Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone especially Barton and Moijan , I wanted to say hello everyone . Drain was put in last Friday and nearly lost 4 litres of fluid and felt. Better.. It came out yesterday . Hopefully will be. Home soon . Hope everyone is ok and have a good. Weekend . Sending hugs to everyone xxxc Racer xxxx ... View more

Aah thanks Babsy , Barton and George I am going to do the letters whilst I can just so if needed they have something when feeling down . So sorry Babsy that you are having a tough time . I am trying to embrace each day as I cannot do anything else. I am having fluid drained off my stomach tomorrow so hopefully I won't feel so bloated . They will decide if I need anything permanent . Glad I asked . I will post when I have had procedure . Sending love to everyone Xxxxc ... View more

Thanks everyone . I had an emotional day yesterday but felt unwell this morning. I feel stronger today and I am using a walking frame which means that I am walking quicker. My hubby is stressing me out at mo. Think he is finding it hard which is upsetting me as I want to do memory boxes, letters etc. He thinks I should not do it as I am giving up and is in denial. I cannot be in several places at once as I need to concentrate on fighting this . Funny face my Daighter's prom is on 28th, June. Luckily I had got her dress. And shoes in October last October as I had been told I was having Chemo . Sorted her hair about a week ago with help of a friend who we probably not seen for a few years. Suddenly realise who are your friends. I just have to sort make -up etc but may get my Mum to assist.. I am looking forward to seeing my Daughter on her prom and hope she has a lovely time. Sending positive vibes too. Thank you . Racer xxxc ... View more

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. I had ct scan yesterday afternoon . Spoke to Consultant on duty who said she could give me results and said if they were bad that I wanted my hubby with me as on own . She said there is nothing new and expected . I asked about drainage of fluid and they will arrange an appointment for me. Just got to wait for Oncologist to look at results and decide what next.. hope there is a plan . Just have to stay positive xxxx ... View more

Thanks Marli For your kind wordsI. I will try to fight this as long as I can. Cannot give up when I have the kids. At moment staying on the Cape - last dose tomorrow . Xxxx ... View more

Hello everyone and thanks for the Birthday wishes. Sorry I have not been on the forum and it is the toughest thing I need to tell you. I managed to go away to Minehead but had to see my Onc on the Thursday. The previous appt my platelets had gone up to 125 and we were really pleased . I went last Thursday and they had dropped to 88 and he felt that the Cape was attacking the Breast cancer and suggested that I started Chemo last Friday and then just have one week off. I was surprised but thought I would give it a go . Sunday and Monday my co-ordination went I could not hold anything and had a painful groin . Forgot to say the week before Cape we saw a Chemo Nurse and both me and my mum said I looked pregnant. She just glanced and said I need to keep my feet up . Then Monday morning I noticed a small period discharge but was still confused etc. I woke up on Tuesday morning that I had bled considerably overnight. So I am back in Hospital and was told that they thought the Breast cancer or another cancer was in my womb .'The Doc said I am at high risk of a catastrophic haemorrhage - sorry cannot spell. I said I don't want to know how long I have as long as they can buy me more time . My Daughter's prom is soon and things I need to sort . So I have been put on meds to stop bleeding. Apparently the womb can occur when you have tamoxifen and I was only on it 18!months. I don't want anyone to start panicking as it may be something else . I was told the Cape at some point will start feeding the cancer and if so my liver will pack in and only have a few days . Just hoping that there is something so I can go home and start sorting finances and wishes. I have had friends offering help and support. They will help me with memory boxes. Sorry to tell you my bad news and your illnesses may be different , and don't want to worry you all as you have been amazing support even whenI wanted to rant. I will try to post on here but I might be unwell. Sending hugs and positive vibes to all of the Cape fighters . Racer xxxx ... View more

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Barton and George. Trying to think of other things such as my Daughter's Prom .Felt like a rubbish Mum as not been able to sort her hair as our usual one has let us down . I have managed to sort someone out at lunchtime .so that had helped . My hubby keeps googling about my condition which does not help soft depressed yesterday How are your feet Barton ? Hope you are getting. Sorted . Have a good weekend everyone . Cyber hugs to you all xxxxx ... View more

Thanks Marli and George . Hello everyone , hope you are all enjoying the weather. I saw Macmillan Doctor who advised that I have an ultra sound on abdomen to see what the fluid is. The ultra sound will be next week as we are desperate to go on holiday for a couple of days . It will be my Birthday on Tuesday and my hubby's on Thursday . So the test is arranged for Thursday afternoon after seeing Oncologist. I feel like I am pregnant . My hubby measured me last. Night and I was 43 inches and my legs 16 inches each one. I felt so depressed as none of my lower garments fitted. However they might drain the fluid off and put me on some diuretics or a drain in permanently . So I have a range of sizes in clothing for when I am bigger or smaller. I have not been sick as much as I was before. To. E honest I cannot recall much of Monday only tiredness.just have to keep fighting and hope I. An stay on Cape. I feel it is helping me with my illness and feel stronger . Hope everyone is ok and have a lovely weekend xxx ... View more

