Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Beth, mine sounds similar. 'Belt and braces' is how it has been described to me. MX to get rid of the cancer, 6 FEC, rads and hercepin. All should hopefully keep it away! I trust what I am told and try not to read too much on google etc.   Love Lou xx ... View more

Hi, had my last chemo/FEC last Thursday - all 6 cycles done!! The fog is still with me for now and I certainly feel more tired now than I have since I started in January. At least once these SEs are gone my body will start to recover. Each cycle has been slightly different and from cycle 4 onwards the SEs were more obvious. Keeping a chemo diary has helped me compare from one to the other . Sore mouth and awful taste seem to be on similar days of the cycle. Happy days xx   ... View more

Ladies, your words are so true. Take the information you are given from the hospital, as this is relevant to you and your treatment. Google is good but often too much information !! Today I had my last FEC cycle and now have a few weeks to chill and recover before Rads and herceptin. My diaognosis was last October and finishing chemo seemed a long time away. The day has finally arrived ! It's all done now and some rubbish days to come until I shake off the SEs. All of you hang on in there - you will get through and then you can celebrate and relax Love to you all - Lou xx ... View more

Thanks Blueash for your help .I am as scared of the injectons as I was the chemo but think the SE won't be any worse - fingers crossed xx ... View more

Thanks Blueash, I have read your post and really relate to your words. Also my treatment is almost exactly the same as yours. When did you start Herceptin and how have you been with it? Also how many rads are you having? I am going to have 15 days and surprised as I expected more. My ONC explained that studies have shown there is no benefit for having 5/6 weeks of rads compared to 3 weeks.It's equally effective. It's true what you say - we can't change it, so deal with and bring the trearment on!!   Lou xxxx ... View more

Hi Lou, do you know who your holiday insurance was which through your travel agent? We need insurance for June but have been told by insurers they will not quote until 3 weeks after my chemo has finished and it all feels like such a rip off. Almost like they are dong me some kind of favour!!   Thanks - Lou xxxxx ... View more

Hi Linda, yes that sounds familar, my head was so tender and then all my hair came out in days and felt much better. Still sh.t though !! Lou xxxx ... View more

Hi Karen, glad your results day is finally here. My diaognosis is similar in some ways. I am HER2+ and grade 3 for 3 bits of cancer. However mine was surgery first - left MX to remove all the crap !! Chemo now, Herceptin next and 15 days of rads. It sounds like they have a plan for you so firstly you are being treated - which I took as a huge positive. Everyones treatment is made to suit them so don't feel too bogged down with it all right now. One step at a time and now you know what is what you can start to get your head around it all but its not easy. This is the start of getting rid of this sh.t. Take care - Lou x ... View more

Hi to all you good people!! Your words are so true and waiting for results is a rubbish time and extremely stressful. Hang on in there - you won't always feel this way - Lou x ... View more

Hi Karen, my oncologist sent me a summary of the appointment and treatment afterwards which also went to my GP. This was both helpful and scary as I googled some of the words and got myself in a right stew. Certainly have someone with you if you can and take the information they give you rather than trying to fill in the gaps yourself. I didn't feel my BC nurse was much help and quite patronising at times. The best help is from places like this when we are all dealing with it together and there are also experts here for you to contact. Hope you are ok - Lou xx ... View more

Hi, I am going to Italy in June but can't get a price until 3 weeks after my chemo has finished. Not sure if herceptin will affect the cover and quite tempted not to mention it at all. I agree we and our families need a break more than ever after all this cancer rubbish. Surely as its only a week whats the big deal. Especially as we all go along with what we are asked and told. Hope you get sorted - Lou x ... View more

Hi Matilda, Anne is right - we are all here for you. I certainly think the diagnosis is the worse time and so stressful. However once your treatment is planned and you know what is happening you will start to feel better about this whole crap time. Lou xxx   ... View more

Hi, I have noticed small red spots on my bald head once all my hair had gone. I assumed they had always been there but never seen them before. My scalp was very tender and sore after my first cycle of FEC and it only felt better once all my hair had fallen out. I used a plain moisturisor but kept it in the fridge and was really soothing at nights. Hope this helps ... View more

Hi, I am having FEC chemo and had 5 cycles out of 6. My taste has always been affected and certainly since cycle 3 it is worse. I read a post the other day which describes the taste as 'sucking old coins' and that is so true for me. Certainly it's difficult to eat when nothing tastes as it should. I have tried eating a few different things as I dont know how they should taste - if that makes sense. May be worth mentioning to the oncologist if case they can 'tweek' the chemo slightly. Hope your mum feels better soon - Lou xxx ... View more

Hi Helesbelles,  even though I knew it would happen and I had the wig ready, losing my hair was extremely hard to deal with. Now I have accepted it and like my wig. However it feels like a loss of identity and when I look in the mirror, it's not me I see!! I have total admiration for all the ladies who 'go bald' but thats not for me. As normal as possible is how I need to feel and look. Good luck to you all this week xxxxx ... View more

Karen, waiting for the results is real cruelty and it is a bombshell. Sometimes the team just treat it as their routine but to us this is all life changing. Keep posting - we can all help you through. Better days will follow I promise   Lou xx ... View more

Glad your operation is over and done with. I know what you mean about reconstruction - get rid of the crap first!!! My MX was last October and healed well but scared badly under arm from biopsy. Only 1 more cycle of chemo to go and feel like my body has been through enough in the last 6 months. Still don't have all the feelings back under my arm and often get an itch but don't know where to scratch - bonkers !!! I had a seroma for around 4 weeks and had it drained once. Surgeon would not drain again due to risk of infection. Did eventually disappear but I did'nt like the feeling of 'jelly on a plate' when I moved. Keep on with the exercises - you sound in good spirits   Lou  xx ... View more

Hi , I am very interested by what you have said. My ONC is saying herceptin will start 3/4 weeks after chemo and it all feels too quick. I am scared of SE after first injection and long term affects for a years worth. When I tried to discuss this the nurse and ONC were very 'matter a fact' about the whole thing but this scares me more now than the chemo I am having. Sometimes I feel they should listen more rather than just going through the motions. I respect it is their job and know what they need to do but sometimes I feel like I shouldn't challenge or asks questions. I agree it is a mine field but what your body is telling you must be addressed. Look forward to hearing your next post and I agree this doesn't make the journey easy   Lou xxxx ... View more