Breast Cancer Now Forum

It's hard isn't it? It's so sad and also it's our own worst fear just now. ... View more

Oh Rizzer, that is so sad. The lovely lady I see each week at chemo, who is having chemo for secondary BC told me last week the chemo she'd been having wasn't working. They're trying her on something different now but my heart just breaks for her, it really does. ... View more

Don't worry everyone, I've got ages to go yet! Actually started chemo at the beginning of January and like you Lady34, I've got surgery  after chemo. I've still got 6 doses of taxol first. So I'll be around for a long while yet 🤣 ... View more

Hello Drida, I think you definitely need to speak to your oncologist who will hopefully put your mind at rest. But I just wanted to say that stable and no changes does not mean it isn't working. The fact that your cancer hasn't progressed is a good sign. Some chemos are intended to stop cancer spreading/ stabilise existing tumours and other types of chemo are more targetted to shrink tumours. I started with 3 rounds of EC and at the end of that my situation was similar to yours. My oncologist was pleased as said the cancer hadn't grown and now I'm on taxol which is hopefully reducing the tumours. Obviously every case is different but I hope this has given you some hope xxx ... View more

Yes, tingly fingertips is a SE of taxol. Let your team know about it. My doctor said if it gets too bad it can be hard to reverse it afterwards (but don't worry if it's mild). ... View more

Ah Lady34, your diagnosis and MRI both sound really traumatic. What a horrible coincidence re the date of your diagnosis. I had my mammogram on 4th November when they told me they had seen something suspicious.   Silvertong, sorry they didn't prepare you better for the MRI. I found the same when I had my PET scan. ... View more

Wow! Well done to all you lovely ladies reaching the end of treatment! Amazing! And a belated happy birthday to those who have had birthdays this week.   I've still got quite a long way to go! Between 5 and 8 more weekly doses of paclitaxel, then surgery and radiotherapy. And I'll not finish herceptin until March next year. But I'm remaining positive and taking things one day at a time. Really hoping the awful coronavirus doesn't impact my treatment. I started this journey at the beginning of November 2019 so it's already been 5 months, so have already come a long way and got through a lot.   Lots of love and good wishes to you all xxx ... View more

Crikey Debbie, that sounds really horrible. I'm so sorry your chemo ended this way. It's great that you are already managing to focus on the positives. Big hugs xx   Madcatlady, thanks for your post too. Yes you're right the lady's age was a big factor, also the fact that it was BC rather than another cancer and just because it is what we all dread happening. It's ok, I know every case is different, I just felt so sad for her.   Big hugs to everyone xxx ... View more

Oh Elsiedog, sounds like a hard day but well done for reaching the end of chemo. Make sure you celebrate when the time is right. Well done too Livers, very nearly there! Xxx ... View more

Yeah, not the best! I think normally meeting the psychologist would be a separate appointment but as they are trying to minimise trips out of the home they are doing it this way. There is a wall between us so we couldn't actually see each other but then there's an open doorway so you can hear everything. ... View more

Thanks both. Mrs S, yes you're right, her cancer is a different type to mine so our situations are quite different. But it was hard as she spoke to the psychologist during chemo and without wanting to, I could hear the conversation so probably got more details than I otherwise would have. Over here the give you ice filled gloves and slippers to wear during taxol (1 hr) to help prevent nerve damage (a bit like cold capping for your hands and feet). So couldn't even distract myself with a book.   Yes, we are all confined at home, have been for the last 2 weeks. My husband does the food shopping and my only outing is for chemo. I have 2 children at home but schools are closed now so they're home too. We haven't been told 12 weeks but the oncologist did say today that even when things start to get back to normal I'll probably still have to stay home.   Thanks again xx ... View more

Hello everyone,   Hope you're all doing ok in the current context. Sorry I'm not very good at posting to support others and then just come on to post a woe is me message but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.   I'm now on weekly paclitaxel with fortnightly herceptin and feel very fortunate that side effects have been minimal so far. I had my fourth round this morning.   This morning I chatted to a lady at chemo who is my age (she's 41, I'm 42). She had treatment for BC 2 years ago and it has now come back as secondary so obviously the outlook isn't great and there are signs the chemo she is having isn't working. I know I need to distance myself and not get too carried away but it is clearly pretty close to home and I just felt so sad for her. She has 3 young children.   Then I had my phone consultation with the oncologist which went well but he said government guidelines (I'm in France) say that my treatment should be reduced from 12 to 9 sessions. I know that in lots of cases people don't do more than 9 for a variety of reasons and he also said that because I've only done 4, they will review that decision at the end of April depending on how things are going with the covid 19 pandemic they may allow me to go above 9. But I can't help feeling a bit gutted all the same.   Thanks for letting me vent! Lots of love and positive vibes to everyone xx ... View more

Hi Debelina, I totally understand where you are coming from. I was warned there may be changes to my protocol (and there still might be) and got really stressed about it, but for the moment my plan is unchanged. What I'm trying to say is try not to worry until you know for sure. Also, if the doctors do make changes, it's because they're trying to balance up all the different risks at this time but will hopefully try and make sure you can finish treatment, even if it is delayed.   But I do totally understand how you are feeling. Cancer is a big enough worry on its own without adding in all this extra uncertainty. I still have 9 rounds of taxol, surgery, radiotherapy and a year of herceptin to go yet so do worry a lot about how it's all going to pan out.   Sending everyone lots of love. Xxx ... View more

Debelina, that news must be gutting but is your friend having the same treatment as you? I'm in France so possibly different although we are also being hit hard by covid 19. I had chemo today and they were postponing lots of people's treatments but said I could continue mine as planned (at least for the time being). When I asked how come they said it depended on the type of cancer, stage etc, type of treatment, general health of the patient etc. Lots of factors. So maybe yours won't be cancelled? I think they do look at each case individually and they did also say they just want to make sure those with the weakest immune systems/ frailest health are not put at risk. If yours does get cancelled, hopefully it'll be rescheduled? Not great I know but this whole situation is horrible xxxx ... View more

Blimey Mc22, really sorry to hear this. I hope your husband is ok and you too. Sending lots of love and hugs xxx ... View more

Thanks. I'm pretty sure it is reflux / heartburn which is a relief xx ... View more

Thanks MrsS and sorry to hear you get this too. Does it hurt in the chest area too? Sorry I'm sure this is probably really obvious but I've never really had it before and the 'noia is setting in with the coronavirus isolation! ... View more

Thanks Rizzer. As if we didn't have enough going on at the moment, this whole coronavirus thing is a nightmare! Hope you're doing ok xx ... View more

Sending love and hugs to everyone, it's so hard in the current context.   I have a question, I had my second (weekly) dose of paclitaxel yesterday and I've now got a sore throat (almost a burning feeling, maybe a bit refluxy, not exactly sure what that feels like tbh). Is that a side effect? Or could it e a side effect of one of the other meds? (Antihistamine, steroids etc). Obviously my imagination is going into overdrive with all this COVID 19 stuff although objectively I don't think it's that as no cough and no fever.   Thanks ... View more

Happy international women's day to you lovely ladies. You are all amazing! 💪 ... View more