Hello ladies, hope you don't mind me gatecrashing your thread, but I've just read through it all and it's made me feel so much better, your all so nice and posative

I was diagnosed with triple negative BC in June, I am on my 5 of 8 cycles of chemo, these last four being Carpoplatin and paxataxil, there breaking down the paxataxil to every week, i have my last chemo on 6th January and although we shouldn't wish our lives away, I can't wait, after that it will be surgery and radiotherapy, I have three lymph nodes under my arm and two lymphs under breast, but on last scan the two under breast have cleared, I'd like to ask if any of you on paxataxil oy carboplatin have had fuzzy head, I can't explain it but fuzzy slight dizzy head, I'm at day 10, my other cycle I felt so much better by day 10, it's not really bad but just annoying as I can't drive while feeling like this. Again lovely to read all your posts and really hoping your all feeling well, xxx

Hey Davia

Of course not, welcome to our group that no ones want to join haha!  I was diagnosed in August so just had my 3rd course on Tuesday.  Not feeling too bad at the moment, fingers crossed it stays that way.  I have 1 more of EC then i go onto the carbo / paxo and paxo weekly.  Hope there are no major side affects of these.  How you doing on these drugs, just the dizzyness.  

I have in my lymph nodes too so will have to have all of them out, little worried about the opp but one day at a time eh.  I'm also waiting on my brca test, guess they will send a letter confirming yay or nay.

Yeah i could drive for a few days after my second one, felt like i was on drugs all week!

I managed the cold cap on Tuesday, but hair is thinning quite a bit so not sure if I'll carry on .

Hugs

xx

Hi Ladies,

Linda, I hope your last FEC went well today. The halfway mark whoop whoop!! Another milestone and hopefully the Docetaxel will be kind to you.

I saw the Surgeon today and I am having a lumpectomy on 5th Feb. Davia, you aren't far behind me.This isn't a journey I ever want to repeat.

Mich, how's the cold? I would recomend a hot toddy but as youre still on chemo, probably not a good idea!!

The next time someone tells me I look well, I am going to take my wig off. I still find it hard to look in the mirror. 

Love and hugs to eveyone,

Sue xxx

Hi Sue

That's good you have surgery date and lumpectomy, I'm not that far behind you, my surgery should hopefully be end of Feb. 

I know what you mean about people saying, oh you look so well! Year right, see me with no make up and no wig, they would be shocked, but I sat this morning putting on my face and thought about people who have alopecia for life, I told myself off for feeling sorry for myself, but it is hard when your so run down with these cocktails of drugs.

I have a rare side effect to the carboplatin, I think I mentioned it effects my lower end, well its causing bleeding from behind and I see a RARE side effect is colitis of the bowel, so thank goodness this was my last carbo, fingers crossed it clears up, I will eat bland diet  and I already drink loads. 

Mich hope your feeling better, 

Keep well ladies xxxx

Sue great news that you have a date. You're two days before me :)

x

Hi Claire, we will compare notes. Are you having a lumpectomy or masectomy?

xx

That's good news Sue, glad u have a date and not long to wait. My chemo dates have changed again and now treatment is on a Friday and pre assess on Wednesday. I'm still feeling rough, my cough is on my chest now so hubby gone to get chesty cough mixture. I'm keeping an eye on my temp and taking paracetamol every 4 hours and drinking loads of honey and lemon. I had a sneaky hot toddy last night, well with a wee cap full if brandy. I slept better actually. The steriods will ware off tomorrow so just need to keep my chin up and relax. I'm 8n bed today reading and catching up on bits in my laptop. 

I have my look good workshop in Tuesday, hope I'm feeling better by then. 

Ah Davia I have bowel issues too, still struggling with the constipation and bleeding. But have a good routine now of lots of fibre, flax seeds and laxido and senokot every day! 

I've never drank so much fluids in my life I should have amazing skin by now lol! 

Hugs xxx

Hi Mich 

I really hope your cold is gone before your look good day, it's really grotty you have a cold on top of chemo. I had my picc line done today and the nurse said she's getting over a cold! I said, don't come bear me, I don't want my last chemo postponed, so she masked up and as you know they don't touch anything.

I drink loads, but with my taste buds the only thing that I can drink is lemon squash, I never drank lemon squash before this journey, only ever water, but water doesn't tast right lol 

My motions are loose, I very rarely get constipated so I'm going the other way with diet, low residue, again hope it's eased off by Monday. Oh have you had any neuropathy in fingers or toes, I've felt a bit, when you hold cup of tea fingers feel more sensative!? 

I recon bed is best place to be today, it grotty out there and cold, 

Keep warm, love and hugs, hope your cold is better soon xxx

Thanks Davia, stayed in bed today and rested. I'm now camped out in the coach. I can feel I have a temperature now, it's 37.2 so keeping a eye in it. They say if it's 37. 5 or 38 you have to call the emergency line. I won't take paracetamol this  eve yet until it goes down a bit.

