Breast Cancer Now Forum

So glad to hear your good news Ali and Butterfly, so good to hear positive news!  Hope Radiotherapy goes well for you when you start Ali - there's light at the end of the tunnel for you...   So whilst trying to move on from Chemo and Radiotherapy, I've now been told that my broken ankle needs surgery, really hoping it's not because of the Chemo...  So I'm back in hospital tomorrow, but it's already been rearranged once as no beds, so just hoping it'll go ahead.  But the thought of more surgery and anaesthetic after 4 Op's already for BC is quite hard to cope with...  Just keep having to remember that this is fixable and nothing in comparison to what we've all been though - only a temporary delay in getting back to 'normal' and another few weeks of rest and recovery....   Hope everyone else is doing OK xxx ... View more

Hi August Ladies   Hope everyone’s doing as well as expected.  So I started Radiotherapy a few weeks ago and compared to Chemo, found it so much easier to deal with, although quite hard doing the breath-holding as the Radiotherapy was to my chestwall on the left and they want to reduce the risk to the heart and lungs - hadn't realised before...  My skin hasn't suffered too much thankfully but have lots of swelling under my arm, they're hoping it's just reaction to the Radiotherapy and not the start of lymphedema, not what I want…  Managed to work all the way through the treatment, quite good as a distraction but so tiring…  Also started tamoxifen last week, for the next 10 years and so far it's been OK, except for hot flushes, but it's early days...  So, I’ve finally finished Radiotherapy – left that hospital like I was walking on a cloud!  Nearly a whole year of treatment - 4 operations, 5 months of Chemo, then Radiotheraphy, and treatment is finally over and that feels amazing!!!    But, I can't believe my bad luck since then... So, on my first day after finishing treatment I only went and slipped on mud in the woods and have broken my ankle – aghhhhhh!  Not what I need right now – more enforced rest and recovery, so frustrating.  After a CT scan they’ve decided not to operate and see if it’ll heal naturally, so in a non-weight-bearing cast, but they did say that Chemo can make your bones more brittle and can make broken bones harder to heal.  Life can be very unfair sometimes - but trying to look at it as a minor set-back – this is fixable…nothing can be as hard as Chemo in the scheme of things….   But on the good side, had my first hair cut (very short and grey), now have a full head of hair and almost have a hair-style again – no more wig or hats!  Such a good milestone to reach – a step in the right direction towards ‘normality’ again.  Looks like the cold cap did work after all, I only lost about 50% of my hair and it might have helped with the re-growth, I think.  Can’t wait for my eyelashes to grow back too.   Lovely to hear how you’re all doing. Great to hear of good results - Butterfly, JoG83, CK & Mishy18!  Sib, so glad you've finally finished - it must feel like a marathon, glad you've got a holiday to look forward to.  Ali, glad your 2nd Op has gone OK, hope the results are good when you eventually get them and that your shingles starts to clear up soon, it sounds like you’ve had a tough time recently - good luck going back to work too, let us know how it goes.   Take care and hugs to you all xxx ... View more

Hi August Ladies   I'm now a couple of weeks after finishing Chemo - such a great feeling now it's over, but last week was pretty horrendous with the worst bout of side effects I've had so far.  But this week I've bounced back, got a bit of energy back and I'm back to work which is good to have a bit of normality and see people again, even though it's quite stressful being back into a hectic work environment.    Had my Radiotherapy assessment last week and now have three dots tattooed, all ready to start on Monday!  Bit surprised it's so quick, but sooner started, sooner finished....  Just hope I've recovered enough from Chemo to cope with it.  Is anyone who's having Rads trying to work through it as I'm hoping to but want to be realistic as well - I know it can make you so tired once you're into the treatment.     So glad to have got through Chemo after The Churchill in Oxford where I'm at, has had such negative press this week in the news saying their Chemo treatment is 'unsustainable' - talking of delaying treatment and reducing the number of cycles for patients, so glad it hasn't affected my treatment but really feel for people who will be undergoing treatment in the future, if what they say is true.... Can't fault the treatment I've had, the lovely nurses and the NHS in general - all been so supportive and caring throughout my Chemo, I'm so grateful to them all.   Butterfly, so pleased you've finished now as well, hope the side effects are bearable for you.  Great that you're finishing Rads on Tuesday, Mishy18 - it's been a long journey for you.  Jo, best of luck for your Op tomorrow, hope it all goes well and you recover soon.  And Fairy how are you doing after your surgery, hope you're recovering well?  Sib, hope you're doing OK, it must be your last Chemo next week - you've had such a tough time through it all, you'll be so pleased to get to the end...  Hope your nails start to grow back soon, it sounds horrible for you.  I'm starting tamoxifen too soon and I'm a bit worried about the potential side effects... CK - I agree with you about going through this treatment changing your perspective on things, people and life in general, hope it makes you stronger and able to cope with things life might throw at you - although I've only been able to think like that on the good days, just hoping they'll be more frequent going forward!  2018 hopefully be a better and healthier year for us all... Ali, sorry to hear you didn't get clear margins and need to have another Op, I can relate to that as I had that several times before Chemo - really hoping they get it all next time, at least you won't have too long to wait. Hope doing the moving forward course helps you - the course does sound good, think I might look into it too.   Hope everyone else is doing as well as expected.  Thanks for all your support on this forum, it's helped me get through this so much... xxx ... View more

