Breast Cancer Care Forum

Lilyb84 I found EC completely bearable, day’s 4-5 where always my worst day’s and then I’d be back to normal, so you’ve defo got this.   I have said all along if you have a good positive mental attitude it really helps, and keeping active and drink lots of water 💧  sending you all lots of positive vibes.🌈👍🏼  ... View more

Helsbels20 am the same , treatment Wednesday and today is always my yucky day, lack of energy and no motivation. Good luck with the last one, I only needed 3 EC so moving onto taxol in 2 weeks... feels nice to see the back of one stage and moving on! Xx ... View more

Hi daisy, to be honest I have found EC really bearable too. Not had any sickness, hair loss happened even with cold capping but wig looks fine, and I actually don’t mind just wearing hats it’s only temporary and shows at least that chemo is working. I have treatment on Wednesday am normally tired for couple of days (days 1-4) feel a bit crappy today day 5 and then I tend to be back to normal! So hoping that’s going to continues and then I am ok on taxol, nurses said if I can cope with EC then taxol SHOULD be a breeze! I hope so!   I had a MRI on the 12th feb to check the progress but haven’t got results yet as not been back into see consultant or oncologist, so will find out next Tuesday. I feel it’s changed (more soft) but I don’t think size wise it’s changed but time will tell.  booked to get PICC line as struggling to get veins and with 12 weekly sessions coming up nurses advised best option. Any one else have a PICC line and can give any advise or any tips!?  jem xx   ... View more

Furns85 I am on EC and 15 days into my 1st cycle I had a massive shed (I did cold cap too) this continued for 5 days when I finally braved the shave as was getting more depressed with my hair coming out slowly in massive clumps. Shaving was emotional but once it’s gone I actually feel better, I was so stressed about my losing my hair and feels better just to admit defeat. I got my wig and wear it when I go out but I do prefer just putting hats on as the wig makes your head itchy. Defo won’t be wearing it once the summer months come in!  I have got my 3rd and final EC on Wednesday and then 3 week break till I move onto weekly paxtol for 12 weeks, anyone ahead of me and give me some idea what to expect ?? Nurses keep saying as I have been great on EC paxtol will be a breeze but I am worried!   I know the feeling of worry I constantly ask my partner if he thinks it’s working as I wanted surgery 1st but consultant advised that having chemo before surgery was the better option. But hair coming out is a massive sign it’s working as it’s attacking the hair cells so must be working with the cancer ones too! I had a MRI last week to check on the progress and hoping it’s showing that it’s shrinking (it defo does feel softer but to me doesn’t seem like it’s gone any smaller)  sending lots of love to everyone on this journey! Keep positive 🌈💕 Jem    ... View more

When I meet my breast consultant back in December lots of options where discussed. It was quiet a lot to take in (and all depends on chemo outcome) so glad I am meeting them again to discuss further, think I was still in shock as this was all discussed in the meeting when I was initially diagnosed.    My BC is pretty large 4-5cm so chemo happened before with hopes to shrink it is the plan of action at the moment and then I could have a lumpectomy with LD flap to fill the area out (also have big breast 36DD) implant was out of the question for me too as I will be having radiotherapy too but if chemo doesn’t shrink the area would be mastectomy with DIEP flap the same as you. Don’t think I would cope with delayed reconstruction, especially as I have been told there is a 18-24 months waiting list 😳  It’s such a hard decision especially the DIEP as recovery is a bit longer but the overall outcome will look better. I’ll be thinking of you on the 3rd it will be here before you know it! How are you feeling about your decision??xxx ... View more

Glad to know radiotherapy is going great for you Shablah, I meet up with a lady this week and the only complaint she had was it slightly burnt her skin and made it itchy but they gave her cream so she was good (said it’s a breeze after chemo)  lovely to hear that you and baby are both doing well lilyb84, I cold capped but unfortunately it didn’t work for me and on day 15 of my 1st session my hair was coming out by the bucket loads, went really thin round edges and was not my hair and was making me so depressed so I made the decision to shave. It’s completely bearable but like you said session 2 I didn’t use the cold cap and was in and out under the hour and a half. Plus I found the waiting and hair slowly coming out effected me more than just shaving it off, I felt in control. I have a wig which I wear when I do the school runs and if am going out out, but tend to wear just hats or go ol natural if am around friends and family. I think I just accepted its only temporary and hair will grow back, plus it’s a sign that the chemo was working and killing the cells.    i am having EC (having 3rd and final session on Wednesday before moving on to paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks, with hormone therapy along side)  so if you have any questions or worries feel free to ask.  fingers crossed lefteye84 you get your new surgery date soon, and your feeling better soon! am meeting with my breast consultant early March to discuss my surgery options, are you having mastectomy or lumpectomy? Feel like this is a decision I will need to make soon and I don’t feel ready to make the decision.  hope everyone has a lovely weekend , After the storm always comes a rainbow 🌈 keep positive ladies xx     ... View more

