Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Angie We've booked to see Indy tomorrow and really looking forward to a bit of escapism! We saw all the others at the cinema many moons ago when Harrison Ford looked so lovely! Hope I'm not disappointed but I guess hubby won't care how Indy looks! I use quite a lot of homeopathic stuff and I'm going to try arnica 'tablets' before chemo next time to reduce any bruising before it begins. Also I took nux vom 'tablets' this time when I wasn't ready for my next dose of anti sickness tablets. I've used them for years, especially for a hangover! Hope you're moving forward with your treatment plan and have either got a date to start or know soon. Have a good weekend and hope the sun shines for you - not much hope where I am in Hampshire. Nicky x ... View more

Hi Maggie I'm so glad you're feeling better, it makes all the difference doesn't it? You should be careful not to overdo it on your low days, I'm certainly not going to make the effort! I think it's our bodies telling us to slow down and let them recover. I was going to ask about the hair situation. So far so good for me and I've not had any itching or tingling. I do keep giving a few strands a bit of a tug and it's still quite solidly anchored in! I now realise why I'm a Pisces (as if I hadn't before!) as I'm in 2 minds about the cold cap. I absolutely hated the idea of using it again at first but now I've gone back to my old shampoo and it's looking a lot better than the 1st few days, especially as I didn't wash it then. I think I'll see what happens during the next week (is it only a week to go?) and if it's not dropped out by the handful may give the cold cap another go. Also my sense of smell has calmed down, has yours? It was so acute to begin with that it was worrying me more than other side effects. If it does calm down in between sessions that will be great as I won't be so sensitive to smells and tastes. I've even got back to having cups of tea, something I couldn't stand in the first 5 days and, again, didn't want that to continue. I was also going to say how are you sleeping. After day 1, with the steroids when I didn't sleep well, and after I got over the nausea I've been sleeping better than I have for years. I expect it's the old body still repairing itself but it's quite nice to sleep so deeply when I normally wake up at drop of a pin. However the bl**dy cuckoo that sits outside our bedroom doing it's best clock impersonation at 5am deserves to be shot! That definitely wakes me up. Have your veins been tight/sore? My arm was really sore about 5-6 days after and I had to put arnica cream on the vein lines which helped. I was careful that an infection didn't start but it's not got any worse, just not sure what happens next and if my veins will stand up to 6 treatments. So many things to ask the nurses! Again, glad you're feeling better and hope the bank holiday is good for you, even though the weather looks rubbish. Glad you're still doing OK Lily, sleep when you need to, you must need it. Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily and everyday... Lily I'm so glad you are feeling good particularly after the ops you had to put up with before hand. Everyday.. I woke up and thought 'a week from today' but, as you said, we'll have done 2 which is a third through and being wusses or not we'll get through it. I think it's a good idea to be with someone you're comfortable with the first few days after treatment. I wanted the 1st treatment done so I could judge how I felt and see if I wanted people around etc. My hubby has been great, as have my 2 girls, and not fussed too much and realised if I didn't want to talk etc. However he was banished to the spare room for the 1st 3 nights so I could get a good night sleep. Now we've done one treatment we will have an idea of what to expect, which is good because you and I know we should feel fine after the 1st 5 days - fingers crossed! Have a great day everyone and hope Lisa is feeling OK after her treatment yesterday - take it easy. Nicky xx ... View more

Hi I immediately thought of doing the 'goodbye' letters when I was 1st dx with 2ndaries but I kept getting upset, particularly in the car and thought it would be better if I could see where I was going! I talked to my girls at the time and did use the old phrase ' I could be hit by a bus' to try and put things in perspective. This was before I read the thread ' Why are bus drivers so bad?' (or similar) on here which did make me laugh and maybe I shouldn't say it. I have decided to put off this side of things until I know things are getting bad and I really hope that's many years down the line. However I am giving out little cards to them, and my hubby, for special events (exams, athletics championships etc) so they can keep them, but they're not morbid as they are current and I'm feeling fine. NEXT have a couple of lovely sets of small cards with photos of dogs and cats which are really cute/funny and they're just the right size for a few words. Again, I'm trying to keep things as normal as possible for me and my family and I did think it was working - obviously not as well as I'd hoped. My girls were 14 and 12 when I had my 1st dx and accepted what I said and, as I didn't have major surgery or chemo, I don't think it affected them so much. Also they are more aware now and maybe have read some bad things even though I told them not to look at the web. I think I will get them to check out these forums though as they have really inspired me and may put things into perspective for them as well - I've also had a great laugh at some of the comments. We are hoping to go on holiday later in the year when I'm over chemo and hopefully this will help them see it's life as usual. Take care Nicky x ... View more

