Breast Cancer Now Forum

Morning Lovelies!, Chelle looking great!...nice to put a face to the name, wig looks so good, very natural, excited for my shortie one arriving hopefully this week now!...enjoy the rest of your weekend with your family...xx Fiona, Eek hope Tax truck not on way..., take it easy....maybe just down time after mega steroids?..xx Ann ditto with cannula arm, mines really swollen & wrist very sore, guess theres not much can be done with it, mines right arm so used it a lot yesterday but trying to rest it today..x Vicki know what you mean about cumulative s/e's def worse this cycle & 'Meh ' just about sums it up!..x Cress was it you that was saying about flushes?...jeez Im having about 10 a day!!...mostly in the evening & in the night, get the heat spread from the neck up, was convinced I had a temp of about a hundred last night but all normal!... Hope you're feeling better?..x Katherine you're not leaving the Jewels, membership for life Im afraid!... Bank hols affecting lots of peeps treatment dates I think..x Emma (Peachy) hope you've managed to catch up on some sleep?...so sorry for the way you felt last week, we've all had days/weeks like that Im sure & lack of sleep never helps...x Well, lovely time so far with little man...he's not actually my Grandson, he's OH's so Im step-Nanna ( well just Sandra to him...he has his two nannas / Grandmas already!) hopefully weather will hold out & picnic somewhere later....Enjoy rest of your weekends Jewels!! Sandra xx ... View more

Morning Jewels, Mixed bag of s/e's & some of you with lots of energy, wow Nicola running etc, brilliant!! Hope you TAX ladies who are suffering feel better soon & those of you without the s/e's carry on feeling good!...x Katherine long day for you but all done now & hope you feel better soon 🙂 Chelle, enjoy your weekend...happy times! 🙂 Fiona so pleased you seem to be keeping any s/e's under control....keep that energy going lovely!!..x Nic J great to hear from you, you've certainly had lots on & I hope you enjoy your well deserved holiday! 🙂 Well you all inspired me yesterday Jewels & while I haven't climbed Everest ( your post made me laugh Jill!) I did manage to do a half hour brisk walk on the treadmill!...for me thats good going on day 4 of Fec!.. 🙂 Had a good day yesterday, phone calls from my two best friends from back home who always end up calling me on the same day even tho they don't plan to -spooky!! Anyway the nice thing was they were normal conversations, barely touching on BC & friend No1 asking for advice etc which was just great & made me feel a bit more like the old me! Went to visit colleague & her new puppy in the afternoon, good catch up & pup lovely (border collie called Ruby!) Today OH picking up eldest Grandson from Cheshire, & bringing him back for the weekend, can't wait, he's 7 & adorable, have missed spending time with him, I asked his Mum to explain my baldy head (last time I saw him had wiggy on & he didnt notice!) but because he's staying know he'll see it & didn't want to shock him!....difficult to explain but basically shes just told him Im on strong medicine thats made my hair fall out...Knowing what children are like Im sure he'll just take it in his stride & be quite intrigued! Anyway ladies hope you all have a good weekend & s/e's are few.... Sandra xx ... View more

Morning Ladies, Cress glad you enjoyed LGFB, looking forward to mine in Sept (fingers crossed am up to it!). Nice you got to meet some local ladies too. Good comeback line for the "you look good" comments, Ive not had too many of them. Best comment Ive had was last week when called into work with scarf on & one of colleagues said " have you lost your hair then?"....er no I just walk round with this on for attention!!...anyway I lifted up scarf & said "yes hair has gone!" that did the trick! 🙂 am sure people just don't know what to say & don't mean any harm but this bloody BC crap makes us all a bit sensitive I think! Joan great no s/e's for you as yet long may that continue!...good for you out cycling etc too, feeling a bit lazy again here!...xx Fiona, no nausea yay!!...what a relief for you!!....so debilitating when you feel like that! Hope you managed to get some sleep? Yes was ex-police lady who came, long story short she took early retirement from Met police then re-trained in Holistic Therapy, just got set up etc then BC struck so she's not been able to carry it on as too physical doing massage etc....such a shame, she's a lovely lady & been a great support to me (& me to her hopefully!)...xx Katherine, hope all goes well today, so sorry you're feeling so c**p today of all days. Will most likely be the antibiotics making you go to loo, I was same on first cycle....not nice 😞 Jill well done to you on getting back to work, long hours you're putting in there & then shopping/cooking too!...makes me feel tired just reading your post...agree think the P word should be banned!! 😉 Been invited for cuppa to another colleagues house ( Ive only worked in the job for 3 months so nice to be remembered really!) am excited because she has a new puppy who sounds adorable!!....Catch you later Jewels....xx ... View more

