Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lancashire Lass, I’d search triple negative as there will be other groups on here and people will be able to offer tips. I wish you all the best and I hope your scan results are very positive. Take care xxx   ... View more

Hi Lancashire Lass, Every Paclitaxel schedule is different depending on what they can see on the scans. I was told that I was having 24 treatments initially, but then because it was working they just carried on with it. I am presuming you’ll be the same? They’ll review your scans and you may well stay on it whilst it’s being effective. I managed 39 weekly treatments, but have now switched to Capecitabine as I had some lymph nodes which are growing (liver seems stable). I’ve only just started on the tablets and I am really tired, but just ploughing on and hoping that improves when my body adjusts to the new medication. I used some cooling foot socks whilst having Paclitaxel treatment and this did help. You can buy them from Amazon for £20. My peripheral neuropathy wasn’t quite as bad afterwards. I’ve heard stereotactic radio surgery  is very effective, so that should zap the little nuisance! Once you settle into your new routine your body will adjust. Wishing you all the best with your treatment. Take care xx ... View more

Hi feelthefear, Glad that your liver enzymes are slowly improving. That must be a good sign 😊 sounds like the side effects are minimal too, so that is a big bonus. I have had 4 weeks off (not planned), so yes, I would say that is possible if they’re happy. I’ll be asking for a week off in August as we want to go away in the UK, so I  am hoping this is possible. After all, we still need to live a life don’t we.  I hope you get your week off too. Take care xx   ... View more

Hi Angel Eyes, Just plodding on with Paclitaxel for now. I’ve had hormone treatment and got 12 months out of it, so not sure what is after Paclitaxel. I don’t look that far ahead to be honest, as long as the current treatment is doing it’s job, I just plod on. Hope you’re doing ok with your treatment xx ... View more

Hi feelthefear, Just read your post and I’ve just had weekly cycle 29 of Paclitaxel. I am on it until it stops being effective or the side effects become too much. I had a 20% dose reduction after cycle 15, as the peripheral neuropathy was hard going. I’ve found wearing ice socks on my feet and ice wraps on my hands during treatment helps. The neuropathy is still there, but definitely not as bad. I am sporting a bit of hair now, due to the 20% reduction in dose. I look like a spring chick! Hair not long enough to go without a cap yet though. It has worked so far for me as there has been a significant reduction in my abdomen and liver lesion has halved. I hope it’s very effective for you too. Best wishes xxx   ... View more

Hi Jen, Being with friends and family definitely helps. We need to do that as much as possible! The acupuncture will hopefully work for you and I am glad you have felt some release already. Sorry to hear you’ve got a fungal infection. I had an infection in a toe on my right foot and did an econsult. Prescribed cream and antibiotics and was better within 3 days. Not sure if you’ve got anything for it? It definitely did the trick for me and sorted my toe out. You must mention the side effects to them as they might be able to reduce the dose. Don’t suffer in silence. I am on Paclitaxel until either it stops being effective or the side effects are too much. Lovely to hear from you Jen. Please take care and let me know how you’re getting on 💕 xx   ... View more

Hi Jen, Lovely to hear from you. Sorry to hear you are struggling with the side effects. It’s no fun is it. I felt really low last Friday with it all, but then seeing family and friends in the fresh air really lifted my mood and my neuropathy had eased slightly by the Monday. Have you tried the acupuncture yet? Let me know what you think of it. I see my new Consultant today, so hoping that goes well. Take care. Sending love and positive wishes xxx ... View more

Hi Jen, I think it’s good to share good news as it gives us all hope. I always get a boost when I see that treatment is working for people. I was aching a lot when I had the 4 week break and I was more aware of my neuropathy, although there has been an improvement. I would consider acupuncture, so let me know how you get on. I hope it provides some relief for you. Take care. Sending love and best wishes xxx ... View more

Hi Jen, Lovely to hear from you. Absolutely thrilled for you and your fantastic scan results 😊 that’s brilliant news! I am glad you enjoyed a glass of wine, you’ve earned it! The neuropathy is a complete nuisance. I am hoping with time it will subside for you. Mine is still there, but it’s not as bad as it was. It will be treatment number 27 of Paclitaxel on Wednesday (albeit with a 4 week break after number 24). Take care and enjoy your great scan results. Sending positive thoughts your way xxx ... View more

Hi Bee, Lovely to hear from you. I am obviously not the only one then. I think it would be different if we were private patients. However, I remain grateful that the drug is working and I still feel well enough to function. I was just disappointed that I was forgotten about and had to flag up the fact that I was now in limbo with no news about what was planned next. I start Paclitaxel again today. Now in the right frame of mind to go again. I hope you are feeling well Bee and the side effects are not too bad. I am sending you positive thoughts and love and hope you have great scan results when your scan is due. Take care xxx ... View more

