Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi All Had first T yesterday and it went quite well - in fact I got in early. Feeling not too bad this morning but abit apprehensive about the likelihood and severity of the side effects to come - but trying to stay positive. Happier with my bloods as I had a low WBC so havebeen taking in some super foods and results better - might just be good luck!! Have had really runny eyes but luckily sister who is an orthoptist has been able to suggest drops and this has really helped - surprisingly dry eyes run a lot so the drops are for dry eyes - have been brilliant. Going down to Herne Bay in the sun for lunch and ice cream on the sea front - small trip as live quite near there. Hope you all have a good day. ... View more

Hi Manicmum I hope your first T went well - i have my first T on Wednesday and not really looking forward to it but hope to be lucky and have few side effects. My twin sister is with me for the week as the husband is away so we are really going to have a few days before Wednesday to enjoy ourselves. She lives in Lancashire so we don't see each other as often as we would like but when we do we give it our all!!! We are identical although she will have to change her hairstyle for that to be true for a while!! ... View more

Hi I have just had x3 FEC and the side effects stayed pretty much the same all the way through for me - perhaps a bit more tired after the 3rd and my eyes have been running a bit but not tto bad. It does seem to vary from one person to another. I used the cold cap for the first FEC and had a big hair drop on the 17th day for a couple of days. Again I think this varies. I stopped the cap as I thought that with so little hair it would be painful - enough to put up with without that I felt but again it varies. ... View more

Hi Kobeobe7 After my first chemo I saw the BCN because I was concerned that it was my seroma getting worse again but in fact she thinks the swelling is down to the chemo and as i already had lymphoedema then she felt that might be increased as well and it is or can be a side effect from the chemo. It seems to stay the same really - tight, quite ugly looking and sore on the side of my chest. Not worrying about it because I feel it will be sortable once the chemo has finished - bit like weight gain really sort out themess once it all ends!!   Joyce    ... View more

Hi Sperry I too have a wig of Racquel Welch style - she has been out a few times - it was really the only style that made me look anything like me! However my NHS wig is called Zoe - resonable style but not colour. I quite like having these new "friends" - but they take some getting used to. Poor "betty" my prosthesis friend is having an enforced rest at the moment as my op site is quite tender due to chemo and have some lymphoedema ther but coping well with the "softie". ... View more

Good luck Hpefulholly - hope it all improvesand that the next phase of your treatment goes well. Don't give up the drink - I will support you with that !!! ... View more

Hi jky03 I had a day like yours yesterday and could not hail myself out of bed until midday - fed up, tired, nothing to look forward to and raining hard. Today is a better day - bit of sunshine, retail therapy - shoes I don't need and done a few jobs. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better - might have a glass of white to celebrate being more cheerful. ... View more

Hi I have no experience of a PICC line but have always found it useful to ring my chemo unit for advice re any problems and this seems to be the quickest thing to do and for immediate professional advice. My BCN has also been very helpful with questions / concerns. Good luck. ... View more

Hi Kelly I like a drink but since the pills 3 days post chemo says no alcohol then I have 4 days off - easy really because don't fancy it but by day 5 I look forward toa glass. Have defintiely cut back especially just before chemo. You have to have some pleasure - I googled it and was not advised to completely stop so just enjoying what I fancy. ... View more

Hopefulholly I used to go to weight watchers and my main chant was "there are no saturated fats in a gin and tonic" - must have been a good chant because at the time I lost 5stone and still have a liver in tact LOL ... View more

Hi Hopefulholly Wow you have had a trying time. I have just had my 3rd Fec and not doing too badly - half way there - just wondering what the T will bring but hey just have to get on with it don't we. Looking forward  to a glass or two tomorrow and have a "drinking" friend coming over next weekend so something to look forward to. Maybe I am talking to the wrong group lol. Hope you soon feel better. ... View more

Hi Moneypenny Just wanted to add - I used the cold cap as I have really thick short hair and thought it was my crwoning glory. Lost 50% of it on day 17  in the shower - a bit like a horror movie really and because it was so thin I decded that I would stop the cold cap as I was advised it would be quite painful with a thin covering of hair. The hair continues to fall out and I am learing to love the scarves and wig despite never being a "hat" person. I too have enjoyed the shorter stay without the use of the cold cap so guess there are benefits either way. Good to have you in the club!! ... View more

We all seem a bit quiet at the moment. Learning to love hats and scarves!! Third FEC tomorrow hopefully if they can find the vein willing to take it. How is everybody doing?? ... View more

Hi I had my mastectomy on 22nd April and started chemo on 1st july so quite a gap but to be honest I was happy with that as it took me a while to get ovr it all and the chemo has had an effect on my "flat side" as it is swollen - can put up with it now but earlier on it might not have been so. It seems to vary for all of us.   ... View more

I went out with my wig on a really windy day - live near the coast. I just warned my friends that they might have to retrieve it but it stayed in place amazingly well. I am also experimenting with caps and scarves but in all my life I have never "done" hats etc so like the rest of you is taking sometime to get used to - but the reality is we have to get on with it. Luckily i am off work until all of this is over so don't have to face work colleagues which actually makes it easier I think. So I am really wishing for days with some sun and a slight breeze!!! ... View more

Hi Ros53 I haven't really adapted - I hate it as it makes me so hot but the hair I have left is a real fright so needs must. I try to make myself keepit on in the house to get used to the feel as it gave me headache initially. My freinds tell me it looks great and someone commented and said "well at least you haven't lost your hair"  -so that all helps. However the need to wear it has reduced how much I go out but getting better. I talk to my reamining hair and dare it to come out in the shower but it's hanging on in there. ... View more

Hi Ros53 I know what you mean about a wig flying through the air and I can see the funny side of it today. Not sure how the poor bloke who ran into the back of me will cope he will probably have nightmares - serves him right should have been more alert!! ... View more

Thanks very much for the concern  - hopefully any aches and pains will be minimal. ... View more

Today I feel like life is a bit of a **bleep**. Someone hit my car from behind just because I decied to go out to make me feel better!! Car in garage, waiting for replacement - hit me hard enough to make my wig fly off - If I could laugh about it it must have looked quite comical really. Will have to get to GP tomorrow to get myself checked out as the force might have given me a problem. Still at least it's not a chemo week. Sorry had to get that off my chest. ... View more

Hi Hopefulholly I have had some headaches but find that drinking lots of water seems to help - so even if I don't really feel thirsty I am drinking water (and wine but suspect the water is more helpful). My scalp was really sore just prior to and during the time the hair was falling out but like you I still have some hair and reluctant to shave off.My third FEC is in a couple of weeks so a similar stage to you. Sorry i can't offer anymore help. ... View more