Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies,   im not sure! Let me talk to the person that administrates it and I'll get back to you x   ... View more

Hi everyone,   If you want to join us on FB, search for Breast Cancer Care July 2017 Chemo Starters. I started at the end of June but most in the group started in July.    X ... View more

Hi Mishy,   The July thread is really quiet as many of us have migrated over to the Facebook group. You're more than welcome to join us. Let me know if you want the link. We are pretty active on there. I didn't know back ache was a side effect but I had it really badly after the steroids wore off in round one. I'd had back ache before I started so just thought it was a recurrence of that but it made me feel lousy. Could hardly move! Stopping the steroids today in round 2 so hoping it won't come back. It's an endless round of managing SEs, isn't it? Anyway, glad you're feeling a bit brighter and that the docs are considering adjusting the meds for next time. I think we often feel we need to do as we're told rather than questioning the system. I was going to try a walk today but it's still throwing it down. The dog doesn't look too excited by the prospect! X   ... View more

Hi Wingnut,   Sorry to hear you're having to start chemo but glad you've found the forum. You'll find loads of help and support on here from women going through it with you. There is a monthly thread set up just for people starting chemo in July so I'd have a look at that and join in. Also that group have an additional Facebook group which is very active. If you search Breast Cancer Care July 2017 Chemo Starters, you'll find us. The cover picture is of pink roses.    Looking forward to chatting to you.   ... View more

Hi everyone,   How are we all doing today? The first bout of nausea has subsided for me now and I have to say (touch wood) that round two has been a whole lot easier than round one. I walked to the shop and back yesterday on Day 3 which is about 25 minutes there and back which would have been unthinkable last time. The steroids are waking me up early, about 5 am, but I can cope with that much more than feeling drugged up to the eyeballs. The only difference I can determine is that a) I'm less anxious and b) I'm not dosed up on antibiotics this time. Maybe my body was just overwhelmed with chemicals.   So my new thing to try this week is Epsom Salts. The ladies on the May thread are discussing this too. My dietician recommended them to me. You put them in your bath and soak for 40 minutes (I need no excuse to do this!) and it relieves aches and pains, can help constipation and generally rebalances your minerals. Will give it a try today and report back.   As for sore mouth, I'm bust mouth washing with corsodyl (about three times a day) and having a couple of small sips of manuka honey. The combo seems to be working although my mouth did get worse in week 2 last time and I'm only in week 1 at the moment.   As for the hair, still shedding a bit but not time for the shave yet. I think other ladies I've spoken to have gone for a grade 2 to begin with, if that helps. I think shaving to all off to zero can hurt your scalp a bit. Lots of good products on Live Better With Cancer to help with that.    Anyway, hope today is ok for everyone. It's chucking it down with rain where I am so good excuse to give in and no try to do anything today.    X     ... View more

Morning everyone,   Second EC wasn't too bad yesterday apart from two failed attempts to get the cannula in! After the second go I went white, then grey, and then nearly fainted. It wasn't pleasant but they persevered and we cracked on. When I got home I started feeling nauseous, took a pill but it didn't really go away. Headed for bed early but didn't really sleep too well, probably steroid induced. Will stay in bed this morning and try to rest. I definitely feel calmer even though I feel sicker!    My big shock was waking up this morning to lots of hair on my pillow! I've cold capped both times so hoping it's thinning rather than shedding. Watch this space!   good luck to everyone having treatment today - one step closer!    X ... View more

Morning ladies,   How is everyone doing? I'm going in for my second round of EC this morning at 10.30 am. I'm definitely not as anxious this time and I feel much more prepared. My husband seems a lot calmer and we are all much more positive. My third week has been pretty much trouble free and I've been able to function normally. I've been tired but rest has helped. The docs are adjusting my steroids this time around so that I don't get the major crash part way through week one. I'm not looking forward to the zombie feeling which is bound to descend but I'm hopeful I'll manage it better.    It's a beautiful day here. Hope the sun is shining wherever you are.   x ... View more

Tripletmum, that's great news! The finish line is in sight for you. Hurrah! Hope everyone else is doing OK. I'm heading for round 2 on Monday. Trying to get myself psyched up for it and the rest of the family prepared so they manage a bit better this time x ... View more

Morning everyone,   Thanks for sharing your experience, ilovemarsbars. It's really helpful to know what to look out for. I'm now into my "well week" before hitting chemo round 2 next Monday. Went away for the weekend and did normal things like have a meal out, go for a long walk, drink a glass of wine! Felt amazing and recharged my batteries significantly. Going to keep fingers crossed for round 2 that this is a pattern. Oh, but a filling did fall out during the weekend so I've got to check to see if I'm allowed to get it fixed.   Hope everyone is doing ok this week xx   ... View more

Sorry to hear you've had a rough time, Ilovemarsbars. That sounds like a real ordeal. Can you share with us how you knew you'd got it so we can watch out for the signs? I really hope you feel better now and can get back to the schedule before too long.    Im on Day 12 post first treatment and I'm just starting to feel human again. I'm having coffee with a friend and a weekend away with my husband in our camper van. Can't wait to get away from these four walls! It's been a real rollercoaster so far but I'm hoping forewarned is forearmed for the next bout. Hope everyone else is ok. Still hanging onto the hair here at the moment but expecting the drop any day! X ... View more

Sorry to hear that, Tripletmum. I know what you mean about depressing yourself. I sometimes feel like my world has become very much smaller since diagnosis and it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, day 6 is still early on in the cycle and you'll start picking up soon. Just keep telling yourself this will pass. You might be having that steroid slump that I had. I didn't pick up properly until half way through day 7. Get someone to make you something nice to eat or drink, have a bath or a sleep, do whatever makes you feel safe and cosy and hopefully things will feel better soon x ... View more

Thanks, Jill. I think that's half the problem - finding time when neither of us is stressed/knackered. Hopefully we'll get some respite this weekend. Thanks for your support x ... View more

Hi Jill and thanks for replying,   I think that is the main problem. He doesn't find talking easy at th best of times and I act as the social glue for all our friendships. Even when people phone up to see how he's doing he just passes the phone to me. He's been in a job where he's had to be emotionally tough and he's learnt to shut down as a coping mechanism. I've pointed him to support groups etc. but it's not his style. His withdrawal from me is making this whole process a lot harder than it already is. As I'm stuck in the house alone all day, I look forward to him coming home but I just get the silent treatment. It's so hard! I think I'd like a woman to look after me while I'm poorly!  ... View more