Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi @GonnaGetThruThis  I wasn’t given any booster injections and I did wonder why not. However in my chemo book my blood results prior to chemo cycle 1 were written in. My neutrophils were 2.3 which I googled and it seems that’s acceptable so I assumed that was why I didn’t need the injections (and probably why I didn’t have many SEs as the injection has SEs all of their own).  It will be interesting moving forward whether I’ll be given them now. I’ve an onc telephone consult tomorrow so should find out then.  I have been given advice about staying away from my two cats as despite good hygiene animals can carry bugs. That will be tough.  Its good to hear you (& everyone else) is doing well.  Imp xx ... View more

Hi @Trowster  & everyone  Great to see you out on your bike. That photo has given me a great lift! Good to hear also that everyone seems to be having a manageable weekend. Enjoy the massage! My neutrophils count is now up to 3.2, 😀 so as long as my temp stays normal looking to go home this evening/tomorrow morning. However the injection has given me side effect of bone pain and the trots! ☹️  Hey ho these things are sent to try us. 🤞 it soon passes.  Take care everyone Imp xx ... View more

Hi everyone Just a quick update  Although I feel well my neutrophils have gone down again today so I’ve had an injection to help  Thankfully all my other vitals are reading normal  Medics still can’t find any source of infection so awaiting blood cultures as by all accounts we all carry 7 bugs in our own bodies  The thought makes me cringe as I’m a bit OCD with cleanliness/health germs 🙈 I had headache first 3 days of chemo I upped fluids and took paracetamol and it did shift by day four. Hope that works for those of you suffering. I’m unsure who has what steroids but I was told to take mine after breakfast so not to interfere with sleep and my friend who took two lots made sure second dose taken by 2pm.  Wishing everyone a lovely evening.  Imp xx ... View more

Hi.  Now I’m here I think it would be a good idea to pack PJs with short or no sleeves, any ongoing meds, toiletries, phone and charger, book/puzzles/pen, wet wipes, hand gel, bottled water, underwear, slippers.  I will certainly have one packed from now on. Didn’t do it as didn’t want to tempt fate but look where that got me!  Hopefully nobody will need to use their bag 🤞 . They think I’ve a high tolerance level that doesn’t recognise when my body is ill. I knew that as I would never ever thought I had breast cancer. I am very fit and rarely get poorly. Hey ho I guess. I’ll just keep on with onwards and upwards! Thanks to everyone for your kind messages. Much appreciated.  Imp xx ... View more

Hi everyone sorry to say I’m writing this from a hospital bed. After lunch I felt shivery so took my temperature. It was 37.9 so admitted to oncology unit. Loads of tests and result was my neutrophils are in my boots. They can’t believe I managed a 2 mile walk yesterday and did my cleaning this morning.  However I don’t feel poorly. I’m gutted I’ve got to day 15 with hardly any SEs and then this.  I’m now on a clinical ward awaiting more antibiotics. I didn’t have a hospital bag packed so had to rely on hubby. I forgot to ask him for my dry eye ointment and my anti sick pills 🙈 hey ho a night of discomfort I feel.  Jessica you look fabulous!  Wishing everyone an uneventful weekend.  Imp xx ... View more

Morning everyone I hope those of you having your first treatment today have a good day and all goes well.  The chemo has decided a two prong attack on me today, top and bottom, literally! Day 15 and my hair is shedding but worst of all I have piles despite not being constipated. I’ve only suffered twice before, pregnancy and a stomach bug years ago. It’s really debilitating as it hurts to move. I’ve taken painkillers and used the cream and I’m going to try an Epsom salt bath.  I guess I’m lucky to have got to say 15 with no adverse effects so I’ll take it on the chin. Onwards and upwards! Wishing everyone a good day.  Imp xx ... View more

