Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi   My white blood cell count is 3.0. I was due to have my chemo today . They didn’t think it was an issue however I have had it put back to next Friday . I haven’t been well. Fatigue and not recovered enough so we agreed to give it an extra week. It’s my last one of 4. Oncologist says it won’t affect the treatment in anyway .  Take Care  Tricia X ... View more

Hi Ladies, Great to see you all pop in for a chat and update.   I just want to add that I was hospitalised with anxiety during first cycle of Chemo. They did every test going and it came down to anxiety . I was prescribed Lorazepam. Up to two a day . I’ve had it before for panic attacks .  I only take it when needed and have only taken it just before chemo and just after . The best thing about it is it’s anti sickness properties. It’s a win win with them if you start to feel physical symptoms of anxiety .  I can’t take anything stronger than paracetamol so they help me keep calm.  Just knowing I have them to turn to helps.  Good luck everyone and as Fiona says look after your soft tissue .  Big Hugs 🤗   ... View more

I have twitchy eye . First two weeks of chemo my eye sight was blurry and found it hard to look at a screen .  crusty and runny eyes too. Oncologist said this was a side effect .  Glad you are coping well Daphne X ... View more

I had surgery before chemo. I think I’m lucky as I’m only have 4 cycles of TC and 9 Herceptin. Then 5 days Rads. Hormone blockers for 10 years . no lymph node involvement and lumpectomy with clear margins. . I’m not sure I could cope with 6 or more.  We somehow find that inner strength 💕 ... View more

Hi Shi,   Drinking sparkling water ?  Tricia X ... View more

Hi Fiona   i had jaw and teeth pain. Sore tummy with the injections . Pain under the rib too. They gave me oramorph but I reacted to it . It was more stabbing pain with me hitting all the sensitive places where I have had operations or twisted ankle.  I count down the days knowing Wednesday is my last one and today is the first . How many do you have ?  First cycle I could only manage 4 but second 5 . Don’t have much choice as hubby enjoys playing Doctor every evening .  After the last day of taking them you soon pick up . Don’t forget to call the chemo line if you don’t feel right even without temp.  Tricia X  ... View more

Hi Mumbear I hard my second cycle yesterday too.  I found it emotional and my anxiety kicked in last week. I had to take lorazepam to get me there. felt better once they started . They gave me biscuits tea and sandwiches hooking me up quickly so I didn’t do a runner 🤣 .   i haven’t had any issues with veins so far. I take a small hot water bottle with me strapped on the arm. It brings my veins up.  I feel like a pin cushion and after bloods I bruise easily now.  im sure there are people on here that have Picc. Most of the patients around me have them.  Hope you have an easier run with this cycle .  Take Care  Tricia xxxxx ... View more

Hi Daffodil We had our chemo a day apart ! Yes I found my skin got oily around my nose and spots have appeared on my face. My neck felt stingy too. Hands itchy and little blisters appear .  it’s coming at the same time as my hair becoming sensitive . If it’s troublesome I would speak to your team.  Even covering up and factor 50 my skin has become incredibly sensitive.  Take Care XXXXX ... View more

Hi norflondon So it is a thing then .  We have a living room that’s cool with the blinds down. I can see myself living in it . I was cold last night and opening and closing windows . I may invest in a fan. love your ideas Fiona . I’ll give them ago and report back .  I can see myself sitting in the air conditioned car all summer 🤣 Take Care ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ... View more

Hi Ladies,   Has anyone had issues with the heat? I can’t take the heat. Sat indoors with a fan and it’s not even that hot! It’s that mild sunstroke feeling . Haven’t gone outside today .  Any tips would be great . Hate to think how I will feel when temperatures reach 30!  Take Care  Tricia ❤️ Maisy Moo hope your mouth is feeling better today . ❤️ ... View more

I’ve been lucky so far. Called the oncology line and they have spent a lot of time on the phone trying to work out the problems. First do you have a cough or temperature. My temperature has gone up a bit but not to what they would call a temperature. I’m usually 36 but on occasions it’s gone up to 37.4.  Feeling unwell is a difficult one . Cos I do feel unwell . 🤣 . But I know what they mean. We go from top to my poor bottom and talk about symptoms. I feel my G.P. Is getting use to me calling but they won’t bring you in. They have improved no end on communication skills .  I feel guilty calling all the time .( OK twice in a week). Hospital really don’t want you in so to protect you . Under normal circumstances I think I’d be using the Batmobile 😂 I have noticed everyone is working as one big team and I don’t feel forgotten .  So I get the message is, keep calling if you need to. I find it hard but I usually feel better afterwards ❤️ Love to you all ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ... View more