Well done Fiona!....so glad all went virtually without a hitch!....no scary reactions etc. Hope you get a good rest this evening & that no nausea!!!...xx Gus, sounds promising re bloods & seeing Patti!...good luck,.... hope goes ahead as planned tomorrow..xx Good luck also to Katherine & Janet for tomorrow!...xx ... View more

Aww Deedee posts crossed....sorry youve been feeling down 😞 Am sure you'll pick up with your trip away, wow 26 years thats fab, another great husband too!!!....Happy Anniversary & have a great time!...xx ... View more

Vicki (think I'll call you Sporty Spice from now on!). I don't mind you calling me by my dogs name....he's looking far better than me at the mo!!...xx ... View more

Hi Vicki, Mmmm steroid tips, well main one I suppose is not to take your 2nd dose after 2pm as can interfere with sleep ( still does to some degree as in midnight online shopping sprees!!) Thing is the steroids are given for a different reason on Tax, on the FEC they're given partly to prevent any reaction to the chemo drugs but mostly to help with nausea. With Tax theyre mainly to prevent allergic reaction to the infusion. Side effects for me haven't been outrageous but am convinced they make me feel a bit sicky, they say on pack to take with food so that must be for a reason. Sure the effects won't be as bad as you think....knowing you they'll make you do double zumba/ combat classes while the rest of us will be walking round looking like baboons bums!!!! 😉 ... View more

Jackie Happy Anniversary!!....your husband sounds an absolute star...congrats to you both...xx....so funny about answering door baldy, I've done it a few times now & the reaction is quite fascinating, usually goldfish mouth & backing away from the door asap!!! Chelle God yes can you imagine when we're on double steroids for the Tax, baboons bums r us!!...yikes! 😉 Marion, wig looks great but would love a front view!!!....am sure you look absolutely great in it...x hope the bites not giving you too much trouble today, did the mouthwash work?....thanks for tip on antihistamines too, will certainly bear that in mind with double dose next time 🙂 Emma (Peachy) just scrolled back & saw your reply to my post....ditto as have said this 3rd FEC has hit me a lot harder too .Not looking forward to Tax particularly but think would struggle with the thought of another dose Of FEC!....hope you're feeling a bit better now?..xx I've been steroid shopping again ( obviously a s/e!!) & have ordered a short wig thats 'capless' so supposed to be less hot on head. Its cost under £50 so I figured I'd have spent loads more than that by now if I still had hair on colours/cuts etc at hairdressers ( & shampoo & conditioner!) its from Halo wigs, advertised as UK but obv coming from China or somewhere looking at spelling etc, anybody else ordered from them? Bc buddy called today for our weekly chinwag. Perked me up but lying down now! Catch up again later if I haven't gone into coma again...zzzzz! Sandra xx p.s. the more I look at that monkey the more sure I am we're related...redness gone down a bit today but our expressions remain the same lol!!..x ... View more

Fiona good idea keeping busy today...sure you'll be fine, looking forward to your post later if you're up to it!...xx Vicki you 'mush away'....you're a top ' wench ' in my opinion & I love reading your posts!!!... xx ... View more

Good luck on first day back Jill....would love to know which bandana you'd really like to wear!....could think of a few choice phrases myself..x ... View more

Well the sleep fairies abandoned me early this morn, hence early post. Awful day yesterday with fatigue & nausea, can only think its cumulative effects as Ive not done anything different this cycle. Also got the bright red chest & face this time (prob steroids) not had that before either but know some of you ladies have. Anyway main reason for popping on at this early hour is to wish NicJ, Fi & Fiona with her 1st Tax ( sure you said it was Thurs Fiona but could be my fuzzy brain!!) Reassuring Joan that you had no reaction, hope your s/e's are few..xx Vicki glad you got back from bar relatively unscathed, you're very brave persevering with cold cap & it does seem to be working well for you! Good of your b/friend to take time off...brownie points to him! Chelle Godaughter very cute but I loved your hairy head pic too!! 🙂 Can't scroll back now but glad all others back from bar ok yesterday, will try to have proper catch up later..xx p.s. just looked at my new profile pic & it looks so like me ( including expression!)...I must have a monkey twin! 🙂 ... View more

