Breast Cancer Now Forum

Ps, my cherry blossom tree is in full flower....... I told myself last August that once the blossom appeared, spring was here and it would signify the start of my 'new' life:-) xxxx hence my choice of Avatar xxxxxx ... View more

It brings it all flooding back, doesn't it? Not that it ever really goes away:-( I was told I'll get my 'call up' a year after my surgery... So mid July for me. Not really looking forward to that particular envelope landing on the doormat. Hopefully everyone's results will be fine...... And we can once breathe a big sigh of relief. Let us know how you get on xxxx ... View more

i don't really know what to say........ Shock has taken hold. i never met with Maragret either, but we were friends on FB and messaged each other. Maragret always made me smile, she was a practical, honest and compassionate person. Words just don't seem adequate. I can only imagine how her family are feeling, and my heart goes out to them.......... I'm going to miss her too. xxxx ... View more

Hi Mandyj Wow, youve had your hair cut! Mine is growing back but is still very very short..... And grey:-( looks a bit like Barak Obama! I'm going to dye it very soon, my onc said it was ok to do so as long as i used a natural product ie no peroxide. I'm tired after rads, i finished last week. I went back to work when i started rads, in the new year. i have been ok, but got tired last week. I was really emotional after finishing rads, couldnt stop crying...... Ive been quite upbeat for most of this joirney, so i think it was just all the emotion cmng out in one go. I feel better now, but am still dong a phased return to work. You're right, it is a bit surreal.... Just like it all happened to someone else. Hope all the other ladies are dong well, drop by and let us know how youre getting on xx ... View more

Hi Mandyj Wow, youve had your hair cut! ... View more

Hi everyone, Jackster sorry to hear you are feeling a bit low. The rads road seems a long one but, in my experience, its nothing like as hard as chemo. Grit your teeth, go the the GP and focus on the finish line. I do hope you feel brighter soon. I started my tamoxifen on New Years Day and am having regular hot flushes at 3am and 5 am every night! Apart from that, I havent noticed any other side effects so i am feeling lucky. Im taking the Wockhardt brand, and will continue to do so as they seem to suit me so far. Ive just got back from Rads....... Ive done 18, only 2 more to go. Again, i feel very fortunate that my skin seems to holding up well. Im using E45 on the advice of my onc....... Its funny how they all say differrent things! Im also back at work, doing half days at the moment, increasing to full days during Feb after i finish rads. I never thought id say this, but it's lovely doing something 'normal' ........ I almost feel like me again! albeit a tired Version of my old self! Still have a few blips and dark thoughts from time to time, but being back at work has lessened these...... Hope evryone else is well ... View more

Hi Ladies, Just popping by to wish you all a very healthy and happy 2013. i finished chemo on 28th Nov and its taken me ages to feel anything like normal. I still don't really! Still very tired and suffering from numb toes and fingertips..... But that's it really, so cannot complain. Oh, and brain still not functioning properly! I am finding it hard now, emotionally. I've still to rads to go (starting 2nd Jan) so don't have the feeling of 'abandonment' lots of people talk about. It's more that, without the next chemo cycle to focus on, my mind strays to the 'bigger picture' andd longer term. Im likening it to hitting 'the wall' when you run a marathon, just got to get through this bit before reaching the finishing line! So Well Done ladies for getting this far, and hoping 2013 brings us all thah happiness we wish for Sarah xxx ... View more

Just thought, there is another regime being used for triple negative which is Taxatore (docetaxel) and Carboplatin (spelling?). I ththink they usually refer to this as DC But I have seen people call it TC so itis really confusing. I wonder if your onc is referring to TC as TCy, (ie Cyclophosphomide) to differentiate? X ... View more

Hi, I had 5 sessions of TC after one session of FEC which I reacted badly to. TC is Taxatore and Cyclophosphomide. It's a newer regime than FEC and is commonly used in USA, Canada and NZ. TC didn't make me sick like FEC did. There are lots of reported side effects, all of which are doable, just not nice when they happen simultaneously.... I thinks best not to pre-empt what others have experienced as we are all SO different. in fact, each of my 5 treatments of TC were very different in terms of how I reacted. i finished my treatment on 28th Nov and am starting to forget already:-) My onc promised me it is effective, even though its nt common as yet in the UK and I promise you it is doable. Good luck, and let us know how you get on Luvvie xx ... View more

