Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies, Have just been reading through lots of your posts, and thinking what a long way everybody has come since this started. What seemed impossible to begin with, we are all slowly getting through it. I’ve noticed a few people saying they are wary or anxious about radiotherapy. I wanted to reassure you. I had high-grade DCIS in my other breast last year and had radiotherapy for 3 weeks after surgery, and it was absolutely fine. Other than a little bit of fatigue and irritation (needed to keep the breast moisturised otherwise it felt like a bit of sunburn!) I was absolutely fine. Compared to chemo it’s easy peasy. I am due to have my mastectomy in a few weeks, and I’m wondering if anybody has any advice. I have been given the choice between a silicone implant for reconstruction, or having fat taken from my tummy to reconstruct my breast. To be honest, I’m pretty horrified by both of these prospects. I really don’t like the idea of a bigger surgery and a much longer hospital stay during these times when none of my family are allowed to come and see me. But I’m also really nervous about the prospect of an implant because I hate the idea of having a foreign object in my body and further surgeries to replace it (as i was told they only last 12-15 years). This sunny weather is wonderful, and even though I’ve just had to cancel my holiday to Cornwall, I am hoping I will make it there in good health next year. Hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine. Sending warmth and positivity to you all as always. Linda x ... View more

Hello ladies,   Glad to see you are all doing well and ticking off the weeks, and I’m glad to see that @hopeful1974 sian’s surgery went well.   I haven’t posted for a while, as I was feeling a bit frustrated and low. My tummy troubles got significantly worse. When I went for my second taxol treatment I had a chat with one of the nurses explaining my symptoms and showed her that my tummy was very swollen. They spoke to consultant who sent me for an X-ray, which showed that my tummy and bowels were irritated and inflamed. Clearly my body doesn’t like Paclitaxel at all. I then had to see a gastroenterologist a week later, by which time symptoms had eased significantly. Just means now that my chemo has gone on hold for a few weeks until the oncologist comes up with a new plan as I can’t go back on taxol. In the meantime still continuing with herceptin and perjeta.   the whole experience has left me feeling a bit lost and deflated, like I’ve taken one step forward and two steps back. I’ve got an appointment with my oncologist on Monday to figure out next steps. Hoping for a smoother ride from here.   sending love and positivity to all of you   linda x ... View more

Wishing you good luck for surgery Sian. Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  I’ve been having pain for a couple of days ... seems to be in area of intestines. Cramping, tender and bloated. Spoke to nurse who said it can happen on Taxol that they may try one more and if it persists change me onto something else.   Hope it resolves as ok other than that. take care everyone . X ... View more

So far for me it’s better than EC. Had a bit of reaction to first taxol. Face got very red and slightly swollen but nothing major. My tummy is a bit unsettled and I am much more sleepy than is normal for me but overall ok. 12 sessions sounds like forever knowing that the side effects get more as time goes on but the sun is shining today so making the most of that.  Thinking of and wishing you all a good day x ... View more

Morning all Im also starting paclitaxel today plus herceptin. Yesterday was pertuzumab.  Hope we all do well and able to enjoy this beautiful weather. Take care Linda x       ... View more

Hi Lottie. Glad you are finished EC  I didn’t find nausea bad, but I did take regular tablets just in case.  on we go to the next step..... nearer to end of treatment.  take care everyone x ... View more

Hi @Gelbel  I think I noticed on one of your posts a while back that you had some problems with the steroids. I think I did too. But I dont know if my symptoms on EC were chemo or steroid related. Out of head feeling, irritable, restless,insomnia, over emotional. Drunk in a horrible way ! Were you the same? Linda x ... View more

Hi ladies, I very much enjoy reading your posts, even if I don’t post much myself. You all seem to be doing so well. Finally finished my third and final EC cycle. It was not nice, glad that’s done with. Is anybody else now starting weekly Paclitaxel plus three weekly Herceptin and Pertuzumab? If so, how are you feeling? I start next Monday. Feeling anxious because it’s all new drugs and side effects, but hoping it’s easier than EC was. I’ve heard through the grapevine that these drugs tend to be more tolerable than EC chemo drugs. Wondering if anyone has any experience of this? Also, I’ve been offered my second covid jab (Pfizer). I felt fine after the first one. Has anyone else had their second jab yet? Hope you’re all managing to enjoy the weekend as much as possible. Sending love. Linda x ... View more

Hello Ladies. I have not posted in a while. I read your messages most days.  I have my third and final EC tomorrow. I have found it really hard in ways I didn’t expect. Nausea is bearable as long as I keep food bland but the feeling that someone has removed the part of my brain that is useful and I have been sent on what I imagine a bad 1960’s psychedelic drug trio would feel like is really horrible. I feel like the real world is within sight but can’t quite get there. It lasts for about four days. Don’t sleep at nights as body is agitated and can’t settle but mind is so mushy I can’t focus to watch TV so listen to stories and meditations constantly . The first three days after chemo mind is as high as a kite ... had a steroid reduction and slightly better last time. I can’t wait to be done with this.  Next for me will be 12 weeks of taxol, herceptin and pertuzanab. The nurse said most people find it more bearable... I hope so. My thoughts are with all of you. One day at a time. x ... View more

Thanks so much for your kind wishes @Leftygurl. I hope your second cycle went ok and that you’re not suffering too terribly with the side effects. When I got there yesterday they postponed my chemo until Monday because my oncologist thinks I have a hematoma in my breast because of all the poking and prodding of the MRI guided biopsies. fingers crossed that’s all it is - finding another lump was rather scary. If all ok chemo on Monday. Off for ultrasound on the breast today. Sending strength and positivity to everyone. Linda x ... View more

Hi everyone My name is Linda, I’m a 53 year old woman with two grown up daughters helping me through this and my wonderful sister. I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in January which is E/P/HER2 +. Had my first of three EC cycles on 11th February, now on day 13 and feeling a lot better after a very difficult first week. Next chemo on 4th March.   @Teagold I had a portacath fitted a week before starting chemo - was also scared of the procedure but now I have it I’m so glad, it makes the chemo so much more straight forward and is painless once it’s all settled down. I felt discomfort for a couple days afterwards but nothing awful. Sending you all positivity and best wishes with your treatment, think this forum is a great idea and hoping it will benefit all of us. Having my first COVID vaccination tomorrow. Linda x ... View more