Breast Cancer Now Forum

your prob like me, dont enjoy what your eating but know it tastes good, I am trying to convince my brain to taste what I am eating rather than taste buds.  Fresh strawberries from garden yesterday, have not been enjoying them, but last night put the cream on and convinced myself they were lovely, which of course they are, but damn taste buds dont recognise it.  Pie for me tonight, with fresh 3 colour french beans from garden, have been enjoying green veg especially cabbage, such strange things to enjoy cos very bland tasting really. buttered cabbage has been my mainstay, forgot to add that to my list......   val xxx ... View more

Oh well ladies - thats it - back from last chemo......all went ok and on time.  Feels really strange tbh, feels great that I dont have to have any more, but a little strange that that part is all over, no 3 weekly appointments in the diary any more. Just waiting for Radio planning appintment to come through now.  I was told my haemoglobin levels were a little low - 92 and they like it over 100, and I might need a blood transfusion!!!! fgs!!!! asked how I had been feeling. Actually I have been feeling ok, apart from taste buds, have done breakfasts and rooms, washing and ironing, shopping etc, part time job etc.  I really wasnt aware that I felt ill - she asked about breathlessness, said I did get that in the evenings, but Onc just said it was cos I was tired.....I do rest in the afternoons and evenings and dont overdo it. Nurse just said see how I go and if I do get more breathlessness etc to phone and they would arrange a blood transfusion and I would feel a lot better. So you just think you are over it and they throw that at you.  Dont really want a transfusion, I think I am ok. Nurse did say some people manage ok on 92 will  just see how I go.   Hope everyone else is feeling not too bad.  I know what you mean about doing so much and then collapsing in a heap and realising you have overdone it, however little it is.  Its just cos we are so far down the line in this chemo lark, it is taking its toll.  Never mind we will all soon be over it wont we.   Keep strong ladies xxxxxxxxxxxx ... View more

and meant 3 weeks radio treatment, not sure when it will start but usually 4weeks or so after chemo finishes.  Guidelines are within 30 days - so we will see    Val xxx   ... View more

Oh I had 6 chemos, 3 xfec and 3 x T, think thats what you meant.  already had Mx so not shrinking anything so straight forward 6 for me.  Val xxx ... View more

I have found a few things I like with these damn tastebuds:   Kentucky Fried chicken, lovely tastes really good enjoy that, had twice in last few days and might have more today as visit to hospital and have to pass it Cheese on toast Pink salmon, mayo and cucumber sandwich white toast, butter, raspberry jam Hot Dogs, Bratwurst best, but other chilled hot dogs a close second steak pies   worth a try although I know we are all different   Val xx ... View more

works?? mum, im having three weeks, 5 days a week for rads so 15 altogether.  They havent mentioned boosts or anything.  Expect they will sort that out at planning meeting.   Val xxx   ... View more

Hi Ladies, not posted for a while just been getting on with it tbh.   Anyway, big day for me today, last chemo at 12.00pm, never thought this day would come.  Actually feeling quite emotional tbh dont know why - its a big big step I suppose.  Onc says could be a couple of months before I get taste buds back so thats not good as food is a real problem at the moment.  Still all be worth it and will look forward to a slap up meal and loads of wine when I do get them back. Local pub look out, in fact all local pubx and restaurants look out as I intend to visit them all lol.   Waiting for a call from radation department now to arrange the next stage of treatment.  Onc says 3 weeks now not the original 5 weeks they said....so thats a lot better.   Hope you are all doing as well as you can.   Val xxxx ... View more

well done hun, all your hard work was worth it.  BUt as you said, it shouldnt have been necessary, it should have all been explained to you from day one.  glad you got it sorted anyway xxxxx ... View more

Great News T3D, so pleased for you xxxxxxx ... View more

Oh Egret what an awful way to be treated.  I know where you are coming from as have had some of it myself.  Hopefully now with your change things will move forward more smoothly, I do hope so.  Take Care xxxxx ... View more

I dont have the metallic taste with T - just everything tastes awful.  Yes usually eating loads strawberries and cherries this time of year - even have in the garden - but yuk.  NOTHING tastes at all as it should. NASTY and fed up with it now.  One more T to go, so guess another couple of months of it yet.  Be ready for sprouts I expect lol.  Mind u now cabbage tastes ok - how weird is that -so mild a flavour. Val ... View more

Oh well lucky you, those who can taste again lol.  I live in hope then, but have a long wait I expect.  Just cooked a chicken roast, disgusting, how can that be lol? however, butterscotch angel delight was nice and cooling in the mouth and throat even though I couldnt taste it lol.   hey ho xxx ... View more

