Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi  i was diagnosed with TNBC in January had left mastectomy no node involvement stage 2 grade 3 also found to have the mutation for brca2  and have been asked to go on the Olympia trial which i should start in September. Have you actually started on the trial and if so have you had any problems with side effects and your immune system.    ... View more

Hi kyjane I have just had result if gene test and brca 2 mutation I was diagnosed in january and had left mastectomy and now half way through chemo journey had to really battle to get test as no familial history and I am post menapausal but I am triple negative grade 3 aggressive so felt there had to be a reason now waiting to see genetics team I warned my three daughters who are 35 33  and 30 I was having test now have to tell them result and feel terrible bad enough I have to deal with this but devastated that they may be effected. I am having a ct scan and will opt for hysterectomy but might leave the second masectomy for now and  go with scans and monitoring I have the option to take up a trial after chemo for par inhibitors for 1 year has this been offered to you ... View more

Hi kyjane I have just had result if gene test and brca 2 mutation I was diagnosed in january and had left mastectomy and now half way through chemo journey had to really battle to get test as no familial history and I am post menapausal but I am triple negative grade 3 aggressive so felt there had to be a reason now waiting to see genetics team I warned my three daughters who are 35 eye and 30 I was having test now have to tell then result and feel terrible bad enough I gave to deal with this but devastated that they may be effected. I am having a ct scan and will opt for hysterectomy but might leave the second masectimy for jo and go with scans and monitoring I have the option to take up a trial after chemo for par inhibitors for 1 year has this been offered to you ... View more

Hi thank you for this info ad I did not given one first time round but asked for this today on second treatment x ... View more

Good morning everyone  hope all goes well for you today cartwheels I am having second fec today as well xx ... View more

Hi Cartwheels glad to hear you are back on track I am on second fec on Wednesday will be thinking of you fingers crossed it goes well for both of us x ... View more

Hi not able to get off to sleep tonight no particular reason nice to know someone else is out there. Had my first fecT on 27th march and my next session is this coming Wednesday but having fec first before  the T. I would recommend taking a bottle of water, hand cleanser and hand cream. Some chocolate and sucking sweets. A crossword book and magazine. Drink plenty of water as this helps the veins. I would also recommend taking a copy if your consent form as the hospital did not have mine on record and I would have had to have waited possibly up to 2 hours for a dr to come and reconsent if I had not had my copy with me. I have been told painting your nails dark color protects them but did nit really have too my side effects after the first fec and they were manageable I am hoping the next one will be the same good luck x ... View more

Hi everyone a happy Easter to everyone for some reason this got omitted from last post x ... View more

Hi Helles belles like you second session of fec on Wednesday hoping ses will not be any worse than last time would be interested to know how people are doing after second round  xx ... View more

Hi everyone happy Easter. Started loosing my hair on thursday last week so now have a pixie cut which I actually quite like but think it will be gone after my second fec this coming Wednesday. Actually feeling quite well shame to have to go through it again but it is what it is all the best to others going through it again this week xx ... View more

Hi raichr I have the same diagnosis as you had mastectomy 30th January and had first of FecT on the 27th march. I have had some of the side effects but really not as bad as I thought they would be and have actually managed to get into work on some days. I hope you are recovering from the surgery as that in itself takes time to adjust to and then waiting for the next stage is not great for ones emotions I just wanted to get on with although this was tinged with soon denial that this was not happening. All the best ... View more

Hi hellesbelles i am having my treatment at Southampton and went to the look good feel better course at the McMillan centre really recommend it I think the run them quite regularly.   I have my second treatment on the 19th no hair loss as yet but I decided not to cold cap so it will happen probably soon after next treatment I have a wig ready and went to see a lovely lady in Romsey who has given me advice on scalp care and will do treatments to help the scalp ready for regrowth she will also trim and shape wig for me she made me feel a lot better about losing my hair although until it starts to go don't really now that is going to effect me all the best and hope you have a good weekend and start to feel better it really is up and down . Take care ... View more

