Thanks ladies.  

So far I'm not doing badly on the chemo but it's early days.  Bit of nausea on double dose weeks but kept under control with tablets.  My hair started coming out by the handful so my boyfriend (a hairdresser) shaved my head and I'm going the bandana route.

I'm having paclitaxel every week for 12 weeks, every 3 weeks I have an additional dose of carboplatin.  After that I go onto cyclophosphamide once a fortnight for 8 weeks - I understand that one is a bit harder on the immune system.

My tumour has shrunk from 2.5cm to 1.5cm and I'm told that means I can have a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy.  To be honest, right now, I just want a double mastecomy but the doctor says there's very little difference in survival rates.  

I know what you mean Sue because I got addicted to haribo when feeling nauseous! You will be pleased to know that chocolate doesn’t quickly increase the sugar level. The fat content in it slowly releases the sugar in you rather than quickly spiking it...it was the spiking my dietician suggested to limit. So don’t worry about chocolate :) 

Hey Ladies,

Welcome Claire :) 

Thanks Rozza for the positive stories and the food advice.  It does make sense about limiting the sugar around treatment so I'll give that a go.  A friend of mine is going through it in France, also TN and she has just said that she fasts the day before, during and after as it could help the drugs be more effective for the cancer cells.  As the little buggers lap it all up to grow lol!  So just need to find whats right for me, at the moment just hope I'll keep food and err water in me next time!

My one tumour feels different already, the big *** 53mm so hope it is getting the ***. I've been told I'll prob have a masectomy as only a small cup but they will assess later. I guess that will also depend on the gene test.

Which week are you on now Claire?

xx

Hey Ladies,

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)

Big hugs

xx

Have just read your post and you had the same as me ... 4 epurubicin then 4 Paclitaxell or whatever it’s called! I’m nearly 4 years ok! Keep positive an I wish you all the best xx

Hi Jojo,

Thank you for your post, it gives me hope. How were the side effects on Pacllitaxel? I am so happy you are 4 years clear, it is the news I am praying I hear. Most days I am up-beat but every now and then I have a total meltdown, they always come out of the blue. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sue

Thanks for the welcome ladies.

Mich8, this week was week 5.  I've just realised that when I move on to cyclophosphamide it's going to be given in conjunction with adriamycin so I think the second part of my chemo treatment is definitely going to be worse than the first but hey ho.  That's great that your tumour feels different - I find myself prodding mine quite often!  Interesting what your friend in France said about fasting, someone else has mentioned fasting around chemo to me but I don't know the details.

Thanks SueBea, knowing it's shrunk definitely helps with mindset.  Will you get measured at all?  I'm finding I get practically no side effects with paclitaxel, I've had 5 weeks of it and I think when you're having it weekly then 3 weeks count as one round.  I have lost my hair, as mentioned, but I only get nausea when I have the carboplatin as well.

Hope you're having a good weekend ladies.

Claire

Hi Ladies,

[@jojo1968]‍  That's great to hear, thanks for joining us :)  Its going to be a long road but we'll get there!

Thanks ladies, feeling so much better no nausea.  I have my pre-assessment on Friday then ready for round two on 08th Oct.  Still haven't heard about my port.  I've chased so they will get back to me today, think they lost my referral lol!

Yeah i'm on th EC drug then switch over to Paclitaxel every week then mixed with carboplatin every 3rd week.  I still have my hair but then I have only been zapped once! Think it will start from the second dose?

I went wig shopping on Saturday, wasn't as daunting as i thought and the lady was really lovely.  She has ordered a blond bob, very similar to my hair now.  My friends say the shorter style actually suits me which is nice to know.

Did you guys have the neutrafil injections?  I had terrible pack pain with them, thought i had pinched a nerve but the oncologist it is a side affect of them and will go with pain killers, which it did thank goodness.

How was everyones weekend?  Hopefully enjoying it inbetween the showers ;)  No doubt its humid for you Claire.

Hugs all around

xx

Hi Mich, 

Yeah I had the GCSF jab with EC. My boyfriend did the injection for me as he's diabetic and used to needles! I had a very robust response to the first one and made loads of neutrophils which made my bones really hurt - So my doctor split the jab in half on two different days and that worked a treat. 

The weather has really turned! Autumn is definitely here!

hope everyone is good xx