Breast Cancer Now Forum

7.8 WBC ? That's what i had to start with. Cool, you are keeping it up! Out of interest : how has everybodys WBC / neu reacted so far, as most have had 2 or more sessions. Is there a general trend downwards ( as with me, 4.6 today)? And do you have any idea if your WBC boosters do anything. I have one WBC boost injection the day after. And definite bone ache for a few days during second cycle, which apparently means that the boosting happened. Ninja, you had a rough time! I really hope, even though weekly, its overall more manageable for you. Big virtual hug. Rexi x ... View more

Ninja, weekly poisons? Gosh, I didn't realise. When did you start and how many sessions are scheduled? what's the dx? Sounds like your bc is 'special'? Rexi xx ... View more

Am in a similar position, if the cover pays out, which they have not confirmed yet. Am dx with gradeIII IBC, so shouldn't be a discussion about payout, I hope. I think paying off some or even most of the mortgage is a good move, as it is less strain on monthly outgoings and will give us options re part time/ full-time working, too. We are also hoping to take some of the money and treating ourselves to a fab holiday, when I am healthy enough to go - to New Zealand. One destination on my list of things to do. We will be taking our au pair with us, too, as a thank you for sticking with us through dx and treatment and because she is great. I dont have family in the country, but OH, children, au pair and friends are making more than up for it. Money from the insurance will make this possible. Without thinking thoughts that are to dark, but I am glad I do also have a life insurance, which will make my OH and children financially secure. Rexi ... View more

Marie, oh what a shame to have to move. It all to be safe. Take it easy, relax, eat well - if you can.. Do you know what caused the stomach upset? I have very acidy stomach for some days each cycle - best for me seem to be zantac, but even better camomile tea - really calms it down.  Ninja, talked to the onc today. He had a platelet count from 1 year ago ( health screening through work ) and platelets were 102 then too. When started 6 weeks ago, I told him that I have very dry eyes and a constant, very uncomfortable dry mouth, which began before I was dx. He requested another blood test there and then to check something re my autoimmune system. Strangely 3 days after the first chemo my mouth went back to normal, and he confirmed today that the blood test came back positive, so something is not quite right. At the moment chemo seem to help for the symptoms ( dry eyes, dry mouth and the platelets) of the underlying problem, and we ll have to see what happens when I am done with chemo... Weird, ey. So, no need for your platelets at the mo, thanks for the offer 🙂 Bertha, sorry to hear about your hols. You are still going to go though! Wehey 🙂 Wbc - I was wondering what you were on about ;). Totally get it - had chemo brain after ec1 and nothing was quite working in my head, which is why I warned my colleagues not to take anything I say in the first week after treatment for granted. I ve been ok since, but I still think it's a good rule. 🙂  Who is being poisoned this week / dealing with SEs from last? Sandytoes, you have been quiet for a few days, you ok? Ooh, as you are the expert on ports here - had my first access after implantation today - not much fun,  that was.. They got it in at the 4th attempt - ouch. The first one looked ok, inserting the special needle is less painful than needle in the arm, but it hurt badly when they flushed. A lot of prodding and two more failed attempts later and voila it worked as it should. No pain, bloods easy, E could go in more quickly too. More bruised now, but the port is still the biz.  Adminstar - I had to look up miasma 🙂 not sure it fits my perception. With chemo brain, I compared it to having cotton wool in my brain, I am also less concerned about non essential stuff, and I am just more tired in general, which I simply succumb to. I find, the tiredness is a bit similar to early and late pregnancy tiredness, cant help it, it just is. Rexi x ... View more

hiya, waiting for my poisons to arrive. bloods were good - with my platelets shooting up from borderline 99 to 246?! was it the papaya leaf extract or just a freakish coincidence? so the platelets are good this week - cool. WBC have gone down a bit again, but still in normal range. Bertha - 1.3 on which ? WBC? if i understand it correctly, then the neutrophils normal range is 40-70% of the WBC count, so if the WBC is eg 6, then expected neu are 2.4-4.2. Went to see Harry Potter yesterday - family day out. Was very nice. Had a friend/ex-colleague over on Saturday - after knowing nobody in my circle of friend or anybody I have work with to have breast cancer - she was also diagnosed with BC - only a few weeks after myself. It was good to talk as we are in the same position ( she s had an op, they have to go in again this week and then she is waiting for chemo next month) - same as with all of you ladies here - without boring the other person or talking details that others don't really appreciate. No we didn't only talk about BC 😉 - trying to avoid being a cancer bore. Rexi ... View more

