Hi all, what a lovely day today, hope you're all doing something nice. So, I went to the hospital to get bloods done through my port today. They wouldn't do them through port as said it needs to be after 10 days and it's only 9. They had told me at last chemo session it would be fine, that guidelines had changed to 7 days. A bit annoying as I could have gone to a closer hospital to have bloods done in the normal way. On the plus side, I asked them to talk to pharmacist for me about what gp can prescibe for hot flushes, as I've had to stop hrt. They suggested a suitable medication which doesn't affect hormones (as I'm pr positive, er positive and HER2 positive). I have a phone consultation with gp this afternoon, so hopefully she can prescribe this for me. Although receptionist did ask if the hospital were sending a letter (which they're not), so hope this won't be a problem. Also have my oncology appointment this afternoon, to see if chemo can go ahead on Monday. Off out for a walk shortly and out with friends for dinner tonight, which I'm looking forward to. Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Xx

Hey,

Ah that's annoying they couldn't access your port for your bloods this week. Hopefully by Monday and then going forward it will work perfectly but sorry you had a slightly longer journey to make today. Let us know what the oncologist says later...fingers crossed for the go ahead on Monday!

That's great news that the pharmacy has suggested some medication for your hot flushes! Let us know how you get on with that...really hope it helps.

Sunshine is amazing today, makes such a difference doesn't it?! Just been out for a lovely dog walk too....definitely helps having chemo this time of year going into summer..definitely better for the headspace!

I'm feeling pretty good today, weird taste still but not nausea, a little light headed maybe but all totally manageble and had a much better night sleep now i'm off the steroids!....my body definitely prefers this TC combo...although there is part of me that is still frustrated that my body couldn't tolerate the EC...I can't help but worry i'm not having the best chemo or the strongest one but i know i have to get that out of my head...and know that i have the next best thing and that my body just didn't want the EC so i have to ust go with it...but it does play on my mind a little!

Have a lovely evening tonight and let us know if you're good to go for Monday! xx

How's everyone else doing?? Sending love and hope you're all ok! xx

Hi Greeny80, I got the go ahead for cycle 3 on Monday. Apparently my liver function is almost back to normal, which is amazing. All the water obviously helped and they've told me to keep this up. Also spoke to gp who agreed to put me on recommended medication for hot flushes. She did say it could take up to three weeks to kick in, but it's better than seeing no end in sight. It's so good that any symptoms you have are pretty manageable this time and that the TC is OK for you. I wouldn't stress too much about EC being a stronger one though, I think different oncologists just go for different combinations. So many people with breast cancer, seem to have slightly different combinations of chemo and number of cycles. I was always under the impression that the docetaxel was stronger, as they up the steroids on this one, but who knows. My oncologist told be that as well as having the ct thorax scan on 26th, I've also been booked in for a breast scan on the 30th  (although I've not received a letter confirming this), they want to check progress after the first 3 cycles, to see how things are going. I was told they should have results for my next oncology phone call at the beginning of May, which I was happy to hear, so not too long for results thank goodness. I had a lovely evening and a catch up with friends last night, although pretty tired by the time I got to bed, I did miss my snooze on the sofa during the evening. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Xx

Oh Pippin,  I'm so pleased you've got the go ahead for Monday, that's great news. Well done to your liver!! Glad you've got some medication for the hot flushes too and like you say even if they take a few weeks to kick in at least there will hopefully be some improvement and relief soon. 

I know you're right about the TC vs EC..at the end of the day i just have to go with what my body will tolerate and just accept the new plan!

Will be interesting to see how the scans go, keeping everything crossed for you and also glad there won't be a huge wait for the results. The waiting is the hardest part sometimes!

Glad you enjoyed a lovely dinner out..i was super tired yesterday afternoon, i think it's the co-cocodomol i take with the injections so i'm going to give the co-cocdomol a miss today and see if that makes me less sleepy! I've got slight hip pain with the injections but all manageable at the moment...

Enjoy your weekend, so sunny again today makes such a difference!..and really hope the next round goes just as well as the previous ones. You seem to be taking it all in your stride! Let us know how you're getting on...

Take care xx

I too feel a bit tired today, after going out last night, but did manage to get out for my walk. It's a shame the co-codomol make you so tired. You can't win really, either tiredness or in pain, it's difficult to know what to do!! At least the sun is shining today, always makes things feel a bit better. Xx

Glad you still got out for your walk…it’s so beautiful today..spring is springing! 

Gave the co-cocodomol a miss this afternoon and so far ok pain wise…2 more jabs to go for this round so hoping no serious pain to contend with. Seems ok so far. I only had 3 jabs last time so will be interesting to see if the extra 2 make any difference. Are you ok with your jabs? Other than hot flushes and tiredness you seem to be doing so well! 

For the moment I am very much enjoying the sunshine and being outside! Have a lovely, lovely weekend  Xx

I am really pleased with how things are going so far. Yes it's just been the hot flushes and some tiredness, so feel really fortunate. Have been fine with the jabs too, no side effects so far. I have to have them for 7 days, starting on day 4, do you only have to have 5? Glad to hear you're enjoying the sunshine, it is gorgeous out there today. I've managed to get two loads of washing dry!

