Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi All, I can’t believe it’s been 5 weeks since my last (and first post).  Time goes so fast with each Monday as chemo day, then working the other 4 days from home, trying to go for walks, cook meals etc. I’m sorry to hear that some of you have not been having a great time. But I also find it interesting that the side effects differ so much from person to person.  Also interesting is how many different treatment plans there are out there with so many variables in diagnosis etc! I guess we have to look at the end game, however far down the road it is for each one of us.  My regime is a long one as I am Triple Negative so I don’t have the option of injections/tablets after treatment.  12 weeks of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, followed by 4 x EC cycles which takes me to mid Feb.  Then surgery then radio.  It makes me nervous to hear the not so good reports of those of you on EC.  I just had week 7 of weekly Paclitaxol and 3rd of 4 Carboplatin.  So far so good. I’m getting a bit slower with the walks and get a rash every now and then which I’ve got cream and tablets for.  The cold cap seems to be working up to a point, but my hair is now very thin and I wonder if it can hold on once I start on EC.  Time will tell and I have a wig on standby just in case. Also wondering if when I start the EC will be the time to call it a day with work for a while.  I guess I'll just wait and see how I feel at the time.  Work are putting no pressure on me, I just like the normality of carrying on while I can.  I’m loving the suggestion of watching Christmas!  Think I will make a list on Netflix for the weekend.  I hope those of you going for treatments in the next few days get on OK and the side effects are manageable. Take care everyone. Ang3lf4ce ... View more

Hi Jo, I am sorry you find yourself here.  I am new (this week) here and have too been diagnosed TNBC, have now had my first 2 chemo sessions (weekly for 12 weeks, then every other week for 8 weeks, eek!) and next one on Monday.  My lump is 3cm and also node involvement.  Body scan showed it hadn't spread which was fab news. I'm waiting for the genetic tests (although no known family history) which I guess will steer the surgery options in a few months time. The unknown is the worst bit of all of this I have found.  I am much calmer since starting the treatment and thankfully so far have felt pretty ok.  Although I'm realistic enough to know that I wont always feel like this. Let's hope you get a date for your chemo quickly.  x ... View more

Hi, I'm also started on this crazy rollercoaster of appointments and emotions.  I attended the diagnostic clinic on 10 September, was diagnosed on 17 Sept, followed by a week of tests and chemo started on 29 Sept.  Weekly Paclitaxel and 3 weekly Carboplatin for 12 weeks.  Then EC for 4 cycles.  It's quite a regime!  Will need surgery and Radio post chemo but I guess they wait to see if the lump has shrunk and also the results of genetic testing before discussing options for surgery.   I had a port inserted on Monday and my 2nd Paclitaxel on the same day.  So far I am feeling ok.  I'm working from home, going for a daily walk, cooking dinner etc.   I'm trying the cold cap but have ordered a wig in case I need it in a few weeks.   I just wanted to say hi and connect with people going through the same thing. x   ... View more

Morning, glad yesterday went as well as you could have expected. I hope you are feeling ok this morning. This black varnish thing is news to me.  I've sent my nurse an email to see what she thinks and get any tips. I'll report back when she replies.   I hope I'm not too late, although I was only thinking yesterday that my nails looked fairly healthy at the moment. Have a good day. x ... View more

Hi Alicat45 and Daisy4762, looks like we are all at very similar stages in this process and it's good to know the treatment plan seems the same. Alicat45 - good luck today, I know exactly how you feel as it's such an unknown, I was terrified but once at the unit everyone was so lovely and explained what was happening.  I had about an hour of premeds before the actual chemo so it all takes quite a long time.  I've also extended my day in the unit by using the cold cap.  Sending you both positive thoughts at this really stressful time in our lives.  x ... View more

Hi, my first post here. I'm glad to have found you! The original post struck a chord with me.  I was diagnosed on 17 Sept and it was only in my first oncologist appointment that Triple Neg was mentioned. Also in nodes. I found it extremely hard to concentrate on the rest of the meeting once I heard that phrase.  Things have moved extremely fast - within 12 days of diagnosis I had all the tests and started chemo. The one thing I have clung on to was that my body scan didn't show anything had moved elsewhere.  My treatment is the same - 4 x cycles Carboplatin every 3 weeks with weekly Paclitaxel, then 4 x cycles of EC. Then surgery and radio. I've also sent off the genetic test and await results.  I have no family history so am keeping my fingers crossed.  I had my first chemo in my arm and have been bruised since!  This week I had a port fitted and second chemo (just Plaxitaxel).  3rd Platitaxel next Monday and that's 1 cycle crossed off the list.  So far I feel reasonably well.  Am able to go for a walk and work a few hours (I can work from home).   Good luck to all of you who are going through the same thing.  It is good to connect with people in the same situation. x   ... View more