Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm also TAC, the steroids are anti sickness and to prevent allergy to TAX. I had my first TAC yesterday, very tired today, finding ginger and lemon herbal tea good, might be worth a try Gill. Appetite completely torpedoed too. However work sent me a fruit bouquet yesterday (lovely people) and guess what, everyone else is right and fresh pineapple is fab - tastes as it should and really hits the spot! New pineapple bought by OH waiting to be breakfast :-). Jo x ... View more

Hi Ruth, if you're over 40 then you are said to have completed the menopause when you've had a full calendar year without a period. Some women get absolutely no symptoms so that may not be relevant. Family history can give a vague idea when it might happen, but it doesn't necessarily follow. Chemo will mess things up big style so we won't really know when we have our menopauses probably, especially those of us taking tamoxifen afterwards. Most women have finished their periods by the age of 55. So basically you haven't had your menopause as you haven't had a year without a period, and that clock starts again on the first day of this current period. I know this because I work in women's health. Also, I read on the top tips thread that sucking ice lollies during treatment can help prevent mouth ulcers - same principle as cold cap for hair. Might be worth a try next time? Hope you feel better soon, Jo xx ... View more

Hi, It's 6 weeks now since my op which included ANC. The numbness after surgery is probably permanent, or at least lasts a long time as it it usually because nerves have been cut. Sometimes they grow back but nerves grow very slowly so it can take a long time. The tingling/ hypersensitivity/awareness of numbness goes away much quicker, as the body gets used to the way it is and stops trying to tell you. I found the tingling/hypersensitivity really bothersome initially but it is much easier now, still there a little bit but much less than it was. If it continues to be a problem drugs like amitryptiline and gabapentin can help. All the best x ... View more

Hi, I looked into the elasto mitts and slippers. They sound like a good idea, but they are difficult to get hold of. They are available on Amazon in the US but not the UK, so shipping would be slow and expensive. If you read the trial they say you need 2 pairs as they gave to be changed half way through to keep cold enough. If you're having a drip in the hand that probably means the glove wouldn't fit onto that hand so then you get lopsided nails! In the end I have decided not to bother. If they were available easily in the UK, especially if they were provided by the chemo unit like the cold cap is, I think I would give it a go, especially the slippers as the thought of losing toenails really makes me squeamish. Sorry to sound so negative, all the best x ... View more

Hi all, Been quiet lately as been away - mum-in-law stayed to mind 16 year old then for a couple of days after. My first TAC is tomorrow, bloods done this morning and started steroids. Family is waiting for the steroid high with bated breaths but no signs of it yet! For Monty Python fans I can strongly recommend Spamalot - my oldest son took me to see it in January for my 50th birthday present and it was fab! Philosophers song is my favourite. I think stress and steroids can play havoc with periods so not surprised they're going a bit wild for some of us. I had to have my Mirena removed as my cancer was progesterone receptor positive, so have restarted periods after 8 years with minimal to nothing :-(. I'm rather hoping chemo and tamoxifen will make them go away again! Sheryl, so sorry you're still in hosp. Might be worth asking tomorrow if they should try a different antibiotic if there has been no response after several days of your current regime. Also make sure they chase up swab results etc, as that can help ensure the right antibiotics are being used. Cooking lemon and rosemary roast chicken for dinner tonight - last one before taste goes all funny/sickness etc kicks in maybe? Anyone else out there having TAC - or is it mostly FEC? Cheers Jo x ... View more

Hi ladies, good to hear reassuring reports from our first candidates/victims/guinea pigs/heroes! Sheryl, so sorry you're in hospital, here's hoping they can sort things out properly for you so you can move forward and get better. I'm going away for a couple of days with my OH to a nice boutique spa hotel for a little break between surgery (6weeks ago) and chemo next week, coming back on Friday to a physio appointment. Deep joy. All the best Jo x ... View more

Found another one: http://cancerhaircare.com ... View more

Hi Cath, they do the lymph nodes in 2 stages because if the SNB is negative then you don't need anything else doing. The ANC is a bigger op, takes longer to get better and produces permanent numbness in armpit and inside upper arm, as well as stiffness and tightness. So it makes sense for everyone whose SNB is clear, and who thus avoid having an unnecessary ANC, but of course seems unnecessary and miserable when further surgery is needed :-(. My SNB showed 1 node involved so I had ANC, there were no more affected nodes so on the one hand it might seem like it wasn't necessary but on the other hand it's very reassuring to know. My op was only 5 weeks ago so can only tell you how it feels so far - see above. Others in 'surgery' threads can probably give you longer term info if you wish. All the best xx ... View more

Hi both, I had SNB first, then mx and ANC and LD recon (no implant). The first op you describe, day case with blue dye, is to identify the first few glands the cancer could have spread to, and remove them (SNB). . If any of these first few are involved they will then take them all out at the second, bigger op (ANC). If, on the other hand, they are clear, then no further node surgery is needed. Blue, not everyone has WLE first, I had to have mx as primary surgery as biggish lump close to nipple. Gaby, I think they wouldn't want to do full ANC after mastectomy and implant as it might spoil the cosmetic effect or rupture the implant, so they'll do the SNB first so if you do need the ANC they can do it at the same time as mx. Not sure why this wasn't mentioned by your surgeon, I strongly advise not having mx and implant until you're absolutely sure the right ops are being done in the right order! Your BCN might be a good place to start making sure you're clear about what's going on. Hope this is helpful, all the best x ... View more

