Breast Cancer Now Forum

Aley - my nails have horizontal stripes & are getting really discoloured.  I was also advised to wear nail varnish & keep rubbing in cutical & nail oils / creams and hope for the best.   Kath - I hope everything went well today for you.  I’ve just had my 5th session of paclitaxel.  Managed to get some meds from the doctor for oral thrush so let’s hope it works.    I also woke noticed yesterday that half of my right eyebrow has dissapeared, along with a chunk of eyelashes on same eye.   😉   Stay well ladies xx ... View more

      Hi Everyone.  Hope you’re all doing ok. A Little Pixie - I do hope you get switched to weekly treatments soon.  I was so worried when they said i’d Have to start weekly paclitaxel, but to be honest it’s so much more manageable than 3 weekly FEC and the SE’s are not as severe.  I’ve had some rib pain but nothing like you describe.  Sending you a big hug xx   Today i’ve been to have my blood tests for genetic test - will have results in 3 weeks.  If it’s positive, i’ll join a drug trial for women with BRACA gene & TNBC.  It’ll be 12 months on either a real drug or a placebo, but it’s peace of mind knowing they’ll be keeping an eye on me when chemo is finished.   Now I need to pysche myself up for going back to work for few hours tomorrow.  It’s getting so busy in run up to Christmas & am feeling guilty that i’m leaving everything to my OH.  Xx ... View more

    Hi Everyone. Hope you’re all doing ok.   A Little Pixie - I do hope they get you switched to weekly Paclitaxel.  I was so worried when I was told they wanted me to switch to weekly treatments, but to be honest it’s been much more manageable than 3 weekly FEC.  I’ve had some pain in my ribs but nothing like what you’re describing.  Sending a big hug xx   Today was my blood tests for BRACA testing.  Now just got to wait 3 weeks for results.  If it’s a positive, i’ll join a drug trial at the end of my chemo for 12 months.  It’s for those with a genetic link & TNBC.  I won’t know if i’m on a real drug or a placebo, but it’s extra peace of mind that they’ll be keeping a close eye on me.     Am now going to psyche myself up for going into work for few hours tomorrow to help my OH.  It’s getting so busy on run up to Christmas and i’m feeling guilty that i’m at home all day.     Xx ... View more

Thanks Sue. i tried the frozen pineapple last night & it definitely does help.  I’ve just ordered some ice lolly holders & am going to make pineapple lollies. Xx ... View more

I’m having daily nosebleeds - not heavy but annoying. I have also had one weekend with a very upset stomach, stomach pain & pain in my rib cage ( this might be more to do with breast surgery than chemo? ). Also have the worst taste ever in my mouth - I did get oral thrush when I was on FEC, now it’s just a permanent bad taste. I’ve had 4 weekly sessions so far - 2 paclitaxel & Carboplatin & 2 paclitaxel single doses. I’m also having my next session on Thursday - Good luck & hope you don’t feel too rough xx ( PS I have generally faired a lot better on weekly paclitaxel than I did on FEC ) ... View more

Hi Kath, i think there are a few of us suffering from hot flushes & they do disrupt your sleep.  I woke up at 3am this morning & couldn’t get back to sleep.  Like you i’m on weekly Paclitaxel.  The only positive is that my consultant did say that once chemo was finished, it should stop & am hoping that’s the end of all things menopausal - lets hope & pray! Have taken to sleeping on a towel so I can mop my bald sweaty little head as & when needed.   🤣 🤣 xx   ... View more

Those hot sweats are hideous.  They started just at night, but am now having them daytime too.  Thought the whole menopause thing was over for me as I had a hysterectomy 9 years ago, but thanks to chemo, it’s all back with a vengeance.  It just keeps on giving doesn’t it 😡 😡 ... View more

Hello Lovely Ladies. Seems like everyone is suffering this week.   Gaby - I sympathise over the horrid taste.  I had my double dose of Paclitaxel & Carbo on Thursday and since have had cystitis, sore tummy & rib pain, daily nosebleeds & that awful taste, so have been feeling sorry for myself for last few days.  Don’t stress about the EC just yet - take it one step at a time & it seems more do-able.  Not sure if EC is like FEC but with just 2 of the drugs instead of 3 ?   A Little Pixie - so sorry to hear you’re suffering so much my lovely.  I agree with everyone that you need to ask for some stronger painkillers to make it more bearable.  I’ve been getting quite a lot of pain in my ribs but the oncologist just said to see how it goes as it’s not such common SE with drugs i’m on.  If it does keep on, she said she’d organise a scan to see what’s going on as it’s possibly to do with lingering healing from breast surgery.    Lisa T - i’m with you.  The taste doesn’t seem quite so bad when you’re actually eating, so i’m guilty of picking constantly at the moment,  have put on 1/2 stone in last couple weeks 🐷 🐷   Has anyone tried the fizzy vitamin c tablet dissolved on the tongue? Just 1/2 tablet each night.  One of the ladies on an earlier thread suggested it for oral thrush but it does help a little in clearing that awful taste & as it’s only vitamin c, doesn’t cause any problems.   Looking forward to spending the day with OH tomorrow.  Haven’t seen much of him the last week or so as he was working away last weekend & has been busy all of this week.   Enjoy what’s left of the weekend xx           ... View more

