Breast Cancer Now Forum

Good morning to all, It’s nice to hear everyone’s progress after chemo. I finished paclitaxel chemo in December, I was given option of then having 4 x EC but to be honest felt so rough towards the end of paclitaxel that I decided enough was enough……couple of weeks later went down with covid so I felt I’d definitely made the right decision. Started letrazole towards end of January when I’d started to feel a bit more human again. Main side effects for me are aching knees, I only have to sit down for couple of minutes then when I stand have to get legs moving again to ease knees. Also as @Somerset Bunny mentioned it does act as a bit of a laxative! Energy levels still not great, take dog for walk most days as long (as it’s not pouring down) and do minimum housework, you do well @Magenta59 getting back to work even for a few mornings is a great achievement, I know you say it’s necessity rather than choice but all the same you’re doing it….well done you. On the cosmetic front, I used cold cap through treatment but funnily enough after treatment finished my hair started coming out more than ever, eyelashes, eyebrows too…..didn’t lose all hair it’s now just a lot thinner and feels like straw…lovely…..but eyebrows, eyelashes have grown back thank goodness. Keep on moving forward……love to all xx ... View more

Good morning to all, Happy to say I finished 12 week course of paclitaxel on Thursday 😁 but now possible 4 x EC which I’m in two minds about as I’ve heard some horror stories re side effects ( just about managed with paclitaxel side effects ), I wonder whether anybody else has decided against further chemo…..mine was all an ‘add on ‘ after a high oncotype score, it was put to me as a bib and braces course of action as no lymph glands were involved and mastectomy completely cleared bc. Bit grim outside here today, hope everybody is cosy indoors. hugs to all x ... View more

Good morning all, @aliess I haven’t tried the tattoo transfers, they’ll be on my shopping list today, anything is worth a try. I had first brush with bc 26 years ago, I didn’t have chemo but was on tamoxifen for 5 years it didn’t cause any problems at all, hope it will be the same for you 🤞🏻 . Sending hugs x ... View more

Good morning everyone, Just to add to the letrazole discussion, a friend of mine has just finished 5 years on it and experienced no side effects at all…..I will be taking it for 5 or 10 years after chemo ( going for number 11 today ), I think like all the treatments it’s hard to say what effect it will have on you, have to keep everything crossed that you are one of the lucky ones! @Magenta59  my eyebrows have all but vanished and it has upset me more than I thought it would, on the plus side my fringe is just about hanging in there, a lot finer but can still just about cover lack of eyebrows! Have a good day all x ... View more

A few weeks ago I really fancied a nice cold glass of my favourite fizz, took one sip, it tasted like pure vinegar 😝 ……oh well, it’s  back to the fruit tea and the metallic tasting water 😂 . xx   ... View more

Good morning all, It does seem like we are all having a bit of a struggle at the mo. I had a week off last week because the side effects which usually last 2 days decided to linger and linger, particularly the horrible taste making food and drink taste disgusting, nausea, headache and  an achey stomach, so the thought of having another session worried me. Foolishly I thought I would feel nice and fresh for tomorrow’s session but I haven’t picked up as much as I hoped, did force myself out yesterday to take dog for a walk but that’s about as active as it gets, but feel I have to make the effort, going for bloods this afternoon, I suppose as long as they are ok it’s fine to go on. I’m with you on the Christmas thing @Somerset Bunny I have 4 grandchildren, 2 have birthdays around Christmas, so I’m just concentrating on getting all gifts sorted for them, everything else will fall by the wayside! I’m due to finish paclitaxel on 9th, but based on the way I’ve been feeling it may take more than 2 weeks to start to feel anywhere near ‘normal’, so I won’t be making any big plans! Fingers crossed we all feel some improvement very soon. Have a good day everyone, love to all xx ... View more

Good morning all, @Asharia I am on a 12 weekly paclitaxel at the moment, I have had no problems with cold cap, forget it’s on after first 10 mins….of course it does add time on, I’m usually 3 hours total. I will then be on 4 x EC so other way round to yourself. Glad you’re feeling better today, enjoy your walk if you manage to get out. @Somerset Bunny Have a nice walk with your boys. hugs to all xx   ... View more