Kip, you are so inspirational! Thank you for your honest post, you’ve hit the nail on the head I just don’t want to be seen as a cancer patient to the outside world!   Your wig is amazing, it looks so natural... hopefully I’ll get one ordered this week just hoping hair lasts long enough so hairdresser can match the colour and texture, defo don’t think the bald look is for me! My new hats came yesterday and look ok too, so just going to start wearing them and getting used to them too!    Delighted that your hair has come back this is another one of my worries that once it’s gone it won’t come back, so big thank you again for posting it’s really helping me to see some positive in this journey!  jem x ... View more

Wishuponastar you are so inspirational, I completely get all the emotions you have gone through as going through them at the moment. Thank you for being so honest with everything I really need that and not to sugar coat the situation.   I feel like as you can’t tell (if you don’t know me) that my hair is really thin am getting my mum to cut it into a Bob today , but doubt it will last very much longer but may as well give it a go.... I ordered 6 hats (all being delivered today , thanks amazon prime!) so hoping once I have them I’ll have the courage to take the plunge and cut it off!   my hair is a safety blanket I HAD good hair before this and if my hair was done I would feel confident, but think beenies will become my best friends. I have a appointment with the hospital hairdresser on Wednesday to get a wig ordered so think I’ll be better mentally knowing that’s been ordered.  sending you lots of love, 😘😘 keep your head held high... xxxx ... View more

Day 15 hit (Thursday) and my hair has been coming out in buckets full! I had quite thin hair (but lots of it!) but it’s now really thin and coming out in clumps! 😢😭 Even debating whether it’s worth to continue with cold capping with my next round (Wednesday)  Anyone who has experienced hair loss does the shedding stop or is it going to keep coming out till I buzz it off?? It has been a emotional 4 days, and I feel so silly getting upset over hair but It just makes the fact I have breast cancer so visual to EVERYONE I actually feel physically sick over the thought of having to shave it off.  anyone with similar experience?  Jem xxx ... View more

Hope all went well with your appointment on Friday Shablah, it’s great you finally know... it’s so unsettling the unknown! And I hope you have a plan on the table for your next steps.  1st round of chemo has been fine symptom wise, but hair falling out in bucket full over the last couple of days, and think am not too far from buzzing it all off. 😢😭 It’s so emotional as I know the moment my hair is gone, I am going to feel the stares and the fact that everyone will know whether I want them to or not!  next round is Wednesday so fingers crossed bloods are good and we can crack on, the sooner i have the treatment the sooner ill be done!  keep us updated on your radiotherapy, I’ll be having this once I have surgery so keen to know your experience.  jem xxx ... View more

Hi shablah , how did you get on with your oncologist on Tuesday? Have you found out your next treatment and whether you will be having chemo? Xxx ... View more

Good luck wishuponastar for today!!   Will be thinking of you and hopefully with the lower dose you won’t feel or have the symptoms you had in round 1! xxx ... View more

Hi Annie5    I had chemo on 08/01 and next one planned for 29/01, (pending on bloods results giving the go ahead) so 3 weeks to the day. My oncologist said not to try and work out finishing dates as they can change if you have to be defer a week if unable to go ahead as planned. Also I bought a diary and said to just always put the next appointment in it, would defo recommend a diary too if you haven’t already ready got one to make a note of how you are feeling on the days as your oncologist will ask how the round went and your symptoms too xxx ... View more

