Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi NikNak, I had my last chemo on the 21st August and I’ve had really bad pains in my thumbs, shoulders, knees and hips. I mentioned it to my oncologist and she thinks it’s temporary and could be to do with the zoladex or it could be just another chemo side effect - joy! My hips have been so bad that I’m waking up during the night with pain.  Hoping it goes soon! My surgery is the 3rd October, I’m gutted I have to wait so long!  Christine x ... View more

Thank you for all that advice! Very very useful. I had planned to go bra shopping after my SE wear off from Chemo. I wouldn’t have thought to go two sizes up so that’s really helpful.  I love a good excuse for buying new PJs too!  Thank you, Christine 💖 ... View more

Hey lovely ladies,   I had my last Chemo yesterday. Decided to dress up and make a day of it! Was very emotional at the end! But also a little anxious as I now don’t have surgery until the 3rd October so I just hope that the chemo has done it’s job and the cancer doesn’t start growing and already in the mean time!  Then I’ll be starting Rads in December. Such a long way to go still.    Im just chilling in the garden today eating frozen grapes to help ease the nausea. Very tired today but can’t sleep because of the steroids. Can’t wait to chuck that last bottle of steroids in the bin!!    Hope everyone else is doing ok.  Christine x       ... View more

Hi Mandy and Nicola,   I also have TNBC. The rate of reoccurrence has only just started to worry me as I come to the end of chemo. As much as I will be so so glad to get Chemo over and done with as it has been a hell of a slog, I’m worried that it is nearing the end of treatment altogether. I have surgery to come and radiotherapy after so will be likely finished at the end of November/beginning of December. I think when the end is here I’ll be so relieved yet that’s when I will really start panicking about it coming back.  I just keep telling myself that it’s not 100% reoccurrence so I’m hoping we are all in good hands and fighting this. I’m doing a course at the moment about exercise and disease (it’s free on a website called www.futurelearn.com so might be worth looking at) but basically it goes into depth about the relationship between exercise and fighting diseases like cancer. So my main aim after treatment finishes is to focus on getting really fit!! That will focus my mind and keep my body healthy. The course is free to join and there are no tests or anything like that. You can pay to do the final exam at the end and get a certificate, which I might do as it could help me at work, but otherwise it’s just a really good information tool.  Hope everyone is having a good weekend and not getting too blown away!  Christine x ... View more

Thank you Liz and Susan, Hopefully it’ll be ok. I’m trying to stay optimistic but I could have made a wig out of what has fallen out just today! I’ll keep going. I’ll try not to run to the razor yet 😂 Thank you  x ... View more

Well done to those coming to the end of chemo! Must be such a relief! I get emotional just thinking about my last one...not long now!    Bramley, glad your op went ok and the scars are looking good. It’s amazing what they can do! Sounds like you had a nice week too.    My penultimate chemo on Wednesday wasn’t quite what I had planned! Got there, called up within 20mins (usually I have a 2 hour wait!) and went to get my PICC line dressing changed and then they found a split in the top connection. And the PICC team said they wouldn’t be able to fix it! So back to cannulas! Was so frustrating, so close to the end!!! And man does FEC hurt the veins! Wasn’t a pleasant day. Thankfully my sickness was so much better controlled. I still feel nauseous now but having some frozen grapes, which helps.    Another thing...I’ve been managing to keep my hair with cold capping but the second FEC seems to have taken a hit. Lots more hair falling out and I’m in such a dilemma. Do I continue cold capping and end up with very thin hair or do I shave it off?! I still have a fair amount left but it’s very disheartening always having hair attached to your tops and not your head!! So close to the end, such a shame!  X ... View more

Clinic appointment done. They’ve given me a small dose of lorazepam to take tomorrow to control my nausea. Has anyone else taken this? They’ve also made sure the nurses give my IV anti-emetics tomorrow rather than tablets like they did last time. Thankfully all my bloods are ok so I can go ahead with my next FEC cycle. Fingers crossed it’s a smoother ride tomorrow. Penultimate chemotherapy! Can’t wait for this part of treatment to be over.  X ... View more

