Hey lovely

I understand exactly what you are saying about isolation AND having to go through cancer treatment! Whilst I can't say I had all the side effects of the FEC-T youre having, I completely get the mental anguish. I was terrible for that when I was at that stage of the cancer treatment! That was my worst symptom. I managed to work through the first 3 chemos (the 1st one I turned up the very next day for work, my manager even wondered if I'd actually been for chemo!) When it came to the docetaxel side of things it debilitated me flat out for the whole week after it so I told my manager that I'd be having the weeks off after my chemos then and work the 2weeks before the next chemo. I've had my surgery and am currently waiting for radiotherapy to start on Tues for a month. The plan was to get back to my work (which I LOVE) after my radiotherapy but now that's shot to pieces. I was so so desperate to get back to normal. That's what's messing with my head right now. Asides the fact that my work family have been the biggest support system for me. I miss them already. :(

All these people eh who can't handle the isolation???? Try having cancer on top of that! Feel better lovely. X

The docetaxol hasn't been mentioned to me , so far my treatment is just FEC without the T. I had masectomy first before treatment . So also coping with lopsided one breast and masectomy bras. With that on and a wig I feel like I'm only half a person! But I do have the option of reconstruction if I can face the surgery after all the treatment. After 6 sessions of chemo I have 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Seems endless. Your work seems to be your therapy for cancer and I know how it helps.Just going out and doing different things does help take your mind off it all, but now we're having to cope with isolation! 
My therapy is my garden, planted another rose yesterday and sowing seeds in the greenhouse. Psyching myself up for chemo tomorrow. My Mother's Day present from my son - 2 masks! What joy.

Wishing you all the best getting through this, it puts a lot of unimportant things into perspective. Hope you are well and back to work soon.

Stay safe,

Silver x 

Fair play too Silver!  If you and others in a similar situation can’t rant its a poor show!! Rant on!! 

Try to hold onto the fact that the ghastly chemo will eventually give you back a healthy life!! I can see the problem with that though of course. It’ sounds SO debilitating. Hard I imagine to get much positive headspace. 

Yes all that and covid19....a big ask. You will get there but no one can pretend this is a walk in the park. It’s horrendous and massively unfair. 

Go forward as calmly as possible.  Tears /anger/ frustration and rants are all part of just holding on. It’s normal and healthy. 

Stay as safe as possible in these extraordinary times. 

Kebbs x 

Hey lovely rant away.

Chemo ain't fun by no means, it's true that until your in it you don't understand how your life changes.

I've just finished my treatment on the 10th March.

Thinking yeah I can live again.

But hell no covid19 decided to *** on my life.

I'm isolated, as if 9 mth of treatment ain't bad enough.

Your not alone, pm me anytime, you will get through this some days I wondered what is the point. We are worth it, our families love us and it's hard for them also.

Dunno where this went lol x 

Just know it will pass and we're here to help x

Hope sore throat has subsided. Does simple salt water help? It's miserable, I have so many side effects, just feeling well and about to be wiped out with another chemo tomorrow and worried about virus at hospital being so vulnerable. But trusting the doctors to do the best for us.

Best wishes 

Silver 

Hey Silver, I hope you’re not feeling too bad after your chemo today? Remember to drink lots of water.

ive had 4 EC and 3 docetaxol I’m due my 4th and final one this coming friday. Got to go in on Wednesday (royal Marsden in Sutton)to have bloods taken and picc line flushed then instead of waiting to see oncologist I’ve been told to go straight home and wait for a phone consultation. They don’t want people staying in the waiting area. Like you I seem to get most of the side effects. On the EC The nausea was bad for a few days after and then day 4 I would fall into the ‘chemo hole’ and basic lay on the sofa for about 3 days. Feeling very weak and limbs felt heavy and achy. I also had constipation, blurred vision and bad heartburn. Plus Weird dreams/nightmares. After day 10 I would start to feel a bit better.

I had hoped that the docetaxol would be better but it’s not, in fact I think given the choice I would take the EC. With docetaxol I don’t have nausea but it’s the all over body pain, bone pain muscle pains. Extreme fatigue, terrible dry skin on my face. Constant watery eyes and running nose. Diarrhoea and tummy aches. Insomnia.. the list goes on and I don’t seem to have many good days. My hair fell out 18 days after my first EC but it started growing back after my last EC and I now have about 1cm of growth.

chemo is so hard but my tumour has shrunk to nothing it was 4.5 cm. I’m HER2 positive so I’m also on herceptin. My lumpectomy mammaplasty surgery is scheduled for the 24th April but god knows if it will go ahead. I do hope so, I haven’t done all this chemo for nothing.

I do hope the side effects aren’t too bad for you. Do remember to drink plenty of water particularly over the next few days to flush it from your body. I find coconut water is also very good for replacing electrolytes.

Stay strong, you can do this... I know it doesn’t feel like it now but you will get through this. 

Fishnchips x

Hi fishnchips,

So pleased for you that the tumour has shrunk and you are able to have a lumpectomy rather than a masectomy, so all that chemo has not been in vain. I had a 2.5cm tumour grade 2 but 2 suspicious liasons under the tumour that showed on the MRI. I could have had a lumpectomy but if the white spots were cancerous it may have been another op of a masectomy, so I opted to have it all removed. I also had axillary underarm clearance and cancer with the blue stain and cancer was in 2 of my lymph nodes. It's very invasive to have one flat boob, I can have reconstruction but it's a major op and can't face it for a while after all this treatment.I found the op much easier than the chemo, once recovered from the anethestic , bit of tightness but scar healed quite quickly.

i have had my 3rd chemo and waiting for me the side effects to kick in,like you I have had just about everyone one, and am wiped sofa bed for at least 7days. I am on FEC , but the Doxetactol hasn't been mentioned so I hoping I don't have that as most people have said it's pretty awful. I will have to ask my Ocologist at my next visit. She has organised meet at the hospital this time.Some breast cancer patients have home injections to increase white blood cells, but I haven't been offered that. I am HER negative so expect my medication will be different to Herceptain. 

The day centre chemo ward was more empty than usual as friends or family not allowed in. Staff are not wearing masks but hand washing and wearing protective clothing. Nurse said to wash all clothes and shower when getting home.  
 
Sending you healing vibes. I won't go into the "be positive" "we are warrior women" but you know what I mean!

Silver x 

Hi people 

ive got my last chemo tomorrow and dreading it. I’ve taken my steroids today and they are making me feel weird and upset my tummy Hey ho.. at least the sun is shining! and I potted some strawberrie and sunflower plants with my 2 boys today in the garden.

Silver , I hope the chemo side effects aren’t too bed and you’re managing ok!?

stay safe everyone 

fishnchips 

Last chemo that's great, I've got 3 more. Not feeling too bad Day 4, stopped those steroids that made me feel awful and have different nausea meds. It's such a worry having to go to the hospital with this virus around,

Keep on gardening 'Dig for Victory Virus! 
 Thanks for asking!

Silver