Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi there  I had low neutrophils last time, when I had bloods taken on Monday. They retook the bloods the following day, and they'd recovered enough for chemo to go ahead on the Wednesday. I think they go more by the neutrophils than the whole of the WBC. Try not to stress (easier said than done, I know!) Give your unit a call and see what they're saying about it.    Much love  Fiona x ... View more

Hi Sarah I've only had one docetaxel so far (tbh one was quite enough!) I have my review on Tuesday, and I'm wondering if my oncologist might suggest that given my reaction. But I don't have any direct experience of that. My understanding from other experiences that I've read is that because it is weekly, the dosage (per week) is lower and therefore fewer and milder side effects? But other than that, I don't have a clue 😕 Can you phone and ask to speak to your oncologist and/or BCN to get some answers? What are your specific concerns?   Sorry I can't be more useful....I can't remember if anyone here is on the weekly regime...if no joy, perhaps try one of the more generic chemo threads? I hope you get some answers and feel more settled. I can only imagine how unsettling it must be to have mid way scans, followed by treatment tweaks - it must give rise to a lot of questions! Sending hugs Fiona xx ... View more

The pain just got unbearable. Could not eat, drink or talk! Tongue was on fire, couldn't swallow and every bone in my body (including little ones in your ear??) ached and hurt and stabbed and burned like a son of a female dog! I was in tears begging them to stop the filgrastim.  The nurses were (for the first time) really slow in picking up how much pain I was in. They kept saying "if you're still sore tomorrow...." I was in fecking agony! GP thank god prescribed co codamol 30/50 which began to help, and then I also got naproxen to take in between. Never experienced anything like it. I actually wanted to die the pain was so bad. Going to have serious words with my "team" at next review. If I take the strong painkillers early it should help but I'm not taking 7 filgrastim.  I'll do 5 at a push, but they can whistle for the rest!   Thank god I'm picking up now but it was 8 days of sheer hell.  I've heard some ladies are OK on it and I SINCERELY wish that for everyone who is due to have it. I'm glad I only have two more or they could go whistle for all of it! If a treatment that is supposed to save your life makes you want to die.....we've got the balance wrong surely?? ... View more

I am feeling better. Didn't want to put too much on here in case folk got frightened but it got SO much worse! Saturday was a walk in the park compared to what came later! However, I am beginning to feel better. I wonder when my eyebrows will give up the ghost!! ... View more

Hi Trish!!!!! I'm so glad to hear from you!! Totally understand about the getting through it and not wanting to think about it. I've migrated a little more to Facebook which has some great groups (and less good).   I wish you the VERY best with Taxotere/Docetaxel. I hope you have a journey much like your someone like me friend!   If I can suggest? They will probably say to start taking paracetamol on the 3rd day (well, they did with me). Just make sure you know how to access stronger medication if required in a speedy way, especially if day 5/6 goes over the weekend?   I will keep my fingers thoroughly crossed for you!! Fidget xx ... View more

I've bought optrex to manage this! I was fine for first 3 cycles, but eyes began getting crusty a couple weeks ago.   Lost most of my head and body hair-not all, but eyebrows are hanging in there!   Definitely look after all your soft tissues...eyes, ears, nose, lips, mouth, tongue, front and back "bottoms"!! Take care xx ... View more

Thank you - it really is the gift that keeps giving....this is my 4th cycle of chemo, my first though of Docetaxel. Previously EC. I've been in bed for last 2 days. Getting up to go downstairs for meals, doing a little 150 metre round the block, but that's it. I feel utterly done! Doesn't seem like last weekend I was having a 2km VERY early walk on the beach!   Well, here's to us, in solidarity. Sucky sucky suck suck!     ... View more

Ladies - question re Docetaxel and Filgrastim.....I'm so sore! All over....I knew it could cause aches and pains, but holy hell! I feel sore and achey all over, my feet feel cold, sometimes my jaw/teeth feel sore...is this normal? I've read the patient info leaflet, but I can't really retain much of what I'm reading! Feel so fuggy and slow and yeuch. Basically been in bed for 2 days! No temp or anything, just wondering if I'm overreacting?   Fiona ... View more

Hi Adriana  Welcome 🤗 That sounds really difficult! I'm so glad you've found the forum! It's been a big help, especially starting the journey pre chemo. There are so many threads offering all kinds of support and info. I'm sorry you have to have more surgery..especially after finishing a course of chemo. That feels like it might be like being asked to run another marathon just after finishing one!  Sending hugs and encouragement to explore and use this space to get the support you need.   Fiona xx ... View more