Hi everyone I can't believe the timing of this thread! I had thought my daughters (19 and 17) were coping very well since I was dx with 2ndaries in April but have been really saddened today to hear my eldest has seen her GP this morning about being depressed and needed counselling. We do talk a lot but this must have been something she felt she couldn't burden me with. I then spoke to my younger daughter when I got home from work and she said it does get too much at times. She said the pressure is there all the time and it only needs something extra to tip the balance. She's also going through AS levels but I'm hoping she's not getting too stressed about them. I will check out the Winston's Wish website as I said I would find who they can talk to. Obviously a general counsellor will be OK but I think someone linked to a breast and/or other cancer would help. I'm also going to speak to my BC nurses and support to see what they can offer. I suppose I didn't see this coming as I'm coping well with all of this as I did when I was 1st dx with primary bc in 2003. Oh dear there's always something extra that we don't expect. Nicky ... View more

Well done Lily As Lisa, says good for you to have insisted they went ahead, at least you're one down now. Lucky you having reflexology at the same time, that must have been bliss! Take it easy and listen to what your body tells you to do over the next few days and hope you don't feel too bad. It's worth trying the cold cap as you did and see how it goes. I also felt it wasn't too bad in hospital then thought I couldn't stand to do it again next time, although this was more in my 5 cr*p days. I'm now waiting to see whether it's worked before my next treatment and then decide if I use it again. I did get really cold overall with it on and had to ask for a blanket! I'll also wear socks next time if I use it so won't I look lovely? Hi everydaymatters - we did start on the same day on FEC and yes, I'm on the same anti sickness tablets as you (just checked my chemo record book as I have no idea what they were!) They worked OK and I'll see how they do next time to see if they need 'tweaking' ie stop my nausea completely as I'm such a wuss! Lisa - good luck today, hope it goes well and the hospital part isn't as horrible as you think. Take care all of you Nicky x ... View more

Hi Maggie I was about to ask you how you were doing. Your poor thing feeling so grotty but a good idea to warm yourself up. It really can get you down and I know what you mean about being in tears, it's so frustrating to feel like it. I really hope you gain strength and feel much better from now on but remember to take it easy if your body is telling you to. At least you had a lovely surprise with your head scarf and more importantly your little note. It's things like this that help us and, as you say, lift our spirits. Take care Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily Good luck and we'll pick up again when you're feeling like it. Although I was reading the posts for the 1st few days I wasn't in the mood to add anything. Also good luck to your son doing GCSE's at the moment, I've got a daughter doing AS's so I know what it's like. Take care Nicky x ... View more

Hi everyone I have been reading this as I have been in contact with Lily through another thread '1st FEC 9th May' There are a few of us on it who have had our 1st dose and have about 10 days to go before the next. It may be worth reading it Lisa and Nic, as we're only half a cycle up on you. Can't say I recommend the treatment but also want to get on with it and finish it. To anyone starting I found the actual hospital part OK. I didn't look when they put in the cannula (sp?) and it wasn't particularly painful which I was surprised at as my veins are rubbish. They did use a warm pad to heat my hand and arm up 1st to get the veins up - ask if they have one as it makes life a bit easier. All the chemo then goes in through the cannula in cartoon like syringes - you'll see what I mean, and I think the 'E' part of FEC is the bright red one so don't be alarmed. I felt fine during and after this and had no problems getting home although hubby drove. During that afternoon/evening I felt OK and had a small meal in the evening. I did start feeling nauseous from then on (no, it wasn't the meal!) and kept taking the tablets for the required time. I felt much better 5 days after and really could then have got on with anything. This part will be different for everyone but I thought I'd let you know the hospital bit wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I hope the same goes for all of you starting this week and I'll be thinking of you. By the way don't think you have to be in isolation during treatment. Although the 1st 5 days, for me, were a wipe out, I had a great weekend this one, which is my lowest from an immune point of view, and just made sure I kept away from crowds etc and watched what I ate. Still got down to the pub however and luckily found I have not gone off wine! Good Luck, especially for tomorrow Nicky x ... View more

Hi Jane I've only just read your thread but I know exactly how you feel. I was dx in April this year (some April Fool's Day I should say!) and I described it as being hit by a sledgehammer. Both my hubby and I, plus my 2 daughters were so shocked and upset as I didn't see it coming as I'd had no symptoms. I stopped work during the time between starting any tests and getting all the results as I couldn't concentrate on anything that seemed 'trivial' to what was going on in my life. I also thought what's the point I'll be dead in a few months. However this site has been a God send and so inspiring. You realise there are loads of us women out there in the same position as you, something that doesn't happen in the 'real' world as we're all spread out across the country. Advise and experiences have also helped and can also put things into perspective, I now know it's not as gloomy as I 1st thought. Once I had my CT scans, blood tests and biopsy results back and had a treatment plan given to me I suddenly felt I could get on with my life. I knew what I was dealing with from a planning my summer out point of view as well as what was going on in my body. This I felt was the turning point. I went back to work before I started my chemo, which again helped as if I'd put it off I may not have bothered, and it gives a sense of normality to your life and a sense of purpose that of course you can still do everything. I am having 6 x FEC chemo and biphosphonates for the bones and will go onto hormone therapy after the chemo has finished. However there are so many treatments available you could be given a totally different regime. I hope all your scans and tests are good and that once you know what's going on you can cope better. It really is worth asking questions on here as, although our loved ones want to help, they really don't know what it's like, whereas we all do. Good Luck Nicky x ... View more

