Breast Cancer Now Forum

@Butler10  Hi  Thanks for your reply. I hope you're well. Yes these forums are such a comfort,it's so good to share experiences  Lou x ... View more

Hi Claudia lovely to hear from you 🤗 I get what you mean about having your head down just getting through everything at the moment. And I have a 9 year old too - what moments of profound wisdom they have sometimes! Thanks for reaching out.  Did you start radiotherapy last Friday or is it this Friday coming? Hope it goes/is going well.  I finished radiotherapy mid December, it was fine and just found some fatigue hit me more towards the end of December. I’m sure it’s different for everyone, but hope you get on well with it. I’m going through a kind of post-treatment rollercoaster, processing, reassessment, looking forward (had my first COVID vaccination today!) and gradually building myself up after chemo.  How’s everyone else doing? Much love 💕   ... View more

Hi Seabreeze Yes, I had it.  They were very good in the hospital, I had 2 panic attacks and was in tears at time but they let my husband stay with me.  The surgeon had arranged for him to walk down to the theatre with me and wait until I had to go in for the anesthetic.  He was also there when I went into  second stage recovery. I am very sore but I suppose that's to be expected.  I was surprised where they cut me, the indentation was underneath but I have a dressing in which goes right through my nipple and it keeps tingling as if I am getting an electric shock. The underarm is very restricted but I am doing my exercises 3 times a day. I was told I will have a follow up face to face appointment in about 2 weeks. Thank you for checking on me. Wendy xxx   ... View more

Hi Butler, well done you on completing your chemotherapy! I bet it is such a relief? Another milestone to tick off.  I do hope you have a better time with side effects. What’s next you radiotherapy/ surgery?  Thank you for your advice and support offered to me as you have been going through chemo it has been really helpful. hope all goes well for you in the next stage of your journey. keep us updated!  Love 💕 Tara xx ... View more

Happy Birthday Butler. My son is 10 today too. I don’t feel well enough for a drink as had an upset tummy this week. Partly to do with Docetaxel and partly as I lost my chemo buddy on Sunday. However I will raise a drink to everyone when I am feeling better.    Good luck for next week. Nearly there!   Lots of love 💕  Tara xx ... View more

Hi Butler, well done you! I bet you will be relieved it’s all over. Well this part anyway.  I am currently having my 5 chemo. One more after this. Then radiotherapy and uplift to the good side to match me up lol. Hoping this will be my Christmas pressie 😝    My eldest is 10 on the 10th so I will try and have half a glass of wine fir both of you as soon as my injections are done.    You have been so brave and should be proud of yourself. You go girl!  Lots of love 💕 Tara xxx ... View more

Maybe try Golden Linseeds on cereal each morning, certainly worked for me after 3 cycles of EC,  trying everything else recommended and given (literally).  A tbsp per day was enough for me.  Only one word of warning, they are annoyingly tiny and get stuck in between teeth! ... View more

So sorry to hear that, it's a shame that it wasn't what you expected. I haven't got a wig as yet as I'm still undecided in case it doesn't suit me especially as I have afro hair xx ... View more

Hi Butler, I struggled with my injections this time. They hurt more towards the end. I myself feel irritated at the moment, but my husband says I am snappy. I live with 4 males 2 children my husband and step son. I have as always picked after them so made a rod for my own back but the fact that I still have to do it and go through chemo is annoying me and boy am I letting them know!  Here’s to a better day tomorrow!  Night night  Tara xxx ... View more

Thank you!  I’ll give that eyebrow pencil a try! Radiation was longer the first time I was told.  Sort of uneventful until my skin starts burning. That part I dread.    ... View more

Hi Butler,  That is fantastic news. It’s the right way forward.  I have another 2 rounds of fec and then go I. To dotextol or whatever it is called. Fec se not been too bad so I hope the dotextol is the same.  Good luck and best wishes  Tara xx   ... View more

