Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hya, Feeling good so far no Sickness like the FEC can move my head without that " better rush to the loo feeling" early days but I hope this continues. Lorna - Thinking of you , Hope TAX is treating you more kindly this time ! It is hard to know what to say and how often. I agree that honesty seems to work. I have told my 6 year old and 3 year old and read the the mummy's lump book some time ago. it is in the wrong order for me but we put my story together with them. I have put it on the bookshelf along with the other books so it is not special in any way. I normaly tell them when I have strong medicine. I have also told their school and pre school. The teachers have been realy good. There is a publication on line here which you can load down or order which tells you about telling the school, did not notice it until now but it looks helpful. I don't want to overload my children with information they can not understand but I also don't want them to hear stuff on the phone as you mentioned or from other people. My 6 year old has also been to the Chemo unit and met some of the nurses(he can not watch me have it done) they gave him 2 chocolate biscuits, juice and a magazine while I had my Neulasta injection, so he thinks it is a good place. So easily pleased at 6! Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hello All, Tax number 1 Today went ahead. Don't feel sick but early days yet I suppose. As for the cold, After a bad night sleep and a streaming nose this morning after Chemo it has dissapeared..... not even a sniffle. TAX has scared it away. Lorna re nails - have dark nail pollish which the onc suggested. It is a bit high maintenance but thought I would try to protect them. Hope thinks do not get bad Tonight and make your appointment tomorrow as well. Katie how are you after yesterday, hope you are not having to many SE ? Had some great news the Dr examined large gremlin and it has shrunk significantly and the 2cmlump in my lumph node he can no longer feel. Will have a scan on Tuesday. My Son (6 years )was missbehaving today when he got home. I think he picked up that I was worried about this one. When will you be better ? When will you stop having strong medicine ? Can I sit on your lap ? Why have they not taken the lump out yet? Came down stairs to show him I was ok and chat realising that we had not spoken about it for some time ! Must chat more often to re-assure him. Has anyone else had this with her children ? How have you reasured them ongoing ? Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hi Katie, I also have chemo first and did not realy question it at the time as I was none the wiser ! I did ask eventualy, they suggested Chemo first due to the size of the lump in the breast,the position of the lump near the chest wall ,plus having a 2cm lump in one of my lymph nodes, they wanted to zap anything that had spread and shrink my monster and gremlin for better margins when whey opperate. Still will have mastectomy regardless as well like Sandytoes. There was a mention of more chemo after op and rads but hoping that was just a rumour! Get measured at the same time as hormone and TAX tomorrow if the Cold does not develop into something nasty. Just called hospital oncology they will do treatment as long as the blood test is ok and I have no signs of infection. (Temp, sore throat etc) If not well I will get an extra weekend off !! Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

hi Girls, Lorna - Fab news re your shrinking Gremlin so glad the TAX is working, hope you have a better experience for number 2. Re eylashes you stick to the skin just above your lash line. I have a few stray hairs but not a lot compared to before and very uneven. You can do mascara but I think they are looking good without. Go to a large boots and they have loads. I went for natural but there are some freaky ones. mine are eylore Naturalites , special anniversary edition lashes. Also bought Ardell fashion lashes they looked awfull. Too short and too dark and obvious for me. Katie - hope you avoid the cold. I have developed a cold started yesterday eveing. (perhaps from the plane on the way back !) Will let you know if it effects my first Tax on Thursday will call them tomorrow. Good luck for your First TAX tomorrow hope all goes well. Let us know how you get on. Hugs to all ... View more

Hello All, Back from holls, no drama while I was away. Just read through the posts, you have been busy. Rexi, Pam and Pinkypam - congrads on shrinkage !great news. Getstandup - glad you also had a good holiday and hope your FEC4 went well. I had FEC4 prior to hols. Now 4 TAX Lorna - making it into work in the end after your after your first TAX. Hope your next one goes much better than the first ! Rexi - Shingles oh no ! hope it does not effect your treatments. Baldilou - welcome this is a good place to be. lots of support from the lovely ladies here. As for me - FEC4 completed.. My first of 4 TAX on Thursday. DR is also going to measure as well. Went out last night and put on false eylashes for first time. Took two attempts to get them on but they looked good. Hugs to all BerthaB ... View more