Hi August Ladies   Merry Christmas to you all and your families!  Hope you're able to enjoy Chirstmas as much as possible.   Sorry I've been a bit silent recently, had a tough time with SEs since my last treatment in early Dec.  Now onto to my 7th and final one on the 27th, I love that word - FINAL!!  Fingers crossed, as I've been quite run down recently.  Can't wait to have this PICC line out too, can't come a day too soon...   Hope you're better on a reduced dose of Docetaxel, Butterfly and Cathysid, that's what I was on too and I think it helps if you're not tolerating the drug too well.  Well done to whoever's finished Chemo recently, CK, Mellylew and JoG - and great that your tumour is now the size of a pea, JoG, such good news to know that this treatment is working...    So glad to hear that your surgery went OK, Ali, rest well and heal over Christmas.  Good too that you're doing OK on your new treatment, Sib, hope it continues - I know what you mean about coping with the emotional side of BC treatment going on for so long - realised that this is my 10th month now since starting in March.   Hope all is going well for the rest,  HelenP, Sue58, Mishy18, Fairy, Xena, maHjfarn and anyone else I have forgotten.  Hugs to you all xxxx ... View more

Fantastic news Sue! Well done for getting to the end of Chemo. Hope the side effects are bearable... Hope everyone else is doing well this week. xx ... View more

So sorry to hear that Sib, how disappointing for you, not to mention quite frightening for you having an allergic reaction like that. Sounds like you’ve got a good team around you - hope they work out what’s the best thing for you now. Ali - hope you’re starting to feel better now. And hope treatment has gone well for those having it this week. HelenP - I love your swan analogy, made me smile - although I can’t say I’m looking or feeling graceful at the moment! Hoping you all have restful weekends, looking after yourselves. Hugs xxx ... View more

Oh Ali, not what you want after your last Chemo, not surprised you're feeling fed up... But you're in the right place - hope they're looking after you and you're well enough to come home soon. Hugs xxx ... View more

Morning Ladies   Ali, great you've had your last Chemo - those words sound so good! Hope you're doing OK and good that you've got a date now for your surgery.  Whose next to finish - Fairy and HelenP, your last ones must be soon?    Sib, glad you've got through your next round OK, such a long day for you, hopefully the weekly treatments are easier for you to tolerate.  Like you, I realised my last Chemo was originally planned for today and that's a bit hard to take, but much better to have the drugs safely even if it's over a longer time - what's a few more weeks in the scheme of things?  When's your last one Sib? Mine's the end of Dec, I think just after you'll be finished.   I'm Day 7 of the 2nd docetaxel and those dreaded joint and bone pains hit over the weekend as I expected - almost forgetten how horrible they are from the last round. Just riding it out and telling myself that the pains mean the drugs are doing what they should be.   Keep feeling so emotional and down, I don't know if that's another effect of this drug - but it feels a bit like this is never-ending at the moment, realised that I'll have had treatment for nearly a year by the time it finishes - diagnosed in March and 4 lots of surgery to eventually remove the tumour, 5 months of Chemo then Radiotherapy.  Hopefully I'll be feeling more positive soon, just need to remember that it's whatever it takes to get well again and that's the most important thing.  We're all strong, Ladies, going through this and we just have to keep going!   Hope Chemo goes OK on Thursday Cathysid and for anyone having another round soon...  Big hugs to all August Ladies xxx ... View more

