Breast Cancer Now Forum

  Hi Daisy. Yes I’m also triple negative. They said I wouldn’t need radiotherapy as full mastectomy done and negative for any cancer in lymph nodes.  I didn’t have many side affects from chemo first time round no, but just because you did with the first lot done automatically think you will with again. Just drink plenty of water, I drink 2 to 3 litres every days and I eat lots of fruit and veg, I try and get out for a walk everyday as it’s find it good for my mental health as well as good exercise for your body, there is days when I’m very tired though so I will rest on those days. My BCN said to me Don’t expect to much of yourself.. you’ve got to remember you’ve already had chemo then an operation and then more chemo! You are going to feel tired and that’s fine just listen to your body and rest.   Yes I’m perfectly fine driving and have done since about 6 weeks after my op in March. please just ask if you want to know anything else. Or like Shi said use the nurses on here too, Iv used Shi a few times when Iv been having a wobbly and she always reassures me. Lisa xxx ... View more

  Morning Ladies  Daisy I know exactly how you feel, I too thought I was done with chemo to be told after my op that they wanted me to have further chemo (tablet form) I’m now half way through my fifth cycle of six and it’s honestly gone so quick. Iv had very few side effects 🤞🏽 But I can’t speak for everyone as we all react differently to it. One bonus with this chemo is no hair loss so that’s growing still, its a grey/brown fuzz at the minute and I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with it just yet 😆   Stay strong you will get there 😘     Lisa xxx ... View more

  Good morning wolvesgirl and all other ladies    Wolvesgirl brilliant news on your scan! I bet the wait for the results was horrible 😫 and Blackcat glad your getting there with your treatment and not having side effects 😄 👍🏼   hope everyone is safe and well 😘     Lisa xxx ... View more

  also!! Happy birthday for Saturday Anna!   🥳🥳 ... View more

  Hello ladies   Yes AnnaGabbana that’s my understanding that although the chemo did shrink my tumours (I had 2 one went from 22mm to 15mm and the other from 8mm to 4mm) it didn’t get rid of them all together so that’s why they wanted me to have the extra as it has been proven to reduce the risk of it returning. I’m not going to lie that the fact it didn’t totally get rid of it scares the hell out of me and I’m struggling to think of anything else at the minute. Although my BCN has tried to reassure me that there’s many ladies that have had the same outcome as myself and not had any further problems. I guess it’s always going to be a worry for us all that you have to try and deal with.  Lisa xxx ... View more

  im sorry I don’t remember the name of it 😕 🤔 Iv been ok side effects wise 🤞🏽 I think main side effects with this type can be stomach related, Diarrhea and sickness. But like with every chemo everyone’s side effects can be different. I have been a bit achy, but no hair loss with this type of chemo.  Did you have any radiotherapy? Iv been told I don’t need that as I had a full mastectomy and results from lymph nodes taken was negative from any cancer.  Lisa xx ... View more

  Hi AnnaGabanna  Its a very new trial that’s been done apparently, sorry I forget the name. It’s to reduce the risk of a reacurrance. The chemo is tablet form and I have it for 2 weeks then I have a week off, bloods, checkup then start the cycle again. How are you doing?   Lisa xxx  ... View more

