Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hiya,   I'm looking forward to meeting everyone next week. I have to do the school run on the Friday morning so I will be a bit late, arriving mid morning, hope I won't miss out on too much!  I've got 2 little ones, so I am looking forward to a few days of not just being 'Mummy', gaining knowledge and making new friends. ... View more

Hi all, I haven't logged in for a while. Hope everyone is doing well (or as well as could be expected). I'm having FEC number 4 in a week, so this is my 'good' week until Friday. I know most people are on the FEC-T regime, anyone having just FEC and able to tell me how number 4 went in comparison to previous ones? I had a shorter recovery time with number 3, apart from the taste disturbance which lasted a week (I think this is the worst side effect for me). The omeprazole I requested after session 2 seemed to help avoid any stomach disturbance. I am still awaiting a referall for Genetics testing, apparently this has to be referred to a london consultant.    Its been a tough period for me recently, on top of everything, my 3 month old daughter was diagnosed with a heart condition that may need key-hole surgery at some point, still waiting for her referall too. So I was grateful for smooth ride with the third chemo session, I had to drag myself to her hospital appointment on Day 5, in a somewhat dazed state. I'm counting down the weeks till chemo ends (15th Sept if all goes to plan) so I can focus on the next stage, Rads and regain my strength.    All the best for a healthy and positive weekend ahead x     ... View more

Thank you feelthefear, that is very reassuring. The oncologist said the same thing about the common nature of liver cysts and did say they try not to scan most people due to this. I just had a bit of a wobble yesterday, even found myself wandering to the secondaries thread as I was convinced it was more sinister than they let on. I've woken up this morning feeling much better and ready to tackle the next Chemo on Friday. Thanks all! ... View more

Afternoon all,   Hope everyone is doing well (or better should I say). I had a follow up with my oncologist after a CT scan last month. I really don't know what to make of it. He mentioned the scan showed a small lesion in my liver, however he didn't seemed concerned at all. They discussed in their MDT and said it looked like a cyst and not related to cancer. I'm trying to not worry about it, but the mind does drift to the worst case scenario. He said we'll re-scan in 6 months time to see if its still there or has changed in any way. The rational part of me knows I need to trust that the judgement of the medical team, however it's hard not to worry.   I'm trying to remain positive through the rest of Chemo. I have the 3rd FEC on Friday (officially halfway through).    Wande ... View more

Thanks for the stars! I'm blessed with a supportive family, especially my mum, who completed her own bc treatment journey 3 years ago. My husband has had to go to back to work, so my retired mother in law is staying with us till I finish Chemo, so I'm able to get some rest during the day. I'm just praying my levels are good enough for Chemo next Week. As hard as it is, my kids keep me motivated to fight on. My 4year old is starting school in September so I'm doing my best to keep him focussed on that and not on my treatment. Hope everyone is doing well x ... View more

Hi all, Sorry I haven't been on the forum much after my second FEC. I'm on day 13 now and feeling good apart from the major fatigue. AnnieA- not sure if you did get a response to your query from oncologist, but my 4year old is on immunosuppressants for a kidney condition so I'm a lot more vigilant than most when it comes to transmitted illness. Saying that, even with a suppressed immune response, I try to ensure he continues with all normal activities like going nursery and he's hardly ill. Like you said, with chicken pox it's infectious prior to the spots appearing. It depends if your son has had chicken pox before? Mine did when he was 2 (which has turned out to be a blessing), so I'm less worried about it now. The only time I kept him off nursery was when there was a case of Measles a year ago. On another note, my baby had her 8week vaccinations last week and I was concerned about both me/son because the MMR is a live virus injection, however we were both fine. Wande x ... View more

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Pleased with your good news AnnieA, definitely motivating to know Chemo does work! ... View more

They gave me a shower cover, which I wasn't expecting as I already bought one on eBay and a tubigrip-like dressing but I'll see if I can get a plain black or brown one or perhaps something colourful, to enable me to keep wearing my sleeveless summer dresses. I'll have a look at etsy, thanks! X ... View more

Afternoon all, Hope you're enjoying the sunshine. I had my PICC line inserted yesterday, took a few attempts (my veins tend to be stubborn like me), but we got there in the end. I have my second FEC cycle tomorrow and would like to know if you found the side effects harder, easier or same as the first. I'm feeling great today, despite the soreness in my arm, so trying to prepare my mind for another round! Also any recommendations for picc line covers? I'm trying to avoid having uncovered around my small kids... abit fearful of my 4year old son trying to yank it out 'out of interest' Wande x ... View more

I agree, survivor stories are wonderful in the midst of Google-negativity! I appreciate it's easy to forget about this period, after 10years+ of being clear (my prayers for us all!), but I for one have vowed to post my own story (in faith) at future dates to give hope to ladies undergoing this tough period, especially younger ladies like myself. It's always hard being the youngest person on the chemo ward, but I hold on to the hope of a long and healthy life ahead of me. Positive thoughts Wande x ... View more