Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi I have stage IIIb IDC, ER8, PR0, HER neg, I have completed 3 cycles of EC and one cycle of Docetaxel but my body has not been coping well with the chemo. I had PICC line infection and clot after 1st cycle so had to have Hickman line fitted and was in hospital for 6 days so cycle 2 delayed by a week. Cycle 3 saw my BP plummet and I was constantly nauseous so was in A&E on a drip. Cycle 4 started on Docetaxel and within 2 days felt awful and was admitted to hospital for 10 days with neutropenia sepsis, fungal throat infection and chest infection. I saw oncologist while I was in patient and she said my body isn’t coping well with chemo as I also have adrenal insufficiency so my immunity is already low. She is going to reduce dose for my 5th cycle and if I still have serious side effects, cancel my 6th cycle altogether. I am due to have pre chemo bloods taken on Monday prior to 5th cycle on Wednesday but I do not think I will be fit enough by then as I still have bad chest infection. Will these delays/cancellations to chemo have an adverse effect on my survival outcome as I am already aware that this type of cancer has a high chance of recurrence and therefore will it increase chances of returning ... View more

I have Stage 3B IDC, have had lumpectomy, wide local excision and re-excision. I have just completed 3rd cycle of EC and due to start Docetaxel x3 in just over a weeks time. Does anyone else feel totally wiped out? I tried to do some ironing yesterday and came over clammy, lightheaded and had trouble breathing. This seems to happen with the slightest exertion, getting washed, getting dressed etc. I have read of other people continuing work, going for walks every day and retaining some kind of normality and I feel a failure as I am not able to do any of these things. I feel constantly nauseous, lightheaded, have acid reflux in addition to the fatigue, mouth ulcers and all the normal side effects of chemo. I am normally a positive person but this is just mentally and physically exhausting. I am seriously beginning to wonder if I can get through the next 3 cycles. It has been an uphill struggle as I got an infection and blood clot in my PICC line after first cycle so spent a week in hospital on IV antibiotics which delayed second cycle by a week. I then needed a Hickman line fitted and after second cycle my BP crashed 89/53 and I became dehydrated so again third cycle was delayed by a week. The GP has now removed one of my BP medications so hoping 4th cycle will go ahead on time. I just need reassurance that I am not the only person feeling so awful going through chemo, sorry for the long post ... View more

I am just about to undergo the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy (3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel) and nobody has told me what stage breast cancer I have. I was diagnosed with IDC grade 3 ER8, PR0, HER-, 5/13 lymph nodes affected, lumpectomy, wide excision of lymph nodes and re-excision due to margins not being clear. I will also need 3 weeks radiotherapy followed by bisphosphonates, Baricitinib and Letrozole. Is this enough information to be able to tell me what stage I am?  Thank you ... View more

I have had 2 cycles of EC so far but the 3rd has been delayed as I am experiencing bad side effects. My bloods seem to be ok. The issue is that following my first cycle I ended up with an infection in my PICC line and the radiographer also discovered a blood clot and I have been put on Dalteparin injections 10,000 units BD. I now have a Hickman line in place. I am finding that I overheat and get very breathless on the slightest exertion. I also feel lightheaded on standing. My BP is also much lower than normal (as low as 97/50) but normally in range 106/60 (my usual BP is 137/80) but my HR is high >100. I am drinking at least 2 litres of weak squash daily so I know it is not dehydration. I am not sure if these side effects are from the chemo or Dalteparin, are you able to advise?  ... View more