Breast Cancer Now Forum

Oh gosh... Sorry ladies I haven't been around for a while. I was struggling to clear dad's house in between bouts of EC. Which I managed ok, fatigue was the main thing but I kept a good appetite and could squeeze at least a good 10 days of not feeling too bad between sessions. Not so docetaxel. I had my first last Friday. 7 days ago. It's got progressively worse each day. Weak, dizzy, diarrhoea, just awful really. I had built up a stockpile of steroids which I didn't really need on the EC. Now I really need them to function at all. It's great to see you all coming to the finish. I next few days gets me a bit better. I did get quite low at one point but even though it's tougher now I somehow feel bloody minded to keep going. ... View more

Hi all, oh gosh what a journey this is... 5 days after 3rd EC constant dizzyness weakness and nausea. I do flag sometimes. But at least I had 4 weeks to recover after 2nd one and had some good days to weed and plant my garden. 1.9 cm tumour has reduced by 4 mms so that's something positive. Yes the port picc line thing does ache a bit but I try to ignore. Bald head gets quite sweaty with hot flushes. Real urge to run away from all this and frolic free in the hills but I'll be good and stay. Lots of love to all and thank you for your stories. ... View more

That's v interesting Lola, many thanks for sharing. I would have liked to have known some more about surgery as that's waiting for me at the end of this. I don't know if I should go the diep or the implant way for one boob. Rather horrified that things got nasty with your chemo... I'm day two after second ec chemo. First day I felt fine, today not...v confusing. Though yesterday made chicken soup which is sustaining me plus cream cheese and smoked salmon bagels. Seems Jewish food is the most appetizing to me right now.  Hair is falling off lots now. I feel ugly and fat and mis. UGH   ... View more

hi everyone, sorry I've been quiet but it got to my 3RD week post 1st EC chemo and I felt so well that I overdid it, I ran around, cleared out my dad's garage and had some gin and tonics and boy am I suffering now. I'm very annoyed with myself. I just feel lncredibly tired and sick and my portacath hurts like mad. And the hair is falling out slightly. Scalp hurts too. I'm wondering if there is any point trying cold cap on second chemo, the nurse was rather negative on it's general effectiveness..... Had the haircut, poor hairdresser was more sad than i....doubt the cut will last....  ... View more

Oh wee baldy burd! I'll be following your example soon. Sending hugs. And others, please make it clear in posts how many days since your infusions and which ones as with this bubble brain I can't always remember. I've now slept most of the day, just up out to get some pre made pasta bake from Lidl at 4pm. I think it was a two portion one which I devoured. Slept after.  It's 6 now. Don't feel nauseous. Tired though. Hope to watch bit of tv then sleep most of the evening and tonight.  Infusion Tues, now Thurs. Love to all.  ... View more

Been sleeping lots and slightly nauseous. But haven't taken most of the anti nausea meds or steroids just one Emend and a couple domperidone. It's really not the horror I expected.  I've been out for short walks. Just tired mostly and a little brain foggy. Haven't really wanted helpers round me as I can pretty much take care of self, and the thought of making conversation or worrying if they are bored is too much to take on. I filled my fridge with lots of salad stuff I really don't feel like eating it. I'm actually wanting something more substantial. When out I had a toasted hot salt beef, cheese and pickle sandwich and it was heaven.    I really thought I'd be out for the count but it's not been like that for me so far days 2 and 3 post 1st EC just fatigue, brain fog and slight nausea. But I can eat and enjoy it.  ... View more

Well, one of my old friends turned up to my first session and there was an amazing lady in the next chair so it was more like a social occaision and I had to keep reminding myself that I was having chemo! I took the cold cap off as it was uncomfortable and it interfered with chatting as energetically as I wanted to to these very interesting ladies plus the beautiful Ethiopian nurse (both inside and out). The cold cap didnt really seem to fit all over my hair anyway, it was a horrid thing with ghastly chin straps, so I thought what the hell, I'll get a buzz cut in a few days. It was amazingly easy. I had some numbing cream on my 4 day old porta cath area, had three syringes of each drug and felt somewhat 'stoned' by the end which wasnt too unpleasant.  Little wobbly getting to the taxi home.  I hadnt eaten much the night before and only a banana and herb tea in the morning so was ravenous afterwards and had a big raw salad and some brown rice.. Now some hours later I feel slightly headachey but not too bad. No sickness. I suppose it is going to hit me in the next few days...... Im going to get into bed and watch tv now 6pm. Wonder how the night will be? ... View more

Many thanks everyone, Bibi, Jude, Flora, Macneesh, Wee burd (great name). I've got my porta Cath in since Friday still a bit sore and itchy after 3 days but easily bearable. My wig is also waiting in the wings. Went for a mega long walk today and feel healthy and strong. I'll try the cold cap. I don't think I mind going bald, it's the soreness I'm more worried about. Does the cold cap help with that? ... View more

Yes, I am very interested in the fasting idea, have tried to discuss with the staff at the hosp but they think its a crazy idea. It was the Decca Aitkenhead Guardian article that brought my attention to it. Anyhoo I will see how I feel after the first infusion of EC on the 20th Feb and maybe just have fruit, veg and water or herb tea the day before.. ... View more

Isolation phase? Sounds daunting... ... View more

Hello everyone, I shall be keeping an eye on this thread. Im starting EC on the 20th for 4 sessions then 4 of Herceptim plus the P one for HER+ Am very frightened of the SEs but as the days are getting closer to the first transfusion Im feeling a wee bit better. I'll be at the Royal Free London. Many thanks to you all for being here,   Cuddles, (which I will need plenty of!) ... View more