Hi  Shi is right call the unit. I do for everything. My ankles, fingers and face have swollen quite a lot, although I don’t have a temp and feel really well. I called my unit yesterday and they told me to elevate my legs and rest more. They have just called me back to say that they safe not worried but if I am to call back anytime. I know my problem is not to do with injections but what I am trying to get at is if you feel ill please call as anything that is not right or you are worried about is not too small and no one will mock you for checking it out.  Hope you feel better soon.  Sending you lots of love 💕    Tara xx ... View more

Hi First of all, I’m sorry you’re going through all this rubbish. Reading between the lines, it seems you’ve not had an easy time with EC. I was like a zombie. Paclitaxel is supposed to be easier on the body. You only have the one lot of steroid on the day as there’s less risk of sickness, then 6 days for the chemo to work. You may be floored for a couple of days but in theory, you will feel more like yourself by day 4 or 5 and more able to function normally. That’s the theory and many women find that’s the case. If you’re like me and get side effects that aren’t even listed, it’s hard work, though not as hard as EC, and your oncologist will monitor you carefully, possibly reduce the dosage, possibly offer you a short break in between sessions 4 and 5. I perked up noticeably in that second week. The important thing to remember is that it’s important for your recovery and it’s time limited. If you’ve already spent 9 weeks on EC, why waste it by stopping the later treatment? It’s all doable even if it’s sh*t. But you always have the option to stop if your body (and your spirit) can’t take much more. Recovery is very quick but there may be long-term side effects which they’ll have told you about. I get every side effect going and I’d describe them as mild - pesky rather than debilitating. I hope that helps. I’ve been honest - I had a hellish time with chemo (so I found radiotherapy a doddle) but I have friends who have sailed through, with a few days of fatigue after treatment. We all respond differently so don’t expect the worst. I wish you all the best. If you want to rant about it or ask anything, just PM me. Jan x ... View more

Now the weather is hotter it may not suit you, but I found a heated wheat bag helped a lot in easing the aches and pains that those rotten injections cause. ... View more

thank you  I also had trouble with my picc line. Hopefully thinks will pick up. X ... View more

Hi Butler10 First a virtual hug. Your head will be spinning from the diagnosis and I distinctly remember feeling totally numbed in my appointments as the news got worse each time. These times are different but normally you’d take a friend to act as PA, as mine did, taking notes and asking questions I was too past caring to think of! So, as the others say, never consider yourself stupid - the mind can only deal with so much at a time. It would be a good idea though to make a note of any question you want to ask on your phone. You can then ask to see a doctor during your chemo session when you are chilled and a bit bored and present her/him with your phone! You got some excellent advice already but I wanted to add that I have emetophobia (obsessive fear of vomiting, not the best phobia for chemo - tho I never was or even felt sick), agoraphobia and panic disorder! So I was more than a bit apprehensive about chemo. I was completely honest about how I might react, how I was feeling etc. My GP prescribed a short course of sedative in the build-up period and my oncologist prescribed 2 lorazepam tablets To take just before chemo which made me just feel completely normal and I didn’t do a runner. So, if your fears are considerable, contact the hospital to tell them and ask if they can help. Tbh, the experience is not remotely scary, just an awful lot of waiting about. When you are having chemo, it’s essential you ask advice before taking anything. Rescue Remedy probably won’t make any difference (I used it), but homoeopathic remedies might. I asked because I bruise easily and wanted to take arnica. The oncology pharmacist investigated and rang me to advise me not to use it as it may have a blood thinning effect (rather strange considering that the world of medicine denies homoeopathy can even work!! Equally strange was that no one appeared to have mentioned it before).  Your pink consent form should identify the treatments you are going to have. You can match these against the information sheets you’ve been given. They are obliged to list and explain the main side effects but most people don't get them. A lot of people sail through, others are wiped out. I was a zombie. You just don’t know till it happens I’m afraid. You’ll be under an adjuvant oncology nurse for side effects during treatment but try to maintain contact with your breast care nurse as she’ll be the one in the best position to advise you on things like emotional support, hair loss service (if relevant) and support services you can access for free.  It’s all manageable and it isn't forever - but it is for a good cause. All the best next week. Jan x ... View more