Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Aqua76, It’s a common side effect of docetaxcel but you need to let your chemo unit know, they may decide to lower your next dose to see if that helps xx ... View more

Hi Jane, Glad your appointment went well and you have options open to you.  So hair loss, for me personally I embraced it, I had lovely long hair to the middle of my back with a curl but I was curious to see what I would look like without hair (did I have an odd shaped head? 😂 ). When my hair started to come out by the brush full it was time for it to go I didn’t want to be left with thin looking hair so I gave my 10 year old a pair of scissors and said to her she had a once in a lifetime chance to cut any hair style she wanted into my hair and she didn’t need to be asked twice 🙄 . Once she was done we took a picture and then I got my partners hair clippers and clipped it on a grade 1, within 48hrs most of my hair had completely fallen out.  I generally don’t cover my head when I go out unless it’s cold because people will look at me whether I’ve got a scarf wrapped around my head, a wig on or bald. My opinion is I have nothing to be embarrassed about, I have nothing to be ashamed about and I’m proud of my bald head it’s a sign of the strength I have to go all out and get through this journey. On cold day I wear a Wolly hat or I did get some fun scarves from Surban Turban, they also have tying guides, I also brought an under cap from Simply Wigs it has a padded top that adds a bit of height (height give the illusion of hair underneath).  There is also a lady on YouTube who is useful when it come to tying head scarves and enhancing your makeup to compensate (basically no hair = make more of the face and eyes). Her YouTube is EyelineHerBlog. Everyone is different when it comes to hair loss, my hair doesn’t define who I am, I’m still me and I know it will grown back who know if it will be different but it will be fun to find out xx ... View more

Hi Ginge26 I am also a nurse and I definitely understand that maybe we have seen a lot and know too much. I also echo what has been said about Maggies and speaking to the nurses of this sites contact line. I approached Maggies last week because I recognised I needed more help with moving on than my family could offer me. They love me but they don’t want to consider that it may come back, they want to go down the path of treatment is done and we move on. I also want to do that but I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder all the time I want to be able to enjoy treatment free life so I need to learn how to manage my anxiety and fear, I know it will never go away but it has to be managed. Talking has definitely got to be cheaper than wine x    ... View more

Hi MayC, I had my vaccine last Saturday and my Chemo is tomorrow. I had very much the same experience as you, 5 hours post jab I started to shiver and not amount of duvets, scarves, hats and hot water bottles would help, next came the bone and muscle ache, fatigue and loss of appetite at this point I went to bed feeling awful. Woke up with the worst headache which paracetamol only took the edge off. I’ve felt off until today. According to the information I was given what I experienced were all possible side effects but I seemed to have got most of them 😂 . However, I guess it’s still better to be covered but I can’t wait for jab number 2 😳 ... View more

Hello 2501, How did your appointment go? Please don’t think that worrying is a bad thing, I know that although I’m generally a positive person my journey through breast cancer has left me very negative at times and there have been many tears spilt and that’s  all normal and okay, you have to be kind to yourself.  I have had a few sleepless nights and they are really no fun, do you have someone that you can talk to? I have my best friend and my partner but I also use Maggies which is a cancer charity that offers various groups and counsellors for the times when you need to talk about things that family and friends might find hard.  As for chemo, everyone reacts differently but I have had 3 rounds of EC and I’m having 4 rounds of Doxcetaxel (I’m having round 2 tomorrow). So far my experience have been very positive the EC nausea was well controlled by anti sickness meds and I felt a little under the weather for about a week then I felt fine, the Dox is different you don’t get the nausea but fatigue is worst but it does pass and I feel a little breathless at times but that passes as well. The worst thing of all of chemo is the G-CSF injections you do for 7 days post chemo because they make you ache (they stimulate your bone marrow to make more white blood cells to try and keep your immunity up) but it’s worth the discomfort to keep infection at bay, and don’t forget it’s not forever and you are strong enough.   sorry for the rambling message but I hope it helps x ... View more

Hi Whiiers14 I’m on a similar camp to you, I have my third EC this Friday and then I move to Doxitacel in the new year. I feel that it’s hanging over me like a dark cloud, my breast nurse told me not to think about it as I’m not there yet and to just take a step at a time and I know she’s right but I can’t help but worry about it, I guess it’s just the unknown.  I currently have a cold which has floored me but the only saving grace at the moment is that my temperature has stayed within limits but I resorted to laying on the sofa with my duvet yesterday and watching films 🤷🏻‍ ♀️   ... View more

Hi Ellegee77 Yes I’ve been given the injections but only for 7 days post chemo. I’m not sure if it’s a Trust policy or how they decide 🤷🏻‍ ♀️  Maybe ask your consultant about it next time you see them xx ... View more

Hi Charlotte3112 and everyone else, i am also on EC-T I agree it is very overwhelming but I hope that your chemo is going well. I have just had my second round of EC so one more to go and then I have to move to docetaxel which I don’t mind admitting I am a little scared about as I know my pattern when it come to EC but, I guess as you say it’s a ride we can’t get off, we just have to belt in and go for it. I lost my hair about 3 weeks into EC which I’m fine with and I have found some good suppliers of turbans and there is one online lady that has a good channel to show you how to tie your own turban with an old t-shirt (who knew 😁 ). The one thing I am struggling with is the white blood cell injections, the injection themselves are fine but the muscle and bone ache I find overwhelming and I can’t take ibuprofen as I’m also on Tinzaparin because I ended up with blood clots along my PICC line 🙄 . However on a positive note I’m 2 rounds down only 5 to go.  Hope your journey is being kind to you x ... View more