Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi Kim I started taking Anastrozole 1 March this year after mx chemo and rads.i was given the Accord brand. i find in the morning my thumb joint down to my wrists ache and it's difficult to grip things. I have had one or two dizzy or light headed spells they do not last long but worry me when out shopping I just have to go and sit down until I Recover. I also suffered slight loss of blood for the first 6/7 weeks not everyday but it does warn you on the literature. Apart from continual tiredness I am coping. The packet I started the other day is manufactured by Synthon BV so I will report back if anything gets worse or better not seen anyone mention this brand it's made in the Netherlands. Good luck with it we just have to keep going to stop this dreadful disease returning. ... View more

Rads unit gave me aqueous to wash with when I finished rads ie 15 I had two patches which were dry and red. Nurse gave me Cavilon cream it did the trick. ... View more

Now finished rads too yesterday. Feels trange after all these months . Bit of an anticlimax but I did ring the bell. ... View more

Hi Tat taste in my mouth subsiding but you remarked previously I did not have much of a gap between chemo and rads well surprise surprise they stopped my chemo I have had 3x3 EC and 7 taxol. The periphal neuropathy has got worse just mentioned it to the nurse and that was it. She phoned the oncologist who was in Clinic then I was told thats it no more. You could end up with permanent damage. They had already reduced my dosage  of taxol 2 weeks ago. I cannot sleep for worrying about not having the other two doses. anyway PICC line out next Thursday planning for rads Friday start  15 February. Cannot wait to get it all over with. good luck with your treatment. Hugs Val ... View more

Yes you are right. My breast cancer nurse told me there is not always a gap between chemo and rads we asked the consultant radiologist about this he said its three weeks that is his rule. He then gave me the date of 15 February I must admit I never thought about it. It's only 18 days. Ah well what's 3 days when you have been battling on for 9 months with one thing and another to do with breast cancer. I woke up this morning with the most awful taste in my mouth it's getting worse. Just eaten half a tin of pineapple chunks magic. Hope everyone is well and anyone starting tomorrow let us know how you are. Hugs Val ... View more

Spoke to them today. They had me down for planning but did not tell they say they never do until nearer the time. Do they not realise we have things in our lives we need to organise. Anyway it's 29 Jan start rads 15 February. So I am happy with that. I finish chemo 28 Jan. Shall we celebrate !!! Hope all is well with you.val ... View more

Hi there me too been given a start date of 15 February but not had planning yet. I started my journey 16 July masectomy chemo started end of September still got 2 weekly to do. Feel it's a bit like DIY Since  my first oncologist meeting I have only had 2 I have not been told anything had to ask. Well was told scan needed to check state of bones at first oncologist meeting in August last year. She  signed me off on the 2nd which was 22 October should I be pleased or should I be scared .Had to ask today when will I have Dexa scan for bones. Late this afternoon they rang to say it's been requested then I asked what happens about hormone therapy ,you will start this after chemo remind us again. These conversations are between me and the chemo nurses who are fantastic. Think I get a prescription from my GP for these but who tells the GP. hey ho getting there slowly. My radiation will be in Leeds which is only about 21 miles away so easier than a lot of ladies just hope it does not snow. Then I worry will the oncologist ask me back for a follow up? Who knows Where are you based. Good luck with your treatment. Hugs Val ... View more

Have a lick at the website Insurancewith. Maybe worth having a chat they ask the right questions. I feel their premiums for you would be competitive. Good Luck. Hugs Val ... View more

Paula have a look ar Insurancewith website. I am still having treatment at the moment so have not started looking yet but someone I know has used these people for the last three years. They have not had to claim but were impressed with the service and questions asked and the mature knowledgeable ladies they dealt with when obtaining the quotations. Good luck and enjoy your holiday when you go. val ... View more

Just got in from taxol no4 feel so much better than last week. The unit was quiet today no clinics so they rushed through. A local Flower shop sent two employees in with flowers for everyone having chemo what a lovely thought.Then neighbour came around we do not see much of him he's single works long hours and plays hard he brought me a large tin of amaretto biscuits such kind people. Table  to get ready for tomorrow bacon to wrap around the chilpolatas the the dog needs walking so busy time before we have our scallops and cava. Happy Christmas everyone hope we all keep normal for the next few days at least. Hugs Val ... View more

