Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all Had a rotten week, dehydrated badly due to constant sickness and was finally admitted to hospital at the weekend where I just lay in bed while they pumped fluids and potassium into me.  I had neutropenia but thankfully they didn't think I needed a platelet transfusion.  I've had stomach cramps every time I eat as well so they've given me buscopan for that along with three different anti-sickness drugs to the first lot prescribed.  I'm eating whatever I can keep down, mainly soup and baked spuds seem to work for me.  My Onc has been informed and I've been told that they will give me a different, more expensive anti-sickness drug with the chemo next time.  It does make me bl@@dy mad that we're tried on the cheaper option first though. Oh, and I never want to see another one of those spiky fruit that featured in that Elvis film set in Hawaii.  Ever! Love to all xxx ... View more

Hi Yes you can take Gaviscon, I take it myself since my first treatment caused me horrendous acid reflux and the Ranitidine they prescribed me wouldn't stay down because of constant sickness.  ... View more

Hello lovelies   Sorry I haven't been about but I had a rotten reaction to the TAC, migraine for 3 flippin days then vomiting and stomach cramps.  NOT a good start but starting to even out now, been very weepy too, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by it all.  I think they may have to tweak my next dose 😄   Sending love to all of you xxx ... View more

Good luck and hugs to everyone starting chemo this week, we can do this ladies! Lots of love L xxx ... View more

Good luck for today Alison, it'll be over before you know it hon. L xxx ... View more

Hey Rachel   Next one's in 3 weeks yeah, they gave me anti-sickness tablets, two different kinds, along with antacids, anti biotics for my nadir which they say will be from about the 5th day after chemo to the 10th.  Oh and I got some difflam mouthwash for if I get a sore mouth.  At the moment I feel mildly queasy but not too bad. I think sometimes nausea's worse than actually being sick isn't it? ... View more

Hello lovelies Well, first treatment's now under my belt and I can honestly say that it went really smoothly. I can confirm now that the needle really is tiny, after it was taken out I could barely see the mark and it went in easily too.  I can also confirm that the red chemo does make your wee red - I've been drinking lots of water to flush it through and my chemo nurse said that this will also help prevent cystitis due to irritation from the drugs. Thanks for the compliment Colli on the nail polish, its a favourite of mine and I wanted something cheerful with me.  The room they put me and my partner in was painted a lovely friendly yellow and I had a comfy chair with a pillow to rest my arm on.  She also put a heated pad over my right arm to keep it warm, another chemo effect.  I had eight syringes of stuff put in one by one and I didn't feel anything other a tickly nose and a prickling sensation in my bum which she said was a common reaction - very strange! 😄 If there's anything else I can help with do ask.  I feel so lucky to have so much support, both in the 'real' world and in the 'virtual' world here.  I can say things here that I can't say to my friends and family, and I can be understood without having to elaborate. Love you all L xxx ... View more

Well, tomorrow is looming closer for me and my first dose of TAC.  I'm going in armed with all the lovely tips and advice I've got from my fellow warriors and hopefully I can let you all know (tactfully, I promise) how it went if you'd like? I haven't had any kind of port fitted so my treatment will go in a vein in the back of my hand (they told me this is to do with it being easier to control leaks if there are any) but they were so reassuring when I had my chemo talk that I feel fine about it, especially since they use the same size needle that they use with premature babies.  I hope this helps reassure anyone who, like me, has a needle phobia. I also wanted to pass on that my chemo nurse supports the practice of painting your nails (both fingers and toes she said) with any colour that blocks the light, so it doesn't necessarily have to be dark.  She said that she could only go on what she'd seen herself and that it does seem to make a difference.  So I'm painting mine today a bright turquoise! 😄 Sending love and luck to all my fellow February friends xxx ... View more

Hi Missbabs That's fab news, I'm so glad you've got the help you needed. I'm still waiting for my chicken fillet appointment, are they as heavy as they say they are? ... View more

Hi I'm starting chemo on 2nd Feb after being diagnosed with grade 2 ILC.  Had bi lateral MX and SLNB in Dec.  Lymph nodes clear and bone/ct scans clear too but the tumour was a whopper (15cm) so they recommended chemo and rads.  Having 6 sessions of TAX but will know more when I've been for my pre-chemo appointment.  I thought I was the only one starting in Feb so its so great to know I won't be alone, I'm so grateful you're all here, sending a high five to all of you xxx ... View more

