Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all,   I had my third of 20 radiotherapy sessions today. So far so good. My head hair is growing back really quickly and I have been out a few times now without wig or scarf.....it's very, very short but really soft.  No sign of any eyebrows or eyelashes still and my nails seem to be getting worse by the day. I'm still more tired generally than I was before chemo started but definitely feeling better every day. Doing a little bit of running / walking every day which seems to help with my energy levels. Loving this weather and really looking forward to a few days off catching up with family over Easter.   Stay well!    Annie     ... View more

Hi all,   Like lots of you my nails are pretty grim but keeping them really short seems to be helping.  My hair is growing back pretty much everywhere....but also not my eyelashes.   I start radiotherapy on Wednesday and have 20 booked in.  I had the tattoos done last week which are much much smaller than I thought they would be.  It's quite hard to distinguish them from my numerous moles.     I've had my chemo port removed which felt like quite a big step on the road to finishing treatment.  But I'm now starting to get a little worried about what happens when everything is done.....what does the check up schedule look like? Will they see me every 3 months / every 6 months / every year???  How will I stop myself panicking at every twinge??? I guess it will just take time.   Stay well and enjoy the sunshine! ... View more

Hi all,   How lovely to be able to taste again!  Some things still taste a little odd to me...especially sugary things.  Must give a good curry a go soon. I bet it was lovely!   I'm doing ok post my last chemo. I went back to work on Monday but am struggling to make it through a whole day....I'm still getting very tired.  I think it's the same with everyone isn't it? My fingers are still very sore and my nails are turning brown....I look a bit like an 80 a day smoker.     We we are going away this weekend too to celebrate the end of chemo and I'm hoping to enjoy a few nice walks and some nice meals out.   I was talking to a couple of ladies today who have both been through chemo and radiotherapy and both said that the worst is behind us having finished the chemo and they said that the radiotherapy (aside from the kerfuffle of it being everyday) was a breeze compared to chemo. Fingers crossed.  Hope you are all doing well. Xxx ... View more

I know exactly what you mean JoJo.  Just when you think you are over the worst of it and you think you can get on as normal, you realise you need to lie down! It's so frustrating.  I had my last chemo last Friday and thought I was over the worst but am still getting waves of tiredness.  My nails are really sore too...they seem to be getting worse not better.  I have now got all my radiotherapy appointments booked in but wondered what you all thought about the best time to go.....at the moment I have opted for the last appointment of the day (which is 3.45pm) so I can go to work first but I'm now thinking I should get it out if the way in the morning and then go on to work after....??? Hope everyone is ok. Big hugs. Xxx ... View more

I have been able to work throughout most of the treatment so far - I have had to take a few days off after each chemo cycle but have been able to work from home and go into the office in the second and third week.  It has definitely kept me sane and my employer has been incredibly supportive and flexible which really helps.  Like you Snail I am starting to make some post cancer goals (too morbid to call it a bucket list but I guess it is a bit like one)!  Starting to run again and entering some 10ks is up there and I WILL run the London marathon next year.  As cliche as it sounds, spending more time with my family and friends is top of the list. If nothing else, this has certainly made me rethink and reassess priorities.  Onwards and upwards!!! Xxx ... View more

So pleased to hear that your lump is not sinister Snail.  It must gave been so stressful waiting to find out. Nosebleeds are horrid. Mine keeps going too! My nails have started to discolour as well. I have my last chemo tomorrow and like so many of us I am so glad it's nearly over but also scared about not being in active treatment. Radiotherapy starts in 3 weeks and then all done by May as I had the tumours removed before starting chemo. I know it will get easier as time goes on....just having a bit of a wobble! Take care all. Xxx ... View more