Hi Girls, Lainie My first cycle of FEC I was sick and constipated. The last 3 I have had Emmend and domperidone which Pinkypam mentioned. It realy helped, still felt sick but was not sick. In addition I had the opposite of constipation for the next 3 FEC , unsure if this is an effect of Emmend or just different these times. As the other girls mentioned speak to your Dr and go through how you could prevent these side effects occuring. I always write down all my questions in a book and leave gaps for the answers and Mr Dr just has to wait while I take notes! I have my husband with me who knows the list of questions as well. My brain was fried with information overload especialy for the first few cycles so it helps to have someone with you. Hope your feeling better and you get your appointment lined up before your 2nd cycle. pinkypam -- hope you get your questions answered soon. how frustrating ! Lorna TAX sounds awfull for you , hope you can get some stuff to combat this lot and you are feeling better soon. Just packing ready for tomorrow-- will tell you when I get back if holiday was a good plan. Have insurance confirming cover, have a DR who I can use if I need anything who is 10 mins away, have course of antibiotics from GP if something major happens. Spent far more on priority boarding etc than I would normaly but I am determined to go. Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hello Girls, Been reading through the discussions while the steroids are keeping me awake at night. Expecialy for those who have started TAX already as this is my next leap into the unknown in a few weeks time. Just had FEC number 4 on Thursday. Doing ok so far just the normal SEs. Strange how doctors have different rules for holidays but I suppose it depends on your treatment and what they consider is good for you ? Have this week off work and the following week Mallorca, I have had to reduce it from 2 weeks but a friend has gone this week to use the appartment she is already there and had called me to say the view is lovely and the place is great also. Now I am so exited can not wait to get out there with the family ! Just dreading something getting in the way of me going when I am 5 days away ! Rexi - yes i know what you mean about being a bit bored about BC and talking about it. Finally sent out a mail to people with a title " The hair is just too perfect isn't it " (the Wig of course !) It was only a few lines but the one which worked wonders was "If you see me then I am fine and no need to ask how I am " they now talk about other things when they meet me, it has been great to talk about other people and other stuff rather than BC taking over the conversations I have with my friends. One of them also mentioned it helped them to be kinda "told what to do" I hope the TAX girls are still on their steroid High and any bumps they bounce back up. Wishing the SEs for everyone will be less than last time. BTW --- My mum told me I looked good Bald ... Love her.... I just laughed and told her I would not be shaving it off when it grows back.... no woman I know would be bald through choice ? Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hello Girls , Kids now on holidays, chaos at home, hence not being on here for a bit. Hope all are well , My FEC 4 this Thursday. Then 4 Taxotere. If any of you have already started Tax let me know what it is like compared to FEC. Dr mentioned something about keeping your nails out of the sun and purple polish. Any one else heard about this ? Had to reduce holiday to a week, now going away on the 12th Aug to Spain. Sue -- I listen to M&M for my "therapy" Loud and shouting and lots of Swearing. No idea why it makes me feel better but it does. Broken tooth , Wasp sting, you poor thing, hope all ok when you go to the Nurse. I kinda do a running wobbly dance each time a wasp comes near, husband takes the P ! Planning to keep dancing! Hoping if you have a 3rd thing it is a good thing ? Have also started Pilates, it was lovely class would recomend it. Especially the relaxation 10 mins at the end. Nearly fell asleep! Lorna - Re eylashes and eye brows, my Eye brows are fraying at the edges and keep getting lashes in the eye ! Bought some fake eyelashes today and a pencil to draw in the eye brows. The lady in Boots was realy helpfull on the Este Lauder counter and showed me how to draw them in on my hand. She stuggested starting now where they freyed at the edges and then I will get used to where they are. Can you buy stick on eybrows ? Katie - I have not had a port but I think the girls are right that you get it checked my friend, it does not harm just to make sure. Feeling very Fat, too much eating ! Sandytoes, count me in on the Weight loss thing after eating and entire chocolate orange today in addition to the 2 big meals ! Hope everyone is as good as they can be. Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hello All, Sue - bit of pampering always good for you. Had something new for me for this time post FEC number 3. Woke up and thought there was a distant smoke alarm and a car alarm going off somewhere in the middle of the night , then I realised when I got up it is inside my head ! Spoke to the chemo unit today as it happened for the last 3 nights , Tetinitus I think they said and it may or may not go away in 2-3 days. Trying to tune it out and hoping I am in the may go away category. Has anyone else had or heard of this ? Hope all are doing well. Hugs BerthaB ... View more

Ninja Weekly !!! I never realised either. There is me twitting on about every 3 weeks and my hols ! Can not even imagine what your going through this each week with no "time off" that I have. I hope you get your long weekend away and can see why your desperate for a holiday. I realy want a holiday now and I have only just started on this road with Chemo (no surgery yet)! Big Hugs to you girl. BerthaB ... View more

Hi girls, Marie - So sorry to hear about your delay ,so frustrating, it has to be safe but that does not help when you want to just get it done and over with "on schedule" so you feel more in control...... I hope you can recover soon, plan something nice for the weekend and a bit of pampering for you prior to Monday. Rexi / Ninja -- getting to this now the % of WBC is % of White Blood Count. (my brain is slowly returning after Fridays poisons.I could not think what WBC abreviation stood for!) Had a chat again with them today 1.3 is the minimum they will do at the hospital I go to, I think they are all different as someone mentioned before. My next Chemo will not be done early 5th August soonest but the consultant has suggested the 8th is more likely. Hence now reducing holiday to 1 week instead of 2 .. had a boo over holiday feel better now ! Will re-arrange it tomorrow. Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hi All, Rexi - thats interesting re blood counts I was 1.3 when they went ahead on friday. I have the injection to stimulate the white blood cells 24 hours after Chemo is finished. What is WBC on Neutrophils ? Good luck with for both you and Marie for EC 3 and FEC 3 and anyone else joining you this comming week. I feel a bit spaced out after FEC 3 but the Emmend tables have helped with sickness. I find after each Cycle I am a little more tired is this others experience ? Was difficult to rest today with 2 lively children at home but in the end my husband took them down the park in the rain in their waterproofs , they were the only ones down there (which they loved) and they did not care about the rain it all bounced off! Hugs BerthaB ... View more

