Breast Cancer Care Forum

Good to hear from you Salsa and thanks for taking the time to reply to each one of us.  Today has been a tough one for me and will go down as Wobble Wednesday. Combination of having to revisit radiotherapy dept only 2 years after previous bc diagnosis; Covid restrictions which meant no hubby and having to wait over an hour plus issues with my CT scan.  Net result...a major wobble with tears etc. Have to say the staff were ace and got me through the scan and made sure I was ok before I left. Have given me information re counselling which I am seriously considering as so much other support is currently unavailable. Anyway, know that you will all understand. It was good to talk today with someone and I guess I need to do more of this.  Hope everyone is doing ok xx    ... View more

Hi Gem333 Glad to hear the pain has eased up a bit.  Yes, have had 2nd dose of T and as others have said, side effects were much more manageable including the back pain. I think once you know what to expect you can be better prepared and have the painkillers, hot water bottle to hand. Anyway, will let you know as last T next Weds... will be so happy to be done!  Decided not to ring the bell on the ward until all Herceptin jabs done as this will really mark the end of treatment.  Take care everyone x  ... View more

Hi Jowels Just a quick message to wish you all the best for round 5 tomorrow ... the end is in sight!  I have my radiotherapy planning CT tomorrow and last round of T next Weds so they are cracking on with my treatment!  No plans however to go out into the wider world until all treatment complete and even then will probably only be a trip out in the car to a local country park! We are miles away from any beach but glad that you got the chance to get to the seaside... bet it was great to do something “normal”.  Anyway, keep us posted and hope the T is kinder to you this time xx  ... View more

Hi Gem333 Sorry to hear about the back pain. I had exactly the same with my first T dose. I was also taking the injections. I tried paracetamol and a hot water bottle but after 8 hours of pain and back spasms I contacted the chemo line and spoke to the nurse there to agree I could up the painkillers.  Don’t suffer in silence and give the chemo line a ring for help and advice.  Good luck x   ... View more

Hi everyone!  Another glorious day 😎 ☀️ Hope that you are all managing to enjoy some of it!  Day 8 since 2nd round of docetaxol and definitely feeling more human. Had horrible bloating and chemo belly for 2 days but drinking more water has sorted that and my cotton wool mouth has settled down too.  Been booked in for a CT scan next week as part of radiotherapy planning although still not clear how many rad sessions they want me to have. But they seem keen to get treatment wrapped up ASAP and believe rads will start 3 weeks   after my last chemo on 10 June.  In the meantime, time in the garden! Sending some virtual roses and hugs to all of the lovely women in this group. Take care all xx  ... View more

 Morning lovelies!  Been up since 5am and decided to listen to an inspirational podcast by the founder of Move charity which both supports teenagers and young adults (up to age 30) with cancer with individualised exercise programmes and also 5k Your Way; where each month you can walk, jog or run 5k as part of a group of people who have had cancer or are living with it. I was part of a 5kYW group before lockdown and it really helped my mental and physical recovery from my first lot of BC in 2017. We always went for a cake and cuppa afterwards so very social too! Look forward to the time I can get back to it!! More info on the 5k Your Way website and FB page/Instagram if it might be of interest?  Also if it is ok to mention cancer-hair care who recently sent me a lovely  free gift set including hat, eye brow pencil and lots of info re hair care both during and after chemo. They are really keen to hear from anyone with hair loss due to cancer.  I guess I mention these things as I am one chemo session away from finishing chemo (although rads still to come) and I have been thinking about next steps and moving on with this my second cancer journey.  In many ways, moving mentally forward after treatment is as tough if not tougher than the treatment ( although the fecking FEC and Docetaxol have pushed me at times) yet very little information or help/support is provided around the mental impact of a cancer diagnosis. I wonder if any of you have been offered any help in this area?  Personally, I found I had to seek out support when I finished treatment in 2018 including a Breast Cancer Now Moving Ahead course and some alternative therapy which my hospital delivered at the time. I wonder what if anything there will be to access during this pandemic? Would be interested to hear your experiences?  Meanwhile, I am trying to manage the se of the latest round of T .... can’t wait to get to the end of this cycle!  Looks like another glorious day 😎 Hope that you are all doing ok?  Keep safe and well xx        ... View more