Hi Annie5, it’s a lovely group and we will get through this together keep positive!    I was diagnosed beginning of December and like yourself having chemo before surgery with a hope to shrink to give more surgery options. I had my 1st round of chemo on the 8/01 EC like yourself,  and I have honestly been great. I mostly struggled with fatigue (so plenty of rest and early nights) but other than that I have been great. I did get some ulcers in my mouth but I bought some alcohol free mouthwash and again this cleared up after 2 days.    I am also cold capping , and again I didn’t fine this unbearable, I took my own leave in conditioner and even though I am noticing a bit of shedding at the moment hair is still in tacked. I am also guilty of getting my eye brows microbladded before chemo started as like you I have young children (10,7,3) and wanted to look normal for as long as possible but don’t think I’ll be able to get the top up as this falls within my treatment and the risk of infection is probably too high, but least I have the base!  shopping wise I have actually found my appetite had been really good and I find myself eating more (little and often) make sure you have little snacks in and quick meals (or batch cook some meals that will only need re-heating) for the 1st couple of days too I found this helped when I lacked in energy. Oh and ginger biscuits incase you feel nauseous... I felt strange as the symptoms aren't automatic and it’s probably worst waiting for some to hit you!  good luck for next Friday, I will be thinking of you!   jem xxx ... View more

Congratulations on the safe arrival of your little girl 💜👶🏼, also congrats to your little boy on his new role as big brother 💙👦🏼   Sending lots of love your way lilyb84 she’s in the best place and will get stronger every day and will be home in no time 😘 xxx ... View more

Am having EC for 3 rounds (3 weeks apart) then weekly tamoxifen for 12 weeks then hopefully surgery. Haha mood swings I couldn’t sleep the other day so woke my husband up in a crying/hysterical mess, then I fell back a sleep and then he was awake for the rest of the night 🙈🙈 he wasn’t impressed. 😂 Luckily my boys and hubby know mummy might get moody but understand why, we read mummy’s lump book with them and it was very good explaining possible emotions. Highly recommended if anyone has young children.   I was on the steroids for the 1st 3 days and just finished the injections. Feel more like myself now, tiredness still there but tbh i have got 3 boys so have been constantly tired for the last 10 years anyway! but feel like if this can continue I’ll be happy.  it’s so funny how the same medicine effects people so differently just trying to keep positive and rest. I am off work at the moment, so think the fact am off is helping me recover quicker from the rounds and my work have been so supportive.  long may it continue.... how are you all ladies???xxx ... View more

Awww I completely feel your pain wishuponastar it’s just makes the illness so visual for others, but you’ll own it! Remember It’s a temporary loss and will grow back once you stop chemo, plus sounds like you have lovely children and family around you.   I am trying my hardest not to lose my hair (cold capping, bought the silk pillowcase, been using dry shampoo and only washing when need to, bought the plastic bobbles) but if it’s going to happen it will and am sure your children will get you thorough this (my 7yo wants me to lose my hair so he can have the longest in the family! 😂) children tend to deal better than adults they are so innocent which is lovely, don’t worry about others sure your rocking the look! xxx 😘  ... View more

helsbels20 I feel the same as you, cold capping was fine, didn’t effect me at all just hoping it works! 🤞🏼🤞🏼 I had actually ice stuck to my hair when they took it off so hoping that’s a good sign and it’s done the job!   Fatigue has been a big issue with me, but no sickness yet and still been able to get kids to and from school so am winning in my eyes!   It’s so frustrating as I want to book little breaks away with my boys, but can’t for the fear of the unknown and what’s around the corner I know from what the nurses have said you might be fine one minute and then on your way to hospital the next so not taking it for granted and hoping feeling relatively normal continues.  ... View more

Awww glad to see a plan is forming for you lilyb84, and that your newest addition will be here very soon. Let us know how you get on with today’s scan, will be thinking of you!  MRI results are really quick, so you should have a plan in place pretty soon after, I found it such a relief once that plan was in place and am sure it will come back all clear for you. Try not to worry, I was making my self sick with worry I found my lump in November and only just started treatment so they don’t rush into treatment they’ll make sure it the right decision. Make sure you enjoy the early days with your new baby too! I Don’t want to jinx myself but feeling ok after 1st round of chemo, sleeping (or lack of) is the main issue but that’s getting better and probably didn’t help coming on my period 2 days after the chemo so also had really bad back ache so that’s kept me awake too , but on the whole it wasn’t as bad as I expected! Still a long way to go but feeling positive that I can do this! ... View more

I had my 1st EC chemo on Wednesday and sleep has defo been the hardest symptom for me, really fatigued all day and then keep waking at 3.38am or 4.38am every morning and can’t get back to sleep! Please someone tell me it gets easier, no head aches (I feel for you drida! ) but defo have heart palpitations.  Are you taking the steroids and anti sickness tablets? I came home with 3 days worth which finished yesterday and not suffered with sickness yet?  it’s such a strain on our bodies, defo rest if you get the chance and spend the day in bed, it’s time to be selfish and make yourself number one priority xxx ... View more