Breast Cancer Now Forum

Totally agree with you ladies. Noone only us lot on this site, can understand/appreciate what we are going through! The one I am fed up with is 'not working today?'. Then have to explain that I have a health problem and leave it at that. It certainly makes them turn around and go on their way - probably feeling guilty. Oh well should I work every day, every hour? At least we all have each other who understand. Just because my hair looks perfect (Wig does actually) they look at me as if I have had a transformation. How I wish I could look like me used to..... I am going to be positive and will look like that again. Anyway something to cheer me up as off to Look Good Feel Better shortly. Please all take care and keep smiling - don't forget we have each other!!!! Adi X ... View more

Hi Silvershar, FEC 2 was slightly different to FEC 1 as it probably is for most ladies. We all tolerate these things in different ways, but I have to say I was better on FEC 2. Got my FEC 3 on Wednesday, which I am looking forward to in a strange sort of way as it will be the last of Treatment one. Like you will be having TAX which I start in May and am not really looking forward to twelve of these! By the sound of it most ladies get more SEs on TAX. Oh well as long as they kill all the nasties I am sure we can do it:) I have been using cold cap and still got a lot of hair although it is quite thin on top but like you I did have lots to start with. I admire you for having it all cut and good luck with that tomorrow. I seem to leave a trail everywhere I go so am contemplating whether to carry on with Cold Cap as it is uncomfortable and I am sure the headaches are from using it. Oh what decisions..... Keep smiling and hope SEs stay away from you. Big hug. Adi ... View more

Hi Perko, what a brilliant article to be reading at this time of morning when I cannot sleep!!! Always been a fairly positive person but it has started to escape me, but you have helped me get that back today! Thank you and good luck.... Adi x ... View more

Morning Ladies hope you all doing ok. FEC 2 keeps me awake! When I have cold cap I have to dampen my hair and then load it with lots of conditioner. But it is getting very thin. Think may have to get Miss Wig out today! Best of luck x Adi ... View more

Morning Springblossom, not liased before but was interested to read your comments on rads. So glad to hear that you have not suffered as that will be sometime soon once all the chemo has finished. Just had FEC 2 on wednesday then one more before Tax. Any other hints would be appreciated.... Did it hurt? We all seem to tolerate this treatments in different ways. Wish I could have the answers to everything that goes round in the brain especially when on steroids and have to get up at 1.00am as cannot sleep. Could spring clean the house but can't because of restrictives with wounds etc and would wake daughter up who works long hours! Luckily she does shift work so is able to take me to my treaments - so lucky to have her at home still! Take care have a good weekend x Adi ... View more

Hi Chocciemuffin, sorry to hear about your horrible day yesterday hope it all improves from now on. Sending you big hugs. Can see you are up early too - rest is what the doctor orders but we don't take orders it seems.... Take care xx Adi ... View more

Hi Alto - FEC 2 on Wednesday and steroids also doing same to me but only I'm picking up my own hair!! May have to give up this hoovering lark. Adi x ... View more

Finty I am new to this site too. My BC was picked up on routine screening because I reached 50. So glad I did, so there are some benefits to getting older! I had no lump and my surgeon/consultant could not feel anything either. Mammogram picked mine up. I have learnt over the last few months to ask as many questions as possible. I understand that routine screening is now going to be 47 from 2012 which is good news. Be assertive and keep smiling x Adi ... View more

Mary grace well done on your clear margins - glad to see you smiling. Alto - amazing what these little things that are friends do for us. Keep smiling x Adi ... View more

Well done 02102 (think got numbers wrong)!!! FEC 2 seems to be a bit kinder at the minute. Fingers crossed for all of us. Sorry my spelling and remembering stuff has gone out of the window. I used to be a walking directory when I was working. Can't wait to get back just when my doctor will let me. Most people hate work but I lvoe my job (No I am not sad):) Adi x ... View more

Morning Ladies as I said earlier on another thread you lovely ladies make me laugh and are great company. We all need as much of this as possible at the moment - LAUGHER GALOR! Alto sorry to hear you poorly after FEC3 and veins not liking it. I had my FEC2 yeasterday and they used my portacath which only went in the day before, whilst it was a bit sore not surprising as early days, I am glad I have had it done. At least it will preserve my veins in the long run. By the way do feel better after this one, FEC 1 was another story but just hope not spoken too soon!!!!!! 021210 hope your'e feeling ok after your treatment. Chocciemuffin get better soon need you to keep smiling. Enjoying the sex education here too, like you Alto did't receive sex education at school,but that's because of my age! And it was a bit taboo at home. Anyway didnt do too badly without it. Keep the funny stories coming. Have a good day ladies x ... View more