Hi Lynsey, Try not to feel pressured to go back to work. I haven’t been at work either since my diagnosis in March. Thankfully they haven’t pressured me but I’m going to speak to them in a couple of weeks to discuss going back. I too don’t feel ready and am thinking of going back in January. Luckily I have another 5 months of half pay but I’ll be using my annual leave in December before I go back. I have a very stressful job too working nights, days and weekends all 12.5hour shifts. I certainly won’t be able to do that but your employer has to adapt work to you! I’m going to get signed off nights for at least a year and try to see if I can work shorter shifts to start with. They legally have to adapt work to suit you so make sure you speak up if you just can’t do what you used to be able to do.  Macmillan has a lot of support and people to talk to about returning to work and your rights so might be worth using them or speak to the helpline before going to see your boss. On another note, it’s good news to hear you can have a lumpectomy. Hope it all goes ok!  X ... View more

Well done everyone for getting this far. I’m so sorry to hear some of you are struggling but it’ll soon be over (as I keep telling my inner cheerleader!) I’m looking forward to hearing about people’s experiences with radiotherapy. I won’t be starting until about October/November. I’ve got my second FEC tomorrow. I had a horrendous time for a week after. I felt so sick for about 24hours and then after about 6 days my nausea went and was replaced by extreme dizziness. Previously I was having weekly bloods due to weekly chemo and i ended up with a blood transfusion. This time I have bloods done every 3 weeks so will be interesting to see what my haemoglobin is doing now. I’m waiting for my clinic appointment now so fingers crossed they can give me some more anti-sickness! I’ve also hurt my back in the night. Not ideal! I think I just twisted it. I’m hoping it nothing to do with chemo but I guess I’ll mention it. Is anyone having a mastectomy with reconstruction? I had my surgical appointment yesterday and saw a completely different surgeon as mine had to have surgery herself on her knee! This surgeon mentioned that I could keep my nipples if I’d like but my previous surgeon said I’d have to have them removed to give me an extra 5% on my survival! I’m so confused on what to do as this new surgeon said that wasn’t correct and it’s all to do with my MRI scan and location of the tumour. Anyone else had these discussions and what have you decided? I finish chemo at the end of August and will be having my surgery beginning of October (such a long time to wait!) can’t wait for it to be all chopped out. The 4-6week wait I’ll be so nervous that it is going to start growing again! I’ve been referred to a clinical psychologist finally! Although they previously said I’d been referred and heard nothing! Sorry about not being on here much. I really struggle to use my phone during dizziness and nausea. Makes me feel worse. X ... View more

Sue, You are amazing! I couldn’t think of anything worse than running (I did a half marathon in 2013 and never ran again!) but to do it so soon after chemo is incredible. Good luck, I imagine it’s going to be an emotional run for you and the people supporting you. Let us know how you get on. I love hiking and trekking now so once this is all done I’m going to do a big charity hike somewhere. Two years ago I did a 50km trek in the Brecon Beacons so I feel like I need to up my game. I struggle to know who to raise money for too...breast cancer care, Macmillan, coppafeel, cancer research?    I had my first FEC on Wednesday and felt so unwell after. Instantly tired and constantly felt sick. Appetite Zero! All the foods that made me feel better on the previous 12 Chemo sessions are no longer working for me! Banana and peanut butter smoothies saved me the day after. Thankfully I’m slowly getting back to “normal” whatever that is anymore?! Going to try and play a bit of golf today to get some fresh air and take my mind of the side effects.   I hope everyone is able to enjoy their weekends  Christine xx ... View more