Hi @SnorkMaiden  I hope your surgery has gone well. I am 9 weeks post surgery left side mastectomy.  My way of coping was to put all my energy into feeling well. It’s important that you move your arm and do the exercises. I really concentrated on this rather than the loss of my breast.  Once the dressings/drains were off I was shocked at how I looked, however most of how you look is due to bruising and swelling. How I looked 9 weeks ago is vastly different to how I look now. I wish I’d have realised that at the time so hang in there.  I am now wearing a bra with a softee in (awaiting my prosthesis). Surprisingly it is comfortable and I forget it’s there. It took a couple of weeks to get used to but you do.  When I felt low I told myself that I’d rather be fit and well with one breast than be ill with two breasts.  Wishing you a good recovery.  PS there are some lovely bras out there too!  Imp x ... View more

Hi @Heels to walking boots  Wishing you all the best for Friday. I felt better for having started my treatment as I hate waiting. Plus a beginning means an end is on the horizon   Like Louise65 I’m on day 13 and I’m fine. Went for a drive with hubby today (I’m not mixing so to avoid infection - I’m calling it my personal lockdown) but it was nice to get out into the countryside. My sore gums are no more. To be honest my mastectomy scar tissue is causing me more issues than the chemo SEs. I’ve asked for a re referral to physio for some help with it.  My energy levels are not what they were but then I usually do everything at 100 miles an hour so that might not be a bad thing.  This week seems to be going much quicker than the first week which is a bonus.  My hair is still intact but I’ve collected my wig and I love it. I’ve also been told the ladies at the wig unit will shave my hair for me when it starts to thin/fall out. I’m really pleased with that as I didn’t fancy doing it myself nor sitting in the hairdressers surrounded by glamour.  Good luck to everyone starting treatment this week and wishing a good week for those already on the chemo journey.  Imp xx ... View more

Hi everyone I haven’t posted for a while but I’ve been following the thread  I’m pleased to hear everyone is getting through this and many of us are feeling better   I am on day 11 of EC1 and it feels like I’m back to my normal self  My only side effect is my hair which is lifeless   In terms of sickness I was told the anti sickness tablet stops it in its tracks  I’ve hung on to this thought and taken just one pill with breakfast and it has worked so far   Sending good wishes to those of you yet to start your treatment   I can honestly say days 1-3 I felt yuk but not poorly. Days 4-8 slightly sore gums and tired but day 8 to now I feel fine   I know we all have different drugs and can react differently but just wanted to share my experience for anyone who has just started/about to start   Impatience x         ... View more

@Louise65  I am really sorry to hear you are feeling rough. I can only echo others in the group who say food little and often and exactly what you fancy. I’m finding softer food more digestible and I’m putting warm milk on my breakfast cereal. This seems to help with my digestion and sore gums.  I know we are all different but just in case it helps I take 30mg lansaprozole on waking then have breakfast half an hour after with an anti sickness pill  I hope you have a better weekend and yes grab hold of one week done!  That’s an achievement to celebrate!  Wishing everyone else a good weekend too.  Imp. X ... View more

Hi @Fairie @hopeful1974  Really pleased to hear your first sessions went well and wishing you well moving forward. I’m Day 7 and the fatigue is ever present. However I reckon somebody somewhere is really taking the proverbial as I’m on chemo but had to pluck the hairs from my chin this morning!! Now that’s not fair!  @GonnaGetThruThis I bet the scarves will look great.  Lots of good positive vibes to everyone. Take care.  Imp x ... View more