Hello i Girls. Pat - sorry to hear you have been through soo much for no schrinkage, I would also be down after all that treatment and side effects. Realy hope you have some better news soon. Pinkypam -glad to hear you have had a good holiday in padstow. See why you did not anyone near your picc line! I think you made the right decision ! Katie - glad to hear you had a good party for your daughter and you had the help you needed. Makes a big difference. Adminstart - glad you like the wig can't wait to see it. need to wash mine, just feels odd taking your hair off to wash it. Lorna hope the Football club is saved and you are related to them ! As for me - After Wed blood test low, thursday even lower. Then Friday went up and the consultant said yes.. Got my result about 12:00 and the unit closes at 4. Panic ! - Arranged for friend to pick up 3 year old at hospital , called mum to come down, arranged neibour to pick up 6 year old from school and suddenly remembered to take Emmend at 1:00 then in by 1:30 FEC no 3 completed - Phew. The delay will impact our holiday as the consultant would not do FEC number 4 early but only for a few days hopefully, I will fly out later after my treatment and join the family. Hugs to all. BerthaB ... View more

Hello All, Sorry Lorna to hear your no shrinkage ! Katie hope your daughters 5th birthday goes well tomorrow. Asked the right questions this time thanks Ninja. Neutrophils were 1.8 yesterday and 1.0 today so no go on my treatment, because it was going down not up. Frustrating to say the least ! But on the positive side I will go to my Son's sports day tomorrow AM. Have a consultant appointment at 1:00 today to re-plan and also he is going to measure.I am so hoping that it will be good news today on this front at least. Re Veins thing... have been having it no problems so far but then I have only had 2 treatments .. did not do the Port cos I did not want to have the constant reminder. I thought that I could actually forget about this (almost) for 2 weeks out of 3. Now the hair has gone my initial resistance seems a bit silly now ! I'll see how many needles it involves may go for it after holiday. Going to stock up on Fresh vitC , Papaya leaf capsules and eat honey until it comes out my ears today. Bertha B a Honey Bear. ... View more

Hi Ninja, Thanks -- MMM good question that perhaps I should have asked ! I just asked if I was 1.8 what was normal (which was where the 5 came in )and if there was anything I could do about it so I get the treatment tomorrow. The nurse said no , come in for a re-test tomorrow and the consultant chap will decide if ok to continue. She mentioned that I was already having the injection so I assume this was the white cell count ? Will ask some more tomorrow I think.. Thanks. BerthaB ... View more

Hello all. Hope the Girls having chemo this week are all ok. Welcome to Caroline and any others joining our June crowd. I was due for FEC number 3 tomorrow but my count is down to 1.8 and apparently it should be 5 ? I had a look on the forum but could not find out if this was very low or tomorrow may be possible? Does any one know ? 2nd blood test tomorrow morning wish me luck Re Holidays I am planning to go away on the 5th August for 2 weeks in Spain. Have travel insurance etc all booked. I have yearly travel insurance so they will cover me provided the doc gives me a letter to say he is ok for me to travel. Hoping the above won't impact it ... but hey who knows. re cold cap. I had the cold cap but after my first FEC most of it fell out but I still have a covering (would not go out with it though without hat or Wigg !) It has fallen out most where my hair was thickest and I do not think the cold got there. The 2nd time it felt 100% colder with an almost bald head. Hugs BerthaB ... View more

Rexi !! fantastic news . Lorna ....... sorry to hear of the inappropriate comments at work. last thing you need, I hope it gets sorted soon. Rant away... Now you guys mention the skin thing , yes I think for me it has changed. Hope all are well.... Hugs, BerthaB ... View more

Hi ChoccieMuffin, Thanks for letting me know re barbecue, would rather meet up locally, due to Chemo and the sleepyness I have with it I may not end up in Guildford if the train is rocking nicely. Kind regs BerthaB ... View more

Hya , Let me know next meet up, Diagnosed on 18th May just started Chemo in June prior to op. I live in Reading. BerthaB ... View more

Hello Girls , Hope everyone is feeling better from this and last weeks treatments. Sandytoes - hope yours goes well and you have no more drama ! Katie - My FEC number 3 is next Thursday 14th day after your FEC2. My Daughters 3rd birthday was 2 days after my FEC1, I had lots of help and all went well. Hope you have the help you need and both birthdays go well for your daughters. My Suburban Turban treats have arrived. Have one had for outside - cool summer girlie pink hat. Have another for bed time - my sleepy hat... Very pleased, love getting post. Feeling fine except for sore neck ---- Work have shipped me out a more comfortable chair to work from home in.... too comfortable...did not have a productive day in work because I fell asleep at my laptop. (head in laptop in fact) Woke up due to beeping sound ....... over 2 hours later, more tired than I thought. Ho hum...Berthab Berthab ... View more