Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Ladies I’ve not been on here for a while I think life just took over. It looks like we’re all finally seeing the end of treatments, it’s been a journey I wouldn’t want to do again. I’ve finished my radiotherapy I had 5 intense sessions instead of 15, apparently it’s a new study that the benefits are the same but over a shorter period of days. I’ve also had my first Bone infusion every 6 months for 3 years, all good apart from major bone aches for the first week so with that and the Letrozol I felt about 90 🤣 . But now apart from taking a while to loosen up in a morning I’m feeling great. It’s great to hear you’re all coming to the end and starting to slowly live normally again. I’m due to have a mastectomy with DIEP later this year, not to treat the cancer as I had a lumpectomy but to reduce my risk because I’ve the BRCA gene so it’s by choice. So I’m getting fit and ready for it. Hope you’re all enjoying the new covid freedoms and getting out and about 🌞 😃 xx ... View more

Sadly it’s a rollercoaster we can’t ever get off! Ask questions and pin your Onco down on treatments moving forward. If you have any unusual aches or pains anywhere not just in the breast area that you can’t explain ask for a CT scan your Onco or GP will arrange usually on a fast track. Your team will be super vigilant now so don’t ever think you’re wasting their time 💕 ... View more

Hi Marblecake22 sorry to hear the chemo didn’t work as well as you’d expected. I’m also a high risk for reoccurrence with 10 positive nodes out of 22. I’m just doing my radio to neck and chest the 1st one was today (Im actually pleased to be started on my rads which is super sad 🥴 🤣 ) then Bisphosphonate infusions for 3 years to ward off reoccurrence in the bones along with the lovely Letrozol 😫 which tbh I’m managing ok with.  My Onco said although I’m higher risk she’s personally had many ladies with heavy lymph positive go way past 15 years!! Bc we’re high risk they tend to throw everything at us. I knew with 10 lymph’s it’s not the best diagnosis but I’m glad they’ve found them and they’re out!! I hope you don’t have a 3 hour round trip but remember those rads are super strong and it’s zapping anything still lurking around! It’s hard now but come summer ☀️ we’ll look back and think physically it was tough, but really how did we get through it mentally because we all think the worst, especially at the 3am hot flush or 4am wide awake club 🥴 Keep us posted on your rads you can do it - I’ll be thinking of you 💕 ... View more

Sorry Aqua76 you’re feeling rough on taxol it’s a beast I thought the same that FEC would be the worst! It completely wiped me out and took a lot longer to recover, my Onco reduced my dose slightly for my second cycle, I still had side effects but not like the first cycle 😩 . I hope your next cycle is kinder 💕 💕 ... View more

Hi Smiledon Hope you’re doing ok with the nausea, just a word of causation on the Ordansetron it can make you constipated. My Onc stopped this med in favour of Metoclopramide which I could take ‘as and when’ I started to get the nausea feeling it was great and no side effects 👍 . Hope your mri went ok 💕 ... View more

Hi Feline friendly hope the funeral goes as well as can be expected 💕 . I lose my taste mid chemo cycle for about 4 days. I eat plenty of fresh pineapple it’s one of the only things I can taste it’s also really good for sore mouth because of the enzymes in it, my oncologist recommended it. Also with your fruit if you have berries etc cut small and Crush a merengue nest on top with some vanilla ice cream and runny honey. It’s a sweet treat overload but you can just taste it 👍 . Stay strong 💕 💕 x ... View more

Hi Felippe Im on day 9 and the horror bowel cramps came again so it looks like it’s a taxol certain for me. It was manageable with rocking and deep breathing but it literally wiped me out afterwards and my temp is on the increase my face looks like a Oompa Loompa. I know though now it’s done my body will balance itself back to normalish! Sorry it’s not better news but you might process this cycle better, otherwise get prepared you know it’s coming and you can do it. We’ll get through this, each cycle throws things at us and we bounce back 💕 💕 🥰 ... View more

Hi Felippe sorry to hear the Taxol is being a beast. I’m now on day 8 of the 2nd cycle, but the Onco did reduce the dose slightly which seems to have worked for me, she offered weekly chemo but I prefer the 3 Weekly the less I’m in there the better. The stomach cramps have not returned yet!!! But I have been taking movicol constantly twice a day to try and move my bowels little but often since day 1, I’m hoping it’s done the trick. Like you the cramps last time to empty my bowels was horrendous but once done was like I’d detoxed 😳 I know I’m at ‘Nadir’ now because I can’t taste anything, I’m just sleeping and I’m constantly applying moisture to my hands and feet and searching the fridge for something to taste!! Once I reach day 10 Felippe I’ll let you know if it returned 👍 if it doesn’t then movicol is the ‘go to’  I’m hoping the next 2/3 days are kind. Take care and stay safe 💕 💕 ... View more

