Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Ooohh this thread is so close to my heart. My chemo finished in January. MX/recon & lymph removal in Feb and Radio started at the end of March so it has been full on. I'm currently 1/2 way through my 25 sessions of rads. Every bliming day across 6 weeks. I am still working part time, I have a 3 year old who likes to watch cbeebies at from 6.30 am, a 45 minute drive to hospital and I'm obsessed with punctuality....am I sounding stressed LOL! I am driving myself to and from hospital and the receptionist could not be more accommodating. They understand that sometimes you hit traffic, that parking can be awful or some days your wig just doesn't go on right straight away. The driving is boring but at the same time I am enjoying listening to my music and not a disney CD! I am a little tired now but I am finding it easier to manage than chemo. Good luck x ... View more

Hi I tried to read the thread on this link but everything is a bit of a blur at the moment. I finished 5 1/2 mths of chemo on 13th January and post chemo caught a nasty chest/blood infection and was in hospital for 8 days. On 15th Feb I'm due to have a mastectomy/complete lymph node removal and reconstruction. I'll then have 5 weeks of rads followed by hormone treatment. I have 2 young children and had a complete wobble last night as I'm getting nervous. Such a bliming roller coaster. Complete euphoria when chemo is finished and then you start thinking about the next big hurdle. I have been told that I might not be able to drive for 2 mths! This will have a huge impact as I need to drive to get my kids to childcare. If anyone has any tips on what to buy and how I can help myself to have a good recovery, tips would be appreciated! Good luck to all those going through the same. xxx ... View more

Hi I tried to read the thread on this link but everything is a bit of a blur at the moment. I finished 5 1/2 mths of chemo on 13th January and post chemo caught a nasty chest/blood infection and was in hospital for 8 days. On 15th Feb I'm due to have a mastectomy/complete lymph node removal and reconstruction. I'll then have 5 weeks of rads followed by hormone treatment. I have 2 young children and had a complete wobble last night as I'm getting nervous. Such a bliming roller coaster. Complete euphoria when chemo is finished and then you start thinking about the next big hurdle. I have been told that I might not be able to drive for 2 mths! This will have a huge impact as I need to drive to get my kids to childcare. If anyone has any tips on what to buy and how I can help myself to have a good recovery, tips would be appreciated! Good luck to all those going through the same. xxx ... View more

Hi Not sure if anything is happening tomorrow? I was discharged from Darent Valley last night after a 8 day mini break! I caught a nasty bug and remained neutropenic for 5 days as my bone marrow took the hit. But apart from a cold I'm ok and stuffing my face on flapjacks after 8 days of hospital food. Back in this evening to finalise surgery with my surgeon. I have booked to go on the Look Good Feel Good make up/hair workshop at Maidstone Hospital on 19th March. There are still some spaces if anyone is interested have a look on the website. I here the goody bag is fabulous x ... View more

Hi Sorry have been a bit quiet...guess what I've finished my 6th and final chemo. To all those that are just starting it does come round quickly - just focus on your planned programme of dates and it will soon go by. I saw my consultant at Dareth Valley on Tuesday and surgery booked for 15th Feb. Unfortunately looks like the tumour has died in patches rather than shrinking completely (which is common) so probably a masectomy for me but I'm OK with that. Then 5 weeks of radio everyday. I had 3 lots of Fec T, 2 lots of taxotere (which I was allergic too!!) and then was swapped back to Fec T for my 6th. I can't really advise on Tax as I was allergic and had extreme side effects but I was OK on FEC T. Lots of nausea and tiredness and breath felt like I smoked 60 fags a day but it was manageable. I don't work Wednesdays so could make the 1st Feb however I will have my 3 yr old daughter with me but she loves a gossip xx ... View more

Hi all, I saw my oncologist today and tests have shown I have an allergy against taxotere. The oncologist explained that it's not a blood type allergy as the diarrhoea would present itself immediately, i.e. Day 1 of the chemo cycle. The allergy lies within my stomach/bowel and therefore takes long to show itself....usually Day 4/5. It's quite rare to have such an allergy however not unknown. Immodium/Loperamide did not help at all and the oncologist explained that it wouldn't help as this was an allergy. Immodium/Loperamide would have helped if this was a bug or a common side effect. Codene was also prescribe for me and this did help however if I was to have taxotere again my body would react exactly again....Day 4 to approx Day 10 I would have violent diarrhoea, cramps, sweats etc. I can't have taxotere again and have been reverted back to Fec-T for my last cycle next week. Thank you all for your contribution and support and I hope this thread helps others in the future. x ... View more

That is funny! Good luck tomorrow with your patient assessment. If it's in the Pine Therapy Unit it will be meeting the sister and going through your treatment programme, answering any questions you may have and showing you around the ward. I'm there again tomorrow for line care 3.45pm (I have a hickman line fitted due to poor veins). Whomever you meet tomorrow will be lovely and supportive. Emma x ... View more

Sorry one more tip....I initially used mine with a liner but ditched that. When my hair started to fall out, I shaved my head, lost the liner and the wig not only fitted better but felt more secure. ... View more

Wineoclock we talk again! I brought mine in Suzi's Lakeside and they were fab. Did you see the Elvis wig....Cruella Deville? I'm laughing at your comment about the hospital hairdressers....Darent Valley? I tried one on there and looked liked Rita from Corrie. The alternative was Angela Rippon 🙂 Not sure if you have already but remember to use your NHS Voucher still. I got a few little sleep hats, wig shampoo accessories etc from the hospital shop. You just need to ask. Felt great walking out with free stuff and they were ever so kind. I was extremely paranoid at first about wearing a wig. I didn't want to look wiggy if that makes sense? However I've had loads of comments on how natural it looks and, although sometimes I think people are being kind, I'm no longer paranoid and worried about it blowing away in the school playground. Have fun blondie! ... View more

