Breast Cancer Now Forum

Lilco   so sorry you're still in Casa NHS, don't save your ice cream eat it and enjoy.  It's so frustrating but you are in the best place ( I bet you're so fed up of cliches).     Try  and enjoy your private room and the peace and quite and try not to get too down we are all rooting for you and sending hugs and positive vibes.   Love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Ladies   i hope everyone is keeping well.     I have just just finished my 4th treatment which was my first T.  My T consisted of Pertuzumab, trastuzmab which are targeted drugs and docetaxel which is a chemotherapy drug.  I had to have them over 2 days which was a bit tiring but no 5 and 6 will all be done on the same day fingers crossed.  Apparently if you don't get side effects whilst it been adminastrated then side effect shouldn't be much - just them little blasted injections which get you (oh the pain) but watch this space and I'll let you know.   to be fair though I did have a major melt down yesterday morning and sobbed like a lass but it was just the fear of the Unknown all over again but apart from the length of time it took it has been fine (let's hope I haven't spoke too soon).   love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi sals   i had pain in my hand and forearm from the chemo starting in cannula site, I told doctors about it on several occasions I even went to assement unit because the pain was getting that bad.  I saw my oncologist Friday who said it was Phlebitis and told me to use ibuleve gel which I have and am now getting some relief from the pain.  I am also having a PICC line inserted tomorrow (so nervous) for the rest of my chemo treatments because my vein is that sore.  Sals ask your chemo nurse to use your other hand this time then ask your oncologist to refer you for a PICC line.   i am starting T on Tuesday and am so scared of the Unknown SE's again 😰 😱     Love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi all   Sorry to hear your treatment has been put back Harkes, it must be so frustrating and very painful having shingles.   to all others starting T this week I'm having my first T Tuesday 8th and am so 💩 💩  myself, but at least we will be all in it together and can swap tips on SE etc, and for those who have to wait another week we can share tips with you.  I think starting T is like starting FEC for the first time again, it's the fear of the Unknown ahhhhh.   love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Harkes im not sure if OH has found this forum and read my posts but all of a sudden he has become attentive caring and has even made me a couple of cups of tea, it just makes things so much more bearable.   Holeinone, I start T 8th January so hopefully it will go well.  I do feel a bit nervous like I did before I started FEC but I'm sure it will be all good.    Ladies Happy New Year, this year we kick butt xxx   Love Tbird ... View more

I'm using Burt Bees lip balm, my sister brought it for me after she had researched what the best products were for people having chemo - I think I might give the cuticle oil a go too    love Tbird ... View more

Hi Harkes So happy you had that cry and talk it does help.  We did have that talk after a huge row on the day of my 2nd chemo, I think I shocked him with how I was feeling and my black thoughts, we both cried he said he would try more to think of me and for a few days he did.   I suppose I don't do my self any favours because I always show my strong side and try to do everything myself.  I sit watching Tv with OH sometimes thinking I would love a cup of tea but haven't got the energy to go into the kitchen, I don't ask him because I know he will do it begrudgingly and I don't want it like that, I want him to offer.   Like with you Harkes it might be the age group I'm 63 and OH is a very young 73 who still works 3 days a week helps with grandkids etc so perhaps it's a case of old dog new tricks ha ha. Im going to try the talk again and see how we go.   Love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Harkes Sorry to hear you had a bad Christmas, on reflection we probably all did but painted on our smiles and told everyone what a lovely day we were having but really screaming inside.   My relationship with OH is under strain, all he seems to do is shout at me (I think he thinks that if he shouts loud enough the cancer will go away).  I really feel like telling him to move out until this is all over, the only time he has hugged me since my diagonosis was when my sister shaved my head.  OH has moved into spare room and although I'm surrounding with amazing family I feel so lonely (I'm awake half the night so it made sense for him to sleep in there). i have tried to talk to him about how I feel, explain little things like making me a cup of tea (no he doesn't ever do this) every now and then would make all the difference but it's like talking to the wall.  I try to understand he's frightened (not that he has told me this) and feels out of control but a little kindness goes a long way.  Hopefully we can ride this out without me murdering him.   keep strong you're not on your own love Tbird ... View more

Hi all i hope everyone is keeping fine.  Can I ask has anyone had any problems with their teeth during chemo, I have just had half my filing fall out (I think I swallowed it) and was wondering if I can have treatments whilst on chemotherapy.  I can't contact my oncologist because of the holidays and assement unit is not answering.   love Tbird xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies   i hope you are all having a lovely day.  My family have been brilliant and spoiled myself and hubby rotten.   Hope everyone has managed to avoid hotel nhs.  Have a lovely day eat nice things and rest (you can do it all next year).   love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Ladies   thanks for asking holeinone my 3rd session has been fine, a bit spaced out and energy levels low in the after noon but we can all cope with putting feet up once in a while.  Next one will be the big T so fingers crossed.   Lou43 like you my husband doesn't understand how the slightest thing will make me burst into tears and gets mad because I can't explain it - I know it's because he feels out of control and frightened.   i am on antihistamine with my streiods so not doing too bad with the sleeping malarkey.   i hope you all manage to have a good Christmas    Love Tbird xxx ... View more