Hi Pippin,

I am delighted to hear that your liver is almost back to normal and that your chemo can go ahead on Monday. It's good to hear that you have been prescribed something for the hot flushes - here's hoping that you find a difference. I am sure that you'll be glad to find out how your treatment is working, when you have your scan on 30th, and I hope that it'll show that you're making good progress.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your catch up with friends last night - it's great when you can do something "normal" for a change.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Pippin,

I am delighted to hear that your liver is almost back to normal and that your chemo can go ahead on Monday. It's good to hear that you have been prescribed something for the hot flushes - here's hoping that you find a difference. I am sure that you'll be glad to find out how your treatment is working, when you have your scan on 30th, and I hope that it'll show that you're making good progress.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your catch up with friends last night - it's great when you can do something "normal" for a change.

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, I must say, I have been very lucky with treatment so far, with minimal side effects. Hopefully this will continue, when I move onto docetaxel in May, but will have to wait and see. Finger's crossed my ct thorax scan will show that lung nodules are nothing to worry about, but I'm a bit anxious about this. I'm also hoping breast scan shows that the treatment is working well. Hope you have been enjoying the lovely weather this weekend. Xx

Hope you're doing ok Jolamine? xx

Hi Pippin,

I am so glad to hear that you have had minimal side-effects with your treatment so far and sincerely hope that your scan shows that this is working for you. It's hard to believe that this is the last of your EC today - time to start worrying about the Docetaxel in May. Just enjoy these few weeks, before that starts. 

We moved house last weekend and are thoroughly enjoying the better weather down here in the south.

Best of luck for today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Greeny,

I am a bit frazzled having moved house last week, but enjoying the better weather down here in the south. I am glad to hear that you are coping better with the TC and I hope that this continues.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I'm a bit apprehensive about the docetaxel, but going to stay positive and hope I'll do OK on that too. I think I also start Herceptin injections at this time, which I'm also a bit concerned about. Hope you enjoy your new home. Xx

Hope all goes well today Pippin.   I like you am apprehensive about the docetaxel.  I've taken comfort in knowing what to expect with EC.  

so everyone my spontaneous steak has continued.  We already have an adorable Goldendoodle Skye who is 3.  
May the weekend we decided on a little puppy - her nephew - Storm.  Hubby gets him in a couple of weeks.  I will need to leave the care to hubby due to chemo and wear gloves to avoid nips and scratches but honestly so excited and looking forward to a life post chemo 

my cousin has also gifted me an electric bike.  As you all know I have severe hip arthritis but I can cycle and the electric element will make it easier.  So happy to be able to factor exercise in to my days in the future 

positivity is the best medicine by far 

hope everyone is doing ok

xxx 

Oh this is fab news on all accounts!! 

ah a bouncing bundle of joy! Cute, what type of dog is it? That will be a nice distraction from Chemo for sure….and that’s amazing about the electric bike too. With the weather getting a bit warmer too it will be so lovely to be able to do some exercise outside. Brilliant that you bike with your hip. Oh this is a very happy message! Yay!

For those worrying about Docetaxol - I know everyone will be different but everyone I know who has done EC followed by Docetaxol has said it’s so much easier! I think the main side effect is tiredness and also neuropathy but hopefully after only 3 rounds that would be so harsh..honestly everyone has said it almost felt like a relief after the EC!

Im currently on TC and my body definitely prefers this to the EC! I was super tired and achy over the weekend so Fri/Sat we’re probably my worst days (having had chemo on Tuesday) my oncologist said those would be the worst and he was right…but all totally manageable and was fully functioning still and cooking dinner and walking etc..my mouth still has this horrid taste but I had that with EC too to maybe that’s the Cyclophosphamide? Who knows! But please, please don’t worry! 

pippin - hope you’re doing ok today and that you’re nearly home if not already! Xx

Sorry just re-read that it’s a golden doodle!! We have a 3 year old black labradoodle here! Xx

Hi NGS, all was super quick today and I was home by 3pm. That's now all the EC finished, will start the docetaxel in May, plus Herceptin injections. The nurse did tell me that people who have side effects on EC are usually ok on docetaxel and vice versa. Not great for me (although I intend to prove them wrong), but good news for any of you having issues on the EC. How lovely that you're welcoming a new puppy into your family, will certainly be a nice distraction for you. Great that you've been gifted an electric bike, I think being able to get out and exercise will be good for you. Good luck with your treatment tomorrow, hope all goes well. Xx

Hi Greeny80, super quick today and was home by 3pm. Next treatment is on a Tuesday, due to Bank Holiday. I start the docetaxel and Herceptin next time, so will have to see how that goes. Nurse did say that people who have side effects on EC are often OK on docetaxel and vice versa. Not what I was hoping to hear, but great for anyone who has had issues on EC. She did say it is a totally different chemo and is stronger. My plan is to stay positive and have no side effects lol! I asked about cold therapy for hands and feet, but she didn't say if they think it makes any difference. She did say I can try if I want to, so will think about it. She did say if I get any sign of neuropathy to tell them straight away, as dosage can be changed. Not sure if I'd be keen on that, as would want the dosage I should be having. Black nail polish was mentioned to protect nails, but not sure if I should do this while using the polybalm. All these choices is mind boggling! Glad to hear you are now over your bad days and you are able to get out walking. Hopefully it will be all good days now until your next treatment. Xx