Breast Cancer Now Forum

I was given Sennakot in with my post chemo drugs. I have been constipated each time on FEC so for this week's one I took 2 on chemo night and 2 each night since. Will go down to one tomorrow. ... View more

I love listening to the birds, Gygi. I just wish I could identify more than pigeons! I need Chris Packham to come and live here for a bit... 😊 ... View more

Yay Gygi! Great milestone! I'll be joining you there tomorrow. If only it was 6 of the same chemo and not a different one for 4, 5 and 6 but hey, half way is half way. Been out to Erdigg, a local National Trust place today. My boys love the Wolf Den there - a wooded area with lots of logs to climb on and den building materials. The rest of half term is likely to be fairly low key for them so wanted them to have a good day today. Mind you they also have 2 PD days on June 4th and 5th so hopefully Mummy will be feeling a bit more with it by then! ... View more

Wildshell the doctor on This Morning was talking about this the other day. He said a study had shown that chemo patients who used the honey didn't get the big dip in white blood cells. Let us know! ... View more

Also just realised I'm ahead of myself so wishing you all the best for tomorrow Gygi xx ... View more

Hope today went well Gygi. I'm off to do cookery with Sue Perkins tomorrow! She's involved with a project called Life Kitchen which offers free cookery classes for people going through cancer treatment. She tweeted that there were places on one near Chester tomorrow so I emailed them and got in! They do them all over so do look them up. Only thing is tomorrow is being filmed for the One Show! ... View more

It's interesting how differently we're advised/treated even on similar regimes, isn't it? I'm on FEC and have to do daily GCSF injections from day 3 to 9 to boost my bone marrow. They seemed to do the trick. I've been to the cinema when it's quiet. As long as we minimise risk with good hygiene I'd think it's ok. ... View more

Hi everyone. Glad you're all doing well. Had my 2nd FEC on Tuesday and am feeling pretty good. A bit bleugh yesterday but nothing awful. They had huge problems getting a cannula in so I now have a PICC line in, which will make it all easier - just an extra hospital visit each week to get it flushed. Also now have my wig and love it. It feels much more secure than I thought and I've had loads of compliments. Gygi I can't even begin to imagine coping with Ofsted stress on top of all this, so hats off to you! Enjoy your day everyone. Sarah xx ... View more

Thanks Annie. I think when you've got off relatively lightly with side effects - as I have been really lucky to have done with my first FEC - it's easy to be lulled into a false sense of security and forget just what is going on inside with immunity etc! Well - I got my husband to shave off my hair last night, ably assisted by my 4 year old who thought it was very funny! It was coming out in handfuls and my head was really sore so I decided to take the plunge. I hadn't cold capped as for me it wasn't that big a deal (and that's not to say that I totally get why for some of us it is). I don't actually collect my wig until Tuesday so I'm now practising with all my scarves etc. At least now when I get my wig the lady can show me how to put it on to my bald head so if there are any problems I can sort them there and then! It's another gorgeous day here. Just got to take the little one to his Rugbytots in an hour then the day is free. Enjoy the sunshine everyone. Sarah xx ... View more

Hi all. Glad you like the Suburban Turban site! I'd fallen in love with a floppy summer hat but it's out of stock now. Hopefully it'll cone back in - I could look so very elegant drinking Pimms wearing it! Sorry you're feeling low Michelle. I know everyone I know is so impressed at my calm positivity - little do they know! You're right as well that it's so hard for our partners. I did ask my BC nurse if there was support for them but there didn't seem to be anything specific. I've been watching YouTube videos to learn different ways to tie head scarves. I'm going to need a lot more practice.... 😊 ... View more

Hello everyone. Oh my goodness I've missed loads of posts! I have found a lovely website called Suburban Turban which does some beautiful (though not cheap) headwear. Something for all occasions! ... View more

Hello everyone. You all made me smile about the 'stay positive ' comments. That and 'stay strong.' Don't have much bloomin' choice do we?! Ah well.... So pleased for all those with uplifting news today. Been and chosen my wig today and it's really not too bad at all. I have to say, I was expecting something that is free to be a lot dodgier! ... View more

Hi all, Another lovely day here. My 7 yr old and his dad have gone off to Wales Comic Con today so that leaves me and my 4 yr old together which is lovely as that doesn't happen much! Currently watching Trolls and eating homemade popcorn and it's not even 10 o'clock! Very decadent. Currently still feeling pretty ok and hugely grateful for it. ... View more

Hi lovely ladies, I'm glad I'm not the only one finding all this very surreal. Had first FEC on Monday and have largely felt pretty good - far better than I expected. Finished anti sickness meds today and started GCSF injections yesterday. I'm ignoring the tiny paranoid voice that's suggesting I should feel worse if the chemo was working! 😊 ... View more

Hi all. First FEC today and have mostly felt ok! I think I have 3 different anti sickness meds on board and another optional one if needed. We actually went to Frankie and Benny's for lunch on the way home. I feel a little spaced out and completely knackered but barely slept last night so hardly surprising! Going to have a few ginger biscuits now I think then off to bed. ... View more

Hello everyone, You all sound liked you're doing incredibly well. First chemo (FEC) for me tomorrow. Hope I manage as well as you've all done. My boys are back at school tomorrow so that makes everything a little simpler! I teach at their school so it's going to be odd for them not having mummy around. ... View more

Hi all, it's really encouraging reading others' experiences as none of you seem to have been completely floored by your chemo which is what I have been dreading! I have my first FEC on Monday so will feed back too! Had to go yesterday to have a metal trace marker put in to my tumour which turned into a huge palava involving 3 being inserted and a grand total of 6 mammogram pictures taken to make sure one was finally in the right place! Hoping everything else goes more smoothly.... ... View more

Hello everyone. I have my oncology appt next Tuesday to sort out exactly when I start but should be fairly soon after that. I was diagnosed on 28th Feb and have a small lump and lymph node involvement. It's Her2+ so will be having Herceptin alongside the chemo (been told probably 6 cycles but don't know which sort yet) This thread has been incredibly reassuring so thank you ladies who have shared their experiences. I'm a primary school teacher and worked from diagnosis until the start of the Easter holidays but regardless of when chemo starts I will not be going back after they end. I teach Y6 and I think SATs stress might just finish me off! I have 2 boys, 7 and 4 and fabulous friends who will get them to and from school if needed so on the roughest days I just need to get them up and dressed. At the moment I feel quite calm and resigned about losing my hair but I realise this might change when faced with the reality! Anyway it's so good to know there are others going through the same. Good luck to all of us. ... View more