Hi Susie I haven't had the same experience as you but my BC has come back after a period of nearly 5 yrs into my hip. I didn't feel unwell during any of the time and the fact it spread was picked up on a routine mammogram which also spotted a small local reoccurence which again I hadn't noticed. I do know however what it's like to be waiting for more results to come through but tried to switch off in between tests and results - easier said than done. The day of my results I was always panicky and very nervous but my thought was I can't do anything before I know what's up and also that nothing has changed since the test was taken. Although I don't want to be where I am now, which one of us does?, I am grateful that this was picked up by a test as I certainly wouldn't have known about any spread until it had possibly got further. At least the doctors have been offering you scans and blood tests when you've asked for them and they would have shown up any problems if they were there. Hopefully it's just a reaction to your latest op and one way or the other you will know what's going on next week. My view on all my scans, tests etc was at least they are on to it if there is anything there and you know it will be dealt with and not ignored as some women have had. Good luck for next week and hope you feel better. By the way, during the time I was waiting for results, both on 1st dx and 2nd I lost weight due to anxiety. Nicky x ... View more

Hi I was looking back at some of the comments on this thread and just wondered how Angie, Nikki, Ushanaidu and clarabel34 are doing? I hope you are all coping well with your treatment and having more good days than bad. Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily You go girl! Glad to see you're eating for me as well! I had a good pig out day today with a doughnut from the local bakery, some cake that my friend had brought round on Friday and, after eating our evening meal my hubby and I had a slice of cheesecake each. What bliss! We never really eat puds etc but it was great! Luckily, despite the extended menu yesterday, I haven't been hit with a need to over eat which seems can be a side effect (another one?) of the steroids given for anti sickness. In fact I lost weight in the 1st few days after my chemo as my appetite was much smaller and for very plain food. Well it's looking like a lovely day today so I'm off for a walk a bit later to get the papers and then down to the pub this afternoon to meet some friends. As last weekend was my 'lost' one in the 3 week chemo cycle I'm determined to make the most of the good ones! Hope you have a good day as well and, having seen your thread about being a chemo buddy, you know we're still here and only half a cycle up on you. Take care Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily I was given a leaflet from our hospital and it seems really strange there's no national guidelines on what to do and not to do as we're all dealing with the same effects. Ours is particularly strange as I have to boil any tap water I use. So tea, coffee etc is OK but to drink it cold I have to boil it and cool it - what a fag - but this is down to a type of bacteria that's been found from time to time which could be really nasty during chemo when we're not so resilient. Anyhow the rest of the NO list is: Unpastuerised cheese or soft cheese with a rind or blue cheese - all have bacteria in or on them Probiotic yogurts/drinks Undercooked meat eg rare steak Soft boiled eggs pate Any raw meat, seafood and poultry (yuk) (Basically what they now recommend for pregnant ladies) Also keep very high kitchen hygiene, use anti bacterial sprays, disinfect cloths regularly, wash hands all the time. Throw out all foods gone past their use by dates. Reject any dented cans. Only keep un-used tinned food for max 48 hours in the fridge and only keep it in a different container. Wash ALL veg and fruit before eating raw and preferably peel fruit and veg 1st These ones above are fairly usual 'rules' I suppose but I'm making an extra effort to be more hygienic than usual. So no picking up the dropped stuff and eating it anyway! Have a good weekend and make sure your hubby knows the rules of devoted slavery - maybe he could have a practice this weekend ha ha! Nicky x ... View more

