Breast Cancer Now Forum

@Michelle21 @Coastal  Thanks for the good wishes, they do mean a lot and I would love to stay in touch. My original plan is that I'm having a therapeutic mamomplasty, so no mastectomy and I  know I am having some nodes removed just not how many. Have no clue what to expect post op wise, pain levels, recovery time, will I have drains? ....so many questions! I know I'm having 15 sessions of radiotherapy over 3 weeks after my op then tamoxifen for 10 years.....haven't had much info on those elements yet though and trying not to read too much as it's not worth the additional worry....ill wait for the team looking after me to explain the facts not the horror stories.  Chemo hopefully being over is a huge relief...its not easy, I want to enjoy my food again, not be so tired, go in our hot tub with my husband and kids and I can't wait to get my PIC line out on Wednesdayand just enjoy a simple bath!!......but I still have other hurdles to jump so I plan to celebrate when I'm at the finish line with my precious husband,  kids and family and friends who have stuck by me throughout this. I know none of us can never say never, and getting into remission is not a lifetime guarantee but I want to beat this and be around for years to come and I'll bloody well fight so hard to make it.  Take care amazing ladies.....xxx ... View more

Hello all you lovely ladies. @Michelle21 @noodledoodle @Coastal @Sammy73 @love running I am Day 4 after my final planned dose of chemo...so in theory now completed this section of the book. I feel rotten as I have after all my Doecetaxal but I know it will pass so just plodding on. It feels very strange..I didn't want to celebrate or ring the bell as it still feels like I have such a long way to go before I can start to think that I have beaten anything.. I have my MRI booked for next Tuesday 23rd August and have yet to see the oncologist and surgeon again to finalise my surgery which is planned for 16th September.  I'm praying the last 3 chemo's have also done the job and shrunk the tumor even more as the first 3 did ...and done a good enough job on the lymph nodes so I don't have to have a total clearance...but I accept whatever I need and trust the team to make the right decisions for me. I really want to thank all of you for allowing me the privilege of being part of your journey as well as helping me through this part of mine....and I wish you all the love, success, happiness and good health for your futures....we are all going to be on this journey for the rest of our lives and I have learnt more than anything to not sweat the small stuff, love those who are precious to you just a little bit more and live for today.  I will continue to follow you all.. Lots of love xx   ... View more

@Michelle21  and all you other lovely ladies. Haven't posted for a while as been really focusing on getting through the last couple of chemo sessions. Have been reading though and keeping up with how you are all doing. The Docetaxal has been really difficult for me and I have been quite poorly after the last 2. Lots of side effects, horrible skin reaction on my hands and feet that is very painful. Ended up being put on a 2 week course of high dose Steroids to try and reduce the effects which I'm not liking as Steroids are not something I want to tak. They make me feel rubbish and I don't want to bloat. They are definitely helping though so going to discuss reducing them after 1 week when I go for my PIC flush on Wednesday ...fingers crossed the team will agree.  Had to have a bit of sick time from my work which has been needed but left me feeling very isolated form normality as work was keeping me in some sort of 'normal' until recently and it feels like I've had to lose control of another part of my life I had good control over... Having said all that I am trying to stay positive and am feeling much better this week so going to try and work again. Family are being amazing and my husband has taken time off to be with me when I'm feeling at my worst in those few days post chemo...he's a star. Our son who lives with us is also a star and for a nearly 18 year old is seemingly coping very well with everything....I do worry and feel very guilty when he has to look after me..thats my job to look after him.  I've got 1 more chemo of the planned 6 to go...last dose scheduled for 13th August and I can't wait for it to be done and to get my PIC line out so I can have a proper bath 🤣. I Darenth think that that will be my last chemo as it feels like that's tempting fate but I see it as the end of the first chapter in this book, the next being the surgery....taking it 1 chapter at a time. I do hope that everyone else is managing to see their light at the end of this chemo tunnel and are keeping safe and as well as possible.  Keep posting your updates everyone as I do like to read and know how it's all going. This rolercoaster ride continues for now....xxxxx ... View more

@Michelle21 I am sending you much love at this sad time. I am so sorry for the loss of your Mum. Xx ... View more

