Breast Cancer Now Forum

Haha @Mumboo wish I had a hubby to do overcooked beans on toast, they're the best! (lovely hubby and overcooked beans lol) how's your energy levels doing? No ill effects from the immunity boosting meds? Do hope you're still feeling as OK as can... Think it's the injections that make me feet odd... It's not unpleasant tho, feels like a couple of glasses of wine... Well, whole bottle maybe, those were the days weren't they, can forget that for a bit for sure. But thank you so much for your encouraging words tho Andrea, trying to keep my chin up, not easy as we all know...but you guys with additional responsibilities are just amazing, kids, homeschooling...so busy, so hard...  You must have felt just so relieved Andrea and @donkeywoman when your lumps were removed...I know you both said you were surprised by how manageable a mastectomy was, I think women have superpowers of endurance myself... Will you both have reconstructions or think about that later...?  And thank god the chemo is now doing the mop up it's so expert at, I really struggled with putting the op off for chemo first....@tennisgirl that'll be you soon but I can imagine things are extremely stressful with two kids with additional needs, do you have support? There must be some extra help around for you if you need it ATM....MacMillan are extremely good on this kind of advice too...  And covid makes it all so so much harder! @donkeywoman ~ on VAX, not been offered yet but was put on shielding by GP which would bump me up, have you? How you doing today? How's queasiness going? I expect seeing the donkeys and hens really makes you smile when you've energy to get out.....but they're hard work aren't they, I do hope you're resting and not overdoing it... You're not sleeping well still? That's horrible...is the cricket still on? Is it the steroids or...?  I seem to be sleeping bit better even with the horrid steroids...but I've found I don't put my light out until I can't keep eyes open and that helps...  I'm so glad you can see the light at end of treatment, how many more do you have? I'm so early days... Got 2 more EC, then 12 weekly taxol etc, then op in May hopefully, then radiotherapy, then the Herceptin so a long haul... Groan. Head down, get thru it hey.  I'm hoping I can do more today, bit less dizzy, will try for some work, which actually just means me sitting at my desk thinking about reading something... and I'm looking into benefits... I can get them and a sickness component, but there are times during this treatment I'd like to work, if I can...but think that would cancel the extra money so not quite sure what to do. Will think about it...  Anyway, love your messages guys, it's really helping to be part of this lovely community, thinking about you all X   ... View more

Morning @donkeywoman ~ that's great you got out more yesterday, and you've donkeys and hens, how wonderful!!! But more energy great, how you doing today so far?  I wonder why I've been given so many meds then, we're on different regimes aren't we. I don't know  metaclopramide, give it a go? I take everything they give me as can bear nausea, actually, you're right, it's more queasy definitely... I do also find ginger helps, strong ginger tea is great...  I know what you mean about going onto family about how you're feeling... I'm quite reticent too too... But we need help ATM don't we, it's not for ever, and you can see the end in sight, that's wonderful! Four more to go... Then three and countdown! Woo-hoo!!!  I'm a bit dizzy and tired today, but will try to do some work groan.  How's everyone else doing? X ... View more

That's small @tennisgirl ~ so if it's a small tumor, not looking like its spread to lymph nodes then try try not to worry toooo much, but even if it has, same. Easier said than done, my god, the research and reading I did post diagnosis, was overwhelming, I too go over every tiny thing the docs say... And stop listening too, only hearing the bits that make me panic... You've got your surgery this week? That's great... and do speak to nurses, they really really do help X ... View more

Hi @tennisgirl I'm so so sorry to hear you're having a really hard time, it's totally to be expected. Waiting for test results after initial diagnosis is horrendous, we've all been there. I'm no Dr but from the sounds of it, if your doc is saying its caught early, then the chances of a curative treatment are really high... Even if it's found in lymph nodes, which so far it hasn't been, they do a very good job of 'holding' the tumor cells to stop spread. Do you know how big the tumor is? They're talking lumpectomy yes?  I've had moments of being in pieces, when I was told it was her2 positive and that I had to have chemo, but, her2 has rates of remission very similar to ER positive cancers now due to Herceptin and there are other new drugs on the market too so try not to panic and go down rabbit hole. The vast majority of women survive, and thrive after bc.  Have you got a bc nurse? I found calling the nurses here at breast cancer now too to be extremely useful, they're very knowledgeable and put my mind at rest many times. Give them a call? And check back in here any time.  Know what you're going thru and are here for you X ... View more