Hi girls Glad we are all supporting each other here, it's definitely helping me because even tho my OH (what is an OH by the way? I only knew of a DH - dear husband) and 2 daughters plus friends are really supportive they're not going through all this and really can't have any idea of how it makes you feel. Plus you don't want to moan too much at them whereas we can all have a good moan to each other and get it out of our systems. I had a great visit from one of my closest friends today. She is also a district nurse so I got her to check I was doing my temperature OK, glad to say I passed! We had a laugh about my wig, which she says looks fantastic by the way. When we were at college together many moons ago we used to go out a lot for drinks with each other and were often mistaken for sisters. Something we also used to play up to as we had a similar taste in clothes so looked very alike. I said that I was getting 2 wigs the same as I could get the 2nd half price and they may get a bit ropey if I had only one. She suggested we both go out and wear a wig each and see if we can convince people we're sisters again! However I think we'll stop at the chatting up bit (we should be so lucky) as both OH's wouldn't be too happy! The other thing that shows what a great friend she is, and as close to a sister as I've got, was that she thought of shaving her head in support for me but realised she might scare off some of her patients! Her lovely husband said he would shave his instead but as he's already 80% bald and 20% No 1 grade and grey I didn't think it would be too much of a sacrifice. We've therefore decided if he wants to support me he has to wear a full on wig, or better still, a dodgy toupee so that he can experience the extremes like me! We had a good giggle about that as he would look so odd, but let's see what happens. Hope you (we) all have a good weekend and watch out for the wee germs Maggie - it's our lowest immunity weekend - yeah! Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily Glad to see that you have had your dressing and presumably your comfort sorted out. At least it should make giving your chemo easy, with none of the faffing around to get a 'good' vein. Make sure you enjoy this weekend because you'll probably be too tired to enjoy the next one. Eat and drink what you want without either a) hating the smell or b) it being off limits. It may be worth asking one of the nurses whether you can use vitamin e oil on any of your scars. I've used it in the past, especially after a caesarian when the midwives couldn't see the scar 2 years later when I was next pregnant. Take care and enjoy yourself and hope the chemo goes well for you next week, let us know. Nicky x ps you should write when you're low, that's the point of the support bit 🙂 ... View more

Hi guys In answer to your question Maggie a PICC line goes in the vein in the arm and feeds directly into the heart ahhh! (I didn't know this bit until I was given a leaflet about it!) If you don't have many prominent veins, like me, they may use one as I think your veins can get pretty beaten up with the E part of the FEC. Mine have been quite sore this week but I've kept an eye on them and used arnica cream to ease them, plus kept an eye on my temperature in case of any infections - what a palaver! I think in the end I may need one but I want to put it off as long as possible so I don't have to visit the hospital every week. Having said that it does make the whole process of bloods and chemo easier as it can all be done immediately as this is in place the whole time. I do know exactly how you are feeling today - I've only just come out that side of things and I felt so miserable on Tues but I had a massive improvement on Weds and today so I'm sure you will also regain strength and interest again as you're a day after me in the treatment. Plus you may have done a bit too much with your sister, even though you probably felt like it at the time so your body might be saying 'give us a break'! And if you're a wuss so am I! But I think we deserve to feel sorry for ourselves and look after ourselves. Listen to your body - after all it is a temple ha ha! I got my wig today and some headcovers as I've decided not to have the cold cap again, just now need to see when the hair goes! It may hang on till after my 2nd FEC as the cold cap may have worked the 1st time - what a lovely surprise to wait for! I read one of the threads about 'how much hair have you got' and it really made me laugh. There's some great girls out there who don't let all of this get them down the whole time. Really hope you come through this bit quickly, I didn't think I would feel different overnight but I did, so I hope the same happens to you so at least we get to enjoy this weekend as the last one was a complete white out for me. We definitely seem to be suffering in a similar way so will have to support each other through the bad, and good, times. Take care Nicky x ... View more

Hi Lily Again, what can I say? Hope you're not too uncomfortable but it certainly sounds as if you must be. I think the bc nurses are very precious about their patients, and rightly so, which is why the district nurse won't be able to check you. I know that if I have to have a PICC line I will have to go to hospital every week to get it dressed there and not at my GPs. I hope all heals or does what it's meant to do by next week. Although chemo isn't a nice experience it is something I think we all want to get on with and get over so any delays can be very frustrating. Maggie - I'm glad you had a great time with your sister. I'm in the position of having 2 brothers who don't really understand any of this - bless! However my closest friend is visiting tomorrow so I'm sure we'll have a good chin wag, especially as I haven't seen her since this last bout of dx started. I know exactly what you mean about the 'pregnant' bit. I've even been off my cuppa tea! Yesterday was the 1st day I felt remotely 'normal' and felt I'd got my energy back, wasn't nauseous, just had a splitting headache. Garlic is a definite no-no and my daughter's perfume - Hypnotic Poison (says it all!) makes me gag! I hope she's not getting too offended every time I tell her how disgusting it is! Take it easy both of you and don't let all of this get us down. Nicky x ... View more

Thanks for all the feedback girls. I have been cooling my boiled water to drink but it still tastes yuk! I think I will give bottled water a try as it does taste better and at the moment my taste buds are all over the place. Unfortunately we had an annoying kitchen fitter who did out new house (sub contracting to the builder not us) who cut corners on the appliances and fitted an American fridge without a filter so the water from that is the same as the tap but colder! Also thanks for the D Mail piece and other food info, all good bits of advice. Nicky x ... View more