Thank you Moijan , marli and Barton for the support. My messaging might be not right. Marli hope you feel more comfortable . Sounds very painful . Keep fighting . Started Cape on Friday and knew I would have a couple of days. My Mum sat with me when my hubby worked his last night because I was talking irrationally . He did not want me tone on my own. My Mum literally sat with me just occasional shout to my kids if they had their tea. Not what I was expecting really . Yesterday I was quite unwell. I had no co-ordination and could not hold a cup or mobile phone .My hubby thought I was on my way out . My stomach has swelled quite a bit. So putting feet up as much as O could .He rang Douglas Macmillan and have appt with one of the Doctors to review my meds and blood tests. I just don't want to stop Chemo as it is having a good effect. Positive vibes needed from everyone xxxxx ... View more

Hi everyone jjust a quick update. I went for my blood results yesterday and my anaemia level is slightly better and my platelets have increased to 125 . So I can start my Cape today. We are just hoping it is not a red herring .i have been quite tired this week and my right hip is aching so needed my walking stick s. Been talking about strange things and giving funny answers . Perhaps it is due to me not having much sugar . I woke up to some blood on my pillow think it was my mouth. So will keep an eye on it. Hope you all have a good weekend Cape Crusaders and keep fighting this disease . Racer xxxx ... View more

Thanks everyone . I was drinking several cans of pop and glasses of pop . So it was quite excessive . An odd drink maybe ok . I have always had a sweet tooth . Trying the flavoured water with no sugar . It is hard as my kids like sweet things too so trying alternatives. Definitely not drinking any alcohol . Hopefully we will see over the next few weeks what happens with glucose levels. They have come down some. You would think Oncologists would inform us about these problems that occur or at least refer to Dietician . I know we have to avoid grapefruit which I don't particular like . It is just another thing to be aware of with Cape. Just glad I mentioned it and saw the GP so I can start cutting back . Hope all Cape Crusaders are having a good weekend. Cyber hugs to you all xxxxxx ... View more

Aaah Thank you Marli . Forgot to say that the GP said that my Chemo meds are not helping with the increased blood sugar. He said normally the pancreas can deal with the intake of sugar and it can't manage at the moment due to the meds. So I have got to be a good girl lol Xxxx ... View more

Hi everyone hope you are all are having a nice weekend. Just to update everyone that I saw my Onc on Thursday. He was pleased with me. My liver has stabilised and platelets are 81. My Hb has dropped. So agreed to start Cape next Friday for a week and 2 weeks off . Mentioned about craving for sugary drinks. Did a glucose test and it was 16.4 . So he referred me to the GP . Feel really positive and so pleased that I think the Cape is doing something . Rand GP Surgery and was advised to have more bloods done for glucose. The test can tell how my glucose levels have been during the last 6-8 weeks. Had appt with GP and my bloods were 5.2 . He said that I am borderline diabetic however felt that it could be managed by diet . So no more sugar loaded drinks and sweets . I don't know have good news from Onc then I create another problem . But I do feel stronger. I had a couple of vomits and not had one for nearly a week. Hopefully on right track and keep fingers crossed. If it slows the progression and gives me more time I will be happy . Sending cyber hugs to everyone . Racer xxxxx ... View more

Thanks Barton . It is funny what foods you go off. I have gone off chips and cannot face big meals. I tend to live on soup and ensure milkshakes when I am really unwell. It frustrates my Hubby when he is trying to cook a meal for five us. Sometimes I cannot even be in the same room as my family when they are having a meal. If I have bread sometimes it is like eating cardboard . The joys of Chemo meds . I have lost some weight which I needed to but was hoping to do it differently . I will speak to Onc on Thursday who may have some suggestions . Thanks Racet xxx ... View more

Helen what lovely news . Well deserved holidays. When I hear news like this it gives me hope . Keep us posted about your holidays and experiences. I feel ok at moment just a little queasy at times . I just have a rash on my scalp and neck which could be to do with either the Cape or low platelets. I had itch feet and arms during the night too. My hair is definitely thinner . Don't know if anyone has had this too. Oh and craving sweet drinks such as Cola / Pepsi. My hubby said I am like addicted to it. Just pleased that Strawberries are nice at the moment and is taking some of the sweet craving .I just miss my Bicardi . I never drank a lot of alcohol before I was diagnosed but not touching it due to my liver problems. My Hubby said one won't hurt me but I don't want to cause anymore damage. Hope everyone is having a good weekend and the weather looks good. Hugs to everyone xxx ... View more

