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 will certainly feel better once the scans and results are over with. A nurse did tell me that if you've been OK on EC, it's the docetaxel that usually affects you and vice versa. This is a little worrying for me, as I've been pretty lucky so far. Hope you had a good weekend and are doing OK. When is your next treatment?

Really hope that's not the case with you on the Docetaxol...just remember that the oncologists etc can provide lots of pain relief if needed. Did you end up buying the mitts/socks?

and yes having tests looming over you is really hard, it can be all consuming..so hope you can do some nice things this week to distract yourself a little. Do you know when you get the results back?

I've got my next round of TC on the 30th...so hoping for a good week this week before they knock me down again. I'm worried about the cumulative element of chemo and side effects..i've got 4 more of TC to go...really hoping the side effects don't get too much worse...but i guess i just have to take one round at a time and just keep ticking them off!

Not that i like wishing time away but roll on July!!!!...although then there's radio and then hormone drugs and god knows what else next! It's certainly a journey!!!..but just have to focus on the now and yeah each round i guess, worry about the chemo first!..and deal with the rest later! 

xx

I have found some mitts and socks that I'm happy with and think I'll probably give it a go. I think the oncologist said they'll have my results at my next pre cemo consultation, which is not too long to wait, thank goodness. I too have 4 more treatments to go,  then next step for me will be surgery. I know what you mean about the cumulative effects of chemo, I've read it can take some time for your body to get back to normal. I've also got to go on long term hormone blockers, which can also have side effects to deal with. One step at a time I suppose. Xx

Hi Carol, just wondered how you have been feeling since your chemo finished, hope you're doing OK. What is the next step for you moving forward?

Morning everyone,

Just wanted to check in to see how you're all doing.

NGS- How are you feeling today? Any better? How's your throat and ulcers? Another good thing to do is to gargle salt water...really hope you're ok. Sending hugs.When do you finish the injections?

Pippin - Glad you wont' have to wait too long to get your results. The waiting is so hard!..but that's good not too long too wait. Do you have a date for surgery? Or will they not know until after your chemo? Are you having a lumpectomy? Will you have to have radiotherapy too? Hope you're feeling ok today too and that you manage to get out for your walk.

Carol - hope you're getting on ok too?

I'm now in week 3, so feeling ok. My hair is starting to thin a little but still not noticeable. Eyebrows and eyelashes still in place too. Wondering when/if they'll start to fall out?? I've got my Dad and eldest brother coming to visit for a couple of days which will be nice...weird to think this time next week i'll be back in the chemo chair and we go again!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you're all ok

Good morning Greeny80, got out for our walk at 8.30am this morning, so an early start. I don't have a date for surgery at the moment. I assume once chemo is over I'll meet up with the surgeon again. It's going to be a mastectomy for me with lymph node clearance. Will also be having reconstruction at the same time. I've read this surgery can take 8 hours, so a bit daunting. Up side is I get a tummy tuck at the same time. Will then be having radiotherapy, plus hormone blockers for up to ten years, so a long road ahead. Can I ask you how long your stitches took to dissolve after you had your port surgery? My stitches still haven't dissolved and it's three weeks tomorrow. I seem to have a bit of redness around one of the stitches and I'm worried about infection. I have booked an appointment to see a nurse at my gp surgery in the morning, so hopefully she'll be able to give me some advice. Glad to hear you're doing so well on the hair front, you must be really pleased. I still have eyelashes and eyebrows at the moment, also legs like a tarantula lol! I'm reluctant to shave it at this point, as lady in the wig shop said it's better falling out when there is a little length. Apparently less likely to get ingrowing hairs. Have a lovely time with your dad and your brother, always great to have family around you. Hope all goes well with your next cycle of chemo next week. Xx

Morning!

That's good you can have the reconstruction at the same time...I have heard that if you don't opt for it at the same time then there is a really long waiting listso mayhe good to get it done all at once..and haha!!!....Always a bonus getting a tummy tuck!!...gosh yes 8 hours is long but you'll be sound asleep!...and hopefully recovery will be quick. So your chemo is to shrink any tumors before surgery? Yes like me i'll have radio then hormone blockers..not worried about radio but am worried about the side effects of the blockers and injections etc but i'll just have to see what happens when i start taking them and how my body reacts. Everyone is different so no point worrying until there is something to worry about i guess! A friend of mine had an awful time with her hormone drugs but i told her to ask her oncologist to switch brands of the medication and she's done that and is so much better so there is hope that even if you don't react very well to certain drugs there are still options..i guess a bit like the chemo?!

