which may or may not be related! Im also struggling with not planning, it's definitely taking some practice to be more in the moment but I'm getting better though still get cross knowing that there are certain events I'll miss this year. Gygi pleased to see there seems to be the same reverence in your house as in mine! As for men shedding hair, I've had more than one of my male friends and my brother in law ask if they think the cold cap might help with their hair loss🤣 Good night ladies. Fiona ... View more

Thanks Michelle..good to know on both counts! I think I get a voucher for a wig but haven't received it yet..and reassuring to know its not just me and Dorabel having those swallowing issues! Enjoy you day x ... View more

Ladies, are your wigs automatically offered as part of your treatment or did you go to someone independently? I saw someone about a hair system before i started chemo but it will take 5 weeks if I decide to go ahead. I think I'll know more next week before my next chemo on Thursday as it will be 3 weeks since my first cold cap. Some days I think I'll just let it go and will be fine but other days I can't imagine how I'd feel if it does. Also, instead of mouthwashes I've just been using salt water after every meal/snack and it's been working well. I suffer from ulcers but so far this has kept them at bay and found it more gentle than bought mouthwashes. Dorabel, I'm also struggling with swallowing pills which I've never had an issue with either. A strange side effect! Its so reassuring to hear from all of you who have have had round 2 this week, you all sound in good form! Hoping it continues for all over the coming days. X Fiona ... View more

Hungover is exactly how I described the mornings on the first week after my first EC, Fitful ! I found just sleeping when I was tired and pottering when I could was how I spent the first few days... Hope you continue to do well. ... View more

Oh Michelle, I'm so sorry to hear that. I've been having that fear too, of making it impossible to hide it when, until now, you've been powering through and it's your choice who you tell. You're a week ahead of me but so haven't yet experienced it so can only imagine ... It seems to cruel that we go through the pain and still it's no guarantee. I think that on days like this a good cry is absolutely in order... Thinking of you x ... View more

Sorry I accidentally sent that too soon. I was going to say that I had terrible back pain as I have collapsed discs when I had my chemo but some of the meds they gave me to counter the effects of the chemo actually helped dull the back pain! I hope that it isn't any harder for you that at all possible. X ... View more