Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Awil   I'm having my 3rd docetaxal today. I understand exactly how you feel but like the others have said the side effects will subside, by day 9 to 12 you will start to feel better. Drink plenty of fluids, avoid too much caffeine because it will make you feel more anxious and agitated. Don't hesitate to speak to your Oncology Nurse about side effects and they will advise on meds. I have downloaded an app called CALM on my tablet and also some guided meditations and these have helped me relax. Rest as much as you need to, go outside for fresh air when you can even if it's only for a few minutes. Read, watch happy films and most importantly remember you are NOT ALONE. It's only a few weeks out of the rest of your life, you will be fine.    Sending a big hug   Sandra W. ... View more

Thank you Gaynor,   Will definitely speak to oncology nurse about white furry tongue etc and get some meds sorted for next time. I'm still feeling nauseous, any suggestions? What anti sick meds have worked best? Thanks Ladies   Sandra x x ... View more

Hi everyone,   Day 6 today, 2nd Taxotere last Thurs.   Starting to feel bit brighter mentally but physically still very lethargic and achey.  Just learning to go with the flow and rest when I need to.   Worse symptom so far was constipation, spoke to Oncology Nurse and recommended some otc meds to take.  Finally worked, such a relief.  Woke up this morning with very white furry tongue so using lots of Corsodyl to rinse and gargle.  Still trying to find foods that taste okay, bit hit and miss.  Toast and Honey seem to be the best at the mo.  Still drinking gallons of water but Im sure Im still dehydrated!!    Picc line is okay but I do get fed up with the tubi-grip falling off, not very nice to see the wire and connections coming from my arm.  Also having to go to the 1 hour round trip to the hospital every week to get it flushed is a bit of a pain, my local practice nurses dont want to get involved with it.  Nevermind, at least I get to speak to the Nursing team once a week if I have any queries.   I can see there has been a few queries regarding having a picc line fitted.  Just wanted to let you know that it didnt hurt at all, i think the thought of it is worse than getting it done.  It makes chemo a lot easier because they can just conncect you up and get on with it.  They dont have to spend time trying to find a vein and fit a cannula everytime you have chemo.  I have been using a cold cap so the Nurse said it would be better to have a picc line fitted because your veins shrink when you are cold.  If i can help with any other queries let me know.   Hope everyone is having a reasonable day to today.  Hang in there, together we can do it!!!   Best wishes   Sandra x x     ... View more

Hi everyone, I had my 2nd chemo on Thursday, went well, used cold cap again and tolerated okay. I had lost some hair in previous few days but because I had my hair cut short and its quite thick I haven't got any bald patches yet. I do have my wig all trimmed and ready to wear if needs be. It's day 3 today and I'm feeling sleepy and achey but okay if I just rest. I'm 49 and from Mildenhall, Suffolk. I go to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St. Edmunds. I have two girls 21 and 23yrs. They live at home but the younger daughter returns to Uni in September. My older daughter starts her first job as a primary school teacher in a nearby school next week. Hope everyone is having a reasonable day today.   Best wishes to you all   Sandra x x ... View more

Hi Sarah hd,   Yes I am using a soft toothbrush. I didn't take paracetamol before cold cap but I know some do. Glad I could help x x   Sandra  ... View more

Hi there,   I had my first chemo on 30th July, so nearly Aug.  Chemo was fine and also used cold cap which wasnt too bad either.  I felt fine until the following day when I felt a bit light headed, tired and breathless.  Also felt like I had a hangover for a few days.  By day 5/6 the fog began to lift and I was much calmer.  I have had a few mild side effects but nothing I couldnt handle.  A sore mouth and throat was easily sorted by some gel that the Oncology Nurse gave me and I am also using corsodyl mouth wash everytime I clean my teeth.  I had a few aches and pains so took some paracetamol and ibuprofen together which helped.  Slight dry skin rash on back of my hands but unperfumed moisteriser kept that at bay and now it has gone. For constipation I had some prunes and prune juice.  I had 1 day of diarrhoea but used tesco own brand anti-diarrhoea tabs which worked immediately.  Most importantly drink LOADS OF WATER, they recommend 2 litres a day.  It helps to wash the chemo through your system and makes you feel better to be properly hydrated.  Dont beat yourself up if you just feel like staying in bed for first few days, do what your body tells you to do.  You will gradually feel brighter I promise and dont be afraid to call the Oncology Nurse about anything that worries you, it doesnt have to be urgent.   Hope all goes well for you, if I can answer any other questions pls feel free to message me.   Best wishes   Sandra x ... View more