Hi Ladies, Just had a giggle reading your posts. Very impressed with the cake making Mandyj, I love cooking, but baking has always eluded me.... too creative for me for sure;-) I'm a little envious of everyone's hair, although the new growth does sound a little comical. I might have a tiny bit growing around the sides and back.... It's hard to tell, but nothing in the top yet. I hope I don't end up with a comb over!!! Mandymid, my onc said it was ok to dye the new hair. He said lots of Oncs don't recommend it, but he said that as long as you use a 'natural' type of dye it is ok. I'd imagine the H&B ones are ok. Perhaps wait until its a bit longer.... I remember using one of those 'Shaders and Toners' when I was younger.... My hair stayed the same colour but I ended up with a bright purple head! All I want for Christmas is my taste back too June22. I have moments when it seems ok (ish) and I actually enjoy a meal. But, other times everything just tastes of nothing. It's like it's been dialled down to a really low setting. But it's definitely better at some points than others. I'm off to Brasserie Blanc for my work Christmas lunch today..... please let me be able to taste it! Oh, and I want my fingers and toes to get their feeling back...... My toes only went numb after my final chemo, and again its intermittent. Reckon the cold weather has something to do with it. I don't want a lot do I?! Hope you all enjoy the festive season and look forward to finishing all treatment early next year. Heres to a much happier and healthier 2013 🙂 ... View more

Hi Ladies, Had my last chemo Weds........ it's not been good:-( I had one FEC and 5 TC. I'm usually ok until the Friday eve, but this time the side effects kicked in straight away. I'm anaemic and don't think I really got over the previous dose properly. The aching is starting now, to add to the mix. Still, can't moan..... It was my last one:-) Being tattooed for Christmas so they can line me up for rads starting on 2nd Jan. Reading everyone's updates, it is a roller coaster isn't it. There's so many other issues to deal with. 😞 Ive not really got any hair regrowth yet, but my onc told me my hair was quite likely to grow back curly..... And yes, it could be white, although it wasn't before! He did say that id be fine to colour it as long as I chose a natural colourant for the first few times. He laughed when I said 'not peroxide then'..... He said it wouldn't be his preference for me! Its cold but sunny here in the West Country. I hope all you lovely ladies manage to enjoy at least a bit of the weekend. Luvvie xxxx ... View more

Final chemo infused! PICC line removed! All went well, apart from possibility of blood transfusion if my haemoglobin levels dropped any lower.... They were the same, so onc hoping they increase now chemo is finished. Feeling bit woozy and only had 45 mins sleep last night. Longing for a 'proper' PICCless bath, but in serious danger of falling asleep in there. i should feel elated, but I actually feel a bit deflated. I don'I know what I expected.... Airs not as though I was going to throw a party, but I'd almost forgotten I've got the side effects to come...... And now chemo is over I've got rads to look for award too..... And then well 'normality' kicks in...... whatever the new normal loos like. Feeling a bit mixed up ... View more

Jackster50, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum. My heart goes out to you and I'm sending you huge virtual (((hugs))). I lost my Dad when I was only 17. He died aged 46 from cancer having only been diagnosed 4 days previously. it was an awful time but i did get through it. I cannot recall the ages of your children, but I think they will surprise you - just like I surprised my Mum all those years ago. All your maternal instincts are coming out when you say you need to strong for everyone else. From what you say, or imply, it sounds as if your children are already showing signs of being strong for you. You say they want you to have the final chemo....... you say the onc has said to your son...... So he's spoken to your specialist. See what I mean. Listen to your close family, do what they ask, for them and for yourself. Let them look after you for a few days. It is only a few days. Most importantly, take some time to grieve for yourself. These things have a way of catching up with us if we dont take that time when we first need it. You may have to support your children a little way down the line, but get yourself sorted first. They need you to be strong and healthy longer term. And like June22 says, think about what your dear Mum would say. (((hugs))) Luvvie ... View more