Good morning all you amazing ladies @TicTok @noodledoodle @Sammy73  @Coastal @Karden @Purpledaze @Michelle21  Pre Docetaxal Steroids caused very bad nights sleep last night...just couldn't sleep despite being so tired! Got 4/6 chemo today...1st Docetaxal so nervous anticipation of what is to come today and over next few days as side effects evolve. I get so worked up about the injections too as they make me feel pants but I know they do great things for my immune system so try and focus on that.  Had my D-day of appointments on Wednesday and it went well. Surgeon pleased with how tumor is responding so far and went through my surgical plan, booked for therapeutic mamoplasty on 16th September if all 3 chemos left go to date plan. Surgery will be approx 5 hours long...doing reduction of left boob aswell as removal if tumor on right side.  Having Breast MRI after last chemo as they are hopeful Docetaxal will shrink and destroy even more and also need to see what's happening with the 2 lymph nodes they know about. Surgeon hoping to avoid fill clearance of nodes and so am I. Hopefully get away with the sentinel node..the one we know had cancer cells in it on biopsy and a few others close to that one but as ever I trust my surgeon so I'll go with the end plan and deal with it after. Oncologist also please with response so far...although put the heebie jeebies in me about side effects of Docetaxal...im trying to stay calm and just see how I react as I know we are all so different with our side effects. @Sammy73 I was so sad to lose my hair and got some emergency wigs off Shein of all places which for their price..between £10 and £20....are great. Also went to the hospital wig lady who was great, got one with my £75 voucher that is identical to how I used to have my hair..the wig lady cut it whilst I was there to make it look even better. Only problem is I am a natural red head and the wig more brown with blonde, although looks OK. Bizarrely I feel more conscious with my wig on especially around those who know about my diagnosis. I do tend to either be bald or have my turbans on at home and when I go out although I'm not going far...become a bit of a home hermit.  Wig wearing is such a personal choice, no right, no wrong so just go with the flow and do what's right for you on that day.  I follow all you amazing ladies updates on here and even when I don't reply you remain in my thoughts. All of you take care and I will keep reading what's going on in this little family I've joined. Love to all xxx   ... View more

@Purpledaze thankyou for your thoughts,  I too change chemo regime on Friday from EC to Docetaxel so like you facing another uncertainty!  Take care xxx ... View more

@Coastal thankyou I will update you all Take care all of you xxx ... View more

@Michelle21 I start next 3 sessions of Doecetaxal on 2nd July if all well with bloods on 30th June.  Also have appointments with surgeon and oncologist on 30th June so feels a little like D -day where I plan next steps and evaluate things more formally at the half way stage.  To say I'm terrified is an understatement but trying to remain positive that my Scan showed a response in the shrinkage and fragmentation at to half way point of my planned chemo.   I will update everyone.  I take great strength from all of you who post on here and read all posts even if I don't always comment or reply ....you are all in my thoughts.  Take care xx ... View more

@Michelle21 it's funny I don't have much issue with aches and pains, more lightheaded and so tired and emotional!  Thanks for your wisdom, you strike me as a very strong lady xxx ... View more

@michell21 Thank-you for this. I have been told by the nurses that nausea is less which will be great. I only have to take steroids on the day before, day of chemo then the day after....no antisickness meds or anything which makes me a little nervous.  I do have lots left though so I will take them if I feel sick. It's the GCSF injections that cripple me but I do know they are helping me not get sick until my body recovers. Thanks again xxx ... View more

Morning All you lovely ladies Quick question, has anyone had or know about Docetaxel? My next 3 rounds of chemo are this drug and I've scared myself silly reading about people's experiences which have been so negative. My chemo nurse said this is often tolerated better than EC but again I know that each person's experience of the same drug can be so different and side effects so varied. Any experiences from real people on here gratefully received.  Hope you all have a good weekend.  Take care xxx ... View more

@Michelle21 thankyou. I too had immediate 'need' to get the surgery done first to get the demon out but was also advised chemo first is best for me. So I gave trusted what the team have advised and gone with it. Had a very tearful couple of days....all suddenly feels very overwhelming and I can't get guilt, sadness and fear to stop dominating the positivity I have had since diagnosis.  I suppose this is normal. I must say I have huge sadness about how this is all affecting my family, my amazing kids and husband and wish I could stop them hurting and worrying.   It's a heavy burden knowing your responsible for such pain....but I keep telling myself that this will get better and I will beat this.  Sorry for the negativity.....I'm trying to be strong like you ladies.  Take care all xxx ... View more