Marie, I am going to have my third session tomorrow. Then one more EC then 4 tax.  Good luck to everyone is having their next poisons this week. Re blood counts:  According to the Internet 'normal' is expected to be: Platelets  150k - 400k.  Haemoglobin  12 - 16 White Blood Cells 4 - 11 Neutophils 40 - 70% of WBC  I suppose each onc/hospital then has their own limits what they think is acceptable for chemo.  If I interpret this correctly, I was never in the normal range for platelets, even on day 1 ( had 102, then 99). Let's see if papaya is the wonder food - received my expensive leaf extract capsules a few days ago and just had a papaya for dessert. Bought bunch of dark green veggies, oranges, ...  ... View more

Lorna, Sandytoes - no shrinkage is rotten. My onc said our aim was to stall any growth; so if it's not bigger, it may be as sandytoes onc suggests?  The blooming things are all different, aren't they?Fast growing ones that may react quicker, but also may want to come back again, or hormone dependent ones or slower growing maybe therefore slower reacting ones and probably any combination in between.  I wish the next measurements will show a good measurable change! Kick those *^}^*>#€~+%=][?!< cells! Rexi x ... View more

Hi, I had my first session through a vein in my arm and it already started getting uncomfortable towards the end. It was suggested even before then to get a port and i agreed, however i didnt want to delay the start at all, so the port was fitted on the day of EC2. I was sedated during the procedure and any pain/ discomfort was easily controlled with ibuprofen/paracetamol for the week after. As Ninja says the downsides outweigh any small procedure. I don't think there will be much scaring, besides the bruising I mentioned before - which will disappear - the actual vivible cuts are a .5 cm one on my neck ( which is thin and will not be noticeable) and maybe a 1inch one on the side of the right breast. He positioned it so it will be covered by clothing or even shoulder free top. I have noticed discomfort in the vein in the arm they used the first time - just during the last week. I wonder if that will stay... I am glad I went for it, and hopefully next Monday (EC3) will confirm the 'investment'. Sue, definitely agree - day5/6 are v low. Worst days in regards to feeling low, constipation and sour stomach. Since there seem to be a pattern, I ll prep with everything I learned from the first two ECs. Rexi ... View more

Ooh, drive me nuts when they only give half information and at the time one doesn't think to ask follow up questions. Bugs me when I think of them later and cannot ask. When I get the chemo they put 5 blood test results into my little book where they write the poison amount too. I was borderline on the platelets last time, which were 99 and they want to see 100. Course it doesn't say the measure, so when I looked it up on the Internet, nobody has 99 platelets, they usually talk in 1'000s. People post info about normal platelets are around 150'000+. Does anyone know if I am correct in assuming that I probably have 99'000 platelets (in whatever amount they are looking at)? Then that's lower as they explained but still let me through. I checked with the first time, I only had 102 then... I ll bore them with questions when i am sitting there again next monday. The bcn says nothing can be done to boost, but I rather believe sandytoes and get fresh vit C, I also got papaya leaf capsules. Might give the different honeys a go during the next round. My port is looking alright now - 2 weeks ago today it was put in. the bigger cut is healing well, but still bruised and there are some little red blood pools, but i stopped painkiller at about 7days, it doesn't hurt and the neck (where it connects to the vein) is pretty fine - although - I can see the line under the skin - freaky. Mind you, this way I could spot if it were to take off like sandytoes' 🙂 Head - deffo no painful scalp since i ve shaved it off completely. But, it's growing? Feels bit like my hubby's face 2 days after a shave... I am very happy with my selection of suburban turban scarves and my Chinese wigs (couple of longer hair ones arrived this week - very cool). I need passport pics next month and took some with my hair intact, but I ll get them redone with my wig instead - way better in my case 🙂 ... View more

