Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Ann I had a nice little walk to the chemist for nytol and felt much better for the walk albeit I went very slowly. However it has given me the confidence that my knees won't buckle under me. I was also met by a nice surprise when I opened my door in that a friend had left flowers and a card. I was obviously meant to go out lol. Best wishes Lisea ... View more

Hi Jo, thank you for the nytol suggestion will definitely give it a try. I think I had a 4 hour sleep stretch last night which was great but will also download the app. I will keep swimming Lisea ... View more

Thanks for the responses. I am really struggling with fatigue, yesterday I had some energy I didn't do anything other than a trip to hospital to get picc flushed yet it totally wiped me out. Any ideas on energy booster as don't think I can cope with this much longer. Have lost my appetite but can cope with that, especially as I have a number of spare pounds to lose. ... View more

Hi OldDawn63 Thanks for your response So far I have had aching knees, my feet feel funny and most of all tiredness. I assume I just keep taking the painkillers as prescribed until I feel pain no more! For some reason I had hives after the gsf injection on Sunday but antihistamines sorted that. District nurses are nice Piccline isn't too bad just trying to get a good position to sleep in. Hope all are OK. Lisea ... View more

Hi Dawn, Jojo and Claire Thank you for your relplies sorry for delay didn't get notifications but have definitely checked the box now  Bought thr cream on your suggestion Dawn and undertook massage and stretching as I did for previous cording however the 3 EC was horrendous despite the heat pads and hand in water etc.  Found a vein near palm which made infusion extremely slow but I had the most patient nurse.  Anyway I developed an immediate fear that I couldn't do anymore infusions without a Picc.  Saw oncologist on Tuesday with chemo booked for yesterday and she agreed to it and put through an urgent referral.  From that my anxieties recuced significantly.   Called in for preassement on Wednesday,  luckily work is so flexible and assessed ok for Picc and did bloods in prep for Thursday  then they realised I hadnt been booked in early enough for first herceptin, so the upshot was early start for picc line which went in easily and to right location first time, then herceptin injection which was ok followed by 6 hours of monitoring then Tchemo which was a dream as I wasnt worrying about the cannula.  A long day but well worth.  The picc nurse said she felt all patients with the availability of only one arm should be offered this. Managed to sleep comfortably as only do back and left side since ANC. Steroids have me awake later than norm but such is life and have started hot flushes but other than that ok. Awaitng the district nurse for filgastrim injection and psyching myself up for those side effects but hoping to be able to do those myself in the future.    Hope everyone in group is doing as well as they can and maintaining positivity.  I can't believe I now only have 2 sessions of chemo left.  Then it will be the worries of radiotherapy lol I still havent mastered the Facebook thing!!!! Love and hugs Lisea xxx                       ... View more

Hi all, it's been a good while since I have been on and despite telling myself I will set up a fb account I have yet to do it. I have had a good catch up this morning though Things on EC have been okish compared to some of you - fatigue, insomnia, brain fog are what I hate the most - and I have only had to visit the hospital once with what turned out to bed a throat inflammation. Although I was there all day they were very thorough. I used the cold cap. It was ok but I lost about half my hair after the first cycle apparently it wasn't left on long enough for afro hair. I must admit I did want to cry when I combed it, but since then loss has been minimal. I haven't got a wig as yet I have one waiting for me at the mcmillan centre but I think as someone else has said I feel very conscious. I have been wearing scarves to go out and for work and received lots of complement from those who know I ha BC and others that don't. Yes I am managing work reduced hours from office or home during weeks 2 and 3. Excellent employer. Has anyone experienced a problem with the arm they have chemo through. It's like my veins are really tight when I stretch and there is pitting on the same arm. They can't use the other arm as I had an ANC and now have lymphodema. I have my final EC on Wednesday afternoon then will be moving on to T and hercep Pinkloz how are you doing, haven't seen any recent posts here Thoughts and prayers are with you all Lx ... View more

Hi all Thank you all very much support. I am sat here having had my first EC and wondering what I was panicking about. The treatment was straight forward and the cold cap isn't that bad. Thanks again I am sure I will be back on over the next few days. Lx ... View more

Hi Thank you all for sharing your experiences. After a long wait I am due to start my chemo tomorrow, it was delayed in December. I will be having 3EC and 3T followed by herceptin and tamoxifen. Having had such a long time to prepare, surgery was mid November I am suddenly petrified and I not sure why. I had my preassesment on Friday , looked around the unit and met some lovely staff (I am in Leeds), even tried the cold cap and left there feeling relatively confident determined to have a good weekend yet I have woken up today feeling miserable and obsessed with side effects. My appointment is until 2.15 I feel it's going to be a long 24 hours. 😞 ... View more

Thank you all for your posts. I am 5 days post WLE and ANC. Your advice re ANC recovery will definitely be adhered to as my physio appt is until January! I had reduced painkillers significantly as haven't been in pain even when doing exercise but will go back to dosage advised on discharge. Many thanks again ... View more

many thanks ann ... View more

Thanks Michelle.  your response was really re-assuring especially in relation to recovery after surgery.  I have already started the exercises as part of my prep. I wish to go back to work as soon as I am able to after the surgery and then take the time off as required for chemo.     I will take your advice on board about being able to say i dont want to talk about it or see people   many thanks and glad to hear you are doing  well ... View more