Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Cas Great you are now more than half way through. Days in pjs are fine as long you enjoy them and not feel guilty! Athens ... View more

Hi Christina I hope you get a date ASAP for your mastectomy. You should push. I regret not pushing hard enough for an early op date, though I did towards the end when I was told on the day I finally was admitted for the op that there would be another two week delay and sent home, I kicked up a fuss and was done 5 days later. My husband was told 4 weeks ago he was bring red flagged for an urgent op (including biopsy for possible cancer) after waiting neatly a year, and would have it within 2 weeks, then was told it would be end August. He telephoned the consultants secretary as he had been promised it within 2 weeks (after neatly a year of extreme pain) and though the consultant would not talk to him, my husband threatened to start making telephone calls to others in authority/influence (he does not know anyone with authority/influence) - next thing he had a tel call telling him the op would be in a week's time. So in our cases it paid to be awkward and insist on op dates asap. Athens ... View more

Many thanks got the replies PoemsGalore and Nanny_Sal. ... View more

Thanks for the tip Judyanne & hope things are going ok for you. Athens. ... View more

Hi all I had my second FEC two days ago on Friday, after a two week delay, first week delay due to low neuts and second week delay due to high liver count. I got an injection on Saturday to help avoid the low nests this time. So far I am having the same pattern as with the first FEC, I.e. A yucky 2 days feeling not great. Managed to drag myself out for walks both days and did a bit of tidying up in the house. New development is that I keep messing up words eg I was in a charity shop and asked to have a look at the "fire arms" when what I meant to day was "fire irons". I did get an odd look from the shop guy! I am also lossing things - most annoyingly I mislaid my favourite beanie hat two days ago, in a matter of minutes, somewhere in the house and it has not yet turned up. Still, if these are the worst of my woes I will be doing ok. Take care all Athens xxx ... View more

Hi all Roxie, sorry to hear you had that stress and hope you are feeling better now. I find it hard to be assertive in this strange medical world, though the help and advice from others in the forum has been invaluable. So today I asked for a printout of my bloods and asked the questions I had, plus discussed with the consultant why I wanted to be changed to another one and refused to accept the one they wanted to transfer me to. Small steps but at least I took them. I got out of hospital on Tuesday afternoon (was admitted Sat). I felt fine while in, despite having a persistent cough and breathlessness and a very low neutrophil count. Went for my pre-asessment today for FEC cycle 2 due tomorrow, after a week's delay cos of the low neutrophil count. Today's problem was that they were not happy with my liver count so I am postponed for a second week. Doctor thought it was due to the antibiotics I was on since last Sat to try to sort out whatever was causing the persistent cough I had. Just wonder what my reaction will be if they decide I am not suitable for chemo...... Especially as today I got the rest of my hair cut off! My hubby is quite sensible about this sort of thing - he advised me to go to the hairdressers to the final cut rather than the hairdresser coming to my house, so that it would be more normal, plus I would at least have to get between the salon and home; then we stopped off for lunch at our local cafe, again so that I would be out and about doing things in a wig without having to think about will I or wouldn't I go to cafe without or without wig etc , then we went for a walk..... That was odd because I walk at a fast pace and when my head got hot I almost pulled the wig off mistaking it for a hat! Much more comfy now in my wee hat. I was told that for next cycle I will get an injection the day after chemo to help with my white blood cells. Is that what others such as Flette are referring to or is that an injection for something else? I was told the District Nurse would come to the house to do it, nothing about me doing it myself. All the best Athens ... View more

Hi Jane Being in hospital gave me a bit of time to read and think. One thing I read a lot about was how laughing every day can help you in dealing with cancer. So anything to make us giggle will be most welcome. Xx ... View more

Thanks hbunny, good to know the experiences of others and I will definitely be asking for the printouts next time. Take care Athens ... View more

Hi Jane Glad you are feeling a bit better. Thanks for letting us know about your anger day so I will know to expect mine. I had a mini one last week when my chemo was delayed plus oncologist's behaviour made me pretty angry. I too went out for a long walk, at a fast pace, to work it out. Afterwards I had to go back to the hospital for a check up with the surgeon, thinking my mood had stabilised and I was being quite positive. However, it only took a kind word from the nurse to have me weeping. I just told my husband about your dream & your hubby's response, so many thanks for making us both laugh, which we particularly need - we are sitting in the hospital where I was admitted last Saturday on account of being neuropenic, very low blood count, and a suspected infection, even though I feel ok. So I have been blasted with antibiotics for three days. Whatever it is they are killing, they are not killing my mouth ulcers which are getting worse! Take care Athens x ... View more

Hi Maryland Thanks for this advice about the saline and massage. I too am having treatment at MacMillan. I asked the therapist whether there was any massage I could do to help my veins both before the infusion and afterwards but she did not know of any. I went yesterday for my assessment and there I managed to see a lady with the PICC in so at least now I have seen it for real. I decided not to go ahead with the PICC for the second session and that turned out fine as my second cycle has been postponed for a week as my white blood count was too low. Thanks again Athens ... View more

Hi CP Good for you and delighted the trip is going well. Thanks for the tip about the insurance - I will come back to you for the details if I cannot find it online. Have a safe journey home and all the best for the next session. Athens ... View more

Thanks Dawn, this is reassuring and I will ask for that the next time. Had a good weekend Athens ... View more

Hi skinnymix This is really useful, thanks. Who did you ask for the various reports eg was there a central records place you could ask or did you ask each person such as the surgeon, the oncologist etc? I would feel a lot better if I could see my pathology report, radiology etc. Athens ... View more

Hi Joanne I hope the appointment with the oncologist went ok. I would encourage you to ask questions, share experiences on the forum and to call the helpline - I have got so much reassurance from both. I try to be positive but sometimes I have a bit of a meltdown so do not beat yourself up if feeling down. Exercise such as walking and yoga really helps lift my mood so eg yesterday after a not great meeting at the hospital I went off for a fast walk to work out my anger. I agree with Sue that researching the various treatments has helped me to understand better and try to have some control. Alongside the chemo I am doing what I can through my diet, exercise, meditation, counselling and seeking to avoid stress. At least that way I feel I am doing something to help myself. We are all different and have different reactions to the chemo but what we have in common is this forum to share our fears, experiences and to ask for help and advice. Take care Athens. ... View more

Hi all I was due to have my second FEC today but at the pres assessment yesterday I was told my white blood was too low and so postponed for a week. I was really surprised this happened as I have felt fine through the first cycle apart from Days2&3. I thought it might happen later on as the chemo builds up. Has this happened to anyone else at this early stage? Still have my hair though it has been shedding all week. Need to decide if I get my head shave tomorrow or try to wait til Tues when my hairdresser is back. I so love my new short hair style that I would like to hold onto it a few more days! Take care all Athens x ... View more

Hugs to you Rach & hope things are improving. Athens ... View more