Hi, I didn't have a reaction with paclitaxel but I did with another drug. It was very severe and as you know extremely frightening. My team tried desensitizing me but the reaction began much quicker and my treatment was stopped as it was likely to kill me. I spent an anxious few weeks waiting to see if there was another drug that I could tolerate.

I began a different regime and reacted to it but not severley so it was reduced to 75% of the original dose and I am still on it with no issues 6 months later.H

ave faith in your team and good luck with your treatment.

Barb xx

Hi Barb..faith in the team is my problem.  I have exactly 0.  I've been doing the best to keep myself alive since 2020 with decisions I shouldn't have had to make....because they made serious errors.  Now they find it's cancer, luckily I went against there advice, and as it turns out I did the right thing.

I was in pain before the chemo started and they went ahead anyway.  I had wanted my treatment in a main hospital, just in case.  They decided I'd be fine in a day facility with no medics on hand.  When all went pear shaped they wheeled me out to the A+E of the adjoining hospital...the receptionist shouting that I'd die there and they should take me to there own hospital 20mins away.  I was left there with no notes, and nobody could help me.  They were very sure to put me on saline before they left....in case of error!

Now they still haven't looked into my clotting problems and want me in as an inpatient to go again.  I spoke to the nurse yesterday and when I asked about it all, she accused me of "roaring down the phone" at her, which I most certainly did not.  It was the fact that I questioned and she had no answer. 

At least by asking for my notes for a second opinion I might get them to have a proper look at my case.  I know nothing!  I can't believe they are being so lax when I've had a few close encounters over the last twelve months.  The only person keeping me alive is me and I can count at least three times they have made mistakes that were life threatening.

I certainly wouldn't have any faith in the team supposedly looking after me if I'd been treated as you have. It's disgraceful and happens far too often. I've experienced disgusting behaviour towards me whilst in hospital for other issues so I'm aware it happens. It definitely shouldn't though and making a complaint to your health board may help someone else in the future. 

As for your situation they make it very difficult to obtain your notes for yourself but definitely ask for a 2nd opinion.I have inflammatory breast cancer at stage 4. It's not seen that often so I asked for a 2nd opinion. I live in N. Wales and requested to be seen at the xxxxx. My onco was perfectly happy with my request and I was seen very quickly. As it turned out they suggested the same treatment that I was on. It did reassure me though. So I'd suggest you try a different health board because they'll be impartial and not being part of the original team you'll feel more at ease.

Cancer is hard enough on us and our loved ones without the added stress of not being looked after/ treated well by the staff that are supposed to be helping us. I sincerely hope that you are able to get answers if not from your team then from elsewhere. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Barb xx

In limbo again.  Now they don't want to try chemo as an inpatient....they want to go straight to op next week.  It seems the nurses tells me one thing and the onco tells me another. 

Happy enough to go to op although I hope they've got the clotting issues covered a bit better than they have so far.

Where is my MRI???  How can I know if op is worth it if I have it somewhere else that will kill me quicker than the lump in my chest?

Now caught with no one over my care until surgeon tells me he's ready to do op, which should be next week.  Who do I ask to get an MRI?  The nurses told me I'd have one and a US on liver, onco said nothing. 

Is it money that is stopping them take me in to do chemo as an inpatient?  Did the nurse tell him I didn't want it?  I was caught off guard when onco said no chemo...I'd at least expected a review of the drugs as I see I could have tried an alternative to paclitaxel.  I'm lost.

It sounds like you're having a very stressful time when you just want answers. In your situation I would phone your oncologist's secretary and explain that you need to have a conversation with him. When you do speak to him have a list of prepared questions in front of you so that you don't forget something. You can also ask for a 2nd opinion as I've said previously. 

I do hope that you get some answers and know what is happening going forward. Stress is the last thing that you need right now. 

Bxx

It sounds like you're having a very stressful time when you just want answers. In your situation I would phone your oncologist's secretary and explain that you need to have a conversation with him. When you do speak to him have a list of prepared questions in front of you so that you don't forget something. You can also ask for a 2nd opinion as I've said previously. 

I do hope that you get some answers and know what is happening going forward. Stress is the last thing that you need right now. 

Bxx

How you doing Barbm?  Hope all is looking good in your world.

Well I didn't get my notes for a second opinion, but I did get a mastectomy last week.  Only the one gone due to the clotting problems.  Would have had it done weeks back if someone had looked at my notes to see it was an urgent referral back from onco to surgery.  It's not their fault there are too many of us and not enough of them.  As it is I was on the same time frame as I would have been if I'd had the 12 weeks of chemo.

Not so good now, if not pain in one place then pain in another and they have made it clear they only treat breast cancer.  The nausea is hard going, as is the kidney pain, possible pancreatic pain, headache, vision/ hearing/ tinnitus, and now I have little lumps below, on my back, underarm and neck.  The op recovery is a doddle in comparison :laugh:

One way or another I'm getting somewhere :wink:  If it is my time, don't think I'm going to be told.  If it's not they're making a good job of making me think it is.  Anyway...I'm doing good and doing as much as I can.  Tonight I'm gigging :)

All the best Barbm xx

Hey 2me it sounds like you're in a very good place atm. I'm so pleased for you.

I'm still battling for a 2nd mastectomy and will do so until it happens. I've beaten all the odds and I'm in full remission

I was given up to 2 years to live on 2nd September 2020. I remember the date because it's my wedding anniversary. 4 months away from that death date and I'm so healthy and happy. In a few hours I'm setting off to Bulgaria to watch my son get married. It doesn't get better than this . 

Keep living life to the full and keep fighting. Make the most of every day. B xx

Hey Barbm, well done!! And the wedding....beautiful.  I've got a few places I want to get to yet :)  Oddly your first post was made on my birthday.  All I want is to be well enough to enjoy life to the full....I still get them and that's great.  Cancer found to be in all removed axillary nodes, still I don't think it's my time yet.

Yeah I can't wait to get the other one gone :)  Not fussed about putting anything back there.  Never had a tattoo but think it would good around the scars....make the most of the lack of feeling :)  Could be anything :laugh:

Happy travels xx 

Hey that's exactly what I'm going to do. I love trees. Bizarre ? Possibly but I just love walking beneath them and wonder what stories they'd tell if they could speak. I immediately feel relaxed and calm so I'm going to have branches and leaves tattooed across my scars once I have the 2nd mastectomy.

Live life fully every single day. None of us know what's around the corner but my diagnosis has made me appreciate everything in my life. I'm going to watch my baby get married and although I'm not fully confident in how I look now I won't let it stop me enjoying every moment.

Stay strong my fellow warrior and keep in touch. B xx