HI Gazzlyn   I had this done a month ago before my Bi Lat MX and, like you, I got myself in a real state about it because others had said it stings a bit.  I promise you, it didn't feel any different to the usual little scratch you'd get with any other jab and it was over in seconds.  I hate needles so I get my GP to prescribe me a couple of mg of Diazepam which I take about an hour before anything like this.  We don't get a patients manual that tells us to man up so be kind to yourself and remember, you can always ask for some help from your GP, its a stressful time we're going through. Let us know how you got on Hugs L xxx ... View more

Hi Lablover I'm 47 and had a bi lateral mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy without reconstruction on Dec 1st after I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer. I'm recovering fine, I've had a couple of problems like some numbness and funny sensations while my nerves recovered from the tissue removal and some stiffness and tightness, but that's different for everyone.  The one important thing is to do the exercises they give you religiously.  I found them tough at first but I'm glad I did them.  I felt very stiff at first but gradually they got easier.  I found my left arm especially stiff since that was the side I had the sentinel node biopsy done.  I still feel stiff every morning but once I've done the stretches I do loosen up and its still early days. I avoided lifting anything heavy and rested the first few days because I tired easily and the drains made moving about a bit awkward.  In the hospital I was given a lovely bag with long handles to carry them in that former breast cancer patients had made and it came in very handy for short trips to the loo etc.  I found it easiest to sleep on my back with the drains either side of me (my poor OH slept on the sofa in case he rolled onto them in the night).  I can't tell you how good it felt the first night I was able to sleep on my side 😄 I have the option to have reconstruction but before I consider that I have some chemo and rads to do and they'll affect the decision as well.  I was given softies to wear in my bra after the op (if I wanted to) until I have my silicone falsies in a couple more weeks but I only used them once to give me some shape on Christmas day.  I felt more natural without all the fake padding in front of me but everyone is different.  It might be that its because my natural breasts were an A cup and quite firm so I rarely wore a bra anyway and wearing one now feels strange.  At the moment I don't want reconstruction but that may change... It is a very surreal time, I've gone from laughing hysterically to blubbing my head off to being comfortably numb (LOVE Gilmour's solo at the end of that song) but somehow still dealing with everyday life.  Sending you hugs If there's anything you'd like to ask me, fire away. Love L x PS My radioactive jab never did turn me blue, I was quite disappointed ;D xxx ... View more

Mine is beginning to calm down now and I'm sure its down to the Amytriptline. I hope you get some help with it because it does get to you for sure. We're all doing really well considering what we've had done and sometimes I think we all have to remind each other that we've been through a pretty heavy surgical procedure and it will take time to heal. Sending a hug x ... View more

Hi Brewster, glad you've got good arm movement now. Mine is improving too, thanks to the exercises (some days I really have to force myself to do them though). Did you get the swelling sorted out? I've got it too, under one arm. I found that conventional painkillers didn't help me either so I'm grateful for the Amytriptiline, its been brilliant. Good luck with it hon x ... View more

Hi Kentstar, I get this too. I'm counting on it coming in very useful during hot weather, like an instant coolant 😄 ... View more

Hi Grammad   I was interested to read your point about salty foods and thought back to when my chest tightness was at its worst and it started on Christmas Eve when I had a lot of salty snacks at a family party.  I don't use salt at all, either in or on my food and your post has suddenly made me realise that it could well have been that.  Hugs L x ... View more

Hi Missbabs Me too! You're not alone, I promise. I had a bi lateral mastectomy and 4 lymph nodes taken on 1st December (quite a start to advent :D) and you've perfectly described the feeling I have in my chest - it is just like a wooden board.  Sometimes its like a wooden bra that's too small but that passes thankfully.  I was getting some horrible burning pain, like I'd been sunburnt on the inside if that makes sense?  I already take Amitryptiline for sciatica - 20mg every night (cause they can make you a bit drowsy) and my GP suggested taking 40mg to help with all the post surgery pain and I have to say its lessened a lot (they do take a while to kick in, a few days).  There are two other drugs that can help the nerves stop firing pain signals - Gabapentin and Pregabalin but I don't know if they're compatible with any of the heart meds you may be taking?  Its definitely worth exploring if you are able to because, as I say, it has helped me a lot.  I also have cording despite doing the exercises.  It started a few days ago and it runs right down beyond my elbow but I'm working on stretching it every day which is helping but I'll be having rads this year after chemo so I need to get the arm working really well.  As if we don't have enough to deal with, there are all these other post surgery problems to deal with aren't there? Sending a hug to you, L xxx ... View more