Good evening Another good day at work. I do like office life. Yes, Lorna, I also noticed a prickly head - so I shaved it off quickly :). My scalp doesn't hurt without hair. Tbh, I assumed once it's gone thats it, it won't grow until after chemo. Doesn't seem to be true. Maybe coz I shaved it? Powerport - have had it now for 12 days and finally the bruising is starting to fade. Sandytoes - did you get the second port?. Good luck for anybody being poisoned this week! ... View more

My bald head doesn't bother me to much, I must admit. I think it's harder if you have nice hair, which I didn't :). Eyebrows and lashes though, I will deffo miss. I will switch over to tax after 4 ECs, so about in sepwill can tell you then, if there is a huge change. Thanks sandytoes, fresh vit c I will add, also now researched a bit and papaya leaf is expected to help, although apparently there is no proper proof. Ah, well, cannot harm. I ve got papaya itself and ordered capsules. Let see if a few days of this, my platelets go up. Would be nice. And glad to hear the emend is working. Seem to be a wonderdrug. I was wondering - does anybody know if it's ok to go to one of these new shops, where you can have fish nibble on your feet? Are we ok doing that, or is there a potential issue with infection? Or would we poison them? Food - I was ok after EC1, but pretty uncontrolled eating since the second lot. Not on the first few days when I take the steroids, but as soon as I stop them. And mainly 'bad' food: fatty & salty. Not good. All thinking how I should be eating healthy, but so much greed for grease.... Doesn't make me happy... X ... View more

Lorna, the wig looks cool. I didn't realise you are a blond! Shame we cant have several pics on our profile. Having bone ache for last couple of days. I thought that would happen straight after the white blood ell boosting injection, but no. The ache seem to be here now - in my hip and lower back bones. I hope this means my blood count is going to be great at the next poison session. Had platelet count of 99 last time, which is just below limit of 100. They still let me go through. Anybody know if there is anything that one can do to up these numbers? Has anybody noticed a change in skin texture? My skin is so soft, specially my face. I can compete with baby skin. Quite liking it, but I wonder if its good or something unpleasant awaits around the next corner? Rexi x ... View more

Hiya, EC2 + 8days - had an ultrasound today to check the lump. I didn't feel around myself, as didn't want to imagine anything, but - the ultrasound and the specialist confirmed the tumour has shrunk! Quite a lot actually - calculating the volume by it's dimensions it is now about a quarter of it's size 6 weeks ago! Woohoo! The doc was pretty pleased as well considering 'only' had 2 chemos.  They also inserted the metal marker, which is just not pleasant, but not as bad as the biopsy. It's the injection that gets me, after that it was fine.  Back at work since yesterday, which is good. I didn't have chemo brain this time, and lucky on the nausea too. I think my 'thing' is: problems with bowels (constipation) and sour stomach (like heartburn, but different). I thought I read that one of the June girls had to go to hospital because of constipation, but I can't find that entry... My problem has been bad ( close to fainting, cold sweat, ..), but still not been as bad as that. I have eaten loads of prunes, laxatives, no white bread etc, and coped better this time.  For the sour stomach - not surprising with all the tablets i pop the first few days - good help: Zantac and best: camomile tea. Didn't think I would turn this quickly to the whole herbal tea/hippy mentality, but seriously its the best. Lucky I used to like it anyway, so rediscovered it last weekend after years of coffee, carb drinks etc. Katie - Chessington was good once I found the medical centre for some ibuprofen that I didn't take in the morning rush to get ready to get out - for the port, was still tender and bit painful. I didn't get on any proper rides, never realised how much movement is involved and didn't want to push it. The kids, OH and au pair had a great time on the rides and I just followed them around, joined in the zoo bits, in between rides etc. The weather was lovely, it was a really nice day.  Sookie - how did the line manager talk go? Littlemissactive, how was work? Sandytoes, getupstandup, and everyone else who got poisoned this week: wish you minimal SEs!  Oh, and nice holiday for those who get away. We are also booked for Cornwall in august, near Bude. So looking forward to that.  Rexi xxx ... View more