Is it weird that my hair seems to be growing and still falling out at the same time? I have one more chemo to go (last one is next Friday) and I have cold-capped all the way through.  I reckon I have kept less than 20% of my hair and it is still falling out.  However, I seem to have developed a fine fuzz of hair in the areas where I had bald patches.  Most peculiar.  I have been feeling far more tired than normal and a bit more weepy so suspect my bloods are low but I am very much looking forward to the chemo being over and, hopefully, beginning to feel a bit more like 'me' again.  I think I've forgotten what my 'normal' was like.  Wishing you all a lovely weekend and role on the end of chemo for all of us! Xxx ... View more

Congrats on finishing! How does it feel? I am just getting through the side effects of my fifth round.  Definitely worse this time round....I'm assuming it's the cumulative effect of the drugs. I properly looked at myself yesterday and, for the first time in this process, I've realised I no longer look like me and have started to look 'sick'. I think it's the lack of eyebrows and eyelashes coupled with the dark circles under the eyes. I'm hoping a heavy hand with the make-up will make me look vaguely human...I have a black tie do to attend tonight. It is really heartening to read people saying their tumours have shrunk throughout chemo. I had my lump removed prior to chemo so it gives confidence that it is killing any errant cells. Hugs to all. Xxx ... View more

Hi Square Mummy.  I was 44 when I was diagnosed as triple negative. I was node negative so have had two lumpectomies (didn't get clear margins first time round) and am two thirds of the way through FEC-T chemo.  The next step for me will depend on the results of the BRCA gene test which I had as a result of the triple-negative diagnosis.  If the result comes back negative, I will finish chemo and move onto radiotherapy. If positive, then I will need to consider having a double mastectomy and having my ovaries removed.  The impact of a positive test result is less of a concern to me personally but it is the possible impact on my children and siblings that terrifies me.  I am keeping everything crossed for a negative result.   Whilst very frightening to not have any specific targeted therapy for triple negative, I have been assured that it responds particularly well to chemotherapy.  I have just had my first round of the T and it was not as bad as I I had feared.  I am back in the office today, feeling almost normal (treatment was on the 27th January).  My drawn on eyebrows are still in place and my wig hasn't popped off.. so all good! ... View more

The wig is fab and you look amazing!  ... View more

I'm off for my first round of 'T' today and feeling slightly nervous about the different range of side effects.  The last round of FEC was not great with lots of nausea and tiredness so I'm hoping there will be less nausea this time but am prepared for more pain and more fatigue.  A lot of you are further on than me and, whilst it sounds as though the side effects are pretty hideous, you all seem to be coping well.  Fingers crossed. Hugs to all. Xxx ... View more

So....I tried hair in a can in an attempt to cover the ever-growing bald patch at the top of my head. Apparently, it looked as though I had developed ginger freckles and not the lustrous head of hair I was hoping for. I do have a wig but was hoping to be able to only wear it for special occasions....think I am going to have to bite the bullet and wear it to work. I think it is the lesser of two evils.  Ah well..it was worth a try. I have a couple of days back at work this week and then 3rd and final FEC on Thursday. Nearly half way through!  ... View more

Oh no. That sounds awful. Hope you feel better soon. Xxxx ... View more

Hi all,   I have my next (and last) FEC next Thursday so have been able to enjoy Christmas and am looking forward to a glass of bubbly on New Year's Eve.  I am, however, already feeling anxious about the next lot.  My hair loss has slowed dramatically and I reckon I have managed to keep about 30% of it.....very thin on top but am hoping that some fake hair in a can might work rather than always having to wear a wig or hat.  I am cold-capping and that in itself is adding to the anxiety I think....it's not particularly pleasant but I figure I might as well keep at it if I can spare some hair.  Hope everyone is coping OK...can't believe we are all half way through (or nearly in my case). Any tips on getting a good night's sleep???? I've tried lavender mist, badger balm, Kalms and still can't seem to get a decent night!  ... View more

Hi,   I had had my second dose of FEC last Wednesday and the side effects have seemed worse this time. I have felt a bit like I am drunk and hung-over at the same time - total space-cadet and feeling queasy and generally bleurgh. As of yesterday I have developed a real ache in my lower back....a little bit like period cramps or early labour pains. Really uncomfortable. Am looking forward to feeling more normal over the next few days. Hope everybody else is doing ok and able to enjoy the festivities.  It's hard when you just don't feel like yourself.  Take care all. Xxxx ... View more

