Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi mytranquilo I really recommend joining the Facebook group as the ladies are worldwide and very knowledgeable with all sorts of other complications. If you post your worries you will get lots of support and may even find someone who has the same complications as you. They have really helped me and given me so much advice from there own experiences but all of it positive. There are only a few Metaplastic ladies from the UK most are from USA where more research has been done. Let me know how you get on. X ... View more

Brings back memories when you talk of the china clay. We stayed in Golant just outside of Fowey and had a trailer on our car for our bikes. When trying to find our cottage we ended up on a slip that went into the river but the trailer wouldn't reverse and we were stuck on the railway line. Reassuring the kids it was a disused line we unhooked the trailer and reversed the car. Literally 5 minutes later the clay train rolled past, someone was certainly looking down on us that day. Been for breakfast and did half an hour of shopping and now I'm flaked out watching telly. Made me realise how much it does take out of you when I struggled to make it up 3 flights of stairs when usually I'd be running up them. ... View more

Hi Ruth You will get to Cornwall and if you're exhausted you might as well be exhausted in Cornwall with fresh sea air and beautiful views than stuck at home. I'm having no problems sleeping but I do keep going all day no matter how tired I am so I know I'll be able to sleep at night. It must be awful to not be able to sleep Gmc . I'm glad your mum is ok so that will be once less worry on your mind. I' m off for breakfast out this morning for Father's Day as my son has a golf competition later so we couldn't go for lunch, only problem is they all stayed up to watch the England game last night so I've got to be the mean one that wakes them all up. Sheryl ... View more

Hi Ruth I'm on 4 FEC and the 4 Docetaxol. I love Padstow and Tintangle, we went there this time last year and you can't beat the views up on the cliffs looking over Tintangle. I also loved our holiday to St Ives just not the 8 hour journey to get there!! By the time you can eat chocolate you won't want it. X ... View more

Hi Franci I'm having 8 x FEC-T and had my second FEC on Friday. I am having it via a canular and the first time after day 5 my vein went red and was very sore. I was told to rest my arm and alternate ice with ibrufen cream. The vein has now healed and although it still feels hard and looks dark it is not causing any pain. As I haven't had surgery yet they are able to use both arms so I had the next one in my opposite arm. I can feel a little pain in that vein but not to the extent of last time. I've had the cold cap twice now and can report I still have a full head of hair. I am washing it, brushing and blow drying it every morning and I lose a small handful every morning but it is evenly spread and has just thinned out a little. Every morning I inspect my pillow to see if this is the day I lose my hair but can report to date not one single hair on my pillow. Hope your chemo goes as well as it can. X ... View more

Hi When I was diagnosed it was mentioned that I might be Metaplastic. I had a lump the size of a golf ball come up very quickly within a few days. It continued to grow to 6.5cm so they are treating me with chemo first before the surgery (when I will get the pathology report to let me know if it is definitely Metaplastic). I can report that after 2 chemos (I'm having 8 x FEC-T) that my breast is more comfortable and the tumour feels like it is shrinking. There is a brilliant group on Facebook for Metaplastic BC and I have had so much support from them. X ... View more

Hi hbunny Like you I lost touch with this thread as I've now had 2 chemo sessions and tend to be on that thread. I've got my appointment with my surgeon on 1/7/14 and still going to ask for a double mastectomy and really hoping he'll agree. I'm taking my husband with me so the surgeon can hear that I've thought this through carefully and discussed it with my family and friends. For me the horror would be being left with 1 drooping boob as I'd rather be flat chested and be able to wear all those strappy tops that I've never been able to. Also I won't know until surgery and until I get the pathology report if I have Metaplastic BC which has been suggested from the biopsie. If I do have this type then it has an increased percentage of returning so I want to do everything I can to prevent this. What were your results and how are you getting on? ... View more