Hi @Shine13 oh I'm at the marsden too, similar diagnosis, Her2 triple +...about a month behind you, will start the weekly taxol March I think, all being OK. Have you thought had a port or Picc done? I'm considering it as injection sore Fri for number 2 X ... View more

Hi @grannyp ~ sorry you're dreading 3rd EC, I was the same before my second, but just wanted to let you know it's getting easier for me, not harder. Early days, only day 3 post treatment, but bar being tired, I feel 80% normal, nausea so well managed, and a bit woozy but nothing major at all. I do hope you don't find a turn down with #3, thinking of you X ... View more

Strictly no apologising for having a moan @donkeywoman is allowed!!! You have every right to moan as much as you like, it's a horrible horrible time, and you're getting thru it, but it's truly rubbish, and moaning helps, so keep on, I'll be expecting a moan often now and will keep my moan-o-meter on so I can check you are! Lol...  I think your regime is known for being harsh so it's not surprising you're feeling awful and up and down. You've really got to be gentle with yourself, not give yourself a hard time if you've no energy. I felt pretty awful sometimes during the first treatment and was crying and worried, didn't know I could get thru it.. But as soon as took pain meds for filgrastin and antibiotics was right as rain...but all over the place physically and emotionally...  Please let others look after you and the animals guilt free. (You have animals, how wonderful!!! What? I want to live on land with animals, a dream of mine...)  But if you're feeling sick a lot, ask for more meds? I'm taking domperidone, ondansetron, aprepitant, and dexamethasone, it's a lot but they work very well indeed. Worth speaking to Dr about? They don't want you struggling and there's often something they can give to help. It's super encouraging that you're mouth is OK and no infections, so medically you're doing really well. How many more are you having? It's such a slog isn't it... But it'll be over before we know it, and you'll be with your animals and husband living the best life.  I'm feeling OK post EC two, more energy and less toxicity, but I'm still doing nothing, nothing, apart from putting the fire on, watching box sets and eating, feeding the cat, but if I had animals outside there's no way I could care for them ATM. I foster cats sometimes and wanted to foster now but I've just no additional energy needed for the constant work caring for animals, so please don't feeling guilty about looking after yourself and letting family care for your animals, when you're feeling grim. It's just the way things are, for now, not ever. Be gentle with yourself and thinking of you X ... View more

Hi @higgi ~ I've had your message in my head for couple of days, wanted to reply and then couldn't find it yesterday (chemo brain? Lol), so pleased I found you!  The Christie is suppose to be superb so that's great you're going there. I too have been offered  Pertuzumab/perjeta ~ as an addition to the Herceptin I think it increase the cancer free rates. I've also got access to another new drug, I'll find out what it's called.  I too have heard that docataxol can be harsh, although not everyone I've spoken to says they're finding it bad, so I do think it depends. Nurses have to warn you but they do unwittingly sometimes put the fear of god in you, and then you're OK! So you'll be on three weekly chemo? I'm going to be on weekly taxol which is as effective, lower dose so much more manageable, the Christie might offer this, worth asking? Apparently women find it easier than EC... I've just had my second EC and would say I feel 85% normal now.  Day 3. Bit tired but the horrible toxic feelings from #1 are largely absent so that's good and nausea so well controlled with the four pills they give me... But got the horrid injections starting today and they made me feel bad last time, until I started pain meds before doing injections and then was fine! worth doing if you do too?  My friend had two different types of tumor in different breasts and she's fine now.  That's wonderful you're doing the challenges! Do send the links if want to, I'm interested to know more, way to go you!!!! X ... View more