I’ve been put on antibiotics and steroid Cream this afternoon .  They think it could be fungal rash and secondary infection . As the tablets haven’t worked they are going all out attack . Something must work .  Drying myself with a hairdryer will be a new experience for me . 😊   All these new experiences just keep on coming . 😊   The world is gradually opening up and I will be hearing my lovely neighbours enjoying time in the garden with relatives . We will just sit and wish it was us. Feeling sorry for myself so I’ll go now and stuff my face with the only thing that tastes . CHOCOLATE 🍫   Take Care X ... View more

I have had little blood blisters appear around my nose and my skin around there is very oily . Funny as that is the area I would get spots before menopause. I also ended up with a rhino nose two days ago . It’s still very oily . I also woke up with a burning hand . My palm was hot to the touch . I get eczema on my hands and feet at stressful times. Put some cortisone cream on and it calmed down .  As a precaution I’m taking antihistamines and anti fungal meditation for the rash on my chest .  I also bought a pack of two silk pillowcases from amazon .  Glad to hear everyone is coping the best way they can .  Tricis X ... View more

Hope you pick up this week Fiona.  Best to be safe than sorry . I swear the steroids mask so many side effects but once they are stopped, you feel bad.  Just having a shower wears me out . Talking to people is a real effort. I’ve just started to feel sick again so took anti sickness again . Not sure if it’s because I’m not eating as regular or it’s the medications I’m taking . Temperature is ok.  I bought a pair of silk pillowcases ready for the painful head. I may start using them now.  Take Care and hope you are out walking soon Fiona X  ... View more

Morning Trish, ouch about the hair .  I am already getting sensitive hair so can image how painful it is. Hopefully you will feel better after shaving . Just remember to put the safety comb bit on. Take it gently. When my clippers came the instructions were in Chinese so I had to you tube how to clip 😊 .  Lots of love and big hugs 🤗 ❤️ Tricia X  P.S. Ruby thinks food is more important than my smell now 😊 . However she doesn’t bounce on me like she use to . Almost as if she has grown up overnight . I hope when this is over , she goes back to being a pain in the neck . 🤣 ... View more

Hope you are all well ( as can be expected )   Its my fifth day since first chemo. Monday I started to get a burning rash on my tummy and under the breast. Very painful . Felt like bee stings. Then on my face . I was suffering pain through the injections. So bad I could not sleep.  Spoke to my team and now have a rather large home pharmacy going on. It’s as soon as the steroids stop , the horrible side effects turn up.  Difflam for the sore mouth and throat is a must . I can see how easy to dismiss it but you really do need to get the help before it becomes a bigger problem .  Im very tired but hoping that I will pick up by the weekend . I’m a bit paranoid about washing fruit and veg . I think my husband is sick of hearing me shout “ Have you washed your hands?” .  Hope you are all doing ok .  Love Tricia  ... View more

That’s good news Maisy . ❤️ Now steroids finished ( last night ), I feel so drained . Hopefully I’ll get some decent sleep tonight .  Injections giving me on and off aches and pains . I guess that’s the flu like symptoms. ( never had flu )   My eyes ache and water.  Hope you all are having a pleasant weekend ❤️ ... View more

Good morning everyone, I have finished my steroids now and just taking the anti sickness ( Ondansetron) . One of the nurses told me to only take it three days and not 5 as prescribed as it causes constipation. I haven’t had any constipation but my bowels are fighting . One minute it’s like quick get to the toilet then suddenly disappears 🤷‍ ♀️ I seem to be going normally but boy the smell and it burns. Blooming toxic . 🤣 I have been given another anti sickness Med which the nurse suggested I moved onto after the three days. My question is .. How long does nausea last after the treatment ? Does it go after a few days or last the whole time? I don’t want to mess around with tablets and find myself being sick . I’d rather prevent it. I’m thinking of finishing the five days on these tablets then moving onto the others.  Tricia X  ... View more

Sorry I’m posting a lot . 🤦‍ ♀️ It’s those lovely steroids .  The saddest thing when I arrived home was the reaction of my dog. She wouldn’t come near me and even today she gives me a “sad look” . I was told she could go two ways. Keep her distance or be very cuddly.  It’s the smell you emit after treatment . She didn’t sniff out the cancer so I didn’t expect this sudden change 😢   I feel so unloved 😢   Tricia X  ... View more

God luck Wallflower. I think my husband is quite looking forward to it. 😊 Tricia X ... View more