3x FEC /T cycle 3 day 2 Morning ladies, Chelle you have an amazing covering of hair! ...Your strands are really long! Good advice re all the TAX queries, guess we're all going to react differently. Im going to definitely ask for the first one to be put in slowly. Cress thanks for the mention of York & Italian stallions!!....cheered me up no end! Like Fiona said us married ones can still 'window shop'!! Fiona bless you, I would be blubbing too at the lovely support your childrens friends are giving both you & them....they have true friends there for sure...xx Emma (Peachy) what cycle are you on? Is it FEC?....hope you feel better soon...xx Ann, can sympathise as s/e's are def cumulative, keep plodding on thats all we can do!...xx This cycle seems to have hit me hard, the last two I was able to stay up & potter round on the day of chemo, sit downstairs for tea & even in the garden with YD last time!....yesterday the fatigue & sick feeling hit straight away, felt dizzy & seasick & couldn't stay upright, had to go straight to bed & eat some tea in bed, took all anti-sickness as felt very nauseous & also took 1 Lorazepam which knocked me out & slept reasonably. Still feel very unstable & iffy this morning....yuk!!....lets hope it improves... Sandra xx ... View more

Had my 3rd FEC today (next time Tax) My veins & arm have been really stiff & sore since FEC2. Today it really hurt on my forearm as she was putting drugs in, she put a wheatbag on & it helped, so thanks Penny will try that at home too if the pain persists. ONC nurse said TAX not as hard on veins as FEC as given as an infusion....we'll see!...xx ... View more

Joan, its all very daunting isn't it? The Letrozole will be similar to the omeprazole that a lot of us are on & will be to counteract the painkillers effects on your tum..... Gawd if you have to be relaxed in order to not have a reaction I 'll have to have double blue pills & try meditating & anything else I can think of!!!! Glad you enjoyed Chessington with your boys, sounds like a fun day!....All the best of luck for tomorrow, hoping you'll come on later tomorrow & say was easy peasy!... 🙂 Good luck also to Vicki, Cress, Caroline & Titus at the bar tomorrow....hope they've re-stocked, me being such a guzzler!!! Sandra xx ... View more

Just had a looooong snooze! Jill what a palavar for you this morn, fancy sending you all the way to the wrong part of hosp when it should've been them doing it ....ggrrr....just what you don't need! Hope you had fun with your GD & that the others didn't get to hear!!...x Fiona I was asking about the Tax too & nurse told me same as you re less sickness etc. im still getting Emend too ,its worked for me I think but haven't tried chemo without it so who knows? Ditto re the painkillers, seems you take them before the pains kick in. Your mum skyping sounds so funny!....aww bless her, I know my Uncle would be the same but his sights so bad he wouldn't be able to see me but he'd be amazed at the technology! Debs well done, another fast drinker at the bar!....the drink things good advice but water tastes so vile its really hard not to drink sugar laden juices all the time just for the taste...Ive got the Mavala lash thing too & so far theyre holding out, think am more bothered about the lashes than my bald head to be honest as I love my mascara!!..would def need lessons in applying false eyelashes, every time Ive tried Ive made a right mess!! Eyebrows are thinning but can fill them in ok. Hope the thrush doesn't develop this time but at keast you're armed!....take it easy...x Marion yes I probably am a fast real cocktail drinker too!...although the thought of alohol this last few weeks hasn't really appealed, will be a very cheap date in the end if it carries on! Goosberry crumble sounds delish & very healthy, ignore the sugar..a liitle of what you fancy!...x Gus I really hope you will feel better by the weekend, surprising how quickly those neuts rise, could you maybe do what Myself & Chelle did & try & get closer parking / better toilets, a quick e-mail explaining your circumstances to the peeps running the venue can sometimes work wonders & will make attending easier for you. Worth a try maybe?...hope you don't have to cancel, you've had a rough couple of years & deserve some nice treats....good luck...xx Chelle, still no word, how frustrating!.....Laughed my head off at your new profile pic, mainly because at the weekend my SIL tried on one of my wigs & he also looked the spit of Dave Hill!!!....we were roaring laughing as his face even looked like his!...maybe he's branched out into wig designing?!..x Lola thats good of you to drop in with your Tax experience, nice to feel a bit reassured. Im more bothered about having an allergic reaction than the s/e's, especially as she said one symptom was you feel panicky!!....as an almost lifelong panic attack sufferer I'll prob have all the staff running round for a false alarm !! 😞 Just had some food now as was starting to feel a bit sicky, taken the anti- sickness & fingers crossed! Have a nice restful evening Jewels xx ... View more

Hi All, Speedy trip to the bar today there & back within 2 hours & that included 'hunt the vein' etc so pretty good! Feeling the usual slightly drunk feeling so just taking it easy the rest of the afternoon ED lent me a box set of Monty Python so that should bring a smile to my face if I can keep awake! Cress I went au naturel to the unit today, I thought if I cant do it there where else could I? anyway they must be used to it as nobody batted an eyelid....very liberating!.....Weirdly my hair seems to be growing at the mo, have got lots of new spikes coming through but bald shiny patches on the sides....might start a new trend! How many of the Docetaxel have you left to do before FEC? Is it just one more? Emma so sorry that you're still feeling cr*p, really amazes me the differences in our reactions to these poisons, are you on FEC/T or 6x FEC? Enjoy your lunch Faye!...:-) Hoping to check in later if conscious!! Sandra xxx ... View more