Morning Ladies!  How are we all doing today - hope the side effects are bearable this week?   Good luck for today Ali - Last Chemo sounds amazing!  Light at the end of end of the tunnel for you, for this stage of the treatment.  Fairy, MAHJfarn, CK, Sue and Helen, you must be almost there too... And belated Happy Birthday, Helen - welcome to the 50's Club!  Hope you can celebrate properly after Chemo is over.  Sorry to hear of your allergic reaction Sib, hope you're doing OK now and are tolerating your new drug OK.  And Butterfly, so sorry to hear your news, keeping everything crossed for you... Hope your ear infection is improving too, Mishy.    Sounds like lots of us are finding it so hard emotionally now we're nearing the end of the treatment - it just makes us think of what's next round the corner, if this treatment really worked and the worry that this dreaded disease brings.  I worry about my boys too, even though they're now 22, 19 and 18 - I think we always will...   Finally had relief from those horrific SEs from my first T, felt so much better at the weekend, so it was a relief to hear that my neutrophils were OK for my 5th round to go ahead on Tues.  Also good to know that even though it's taken longer to bounce back and these SEs have been much worse, I've had more energy when I've finally got there - you hold onto any bit of positivity don't you?  Feeling the usual Chemo fuzz and chemical hangover so far but dreading the weekend in case those horrible joint and bone pains kick-in again, but what will be will be, will take it one day at a time.  Epsom salts for soothing baths at the ready...    At least I've found out my 7th and last Chemo has been moved from Boxing Day to the day after so hopefully I should be OK for Christmas and will be finished by the end of the year, assuming no more delays.   Virtual hugs to you all! Take care and good luck for the next treatments. xx ... View more

Afternoon August Ladies, how is everyone today?    I'm just about resurfacing after a rough few days after the first dose of docetaxel, thankfully no more delays this time as my neutrophils were just over the threshold.  I don't want to scare anyone either but I've found it quite brutal too and it's wiped me out, now Day 11 and only just starting to feel vaguely human again.  Woke up on Day 4 feeling like I could hardly move, those joint and bones pains, headaches and exhaustion have been horrible and made me feel very low.  Epsom salt baths and wheat pads are the only things that have helped - paracetamol and ibuprofen haven't seemed to make any difference.  Don't know how I'm going to get through 3 more treatments of this...  Made me realise I've had it comparatively 'easy' with the first 3 cycles of EC.  But it could have been worse - haven't had any of the mouth, taste or hands & feet problems that some of you have had so that's been a bonus.    Hope all you August Ladies are doing OK  and treatment has gone well this week.  Sib, sorry that you've been so poorly and your treatment has been delayed, hopefully you'll be able tolerate the new drug better than docetaxel.  So many of us seem to be struggling with the side effects of this drug.  Butterfly, sorry to hear about the blood clot on your PICC line, glad it's all sorted now and you're doing better.  Hope you're feeling better now Sue58, Fairy and AliS and everyone else.  Good luck, CK, for your treatment next week, hope any side effects are kind to you.   Big hugs, thinking of you all xxx  ... View more

