Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone, Thanks for your replies.  I've been away from the computer so couldn't reply sooner.   I've had my last chemo yest !! such a good feeling.  It went ok execpt I was a bit nauseas and had the terrible trots to the loo before the treatment, I think I was so excited at it being the last!  Taking all the meds now which I hate but hey it's not for long and hoping to be feeling better quite soon.   I am menopausal and I was told I would take both Anastrazole and tamoxifen over the coming years.  It was left to me which I preferred to start with.  I read about side effects and decided on Anastrolzole as it seemed, rightly or wrongly, that I may be better with Anastrolzole and as I am going back to work in the next few weeks it was decided.  I am only going back for 12 months or so and then retiring!  Hooray by then I may be able to cope better and not have to worry about time off.   I am also getting some hair growth back on my head - and some in places where I wish it wasn;t!  Feels good, more normallity to be resumed asap.   I had my 60th birthday not long after my operation last Oct and have not spent money/vouchers I rec'd then , so soon I hope to feel up to going out an spending it - and maybe a delayed celebration!  I have been into town once over the last months and felt so vulnerable and a bit wobbly and drove home in an axious state so haven't been since.  Just another hurdle to get over as I am waiting to have 2 cataract ops soon, my eyesight has got much worse too.  Still enough moaning it'll all be sorted.   Sending the best of everything to you all   Maz x         ... View more

Hi, I haven't posted for some time. I'm afraid I got rather disheartened as I have had 8 cycles of chemo and most of you who started at the same time seemed to be finishing several weeks before me, I was so envious! I'm having my final chemo on Friday no radiotherapy so I'm fortunate there. Can't wait for it to be over and I 've been prescribed Anastrozole starting early July.  I've been reading up about it but told myself to stop now as the possible side effects were starting to worry me.  I should know better!  I will take things one day at a time now and keep positive thoughts.   I'm hoping to go back to work part time on a phased return at the end of July.   I have have some tight feeling in my chest and mentioned it at my last review.  My onc asked me if I was worrid about my heart, I said I was worried about anything the chemo may have caused!  She sent me for an ECG and I've heard nothing so presume no news means I'm ok.  She couldn't explain the tightness except to say she was sure it is not angina.   Are any of you taking anastrozole I would like to know how you are getting on.   best wishes, good luck to you all, hope you are coping well.   Maz x         ... View more

Hi Joanne,   Yes Tomorrow is my 4th treatment, same as you ,  Best of luck Maz x ... View more

Hi,   SJB   I can only imagine how painful your mouth must be but now you have antibiotics you should feel better soon, I hope so, sending encouraging positive thoughts and lots of good luck.    I have had a painful mouth ulcer this week but clearing now with Difflam mouthwash, nothing like your trouble, It was a first for me.    I had my review yesterday and having my 4th(and last) Epirubicin on Fri.  Hoping it won't be too bad cos each time has been worse than the last but on the other hand I am learning to cope with diet to help the heartburn (don't want any more meds for that - it made me sick) and must remember to take laxative for constipation and hopeful that the sickness will be less if these things can be controlled better than last time.  Fingers crossed anyway.    After this time I start the CMF part which consists of 4 sessions each is 2 infusions day 1 and day 8  then 2 weeks off.  I calculate it will be over by early June barring any delays.  They told me the tiredness will be worse so by June I don't think I'll be able to keep my eyes open!    Love to all and good luck to you who are having treatment soon.   Maz x         ... View more

Sending good thoughts to anyone under the weather this week.  Good luck on Friday Wyn, and hope you are still feeling ok Ro after Monday?   Petal I hope you are felling better, it was good news your tumour shrunk so surely the chemo will be attacking the under arm cancer cells too.  You were surely right to insist they checked.  I went into this whole thing because I went to Dr with a very slight puckering of skin on my breast which was only noticable when I raised my arm and the dr didn't think it was anything to worry about but sent me to hospital.  The dr at hospital sent me for a mammogramm and that didn't show much at all so I had ultasound and they found 2 tumours and I ended up with a mastectomy!  Got over that and thought I would be ok by Christmas never dreaming I would have chemo. which, when I was told the odds of cancer returning, was obviously needed.  I sometimes wonder why I've put myself through all this as I could be just as I was knowing nothing but I suppose It would have caught up with me eventually.  What a ride.   thinking of you all xxxxx   Maz     ... View more