Feel free to skip @Asharia  I’m sure everyone skips around even if they don’t always post. I’ve just had number 8 of paclitaxel and have been using cold cap, still holding on to hair, but shedding, had really thick hair to begin with, don’t know whether that makes any difference long term though. Have a good weekend all xx   ... View more

Good morning ladies, @Magenta59 Do hope you are starting to feel better after your rough few days, the weather definitely isn’t enticing anyone to venture outside……or is that just me using it as an excuse 🤔 . I had a really rough day yesterday, thought I’d got away with it as it usually hits on Sunday, but no, it was waiting for me……on the plus side slept well and hopefully things will ease today ready to start over tomorrow, the week goes so quickly. @CT2021 You will feel better now you have made the decision to stop the cold cap, one less thing to worry about and great that you’ve finished with the EC treatment, hope you soon feel better. Lots of love to all moving forward xx ... View more

@claud272  Love the pic, very flattering! My initial treatment was going to be mastectomy and then hormone medication for 5/10 years, but they do oncotype test after surgery ( for certain types of bc, think HER neg ) and it came back as possible high risk of reoccurrence in the future, so I was given the option to have chemo to lower risk, it’s 12 weeks of paclitaxel, it hasn’t been too bad no horrendous side effects, just tiredness, achey…but I know how it pans out now so don’t make any weekend plans as that’s when it hits. After this I’ll go on the hormone medication for however many years……whatever it takes! Be interested to hear whether you get a goody bag next week , good luck. Have a good weekend xx   ... View more

@claud272  Happy to be of some help 😊 ……. I was given a ‘goody bag ‘ at hospital when I went for pre op assessment, it included a mastectomy pillow, front fastening bra and softie, but, I don’t know whether this is the case across the board at all hospitals, I’d already purchased pillow from a cancer charity on line…..oh and also a bag for holding drain, keeps it hidden away and makes it more comfortable because it’s not dangling down. I took the dressing off after about two weeks when it was starting to come off bit by bit anyway. I think the length of time it takes to fully recover varies, but even after a couple of weeks you slowly  feel you can do more, but try not to push things too much, and of course do the recommended exercises as soon as you feel able. I’m a ‘bit’ older than you ( 65….ahhh, how did that happen 😂 ) so you’ll be great. I’m off for 7th session of chemo this afternoon, my favourite day of the week….NOT…but, got to be done. Have a good day xx ,  ... View more

@claud272  I’m glad you have got some peace of mind regarding the surgery and can gradually come to terms with treatment. I had a mastectomy at the beginning of July, I got to the hospital at 08.00, my op was performed about 11.30, I was dreading anaesthetic as I had not had good experiences previously but, can honestly say no problems at all, I was awake by about 13.30, sipping water, feeling fine, by 15.00 I was on the ward having tea and toast ( never has white toast tasted so good! ) and left hospital 17.30…..back home in my own bed ( eating more toast ) by 19.00. I felt no pain, bit of discomfort that’s all, I had one drain, the district nurse came on day 2 to empty it, then again on day 4, day 5 she came and removed it. I had a mastectomy cushion which I found very helpful in making it more comfortable to sleep as it feels like it’s protecting the wound area. Look at the wound area when you feel ready, I sort of peeped a bit at a time because I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to things like that! Above all be kind to yourself and do things bit by bit until you get your full strength back. I hope things progress smoothly for you and get in touch if I can offer any further nuggets of advice. Take care xx ... View more

@claud272  Hope all goes well with your appointment today…..thinking of you x ... View more

Good morning everybody, Like you @aliess I had number 6 of paclitaxel on Thursday, the longed for halfway 🎉 🎈 ….always have the red flushed face on Friday but on plus side energy level is up so always try and get as many house chores done as poss before the ‘rougher’ days set in, usually Sunday/Monday. It’s definitely been a case of avoiding the colds doing the rounds at the mo, hubby had it last week and he was sent to spare room, taking no chances. I’ve been cold capping and so far so good, it may sound petty but the thing I worried about most was losing my fringe! I did manage to find one on line that you can wear, sort of attached to head band so got that just in case!! Hope everyone has a good weekend, hugs to all x ... View more