hi pammy I am 72 today and just finished 3xEC and 3 Taxol I have 6 more taxol to go and radiotherapy. i am based in West Yorkshire and having my treatment at Calderdale radiotherapy will be Leeds. I really have not found things too bad the nightsweats at the end of the 3rd EC is the worse thing I have had. Changing night clothes and bedding three times a night is not good for me or hubby but they have subsided a lot now on taxol. I did not cold cap due to my chest complaint oncologist did not recommend it. I have a nice wig and wear it most of the day. i have found the lack of energy hard as I am usually very active and when I was on EC I had a fuzzy head which made me feel I did not want to drive which I found really hard but I am ok now. Cannot wait to get all this treatment over with so we can get off to Spain where we usually spend the  we have 12 coming for lunch today to celebrate my birthday must be mad!!, hope the energy holds up. happy Christmas to you and yours hope your treatment goes well. PS although I did not want a PICC fitting I was scared it has been a godsend. I hate needles ... View more

All you ladies that have had your planning dates have you finished chemo. I ask because I have received my planning date for the 7 Jan and do not finished chemo until 28 Jan.so will have my PICC line in. Is this a problem. I was orinigally told 6 taxol so would have finished before the planning date but it's been increased to 9. Just wondered if I should ring them but want to get it all over with as soon as possible. Hope anyone having any sort of treatment this week is not suffering too many side effects and can finalise their Christmas arrangements. Best wishes to all. Val ... View more

Good afternoon ladies I am day 5 after second dose of taxol. Aching legs and the trots are really bothering me today. I have also got the pain back under my rib cage on mastectomy side which my BCN told me it was the healing process. It did subside but it's back again. Something else to worry about. Anyone else had aches in other places other than legs and arms who are on taxol.everyweek seems to bring something different on this journey. Hugs to all   ... View more

What was is like having your PICC line removed. I had a lot of pain when mine was put in. Hugs     ... View more

Hi JenJen and Cashie yes I had no 2 yesterday did not sleep the night before because I had heard this could happen and I had seen the oxygen bottle around. Pleased to say everything went well although I only slept until 3 am probably the steroids. Today I feel good off to bridge lesson first time in weeks chemo brain steps in but the company is good and we get loads of chocolate biscuits with our cup of tea. We also got hold of BCN as she told us ages ago that she should not book an appt for radiography until I had my last chemo yet everyone else seems to know months in advance when they are starting. Now she says I will put it in my diary from when I get back after my Christmas holiday. We will see everything she has told me about my treatment changes but she does generalise I did have my masectomy in July so she is now saying I will not have a break between chemo and rads what's chanhged the 16 July was my op date? cannot wait to finish treatment and get back to the old me if I ever will. Hormone therapy has not been mentioned since my first appt months ago but think I will have to take sometime for 5 years being post menopause. Good look with your treatment enjoy Christmas and the festive season I am due for chemo Christmas Eve and New Years Eve not much wine for me this year. Hugs to both ... View more

No I have changed my profile picture to one holding the baby lady tear hope you can find me I have a big polo neck jumper on. I will try and find you X hugs val ... View more

Hi Rosiebubbles its good to hear from you. I am in West Yorkshire Calderdale I do have a Facebook page but do not use it my name Is Valerie Wood and the picture is of my Spanish garden where I should be now but thats another story. I am not very good with Facebook but willing to learn. I had my mx 16 July but because of other biopsies it was 29 September before chemo started so I dib in and out of September October. I have found these weeks since 3rd EC the worse. Today I went out for the first time apart from chemo apps for weeks. I soon get chest infections and this cold weather is not good for me. I went to buy birthday cards for friends and family. My grandchild is 1 on Friday we are all going out for lunch. We went to choose a celebration cake for her I was nearly sick. My husband kept talking about them being insipid and butter cream etc. I had to leave and sit in the car. Cannot understand It i have not been sick or had nausea through the last 9 weeks of chemo . if you tell me what do do I will join the Facebook page. Thanks chemo buddy. X hugs Val ... View more

Hi Rosiebubbles I have finished 3 EC I found it ok until the last two weeks ago. I am exhausted cannot sleep appetite gone. Had low white cells so had a week of injections but chemo unit said last week they are still low., I am due to start paclitaxel 3 December for 9 weeks including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. If I am as tired as this I may as well spend the festive season in bed. keep in touch and let me know how you progress. I was originally told 6 weeks but then it was increased to 9. When I asked why I was told by the BCN we see how much you can take. Sounds like torture to me. Onwards and upwards.x hugs Val ... View more

Yes just done the night shift had to go to the loo 4 times they keep asking me if I have any pain no pain just need to pass water .is this the chemo.? Long nights eh? Anyone due to start taxol this week let us know how it goes. Have a good Sunday everyone. Hugs Val ... View more