Hi ladies    I did put a reply on here the other day but it doesn’t seem to have posted!  it’s lovely to hear how everyone is getting on and that everyone is managing through these very strange times. Im nearly finished cycle 4 of my extra chemo and it’s been decided that I’m having 6 so I’m getting there. Apart from feeling very tired Iv been ok so far 🤞🏽 Iv been going to my doctors for my bloods taken and having telephone appointments for my checkups between cycles, then I go every three weeks to pick up my tablets, the chemo ward has been moved from Darlington memorial hospital, my main hospital to bishop Auckland hospital which is a much smaller and a no a and e hospital, I feel safe going to pick my tablets up there and to be honest it’s a little ride out as it’s about 30 mins away.    I’ve been going out for walks most days, just making sure I keep my distance from people and I’m now able to meet up with someone for a socially distanced walk which is nice. I’m currently furloughed and unable to go back to work anyway with me being in the at risk group.  I have struggled some days with trying to remain positive, which is unlike me, I think it’s a mixture of having to have more chemo along with everything else that’s going on at the minute, more time to sit about thinking!  After a conversation with my BCN she said I’d have an appointment with my oncologist in sept and I’d be due a mammogram on my remaining breast in sept too. My appointment with the plastic surgeon for my reconstruction has been cancelled which I’m ok about as I’d rather wait until all is a bit more stable with the world.  take care ladies and big hugs to all.  Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi Daisy, Wolvesgirl and all other ladies. hope everyone is staying safe and well. Daisy it does sound like your treatment is similar to mine and I understand your frustration at more chemo after surgery!  It’s definitely not what you want to hear. Iv been told I won’t need radiotherapy.. maybe it’s to do with my lymph nodes coming back negative and the fact I had a full mastectomy 🤷🏽‍ ♀️ Did they say what type of chemo? I’m on the tablets and half way through my second lot already. I had more side affects with the EC than the pax but everyone’s different so it’s hard to say.  wolves girl I’m glad your starting to feel more yourself and I know what you mean about being on hyper alert! Every niggle freaks me out then when I speak to someone about it it seems to go away!  Hope everyone is enjoying this nice weather as much as you can ☀️   Love to all  Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi ladies    I’m unsure of the cycles I’m having tbh as when I spoke to my oncologist over the phone I’m sure she said 6 months! 😳 but speaking to my BCN yesterday she said it’s not usually that long and she couldn’t see anything on my notes. Iv a telephone appointment on the 29th so I’m going to clear that up then. No hair loss with this type of chemo which I was over the moon about as just having got a full covering which has thickened up loads to, I wasn’t happy about the thought of loosing it all again!  Spottycotty hope everything’s ok with your scan it’s good that there being thorough and listening to your concerns.  hugs  Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hello Ladies    So Sorry Iv not been one for a while, all my notifications have been going into my spam for some reason!  I hope everyone’s safe and well.  Just a bit of an update on me, can’t remember where I was up to but I had my op (mastectomy) on the 4th March just before covid really kicked in thankfully! I would say I’v got full movement back, still some little twinges now and again but apart from that all good. Results from surgery where it had shrank the tumours one from 22mm to 15mm and the other from 8mm to 4mm the lymph nodes that were taken out were negative for any cancer...but because it hadn’t got rid of the tumours completely there was a higher risk of it coming back with me being triple negative therefore they wanted me to have some more chemo! 😫 😫 Capecitabine which is in tablet form, I take 4 on a morning and 4 on an evening for 2 weeks then have a week off then start the cycle again. I’m nearly finished my first cycle and fingers crossed Iv had no major side effects. They said with this form of chemo it’s usually gastric side effects. It’s a very new trial that’s been done for triple negative that shows that having this extra chemo significantly reduces the risk of it coming back again. My oncologists words were your only young and were going for cure, so that’s why they want to throw this at it too. They’ve said because I had full mastectomy and negative results from lymph nodes that there’s no need for radiotherapy. Think that’s where I’m at so far. I obviously had a bit of a melt down at the thought of more chemo and that it hadn’t fully got rid of the tumours like I thought but my BCN said that sometimes it can not shrink it at all so the fact that mine has responded is still good. It doesn’t actually feel like I’m having chemo as I’m just taking tablets if that makes sense. I’m going to my own doctors to have my bloods taken then just have to pick my tablets up from the chemo ward, which has been moved out of my main hospital to a smaller one near by which is a “clean” hospital (no A AND E Dept and no one with suspected covid)    Holly I’m so sorry your surgeon didn’t get the clear margines they wanted to get, I would say to you that the mastectomy op and recovery is really not as bad as I thought. Reconstruction wise mines obv been delayed now but I’m hopefully going for them using the fat from my stomach. If I was having both done then I would of probably of gone for the implants so they both looked the same. Although implants will need more surgery further down the line as they would anyone getting them. It’s such a hard decision to have to make though so go through it all with your BCN and tell her all your worries.  if you want to know anything else please  just ask me. I’ll make sure I check my spam! 😆     Big hugs to all  Lisa xxx ... View more

    Hi Daisy    So glad your able to have your treatment on Wednesday. I’m sorry I’m not sure about how that works as I didn’t miss any of mine. I would think you would start where you left off but I’m not 100% sure. Hopefully one of the others will be able to jump on here and help out 😘     Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi ladies    it’s lovely to hear how everyone’s doing.  It is all very worrying and Daisy I totally get that your feeling very anxious about having to go into hospital for your bloods. Iv got my follow up appointment with my surgeon on Tuesday and I’m feeling very much the same about having to go into the hospital.  I agree with you Julie that it must be very hard for those newly diagnosed, I can remember how scared I felt never mind with all this going on too.     Keep safe ladies xxx ... View more