Hi.  I had my second round of FEC today. I did cold cap for both and have probably lost about half of my head hair...it is now very thin but not too patchy. The kids are helping spot bald patches and have recommended a comb-over! I still seem to have most of the hair on my body....although armpit hair is a lot more sparse. I am feeling pretty grotty this evening but have been given Emend so am hoping I won't throw up.  I'm not sure whether to go full GI Jane now and shave off what is left on my head or cling on to what I have in the hope that the cold capping may help the hair to come back stronger?? I 'went public' with a chemo cap to do a couple of bits in town and, whilst I'm sure it's paranoia, thought people were looking at me.  I think for the first time since the diagnosis I looked 'sick'. I wish I could be one of those women who rock the bald head / scarf look and look amazing. I just look like a cancer patient. But I'm sure I'll get used to it....I think it's a confidence thing.  Hope you are all doing as well as possible and are ready to enjoy Christmas as much as possible. Xxx     ... View more

Hi Capelmum,   It's so good to hear that you have been able to get back to work and felt better by day 8. I was day 2 yesterday and felt OK.....tired and queasy but nothing like the first night.  I work out of a number of different offices and am also able to work from home.  My plan is (subject to SEs) to take the first week off after chemo, work from home in the second week (whilst immune suppressed) and head into the office in the third week....provided there are no bugs going round. My work have been fantastic and are very supportive.  Whilst my job is not an important one (I'm not saving lives or making people's lives better like so many of the people I've met since my diagnosis) but it is really important to me and my self-esteem and feeling normal and valued.     Jacksprat - I just wanted to wish you all the very best of luck for today. I am confident that it won't be as bad as you fear it will be. Make sure you wrap up warm for the cold cap and have hot drinks throuout if you can.  Will keep everything crossed for you. Let us know how you get on.   love and hugs. ... View more

Thank you for your words of encouragement.  I am feeling much better this morning.  Still queasy but have managed to go out for a walk with the dog and am having some soup! The lovely chemo nurse who 'did' me yesterday called me this morning to check up on how I was doing and I mentioned I had thrown up four times. Within half an hour they had called back and said they would give me Emend? next time as they didn't think I should be throwing up.  They are so lovely.  Weird question though....I am having real hot flushes since yesterday...properly beetroot but my temperature is fine (if a little low). Is this a known reaction to the chemo drugs or has my body decided to go into early menopause...just to add to the fun!   I've got my positivity back today....it took a bettering at midnight last night when all I could see stretching ahead was months of having my baldy head shoved down a toilet but as you all say....we will get through this and come out of it battle scarred but stronger!! ... View more

Hi,   i had had my first dose of FEC today and found the actual treatment process to be reasonably uneventful and painless. I think the cold cap was worse than the drugs.  However, I have felt hideously nauseous from a couple of hours after the treatment finished and have thrown-up 3 times in four hours. I took the anti-sickness meds as prescribed but from reading all the comments here it seems to be about finding the right combo for you.  I am trying really hard to stay positive but the thought of four months of this (with really bad hair thrown into the mix) is depressing. I was hoping to work through chemo but, at the moment, that seems somewhat optimistic / naive.  I can't even imagine being able to leave the house.....any advice???   ... View more

Hi.  I have also just been diagnosed with TNBC - Stage 1, Grade 3.  I had a lumpectomy last week to remove the tumour and am going in again next week as they found another very small lump.  I have not yet been offered chemo and there is some question in my surgeon's mind as to whether it will be necessary.  I will be going for the genetic testing. I just wanted to understand what people thought about having chemo or not?  I have two teenage kids and was sort of thinking I'd chuck everything at this - chemo, radiotherapy and, if BRCA positive, double mastectomy and ovary removal as well.  ... View more