Hi Ladies I've popped over from the May 2014 ladies. I've had 2 sessions of FEC so far and had the cold cap on both sessions. I can report that I still have my hair. I am still washing, brushing and blow drying my hair and lose a small handful of hair when I do this, however it is evenly spread and you can't tell by looking (although I know it's slightly thinner as it doesn't take me ages now to dry like it used to). Every morning I inspect my pillow thinking is this the dreaded day my hair falls out but so far not 1 single hair on my pillow. I know everyone is different but I agree that the nurses don't always have faith in the cap and it does add time to your session. For me it has been worth it and the first time I had it I can report it was agonising but when I had it the second time it was only slightly uncomfortable for a few minutes. Wishing you all an easy time with few side effects. X Hope ... View more

Ruth glad to hear you are coping ok despite the bland diet. I haven't gone off my food this time and with the constipation have put on over half a stone in 3 weeks which I'm not bothered about but I feel so uncomfortable. I love Cornwall and if you have fine weather you can't beat it. We used to go when the children were younger and I loved visiting all the villages. Re the radiotherapy I'd ask what percentage it will increase your cancer not coming back. If its anything above 0% I'd go for it as what is 3 or 5 weeks in the scheme of what we've been through. I'm having 5 weeks after chemo and surgery and at least if my cancer does ever return I won't be thinking if only I'd done .......... Enjoy the lovely weather. Sheryl x ... View more

Hi Gill I sucked on frozen pineapple on the first session (hence I now can't stand the thought of eating pineapples) and got 2 small ulcers for 2 days in second week although one was from me biting the side of my mouth when eating. As it seemed to have helped I sucked on ice lollies this time but not sure I'll be able to face them again next session so if anyone else has ideas of things I can freeze I'm open to suggestions. I'm only day 4 this cycle but so far so good. Good luck Ruth on your next session. Sheryl ... View more

Hi Sheila. The taste does return. On my first cycle I craved savoury and healthy food like salted crisps (Linda I agree with you I never eat crisps normally), marmite On toast as I could taste it and lovely salads with advocados and olives. I usually love chocolate but just didn't fancy it. By the end if the second week my taste was back to normal which then meant I ended up eating loads and loads of cakes and chocolate whilst I could taste them. I feel I am going to yoyo diet through this chemo by losing weight the first 10 days and then putting it back on for the rest of the cycle. I'm day2 on second cycle and have just forced a bowl of porridge down so I can take all my anti sickness. Trying to be a little healthier this time but don't think it will last!!! Hope all you other ladies are doing ok and celebrating that some of you are nearly 1/2 way through or like me 1/4 way through. Those on FEC-T are you having 6 or 8 sessions. I was told originally 6 then it changed to 8 and my Dr on Wednesday said 6 but when I questioned him wouldn't confirm and said let's get through them 1 at a time!! ... View more

That's all you need Ruth, no running water and diahorrea. I would be shouting down the phone at them. Can't believe that you're having to deal with the stress of your parents and siblings on top of everything else and really hope you all get to meet so it can be sorted. Sheryl ... View more

Hi all It must be awful for those of you that have the extra pressure of elderly parents to look after. I'm lucky that my parents had me young, unfortunately my mum died when she was just 47 but my dad has remarried someone 12 years younger so we've told her she has to look after him when he's old and senile (he's only 65). Linda my arm is really sore where the chemo went in. When I was in hospital they looked at it and said it was thrombophlebitis caused by the chemo. Like yours it came up on day 6 and was so painful it kept me awake. They told me to rest and elevate it when I could and to apply ice. They also gave me some cream called movolat which is like an ibrufen cream. This helped a litttle. I've just been out for my second lunch in two days and am now feeling overindulged. At least with my next chemo on Friday I should lose my appetite so I don't put on too much weight. Sheryl ... View more

Sheila I was given steroids when I had chemo and then sent home with 3 days worth. I was told to take them with breakfast and then at 2 pm. I never had any problems sleeping other than waking up as mouth was so dry so needed a drink and gaviston for indigestion but was lucky enough to go straight back to sleep. I'm having 8 FEC-T chemo sessions then surgery then 5 weeks of radiotherapy. My next session is Friday so I'm making the most of feeling well, today I'm meeting a friend as it's her birthday and we're walking to the pub for lunch. Ruth so glad to hear from you and you do sound upbeat which is wonderful. It must be great to have your daughter home and how wonderful you're getting to see your mum. Take care everyone and hopefully you'll get to enjoy this weather whilst it lasts. Sheryl ... View more