Hey everyone, how are we doing? I've been a little in the doldrums, but I think I'm feeling a bit better now - just in time for cycle 3 next week! Hope everyone is managing feelings and side effects ok......I thought I might mention "one good thing" this week, which for me would be a little sound clip of my four month old niece who has apparently learned to squeal and likes this new sound VERY much! Love to all Fiona. ... View more

The mouth pain is the worst for me just now....the nystatin does help, so I hope you are soon feeling better Lisa. My throat is still really sore, but lozenges and alternating hot and cold drinks is making it manageable.  Re heat.......wow, no bright ideas I'm afraid. The obvious to drink, drink and drink. A spritz bottle of water in the fridge to spray on your face? A bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan to make sure the air is cool and maybe a bit moist? First aid ice packs applied to pulse points? If you don't have them, we use empty plastic bottles filled with water - great for rolling your feet over. Also good for plantar fasciitis. Cold wash cloth in the fridge - apply to forehead, then rewet and recool?  Loose, natural fibres and try not to get agitated about the heat, like I do which then makes it worse! Cool showers - who cares if you have to have more than one a day? Hope there is something there that helps! Take care everyone. On a bit of a downer myself so just keeping a bit schtum, but thinking of you all.  Xxx ... View more

Holy sh!t although I'm LOVING you calling it the bat phone!! I might borrow that one! Thanks hon x ... View more

I will call them tomorrow. I do put off phoning the treatment helpline, because every time I do, the hospital say to send me over and it's never anything serious but I totally get that I shouldn't rely on that. Girl Guides promise - I'll call them in the morning. I check my temp regularly and it's never above 36.5 and usually a lot lower than that. I will be sensible and keep safe. Thank you 💙 ... View more

Isn't it weird how we're all the same, but different?  I think my hair (stubble as it is) is actually growing again! But probably not.  Right now I have a RAGING sore throat 😢😢 had it last time and the Nystatin eventually helped, but bu**er me.......so I'll join Tricia in feeling sorry for myself just now! It is good to offload here......thank you pink warriors! Keep fighting 🥊 ... View more

I got horrible pimples on my neck! Blooming sore they were, too!!! Not loads and loads of them, but a few. Savlon actually helped them go down? But nothing on my face. And I totally get why that is more upsetting - it's like added insult isn't it?   My hair started coming out on day 18.....even now it hasn't all come out.....my head looks a little like a world map with "continents" of stubble and "oceans" of bare patches 😂😂😂😂 I'm so sorry about the acne though, that truly is pants. Could your toiletries be exacerbating it?  Sorry I can't suggest anything more helpful.... ... View more

Hi - I ordered mine from amazon. I just put silk pillowcase in the search function and bought a reasonably priced set. They do make a difference! Hope that helps 😊 ... View more

Hi everyone! Tricia that rash does sound painful....so sorry! The nurses are very good at loading us up appropriately to deal with these things, aren't they? I was doing much better on day 1 and 2 of the cycle and then got more and more and more tired (which somehow took me by surprise!!??) Felt really quite sick on Tuesday morning and then despite feeling better for a brief period on Tuesday evening, ended up in hospital overnight! I think it was an overreaction on the part of the hospital, but better safe than sorry! So I've been a bit distracted to say the least. However, feeling a wee bit brighter now so fingers crossed this is me starting to move past the worst of it. The sore head thing is the worst.....did you get a silk pillowcase? Even now (with my baldy heid) I find it really comfortable.    Much love to you both Trish/Tricia and to everyone. Take good care of yourselves.  Fiona. ... View more

Oh honey!!! I'm so sorry. It's just the final straw, isn't it? Maybe she will get used to it? My dog has been ok-ish....no real changes except her other mama is the one that takes her out on all her walks now, so I'm temporarily downgraded to 2nd best ma!! Of course she still loves you....although it's totally **bleep** that she doesn't love the steroids - but then, neither do we so that makes her a dog of exquisite sense and taste!! Would a virtual hug from me help? Sending so much love xxx ... View more

Hi there! Sorry that you find yourself here, but you are very welcome 😊 I'm fortunate that I don't have to inject, I'm assuming it's a sub-cutaneous injection like insulin? Maybe one of the other ladies will have some tips. I felt nauseated on my first cycle, but they tweaked my meds and I had no issues this time - so fingers crossed they can do the same for you. Hope you have a better day today. Hugs, Fiona ... View more

Bless you Tricia!! I was advised to take the steroids by early afternoon to avoid impacting on sleep? So I take two dexamethasone with breakfast, and two with lunch? Might depend on what you are taking, but if you can take them earlier might be worth a try?   You are a trooper! Rest well honey xx ... View more