Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Helly thanks for thinking of me. Hope you are well.  the PICC line went well. They had one vein to work with and he managed it, however I’m now in hospital again due to infection. White blood cell really low so I’m in isolation for maybe 5 days. Hope no longer and I get sorted as I want to be ringing that bell on the 6th Nov xx ... View more

Hi all. Wow what journeys we are going through. I’ve had a set back in which the chemo drugs leaked into my hand so chemo had to be stopped. No more viable veins so have to have a PICC line on Tuesday which I am dreading. Then to pick up the rest of this chemo then one more left. My hand is still swollen so paranoid about it.  I then go onto radiotherapy. With the Aveeno did you apply this before and after the radiotherapy?  also driving, as soon as you are comfortable and safe to do so my breast nurse said. It was a while with me due to drains etc. Just make sure you go somewhere quiet and try an emergency stop.  Big hugs to everyone xxxx ... View more

Hi All,    Not sure if this has been discussed but anyone having issues with their mouth? I’m on my 4/6 EC and each time my mouth is so dry my tongue hurts feels like it’s been burnt and my lips are really dry with sores in the corner.  Ive been given Diflam I drink plenty, Vaseline my lips but still not great.    Any tips would be really grateful!    Thank you    xx ... View more

Thanks Jencat. I’ll be having a chat about it tomorrow I think if they struggle with my veins again.  AWW I’ve had lots of different ones from Claratyn to Boots own. Just the one a day ones. Hope it helps 😊 ... View more

Hi Kaytee    I had a poorly fingernail I just soaked with salt water seemed to help. Also for poorly mouth I tired all sorts but basically drinking lots of water with ice was the best solution.  Bone and joint aches - I’m on my 4th out of 6 EC chemo tmoro, it was the injections you take which gave me really bad pains the first time. But I read about taking anti histamines and it’s actually helped. I had none of that pain since.  Im struggling with running out of good veins. My arm has hurt since the last one seems like a pulling pain which is weird. I am petrified of needles so the thought of more prodding and poking for the cannula tomorrow makes me feel sick. I am thinking about a PICC line but again the thought of the procedure gives me palpitations.    Good Luck to everyone on you’re journey. Xxx ... View more

Hi All. I’ve finally made it past the nausea stage 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 Still a little tired but not as much. Now it’s just the headaches ☹️ Any advice? I’ve taken paracetamol and try to keep hydrated  Thank You xx ... View more

Hi sorry to hear of your issues.  I’ve now had my first chemo and it’s knocked me out. Feel like I’m just sleeping all the time.  I had my implant out flushed and put back in. Was in hospital for a week with AB through IV then was allowed home with oral. It put my chemo back a week.  Hope you get sorted soon xx ... View more

That’s great. I’m dreading the side effects. First chemo today and to say I’m scared is an understatement. Any tips of what to take with me? Xx ... View more

Hi all  hopefully things are getting back on track and starting chemo in the next 2 weeks.  Quick question, has anyone had a PICC line fitted?  Flower hope you are feeling better soon ❤️ Xx ... View more

Glad you are feeling better Lucy Lump and good luck and fingers crossed for everyone going through all this at the moment.  I should have been starting chemo today but due to the infection I’m not 🙄 going for my stitches out tmoro so hopefully my surgeon happy with everything. I have my appointment with oncology next Wednesday so 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 ... View more

Hi LucyLump,  in hospital at the moment. I have an infection went to see surgeon on Monday and he operated Tuesday cleaning the implant and removed some puss 🤮 on strong antibiotics at the moment through a IV and 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 Seems to be looking a lot better. He wants me to stay in over the weekend as a precaution and hopefully go home Monday with oral antibiotics.  Not what I wanted as it will set chemo back but I definitely need to be well enough to go through chemo anyway so 🤞🏼 🙏🏼 🤞🏼 🙏🏼 Infection free very soon.  Good luck to everyone starting chemo soon and fab news with the side effects not too bad for you    xx ... View more

Try not to worry Kate. I’ve been in hospital due to infection since Tuesday. They put me to sleep to wash it out and I’ve been on a IV since which looks like it’s doing the job so fingers crossed I can go home today. I will still need the IV but they have said district nurse can come do this.  It is a little set back but just remember that you need to be back to your healthy self (as much as we can) and this what they are doing to help  keep us updated  xx ... View more

Hi Kate.    Hope you ok try not to stress too much. I phoned on Monday morning as I had a puffy red breast, hot to the touch it felt ok in myself. They drained some liquid but the rash and swelling remained. Yesterday they decided to wash it all out and put another drain in. It was a small operation nothing to worry about. I am absolutely petrified of needles and being put to sleep but it wasn’t bad, I think it only took 1 hour.  If you do have an infection it’s best to get it sorted asap   please try not to worry and keep us updated.  Sending big hugs and positivity  xx ... View more

Hi Lucy Lump.  Really hope you enjoyed your blue cheese, I’ve read quite a few things we aren’t allowed to eat such as Chinese takeaway, heartbroken about that one 😂 Good luck to you and Kaytee on your first lot of chemo! Which chemo is it you both are having?  Xx ... View more

Hi Kaytee Thank you for to reply 😀 hopefully the antibiotics will work overnight and I can carry on with the rest of the treatment as planned. Don’t want to be getting an infection whilst having chemo    xx ... View more

Hi ladies.  Quick question, has anyone already had surgery?  Ive had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and lymph node removal, however I have an infection ☹️ My surgeon has put me on antibiotics but if the infection doesn’t clear I’m having to go back down to surgery for him to flush it all out and put a drain back in.  I can’t seem to find any threads about something similar to this.  Im worried if I do end up having the surgery my chemo will be delayed until I’m healed.    Thanks  xx ... View more

Thank you for the reply Susie B it’s good to hear from someone who has had the line fitted. Also the reassurance that I won’t feel it is very comforting ❤️ I’ll have a look online for some covers 😃   xxx ... View more

Hi All!  I too am starting chemo in July. 11th to be precise. I am having  PICC line fitted as I am terrible with needles. I am more scared of this than actually going through the chemo at the moment. I’m also scared of feeling the meds go through my body and may faint. I am going to be the nurses nightmare lol.  Thanks for the tips on the shopping list I think I need to start mine and be more prepared. I have bought head scarfs and a huge water bottle but that’s about it.  Hope your meeting goes well with the oncologist goes well Kaytee and big hugs for your first chemo LucyLump   Xx   ... View more

Hi. I’ve had an appointment booked today for a PICC line being fitted due to my needle phobia. I’m absolutely petrified about this as it’s more the veins that freak me out ☹️ Thank you for responding i wish you lots of positivity on your journeys  lots of love xxx ... View more