Hi Jackie 

I had 4 cycles of Docetaxel with targeted pertuzumab & trastuzumab following 3 cycles of EC chemo. 
The first loading dose was tough - I literally felt as if I'd been run over - muscle & joint pains & intense fatigue - but then after that it wasn't as bad. My nails also really suffered. I'd already lost all my hair, eyebrows, lashes etc (tried cold cap but it didn't work for me) but my nails changed colour and loosened & there was some liquid/puss behind them (not all - but big toe nails particularly). I used antiseptic cream on them and was very careful with shoes. My fingernails weren't as bad but did go purple, blue, green etc and very weak but just take good care of them. I didn't loose any but they looked a bit colourful !! 
 

Good Luck with everything xx
 

Hi there. I've just finished 4 cycles of Docetaxel with targeted pertuzumab & trastuzumab and 3 cycles of EC - I'm Her2 positive stage 2 Grade 3 breast cancer with surgery in 4 weeks I coped pretty well with the Docetaxel with bone aches on day 5-10 which was bearable. I found EC horrific and felt constantly sick, tired, lost all my hair and the worst thing of all was and is my fingernails I'm awaiting results from a swab as I too have yellow puss coming out of one of my nails. I had antibiotics which did nothing. Not sure if this is normal but most of my nails have lifted and are sort of white half way down and 2 are purple/black. The one that looks the most normal in appearance has the puss - weird, oh and they smell too! All good fun hey! Can I ask how you coped with your nails and us this normal? I have no redness and the doctor said they don't look infected. 

wishing you well on this horrible journey we're all going through.

Michelle 
 

Hi Michelle, I've had exactly the same chemo & targeted drug regime (I'm invasive stage 2, Her2+ & oestrogen +) & our nail experience sounds really similar. The chemo suite swabbed my toe nails for infection but I didn't require antibiotics. I used savlon / antiseptic creams on them and just kept them super clean & filed. I also wore slippers & pumps that were loose if I needed to - but nothing that pressed down on my nails. My fingernails were similar but now most of the black/blue/green colours have grown out & they are incredibly short but looking so much better! 
As with all of this, I think time is a great healer ! I'm 3 months on from chemo now (but continuing with trastuzumab by injection) & have short hair, eyebrows and even a few lashes again ! 
I also had surgery 4 weeks after chemo - unfortunately for me, although the chemo gave me a wonderful complete pathological response, the pathology from that lumpectomy detected some unknown DCIS so I went back for a second lumpectomy & unfortunately even more DCIS was found so I had a mastectomy & reconstruction surgery just 5 days ago.

One thing for sure - this is a rollercoaster - to be honest it's really tough but somehow you just keep moving forward & being positive- each day is a step closer to getting better :)

Sending you loads of luck & wishing you well too - we can kick this !! 

xxx

Hi Michelle, I've had exactly the same chemo & targeted drug regime (I'm invasive stage 2, Her2+ & oestrogen +) & our nail experience sounds really similar. The chemo suite swabbed my toe nails for infection but I didn't require antibiotics. I used savlon / antiseptic creams on them and just kept them super clean & filed. I also wore slippers & pumps that were loose if I needed to - but nothing that pressed down on my nails. My fingernails were similar but now most of the black/blue/green colours have grown out & they are incredibly short but looking so much better! 
As with all of this, I think time is a great healer ! I'm 3 months on from chemo now (but continuing with trastuzumab by injection) & have short hair, eyebrows and even a few lashes again ! 
I also had surgery 4 weeks after chemo - unfortunately for me, although the chemo gave me a wonderful complete pathological response, the pathology from that lumpectomy detected some unknown DCIS so I went back for a second lumpectomy & unfortunately even more DCIS was found so I had a mastectomy & reconstruction surgery just 5 days ago.

One thing for sure - this is a rollercoaster - to be honest it's really tough but somehow you just keep moving forward & being positive- each day is a step closer to getting better :)

Sending you loads of luck & wishing you well too - we can kick this !! 

xxx