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 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

Hope today goes well Pippin, last EC, whoop!! Hope they can access the port ok today and that you continue to feel good with minimal side effects...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

Thank you, just on my way to the hospital now. As you say its my last EC, so one milestone to tick off. Hope you're still feeling ok. 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

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

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

Hi Pippin 

I had neuropathy with Docetaxel and would definitely recommend following their advice about having the dose reduced if you start getting symptoms.  If it goes ignored and gets bad, sometimes it's irreversible, so it's not worth the risk.  They had to take me off Docetaxel completely because my neuropathy got so bad (I started dropping things) but luckily it seems to be getting better now, though I still have some numbness in my finger tips, but it's manageable. I was however extremely sensitive to the chemo treatment and I know it's quite rare, so I'm sure you will be fine (realised I sounded like a proper scaremongerer there!).  I got really bad nausea on EC but was fine on Docetaxel (other than the neuropathy) except for extreme tiredness.  But quite honestly, I think my body just hated the treatment.  It was worth it though as I got the cancer all clear a couple of weeks ago and now just waiting for a lumpectomy (scheduled for 24th) to remove a small amount of surrounding tissue to give clearance.  I will also have radiotherapy after surgery and continue immunotherapy for 6 months, but am hoping life will return to some form of normality once I have recovered from the surgery.  Apparently I can't walk the dog for 3 months due to the risk of her pulling! Lord knows how I'm going to do that - others will walk her for me but I will miss our little strolls out and bonding time. 

Re nails, my nails have never been strong than they were while on chemo!  Every cloud lol. 

Good luck with your next treatment.  I hope all goes well. x

Hi Carol, thanks for the info on the neuropathy, I will be sure to mention any symptoms straight away. I certainly don't want to risk any permanent damage. I have been considering cold therapy for hands and feet, but haven't made up my mind yet. Will do a bit more research into this. I did mention it at the hospital, but they didn't have much to say about it. I've been fine on the EC and hope this continues with the docetaxel, going to stay positive. So pleased you got the cancer all clear even before your surgery. I didn't realise chemo could get it all, so that's good to hear.  Shame that you can't take your dog out walking, when you enjoy it so much. Maybe you could go along for the walk, while someone else holds the lead. I've been enjoying my daily walks, just got back from a 2 1/2 mile walk with hubby, seems to give me more energy strangely. I have been using a product called polybalm on my nails, which I'm hoping is going to limit nail damage, will have to see how that goes. It's good to hear your nails were fine. Good luck with your surgery on the 24th, hope it all goes well. Xx