Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hey Corina, So lovely to hear from you. I am so pleased you have finished your chemo.  Is your radio every day? So pleased you have a two week break.  I am so sorry for the radio silence, I had a really bad time and didn't want to worry anyone.  I got an infection in my boob and was on antibiotics for three weeks.  I had to have an emergency operation to try and save my implant.  I missed chemo and herceptin and final chemo was delayed by 4 weeks.  I have been home schooling my little one for three weeks as Covid is rife at the school and I couldn't cope with a delay to my final treatment.  I was so worried that the delay meant that my chemo hasn't worked properly.  It will always be a worry.  Anyway final chemo was last Thursday and I have the last injection tonight so hopefully the pain will lessen over the next few days.   Christmas is weird this year, I haven't wrapped one present or finished shopping. I haven't even done cards which is the first time ever.  I really thought that we would all be looking forward to 2022 and we could finally enjoy seeing friends and family. I feel like I haven't been out in 2 years.   I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that everyone is ok.  It is so bloomin tough.  Even now I am checking my boob everyday as constantly worried about infection. The new year brings many classes on coping with the menopause as it is the disturbed sleep that is bringing me down. Corina - I really hope that the long covid eases soon.  Hopefully once the chemo is out of your body you can look at taking some medication that can ease these symptoms.  Isn't it ironic that since being diagnosed I haven't taken any multi vits as oncology said wait until chemo is over.    Anyway sending everyone love xxx ... View more

Hi @Corina  Sorry for the slow reply, I gad chemo yesterday and it just feels like a busy week with work and appoitments. I am still in my dressing down 🙂 How are you feeling on your taxol? I am glad you've got your flu jab. I have been battling with 119 and my GP. So we are on the seriously vulnerable list and you should be allowed the 3rd dose 8 weeks after the second jab.  I am trying to book mine but it has to be within 72 hours of next chemo so no spaces as yet. I also ordered an antibody test just to put my mind at ease to see if I had any immunity from covid or not. Have you heard back regarding your tests? I hope everyone else is doing well this week too. Sending love xx ... View more

Hi @Corina   I really hope this goes well. I hope it is easier than the EC for you. Fingers crossed.  Have they reduced your steroids and anti sickness for the next cycle or are they the same?  Have you heard back from your tests as yet?   Well I am very confused about the whole covid booster as I don't think we fall in the 1% of people that were eligible.  I called 119 for my booster jab and I won't be due mine until 3rd December as my second jab was 3rd June.  I am hopeful that this means that I still have some immunity to covid.  I also need to book my flu jab but I am unsure at what stage through the cycle that we book this for.  Does anyone know.  I am seeing my oncologist for the first time on Thursday so can always check with her then.  Round 5 on Thursday!! Another Zolodronic acid and my second herceptin injection so a little worried that next weekend might be a struggle looking after my little one on my own. My partner is back ion weekends for a few weeks so it's just us two all weekend.   I often rant at him as to why he never added me to his BUPA health insurance but ce la vie.  The NHS staff around Oxfordshire have been really outstanding so I am grateful for that. I hope everyone is having a good Sunday 🙂 ... View more

HI @Corina    How are you doing after the round of Taxcel, I know you were worried about the side effects being worse? I hope you and everyone else are doing ok this week. love Kate ... View more

Hi @Kaisa  Nice to hear from you.  I hope everything goes well with your mastectomy. My oncologist changed halfway through and I found the same as you.  Luckily there are many other members of the support team that are so lovely and helpful. Sending you all the best. Kate ... View more

Hi @Corina  Lovely to hear from you, sorry to hear that you have been feeling rough.  I hope the lack of news about your blood test means that there is nothing to report.  Do you mean Docetaxel?  I had 3 rounds EC and 4 rounds of Docetaxel.  I was so worried about starting it as I was under the impression that I would feel so much worse.  My partner has called me  a fraud as I feel ok.  The anti sickness and steroids were also halved which definitely helped as the steroids made me feel so awful.  Let me know on the Docetaxel and I will drop you some more info rather than waffling on 🙂 I hope everyone is doing ok this evening. Kate ... View more

Hi Corina I am sorry to hear about the addition of the tinnitus, so horrid, can you take anything to help?  I am pleased to say the palpitations have calmed for me so think they relate to the steroids.  The sleep has improved a little especially from the first week.  I know they say avoid alcohol but last night I had two glasses of red and slept well until 5am. Might try that again 🙂 @DAB72 I have been using argan oil on my scalp as it is quite natural.  Coconut oil or olive oil can help too.   I was told if the EC didn't get all my hair then the bloomin Docetaxel will so I am clinging onto those brows and lashes for dear life. I hope everyone is doing ok xxx ... View more

Hi @DAB72  How did Friday go?  I am hoping you are feeling ok. Did you make the graduation yesterday? I had another buzz cut this morning just to even up the growth in sum areas versus the balding in other areas.  My brows and lashes are also hanging in there at the moment.  My legs are like that too.  Armpits nice and smooth though.   My friend brought me round some difflam, i checked the ingredients and they are the same as the hospital gave me for any mouth ulcers so happy to gargle with that.  Seems the sore throat is very much a side effect so I will stop with the crazy lateral flow testing checking for covid.  It is so good that your hospital is testing you.  I just have to prove a negative lateral flow.   I think the steroids for the EC are 6 in the morning then 3 x tablets morning and lunch for 3 days.  I have to start taking them the day before hand when I start the Docetaxel (sorry still can't spell it).  Are you on meds for the heartburn?  I hope you are well and sending love x ... View more

