Having a stressful day today. Had my pre chemo consultation by phone today. Went well with lots of information given about what to expect.  However, I did forget to mention about some niggling breast pain I've been having. They come and go, sometimes slightly shooting pain. Did phone breast care nurses last week, who said probably due to all the biopsies I had. They were done a few weeks ago, so wondered if pains would only start happening in the last week. So annoyed with myself, even had it written down. I know I can mention on Monday, but will now have to go through two more days of stress!!

Hi Pippin 24, I think every little niggling pain is a worry when you're in the position that we are, try not to worry hopefully the chemotherapy will start to work killing all of the harmful cancer cells,  hope everything goes well for you on Monday,   I'm anxious at the moment waiting for my PET scan results on Friday the 8th xx

Hi Annielouise, sorry to hear your cancer is more advanced than first thought. I was initially shocked how advanced mine was, as I'd only had a clear mammogram 14 months before. It sounds like your chemo is similar to mine, I'm having EC-T. 3 cycles of EC, then 4 cycles T (Docetaxel). I think there are different T options, so not sure if yours will be the same. I had my first cycle of EC on Monday and all went smoothly. So far side effects have been minimal, with just a headache all day yesterday. Hope all goes well with your chemo, always here for a chat. Xx

Hi, mine is paclitaxel, it's a whole new vocabulary isn't it! I'm glad you didn't have side effects, hope they stay away! I'm in two minds about the cold cap, it seems a but of a faff... 

I was diagnosed 11 Dec and they initially said lumpectomy and radiotherapy, stage 2. Then it emerged there were 4 lumps, so it was DIEP, then the lumps were aggressive and I had 3 infected lymph nodes, extra capsular? So now I'm stage 3 and booked for chemo etc, it was such a shock in a short space of time x

Hi Pippin

So glad you're having minimal side effects with the chemo.  I wish my ride had been the same lol.  It's been a nightmare!  But, hopefully unless they change my regime again, tomorrow is my last chemo.  I will then have surgery some time in April (what kind depends on repeat MRI scan to check the efficacy of the chemo) then 6 months of immunotherapy (Pembro).  My hair started to fall out in earnest on Day 14 after chemo.  I tend to wear scarves around the house if I have video calls, sometimes embrace the bald to let my scalp breathe and keep the wig for going "out out".  It was strange wearing a wig at first and I was very self conscious, now I'm used to it and have a little more faith that it won't just fall off lol.  I hope you continue to have minimal side effects an that your journey is a smooth one. xx

Hello,,I had Paclitaxel  first with hardly any side effects ,whilst on the EC I felt slightly different ,more chemo brain and neuropathy in my little toes and fingers .Tell them in the unit about any changes and how you are feeling . Keep on drinking plenty of water and rest when your body tells you to . 
Good luck on your journey xxx

My hair also started falling out on second treatment ,my son gave me a good shave . I felt happy wearing hats and hair grew back very quickly once treatment was over xx

Oh that's odd - I had a severe reaction to Paclitaxel so they moved me on to Doctaxel then had to stop because the neuropathy got quite severe in my fingers.  They moved me onto EC which has had fewer side effects for me except for extreme nausea for about 7-10 days after treatment (plus the usual tiredness!).  Just goes to show everyone is different and how we react is very different!  Good luck on your journey. xx

Oh bless you hun, how are you feeling after the update.

Hi Carol, good to hear that you have your last chemo tomorrow. I'm due to start injections in stomach tomorrow days 4-10, to build up white blood cells. I think this may bring on some extra side effects, but will have to see. Also the docetaxel is supposed to be quite harsh, so people say. Good luck with your surgery in April, please let me know how it goes. I think that is the surgery I'm supposed to be having. Xx

Hello everyone 

firstly I really appreciate this group.   It is so comforting to connect with others going through the same thing. 