Hi everyone, I have tried to take a week off from this forum so only just catching up now. I’m so sorry to hear that a lot of you are struggling with your new chemo. But well done to those that have finished, it reminds me that there is an end! We don’t have a bell on our unit either but I’m not sure I’d ring it if there was. I’m still at the start of treatment and have a long way to go but I’m still going to celebrate the end of chemo next month with a glass of Nosecco (alcohol free prosecco!).   This week was the first week in 3months where I didn’t have Chemo. I went away with my partner and it was amazing to just get away. We went to Swanage in Dorset for a couple of days and it was so relaxing. He then stood by my side whilst I was bridesmaid to my friend this weekend.  As amazing as it was, I have really struggled emotionally. I have been so positive and held it together for him and my family but towards the end of this week I have started to crack. Such a mix of things. I was looking at photos of my this time last year and it’s got to me. I have realised how much weight I have put on and how different I look. I just don’t feel like me. All the bridesmaid photos keep coming through and I just keep crying. I think my boyfriend is struggling with the amount of reassurance I need right now.  To add to this I keep getting told stories about other people that had breast cancer and the last couple I have really struggled with. I don’t know why people insist on trying to relate to us by telling these stories of friends of friends that they know. I can’t help but ask how they are doing only to hear the worst. Has anyone else found this? I was having my make up done for the wedding and the makeup artist told me a story about her friend and I couldn’t tell her to stop because I was too polite. The rest of the day I felt tainted by this story and I didn’t offload to anyone because I didn’t want to ruin their day either.  I’m also so scared to start chemo again on Wednesday. You guys have reduced this fear by explaining that FEC hasn’t been all that bad but I’m nervous. I think having a week off has been good in so many ways but also has made me overthink.  Sorry to rant. I just keep crying and thought, who better to explain this to than the girls going through it with me! Sorry for the long message  💖 ... View more

Hi everyone, I had my last weekly chemo session (paclitaxel) today!! One more milestone! FEC to be started in two weeks. My haemoglobin has been slowly dropping throughout the whole regime though so they’ve said I need a blood transfusion. I have to have 2 units of blood tomorrow. It’s going to be a struggle as I only had Chemo today and the steroids aren’t letting me sleep!  Has anyone else had a blood transfusion or been warned with one? Thankfully this week my white cell count is back up so no longer neutropenic.    Its so so nice to hear success stories from previous groups. I’m so sorry to hear about your dad though and giving up work. You sound so strong though and it’s inspiring so thank you! X ... View more

Hi Kelly, Im sorry to hear you are having problems with your heart. It’s such a catch22 between your cardiologist and oncologist but you’ve got to trust their judgement. I’m on two clinical trials, one of which is with cardiology to try and prevent issues with chemotherapy. I know it won’t help you too much but it’s nice to know they see it as a problem and are doing research to try and prevent future cases.    I have been on paclitaxel and had 11 weekly sessions. One more to go tomorrow and then I’m on to FEC (after a little Chemo holiday so I can be a bridesmaid!). I have found the paclitaxel absolutely fine. A lot more tired but no nausea at all. I get neck ache plus some headaches and that’s about it. I’ve been on hen dos, golfing, walking, beer garden etc. I haven’t been able to work and I have had my bad days but I think that is related to the carboplatin I have every three weeks not the paclitaxel. Of course everyone is different but I hope you experience the same as I have. Also, I have my MRI on Friday but from external measurements my tumour has shrunk from roughly 3cm to less than a cm so it does the trick too.  I really hope you get everything sorted and back on track. Wishing you well x ... View more

That’s really good to know, thank you. I’m going to see if I can get some prescribed before my next chemo on Wednesday. I have 20mg from the pharmacy but if I’m allowed to double up around steroids then that’ll be good. Plus it’s so expensive! £7.50 for 7 tablets!    I’m hoping I don’t get nausea on the FEC. That’s the worst side effect I think. I feel like I can’t focus on anything else when I’m feeling sick. Plus I want to eat healthy and nausea unfortunately doesn’t make me want to eat veg!  I did fear that I’d lose my hair on FEC. I’m cold capping still and managing to keep a fair amount. I can tell it’s thinned a lot but others say they cant. But I spoke to the wig lady at the hospital and she’s ordered me a couple to try so if/when I do lose my hair once I start FEC then I’ll have one ready.    Does anyone else get pains around the jaw line and neck? It gets so painful and sensitive to touch!  ... View more