Must have been fine then, great! X ... View more

Top tip about the bucket! Thank you 🌼 🌻 🌼 x ... View more

Hi @Jojo1447 how did you get on? Liver function OK? X ... View more

Hello @Tomboy7 ~ welcome back! I've been thinking about you, I knew you had a covid test due, oh what a nightmare to get it, so unlucky... And it sounds really horrendous. Did you manage it at home, didn't need hospital? 🙏 it sounds like you had it bad anyway... An additional C to other two is too much isn't it. What a relief you're recovering, and everything crossed be good to go for first chemo as planned.  Did you say your husband got it too, or did I make that up? How is he? (or did I make up the hubby too? Lol). I do hope with your awful covid fight that you find the chemo considerably easier... side effects are so well managed...  I'm on day 2 now of second treatment, and so far, so good. Feel bit dizzy and was inhumanely tired last night, but slept thru the steroids thank god.  And this morning I'm trying to be more organized with my many anti nausea pills and times, and writing it down clearly. I've got four different kinds, have you all?  Oh, I had the very start of a urinary tract infection last cycle so was on antibiotics for a week. Then yesterday, they tested my wee and it came back positive so got more and different antibiotics. Talk about rattling! Anyway, no temperature so it's caught and treated early which is the main thing isn't it.  Be thinking about you on the 21 and hope you're resting still to get your strength back. Big hugs x ... View more

Oh that's good not long to wait.....and great you can have reduction and lift too, my surgeon mentioned this to me, I did have a 'oh not alllll bad then' moment momentarily (very).... So you don't have to worry too much about all the injections just yet 🙏 it'll be good to get surgery done and recovered from that won't it X ... View more

Hi @tennisgirl ~ welcome to our lovely group... So sorry you need to be here though... It's incredibly stressful just post diagnosis isn't it, so many unknowns. I'm not needle phobic but don't like them, at all, and am considering a port. The Picc is put in under general anesthetic I think and might reduce your stress longer term? But all sympathy, it's so hard. Once you start treatment tho, hopefully some of the stress will go, it has for me. You know what to expect etc. I know all our stories are so individual, but I'm just on treatment 2 and so far so good, more straightforward and less stressful than I thought it would be...  When will you get your her2 result? X ... View more

Hi @Jojo1447 ~ wow, you're working, how have you managed? I tried but didn't do so well, felt woozy... But I'll try again.  That's really good to know the  taxol easier, and just amazing you had so little fatigue during EC, what's your secret? I can't tell if I'm tired or just lazy lol... Not moving from the sofa much at all...  You having treatment today too? How's it gone? Thinking of you x ... View more

So so glad you're feeling better @donkeywoman ~ such a relief isn't it! Hope my experience of the injections didn't worry you. Have they been OK then? Phew. My oncologist said they might reduce my dose...  I'm still sat in the chair, all gone well, and! Despite eating NON STOP! I've lost a pound... Not sure weight loss during cancer the best thing but lol... I can continue eating what I want for another little bit, it's so rare I shall enjoy it.  Snow, oh wow... Lovely. Wish I was somewhere pretty, London most definitely isn't x ... View more

Lovely to hear your news @Mumboo and it sounds like you're doing really well which is great. Had you been feeling super shattered and woozy? And how have your injections been going?  I seriously bet you don't have a minute with the kids... A wonderful distraction, but also exhausting I imagine just after a treatment. Thank god for lovely husbands! How's he holding up?  How are you finding the Picc? I'm tempted now, was sore today having needle put in, don't want to deal with that every time. Are you pleased you went for Picc? And why Picc and not port?  I'm putting off any thoughts of wigs for now,  still hoping like you might not need one... I did get some 4D eyebrows, my god, wow! They're so realistic, have you guys seen them?  Sending big hugs to you all x ... View more

There's so much in the news about delays in cancer care... It's horrendous, HORRENDOUS stress on stress and an absolute outrage. I do hope no-one here affected. So many hugs x ... View more

Haha, @donkeywoman @swingers we are 😂 pop up all over the place! 😂 top tip for transport, someone else said the same. My GP upped me to shielding category today so hoping that might help finding help... My top tip for today is don't think you can have a drink just because you're feeling 'normal' just before next treatment. Had a small (OK, large) Bailey's just night, first drink in weeks, and my god, the toxic feelings today, bleugh....  Thanks so much for good wishes for tomorrow. How are you doing today @donkeywoman ~ I do hope energy has picked up a little and you got out for j walk? X ... View more

Not bigger for long!!!! That chemo will shrink it in no time!!!! How many have you had?  Top tip for transport, thank you 🙏 🙏 🙏 🌼 🌼 🌼 ... View more