Hi  I'm Sarah I'm 38 and have chemo for grade 3 IDC 

I have just done 3x FEC and start Docetaxil next week for 3 of those. I do my injections at at about 6.30pm and take 2 paracetamol, the injections give me joint pain. I have been told that Docetaxil is worse for Joint pain than FEC. I have Codine prescribed just incase. The injections are to make your Blood recover quicker they stimulate our bone marrow to make more red blood cells, maybe if your near the end they will let you give them up.

I feel how your feeling, I have been using the cold cap but I am bold on the top and back, I had big blonde long hair, the only thing I liked about myself, my skin is dry and drawn I have dark circles around my eyes cold sores and sore lips. I also look in the mirror and not reconise myself.

I have been really emotional, I have had a lumpectomy, Chemo and also Radiotherapy' and then Tamoxifen. I upset a lot as so worried it will return. I have struggled with FEC, I have two young sons and hate the week after chemo.

i am so pleased you only have one left, I bet that feels great. I completely understand how you feel about people carrying on, no one really realised how hard it is unless they have lived it. I hope that your okay well done on getting this far! You can do this, stay strong. Xxx

Hi Sarah, thanks for your reply.i also have 3 children who to be honest have made me try stay positive an get up an fight it every day which I'm sure ul feel the same with your young boys. 

Yes I was doing injections  also at 6.30pm but I'm no good with codine based tablets so iv been taking just paracetamol an ibuprofen, which has left me in pain for about 5 days. I'm going to ask if I can go without the jabs for final  chemo, I  then got radiotherapy to follow and hormone treatment for 10 years. I didn't have the cold cap do lost all my hair which as a hairdresser it's been a massive deal also. But it might cheer you up to know since I swapped over to dosetaxel my hair has started growing back!!! Which I'm so happy about. Also Sarah the jabs an joint pain  along with a sore tongue for me have been the worse symptom on this chemo an other than that I'm ok which might give u some hope also. My eyes r red rimmed also an I just don't recognise myself. But hey this isn't going to last forever an summer will come and we will both enjoy time with our children making new memories an leaving chemo behind. I wish u all the best an good luck with your next lot of treatment, your very nearly there you've got this sending love, take care xxx

Hi Sarah, thanks for your reply.i also have 3 children who to be honest have made me try stay positive an get up an fight it every day which I'm sure ul feel the same with your young boys. 

Yes I was doing injections  also at 6.30pm but I'm no good with codine based tablets so iv been taking just paracetamol an ibuprofen, which has left me in pain for about 5 days. I'm going to ask if I can go without the jabs for final  chemo, I  then got radiotherapy to follow and hormone treatment for 10 years. I didn't have the cold cap do lost all my hair which as a hairdresser it's been a massive deal also. But it might cheer you up to know since I swapped over to dosetaxel my hair has started growing back!!! Which I'm so happy about. Also Sarah the jabs an joint pain  along with a sore tongue for me have been the worse symptom on this chemo an other than that I'm ok which might give u some hope also. My eyes r red rimmed also an I just don't recognise myself. But hey this isn't going to last forever an summer will come and we will both enjoy time with our children making new memories an leaving chemo behind. I wish u all the best an good luck with your next lot of treatment, your very nearly there you've got this sending love, take care xxx

Thankyou for telling me about your hair growing back, that would be amazing. How have you been other than your joint pain on Docetaxil? Any tips, although FEC is awful for Nausea I am worried about new things and how I will cope.

it has need such a long process, when I was diagnosed in October I remember them saying how long it will all take, I'm also going to have Tamoxifen. I had an Oncotype DX score but I decided not to find out what it was just yet! I wasn't strong enough mentally, i will find out when I'm ready. My consultant wants to remove my ovaries. I will don't what he suggest but will be a big deal for me. 

Your right the children, I look into their eyes and think I have too keep going,.

Let's kick it's a** much love Sarah 

Hiya, yes the process is much longer than I ever expected. I was diagnosed in September then lumpectomy and auxiliary removal  in October then started chemo kn November. The thought of chemo terrified me, an I was the same as you when it came to swapping over fir 2nd half of treatment I felt I was starting all over again. Its really not been so bad I feel less tired on the dosetaxel, iv been using salt water rinse for my tongue as its quite sore an swollen along with some gelclair from hospital to rinse before I eat. I'm using so much aveeno for my skin as it does feel a little dryer. Iv had no nausea at all with this though which is good. I think ul find it easier than your expecting to be honest (I hope)  and your ok with codine so that should take the edge of the pain of the jabs or u may not suffer like I did with them. Uv just got to think your getting close to the end now. 

I find out this week the plan for radiotherapy then also the plan for hormone treatment, il be glad to know how it will all pan out I need to know time scales now so iv got an end date. 

I will ask about counselling thankyou, I think it will benefit me. I don't always want to talk to family I feel im just moaning in a way. Let me know how you get on, I hope it goes well an that your surprised its not as bad as your thinking as I 1st thought take care, xx