Hi MayC i had my vax last Sunday but I had on PICC side then had my chemo on the Tuesday. Onco advised the week before chemo for me. We must all have different reactions because I’ve been fine apart from an ache where the injection went in and a bit tired on the first night.  I was worried if I’d get a late reaction after chemo went on Tuesday but it’s just the usual chemo after effects. Hopefully it’ll all settle down for you MayC it’s a lot for your body to process chemo and vax, but like you I’m glad I’ve had it. My top up is April so I’ll be out of chemo by then 💃🏼 🕺 . Take care 💕 💕 ... View more

Feline friendly sad news about your dad I hope you can stay strong and get through this. It’s a lot to accept in such a short time, everyone will be thinking of you stay positive 🙏 💕 ... View more

Hi all just a quick update now I’ve done 1st docetaxol and I’m now at day 17. The first 4 days was a doddle then it was as if I’d been run over by a bus worse for me than FEC. Sugarpiesan all the things you described was the same for me and I agree the WBC injection make it worse, but you’ll get through.  Then at ‘nadir’ when all your immune system has gone between day 7 and 10 my body just offloaded everything into the loo with lots of stomach cramps, but then slowly my own immune system starts to come back and each day I felt a bit better. I’m now on day 17 and feel normal I can taste my food and the pains have gone but it’s a lot slower to leave my body than FEC it’s a real beast. My next cycle is Tuesday but I know what to expect and I’m hoping they will lower the dose. We’re all nearly at the end of this crap that we can see spring time and sunshine, stay strong and make sure you eat nutritional foods to build your body back up after these wipe-outs - stay safe we’re nearly there 💕 💕 💕 ... View more

Hi ladies hope you’re all getting through this with as few side effects as possible. I had my PICC line fitted its amazing so easy I wish I’d had it done from the beginning and saved my poor veins crashing and now cording from the cannula but better late than never. I had my 1st cycle Taxol now the FEC is finished and so far so good. Although they’d forgotten to give me steroids for the day before the cycle, luckily I was having bloods done the day before so had to take 8 that day. It was all a bit confusing but the pharmacist in the hospital was great and explained it all. I’m on day 3 and apart from hot flushes I’m feeling ok but I have been doing 8 steroids for the past 3 days which keeps me active I start the dreaded 5 day WBC injection today which I find awful and days 5/6 are usually hard for me. But I was expecting to feel worse on T so I’m quite pleased onwards and upwards only 2 cycles left to go and apparently my friend says I’m not allowed to count the last one 🤣 . Hope your cycles are going ok and if any of you are moving into Taxol my experience (so far) early days has been good. Stay safe ladies and stay positive 💕 💕   ... View more

Hi Smiloden  Do some research on choices and be informed so you can make the choice that’s right for you. I first had surgery lumpectomy and full Axillary clearance of 22 of which 10 nodes infected. My surgeon was pleased I’d chosen lumpectomy but I’ve since realised I think this is more down to cost as there’s little reconstruction.  However since my Op I had a private genetic test after surgery for BRCA with color.com  (just a niggling feeling because dad had bc) and on nhs there wasn’t enough family with previous BC to warrant the test.  Anyway long story short I’m carrying the gene so after chemo I’m having double Mx and probably DIEP, I’m not taking any chances and my Onc Agee’s and has already told the surgeon who has just sent an appointment to see him 1 week after last chemo in Feb. I was of the same opinion as you originally to get this over with but since doing the research I’m going to take the long haul. But you decide and make your choice for you, your Oncologist knows this disease inside out and your BC nurse will want you to make sure your fully informed on your choices. Sorry to hear your wound is being awkward and not healing, things are so slow at healing when we’re on chemo. Good luck with your choices 🥰 💕 ... View more