Good morning all.   Gaby - I did the shave thing in 2 stages.  I went to my hairdresser at first and asked for a really short pixie cut. I had that for almost 2 weeks then my hair started to really thin out so I got my hubby to do a number 2 all over with his clippers.  That lasted only about a week, then I started to get bald patches, so I basically rubbed my head over the sink & the rest of it pretty much came out.   I had my stepdaughter & my best friend there, but had a no tears rule because I was trying to be positive about it & to be honest I handled it a lot better that I thought I would.  I had long curls which I loved, but being bald is not the worst part of the situation we find ourselves in! If using clippers you do have different settings, so you can choose the longest one to start with or go to the hairdresser & try the pixie cut.  Pinterest is great to check out cropped cuts. You can do this - be strong, be positive 💪 💕   Well all went well yesterday.  My oncologist has agreed that I can complete my chemo before Christmas.  I was due to have my last session just before New Year, but she’s happy to knock the last one on the head.  Then had my counselling session for the genetic testing, followed by a walk round the Christmas markets which was lovely but really cold & damp.  Today i’m feeling exhausted so it’s going to be a quiet one as it’s chemo again tomorrow.  Double dose of Paclitaxel & Carboplatin.  What joys!   hope everyone is well xx       ... View more

Happy Birthday Lisa.  Enjoy your trip to Newby Bridge.  Sounds like the perfect way to escape for a few days.   Can’t agree more about the boredom.  I’ve already bought most of my presents for Christmas and today started to write out Christmas cards.  Don’t know what I’m going to do once we do get into December 🙃 .   At least tomorrow is a busy day.  Bloods 1st thing in the morning followed by an appointment with my oncologist.  Then in the afternoon, I have my therapy session for genetic testing and as i’ll be in Manchester for the afternoon, we’re going to have a little wander around the Christmas markets before heading home.     Hope everyone has a good week xx ... View more

Evening All   Mama Tony - I had my surgery before chemo.  I had a double mastectomy although my surgeon was not at all keen because as you say they don’t want to remove a healthy boob.  I had to have counselling to prove that I felt this was the right thing for me.  If it’s something you do feel strongly about, dig your heels in.  I argued with my surgeon for over an hour but in the end he did agree to do it.  Unfortunately I lost one of the bloody implants due to an infection & have to go back for more surgery after chemo now 😢   Today’s been a hugely emotional day as we’ve been to the funeral of a friend who died of a brain tumour. It was a beautiful service & lovely to see so many friends there, but now feeling drained.     Love to everyone. X ... View more

Morning ladies, I think we’re all feeling the same about Christmas, but let’s hope that as we get into the New Year, we’re all close to being finished with chemo & it’s nasty SE’s.  I’ve got 7 more weekly treatments to get through, the last one due just before NY, but my consultant said she might cancel the last one & let me finish at Christmas. It still seems like a long way off though - especially with the latest SE being daily undignified ‘bottom explosions’.  Hope you all have a relaxing Sunday.  Love & hugs Jacqs x ... View more

Hi Ladies, I’m from the September thread but was just looking at your comments below re menopause.  I had a partial hysterectomy 9 years ago & started with menopausal symptoms a few years ago.  I thought I was past that but having started chemo, the night sweats have come back with a vengeance.  Until tonight, I had never heard of the magnet thing, but I have bought a cool pillow.  It’s effectiveness is limited. It’s ok at the beginning of the night if you can stand the faint smell of rubber, but it does warm up during the night & gets a bit sticky. I’m always willing to try anything, but maybe you don’t need to spend too much on one - mine was from Boots by JML.   I did however try the tip of using 1/2 an effervescent vitamin c tablet before going to bed - just let it melt on your tongue.  I didn’t have my first hot sweat till 4am which is a result for me.  Also they’re great for helping with normal thrush, so results all round.   Best of luck with everything x ... View more

Thanks For the advice again Gaby. i didn’t eat during the treatment yesterday cause I was too nervous waiting to see if I had any allergic reactions.  Funnily enough I felt a little spaced during the pre-meds which did include Piriton.   As for forgetfullness, hell yes.  It’s a nightmare.  If I don’t write it down, things just go right out of my head. not feeling too bad today.   wishing everyone a good weekend x   ... View more

Hi everyone.  Hope you’re all keeping well & not suffering too much this week. I changed to my new treatment plan today & spent 5 hours on the ward due to an allergic reaction to the Paclitaxel.  Had really bad hot flush to neck & chest, heart rate, temperature & blood pressure all spiked so they had to give me more antihistamines & then a break to see if it settled down.  I did manage to finish the treatment, then carried on with the Carboplatin without any further issues.  Got home at 7pm & now just feeling slightly anxious to see what SE play out with these new drugs.   8 more treatments to go. Gaby - have you suffered much with nausea on these drugs.  I found that the nausea after my last FEC treatment last3d almost 3 weeks.   ... View more

Hi Everyone.  Hope you are all keeping well &  ... View more

Thanks - will definitely try it x ... View more

Really cold watermelon is quite soothing at the moment.  Worth trying if your struggling with bad taste / oral thrush. ... View more

Thanks for the input Gaby.  I suppose i’ve Got to think that it’s 2 more months & then the worst is over.  Enjoy your gardening.  I’m making soup then off for afternoon out with hubby. It’s sunny but cold so just going to wrap up.   Aley - I have a central line which is similar I think.  It makes life so much easier than being used as a pincushion every time they try to get bloods.  Definitely worth it I would say. i know the oral thrush & bad taste in your mouth is awful.  Keep persevering.  Mine’smuch better after about a week on nystatin but not completely gone.   Enjoy the sunshine whilst it lasts x ... View more

Hi Aley.  My doctor prescribed Nystatin for my oral thrush.  I’m also using the corsodyl mouthwash twice a day, which is helping.  Hope you’re feeling better soon x ... View more