Hi Ladies, its not getting any easier is it:-( Mandymid, you must feel so frustrated. I'm not sure there is anything you can do to boost white blood cells...... I recall you're having the 7 injection regime.... I'm having just one jab of Neulasta, which has done the trick for me, so it doesn't seem to follow that 'more is best'. I think we are just all individual and we all react differently to this poison. For me the thing that's all over the place is my liver enzymes..... They were behaving this time around, but previously they were very high. Again, apart, from not getting blind drunk, I wasn't sure what I could do to actually help,things. That's the worst feeling isn't it, that you're so out of control. Especially if you're a control freak like me. Swoot and June22, I've been lucky and still,have some nose hair, lashes and eyebrows. Your descriptions of runny noses and eyes did make me smile. At least we CAN still smile, we must make such an attractive bunch eh!? Sika, I'm glad you're feeling a bit brighter. Tax is horrid. I find the worst thing with it is, that cannot articulate how I feel. With FEC, I was vomitting...... It was easy to say I was being sick, I felt dizzy, I was tired....... And my OH and family "got" that. With TAX the side effects are different and not as easy to describe. I don't want to bore everyone with how I feel all the time because it all sounds a bit pathetic really. I could cope with any one side effect, but when you have them all together it's really tough. When my OH or friends say " how are you feeling" I really want to say "I can't sleep, I'm jittery, feel dizzy, having hot flushes, am shivering, constipated, aching all over, even my teeth, my tongue is swollen and I can't taste anything, everything smells vile, I can't concentrate, and cannot stop crying...........in fact i am just waiting for tomorrow to come so I feel a bit better...... Except then i'll have diarrhea! " Just writing it down has made me laugh... it's not about being brave or positive, it's about getting through it in the best way we can, so don't be too hard on yourself. Im just coming out of my 4th TAX..... Yesterday wasn't a good day.... My legs decided they didn't belong to me, but still wanted to hurt me! Today, I already feel much better (but yes, the tax trots are visiting!) and have lots of little jobs planned. Nothing strenuous, just making some lovely mushroom soup and done some online Christmas shopping:-) Keep going ladies, one day at a time (as my lovely Nan used to sayxxx) Luvvie xxxx PS Sika, ask ALL your questions and take as much time as you need. If you take more time than is allocated to you at your appointment it is because you needed it. Dont leave to room until you are happy that you've got all the information and reassurance you need. Take someone with you if you can, it will help. ... View more

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Hi Mandyj, Fingers crossed the side effects are kinder to you this time. I had Chemo#5, TAX#4 yesterday, so I'm sat waiting in anticipation too. Only one more to go, almost at that finish line, though eh! Take care (((hugs))) Sarah xx ... View more

Hi June, you beat me to it. I'm having TC, its Taxotere and Cyclophosphomide, its sooooooo confusing isn't it! ... View more

Hi Keyfeatures, just popping in from August. Docetaxell and taxotere are the same thing. One is just the trade name. For those of you embarking on your first Tax, good luck. im having my 4th Tax tomorrow. I had one FEC before that, which I had a bad reaction to and was taken off it. For me, FEC was harder than tax! I could list a dozen side effects I have with Tax, some worse than others. Individually the would be fairly easy to cope with, but concurrently they aren't nice. But like I say, much better than FEC, for me. I also, my first and third doses hit me quite hard, but the second was a walk in the park. We are so individual when it comes to this disease. I think it's best to grit your teeth and see how you react to it. Its different for each of us and even different for us individually through each cycle. It IS doable, and we will get through it. Good luck ladies xxxx ... View more

Hi Sika, I felt I had to give you a virtual (((hug))). I echo everything June has said. The drugs have a lot to answer for. I recognise how you feel as its exactly how I feel on days 3&4 of my chemo cycle - the days my steroids are reducing. Thankfully though, I start to feel a bit more like me after that and its then hard to recognise that it was ME feeling so low just a couple of days before. It must be awful for you to be feeling so low more of the time. You really should talk to someone. I'm not medically trained but the Macmillan nurses are and will be able to listen and advise you on what is best. None of us like asking for, or accepting, help much.... but sometimes we have to to make sure that we get through things for ourselves and those closest to us. Like June says, we are getting ever closer to the finish line. But please speak to someone first. Big hugs, and let us know how you get on xxxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Ladies, You all made me smile with the corpse description. I didn't need to dress up for Halloween this year, my natural look was very effective. I think word had got out that they're was a real life horror story at our house because we didn't have any trick or treaters!!! Such a shame because now I have to 'dispose' of all the chocolate I bought. Ha ha;-) Even though I'm fair skinned and have blonde hair, I have dark eyebrows, hence they are a very prominent feature. I was more worried about losing them than I was about losing my hair. They have thinned a lot, but are hanging in there. My bottom lashes have thinned, but the top ones (apart from a small gap in the left) are still in place. I've two more Tax to go, so I'm hoping they hang in there. If not, I'm interested to know which false eyelashes you ladies have tried - are they the individual salon ones, or ones you can buy in Boots? Swoot, Dex is terrible for keeping me awake too. I'm dreading next Tuesday when I start on it again.... It's such a large dose and I always come down to earth with a big tearful bump when the dose reduces on day 3...... Glad to hear we are all getting through this, I thought today, that if all goes to plan, my last chemo session is THiS month 🙂 Sarah xxxxx ... View more