Hi Lou43   sorry it is your weird tingly sensation with you nerves on your PICC line, rest assured I'm over my panic now ha ha.  I know all about nerve pain so you have my sympathy and I hope it's not too bad.  Everyone on this site is allowed to say what they want and vent if need be I just got a bit nervous.     I had my 3rd chemo today (my PICC line will be put in for my next chemo) and a couple of women next to be had PICC lines and they are so happy they have them.  I'm just nervous cos my signature song is "if there's a wrong way to do it nobody does it like me" but I have my big girl pants on now so I'm going to smash it.   on another note I have booked for reki in January at my local nhs, so looking forward to that.   ive been so low last last few days I have loads of people to talk to but feel I don't want to upset them with my dark thoughts.  So I've phoned the breast care nurses to see if they can recommend someone to talk to.  Call went to answer phone so I'm not going to hold my breath to see if they call back (they were supposed to come and see me when I had my last stay in hotel nhs but didn't make it).   hope everyone is keeping safe and well   love Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Tigerlill   Thanks for that I did get a bit worried when I read Lou's text that it hurt - I must have got the wrong end of the stick.   Tbird xx ... View more

Lou43   does having the dressing changed on your PICC line hurt, I'm having one put in soon and didn't realise it couLd hurt afterwards 😱 .     Tbird xx ... View more

Hi all   sorry to be a moaning ninny but the last two days I can't stop crying I don't know what's wrong with me.  I will be have my 3rd chemo Tuesday, I had my blood test yesterday and as they were taking my blood I burst into tears for no reason and can't seem to stop 😭 😭   Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Jencat   thank you for your reply, it has helped me put my mind at ease.  I haven't got a date yet when I will be having the PICC line but it will be before 8th January as that will be the date for my 4th chemo.   its good you were able to have your daughter with you to keep you distracted, I will have to ask if I can have one of my sisters with me.   love TBird xx ... View more

Hi all   i will be having my third Fec next week also, although it's now only EC I'm having because of side effects.  I will be starting T in January.   My veins are so sore from the chemo so I am having a PICC line put in for the T.  I am such a wozz and am terrified of having the PICC put in, any advice ladies, does it hurt.   i am terrified of everything but am pretending to family I'm fine, I suppose a lot of you ladies are the same.   have a lovely weekend Tbird xx ... View more

Hi Sals im having my 3rd one on the 18th too so I will be thinking of you and all the others going through this nightmare.  Side effects are horrible aren't they, the way I'm looking at it is all my side effects seem to be the norm so treatment must be working and it's not going to be forever.   My oncologist has stopped one of my drugs from FEC and reduced the other 2 to 80% side effects are not so severe, but now I'm worried about the long term outcome - will the chemo still be as effective, after my 3rd session I will be having 3 sessions with the targeted chemo, I will be having a mastectomy after that.  I've asked my oncologist and she didn't really answer just said "we have to reduce it for you to survive the treatment" 😱 .   Im going to stop worrying and think positive, they wouldn't be continuing with treatment if they didn't think it would work (my surgeon said it cost £40.000 just for the drugs).   My sister has put up my Christmas decs for me, my house looks so cosy and warm, it looks so wet and gloomy outside so feet up and Netflix for me.  Have a lovely weekend everyone    love Tbird xx ... View more

Had ultra scan today yippee my nasty has shrunk by 6mm - happy days 👏🏻 👏🏻 ... View more

Thank you all so much for responding about the vein thing, it makes sense now as they have used the same spot in my hand 3 times in the last 3 weeks, once for 1st chemo, second for iv antibiotics and third for my 2nd chemo no wonder it hurts.  I haven't had my mastectomy yet, mine is chemo first so I will insist they use a different hand (if I dare ha ha).     Im still in denial that I have breast cancer and wake up wondering why I feel rough and why is this happening to me.  I can't look in the mirror at my bald head and just want to wake up from this whole nightmare.  I'm sorry to rant like this but I can't to my family, they look to me to be strong and I'm fed up of been strong.   on a plus side I have fantastic sisters who live nearby (one two doors away) the other just up the road, they look after me so well that I feel bad about bemoaning what's happening to me, this horrible cancer thing has shattered my sisters and they are been so brave.  I also have a grown up son and daughter who are struggling to cope, I try to protect them as much as I can and won't let them see me on a bad day.   Sorry there I go again ranting.  I am lucky because I will beat this and providing I can survive the treatment ha ha, my prognosis is good ( I have 2 lumps one her+ other invasive ductal carcinoma) sorry don't know abbreviations.   tHank you all for listening and I hope others are well and coping with treatment.     love Tbird x ... View more