Hi Ladies,   Thank you all for your hints and tips.  I will definitely take all your advice.  I hope to be as prepared as possible but it sounds like we are all different and side effects vary in severity for each one of us.     I will make sure I ask for anti-sickness meds and painkillers.  The nausea and bone pain worry me most of all so I will feel better if I know I have meds ready.   Having picc line fitted on Monday and start chemo Thursday, not long now.   Best wishes to you all   Sandra x ... View more

Hi PenPop, Sorry to hear you are feeling so fed-up, on the positive side you have started treatment and so are on your way to getting rid of all the nasty disease. I start chemo on Thurs and also work in healthcare so cant go back to work until chemo finished. I work as lead receptionist in a busy gp surgery so hard to avoid contact with patients. I have had two ops already and now starting chemo and then radiotherpay to follow. I had no family history and none of the risk factors, I was diagnosed when I went for a routine Mammogram. I was invited early as part of a pilot scheme, I was 48 when diagnosed back in May. It does seem like a long haul and I am eager to get on with chemo although I know i will feel rubbish for a while. I too am quite a busy person, never idle always doing something and really enjoyed my busy work environment. I havent found it too difficult so far but I must admit the thought of these endless weeks ahead does fill me with trepidation. Luckily I have a dog to walk, family close by and two daughters who will be around some of the summer hols. I have loads of jobs around the house that I could do but so far have seemed to avoid them!! I have thought about doing some home learning via the computer, maybe take up my French language again or do an Open Uni Course. I plan to try and stay as mobile as poss and will go out on my bike when I feel up to it. Being outside in the countryside makes me feel so much better. Any tips on coping with side effects of chemo would be much appreciated. Take care and hope the rest of your treatment goes to plan. Best wishes. Sandra ... View more

Hi Anna,    I am having my first chemo session next Thursday 30th July.  I hope as the days go by you will feel a bit better.  I would be happy to share my journey with you once i start.  I too have friends and family around me but I dont think it is the same as having people around you that know how it feels.   Having read a lot about chemo on this forum and the side effects, it does seem to vary with each person what symptoms they have and how bad they are.  However, everyone says that it does get better and how you feel one day may not be how you will feel a couple of days later.   I guess we just need to have a good cry when we need to, share our feelings on this forum and then pick ourselves up and look forward to the end of our treatment and being well again.   I will probably be writing on forum myself next week when I will need the same encouragement from all you lovely ladies.   Sending you best wishes and a big hug.   Love   Sandra x ... View more

Hello Rose,   Thank you for all your advice, it really helps me to know what i might need to cope with.  Like you I am a positive person and I am usually very healthy.  If I can be prepared for the side effects and know that others have suffered or coped in the same circumstances then I know it will help me to stay focused and take one day at a time.   I am 49 and my two girls are 20 and 23 so I dont have the school run to think about and they have been a great help to me. I think you are amazing to be back doing the school run by day 7!!  I am lucky that I am not working during chemo because I work at my local gp surgery and the oncologist didnt think that was an ideal enviroment to be in when I am at risk of infection due to the chemo.     Hope you continue to feel well, let me know how your 2nd treatment goes   Best wishes     Sandra x   ... View more

Thank you Emma,   Sounds like is wasnt too awful for you, I hope my experience will be similar.  Which anti-sick tablets were you prescribed?  There seem to be so many so would be nice to know which ones worked for you.  I understand it may be different for me.  I will make sure I have some anti-diarrhoea tabs incase i need them.   Really appreciate your advice, I hope you are now well post treatment.   Best wishes     Sandra x ... View more

Thank you Janet,   I will take a look at the publication and the thread you suggested.   Sandra  ... View more

Thank you Ladies,   You are all such an inspiration.  I havent been on forum for a few days because i had my 2nd op last Thurs and have been a bit lazy.  I had node clearance and the op went well, I am a little sore but other than that I am feeling fine.   I have a week to get my head together again ready for results and oncology appt next week.    I will remember 'glass half full' and hope that once I know dates for chemo I can arrange some fun things to do with my time when I am feeling up to it.   Love to you all!!   Sandra x x ... View more

Hi Wendi,   I have sent you a message, should see in Messages on top right hand corner of screen, so we can keep in touch because, as you say,  we are going through similar treatments and would be good to keep in touch.   Hope you have managed to have a good weekend.   Best Wishes    Sandra x ... View more

Thanks Helenm1   Glad to hear that your side effects from Chemo hasnt been too bad.  I am 49 and otherwise healthy so I hope to cope okay.  It is so comforting to be able to chat to others going through this difficult time.  Keep in touch and let me know how you get on with further treatment, all tips and ideas gratefully accepted 🙂   Sandra x ... View more