Breast Cancer Care Forum

I had a wool duvet when I went to university back in the 70s - so nothing new! Any duvet made of natural fibres: wool, silk, feather, down, is cooler and more breathable than polyester. We have a lovely 4.5 tog Hungarian goose down quilt (and a super king bed) so are generally OK using it on all but the coldest and hottest days of the year.   I am lying around at home "resting" as my platelet level was too low for chemo last Friday. Hoping a good rest from commuting will help.  ... View more

Marirose - I have yet more chemo to come - So far I have had Doxetaxel (on first diagnosis of BC and SBC in 2013); Capecitabine - for several months with a gap for hormone treatments - in 2014 and 2015 (worked well for a while, then TMs started to go up); Epirubicin x 8 (kept TMs stable but didn't reduce them) in 2015-2016; CMF x 3 in 2016 (didn't seem to have any effect). Now expecting to move on to weekly Paclitaxel.  It would be lovely if the hormonal treatments worked for me, but all they seem to do is make me achy, tired and grumpy. I've tried Letrozole, Tamoxifen and Exemestane and they all had a similar effect. Recently the chemo has really battered my blood, especially haemoglobin, so have had blood transfusions every cycle. ... View more

Denosunab - I have mine in my generous tummy - less painful than the arm (though it isn't really particularly painful in the arm).   I have had two scans this week - first of torso and second of head. The torso scan is regular (every four months). The head is because I felt dizzy at the weekend. I was prescribed tablets and it isn't so bad now. Hoping the dizziness was a result of a red blood cell transfusion, double strength antibiotics and generally feeling grim last week after over six months of three weekly chemo.    Scan results on Friday - I have double scanxiety! ... View more

I have my regular (every four months) CT scan next week ... so will have the scanxiety until I see my consultant a week on Friday. ... View more

I am on my 2nd cycle of CMF immediately following on from 8 cycles of Epirubicin- so I shouldn't be surprised at feeling tired. I think I must have had at least 8 blood transfusions in the last 6 months. Anyway, I think I am now feeling rather better so a little dispirited that I shall probably be back for another transfusion in 3-4 weeks' time.  ... View more

Thanks Scoobiesue! And thanks to all those lovely blood donors who are keeping me going! I think that my Hb levels have never been great but they were at 65 on Wednesday when a normal figure for my age would be 120. No uphill climbs for me on holiday but I shall enjoy being somewhere warm for the next week and not having to work, commute, wash, clean and cook! ... View more

I spent yesterday in hospital  having yet another transfusion of red blood cells. Anyone else who has had frequent transfusions whilst on chemo? Now topped up, so I should have a bit more energy for my holiday, but expect that I will need another transfusion in a month. Is this common for bone mets? Rest of blood, apart from red cells is apparently quite reasonable. ... View more

Janette I found Letrozole hard work - I went on it immediately after my first lot of chemo, so was confused whether it was post-Tax tiredness (though it felt worse than weeks 2-3 of a Tax cycle). It didn't work for me so I then went onto Capecitabine. One day I could hardly pull myself upstairs, the next I could run up! If the Letrozole is working for you it would be worth swapping brands as there are lots of posts on this forum indicating that some brands are better for some people than others. ... View more

I have just paid £46 for annual Europe wide cover with Eurotunnel (not planning to go worldwide this year). Virtually no questions asked - just need to be able to confirm that your illness hasn't got to terminal stage and that consultant would be happy for you to travel. I didn't look elsewhere as have been caught up with long discussions/form filling in the past plus unwanted calls from firms brokers deal with - and my time costs money! ... View more

Thanks all for answering my CMF query. So, I may see my hair again (hurrah!) but feel a bit sick at times (boo hoo). I hope it will kill off most of the nasty cancer cells in my bone marrow! And I hope I can keep working as apart from working part time when on Taxotere, I've been able to work through other chemo regimes. Elily ... View more

I am going onto a course of CMF after 7 cycles of Epirubicin which didn't reduce my TMs.  I know it was standard treatment before FEC-T. Anyone had a course of CMF ... And how were the SEs? I've needed Hb transfusions every cycle of Epi, so am hoping to have a bit more energy this time! ... View more

Just found out that my latest chemo isn't very effective (Epirubicin) so may move on to Vinorelbine, Taxol and/ or Carboplatin (singly or in a combo) in the New Year. Any others who have been on any of these? Consultant says he will try anything currently available before going onto experimental drugs.  I feel pretty well - current chemo has had few SEs - and work almost full time though have now reached retirement age. I lead a pretty normal life and Consultant has always tried to ensure quality of life over gruelling treatment so not looking forward to having to go through a harsh treatment unless some sort of remission is more likely!   ... View more

Redpark "Just in reply to someone who reported that there onc said that a biospy of a tumor in the bone hurt too much to make it worth doing." I think that may have been me. I was a little surprised when the Oncologist told me this as I think my son had a bone marrow biopsy (he has a form of leukaemia) and then went shopping in the sales straight afterwards! I can only suppose that the Oncologist didn't think it was necessary for me to have the test at the moment whilst there was a chance that my current treatment (Epirubicin) was working. ... View more

Just wanted to say two things: I I've been on Cape for several months twice over and found it a relatively easy regime apart from the foot/hand problem which required industrial amounts of cream! I was worried when I first started it as it was chemo, but I managed to live and work normally whilst on it. 2. Why don't more people with SBC get offered the opportunity to have a Portacath fitted as a matter of course? I've had mine for two and a half years without problems and it is so easy for nurses (provided they have had the training) to use for chemo, blood tests and blood transfusions. Leaves both hands free when you are having treatment too! I would have hated to have put up with "trying to find a vein" every time I went in for a test and I'm sure that the initial cost of a very minor op to insert it is outweighed by the immense time savings for nursing staff. ... View more