Hi all  started 4 x fec on 27th side effects have been very much in line with other posts beautiful tomatolook for first few days foggy head and heartburn I had 5 days of filasgram injections which ended yesterday and had back ache a bit like onset of labour today but checked with chem nurse and took painkillers and pain now subsided. This is doable although I know side effects may be more or less next time round. Attended look good feeling better course yesterday which was really good and met very positive ladies also went to see a hairdresser recommended by a local cancer charity to get my wig more styled to me never had perfect hair so need it to be a bit more messy. I would definitely recommend the beauty  course and the goody bag is amazing. I have also been along to the local haven in Hampshire great advice and help on hand. I should finish chemo by September as having 8 sessions and 60! In October wasn't having a party but definitely intend to now and with all this expert makeup nutrition massage and fitness advice I intend to look as good as possible even if I am wearing a wig as not doing the cold cap so know I will be loosing it and unlikely to be back by then. All the best to everyone.  Meash I think we are on the same treatment timetable glad things are going well so far definitely helps to look on the positive side x ... View more

Hi everyone no real se to moan about which is good red face now gone a little wobbly and a little tired but it is a lovely day and plan to get out and enjoy it even if just for a a wall Wow Eliza no wonder you feel tired go girl I am a great believer in doing the things you can when you can and rest when you can't so definitely with you have a good day everyone  ... View more

Had my first fec treatment on Monday decided against cod cap hair is looking pretty lifeless I have used dry shampoo in the hope it might stay around a bit longer but expecting it to start to go in the next week. I have already got my wig which I must say is really awesome and plan to get some chemo hats there are some good websites. I don't feel too bad about losing my hair but I think it might be a different story when it happens just another turn in this rock and roll journey. Do you loose it gradually my hair is currently in a bob so not sure if I should now take the step of having it crop cut. ... View more

Hi Delly sorry to hear you have had the added complication of an eye operation. I totally agree that it is always best to be prepared for the worst but hopeful that it might not be and a little bit of optimism can get you through the scary bit. As you say we are all on a journey but taking slightly different paths. I have the added complication of a serious lung disease and my first oncologist told me I needed to seriously consider the risk of recurrence of cancer against the high risk of the chemo damaging my lungs I could die of infection. Second opinions and change of oncologist and I am on the chemo road the fact that the side effects are not as bad as I feared is a bonus but i know it can all change and fingers crossed I don't get the infections my new oncologist is throwing everything at it. Love to all going through this and all the posts have been helpful ... View more

Hi ladies I am 2 days post 1st Chemo fec no sickness but bright red face no rise in temperature so reassuring to see that others are having this reaction so good to have this forum and tips along the way love to all on this journey we are on ... View more

I would be interested ... View more

Hi Delly and Caroline I had my first chemo on Monday and so far no real side effects everyone is of course different and I might yet get all the side effects going but if it is possible to make this scary process a bit less scary for those facing this and to tell another story I think it is a good thing. No one going through this is taking it lightly and everyone is scared to bits but we draw our strength from each other and we need to know the experiences both good and bad to get a balanced to it and to give support to those who are suffering side effects as  that could be me in a couple of days or on my next treatment but positivity is key to this and if hope can be given and a bit of a lighter side I am all for it along side the scary bits love to all going through this ... View more

Hi all finally started my chemo on the 27th March arrived for the allotted time at 2 but did not go in until 3.30 note to self check next time if there is any delay. Then had two nurses try to get a canula in which they did eventually and she went off to get the Meds then checked her system and said they did not have the signed consent form on the system and I would now have to wait 2 hrs for a doctor to come to redo the consent fortunately I had brought along my consent form ladies make sure you take yours with you just in case. Chemo then went without a hitch I am on 4 sessions of fec followed by T. Large bag of meds to go home with a sort of party goody bag fortunately I picked these up from the pharmacy first and was able to go through them with the nurse another recommendation as it does help when there are so many of them. Really not had any side effects no feelings of nausea just a bit light headed waiting for something to hit all the best to those starting this week it really is not as bad as you think it is.  ... View more