Hi Emma, sorry I can't help as had different surgery, you might get more answers if you re-post under 'surgery'? Best wishes x ... View more

http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/treating-breast-cancer/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-drugs Should take you to info about the various regimes. X ... View more

Hi, the C in FEC is cyclophosphamide so you've had that before. I think the F in FEC and CMF is the same too, but not sure. BCC has lots of useful info on the different chemo regimes so you can find out exactly what you're on and what the side effects are. I'm sorry you're feeling so rubbish, you could call your BCN tomorrow, they should be able to help you get some stronger/different anti-sickness meds. Jo x ... View more

I think what gets lost sometimes is that any and all of this surgery is mutilating. I had mx and ANC and LD recon all in one go 5 weeks ago. My surgeon has done a great job, but the fact remains my body is not the same, has new scars and a new structure and although it looks different than if I had just had a mx it doesn't look the same as before surgery. I think with native tissue recon there is an assumption that there is little difference before and after surgery, whereas in fact there is a huge difference in feel, and just knowing what has been done to your body. So yes Roadrunner is right in her first post and part of the process of dealing with cancer is getting our heads around the permanent and life-changing nature of it, that most around us just can't understand. Accepting new normal I guess is what we're all working towards. All the best Jo xx ... View more

Hi all, Went for wig fitting this afternoon, took 16 yr old daughter and another friend. Not the nicest experience, off hand woman, no privacy for trying on, great support from friend and daughter though :-). Tried on a few wigs to find right colour and style very similar to how I usually look. Because I have a small head they didn't have the right colour in my size so will order it in so I won't know for sure that it is what I want until I've actually tried the real thing on. I'm in Wales, NHS pays £90 towards 1 wig. Just need to give them my hospital number then they check with chemo unit. I will be adding £20 to get the one I want. I also tried on a few other different ones to see if I want a 'fun' wig too, but had run out of emotional energy to think about after deciding on the 'normal' wig. I think not having husband along was a good thing, female company much better. Makes the whole thing seem a step closer and more real though. Wax, so sorry about your dad, been catching up with other threads. My dad died in January but had been failing for a long time before. Now my stepmum has been told she has pancreatic cancer, inoperable. She had been looking forward to doing some if the stuff she hasn't been able to for the last few years while looking after him. My lovely family (I have 1 sister, 3 kids, millions of in-laws) has been great, we have the shadow of my mum's death from breast cancer 26 years ago hanging over us so at least it's not being trivialised; my chances of cure are good but we all have had that frame shift that changes perspective and resets priorities. Gill, hope it was ok today and you're still good to go next week. Onward and upward! Jo xx ... View more

Hi Debs, I think the difference in percentage success with the cold cap might relate to any or all of the type of cap, the expertise of the nurses fitting it, and the different chemo regimes. I get the feeling it is less successful with regimes containing TAX. All the best x ... View more

Yes get a digital thermometer, bring it with you if you go away overnight just in case, along with your chemo card/book. ... View more

Hi Wax, there's a long thread on the general chemo board with lots of hints and tips. All looks a bit daunting to me! I have had my pre-chemo meeting, started off tricky as I had to negotiate a change of start date to fit around my son's wedding in the summer. I looked at all the stuff about cold cap on the fora here and had pretty much decided not to bother. At the chemo unit they said people prone to migraines or headaches usually find it the worst, I'm not, so am now thinking I'll give it a try on the basis of nothing to lose - if it doesn't work or I can't tolerate it I'll lose my hair, as I will if I don't start it. I wouldn't bother at all if it wasn't for this wedding, I just want to look like me in the photos which will be a record forever. I was also given a list of local places that do wigs, haven't been to see any yet but am planning to get it sorted out before I have the first chemo. I had mx and ANC and LD recon just over a month ago, my hair is usually short and now needs cutting. So my plan is to get my hair cut to my normal style so the wig people know how I want it to look; get a wig as much like my usual style as possible - I will also ask my hairdresser if she cuts wigs as she is great at getting my hair how I want it; then try the cold cap; and hope it works for me! As a commited pessimist I will probably also get a soft cap to wear in bed for when I do start to lose my hair, and a couple of scarves to get me started. Regarding other stuff, I'm planning on stocking up on fizzy ginger ale, as both ginger and fizzy water have been recommended by quite a few people. Also cartons of pineapple juice, pots of ready made jelly, mints eg tictacs or polos, lots of tissues, fybogel and gaviscon. It's really difficult not knowing how it'll be, not wanting to need stuff that I don't have but also not wanting to get loads of stuff I never use, so the above is the list I've boiled it down to initially.  I've read that sucking ice lollies during treatment reduces the mouth ulceration - same principle as the cold cap - so am planning to bring a bunch of ice pops along to suck during the chemo. I've also heard of ice mittens/slippers to do the same for nails and will look into them some more too. I know it seems trivial but I think losing my nails would be the last straw on top of everything else! And would like to be able to wear nice shoes at the wedding. All the best Jo xx     ... View more

I suggest you talk to your BCN or surgeon about it. To me, it would make sense to do the mammogram just before the surgery then it's done for another year, and they would know before the op that the breast was clear - you could suggest this to them? I'm sure your nurse doesn't mind you asking her stuff, and this is important to sort out. They probably haven't realised you are due a mammogram so soon after surgery and may well be grateful to you for telling them. All the best x ... View more