Hi Daisy

I bet you're tired. I am always nicely shattered after treatment. But strangely alert too so must be the steroid! 

No I haven't found it any tougher the further on I get. Kind of the same each week. I'm going to be having the injections to boost my white blood cell count until the end I suspect though, just to get me across the finish line. 

How come you might only do 9 out of 12? Is it because you are suffering from neuropathy? 

I'm due my MRI on the 1st Aug and then mammogram and ultrasound on the 5th Aug. I'll get results and discuss surgery plan when I see my consultant on Aug 12th. Eeek! 

A complete response is the goal isn't it? Fingers crossed for us both. How are you getting on with phesgo? Xx

Hi Vicki,

That's great that you're not finding it any more tiring now that you're nearing the end. I don't have any sign of peripheral neuropathy yet but the oncologist seemed to think that the majority of people struggle with it towards the end. I'm trying to stay really active in the hope that it helps keep it at bay.

Definitely hoping for a complete response! I can still feel my lump so a bit of a way to go but it is so much smaller than it was. Such a tendency to keep checking it but I know I need to be patient. Not long until your scans then. Be good to get a plan in place so you know what surgery to expect. Are you hoping for a lumpectomy? I've already been told mine will be a mastectomy given that I've not been blessed with much. Thinking of opting for a double if I can even though I know it's major surgery.

I'm not having Phesgo yet, still having HP IV. Due my second infusion next week so will get stocked up on more Imodium! I should switch to Phesgo once I've finished chemo, unless I need Kadcyla, jeez I hope I don't! Has the Phesgo affected your tummy all the way through?

Hope you're having a beautiful sunny day xx

Hi Vicki,

Guessing you might be having number 9 at the moment so just thinking of you! Three more weeks and you are done - woohoo! Hope it's not too hot on the chemo ward today. Not sure whether I might actually welcome the cold cap on Friday! Actually, there is absolutely no chance of that whatsoever

Anyway, hope it's all going well xx

Hi Daisy

Thanks for thinking of me. Yes number 9 today and all good. Not too hot. The ice gloves and slippers were brutal today!! Got through it though. Phesgo nxt time. Can't believe I've done 9. I bought a t shirt today that says Straight Outta Chemo and got one for my chemo buddy from oncology, to wear on our last chemo day! 

Hope you are OK in the heat and beat of luck for Friday's session! Xx

Hi Vicki,

Bet it was a warm one today for you! Only 2 left to go . Hope you're feeling ok.

I really feel as though time is standing still, seems like ages since my last treatment and it was only 4 days ago. I had some slight tingling in my hands and feet the day after my THP which only lasted 24 hours but it worried me. I've bought some gloves and slippers although I have no idea whether I'll be able to keep them cold enough as my ward doesn't have access to a freezer. I've got a little plug in cool box that I'm going to take and will hope for the best. Not even sure they'll be any good as I just bought them from Amazon. Do you start before the infusion and change freezer pack things part way through? I did investigate buying some of the hyperthermia gloves / boots but they're about £250 each!

In some ways I'd be very happy to finish at 9 but ideally want to power on through to 12 to reduce the chances of needing Kadcyla. I can still feel my lump, even though it is so much smaller now and probably if I'd been blessed with bigger boobs then I wouldn't be able to. Will be interesting to see what the ultrasound says on Tuesday.

Struggling a bit with positivity at the moment and looking way too far into the future. Just can't shake the recurrence and death worries some days and I haven't even got rid of it yet! Any tips on how to focus on the here and now?!

Anyway, well done on getting so close to the end. This time two weeks you'll have your t shirt on and be dancing out of chemo!!

Take care xx

Hello lovely

Yes number 10 today and my 5th phesgo! What a scorcher of a day. Horrible night last night. Far too hot for sleeping and was still wide awake at 2am when my son suddenly vomited and then again at 3.30am. So had to strip the bed clean him up etc and then we moved downstairs to sleep where it was a bit cooler. Slept at about 5am I think and then up at 9. Oncology with its air con was a welcome relief. 

That doesn't sound good re no freezer for you. They should have one so that ppl can do cold gloves etc. Hope your cool box does the trick for you. 

I have a half hour break after pre meds and just as that comes to an end I put my gloves and slippers on and they stay on for the full hour of paclitaxel. I keep my socks on and also wrap gauze around my hands before I put them on. 

I totally hear you re positivity and recurrence thoughts. It's all normal. Mostly I just believe that I will get through this and fight and fight. My dark thoughts are rarely there, but there are times when I get a bit down or have a strange sensation somewhere and then remember what a mountain I've been climbing. I just think about all the people who get through this and never have a recurrence. If their bodies can do it, then so can mine and so can yours. 

Did you ever go on predict? (Think it's called that). You put your stats in like what you've got, whether lymph node involvement and what treatment you are having and it gives you the 10 year survival statistics. I like to know that what I'm looking at is women who've had the exact same cancer and treatment and who are still rocking years later.

I also take supplements and am going to be following the care oncology drugs protocol once chemo is done, to give this every chance of never coming back. I'm not allowed to post what I take etc as this website can't be seen to be endorsing alternative supplements etc. Happy to let you know privately though. You can add me as a friend on this site. 

I think just living healthily etc all adds to the things you are in control of when going through this and  that tends to give me a positive outlook. That and meditation if my mind wanders.

Xx

Hi Vicki,

I've hopefully added you as a friend and would love to hear more about the oncology drugs protocol please.

I'm doing all I can to make sure my diet is as good as I can and am trying to keep some exercise going, although that is only walking at the moment. Tried to go back to running but that didn't work out so well!

I have had a look at predict and that looks far more positive than I thought it would. I don't know how recent the data is behind it?

Thanks for giving me some positivity, it's just what I needed xx

Hi Daisy

Just messaged you! 

I don't know about the predict data either but am sure I can find out. I'll let you know what I find out.

Vicki xx

Hi Vicki,

Just to say hope the final treatment goes well tomorrow!! Hope you've got the t shirt at the ready and although I know you'll be back for Phesgo, hope it feels good to have the last chemo.

Still 6 to go for me Feels never ending!! xx