Hi August Ladies   Sounds like many of you have been have a tough time over the past couple of weeks.  Sib, sorry to hear your news but glad to hear your scans were clear, and hope you're coping with the side effects better now, you too, Ali S, Fairy, Butterfly, HelenP, Cathyside, Sue58, MAHJfarm20 and anyone else I've missed.   I've had quite a rough week, after peaking last weekend and thinking I'm OK again, went downhill with fatigue and such horrible bone aches again (thanks for the recommendtion of Epsom Salts!) and now thinking it's maybe my immunity falling again - just don't want to have a third delay with my Chemo tomorrow, although they did say that shouldn't happen since I had a reduced dose of EC last time.  Will find out in the morning when I'm hoping to start docetaxel but dreading it at the same time, the side effects and problems some of you have had seem to have been horrible.    It didn't help either that the district nurse who came to take my bloods this morning found that I've got an allergic reaction all around my PICC line - no wonder it's been unbearably itchy this weekend.  Rang triage to see what they thought and think it's a reaction to the dressing rather than an infection - will have to have it all checked out tomorrow before Chemo and make sure there's no problem with the line itself.  Nothing is ever straight-forward in this process is it?  It's all such a roller-coaster....     My last cycle, if it's not delayed and now it's all been extended to more cycles, is Boxing Day!!  Haven't dared ask yet if it'll actually happen then!  Roll on the end of the year - hopefully we should all be finished with this horrible treatment...   Hi Meesh73, your question about the cold cap - I'm still cold capping but thought all my hair was going to fall out after the second cycle, as Sue58 said too, but then it seemed to stop and I reckon I've lost about 50% as well, mostly on top but still got some around the sides (not a good look!).  I also don't wash it much as I've been advised, so it's looks even more revolting!  I didn't really have any sore / itchy patches, just very uncomfortable whilst wearing the cold cap.  I could imagine it's just starting to grow back on top as well (but it could be wishful-thinking)...  So I'm wondering if it's going to all fall out now with T, will just wait and see...  Has anyone else still bothered using it during docetaxel or is it not really worth it?   Hugs to you all, hope all you lovely ladies are having as good a start to the week as possible and best of luck to anyone else having treatment this week xxx  ... View more

Hi Ladies   So sorry to hear that you're in hospital, Ali, hope they're looking after you and sort out your infection - feel better soon...  And MAHjfarn20, seems like you're having a hard time too, hope you're doing ok.  Fairy, you too, hope you're out of hospital by now and are recovering well.  And Sib, Cookiesim, Xena75, Sue58, Butterfly, HelenP, Soworridl and any other August Ladies - hope you're all doing well - it seems like lots of us are having rough times recently.  It's quite reassuring in a way that we're all going through these tough times together and are able to support each other - I so appreciate reading everyone's comments, it helps get through when you're feeling rotten and emotionally down...       Sorry I've been silent for a bit, I've been feeling pretty rubbish since my last Chemo, now Day 11 after round 3.  My immunity finally recovered slightly, only just enough to have Chemo thankfully so no more delays, even so it was touch and go if they'd go ahead as they were worried if I had a blood clot in my PICC line, but all OK in the end.  So I'm not sure if it was because I was only just over the white blood cell threshold before the treatment, but this time it's completely wiped me out - I saw some of you also found the third treatment the hardest so far.  They've reduced my EC drugs to 80% to see if I can tolerate them better this time - so I was hoping for less side effects because of this, wishful thinking!   Have had the usual 'chemical' hangover but also have been suffering from those horrible bone aches this time which I know several of us have had - although I'm not sure why I'm having them already with my last EC, thought they were only supposed to happen when you have T?  I've never had pain like it, and paracetamol/nurofen doesn't seem to touch the surface - seem to have spent most of last week sofa-bound, it's so frustrating and really gets you down that you just can't do anything, doesn't it?  Thanks for the advice of Epsom Salts, have ordered some...  Just starting to feel a bit more human now so hoping that's the worst of it over until the next onslaught - just hoping my immunity doesn't plummit again...    We're all getting there Ladies, there's light at the end of the tunnel and only a few more cycles for us all to get through. Big hugs to you all and take care xxxx ... View more

Hi Ladies Hope you're all bearing up ok.  Sorry to hear that you have a bladder infection, Sib, hope the antibiotics are starting to take effect and you're feeling better soon.  Butterfly, great news that your tumour is starting to shrink and glad you've managed to get your PICC line sorted - hope it settles down soon.  Hope you manage to have your tumour checked soon Ali and hope you're feeling better than before - and everyone else too.  And MAHJfam20, sorry to hear your news but good that you've had round 3 and you're half-way through.   I've been having quite a hard week, feeling so run-down, fatigued and struggling to do much at all, so it wasn't too much of a surprise when I went in for round 3 this morning to find my white bloody cell count is far too low to have Chemo once again.  So frustrating that I don't seem to be able to tolerate the drugs. Feeling quite down about it at the moment - building up for the treatment and then it's tough when you're told it can't go ahead. They've also told me I'll now be put on a reduced dose, not only for the next EC dose but also all the T cycles - and that they'll have to extend the number of cycles so I still have the same amount of drugs. Makes sense really, but I'd sort of hoped Chemo would be finished by the end of the year and it now looks like it won't be.  After months of recovering from 4 lots of surgery this all feels a bit never ending... But it is what it is - it's all part of this unpredictable rollercoaster of a journey...     Hope all the August ladies have a good weekend. Good luck Sue 58 with round 3 on Monday and anyone else having Chemo this week xx ... View more