Hi ladies   Daisy I’m so sorry you’ve had to miss 2 cycles I know it must be so frustrating. I also totally get how anxious you must be feeling right now with all this going on and still having to go in for treatment. I finished my chemo 2 months ago now and I’m still very anxious about picking anything up.  Wolvesgirl I’m glad your getting there with your recovery from Phnemonia. I think your totally right with not wanting to be front line, you have absolutely gone through enough! Just stay safe!  Thank you Again Shi for the tips about the eyelashes, mine are still only stumpy but there getting there.  stay positive everyone and stay safe  Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi Shi! I certainly am but not for that reason as I don’t know it helped with that! 😃 Iv just been enjoying having lashes to put it on again 😂 thanks for the tip I’ll make sure I put in on everyday now! ☺️ Xxx ... View more

    Hi ladies    Just thought I’d pop in and make sure everyone was safe and well during these worrying times. Holly I’m so pleased your second Op went well and hopefully your recovering well from it. I had to go and have some fluid drained from my scar area.. 350ml to be precise 😆 it had got so big it looked like my boob was back! apart from that I’m healing nicely and my scar is so neat! regarding hair mine seems to be coming thick and fast all over, lashes are growing back which I’m delighted about, think loosing them was worse than loosing my actual hair. Anyway I hope everyone’s staying safe. big hugs to you and your family’s 😘 Lisa xxx ... View more

Hi Daisy  I  think we have every right to be moaning minnies! I’m so sorry you couldn’t have number 6 today.. it’s very frustrating when your counting them down and you just want them out the way.  keeping my fingers crossed for you you’ll be ok to have it next week and get back on track.  big hugs  Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi Daisy   I’m glad I’m giving you some reassurance 😊 I hope you managed to get your 6th cycle out the way today. Im feeling ok today, movement and pain seem to be getting easier as the days go on. It’s just a strange and uncomfortable feeling really. The tiredness still keeps coming over me. I don’t think Iv ever fallen asleep sat up until now 😂     anything else worrying you or you need advice on please don’t hesitate to ask. 😘     Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi Daisy    I know exactly what you mean about just wanting it out of you and the worry of if it’s shrinking or not. The thought of it in me i struggled with so I don’t think your alone there.  I’v an appointment with the plastic surgeon for reconstruction at the end of August. I was offered immediate reconstruction but couldn’t get a date when both my surgeon and the plastic surgeon could be together at the same time any time soon. They wanted to get the mastectomy done so I will have reconstruction done at a later date.  After my mastectomy i stayed in for one night. I could of gone home the same day if they were happy for me to but I asked to stay in for one night. Just because I felt more comfortable being where I could be looked after as I’d never had an operation before if that makes sense.  All of these things your feeling and worrying about are totally normal. We’re all here to help each other along this **bleep**ty journey.  😘 Lisa xxx ... View more

  Hi Daisy.  Its no problem at all, I remember having all the same questions in my head that I wanted answering, it’s all very scary and so much unknown! Im feeling ok thank you, tired and uncomfortable and the same as you I’m climbing the walls! Everyday is getting easier with regards to pain and movement though.   So with the Chemo I had the EC first and I’m not going to lie to you I found the paclitaxel easier than the EC. Saying that the side effects were kind to me and I didn’t really suffer with sickness all the way through. I just found the EC gave me more of a fuzzy head. Are you having the EC very 3 weeks? Make sure you drink loads of water!  Once I’d had my 4 cycles of EC i had an ultrasound scan to check progress and yes it had shrank it, so much so that they couldn’t really see anything. They then carried on with the 12 weekly cycles of paclitaxel which I finished on the 24th January. I then had my surgery on the 4th March (last week)  The choice of surgery is much the same as the chemo.. no one has to have it if they don’t want it. But yes it is needed to beat this. I had 2 tumours one 22mm and one 8mm so a lumpectomy wasn’t an option that’s why I had to have a mastectomy.  Hope thats all been helpful for you Daisy..Anything else please just ask away.  Lisa xxx ... View more