Oh Jowels... so sorry to read this. What a load of crap!  Really sorry that you are being messed around like this. Hope you get some answers soon.  Rest up now and take good care of yourself xx  ... View more

Thinking of you today Jowels. Hope it is your last one? Did you have a bell to ring on the ward?  I have been gardening and eating ice cream so for all those having docetaxol it really does get better but be prepared that it might take longer to recover from than FEC - although I appreciate that we are all different and I managed FEC reasonably ok.  Hope you are all seeing some of the lovely sunshine today xx  ... View more

Hi Tmmorris So sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time.   I'm totally with you regarding the docetaxol!  It really is tough.   I am now 13 days since my first docetaxol treatment and only now has my stomach settled, my taste buds come back and I feel human again.  I too had the strange mouth, and aches and pains.  The latest issue is a daily nosebleed!  I am due round 2 next week although I have a cold at the moment - so will see how my bloods come back. I am so pleased to have only 2 more of these to contend with. I had my first Herceptin injection the day before the docetaxol.  This was so they could monitor if I had any adverse reaction.  All absolutely fine - although a bit of a sting when they inject you but no side effects as such.  Interesting to read what you were saying about them reducing the no of injections and also radiotherapy. Nothing has been said to me yet - but no doubt they will be make decisions against the general cv19 situation. I am missing being able to go out for a walk but generally feel very grateful to have a garden to sit in and a family who are happy to stay in and shield me.   I really hope that you turn a corner soon. Thinking of everyone.  Stay safe and well xx       ... View more

Thanks Chuck for sharing that info on Docetaxol.  I had chronic back pain on day 6 of treatment and put it down to the injections but now wondering if exacerbated by the docetaxol. It got that bad I phoned the chemo line to see if I could have a break ... but they want me to continue with injections and up pain killers- which I have done.  I have found this round very difficult as it has messed with my stomach and mouth and left me fatigued. Really hope I will start to pick up over the weekend.  On a positive, like Jowels my hair is growing back since last  FEC . It’s grey and curly but hey ... it’s hair!!    ... View more

Hi Jowels When I first had rads back in 2018, I had not required chemo so went into them feeling physically ok.  I had 15 sessions and honestly found the most tiring thing was the daily journey to hospital and having to find a parking space!  The treatment itself is painless- a machine moves over you while you lay flat with your arms raised above your head.  The very first session I was waiting for the laser light show and the light saber swooshes- instead they told me I could go!! It all happened so quickly I didn’t realise I had had the treatment!!  They will spend a bit of time positioning you so that they cover the right area each time, and this can take a bit longer if they are training student radiographers but otherwise in and out in minutes.  You will need to protect your skin from what effectively is sun burn. You will get advice from them but personally I found pure organic Aloe Vera from H&B brilliant and some topless sunbathing (sitting room with curtains shut 🤣 🤣 ) to air the boob!  I wasn’t over tired and tried to tie it in with a treat each day ... which may not be possible now but nice if you can.  Sure we will all share tips etc on here as we continue our journey together but compared to chemo... so doable xx  ... View more

Hi Jowels Treats sound wonderful! My 19 year old daughter is a baker so if we can get flour she loves to rustle up brownies and cookies. She also makes yummy pies 🥧  Just need to get off the white carb diet again - plain pasta has never tasted so good 🤣 🤣 Will be thinking of you next week and willing you on 💕 💕 👏 👏 ... View more