Hi @GonnaGetThruThis (Kim) This forum is a great place to get all you need to say out there. Sometimes when things are written down it helps. I’m sorry to hear you had such a rough time Sunday but again it’s best to get it out. I call those times by mini meltdowns! I am in day 5 of the first cycle so happy to share with you. Day one was like I had a procedure. I had headache and felt a bit nauseous but wasn’t sick and I had an early night. Second day better with just a fuzzy head rather that head ache. Third day I took a couple of paracetamol and it cleared my head. Yesterday the fourth day was a normal day and I went to the wig clinic. Today so far another good day. I’ve tackled a pile of ironing and I’m off walking after tea.  I take anti sickness pill with my breakfast and that is working for me. I’ve felt slightly constipated so I’ve been on prunes and custard, multi grain bread and high fibre cereal and lots of warm cups of tea. 🤞 that’s working for me too. My gums have felt ever so slightly sore like when you’ve brushed them too hard but I’m cleaning my teeth after every meal and then rinsing with Difflam mouthwash and again under control 🤞 .  Mentally I do have a nap if my eyes are closing, I get out of the house every day and like you I keep a journal. I write the medical stuff in, how I’m feeling, a tick off day page and a positive page. I try to make sure something positive goes on there. Yesterday it was I managed to go to the loo!!  I did this when I had my mastectomy and I can recommend it.  Wishing you all the best on this unwanted journey and together we will all get through that tunnel. Take care.  Imp xx ... View more

@simplyeve  Can I just say what an amazing person you are! To cope with your loss, whilst sorting out all the practicalities and emotions that brings as well as your own personal BC treatment leaves me in awe.  The fact you have taken time to post on the forum with all that you have had going on is so thoughtful and supportive.  Wishing you all the best with your treatment and moving forwards for you and your family. Take care.  Also sending lots of positive vibes for everyone starting their treatments today/tomorrow. We can all do this!   Imp xxx ... View more

Hi @Louise65  @Just keep going  @GonnaGetThruThis  Good to hear you are getting out with the dogs Louise65 and great you enjoyed your meal. These little things will keep us going through this. I’m also on day 4. I managed to clear the fuzzy head yesterday with 2 paracetamol. My mouth feels a bit sore this morning but the hospital gave me Difflam to rinse with which I’ve used. It’s only mild at the moment. With this heat it’s difficult to know what effect is heat and what is chemo!  Hope you have a good day Louise65 Wishing everyone else a good week. For those of you starting chemo this week it’s the start to an end. That thought got me through the first day.  I’m loving the mantra onwards and upwards!  Imp x   ... View more

Thanks @hopeful1974 that is good to know.  The forum is good for sharing previous experience and I’m really grateful for that.  @Louise65 Seems you and I are probably reacting to chemo in the same way   Let’s hope for a less “fuzzy” day tomorrow Enjoy your evening   Imp     ... View more

Hi  @Louise65  I am on day two of cycle one and I’ve had a fuzzy head all day and quite tired. Just want to close my eyes. I don’t feel unwell and my temp is okay but like you it’s annoying.  I’m back at the centre Monday so I’m going to pop in and check it’s okay  Of course if I feel unwell I’ll call OOH   i hope you get some relief soon and I would be interested to see what OOH say  Imp x   ... View more

Don’t know why the word Spoiler has popped up in my last post?!?! Obviously pressed a wrong key. Oops sorry x Imp ... View more

Hi I didn’t get any injections given although I’ve got the steroids and anti sickness pills. I wonder why? I’m back at the centre on Monday to look for a wig so I’ll ask.  Thanks for the info re paracetamol. Like Louise65 I’ve got the fuzzy head today. I’m trying to drink more but I’m finding that hard which won’t help.  ‘Normalish’ is a good way to describe yesterday and this morning. I’ve done household chores and will be walking later. I’m impressed with the visit to Asda Louise65. Go girl! Wishing everyone that has a session or an appointment for next week the best.  Take care   Imp     ... View more

Hi @Louise65  I too had my first EC today and just the same as you. As the final bit of the drug went in I got headache and a sensation at the bridge of my nose.  Its been with me all day. I’ve tried to drink water (I did 4 pints yesterday) but today I just can’t seem to get it down. I’ve managed the headache and tried to keep in my usual routine. After our evening meal we did our usual 2 mile stroll and it felt so good to be outside.  Other than the headache I’ve felt okay and managed to do household chores and I’ve eaten lunch and dinner   I hope you have a good evening/night   Take care   Imp x     ... View more

Hi @GonnaGetThruThis  Just wanted to say ‘welcome aboard’. I know it’s a journey we would not choose but there will be support all the way.  Imp.  ... View more