Thanks  for your encouraging replies to my moan last week.  I've had more sickness over the weekend but now on Day 11 and feeling better at last!   Joanne, CMF is cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and fluorouracil (5FU).  I think I will try gaviscon next time round for heartburn although I have been eating just very bland food (living mostly on potatoes in various forms, no appetite anyway) and this helped stopped heartburn.  I hope your tonsillitis is not too bad and soon goes away..   Mel,  thank you for letting me me know your experience of CMF,  it does sound  it may possibly not be so bad but know I must remain open minded of SEs.  If my hair starts to grow back that would be great so when I return to work hopefully in June I may even have a slight covering?  We'll see.   Petal,  The positive postings from others are a real boost, Did you get someone to look at your swollen ankles?  Hope they have improved and not causing too much grief.   One day at time, each step closer to the end.   Sending many more positive vibes to everyone and hope, like me,  you're having a better week ready with renewed vigour (!) for next time.   Maz xx         ... View more

Hi everyone, It's been a while since I posted on here, been feeling a bit rough after my 3rd epirubicin last Fri.  Reading your posts is encouraging and inspiring cos although you have some horrible problems, so it seems to me, you keep going and being positive.  I am rather disappointed that no one seems to be on E-CMF which is what I am on and having just completed my 3rd 'E'  my friends are saying 'half way there, 3 more to go'  Most of you seem to be saying the same and talk about finishing in April.  I am feeling sorry for myself as I have 1 more Epirubicin and then 3 or 4 CMF each one having 2 sessions so I can't see an end of it till something like end of May.  Still I know I should take one step at a time.  I always feel bad on day 3 till day 7 or 8 after treatment.  Last time I had heartburn something awful so was given tablets for it but they have upset my stomach and I was vomiting yesterday morning and stayed in bed for the afternoon feeling grotty.  Today I am a bit better as I've decided not to take the tablets and suffer with the heartburn if necessary.   Sorry I'm a bit glum, the whole thing got to me this week, sickness, feeling mutilated and no hair to boot!  I do feel better today and will pull myself together.  Please excuse the moan!   Thanks for reading this and well done to you all   Maz x ... View more

Hi Joanne,   So sorry you're having a rough time of it.  You do usually sound posititive and I'm sure you will do again.  Thinking of you lots and keeping everything crossed for you. Your team will do their best for you.  You are NOT a wuss!   My 2nd time was not as SE free as last time and have been feeling nauseous and delicate but a bit better this pm and I'm telling myself I'll be ok in a day or two.  I have more medication than last time too.    Love to everyone, it's good to know others understand us.   Maz  x     ... View more

Good luck with your appts this weekTazzles.  I know what you mean about the tiredness.  It's hitting me at the moment too.   Keeping positive tho'  we can do this.  Will be thinking of you   Maz ... View more

I'd like to add my very best wishes for 2014 to you all.  Also to echo what has been said about looking after ourselves and report any changes sooner rather than later!   I am having my 2nd epirubicin ( the E part of E-CMF) tomorrow providing today's blood test is ok.  As I was vomiting on day 5 of my 1st treatment after 3 days of anti sickness meds my oncologist is giving me 5 days meds this time so hopefully I will be ok.  Most distressing at the moment is my hair as it's falling out fast now, all over the keyboard as I type!  We know it is coming but when it happens it is very upsetting. I didn't like the idea of the cold cap, although no one mentioned it to me anyway.  The silk pillowcase sounds lovely, I think I'd like that. I'm wearing a light hat at night but it sticks to my pillow and wakes me up!  Maybe I'll take the plunge soon and get rid of the rest of my hair but although I have my wig on hand it hasn't been fitted properly yet and needs trimming.  I'm hoping to go after my treatment tomorrow if the salon is open as it has been closed for new year.   Starting to drink lots again in preparation. Early start tomorrow leave home at 8 for 9am treatment.  I don't expect I'll sleep again tonight.  Even though I've done it before I still feel so anxious.  So many of you are so inspiring and I'm telling myself 'I can do this!'     Maz  xx   ... View more