Thanks for your kind words Salsa. I am having 3 x Docetaxol so I imagine they are each pretty strong!  Well done on getting to your 7th- so good to be able to cross them off.  I have a further 2 after this and then hope for a break before rads start.  Hoping tomorrow is a better day.  Have just watched a FB live video of a woman from Look Good Feel Better talking all about wig care. Not worn mine yet but got some good tips for when I start using it. So far been happy wearing scarves and hats. How is everyone else coping with hair loss?  My sleep is also all over the place Take care xx  ... View more

Hi Salsa Hope you are well and truly on the road to recovery xx  ... View more

Hi Jowels Thanks for your lovely message. I have dragged myself out of bed and going to have a shower and sit in the garden for a bit.  Wow! Last chemo coming up eh? Bet that feels good to know!! It really is a marathon and not a sprint isn’t it? I did reasonably ok on FEC but this taxol stuff is nasty! And I also have no patience and hate having to stay in bed etc. As with everything, it will come to pass!!  What will happen after chemo Jowels? Do you have to have more surgery or rads?  I had my 3.5cm tumour removed before Xmas so will be rads for me. Don’t know whether they will stick with 15 sessions or reduce no and increase intensity.  I had 15 rads with first BC 2 years ago and trust me it is so doable compared to this chemo lark!!  Hope everyone is ok? Got to admit the novelty of shielding is starting to wear a bit thin now.  Take care and keep safe everyone xx  ... View more

Morning all Well had my first Docetaxol last Thursday and it is proving challenging!  Side effects didn’t kick in until Saturday but now nausea, loose stomach, aches and pains in back, legs and feet and fatigue.  Definitely affected me much harder than FEC. Having to rest and watch what I eat. Also found water completely disgusting for the first time since treatment began. Hoping things will pick up in next couple of days.  On a positive note, the sun is shining ☀️ And 4/6 chemos done!!  How are you all doing?  ... View more

Thanks Hannah.  A long 6 hour day yesterday having my first Herceptin injection and then observation but just 2 hours today so back home ready for an afternoon snooze.  Good luck with your treatment today...any particular pointers re docetaxol?  Hope everyone else doing ok? Shame sun has disappeared for the time being. Miss my garden x  ... View more

Hi everyone!  Jowels - so sorry you have had such a rough time. Thinking of you xx  Glad to hear from you Wildspur and that they’ve managed to sort your sickness meds.  Salsa- well done on reaching the half way milestone. Onwards and upwards!  I am currently in hospital. Had my first Herceptin at 9.30 but then have to stay here for 6 hours for observation. Been very well looked after. Injection stung a bit but over in a few minutes.  Back for docetaxol tomorrow- first    of 3. Oncologist has already warned me I will probably feel like I’ve been “hit by a bus”. I will let you know!  Still got my eyebrows and 70% of eyelashes- wondering if these will be gone by end of treatment?  Anyway- one day at a time.  Take care all and feel much better soon xx       ... View more

Hi Jowels Really hope you manage to get your nausea under control fairly soon and get back on the white carbs!  I have been enjoying this beautiful weather and trying not to think too much about chemo 4 next week. Have first Herceptin on Weds and they want me to stay in for observation for 6 hours! Yikes!! Got to admit that I like to get in and out as quick as possible but not happening this time. And then back for docetaxol on Thursday... So what with bloods on Monday and oncologist call on Tuesday it’s going to be a week of hospital.  If anyone has any tips would be gratefully received.  Thinking of you all Take care everyone xx    ... View more

Hi Jowels good to hear from you. Wishing you all the best for chemo tomorrow... hope the side effects are more manageable this time.  I am starting the docetaxol and Herceptin injections next week assuming bloods ok on Monday. Really not looking forward to this new chemo regime but I’ll have to dig out my big girl pants once again!  Not sure about the rest of you but I still have a smattering of hair, eyelashes and eyebrows - wondering if these will disappear with this next treatment?  At least the weather is beautiful and I’ve been able to sit in the garden and treat myself to an ice cream now and then. Missing being able to go for a walk or a bike ride but I know it’s not forever.  Hope everyone is ok? Take care xx  ... View more