Breast Cancer Now Forum

Its great to hear everyone is getting on with the next stage of their treatment. I start radiotherapy on Wednesday;15 fractions. Im keen to just get going now! Hair regrowth - hows everyone's coming along? My back and sides are coming in well, but the top of my head is still quite bald. I never anticipated it to be so patchy 🙈 I think Im starting to see some regrowth with my eyelashes too 🙌 PJ 💕 ... View more

@louby_lou69 Thankfully my health board offers accommodation. Ive already stayed in it when I had my surgery. Its basic but clean. Theres no charge to stay and they give meal vouchers, we're lucky to have this option. Not ideal I have to be away from the kids, but it will pass in no time im sure! I hope all goes well with your oncologist today. Its great talking about and moving onto the next step in our journeys but also for me very anxiety provoking. I think its because its the unknown again and losing that security of your chemo team. Hope everyone has good days PJ 💕 ... View more

I had my radiotherapy consultation this morning.  Ive got to have 19 fractions over 4 weeks, namely because of my age (36). I live 120miles away from the hospital where I need to receive treatment, so I'll be there on my own. Just another horrible bump on this turbulent journey! I hope everyone is doing okay this week PJ 💕 ... View more

I had my last chemotherapy cycle today!! I did not ring the bell... I had really mixed feelings about this. I live in such a rural area with such a small unit, I felt i didnt want to upset others by ringing the bell if this journey for them was one that would never end and they ey wouldnt have the opportunity to ring the bell. My journey with chemo has been a fair one. Ive had nearly every side effect thats listed as a common one but none have been extreme. Fatigue has been the worst effect to manage, however even with this Ive continued to work full time as a manager with the NHS after taking a week to recover from each cycle. I now feel like im swimming in the deep blue unknown again, feeling apprehensive about the next stage, ive got my appt with my radiotherapy oncologist next week, I hope I cope with this as well as ive coped with the chemo.  PJ 💕 ... View more

Hi everyone  Its been an age since ive posted on here. Ive very much just been head down and grafting through. I hope everyone managed to have some joy in the festive season in whatever capacity they could manage. Mine was quiet but i was well which i am grateful for Its been interesting reading through everyone's different experiences and drug regimes. Our bodies really are amazing but fickle machines.  Yesterday i had cycle 5 of 6; 2nd docetaxel, had 3 EC previously. Side effects have been variable but managable. Currently im experiencing very irregular menstrual cycles. I spoke with my team and they have advised this is quite normal and to just monitor the flow as excessive bleeding could lead to low platelets; this hasnt been an issue, its more sporadic light bleeding thats comes on whenever it feels like it. Has anyone else experience this? PJ 💕 ... View more

As horrible as it is its a comfort to hear others are experiencing side effects after their 2nd cycle. Its easy to fall into a negative mindset when you feel so poorly. Ive also found this cycle much harder going than the previous one. Fatigue and nausea are +100! Ive also developed phlebitis, which in turn because of the pain is affecting my sleep. These were my bad days last time, so heres hoping I follow a similar pattern, and start improving in the next few days. Take care everyone PJ 💕 ... View more

Morning ladies Im day 12 and no sign of shedding yet, however my general hair condition has changed, its much drier and my scalp is very itchy. Ive been using a mild baby shampoo since beginning of treatment to try and reduce chemical exposure and protect my scalp. Ive got a wig, funny enough im a brunette but the only wig that suited me was a blonde one 🤷‍♀️. Ive also lots of hair wear which I purchased from anna bandana (very reasonable prices) Hope you all have a good week ahead. Theres a definite winter feel in the air here today, time to wrap up when venturing out i think PJ 💕 ... View more

Thank you ladies   I called the red card number and spoke with an Out of hours GP (its a public holiday where I am) he has advised it is likely muscular pain as this is a common side effect of the treatment I am receiving. Im to call back if my symptoms worsen Chances are Ive done to much the last couple of day, as Ive felt well, and now im paying for it and my body is telling me to rest. Cup of tea, feet up and a couple of movies I think for this afternoon and evening PJ 💕 ... View more

Hi Ladies Ive been following this thread since starting my own treatment in October. Im very much a peruser rather than a commenter but I wanted to ask a question.  I had my first EC on the 6th, the whole experience was fine and ive suffered with very few side effects other than indigestion and fatigue. Days 3-5 were definitely the hardest but I just consumed plenty fluids and rested, this seemed to work. I have been taking the filgrastim injections from day 3 to 9 (yesterday was the last day) at first everything with them was fine, no side effects. Then yesterday was the first day I noticed I had a painful upper right arm to touch - first thing that went through my mind was blood clot of course 🙈, after releasing this was quite unlikely I settled on the injections being the cause. Little did I know this was only the beginning of the pain! Over the course of the day the pain progressed in my arm, to then overnight the pain radiated to other areas - my lower back, collar bone and chest wall. Its not a consistent pain and settles when im still, however when I move at first it will pulsate until settling down again. Very strange. Is anyone else using the filgrastim injections and experiencing side effects? PJ 💕 ... View more

Hi slightly lopsided Thank you for getting in touch Im grateful to find some who has had the radiotherapy option and able to provide feedback. Thats great advice about the ongoing aftercare - ive come to realise this is now something to learn to live with rather than move on from.  Hormone therapy has been mentioned, but i think its tamoxifen I will be required to take as I am only 36. Did you have to have chemotherapy? They have recommended I do as more of a sweep up. Thank you for the reassrance about the surgery. I was so anxious the first time round so its nice to hear I may be a bit more relaxed this time PJ x ... View more

Hi LMitchell Youre going through the ringer just now to! Its such a difficult choice between the options you are presented. I was also offered a mastectomy, but my surgeon said studies suggest the overall outcome in terms of prognosis to be the same (depending on the tumor and other factors of course) I just have to hope there is nothing sneaky hiding, also if we're not successful during the re excision I will require a mastectomy. My lymph nodes were micrometases, I suppose this may be why ive been the option? Im pleased to hear your ANC went well with minimal discomfort thats reassuring to know. Thats exactly it... You kind of hope after the surgery all you will need is a wee blast of radiotherapy and you'll be on your way, no such luck in our case! But whilst theres treatment theres hope! Thanks PJ x ... View more

Hi Jaybro Im so sorry to read of your secondary cancer diagnosis. How many years have you been diagnosed?  I havent met with the oncology team as yet so still relying on the opinion of my breast surgery and the breast care nurses, who have been exemplary to date. They havent really recommended one or the other as neither is really stand out better, they have just said its a personal choice. Its so difficult, as no matter what decisions i make i will always question if it was the right one! I try not to google as it terrifies me, youre right it doesnt consider or protect your mental health. I try to stick to forums like this as i find the personal touch and support much more beneficial. PJ x ... View more