Ah fingers crossed for your last one Do u ring the bell when you have last chemo or only when u finish treatment? 

I love lemon squash I drink so much of it. At the moment I'm on tropical fruit squash. 

No none if the neuropathy I just had the pains in my arms and chest from when I was on the ec. My body is aching quite a bit now but think it's the cold and now steriods wearing off. 

I have chesty cough mixture now to swig! 

Thank you xx

Hi Mich how you feeling?

The bell is rung at end of chemo, but I've decided not to ring it, me a bell ringer to lol I just feel bad for those who won't be able to ring it :(

I don't know if they will give me my last paxo on Monday, my bowel us quite bad, I've kept my diet bland but today it's still bad, I read its a rare side effect of the carbo.

Well really hope your managing the cold and your temperature didn't or won't peak, healing hugs xxx

Thanks Mich, Fec went ok but I did feel a bit nauseous 1st time ever but i think its because I had a period appear on Monday after not having 1 for 5 months so god knows whats going on there lol but Iam now officially half way through woohoo! Spent most of today resting in bed with this muzzy head from the Dex and aching bones from the delightful injections.

Hope you're feeling better now you have rested 

Linda x

Hi Sue

All went ok am so glad I have hit the halfway mark! but I have the bone aches today from the Jabs!

Thats great you have a date for your lumpectomy, how long ago did you finish chemo? I cant remember if my surgeon said he likes to operate 5 weeks after the last round.

Linda x

Hi Sue

All went ok am so glad I have hit the halfway mark! but I have the bone aches today from the Jabs!

Thats great you have a date for your lumpectomy, how long ago did you finish chemo? I cant remember if my surgeon said he likes to operate 5 weeks after the last round.

Linda x

Hi Linda,

My op will be 2 days short of 6 weeks since finishing chemo. They usually like to operate 4-6 weeks after chemo if all the vital statistics are ok. 

My side effects from chemo are slowly wearing off. I Still feel very tired and I do still feel very emotional at times but our bodies have been put through a lot.

I know it seems never ending but you're at the half way mark of chemo and then onto the next stage.

Have a lovely lazy Sunday and be kind to yourself 

Love Sue xx

Hi Ladies, 

Linda great you have hit the half way mark, I felt tge second half seemed to go quicker, hope the bone ache has gone, I took antihistamines as someone said it helps with the injections. 

Sue, glad you've started feeling better after finishing chemo, next chapter surgery  

Mich, I hope your getting over your cold and it hasn't knocked you back, thinking of you

I didn't have my last paxol today, oncologist was happy to miss it as its caused my rear end loads of trouble and I have red rash each side of my face that is apparently a side effect, so that's it, I have finished with Chemo and had my picc line out , it was very straight forward and I didn't feel a thing next step, scan and surgery, we're (my hubby and me) are looking at it as a transfer from our temporary full time job, that's what we decided to call this journey.

It does feel odd that I won't be going in every week for bloods, I thought they would still do bloods next week to see if body is recovering. 

But I'm happy to be picc free and chemo free. 

Keep well ladies, we can do this warriors xxxxxx

Hi Davia,

Onto the next stage of the journey, that's great. It does feel strange not going to the hospital regularly. Are you having a mastectomy or lumpectomy? My surgery is next Wednesday 5th. I'll let you know how I get on, I'm sure it won't be as bad as I fear. I'm really nervous which is funny as I really want the surgery to get rid of the lump.

How's the cold Mich? I hope you're over the worst.

Claire and Linda, how are you both getting on?

Love Sue xx

Hi Sue 

Oh I think we will all be very nervous before surgery, I know I will be popping it lol 

I am having full clearence of lymphs in left arm, I am a weired one, I didn't have a lump, the oncologist said its not unheard of, sometimes the body clears it. I cant say It didn't freak me out,  I had routine mamo and they found three lymph glands effected.

They have bought my scan forward as I couldn't have last paxol, that really is freaking me out, to be honest since being diagnosed I'm far more nurvouse about anything, hopefully that will pass. Oh and emotional, I could have filled a lake last week,seemed anything set me off, and again before being diagnosed I think I could count on one hand how many times I had cried in five years. This journey has definitely changed me as a person. 

Please do let us know how you get on with operation, oh and if they give you pree med wishing you all the very best, xxxx

Hey ladies, 

I still have my snotty nose and chesty cough. I called the unit today and they said to see my doc as could have chest infection so may need anti antibiotics. Of course I couldn't get to see them today so have to call at 8am tomorrow morning to see if I can get an appointment. I feel better in myself tho. Have given it to my hubby he has been in bed all day shivering with a temp! Must be going around. 