Hello to everyone, hope the sun is making the effort wherever you may be. We all have our pessimistic days that’s for sure and @Magenta59 wobble away!…….you are more than entitled to feel that way after your scare last week, the thing we hold on to is the treatment plan that is set out for us and when that is disrupted for whatever reason, it takes the control away again and the waiting game takes over, hopefully the funding will be approved before too long and you can get back on track…..Sorry to hear your children are experiencing anxiety for whatever reason, it’s not a nice thing to deal with, but on the plus side it is something that medication can help with, fingers crossed they will find something that helps them get through this stressful time. My son has been on anti depressants for many years because of anxiety and panic attacks, but it’s like any illness he needs the medication to keep the symptoms under control and, touch wood, things are good with him. I will be on letrazole for 5 or 10 years when chemo is finished, I know like anything you hear horror stories, but a friend of mine has just finished 5 years and she had no side effects to speak of, it’s like every med it’s just not knowing how it will effect us until we’re on it!  I’m not doing anything today, usual Sunday rough day…..my daughter brings me carrot cake round on Saturday ready for my Sunday/ Monday rough days, to cheer me up…..any excuse for cake and coffee!! Hope things ease off for you as day progresses Jane, be kind to yourself x Take care all xx ... View more

@claud272 …..will be thinking of you and keeping fingers and toes ( and dogs paws ) crossed xx ... View more

Good evening all, Number 4 crossed off today, felt a bit nervous going after having a slight reaction last week but, with the added hydrocortisone thankfully all went to plan,…. always hungry when I get back, so today felt like a ‘chippy’ fish and chips, devoured it and enjoyed every mouthful, now feel like something sweet! Hope you are feeling ok today @Magenta59 and managed to get a decent sleep last night after your traumatic session, let’s hope they can get you back on track as soon as, last thing you want is steps backward! Must say even after that fright you still manage to sound ‘up’, that’s a real positive….. Everyone seems to ring the landline even when you give mobile as first choice, hopefully you got to speak to psychologist in the end or at least got a definite new appointment. @louby_lou69 weather here hasn’t been so great today, but hopefully where you are it was at least good enough to get out to walk for a while as long as you felt up to it after feeling tired yesterday. Well, I think the galaxy choc in the fridge is calling my name, maybe just half 😂 Take care xx   ... View more

Well done, perfect day for it @louby_lou69  Choices maybe bizarre, but very yummy…..enjoy! x ... View more

Morning all, I brighter day out there today so hopefully @louby_lou69 you feel up to doing your walk, hope you feel better today……Wednesday has come around so quickly, bloods this afternoon, glad to hear @amy46  that your results have improved, onward for tomorrow….Looking good @Magenta59 , hope all goes well for your treatment today…..I’ve woken with very dry skin on face today, just in one patch,🤷‍ ♀️ something new every day, keeps us on our toes. Have a good day everyone xx   ... View more

@claud272  I feel for you so much, I know exactly how you must feel at the moment…..I am now 4 months further on than you, but I can still remember those feelings of complete fear/stress/anxiety which are definitely at there worst while waiting for any results….at least when you have results you know what you are dealing with and what the treatment plan will be…..and you must try and remember that bc is so treatable, please keep away from online searching it will drive you crazy and a lot of it is out of date info, plus each diagnosis is so individual as is the treatment plan. You probably already try and keep yourself occupied and do things you enjoy to take your mind away for a while, it does helps a little…..after many weeks, I decided to give a low dose antidepressant a try and I can honestly say it did take the edge off the anxiety almost immediately……I know this is not for everyone but for some it can help. You’ve probably already tried the apps to help with relaxing at bedtime, they didn’t work for me but other people have good results, again, it varies from person to person. You have to take all this step by small step and you will come through……I’m sorry I can’t offer any great words of wisdom or comfort but hopefully on Friday it will all become clearer for you……good luck and sending you big hugs xx ... View more