Hello everyone,   I'm feeling much better today (day8) I'm back on the medication and just waiting for a phone call from Dr to get more to last especially over Christmas but also till my next treatment in the new year.    I got my wig today, really like it although as I have so much hair at the moment I have to go back for another fitting and trimming when I've lost most of it.  I'm feeling really tired as I didn't sleep well but that's ok I'm pretty upbeat now.  What a rollercoaster this is!  I have to remember to have my tablet before food and as I'm eating pretty eratically, just when I feel like it, I keep forgetting.  Had sandwiches for lunch and a yoghurt which was ok.  I'm normally a real chocoholic and ate a kit kat and have felt sickley since that and the funny taste is back. It won't do me any harm to cut out the chocolate!    The doc has just rung and prescribed me 2 months of domperidone so I'm hopeful I'll be ok now  ...till the next time.   Yes I agree one step at a time and this first time is a learning curve to see what happens.  Hope the rest of you get this sickness thing sorted.   love to you all Maz ... View more

Hello  again everyone,   Joanne1973 I am looking at how you went on as I think your 1st session was about the same time as mine Friday 13th   I'm sorry you have been sick and hope you are still feeling better now?   I was ok until my anti sickness meds ran out.  I had to take lots of them for 3 days and I have just one lot left which I'm supposed to take 'if needed'.  As I felt ok I didn't take them after 3 days but yesterday I had an awful day, woke up at 6am with sickness & diarrhoea.  Sick again throughout out the day although later on I kept coffee and toast down.  I felt reasonably ok by evening but sick again this morning but that's all I've been ok today, just feel a bit delicate. I am back to taking the meds again.  My friend called and said I looked well (didn't feel it) My Christmas tree has been in the corner bare for 2 days but I've just managed it decorate it and feeling a bit christmassy now.   I go for my wig tomorrow so hope I feel ok.  I had to cancel my appointment yesterday to have my hair cut shorter so I hope it won't make too much difference under the wig.    When this sickness goes on it does make me upset and get to thinking the enormity of all this treatment.  I'm apprehensive about the next lot (Jan 3rd).  Does anyone know if the effects are cumulative, does it get worse or do we become more used to it.  I have heard both sides of this. Wondered what others think?   all best wishes to all of you going through this. Maz xx ... View more

Hi Marion, sorry to hear you've had a rough time, hope you are soon home and feeling better. I have not been unlucky as up to now I am fine after my 1 st chemo yest. I did drink a lot which I think helped, Before, during and after and am still doing so now and even during the night as I often wake. Ok so I do need the loo a lot but if it helps.. I am concerned I may feel rough when my medication finishes in a couple of days but trying not to think about that. I'm interested to hear a lot of you have the injections for white cell count, I haven't been given anything for that. The only injection med I was given is for sickness and that just for emergency if tablets not enough and then I need to ring the district nurse to come and do it. Don't think I'll need it now but fingers still crossed. I kind of wish I had something tho as the risk of infection does worry me. Love to all of you Maz ... View more

Hi Tara, Sorry you are so upset by your hair loss. I don't think I could do the headscarf thing either but when I tried my wig this am I was so pleased with result. Have you tried one? Maz xx ... View more