Glad to hear your opp is around the corner Sue, you must be relieved. Do you have a pre assessment or just go to hospital on Wednesday? We'll all be thinking of you. 

Aww Davia that's good your chemo is all finished, it did play havoc with your body. Hope the rash will clear up soon. The rash on my hands is now gone. I'm due a full node clearance in the left side too as 3 swollen lymph nodes tested positive. All I know about the opp is lots or drains! Not sure if I should read up about it yet or wait until chemo finished. When is your scan now then? This is the per scan?

Glad to hear you past the half way mark Linda. Don't forget the a antihistamines for bone ache

It has been very grey and dreary lately which makes me emotional too esp as I have been indoors for almost a week. Funny thing is I'm never ill, I hardly get anything that comes around, well apart from migraines and here I sit poorly with cancer too lol!

We'll get there warriors! Need to make my boob cake remember

Xxx

Hi Mich

Great to hear your on mend from cold, hope you get app for tomorrow, they should really fit you in as a priority when on chemo. Your bound to feel emotional, having a cold on top of chemo is heavy  

I've only read up on recovering from full lumph clearence, I don't want to know how the op is done, it would freak me out, well freak me out more than I am already lol oh I have three infected lymphs to, so were very similar

My scan should be bought forward a week, so I'm thinking 31st Jan, they need oncologist conformation, before changing appointment. 

My surgeon app is on the 7th Feb. But I have to get through this scan, I know it's normal to have scan fobia when your were we are, my oncologist said everyone feels apprehensive it's normal. Made me feel a bit better. 

Keep strong, love and hugs xxx

Hi Ladies.

Davia fab news you are now chemo free and ready to step into the next stage of your journey. 

Mich am sorry to hear you could have a chest infection, insist on seeing a Dr tomorrow, I read somewhere that if you're a cancer patient that your seen asap, though I do know some of the receptionists are a nightmare to get past.

Hope you're doing ok Sue & Claire.

Me ... I have felt utter poop since my last Fec, think it is its parting gift to me :\ I am taking antihistamines so the aching isnt so bad but I have been so weepy these last 2 days! I have listened to my body and rested and slept so much. I just hope the Doxetaxel is nice to me.

Coming in to read your messages keeps me going, I am surrounded by my caring famiy but can still feel alone at times as they have no idea how it affects me. 

Right thats enough of feeling sorry for myself!

Keep well ladies xxx

Thank Linda, oh and your allowed to feel sorry for yourself, feeling emotional is part of the chemo journey, I was terrible last week, I just couldn't stop, I'm sure the chemo does it to you, runs you down so much and I think the accumulative effect really does take effect on last week of each cycle.

I found paxo and Carbo were not as bad as EC, I have had a few side effects with paxo but nothing to put me in hospital like EC, mostly tummy upsets, rash so hopefully you will sail through next lot. 

Keep strong, your half way, the next half will fly by honest xxx

Hey ladies,

Finally got to see a doctor today and hes confirmed ive got a chest infection, boo. Hubby too, so we walked out with His and Hers amoxicilin lol! I have to take it for a week and go back if it doesn't clear up.  If i'm feeling ok i still go for my bloods tomorrow and if they are all clear i can still have my chemo on Friday as the anti biotics would of been in my system for 72 hours.  Its combo week too!  Eeek.  Oh well will see what happens tomorrow.  I do feel better in myself and chirpier so hopefully i can wake up early again for me bloods.

Aww Linda i found my last EC tough, took ages for my body to recover.  Felt like i'd been hit by a bus, double decker one!  so glad to be off it, as this drug isn't nearly as bad.  So i have my fingers and toes crossed for you.  When do you start the new drug?

Yeah we all get that scan phobia or scaniexity as they call it.  When i was diagnosed i was convinced i had it in my bones, as the tenseness gave me back ache.  Just shows how our body is affected when our mind plays trics on us.  You'll be fine, as before the waiting is the worst.  I'm still waiting to see my oncologist since i messed up my last appointment.  That reminds me i'll ask the nurses when i have my pre assessment tomorrow.

How you doing Claire? Hope all is ok on your side.

Hugs all around

xxx

Hi Mich

Glad you got to see Dr and you have antibiotics, if your nutapines are OK they will go ahead with Chemo, that's what nurse told me, it's scary as we're told so often to keep eye on infection but they keep such a close eye on you and like you say you would have had antibiotics for 72 hours. Is this last combo or do you have one more? I know you said but I forget. Nice to hear your feeling chirpier, we've had nice sunshine today hope you have it too. 

I have my scan on Friday I've felt really shaky today, it's the scanziety, I am pooping it, well not the scan but the result. Like you say, any twinge and my brain is away. But I'm trying to keep it real and tell myself it will be OK.

Take care xxxx