Hi Jen, Lovely to hear from you. Has your neuropathy improved at all? There has been a slight improvement with mine, but it is still there and now there is more Paclitaxel to come, so thinking I might have to reduce the dose again to complete the 12 weeks. Nevertheless, I am very grateful for the work Paclitaxel has done. I start treatment today. I am glad you are tolerating your new treatment well and I feel very hopeful that you will have great scan results 😊 I am not one to usually post negative comments, but my last post was down to sheer frustration at just being left. I can’t plan my own treatment, so what was I to do? Onwards and upwards now. Sending you positive thoughts and love and wishing you well for next week. Take care xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies,  I found out today that I start Paclitaxel again next week. The Consultant said that it is working so they would like to carry on for another 12 weeks. There was just one new small lymph node that had appeared on the last scan, but everything else has shrunk as I was informed last week. As of next week I will have had a 4 week break. This break is only because there was no plan in place and if I hadn’t chased it up, it would have been longer than 4 weeks. The Consultant said I shouldn’t have just stopped treatment, but who do I speak to about that, surely it is the Consultant’s job to arrange that what happens after the planned 24 weeks.  I feel like I’ve just been left and if I hadn’t followed it up, how many weeks would it have been before treatment started again? I wondered if anybody else has had a similar experience like this? I constantly have to chase things and have lost a bit of faith in them to be honest. Not one to go on, but this is a recurring theme. Hope you’re all well ladies and your side effects are minimal xx ... View more

Hi Jen, I am glad you’re coping well on cape and had good blood results. I am also happy to hear that you’ve had good blood results 😊 I hope your hands and feet improve once you settle into your new routine. re. the neuropathy, it does linger doesn’t it. Mine is not as bad as it was, but it is still here. I find heat and keeping active helps it. I’ve had a toe infection, but it’s clearing up nicely now with antibiotics and cream. I wanted to share my positive scan results with you all. I found out today that all the nasties have shrunk, (all bar one lymph node). My liver lesion has shrunk by half and there has been significant reduction in my abdomen, so much so they haven’t measured it. All other lymph nodes have shrunk too, so I am very relieved. Not sure what treatment is next, but for now I am thankful that Paclitaxel has helped. I hope you are all doing ok and that treatment side effects are minimal. I think of you all often, even if I don’t post every week. Sending love and best wishes xxx   ... View more

Hi Jen, I hope you are still feeling ok on your new treatment and there are limited side effects.  Take care. Sending love and positive thoughts to you xxx ... View more

Hi Amy, That’s great news for you too. Very happy to hear that and I bet you are too 😊 I had my CT scan last Wednesday. I am waiting for the full report too, but have been told by the nurse that it looks ok to her and there has been some response to treatment.  Take care ladies. Fantastic results for you all. Very pleasing to hear. 😊 xxx ... View more

Hi Bee, I’ve just read your post and I am absolutely delighted for you. What a fantastic result that is. Sounds like you are tolerating it well too. I bet you feel so relieved and happy. What lovely news to read. Gives us all a boost 😊 Sending love to you and all the ladies on here xxx ... View more

Hi Bee, I’ve not been on here for a while either. Hope you’re doing ok and glad you’ve had your Covid vaccination. I had mine on Monday and apart from slight aching, I feel fine. It’s my last Paclitaxel today and I have my CT scan before treatment too. Hoping it’s done something positive! It’s half term next week, so looking forward to a week off with our Daughter and some positive news re scan. I hope your treatment is going well and your side effects are not too bad. Jen and Amy, I hope you’re doing ok too and your side effects are manageable. Take care all. Love to you all xxx ... View more

Hi Bee, Sounds like you’re doing well and I am going to take a leaf out of yours and Jen’s book and note down all the positives in my life. There are plenty when I really think about it! Routine is the key for me, but I always get twitchy when it’s scan time. I finally have 10th Feb for my next scan date, although I’ve had to chase it up again to get a date . I don’t think they realise the stress it causes you while you’re waiting. Anyway, I have my date, so now I can keep myself busy and focused until then.  Walking is at the top of my list, as well as watching LFC, but their recent results have been awful. Here’s hoping they improve over the coming weeks. Take care and I hope the side effects are being kind to you xxx   ... View more

Hi Jen, Glad you had a more positive week 😊 and what lovely news that your Daughter will be closer to home.  Great news that your bloods are ok and I am hoping that you have now started your new treatment and the side effects are minimal. I think having a moan and groan is part and parcel of it. I try to stay positive, but I am not perfect and have my dips too. We’ve all just got to plod on and keep rowing that boat. Sending love and positive thoughts xxx ... View more

Hi Jen, I hope your blood results are back soon and you can start your new treatment. I can understand you’re struggling with it because the delays are frustrating and worrying. You’ll soon be starting this new treatment though and I am sure it will put those little blighters back in their place! I’ve had to chase my CT scan up and I am still waiting for my appointment. Hoping it comes through this week. I worry about every twinge and like you I’ve had pain on my right side. I just want to crack on with the CT scan now and see what’s going on. I’ve had 20/24 Paclitaxel and I am just hoping it’s still working. Take care. Sending love to you and hoping your treatment starts very soon xxx   ... View more