Hi everyone Hope you are all ok . I retired in 2012 and never looked back . Barton you will be able to relax when you can and not stress over work . I just felt overwhelmed with work and could not deal with with the people I was suppose to be helping . We managed to go away but had to scale it back to two nights as I was feeling rough. We went to Wiltshire as we like the area and the motor racing at Castle Combe. I drove into Chippenham as I needed to buy School shoes for the youngest but I could not do it when I got there . Instead went to Castle Combe with the three kids. I just felt absolutely exhausted and felt sick . Luckily we were staying another night as I don't think I would have got home. Ext day we stopped off at Bourton on the water and used my wheelchair. I did not like the wheelchair as the kids and hubby were taking turns to push me. I thought they were going to tip me into the stream and when crossing the road I nearly fell out of the chair . Think it is something I will have to get use to as I can't walk very far . I had nausea and vomiting from Sundaybunti Thursday when I finish this cycle of Cape. I have also had two occasions where my tongue has been bleeding . We had no ice so I had an ice lolly which stopped the bleeding . I have an Onc appt on Thursday so will tell them . Today I feel much better but need to pace myself . I do think the Cape is having some effect which is positive . I just need not to book things on a Cape week so I can rest . For 2-3 days I was in bed from tea-time which I think helped . Also when I am not eating fringe the ensure vitamin shakes which are not too bad . At the moment just craving for sweet things. Sending love and Cyber hugs to all the Cape Crusaders xxx ... View more

Hi everyone just updating you . I saw Oncologist yesterday not the one I saw a couple of weeks ago. My platelets have gone up to 70 which they have not been for a while. Apparently they were 50 on last visit. The onc was quite happy to continue Cape for one week on and two weeks off. He said that I could take it for two weeks and week off. Also increase the strength which I was surprised. So I opted to continue Chemo tabs one week on and two weeks off. I said if platelets increase again then I would do what he suggested. He said that my HB had dropped so had blood transfusion . The Onc said the only thing he was concerned about my liver. I have had one small vomit for a few days then a good day. I could not really go out because I was struggling with walking due to hip and had hurt my left shoulder. Got up today and feel quite well at the moment. We should be going away for a few days so hoping that I am able to . I am glad that I did not agree to go off treatment. I know I am going to have rough weeks but I am going to continue to fight this. Marla I am sorry you have had to join us. I find that everyone is supportive and that not everyone is the same on Cape. I just rest and have light snacks on days I cannot do much . The rest does help. When I feel down I go on this thread and there is a wealth of knowledge and suggestions which are very useful. Have a good weekend everyone and hope the weather is ok .Love and cyber hugs to everyone xxc ... View more

Thanks everyone for your support and advice. I see Oncologist next week so it gives me time to make a list and plan what my next step is ? I certainly feel strong at the moment. I am putting things to the side though as I feel that it am giving the signal to my illness to take over. I know that sounds a bit mad ! Just worry about family and how they will manage. Not all my family knows and my Parents went with me to the last appt. I think it made them realise how unwell I am. Told them that I take each day as it comes and there are going to be rough days. We keep trying to go out for the day but does not happen as I am unwell so it has to be last minute decisions. Hugs and thoughts with everyone xxxc ... View more

Thanks Barton . I am going to take my Husband to the next appt . I suppose I am not going to like what they say but think I will make a list . I had taken my Mum to the last appt and she thinks the Oncologist was listening and knows what a strong person I am . We will see and as you suggest try to stay calm as I do get emotional . Think I am stubborn lol . I will keep you posted xxxx ... View more

Happy Easter everyone . Hope you are having a good weekend and eating plenty of Easter eggs lol xx I saw Oncologist on Thursday and it was my actual Consultant which made me nervous. He asked me if I thought that the Cape was benefitting me . I told him I had been sick but felt quite well the last couple of days. Also I felt it was positive as I feel I am doing something to fight this horrible disease. The Oncologist does not think I am benefitting from the Cape and that it is more side effects. He said my platelets had dropped slightly and my Hb. He asked if I wanted to continue treatment. I said it has been taking a couple of weeks for bloods to recover. The Onc said it is my liver that is the problem and will decide in a couple of weeks when I should have my next cycle. Think I am going to have a battle as I want to continue and feel that they are not giving my med a chance to work . Also I feel inspired with everyone's support and positive stories. I feel they are giving up on me and I am the one that has to deal with the sickness etc. I actually went out on Friday night and drove the car there too which I have not been able to do for a few weeks. Are there any suggestions/advice about what I can do if I don't agree with the Oncologist ? I know it is going to get me but want to be as normal as I can for as long as possible. I have set short targets such as my Daughter's prom etc . Sending cyber hugs and love to everyone. Just got to keep fighting and be positive . Xxxx ... View more