Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi @tennisgirl  I had a lot of back pain on the 7 day injections and mine was reduced to a single injection 48hrs after chemo. It’s definitely a lot easier to bare! Might be worth a mention to your team! Xx ... View more

Hi ladies. I hope you’re all feeling well and treatment is being kind to you! @Belinda_F sorry I didn’t reply last week. You are so kind always thinking of others!  I have to apologise again for being M.I.A but my chemo journey has been on hold for a while. My Mum passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on 31st March and I’m completely broken. She was my best friend - I’m a teacher and she was my Teaching Assistant, so we spent every day together before the pandemic. I miss her so much! My Dad is also battling cancer so I’ve been caring for him the last few weeks. Honestly, this year has been so horrific.  I should be on cycle 5 next week but I’ll be having round 4, my first Docetaxel, on Tuesday. How have you ladies found it? Any advice?  Sending love to you all! Erin Xx ... View more

Looks like a few of us are struggling this week! I’m really down to be honest. Very tearful and just thoroughly fed up - worst I’ve felt since my diagnosis in October. I ordered some new clothes as I’m sick of feeling uncomfortable in everything. They arrived today and even the next size up doesn’t fit. No hair, no eyelashes, no clothes that fit. I feel like I’ve lost myself. I know getting over bc is the most important thing but I think with restrictions easing, the thought of going out in the world again and being seen by people is getting to me.  Sending a big hug to everyone who needs one this week! Xx ... View more

Hello lovely ladies! I hope you’re all doing well?! Honestly coming on here really helps cheer up my days (even if I am useless at posting!) You all seem so positive!  I’m ok - round 3 of FEC last Friday which is taking its toll - paired with building work starting on our extension and garden remodelling and a toddler I can’t say it’s been a restful week! Must be mad!!! Not sleeping well either which is definitely not like me.  Update on injections - side effects have definitely been less and only one needle was a definite bonus!  Been researching like mad about Docetaxel and nail loss - need to get some dark nail varnish ordered ready for starting!  Anyway, hope you are all doing as well as can be expected!! Xx ... View more

@Belinda_F @Lewy2803  Queasy pops are sucky sweets and lollies - I got a couple of packs in care packages from friends and family - they’ve been amazing! I was sceptical but the sour raspberry are lovely! Really stops the nausea!    ... View more

@donkeywoman @Belinda_F  Migraines have been horrible! I do get headaches but I’ve never had these flashing light migraines before. The GP has given me tablets which help them pass quickly but yet another yucky side effect! I was the same with my veins - managed 2 rounds of FEC but my arm has been so sore. Definitely found the line much easier this time - it only took an hour and 20 minutes this time!  I know what you mean - it’s impossible to think about dieting at the moment but the weight is piling on! Dreading finding something in my wardrobe that fits for the summer months! Just as well I won’t be going far! Xx ... View more

@Gelbel Last FEC for me too yesterday! Yay to no more red pee! Are you starting Docetaxel next time? I had my line fitted on Tuesday and got chatting to a lady who had just finished her FEC-T and was getting her port removed. She had some horrible side effects on Docetaxel like all the skin on her hands and feet falling off and losing all of her nails. Definitely not looking forward to that!! Any advice ladies?!  Hope you’re all feeling well! The weather here in Northumberland has been so lovely today so spent the afternoon sitting out in the garden which has definitely helped to feel less queasy. I’ve also just discovered Queasy Pops - amazing!  So I thought I’d mention, as I know so many of us have really struggled with the filgrastim injections - I mentioned to my nurse last week and have been given a single injection this time! Will let you know of side effects but excited only to have one needle instead of a week’s worth!  Sending love to you all ladies Xx ... View more

Hello ladies!  So sorry to have disappeared again! I’ve been really struggling with ocular migraines which have affected my vision, so just haven’t been able to catch up with you all! I hope you are all staying as well as possible in these horrible times and are all one step closer to the end of treatment! I’m ok - bit of a set back this week as my veins have given up so I need to go for a line/port fitted on Tuesday before I can get back to round 3 next Friday now. On one hand I’m disappointed to be a week behind but at least I can enjoy Mother’s Day with Gracie now! Thanks so much for all your advice around Gracie! She started mornings at nursery this week and has been absolutely amazing! It’s lovely to have a couple of hours to get the jobs done and sit with a cuppa and watch Holly and Phil! It’s also making me get sorted and out for a walk twice a day which is definitely lifting my mood!  Weight gain is getting to me! I’m already carrying a couple of stone I don’t want and my jeans are cutting me in half this morning! I’ve had a really good week and with all the extra walking thought it might have helped but I’ve put on another pound! 🤦🏽‍ ♀️ I know there are more important things to worry about but paired with no hair I feel such a mess!  Sending you all a big hug ladies! Enjoy your weekends! Xxx ... View more

@donkeywoman Thank you for your lovely, support words! I hope you managed a more productive day than me today! Slept the whole day through! I felt like superwoman yesterday with extra steroids and stronger anti sickness meds but have definitely crashed and burned today. Lovely to see some sunshine up north though - long may it continue! Sending love and get well wishes to everyone finding it hard today! Cancer is hard enough without battling it during a pandemic! One day soon we’ll be enjoying those glasses of wine with our friends again and all this will be over! Xx ... View more

@Belinda_F  Thanks again for your lovely, supportive messages! You lovely, brave ladies offering such comfort to others at such a difficult time personally - I think you are wonderful! I seem to have resorted to hermit style coping mechanisms!  After an initially great day yesterday after round 2 of FEC on Friday I have crashed and burned today. Slept the day through until after 3 but managed to rally myself for an hour in the sunshine in the garden with a fluffy blanket this afternoon, which has definitely lifted my spirits!  Starting jabs tonight though 😔 hate them!  I’m exactly the same on the phone! I hate it! Put off answering and calling back as long as I can. Definitely more for whatsapp or messenger! Xx ... View more