Morning ladies   That made me smile Sib and Sue (and we all need some of that!) - I will think of Bon Jovi, ‘half way there and living on a prayer’ when I have my next treatment!  Hope you’re feeling well soon, Sib - I found the insomnia from the steroids and lack of sleep really tough.  Just keep thinking of the big half-way milestone that you’ve reached!   I'm feeling much better this week, just very fatigued at times, finding it quite hard to rest and take it easy with husband's 50th birthday celebrations, Uni visits for one son and organising another son returning to Uni – ‘normal’ life goes on doesn't it, whatever that is now?    Hope you're feeling a bit better Sue58, sounds like you've been having a rough time.  And Fairy, Cathie, Butterfly, Claire, HelenP, Cookie and everyone else, hope you're coping as well as can be.  Butterfly - hope your PICC line is settling down now and feeling better.  I've just about got used to mine now, had it in for nearly 6 weeks now, gets in the way a bit but you do get used to the routine of the weekly cleans and line flushes, just all part of the process.   Hi MAHJfarn20 - well done on raising all that money for Macmillan with your head shave!  Good luck for your third round - I'm a day behind you with my third one on Sat 23rd, just hoping my bloods are OK this time for it to go ahead without another delay… Hi Mellylew - I've also been more fatigued after my second round, much more so than the first treatment. And also have palpitations, but have an ecoptic heartbeat anyway so my Oncologist only wanted me to have EC not FEC, as he mentioned that a side effect of the 'F' drug can be palpitations and didn't want me to have more than I have already...  So yours could be a SE, they're a bit uncomfortable but hopefully shouldn't be anything more... And hello to CK, glad that our posts are helpful, hope you're doing OK after your first round.   Best of luck for today Ali, glad that your bloods are ok, nearly half-way for you too!   Hugs to August Chemo Ladies and keep well xx ... View more

Hi ladies   That made me smile Sib and Sue (and we all need some of that!) - I will think of Bon Jovi, half way there and living on a prayer when I have my next treatment!  Hope you're doing OK after this round Sib and great you've reached the first big milestone!   I'm feeling much better this week, finding it quite hard to rest and take it easy with husband's 50th birthday celebrations, Uni visits for one son and organising another son returning to Uni - life goes on doesn't it??    Hope you're feeling a bit better Sue58, sounds like you've been having a rough time.  And Fairy, Cathie, Butterfly, Claire, HelenP, Cookie and everyone else, hope you're coping as well as can be.  Butterfly - hope your PICC line is settling down now and feeling better.  I've got used to mine now, had it in for nearly 6 weeks now and you do get used to the routine of the weekly line cleans and flushes, just all part of the process.   Hi MAHJfam20 - well done on raising all that money for Macmillan!  Good luck for your third round - I'm right behind you - third one on 23rd, just hoping my bloods are OK this time for it to go ahead... Hi Mellylew - I've also been more fatigued after my second round, more so than the first treatment. And also have palpitations, but have an ecoptic heartbeat anyway so my Oncologist only wanted me to have EC not FEC as he mentioned that a side effect of the 'F' drug can be palpitations and didn't want me to have more...  So your's could be a SE, they're a bit uncomfortable but hopefully shouldn't be anything more... And hello to CK, glad that our posts are helpful to you too, hope you're doing OK after your first round.   Good luck for tomorrow Ali, glad that your bloods are ok, nearly half-way for you too!   Hugs to all and sleep well xx ... View more

