Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone @Belinda_F @higgi  My oncologist has said most people find the second regime easier.  That is really good news for me as EC has not been to bad much better than I expected. I am under the Marsden and I think it varies on brand of drug and frequency of dose.  It is confusing and hard to compare as treatment is individual. I will be doing weekly Paclitaxel for 3 months with the Her2 therapy tratuzumab and pertuzumab every 3  weeks starting 5th Feb. Tripple + with one lymph node. I ll choose to remain optimistic untill the chemo proves me wrong, chews me up and spits me out in spring when lockdown is a thing of past. Even though my hair has all gone I still seem to have eye brows. They were really thick to start with so I m hoping they will stay- any one lost them?   My first three cycles have gone really quickly so hoping it will carry on the way. Good luck for anyone else ticking off another cycle this week.  Last EC on Friday feels like a milestone and light at the end of the tunnel is  a bigger pin prick. Xx ... View more

@Belinda_F Yes we are very similar but mine is bigger than yours by 3mm. 😀 I did get the bus but now drive because of infections rates I am very close to my treatment centre. If you are worried check local council/GP and COVID support as there may be volunteer groups to drive clinically vunerable to hospitals for appointments.   There are lots of volunteers around at the moment. ... View more

Hi all Got the COVID jab yesterday the nurses said you have to be post chemo 3 days so went for it day 4 as last day Kingston Hopital were provideing drop in for clinically vulnerable all going to GPs now. Just squeaked in. @Belinda_F Good to meet another tripple positive I am high across all receptors  as well.   My EC is 2 weekly the denser regime I think there is a criteria for this one and it is tougher.  I am 51 with no  medical history.  Good luck for treatments this week. Xx     @ ... View more

Hi all I had number three EC on Friday.  Feeling quite good definately feel better if I manage to drink the recommended 3 litres  and get out for exercise a walk or  bike ride. Hope it lasts, sorry some of you are having a much harder time. Chemo seems to be a very individual journey. I had a look at the cancer fit website - very good -Higgi posted . I like the idea of something proactive you can do yourself.   My tumour has shrunk but only a small bit.  Sounds like some have had a good response that is good news.   Has anyone been offered a COVID jab? I found out by accident my local hospital is doing a drop in for patients on chemo so I am getting an injection this week. You still have to shield but less than worry as I live in london. So some areas are doing chemo now rather than wait for group 4. Take care. Xx                   ... View more

Good moring all. I shaved the hair at the weekend and I felt much better.  I had really thick hair so as it shed I found the fine hair really depressing and felt much better when it was shaved off.  Sleeping is prob my biggest issue often awake in the ealy hours and stuggle to get to sleep.  My EU is every 2 weeks and it is usually better in the second week. @PaulineS27 I use that stuff for nail beds as well it was recommended Polybalm £20 a tube and you need two. Worth when it you hear about nails falling of though probably rare.   ... View more

I am day 20 EC and have found the second cycle easier than first, I asked the oncologist if they were giving me enough chemo as I was expecting a lot worse, generally the symptoms are manageable - fingers crossed, day 5 and 6 seem to be by worst days as well.  I  swap to taexel/tratuzumab etc after two more cycles for 12 weeks.  (under the Marsden) Sounds like there are few on this it seems to be the HER2 regime. So I guess symptoms will be different hopefully not worse. @dipitdee  keep taking the anti- sickness they are strong drugs. If vomiting hits you won t keep them down and get into a vicious cycle. There is a big pschological element so much easier to control  if completely suppressed and you don t get the associatted nausea triggers with certain food smells. So important. Definately chemo brain - took ages to write this can t remember how to spell anything., Hair is shedding and getting thin will have to clip this weekend. Am really pleased with the wig will definately work on zoom calls for work next week.  I have a great selection of knitted hats by friends in many colours. TIP  - I am told I will need to wear hats in bed as you get much colder without hair. Cut an old t shirt in half then the bottom half you can double twist round your head for a snug hat that stays on in bed. Friends reactions are interesting - anyone found a few surprises and some close friends avoid you while others you did nt expect really step up.  Happy New Year I ll been in bed for 10, think I will manage one glass of champagne the first alcoholic drink since chemo. Xx       ... View more

Hope you all have good Christmas well as good as it can be in this odd cancer and COVID times.  I had 2nd EC cycle yesterday and apart from a hangover and bad head not to bad.  I got an expensive hair cut to go short  (what a waste of money) so putting off a shave untill the first clumps come out in the next few days. There have been some threads about awful mouth alcers. A friend of mine had tongue cancer and they have a horrendous time with radiotherapy a lot end up with feeding tubes.. She recommends to wash out your mouth with 300 mg dissolved aspirin but don t swallow. Also get a doctor to persctibe instillagel. It is a local anaesthetic but would give some respite for a break to eat for those who get it really bad. Keep safe. Xx     ... View more

@Georgie76  I don t think you get  through this  without the bad days.  Trying to be positive may be to much work today. You just need to get through today.  A better day won t be far away.  ... View more

@Rachaelxhearts  That 's tough swapping to chemo for Christmas when you thought you would nt need it.  I am having chemo first but so like the idea of having the tumour cut out. ... View more

Breast cancer turns out to very complex with the different types/ receptors etc. I know some would rather not know but for anyone like me who can 't get enough breast cancer science  I found the google podcasts investigating breast cancer really interesting. Interviews by leading oncologists and scientists in their specialist research area.  I also have some invasive and some ductal with a tripple positive tumour that seems to be more rare.  Anyone else?   On the plus side I have a chemo tan and have lost a bit of weight so have nt looked so well in a long time. Definately dreading the mouth ulcers but so far plain sailing. Xx ... View more

@JuliaS  For anyone where central London is easy I found info@jehair.com gave me excellent  advice on looking after chemo hair and wigs.  Going back for fitting and a shave (if I 've got the nerve on sat). I 'll be happy with a wig that does nt look like cancer wig. :-).  I did nt go with the cold cap but another plus I did t before was   I understand  hair grows back quicker with a cold cap if it does fall out. ... View more

@dipitdee   I am trying to work as with lock down it is going to be a really hard 6 months. I am only day 6 of my first cycle of EU so early days and I think it will get harder. I am lucky, I can work from home. Concentration goes a bit with a fuzzy head but is does distract from symptons  and make the days go quicker.  I recommend trying it for some tiny bit of normality. I have gone down to 4 days week and expect to to be taking more six time as I go through cycles. Xx ... View more

@Pyewacket @I have read in a few places day 19 is often when hair starts to fall out   ... View more

Hi there I started EU on Friday and found it not to bad just a bad hangover. Eating small meals regularly and keeping distracted seems to work I was expecting a lot worse. 6 months seems along time and I understand the symptoms accumulate. I guess stay in the now one cycle at at time it is a mindset thing. ... View more