Hi @sharlea  I am so sorry this is your second bout, over how many years?  This is my worst fear and scares the hell out of me.  It sounds like you are a super warrior and by no means a wimp!! No more of that thinking ok.  I am glad you are on the strong meds, like they say short term pain for long term gain.  It sounds like you have a great oncologist too.  Sending lots of love xx Kate ... View more

Morning, I am on 3 rounds of EC then 4 rounds of DC. It was supposed to be 3 and 3 but last week they added a round but have now said that the 4 rounds of DC will be 3/4 doses rather than 100% doses which might help me tolerate it a bit more.  You could ask if they are planning on reducing the doses over the 6 rounds for you.  My oncologist said that they started me on the max dose and can always reduce it towards the end.  I suppose we just have to trust what they tell us. May I ask about the liquid morphine? Sorry if I have missed this previously. What causes the pain for the morphine?  I am anxious as my next round will be all new, Herceptin, DC and Zolodronic acid. I am scared about the different side effects of the next round.  I felt like that on round 2, I sat crying thinking how the hell am I going to get to  round 7.  I have a few found respect to anybody that has been through chemo.  We will get through, just take one day at a time.   Sending love and hugs xx ... View more

Hi @DAB72 I don't know if it helps but I know a few people who have changed their Tamoxifen type, as in from the manufacturer as silly things like them being sugar coated capsules etc has effected people and whether to take in the morning or nighttime.  I hope you get on well at your appointment.  There is so much to listen to and take it that you just feel like you live in the moment of treatment.  People were talking about their ops yesterday and I now can't even remember the size of the tumour that they removed. It is weird, maybe it is a safety thing built in to our brains so that we can cope at one stage at a time.  I read yesterday that eating foods like soya is supposed to help.  I think I would need to ask a professional as I did pick up a leaflet yesterday on menopause symptoms so I need to see what might help. I think all HRT is not allowed.  We are literally going cold turkey.  The next time a women complains about the menopause to me I might just laugh and say get yourself to the doctors for some HRT and deal with it, they have options, we have none.  I received my letter yesterday to say that won't be referred for any genetic testing so my daughter should just be tested from 35.  I can pop a DNA sample in a bank too apparently.   The Look Good Feel Better session as fabulous, I highly recommend it.  The drive made me feel like a normal person as I was getting more and more anxious about long journeys.  The 2 hour session was lovely and the goody bag was fab.  Lots of tips on beauty, skin care and makeup tips when you've lost your eye brows and lashes.  You can do them virtually too and they still send you some goodies. I am still in my dressing gown as have a horrid sore throat.  It kept me up loads despite taking sleeping pills.  More pills needed.  I must rattle by now.  I am feeling fat and horrible from the steroids.  They just make me so hungry and I know I am putting on weight now.  Argh it never ends!! Sendings love and hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Dawn  Thanks for your message. I am looking forward to the session at Maggie's, I am just a bit worried about the journey to Oxford as since being on chemo my driving ability is atrocious! Thanks for the book tip.  I will definitely take a look as this I need all the help I can get at the minute. Do you start Tamoxifen after the chemo/radio?  I am HER2 positive so I am sorry but don't know too much about it.  it is a 10 year program isn't it?    Sending you lots of love xx   ... View more

Hi Corina, Sorry if I confused you.  I think I meant Zolendronic acid! Have you heard anything more from the team regarding the palpitations?  I am still not sleeping, it's just so horrid. I might need to have some sleeping pills tonight.  I hope you are feeling a but better and brighter and have managed to get out xx ... View more

Hi @Corina  I am so sorry you are feeling so rough.  Did they change your dose this time or change any of your meds.  I felt so awful after round 2 as I had Gosleronic acid and they think they gave it to me too quickly.  I didn't have any on round 3 and feel much better.  I know I am not drinking enough though so will hydrate properly today. I think the heart palpitations are from the steroids aren't they, mine race like wildfire for the first four days.  I daren't take a blood pressure reading in fear that I might be dying 🙂 I hope your symptoms have eased up a bit and you are feeling a bit better today. I asked about CBD oil for the hot flushes but was told no, I am not sure of an alternative at present. Anyway sending you strength and love and I hope you can get out for some fresh air today. I am attempting some work although I am still in my dressing gown! XX ... View more

Thanks Jennet, I will certainly take a look at the link as it looks really useful.  Thank you for your kind words too, it is so nice to have this support group. I hope you are doing well today xx ... View more

Thanks @SeaUrchin I really hope so.  I hope you are well and had a nice relaxing weekend. ... View more

@DAB72 Thanks for your message.  I am at a Maggies centre on Wednesday this week as I have the Look Good Feel better session which will be nice.  I will see if I can pick up a leaflet about the menopause and support as the only way to get through it at night is sleeping pills which can't be an option especially as I have promised to only take them for the first few days after chemo to get me through the injection pain and side effects.  I hope you are ok.  Please let me know. xx ... View more

Hi Corina How was yesterday? I had my third round yesterday, my chemo nurse said not to have the cold cap as it would be too painful.  Sorry I’ve been quiet I had a terrible week. The oncologist has added another round of chemo which was unexpected. Lots of tears and just feeling a bit angry about how little support there is for forced menopause. Took some sleeping pills last night but as still awake a lot.  I hope you aren’t feeling too bad. I might try and get some air later as was in bed all day and night.  love to everyone  xx      ... View more

Hi Corina, I got some nice head pieces from Anna Bandana, they are really soft and cheap.  They do matching PICC line covers too.   I hope you are doing ok. xx ... View more

Hi there @SeaUrchin I am so sorry for the late reply.  I worked all day yesterday and today and am now feeling tired but trying to catch up with a few bits now. My goodness I feel much better now thank you. How are you doing? Are you used to the hair now?  Good luck tomorrow with your second round xx ... View more