Hi Ladies   Hope you're all doing OK after your latest rounds of Chemo and not suffering not badly from the side effects.  I'm now Day 9 after the second round and recovering from the 'chemical hangover' and finally the dizziness is going.  Suffering more with fatigue this time round but probably because I keep overdoing it, so just trying to rest as much as possible.   Interesting about not taking paracetamol in case it lowers your temperature - the nurses said it was fine to take it, and I have been taking it for headaches, but I'm thinking I should maybe take ibuprofen instead...   Helen - I asked the Chemo nurses last week about having a flu jab as I was told I should have one in Sept - they told me the best time for it to be the most effective is the day before treatment or the day after.  Not sure if that's the advice other people have been given?? I've also been told to book in all my family, just in case...   Good luck with your Cycle 3, Sib - you're nearly half way through!  And to anyone else who has treatment this week.   Hugs to you all and keep strong, we're getting there... xx ... View more

Hi Ladies Thankfully my white blood cell count had improved enough for me to go ahead and have my second cycle yesterday, quite a relief to be back on track again.  Felt very nauseous, light-headed and headachy as expected yesterday and a not great day today with that horrible 'chemical' hungover feeling and just so fuzzy and wiped out.  Didn't help that the insomnia from the steroids kicked in for most of last night!  I'm hoping the side effects will improve over the next few days....   Hope everyone is going on OK.  Butterfly - I'm sure you look fabulous with your shave, I still haven't managed to take the plunge yet.  I did try the cold cap again this time just to see if I can cling on the remains...  Sam, good to hear your first cycle went well and it does sound like heartburn - hope it improves soon.  Hope you're geting there Sib, Ali, Cathysid and Claire and anyone else I've missed.   Helenp, Sue58 and Xena, good luck with your 2nd cycles this week!  Sue58 I didn't get to hear about my low blood count until I was sitting in the hospital, literally ready to go, I think that's why I was a bit taken aback when I couldn't have the treatment.  But they told me they wanted me to go in anyway so I could be re-tested in case it had improved in the couple of days since it was tested - hope your's is OK tomorrow...   Have a good week and hugs to you all xxx ... View more

Hi Helenp and Cookiesim, sorry to hear your second Chemo has been delayed as well, it seems to have happened to a few of us now.  So frustrating isn't it, just when you're ready to get on with the next stage.  I'm trying again this Saturday, hopefully the white blood cell count will be higher so it can go ahead.  Don't know what happens if it's not at a safer level this time.  I've been trying to recoup my strength this week, taking it easy and have eaten so many fruit and vegetables I'm getting a bit fed up of them - no idea if it'll make any difference but I'm giving it a go!     And that's a great mantra to have, Helenp - one day at a time and keep positive!  We'll get through this...   Hope everyone is doing well and hello to the new August ladies. xx   ... View more

Thanks so much Sib and Ali - it's been a tough day, but feeling better about it all now.  I really wasn't prepared to hear that my immunity was low as I've not been feeling too bad for the last 2 weeks, just the last couple of days have been a bit run down.  Didn't realise your's was lower too, Sib - reassuring that they refer it to your Oncologist, much better to be safe than sorry, and even if as in my case it does mean a delay in treatment...       Ali - shame you're feeling a bit worse the second time round and so sorry to hear your family news this week. Life carries on doesn't it and throws all sorts of things that we have to deal with alongside what we're going through - and just when you least expect it.  Hope you're doing OK...   Take care Ladies, rest well and hugs to all xxx   ... View more

Hello ladies, so a rubbish start to the day today.  Went in for my second Chemo only to find out my immunity is too low for me to have it.  So frustrating, as you say, Cath.  They can't even give me an appointment yet as they're fully booked!  Maybe that's why I haven't been feeling too good the last couple of days, light-headed, very exhausted and headachy - and hair is falling out by the handful now!  Anybody know of anything you can do to boost your immune system?  Chemo nurse just said as long as I've had all the injections, which I had before, it should just happen naturally.   Quite hard when you've psyched yourself up for the treatment, only to be told it can't go ahead...  Also not helped by the worry of finding out that our son had a serious car accident during the night, a hit and run as well.  Thankfully he & his friend have been discharged from hospital this morning with minor injuries, so lucky, seeing the state of the car...  But the stress of that on top of all this has not been great.   Sorry - not having the best of days today....  Hopefully tomorrow will be better - just now taking it easy to try and re-boost my immune system!   Hope all August Chemo ladies are doing OK.  Ali and Sib hope you're feeling ok after your second cycle. Good luck to anyone having their treatments this week xx  ... View more