Hello All @Bex27 no but I've had my half way through chemo scan of 'lump...and it's got smaller and fragmented which is what they wanted to see so got to see that as a positive. 3 more chemos to go so hopefully even smaller after that ...God willing! I hope you are all doing OK...the heat is a challenge for me can't be outside for long which is frustrating when it's so beautiful but never mind.  Take care all....having my rough week post chemo but will feel better soon so keeping positive.  Love to all xx ... View more

@Michelle21 @noodledoodle  I will do...thankyou xxx ... View more

Hi ladies Quick question....has any of you had pain in your affected breast post chemo?  The pain I was having pre diagnosis in my affected breast stopped once I started treatment along with the swelling and heat...the main reasons I went to see Consultant....but this time its painful and slightly swollen.  Help! Thanks all....and take care xxx ... View more

Morning All, @Coastal  I too had my 3rd EC yesterday and unlike my first 2 rounds felt the effects during and immediately after my infusions unlike first 2 where I usually felt ok ish until day 3...... so admitted defeat and went to bed early and slept. Up this morning early and feel a little less overwhelmed but still a bit 'hungover....my only way of describing how the EC has made me feel.  Start my injections...which I hate because of the lightheaded feeling they give me....Sunday so like all of you I count the days down until I finish them. Start Docetaxel on 2nd July for 3 rounds so anticipate there will be a different set of side effects to deal with.....BUT......im 50% through my treatment plan for chemo and 1 step closer to my surgery so I must moan about the SE's...... Going to have a quiet day today and rest these feelings away hopefully Take care all you lovely, string, inspirational ladies and talk soon. 'We can do this....in our own way....but we can do this'  Xxxxxx ... View more

Hi Everyone  @Love running @Sammy73 @noodledoodle @Coastal @TicTok  And Everyone else I've missed..... Been quiet for a while due to bad week after 2nd EC then busy good week at work, although still working at home, it's been busy for me. I have been catching up on how you are all doing and what you've been up to and it's seems a lot of what I've been experiencing symptom wise and emotion wise you all have too! Which means I feel 'normal' which when going through this is a good feeling as you begin to worry whats normal and what's not. I have my 3rd EC on 11th June so then is all goes to plan will be 50% through my chemo.....then start 3 cycles of Doecetaxal....anyone had any experience of this drug so I know what to expect? I'm worried that this drug will affect me in a worse way then the EC although to be fair the EC hasn't been too bad...my side effects.... I think...stem more from the Filgrastin injections......they make me feel rubbish! Although I know what they do help avoid me being unwell with infection so they are worth it. I have my appointments for my mid- point scan to assess if my tumour has shrunk, appointment with oncologist then have my appointment with my surgeon to discuss my surgery in more detail just before my 4th cycle on 30th June. Dreading these appointments as they are the first where they will give an idea of the effectiveness of those first 3 chemos on tumour size and the inevitable worry that its not doing its job creeps in! What if I am the one who has no response.... You are all such strong women who give me strength to fight and beat this thing.....please all take good care and enjoy the good days....we have got this  xxxx   ... View more

@Coastal I have everything crossed that it works for you.....if not you'll rock that blonde look 😍 I'm a redhead so getting wigs that colour is a challenge but now I know my hair is going I'm going to look for a real hair one in my colour.  Take care and hope you realise your certainly not alone....you have us too xxx ... View more

Thanks @Love running for the anniversary wishes ❤ Hair loss beyond salvage now so my lovely kind husband going to shave it off on Saturday....there will be tears but less stress once its gone.  9am start for my 2nd chemo tomorrow...so will check in with you all soon. All of you take care xxx ... View more

Hi Everyone  Hope you are all doing OK. @Coastal welcome to our little group. You will find strength to get through this with good and bad days but we are all in this together so are here for support and encouragement ❤ My 2nd EC tomorrow at 9am...hopefully i will cope as I I with the first dose.  My hair situation is getting worse...now have lots of bald patches and it's very very thin to the point where I can't hide the bald areas so wearing a bandana most of the time as hair also falling out onto everything! Spoke with my nurse yesterday who suggested I have cold cap again tomorrow and see what next week brings.  I am more or less at the point of admitting cold cap not working for me and taking control of my hair loss and shaving it off. I'm strangely resigned to that but upset too. I absolutely do not regret trying cold cap and would encourage everyone who wishes to try to keep their hair to try it....it was easy to tolerate for me....just not worked unfortunately.  Any words of wisdom for me on the hair front?  Have a good day all...take care xx ... View more