With regards to the portocatch stitches..funnily enough I had one stitch which was slightly sticking out so when I went for chemo last the nurse actually tweezered it out for me so actually they hadn't totally dissolved. Defniitely worth getting it checked..I'm sure you're keeping it clean etc but yes hopefully the nurse will be able to help.

I'm wondering if my hair might start falling out a little more this week as it's 2-3 weeks after my dose but we'll see.Great that you haven't lost your eyebrows and eyelashes though...and good tip about the hairs on your legs! I've definitely noticed my armpit hair isn't growing as fast!...these side effects are so strange.

Glad that you seem be handling your EC round ok again this time. Amazing!

Chat soon - happy Tuesday! xx

Yes the chemo was first, to try and shrink the tumours. Hopefully will find out soon how that is going. I have also read on different threads on this site, about side effects from hormone blockers being a big issue. As you say changing brands can make a big difference, as some people have mentioned. Will see what nurse says tomorrow about the stitches  I did get in touch with my macmillan nurse who gave me a number to book a port check. Not sure what to do now, really don't fancy another trip to the hospital. I've decided against the cold therapy for hands and feet at my next chemo for now.  I got advice from my friend's niece who's an oncologist, who said that there's no evidence that it works. I also asked my macmillan nurse who also didn't recommend it. So think I will just see how things go for now. I think people are put of when you mention buying stuff online to be honest. Really had hoped they would say give it a try. Xx

 Pippin24 Greeny80 hi ladies, hi all sorry been missing for a while 1st lot of chemo wiped me flat out and I got an infection and ended up being admitted, just done week 5. Hair is all gone, and leg pain is the main side affect, but lump is feeling smaller. How are you all doing, what's the update?

Hi MadhatterC, sorry to hear you ended up in hospital after your first chemo. Are you still doing weekly chemo? I've now finished EC chemo and moving onto docetaxel next cycle, which is meant to be stronger. I've got a ct scan on my lungs on Friday, to check lung nodules previously found. I've also got a scan on my boob next Tuesday, to see how the chemo has been working. Most of my hair has gone too, just a little bit left now  Do you have any idea what is causing the leg pain? Good to hear that the lump is feeling smaller, think mine is too, but not sure if I'm imagining it! Good to hear from you, keep in touch. Xx

Hi MadhatterC, sorry to hear you ended up in hospital after your first chemo. Are you still doing weekly chemo? I've now finished EC chemo and moving onto docetaxel next cycle, which is meant to be stronger. I've got a ct scan on my lungs on Friday, to check lung nodules previously found. I've also got a scan on my boob next Tuesday, to see how the chemo has been working. Most of my hair has gone too, just a little bit left now  Do you have any idea what is causing the leg pain? Good to hear that the lump is feeling smaller, think mine is too, but not sure if I'm imagining it! Good to hear from you, keep in touch. Xx

Hi Pippin24 sweetie, yeah still on the weekly for 7 more weeks and then changing to EC every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. They will also scan again at that point and start planning surgery. Left boob is definitely going but gentic test to confirm fate of right and hysterectomy. How you been feeling hun, how as the port been working for you? docetaxel is the red one right that should give that should hopefully give what ever is left in there mate a good kicking mate as we want it gone and all this hard work you have been so amazing with to work.  In regards to the leg pain they just think it's a chemo side affect and it the nerves in my leg reacting, so been given codine by the doctor today for home for when I feel I really can't cope with it and it is stopping me from sleeping.I guess that the thing with the size, I don't know if it smaller, the brusing etc all could have just settled but always go with hope is where i am. I am being treated to be cured which I feel very lucky about. 

Hi MadhatterC, having weekly chemo for so long is really intense for you. At least going onto EC will give you a bit of a break in-between  It's the EC that's the red one, which I have just finished. I found it has been OK, with minimal side effects for me. Not sue how I'll be on the docetaxel, but I'm going to remain positive that this will be fine too. I Hope to keep up the morning walks with hubby, I'm sure this has helped my mindset. Annoying that you are having problems with your leg and that it's disturbing your sleep. Hope this starts to improve for you with the meds the dr has given you. Hopefully your genetic test results come through soon, you will then be sure of your treatment plan moving forward. Xx