I went into hospital today and spent 6 hours waiting for a DR but that's another story. I was discharged with Codeine and a stools sample bottle to return...can't wait for that! They have managed to get me in to see my Oncologist on Tuesday and I feel so much better that I can talk to him before my 3rd Taxotere session. I suspect no alterations will be made and resigned myself to it happening all over again but I know I'm no going insane now and it is chemo related. The hospital explained although not a common side effect it can occur. Thank you all - so glad this website is here! ... View more

Hi I'm 5 months into chemo now and reading your first post brought so so many memories back. My first post was called "just been diagnosed can't stop the tears". The response I got back from this website was overwhelming and I no longer felt alone/isolated. So far I have found the not knowing part the hardest. Waiting to receive scan results was so hard. Knowing someone somewhere knew more about what was going on inside me drove me insane. I was convinced that my cancer had spread. However, once I knew my results, my treatment programme etc my "right lets get on with it and kick this disease into touch" attitude kicked in and yours will too. Keep strong x ... View more

Hi I spent the day in hospital today with 3 other ladies. All 4 of us had experienced different side effects but were receiving similar treatment. What I've learnt so far through my journey is that every individual reacts differently to chemo. There are common side effects but then "you may also experience list" can be endless and not worth spending time worrying over. All of us were discharged this afternoon with smiles on our faces! Good luck x ... View more

Hi I was getting so excited when the suggestion was made lets meet up in NY....I thought New York.....wahoo I'd be up for that.... then I remembered I had chemo brain and it wasn't New York LOL! I'm 39 (still 24 ish with chemo brain) and I live in Crayford with 2 small children and a patient husband. I have lots of friends and family around for support however lack other baldies in my life. I've had 3 cycles of FEC T (still think of Father Ted when I say that) and I've just had my 2nd cycle of Tax. 1 more to go. Then surgery. I'm being treated at Darent Valley who have been superb. I would like to meet others in the same position and can wear a red rose in my label to identify myself....either that or I'm the one who looks like gollum from Lord of the Rings xx ... View more

Thank you so much. I don't feel like I'm going mad now. Really helpful x ... View more

I too have a Rene of Paris and mine is called Audrey! Audrey and I have a good relationship and through wind and rain we have made it through difficult times. I was very paranoid at first wearing her, concerned she would slip back or I'd be chasing her down the road but all good. I tried the cold cap but unfortunately it didn't work for me. I thought I would be a scarf person but they didn't suit me. I had my hair cut into a similar style before I lost my hair. The best thing about Audrey is that when I wash her I pop her in the airing cupboard and in the morning there she is ready to go. Underneath Audrey I have a gollum look going on but my hair is starting to sprout. I'm actually starting to think I shall miss her when she is no longer required. I brought my wig via a shop and used my NHS voucher to buy sleep hats, wig shampoo and other bits and bobs. I was tempted to by an Elvis special but glad I settled for Audrey LOL! ... View more

Hi all, I don't log on that often but the only thing on TV is Top Gear so here I am. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 6th September and even now it still feels very surreal. I clinically measured 5cms breast invasive ductal, tested positive for lymph nodes, HER2+ve blah blah blah...My kids are 3 and 8 and I turned 39 on 20th December. I have no history of cancer in my family and when I initially saw my G.P. he thought it wasn't anything nasty. I've had 3 sessions of FEC T and had my 2nd session of taxotere on 23rd December (thanks Santa!). Scans have come back clear and my tumour has reduced to 3cms after the 3 FEC sessions. So positive news. To all those that are about to start Chemo you will have days where you feel like there is nothing wrong with you and then you'll have days where you count down the hours until bed. You'll have days when you don't feel lonely and days when you do. But you will get through it. Dates helped me focus on moving forward and when you really think about it ....it's 6 months of your very long life. The first thing I thought about when I was diagnosed was hair loss...I look back now and think how vain! I tried the cold cap but lost my hair within 2 weeks of my first session. There will come a stage down the line when you think it's only hair and accept the fact you are bald. I still look like Gollum but I have a good wig and it restores some reality for my kids. My kids have been amazingly strong and have matured throughout this process. I was up front from the start with my 8 year old and I can't recommend the book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings enough. Not relevant for my 3 year old....she just wants to know when her sausage and mash are ready. Apologies for waffling on......the most important thing I have learnt is keep in touch with people going through or has been through breast cancer. The support through this website is amazing and keeps you sane. Good luck and keep strong xx ... View more

Hi I use the cold cap for my first cycle of chemo unfortunately for me it didn't work. Within 14 days my hair started to fall out in clumps and a week now after my second cycle I am now bald. I thought I would struggle with the hair thing but you know what women are made of strong stuff! I tried scarves but I think they make me look ill. I now have a wig called Audrey and although sometimes we fall out, Audrey and I are becoming good friends. I had so much hope for the cold cap but hey hair grows back and as my dad said "his won't". Keep strong x ... View more

Hi I have absolutely rubbish veins, apparently they are incredibly small unlike the rest of me 😉 anyway I went to have a PIC line fitted today and after 8 attempts the nurses had to give up. I'm going to have a hickman line fitted now in a couple of weeks after my next Chemo. For me anything is better then struggling to put a cannula in and having permanently black and blue arms! If anyone has any advice re hickman lines I would be pleased hear. Thank you x ... View more