@Shi Thank you for your lovely message. Some funny wigs sounds like a good plan! She did sit behind me singing ‘Mummy has a baldy head’ while my husband shaved my head! 😂   On the bright side - showers are quick at the moment with no hair washing or shaving to do! Xx ... View more

@Fruitcake Thank you so much for your message! I came across this charity and Gracie’s little dolly actually arrived yesterday morning! They are a lovely charity offering all sorts of free products ladies - get on and have a look! I got some lovely hand balm and another headcap with the doll for my little girl, all for free!  The lovely ladies at my chemo centre have given me a book to read with her too called Mummy’s Lump but it goes into a lot of detail for a three year old.  She’s dealt amazingly well all things considered - she just doesn’t like to see my bald head, which I definitely understand! I still remember my great auntie losing her hair to cancer when I was about 8 and it was scary! Just hope she’s too young to remember any of it! Xx   ... View more

@Gelbel I’m with you there lovely! 😔 the last of mine was all shaved off last weekend after a shower took masses of it and this is the first time I’ve even been able to face coming on here in a week! Not because everyone wouldn’t be amazingly supportive, I’m just devastated! I bought a lovely human hair wig which I really do like but my head is so sore I can’t wear it all the time like I’d planned. So far it’s made it to my Covid jab and round 2 chemo then I’ve just been living it comfy hats. My little girl is only 3 and is terrified to see my bald head. I don’t blame her really - I can’t look at it either!  I know what you mean about friends - I just want a hug from them! They’ve been so lovely and sent lots of flowers and beautiful gifts, but it isn’t the same as a good old rant and a few glasses of wine!  Hope you’re doing ok ladies! Sorry for being so distant - this is bloody hard isn’t it!  Love to you all Xx ... View more

Finally found I felt more human today! Still a bit tired and a shower took a nap to build up to it but I even managed a bit of housework. My little girl spent a few hours at her Nana’s house today which has really helped!  I was all geared up for cold cap but they made the decision not to offer it the week before my chemo started. Honestly, the hair loss is my biggest fear. I have really long hair that I love 😢 I’ve ordered a real hair wig, which I’m hoping will arrive in the next couple of days - as long as it looks ok I think I’m going to take the plunge and chop it off.  Been feeling quite dizzy and my back is aching which I’m assuming is the injections. The fun really is never ending isn’t it!! I’m so glad to hear others talking about how hungry you are! It’s so weird to feel so nauseous but still wanted to eat! My husband keeps looking at me like I’m mad!  Sending hugs to you all ladies! Xx ... View more

Hi ladies! Oh my, I definitely underestimated the effects of all this! It’s only round one - how have you ladies found recovery between cycles? I was very sick on Friday night but have got meds sorted, I think. I’ve literally slept all weekend! Not ideal with a 3 yr old - my poor husband hasn’t had a minute to himself! I honestly can’t seem to keep my eyes open! Even getting up to the loo seems too tiring!  My local authority have stopped cold cap treatment (cheers Covid!) and already my scalp feels strange. I’m terrified to touch it.  I definitely feel better reading that we all seem to be having a chilled day! When have you noticed the fatigue being better in the cycle? Thanks ladies - sending virtual hugs to you all! Xx ... View more

Hope everyone is ok! It’s FEC today. I’m ok just feel really wiped out so had a chilled day. Has anyone else noticed their stomach feeling very bloated and hard? I feel really uncomfortable tonight.  sending love to everyone else who had treatment today - we’re all one day closer to it being over! 🤞 Xx ... View more

Thank you @Mumboo  and @donkeywoman I’m feeling a bit better today. To be honest, the chemo came as a real shock. My breast consultant was very much sure that it would just be operation followed by radiotherapy but my Oncotype result came back very high (74). I just haven’t really processed it yet and hearing the nurse say yesterday that I would lose my hair was hard. My Dad has just finished chemo and he hardly lost any, so I was hopeful I would be the same but I don’t think there’s any chance. @Mumboo how have you been feeling after your first round? Have you had much hair loss so far? It’s so hard with kids isn’t it? I’m more worried for her than for me. Xx ... View more

Great news @tennisgirl - hope you’re doing ok!! I have my first FEC-T on Friday. I think it hit me properly for the first time yesterday. I had my bloods done and met the nurses at the unit. They were lovely! She talked me through all the delightful side effects of the treatment but when I got home I just sobbed about my hair! I have really long, dark hair and the thought of losing it is terrifying me! I collect my wig tomorrow but even the nicest ones aren’t ‘my’ hair. I’m not a vain person honestly, I’m just worried about my little girl. She’s too little to understand and I’m scared.  How have you all coped with the hair loss?! I know there are worse things... it just doesn’t feel like it right now. Sorry ladies - on a bit of a downer. Hope you’re all doing well!! Xx ... View more

@Lewy2803  I’m with you on the ‘me time’! I have a 3 year old and don’t even get to go for a wee in peace so sitting with a book for a few hours will be blissful! (The lengths we go to, eh!?) 😂 ... View more

@Belinda_F thanks so much for your lovely reply! I’m so sorry I’m so slow getting back to you - I’ve switched off from all things cancer related this week! Does anyone else find it’s all you can think about?!  I’m doing ok thanks - just anxious to get started with the chemo now. I’m anxious about what is to come but the advice and kindness from all you lovely ladies is a real comfort!  How is everyone else coping?  Xx ... View more