Hi Sheila. I was like you and sailed through my first few days with exactly same side effects as you. I carried on doing housework, meeting friends for walks etc. then on day 5 it all changed. I'm sure it was the steroids giving me this extra energy and on day 5 when I stopped I ended up in hospital. Not saying you will as I had a reoccurring infection but what I am saying is make sure you take time for yourself and take it easy. You do need to rest even if your body is feeling ok. Hoping that you'll continue to feel well over the next few days. Sheryl ... View more

Good Luck Sheila and Lisa on your first chemo. Let us know how you get on and don't forget to ask if you need any advice. Ruth I really feel for you regarding your parents, it must be very difficult. I bet you can't wait to see your daughter. Is there any way that the home your mum is in will let your daughter take your mum for a walk into the garden and you can sit outside with her to alleviate the problem of germs. I'm day 15 and now feel completely back to normal with about 70% of my original energy. Having spent the first 12 days with little appetite and eating small portions I'm back to eating normally. Being bored at home I've taken to baking to occupy me but realise this is not a good idea as I've eaten so many cakes the last 3 days I can feel the pounds piling on. Hope everyone has a good day. Sheryl ... View more

Hi I was diagnosed last month and know how difficult it is. My best advice I was given was stay off google as it doesn't help and makes your mind worry even more. This Forum has been my lifeline. I have now started chemo and have joined a chemo monthly thread where we can talk about and share our experiences. Have you got an appointment to meet with an oncologist and surgeon? It may at times feel like things are not moving quick enough but believe me you'll look back and be glad that you had that period to get your head around it. If you need to talk keep posting as you'll gets lots of help and support from everyone that knows what you're going through as we're going through it too and remember we're going to get through this together. X ... View more

Hi all. Hurray I can actually say it without jinxing it, I got to spend a bank holiday at home without being in hospital. Even the yucky weather couldn't dampen that. I'm day 12 now and feeling pretty much back to normal. Finished antibiotics yesterday. The only thing I find is I don't have the same energy. Yesterday I managed to do the washing, ironing, hoovering and cooking but whereas it would usually take a couple of hours I found myself having to sit down and rest in between each job so it took a lot longer. I am very wary about overdoing it as I am sick and tired of hospitals now. I am still suffering from constipation and am going to make an appointment with the Dr. I have been eating bran for breakfast everyday, lots of fruit and veg and taking extra strength senokot every day but to no avail. So far I've not lost any hair so every morning I cherish the job of washing and blow drying my hair not knowing when it will be my last time. Hope those of you on round 2 are finding the symptoms easing and good luck to those of you that have round 2 this week. ... View more

Hi Ladies hope you're all ok. By the sounds of it the second cycle hits you harder so it will be good to be prepared. Feeling sick and spaced out Wax2014 must be awful. Trying lying with a cool wet flannel on your forehead to see if that helps the spaced out feeling. I think the trouble with all ofus is we realise each session will get harder so we're determined to do as much as we can now whilst we can. I've learnt from being in hospital for the last 4 nights that I need to slow down a little. At least I'm home now and having my first meal of choice (amazing boiled eggs and soldiers) has helped. I also have thrombophlebitis in my arm where the chemo was administered so that's my excuse for not tackling the ironing pile that has built up over the past 5 days. Had some good news today when my 16 year old son said his friend had invited him and 3 others to go on holiday to South of France with his Grandparents. I was feeling so guilty having had to cancel our holiday to Mexico and him not getting a holiday this summer especially as he's revised so hard for his exams. I then got an email from my work colleague saying they were changing things at work and hoping they wouldn't have to make redundancies. They haven't contacted me as they probably think I have enough on my plate but I'm hoping it doesn't affect me. Have a good weekend everyone and remember not to overdo it. ... View more

Jbf57 good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Remember to write a list of questions down before you go so you don't get home and remember you forgot to ask something. If you're starting in June then I'd suggest starting a June Monthly chemo thread as well as it's been invaluable linking up with others going through chemo at the same time. That being said its also good to look on the months before like you are as it gives you an upto date insight into what we're going through. ... View more