Izzy thats great that you've been able to delay hols!...:-) Chelle can't believe you've heard nothing but hopefully means all ok, no news is good news as they say...hope you get good nights sleep & the tiredness improves..xx Fiona, had good old fish & chips (didn't want to risk anything too spicy with bar visit in morn!) & they were yum!..my girls were both stroking back of my head too & saying soft like baby hair!..xx Night night lovely ladies xx ... View more

Hi Jewels! Have had a lovely weekend with all the family, cooked & entertained non-stop. Bit tired today but more deflated that they've all gone home now ....still, am sure it won't be long until the next invasion! Chelle I managed to stay awake throughout, hope you did too!....any news yet on those bloods? Emma (Melrose) Sorry you're still feeling rough despite the Emend, sounds horrible & hope it lifts for you soon. Taylor J Comedy DVD's sound a good idea, I watched 'Forest Gump' last night which I hadn't seen for years & had forgotten how sad it is at the end....had a good bawl!! Vicki Glad you had such a good time in London, banquet sounds great fun....whats this Blue Cock that you mentioned?!!!.... ...the hair stuff sounds good for all ladies still with some hair, I used to use a root touch-up crayon that you just wet with water,& was great for covering greys till I could get to hairdresser, sounds similar. Joan, so pleased that your having a good time with your family...hope you've had a great time at Chessington today 7 that the rains held off for you! Fiona Skype sounds a good idea, forget sometimes all the technology we have these days, may try it out on some friends this week (must make sure I have my wig or scarf on though, don't want to scare them!!) Enjoyed our chat earlier, was lovely to put a voice to the name... Ann Sorry tiredness getting to you,easy to say but only 2 more to go- you can do it!!... ditto re the mood swings at times. Don't know how OH puts up with me sometimes , think he's just learnt to ignore me! Jackie Hope you enjoyed the shopping trip today....bless your daughters saying how lovely you look! My two being older have taken the mickey out of me all weekend...have laughed along too though ....swimmy head thing sounds awful, my BC friend had exactly the same & couldn't drive at times it was so bad, she likened it to being on a boat. ...hope it stops for you soon. Gus Am knocked out after visitors too today, lets hope I'll be joining you at the bar tomorrow! Love the Asda delivery story haha what a strange combination of items...the mind boggles! Jill Thats awful re the battering of your veins...looking on the bright side maybe your energy might pick up a bit with the extra week? think the worst thing must be getting yourself all psyched up for the chemo & then being told you're not having it. Debs Glad you had a good weekend, just the tonic you need! Good for you going au naturel too- have been tempted myself in the heat but not been brave enough! Don't know about bladder function but have to get up & wee in the middle of the night every night since chemo started!...feels like when I was pregnant!....hopefully will be at the bar with you tomorrow Jayne Good to hear from you, hope the Emend helps this cycle, seems to be a bit hit & miss but personally its worked a treat for me. Radiotherapy thing does sound interesting,I know its been mentioned before on here, am going to ask about it when I next see ONC. Marion Ooh Llandudno I LOVE that town so much!....how nice of your OH to buy you a necklace, (note to self...must try & be more smiley! ) As just said, same with the wee, must be another weird s/e as I try not to drink too much fluid before bed. Well been drinking loads of water today in prep for tomorrows bar visit, had a headache after bloods taken this am, same happened last time, maybe nerves? nurse at GP's couldn't get any blood out at first so maybe my veins not holding up too well too, we'll have to see tomorrow! Off to pick OH up from station now, feeling like may have a takeaway tonight, done enough catering these last few days! Have a good evening Sparklies xxx ... View more

Just popping on to say good luck to Jill, Jayne & Izzy for tomorrow....good luck girls!...xx ... View more

Chelle hope you're feeling better today after fiasco yesterday!!....so annoying you've got to wait till Monday now for results... 😞 Deedee hope you've enjoyed shopping with your daughter..xx Cress so pleased youre having a great time with your friend!!... xx Emma (Peachy) glad youre back ok from the bar, these bloomin hospitals & their lapses are really worrying tho....take it easy...xx Still having great time with family, lots of laughter as always, just trying to fight the tiredness & keep going but don't know if I'll last the night!....zzzzz!! Have a good Sat night Jewels xxx ... View more