Hi Debi, I had such awful reflux/heartburn yesterday. Was so painful and did not expect it at all. I was going to ask on here if anyone had been suffering and what they are taking. What has your consultant prescribed you? I went to the pharmacy (a big big struggle as I was feeling rotten!) and they gave me omeprazole. I also had gavsicon before going to bed. He said it was all ok to take with my other meds but I just feel like I’m taking so much stuff now. He thinks the reflux was from the steroids but I always make sure I take it with food. Anyone else suffering from reflux?    The start of this cycle hasn’t been a nice one but thankfully it’s the last one before I start FEC. From reading all the posts, everyone seems to have such different SE’s with FEC. I’m quite nervous about starting it, makes me feel sick just thinking about it! But I feel prepared, no one said fighting this **bleep**ty cancer would be easy!!    Hope you all can enjoy some of Father’s Day!  X ... View more

Hi kelly, i suffered with palpitations before chemo but since starting it has got worse. I got referred to a cardio-oncologist, who I saw last week for an echo and ecg but been called back in today for a repeat ECG. My echo showed my function and heart was fine but my electrical activity showed up that I have had a heart attack....I’m 28 and pretty sure I would know if I’ve had one! So they think the person doing it might have put the leads in the wrong place. Anyway, I start FEC in three weeks so hopefully it won’t stop me from getting my Chemo. They said I can continue with taxol and carboplatin now which is a good sign. They do seem to give out the full MOT, which is good!  It’s good that they are being so thorough but it is annoying that Chemo is delayed for you. Hopefully everything is fine and you can resume it again soon.  Christine x ... View more

Hi All,   Debi2 my PICC line went in well thank you. They really struggled to find a vein with the ultrasound though and can now understand why I had such problems with cannulation and pain along the veins. It was so much less stressful going for chemo though, no pain, no hassle! Since, the line has been uncomfortable but it’s far better than 4 cannulation a week and two attempts at bloods!    I’ve got my clinic appointment tomorrow and bloods. Bit worried they are going to be all over the place again. I organised a hen do and went to it this weekend. Friday I felt really tired and achy but the Saturday was fine. I’ve spent all day on the sofa today and tried to drink my body weight in water. I didn’t drink any alcohol but last time I spent the weekend away before bloods, my liver function tests were elevated and my red cells were low so 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 🤞🏼     Also going to go to the Macmillan info centre to see if I can get myself a wig. Someone my mum knows has just finished the same regime as me, she didn’t lose any hair without cold capping in this first regime of drugs but lost it all during FEC. My hair has thinned a lot with carboplatin + paclitaxel whilst cold capping so I have the fear it’s all going to go in 4 weeks once I start.    Hope everyone having chemo this week doesn’t have to bad SE. Push through girls! The end isn’t too far away!  💖 ... View more

I’m nervous now as I’m getting my PICC line fitted tomorrow! Did they say how it could have been prevented? Should I still go ahead with mine? I just can’t bear having another 4 cannula attempts each week. Got my 9th weekly Chemo session tomorrow after my cardiology appointment and PICC line insertion. Going to be a busy day!  X ... View more

Hi Zoe,  Sorry to hear that. I start FEC in July and I’ve already got elevated liver function tests so that’s a bit of a worry. I’ve been told to drink more water than I already am to keep my liver flushed along with my kidneys.  My hb dropped and so did my neutrophils today but not enough to do anything so they carried on with chemo. I ended up having a 4 hour delay and then 4 cannula attempts!!! Plus I fainted on the last attempt...awkward. Not needle phobic or anything, was all very random! Plus my veins are just burning up, swelling and going hard from my weekly chemo. So I’m upgrading to some proper hardware and getting a PICC line put in. They said if the weekly Paclitaxel infusions are burning my veins then the FEC certainly will.  So all in all I have 6 needles today, including bloods and my zoladex. Hopefully the PICC line will make things a little smoother.    Cold capping was fun today too! The cap actually froze to my head. I had to wait for my head to warm the cap up to defrost my hair so I didn’t pull it out! Quite comical! Not sure how long the cold capping will continue though. This last week I’ve started losing quite a bit of hair. And I’ve got a long way to go still. I’m going to keep going but I’m going to order a wig ready.  X ... View more