Morning Smortiboys and Donna I come on here to set me up for the day as you all cheer me up and make me laugh. Know we all have bad days but at least we have each other for support. Had my FEC 2 yesterday and nearly gave up on the cold cap as it was not nice yesterday, but it got better. My hair is starting to drop out but oncology nurse was very impressed at how little as she didnt notice any difference. I know I should not really wash it today but decided I need to have a cut to tidy it up and am hoping to go out tonight with my Partner, have these tickets to see Jo Brown which I purchased as Anniversary present last year (~before this started)! Going to chance both as need to get out. By the way FEC2 has been a lot kinder to me than FEC 1 - hope I haven't spoken too soon!!!! Have hair day ladies x Adi ... View more

Morning all really must get ready for FEC2 but just wanted to wish you luck too Sarah. We can all hold hands. Everyone one having FEC today all the best. Big hug. Adi x ... View more

Morning Ladies and thanks for butting in notbreastfriend as stories like your are fantastic and of reassurance. Well done for getting through it. Right ladies we will carry on with the cold cap and look forward to posting same results when we finish our FECs and TAX. Your are all offering great support thanks ladies. Better get in shower ready for FEC2. Maybe not need to keep Portacath wounds dry so it will have to be the bath.... Have a good day x ... View more

Hi Elinda and Libby thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. Best wishes. Adi x ... View more

Hi Claire - I had lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection on 12th January. I had a few days booked for 3rd Feb to visit parents who live abroad and I was worried about travelling but my Consultant and BCN advised me to take the break before the chemo started. Even to the day of departure I was anxious but went ahead. So glad I did as it was nice to see them and I needed a break from all this. My first chemo was on the 10th of Feb. With regards to insurance I already had it in place and informed them. They were ok but declined any cover for the BC which is fair enough. But I do believe that there are specialist insurance firms who deal with this and would be interested to know if anyone has used them. Enjoy your break you deserve it but obviously only your consultant can give you the answer as to should you/shouldn't you. All the best. Adi x ... View more

Evening ladies looks like I will be joining a few of you tomorrow for FEC 2. We can hold hands! Thought I was doing really well lately with SEs and emotions but today it all went wrong!. Got up fine and cheered as hair was still in tact until an hour later when it did a Tommy Cooper - j... l... t...! it fell away in my fingers. Oh well it was to be expected but will carry on with the cold cap. Was panicking over having the port put it but they were marvellous just the sticky plaster bothering me at mo. Paracetamol here I come.... Had a local and I think it must make us very emotional as had to get the Kleenex out again today. Or was it the fact that my BCN nurse saw me in waiting room and after asking how I was I did point out that my hand, elbow and fingers a little swollen and achy. She immediately arranged for me to see the Lymphoedema nurse after FEC tomorrow to nip this other little gremlin in the bud. Apparently they massage it and should help with the drainage. Feel like I am going to a Spa day tomorrow mayble I will call my chemo sessions that from now as sound nicer:) Have also booked to have a reflexologist during my session and will let you know if it helps. Anyone else had this? I am paying for it, but what else can I spend my money on at the moment, apart from the chemist and supermarket. Boy I am looking forward to a good clothes spending spree at the end of the year when finish all treatments and hopefully have lost weight as seem to be piling it on at the moment. Here's to a good evening to you all x Adi ... View more

Hi all just had mine put in today and it was ok. Anaesthitist (can't spell lately) talked me through the whole process and BCN held my hand which was a great help as was very worried. A little uncomfortable but ok, I think the sticky plasters are the worst as they pull on the skin. I think they will be using mine tomorrow for FEC number 2. Lizziespain don't worry you will be fine, we have been through an awful lot worse and it will save our veins! Have good evening ... View more

Hi ladies, I purchased Herbatint and showed it to my Oncology nurse and she spotted that it contained Peroxide so was not happy for me to use it. Even the health shop was surprised it contained it as appararently it has been sponsored by one of the Cancer charities. Not sure which one. I think it is up to the individual but it did put me off using it. Good luck. Adi ... View more

Evening Ladies I thought I had got away with it. Even this morning no hair loss but an hour later I think it did a Tommy Cooper - 'Just like that!' I ran my fingers through it to tidy it up before hospital visit and could not believe it - it was just coming away. Oh well we knew it would happen. Got FEC 2 tomorrow and think still going to use Cold Cap. Have booked to have some cut as it may be a bit heavy and this may not be helping. I suppose some hair is better than none. Why are we so vain? Keep smiling. Adi ... View more