Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi  @Geri033  welcome to the thread. Sorry to meet under these circumstances - I found out about my BC 6 weeks ago and yes it’s such a whirlwind. I’m glad to hear you’ve recovered from the neutropenia and that they’re taking preventative measures on this cycle to keep you well. Fingers crossed for you. @Honeylamb our treatment paths sound similar - I’m also on neoadjuvant therapy before lumpectomy. I’m on 4x docetaxol/phesgo then 3 or 4 EC. Definitely hoping for a merrier Christmas in 2023 where I can have a glass of vino and a slice of brie! Well I finally gave in today and called my unit - they wanted to see me in regards to my abdo pain and have prescribed me some pills to hopefully help. They’ve also given me E45 to help the horrid chemo acne I’ve developed. Also found my lips have gone horrid the last couple of days - really dry and feel like there’s a film of dead skin on them but they’re sore when I clean them off. I always use lip balm throughout the day so it’s an irk! ... View more

@moonsox oh hun! When it rains it bleeding well pours doesn’t it. I’m sorry you’ve had a crappy time, sending a really big hug your way. I hope horse therapy helps to reset your mind and get some positivity and light back. We are blessed to have animals in our lives. My skin has gotten even worse today - yaaay chemo acne. My nose, chin and forehead look worse than when I was in my teens! My fella now has man flu too so between us we are a delicate pair right now lol xx ... View more

@emc1017 oh I do hope the horrible cystitis has finally cleared and stays away! Bless you. I’m on day 6 now, had very fluctuating energy levels since Friday that seems a bit more stable today. Also experienced some gut discomfort similar to IBS but hoping to ride that out as everything else “okay”. Felt very strange on Christmas Day to be sober and not stuffing my face with all the bad stuff. Roll on Christmas 2024 when all this madness is behind us 😉 Hope everyone else is doing good, and having as nice a festive break as is possible. Lots of love xxx ... View more

@AngieG55  oh I’m sorry to hear about your delay! Hopefully you can enjoy a lovely Christmas/NY though without worrying about feeling poorly post treatment, then start 2023 ready to kick ass! @MaisyWoods I’m glad to hear all is going well for you. My social anxiety prohibited me from asking how to recline my chair 🤣 🤣 Well done for booking in for a cut! It’s a big decision. I had mine cut into a “boy cut” end of last week before my first session as I heard taxol can start taking your hair pretty early. I have my wig ready and some nice head wraps/hats and my fella also shaved his head fully in solidarity. I mean hair grows, let’s get the cancer gone then worry about it after! ❤️ ... View more

@Shi oh wow really? From what I’ve read it really varies from doctor to doctor what they say about it all. Most of my teas are ones you can get from the supermarket, I just tend to avoid liquorice with having high BP XX  ... View more

@AngieG55 thats super interesting what your integration doc said! Was that appointment via the hospital? I need to consult my doc before I start taking but a herbalist I trust recommended Turkey Tail tincture, they use it during adjuvant treatment in Japan to help with chemo side effects and it strengthens the immune system. My current chemo is neo adjuvant though so I don’t want to take it and stop the chemo doing what it needs to do! I’ve stocked up on 100s of herbal teas though with “cancer fighting properties”, especially turmeric tea and hibiscus tea 😋 ... View more

@CS0512 oh no! Im so sorry covid has gotten to you at such a rubbish time. I hope you get through it quickly and without any annoying symptoms ❤️ I ended having my first chemo cycle on Wednesday, turns out Tuesday was just the nurse app. Oh well, at least my bags were always packed and gave me another day to get some housework done! I experienced a slight tingly tongue as my taxol infused so they stopped it a teeny bit early and it subsided when they ran the saline flush. Apparently not an “expected” side effect so one I’ll have to watch out for in 3 weeks! Trust me 😂 Other than a bit of abdominal discomfort (not unheard of for me as IBS flares up when I’m stressed) I’ve been feeling ok so far. Today will be my first day off steroids and my last day of anti sickness. Fingers crossed Christmas dinner isn’t a write off! @CS0512I got the NatraCare socks and gloves off Amazon. I didn’t realise until my nurses app that I’d be infused via cannula so unfortunately i can’t wear the gloves during treatment. The socks were hard to get used to but I experienced less neuropathy tingles in my toes than in my fingers so I’d vouch for them. As for beauty products I picked up nail strengthener and cuticle oil by Sally Hansen (by recommendation) to help prevent nail lifting. I got multi packs of moisture gloves and socks to wear at night after applying the Lush products Revive (oily foot/nail product that smells of fresh orange) and Helping Hands. I also picked up a big pot of Dream Cream to use when I lose my head hair. I also invested in eyebrow temp tattoos off Amazon, false eye lashes from Eylure made specifically for people with hair loss, and a glass nail file as it’s gentler than others. Can you tell one of my coping mechanisms has been taking control as much as humanly possible? 🤣 🤣 Hope everyone is doing well, sending lots of love xxx ... View more

Hi all Tomorrow is my first chemo day, the nerves are starting to set in! I’ll be on 3 weekly rounds, 4 of Docetaxol and 3 EC before surgery. Decided to not cold cap (have braved the shave already!) but I have got cold therapy gloves and socks. I’ve already invested in cancer friendly makeup and creams so I think I’m as “prepared” as I can be for the onslaught for anything that’s not coming out my mouth or my bum 😂 Of course I forgot to invest in a thermometer and general meds, but I suppose that’s what last minute Tesco trips are for?! I’ve found myself “chemo nesting” today, making my bedroom as clean, tidy, and “hygge” as possible in case I end up hibernating for a few days. Anyone else starting so close to Christmas? Hope I won’t be swapping roast chicken for chicken nuggets…! ... View more

Hi @mrswright - did you purchase gloves/socks for icing your hands and feet or was this provided? I’m starting taxol in a couple of weeks and am mindful of the effects it can have! Great to hear it’s worked for you. ... View more