Morning Girls.  Day 5 after EC2 - SEs have behaved themselves, mainly tiredness and constipation threat.  I get a fairly impressive tablet cocktail for 3 days after chemo, which has helped to control the sickness after the first two sessions: aprepitant emend ( 2d), granisetron ( the constipation cause ), dexamethasone (the steroid) and domperidone ( for 3 days or longer if needed). This week I added copious  amounts of paracetamol and ibuprofen after the power port insertion, which is not nice to look at.  Nobody please rip my head of, I have not had any other operations yet and the port is the first real/visible sign, that my body is ill. Creeps me more out seeing blood pools under my skin and a bruise from my neck to the port alongside the tube than my bald head.  I know considering of the things yet to come, it's only the beginning. Give me strength.  Anyway - we are embarking on a fun family day, as we are off to Chessington today.  The children have an inset day and we have been looking forward to a hopefully half empty adventure park for ages 🙂 Rexi xxx ... View more

I am having a metal marker fitted in the middle of the tumour next Thu ( 7th July ). Who has had this done? or is booked for it? They will also check the size / status of the tumour by ultrasound. I hope i will have news like catface - ie it has shrunk and therefore is reacting to the chemo. With me feeling fairly good, one does wonder if it does what its supposed to do... Lindylou51 - my next session is on the 18th July - when will you be back? Would be lovely to meet in person. Rexi ... View more

Posted another pic - with my 'suburban turban' scarf. I love these. I know i have a very round face, but even considering this, i like the scarf look. The scarves are not v expensive - i think £11 each? and i bought a few colours. v compfy ( deffo compared to some wigs) and bit stylish. I ll add a pearl earing next and I could be an oil painting ( girl with the pearl earing anyone :-)) - well - almost. ... View more

Hiya. 24 hours after EC2 and I feel fine. Must be all the positive thinking and good wishes from everyone. So far so good - no chemo brain, no nausea - I had exactly same amount of poison, but through my new power port, exactly same tablet cocktail ( which also includes Emend, lots of people seem to have a better experience with that one). Not to tired either. The area where they put the power port in and a cut near the neck looks bit gruesome though, I can feel the line under skin and it's bruised along the line too. about 4 inch bruise. Want to see a pic, or is that TMI? Rexi xxx ... View more

Hi Just came home from EC2. Had a power port put in as well. Sandytoes - I ve got the Power, too 🙂 The port insertion went fine, had a sedative, which made me sleepy. It's quite sore at the insertion point and I can feel the line under the skin, bit creepy. The chemo went fine, don't feel the wooziness yet, let's hope it will be all cool - as we are planning a day at chessington world of adventure on Monday ( children have an inset day, should be empty ish) Littlemissactive- oh no, sorry to read about the last week. I wish you a speedy recovery! Hope everyone is doing well. X ... View more

Pinkypam - such a shame you are missing your holiday. Maybe you can plan another one for when you are done with the treatment? Something to look forward to? Admin star - I have been working for the last couple of weeks. I havnt had an op yet, am on a 3- weeks cycle, today (wed) is EC2.  I started working from home on EC1 +7 days, once my head cleared up. I have been in the office for 2 days each week, and really enjoyed it. I don't have a physical job, mostly sitting at the pc or a lot of time in meetings, specially on the days I am in the office, and the journey to the office is about 1h 20min each way by public transport. I struggled on the first day(left at 4), but it got much better. I am under the strict instructions not to overdo it, so am trying to listen to my body. Is anybody else being treated in the London bridge hospital? So hoping tomorrow will be ok. Good luck to anybody who is still due this month. xxx ... View more

Good evening ladies ( or morning :-)) About to go to bed, a day in the office ahead of me - last one before EC2 on Wed. I finally posted a collage of pictures of the last few days. Couldnt keep my .5 cm hair for long, hurt far to much, so cut it down to grade 0, should really shave it, even the stubbles are uncomfortable. Sounds like most of last weeks fighters are coming through already - well done! Sookie, I have managed to work the last couple of weeks. I am hoping to do a bit all the way through. I also like office life and my job. Overall shorter hours, but it does help to forget and apparently aids the coping process. not sure i have figured out yet how to listen to my body properly yet. I ll learn... ... View more