Hi MayC sorry to hear about your experiences at the hospital, I also sometimes feel as though I’m just a number and a burden especially if they’re running late as if it’s my fault. Fortunately I’m starting to be more forward in my approach with the nursing staff and Dr’s  I don’t feel comfortable being like it but I really don’t care anymore. I’m finally having my PICC fitted on 13th after lots of calls and ‘stand offs’ with staff. I’ll be using your tights idea for covering the PICC, I’ve got plenty since not going into work for months now. Now you’ve mentioned about flushing I’ll have to see what they have planned for after it’s fitted, if it has to be done weekly I’ll probably just drive to our cancer centre it’s only 10 mins away so that’s ok for me.  Stay positive although it’s really hard at times, considering there’s a pandemic and we’re all battling this illness I think we’re all super warriors. We’re doing covid, cancer and chemo the 3 C’s that’d overwhelm most people!!  stay strong a few more miles to go 👍 💕 💕 💕 ... View more

Merry Christmas everyone. It’s been a quiet one for me I had chemo on 22nd then back at the hospital because of collapsed veins through the hand cannula, but  other veins have picked up the supply although my hand and arm has aged about 20 years, apparently it can take months for them to recover if they can, so they’re now looking at PiCC line. But apart from that I know my side effects and plan around them, I think it just makes you fight harder. Being 3 chemos down is brilliant it’s the end of FEC and a break until 12th Jan 💃🏼 . Hope you’re all doing ok and I’ll be thinking of those who have chemos this week - stay positive 💕 💕 💕 ... View more

Hi Fifi2020 its a massive shock to have BC but to have BrCa is another blow. I am similar I am doing chemo for BC but also found out I’m BRCA2 which has put a whole new journey in place because I’m now planning mentally for a double MX and ovaries etc after chemo when I’ve already had a lumpectomy .  At first I was mentally drained but I’m now grateful that I know I can plan instead of the unknown and my older children can make informed life choices. You’re still young and now fully armed to make your choices once you’ve kicked this chemo journey. BRCAs a bitch but it doesn’t define you and as the weeks go by you’ll start to challenge it and tackle it head on. I’ve found some great FB groups that are for BrCa carriers and they’re so informed on how to plan and move forward for you and your family.  My first stop on this journey is Christmas and chemo is an unfortunate present I didn’t ask for, and BrCa will wait until the new year. My hair has gone and I’ve got a wig (worn once) but tbh I prefer Beanies I’ve ordered a few off Amazon in different colours arrived next day 👍 . I actually don’t mind my bald head it’s so easy to put a coordinating beanie on, I’m ready before my husband which is rare 🤣 . Take care and the 16th is another chemo done and gone  🕺 💃🏼 👍 💕 💕 xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies I’m on day 9 of 2nd cycle, just now coming around to nearly normal. Days 3 to 6 are just awful, raging hot flushes, fatigue, hangover, constipation and body aches and I could eat a whole supermarket in one sitting, I think it’s the steroids. Lots of water and not eating after 6pm has helped with acid along with some fab tablets the Dr prescribed. Next chemo on 22nd so Christmas Day and Boxing day will be a challenge but celebrating half way through, still need to keep positive and away from getting into low moods (my husband can vouch for these, he has a habit to just breath 😬 🤣 that sends me over the edge) I’m not to bad with the baldness although my head itches like mad at night, I’m now wearing a bamboo sleep cap looking like a nun extra from ‘call the midwife’! Hope you’re all coming out of the chemo fog and hitting day 10 soon 💃🏼 . Take care and I’m sure we’ll be soon into the festivities with another chemo down 👍 💕 💕 ... View more

Hi Ellegee77 I asked the same question to my Oncologist because I wasn’t expecting to self inject. She said although my WBC was low before my first chemo it was ok for my 2nd she wanted to be safe in case I caught a virus I think she was referring to the current covid situation so I’m not deficient in anything It’s standard for her to prescribe 5 days worth to her patients anyway because they can drop quick, ask your Oncologist. I find that after the 5 days on injections that you start taking on day 3 to 7 I start to feel normal and by day 10 great. I hope your second chemo goes ok, it was a lot better than the first I’m now on day 3 and so far I’ve been ok. Like you I think one of the anti-sickness was a problem more than the chemo! The other thing I’ve not done so far is take any paracetamol I’ve not needed it and feel ok and less constipated but I have drank 3 litres every day (750ml bottles Evian) goes everywhere every time Ive been to the loo in the night and get back into bed I drink (lots of loo trips) but it’s really worked for me it’s flushed everything through. good luck you’ll do great, drink plenty before your infusion and keep drinking flush it out. I’ll be thinking you 😘   💕 💕 ... View more