Hello Everyone, My first session went well, I have a bruise in my hand where the 1st attempt at finding a vein failed but 2nd time fine.  I drunk lots of water as suggested, thanks for that and I still feel ok.  I'm tired but didn't go to sleep till 3 am this morning so no surprise there.  I had anti sickness through the line in my hand and have come home with lots of meds for the next few days.  It's taken a while to sort them all out.  I put the emergency numbers in my phone as I remembered that from the chemo tips list recently posted, must look again at that. An early night is needed and fingers crossed that I'll be ok tomorrow.   i tried a wig this morning and I rather like it!  I hope to have it next Fri.   Hope you went on ok Joanne and love to all going through this hope you're doing ok tonight!   Maz  xx       ... View more

Forgot to say, my boob arrived this morning! It is good! Not a bad day really. Maz x ... View more

Hello everyone, I'd like join this Dec group.  I've been for my pre assessment today and start chemo tomorrow at 12 o'clock.  Been very scared but the staff have been great and I'm really prepared now even if still anxious.  My main concerns are the vulnerability to infections and losing my hair means a great deal to me.   SJB  I wasn't shown the room where I will have the chemo tomorrow but watched a dvd of it all.  However, when I was in the waiting area for the 1st time on Tuesday (long boring story) I thought it rather depressing.  Lots of people there had been waiting for up to 2 hours and some were talking in loud voices about their problems/ ailments etc which was depressing and quite frankly I wasn't that interested!  There was one poor woman almost in tears and the place was in semi darkness with a TV turned so low no one could have heard if they wanted to.  However as the room emptied and others arrived the atmosphere seemed to improve or maybe I just got used to it.  Today though the same room didn't look that depressing at all.  I don't think you should worry, it may not be the same when you go again and if it is well you might cheer them up!  Good luck anyway.   I really appreciate this forum, it has helped me a lot so far   best wishes Maz ... View more

Tara, I do sympathise re your hair!   I hope you find it not too difficult to come to terms with.   I went for my pre assessment today and was told I WILL lose my hair in 3 weeks.  I am to have Epi -CMF and the Epi part is what makes hair drop out.  The nurse told me when I start the CMF (in 3 months) my hair will probably start to grow back.  I'm hoping to go to the salon to choose a wig tomorrow morning and my 1st chemo session is at 12 o'clock.  I am ready for it now.  The staff have been great and I couldn't be more prepared, still anxious of course but ready.  I've got my thermometer at the ready and read all the documents in my file twice!  Here goes and good luck to everyone else.    I think I''l join the December group.   Maz x     ... View more

Hello Tara, Thanks for remembering.  It's been a long day.  We arrived at the hospital at 1pm and didn't leave until 5.30.  After a blood test I went to be fitted with another breast form and bra.  Last time I came away with a new breast but no bra and this time a nice bra but no breast!  Again they didn't have the size I wanted so it will come in the post.  All I want for Christmas is a new breast!  Then the oncology appt and yes I'm on my way.  Thursday I have a pre assessment and I start chemo on Friday (oh help!).    In the waiting room  were lots of people who had been waiting up to 2 hours. (about half of them wearing woolly hats, all I could think was I am joining this club, do I need a woolly hat?)  I couldn't help looking for anyone with a wig as that is my intention. I was  wondering if I could  tell then thinking that is what others looking at me in the new year may be thinking.  This hair thing, or lack of it, is really bugging me.  Still it prevents me from thinking about other side effects too much.  Now I feel like I'm rambling!  Oh dear how will I be, what do I expect .  After Friday my next appt is new years eve. Now I'll calm down and take the good advice on this forum.  It's the unknown that's the worst but not much longer to wait, bring it on!   Glad you're feeling ok Tara.  Seems I am just 2 weeks behind you.   all the best Maz ... View more

Thanks Jonamo I'll have a look at m&s sometime. I get a free 1st bra from the hospital which is good but because they didn't have my size I haven't tried it properly with my new breast form. Hopefully I'll get fixed up next week. I have my chemo pre assessment (eek!) on Thurs. Maz x ... View more