How do you know you will eat normally by next week?????? I ahvent eaten normally since being on this docetaxol at all, I dont have a normal week of eating at all, the taste buds just never come back.  Think this is it for me now until I finish.......thats why its so depressing........with FEC at least I did get my taste buds and appetite back but not with this one.   On dear never mind, xmas dinner should be good lol x     Val ... View more

well the nyastin is helping with my tongue, but if its not thrush it wont help you i dont suppose.  No taste still, trying absolutely everything. Even Pepsi which has been keeping me going,I cant tast now.  Just swallow to get fluid in lol.  Trying a roast chicken dinner today, liked cabbage very much the other week, so bland but can taste it funnily enough or could last week.  Really fed up with the food situation tbh, there is just nothing that helps at all.  Porridge is the only thing I can eat and taste.  I am so looking forward to this being over so I can enjoy me food again.  Still lost10lbs so that is a good thing.  Good luck all you lovely ladies with your probs,and yes maybe seeing a counsellor will help, it sure cant do any harm can it?   love and hugs xxxx Val xxx ... View more

  Jane Oh dear you are having a bad time.  If you are neutropenic why are they not giving you something,when you are really low like that everything is such a struggle, its complete exhaustion, no get up and go.  Why are they not giving you something forit, cant understand it.  I have been given the GCSF injections this time, one more to go, and they do seem to be helping.  Well I havent droppedlike a stone like last time anyway.   And as for sore mouth, there must be something they can give you for it.  I have thrush at mo so using my nyastin drops.  Hard enough to eat with all this without a sore mouth. Lots of cold ice lollies and ice cream will help with that, I am eating loads of them cosit numbs all the mouth and throat too - if only for a while it is a bit of a relief.   Its not good enough and I am sure you are exhausted thats just how I felt when neutropenic - hope you feel better later, but not sure without some help you will.  Push Push Push - shouldnt have to but pester them its not fair.   Love and hugs to you xxxx ... View more

Oh ladies I do feel for you. I really so couldnt care about me bald head any more,lots of my guests have even seen me like it - I dont care.  I dont have all these sad feelings either and certainly dont cry at all, or very rarely.  I hate that my lashes have almost gone and yes I know what you mean about cancer face - I do see it in the mirror. BUT we are fighting a terrible disease - never felt il before all this and we are having to deal with the effects of these nasty nasty drugs/poisoins weare being given. It will all come to an end and I for one am determined that this will be the end.  Its never happening to me again, I am going to get back to my normal life, and I am going to look as good as before, if not better.  I am going to make subtle changes to my life, like taking up swimming again to keep fit, treat myself as and when I can and am able to/afford to, I am not going to stress about anything, and I am going to make more time for me, my family, friends and OH and time for US too. Because my motto has always been "lifes too short" and something like this happening to you makes you realise that more than ever.   Oh dear very deep thinking this morning after a busy morning cooking brekkies for people and doing rooms, now exhausted, But I achieved it and it makes me  feel good that I did. Normal life will return so soon, we will look back on all this and it will seem like a dream.   Keep strong ladies, I know your sick of hearing it,but its the only way forward - look after yourselves, allow yourself time if you need it, cry if you need to, ask for help, ask for understanding and just be gentle on yourselves.     Tak care all of you, much love xxxxxxx Val xxxxx ... View more

And as for gifts, I have been going absolutely mad in the summer sales, from all sorts of shops.  Been shopping late at night while wide awake on steroids, well I do have a holiday in January and maybe another before that, SO I need all these things.  There wont be anything around in the winter to buy for warm hols will there? Well thats my excuse and I think I deserve it after all Ive been through and still to go through so there.  NO EXCUSES - I can because I can.  Have bought OH lots too and grandchildren so not entirely selfish lol xxxxSPEND SPEND SPEND XXXXX Nice to see a warbroe of bright summer clothes too xx ... View more

well done T3D - keep well xxxxxx ... View more

Thanks Egret,and your right, I will check next time, cos could have gone off and done other things.  As it was we endedup making Daughter in law late for work with all the delays.  Oh ok and we went shopping but neededto lol, our leisurely lunch changed into shopping at Matalans sale and then a Mcdonalds to eat on the way home  But the shopping was fun lol xxx   ... View more

Hi T3D, hope it goes well tomorrow, Im sure it will .......   With regards to the scary bits, Cornwall is lovely so you will have a great family holiday there, BUT, I would say about the scary flying thing. You have been through something far more scary and daunting than flying. Take the bull by the horns and do it, fly to a European destination with your OH, dont let it beat you the bloody cancer hasnt lol I can thoroughly recommend Barcelona and Madrid for short city breaks.  absolutely fantastic in every way and lots of cheap flights around at the mo. And yes I have plenty of belly fat to inject into - it does help I think. Good luck tomorrow, keep posting    Val xxxxx ... View more