I had my first EC chemo yesterday with cold cap - been an up and down reaction 

firstly cold cap - not as scary as I thought.  First 5 minutes was like head rush , I counted and breathed through this and can liken it to contractions when in labor.  They only last so long.  After initial 5 minutes it was manageable just like a cold head.  I took paracetamol before hand    I caked my hair in conditioner ( bought one for hair loss from Avon) 

 have had a mild headache today but that could also be due to chemo or what happened next as below 

chemo going in was absolutely fine.  Was tired after but likely more from not sleeping night prior due to worry and anxiety 

however by around 5 pm I experienced swelling in my throat and struggled to swallow. I could breathe and drink water but phoned chemo team and they advised a and e 

spent 12 hours in hospital. ECG and chest x ray clear.  Pumped with antibiotics , anti histamine and saline.   My tonsils are inflamed so using the mouthwash. I am prescribed anti sickness day 1-3 and also steroids day 1-4 so at moment not sure what meds have triggered reaction.  I am allergic to penicillin and Diclofenac and reaction was same.  
swelling reduced following anti histamine 

anyhow stored today and mild headache 

im using the polybalm on my nails - thanks for tip Pippin. 
eating very little and soups mainly but that is due to throat.  

wishing everyone else the very best in their journeys xx

norma 

I think i'm on a similar treatment plan to you, starting EC on the 19th. Good to hear you're doing ok and managing to escape any major side effects, hope that's still the case and hope your headaches are easing. Keeps us posted on how you're getting on. Did you use the cold cap? Hope you're doing ok and looking after yourself. xx

I think i'm on a similar treatment plan to you, starting EC on the 19th. Good to hear you're doing ok and managing to escape any major side effects, hope that's still the case and hope your headaches are easing. Keeps us posted on how you're getting on. Did you use the cold cap? Hope you're doing ok and looking after yourself. xx

Headache now gone I'm pleased to say. Only side effects so far is a little tiredness, but did manage an hours walk with hubby. Due to start a week of injections tomorrow which can also have side effects, will have to see how that goes. Decided against cold cap, due to already being prone to headaches. I also feel the cold and thought this would be too uncomfortable. It'll have to be a wig and nice hats, which I've got ready. Good luck for the 19th, hope all goes well for you. Always here for a chat and to swap tips. Xx

Hi Pippin 24, really nice to hear that you're coping well,  just be careful with those injections,  they gave them me to use and I could hardly walk upstairs afterwards,  I also absolutely hated injecting myself,  I  ended up begging them not to give me any more  and luckily my blood count was OK enough not to need them xx

Thanks for giving me the heads up on the injections. If I have problems, will get them to check my blood count too.  Luckily won't have to inject myself, as hubby is going to do this for me. Will let you know how it goes. Xx

Ah thanks also for heads up.  I already suffer with osteoarthritis so hoping this does not make it worse.  
pout if interest has anyone else had / been to,d they will be having bone therapy. I’m due to have zometa post chemo by IV every 6 months for 3 years xx 

Fingers crossed for you xx

I do know someone who is currently having the infusions for bones so I will try and find out,  she does seem OK though when I've seen her xx

Thanks, will let you know how it goes. Xx

I have the Bisphosphonate infusion every six months , going for one again in April . I don’t have any side effects xx

Hi Pippin 24 , only just just got back from the hospital after 2 hours,  I've basically been told that the cancer areas are the main lump under my breast,  a nodule in my lung and one around my heart,  hopefully should be starting treatment which will be abraxane weekly chemotherapy and pembrolizumab every 6 weeks.  I'm struggling with them saying that this will be be life now as I can't be cured,  hope you're doing OK xx

Hi Rufusblue, I'm so sorry to hear that you're now going to be on treatment for life, that must be a difficult thing to hear. I have a friend in a similar position, who has secondary breast cancer, which has spread to the brain. However, she is doing amazingly well, treatments are so good now. Will the weakly chemo be only for a certain amount of time? I seem fine after injection yesterday, so will see how that goes. Sleep is my biggest problem at the moment, keep waking at about 4.30am, then can't sleep anymore. I think it's more to do with coming off hrt and getting hot flushes. I am also worried a bit about a couple of lung nodules and a cyst on my liver. They've said not to worry about it and I'll be having another scan in 3 months. It's difficult not to worry about everything though. Will you need surgery for the lump, or just the chemo?  Please keep in touch to let me know how things go. Sending big hugs. Xxx