Hello, I just saw your post and wanted to let you know that having chemo before surgery is very common especially for bigger tumours and if there is lymph nodes involved. I am about 6 months ahead of you in my treatment. I was diognosed in Oct last year 4.5 cm lump in breast with one confirmed lymph node. I’m HER2 positive. I had 4 rounds of EC chemo followed by 4 rounds of docetaxol. After the first two infusions my lump had reduced to nearly half and the lymph node no longer looked cancerous under ultrasound. After 6 rounds the doctor could no longer find the lump on ultrasound. I won’t lie the chemo is tough and because it’s accumulative the side effects get worse the more you have ( well for me they did). But chemo is so worth it and will kill any microscopic cancer cells in your body. I had a lumpectomy mammoplasty on the 22 April, just 3 weeks after my last chemo. I’m still a bit sore and tender. still have a few side effects from chemo. I have an appointment with oncologist next week to talk about radiotherapy and I also need to start have herceptin again which is the target drug for HER2 + which I will continue to have for a year.

There is lots of information on here to help you through it. If you have any questions for me  I’m happy to answer or help if I can. 

fishnchips 

Hi fish and chip

Do you mind me asking how you found docetaxel. Did you feel sick? Were you advised to paint your nails dark . Did you lose your hair? 

I'm due to have my first one thursday. 

Thanks

Hi 

No I don’t  mind you asking...

i had already lost my hair whilst on the EC chemo, it actually started growing back while on docetaxol which apparently is not uncommon. 

For me docetaxol side effects took a few days to kick in... people call it the tax truck!

My infusion was on a Friday and I would Start feeling tired on the Sunday evening then the muscle & bone pains all over would kick in. Bruised feeling neck and shoulders. Prickly skin.Heart palpitations Heavy arms and legs. This would last 3or 4 days. I had to get some strong pain killers on prescription.

I also had digestive issues and diarrhoea. I occasionally felt nauseous but was never sick not like when I was the EC

Mouth would feel horrible with constant soapy taste which made everything taste weird. This has returned to normal now.

For me the docetaxol seem to dry everything out so my skin on my face would become super dry and tight. Sores in nose. Dry sore hands, my nose would spontaneously start running and I had watery eyes which was very annoying.

A few of my nails started turning white and were painful. Yes painting them dark helps although I’m not sure why!

For me the side effects got worse and lingered for longer the more I had due to the accumulation.

best advise is to start drinking loads of water the day before your infusion and continue to drink lots over the next free days. I also drink coconut water as it helps replace electrolytes and it great for hydration.

i still have aches and pains in my legs and back and get tired easily. 

So for me it wasn’t great, but everyone is different some find it easier than the EC or FEC. 

What treatment have you had so far?

Hope this helps, any more questions let me know. 

Fishnchips

Thank you so much for replying. Its good to know even though it doesnt sound very nice. I am on the Roscoe trial and was supposed to have 4 x FEC then surgery then more chemo. After 3 FEC covid 19 hit us so they brought forward my lumpectomy as luckily my tumour had shrank 2.6cm so didnt need a mastectomy. They didnt quite get clear margins but wont operate again, apparentlyj can have a radiation boost to mop up any remaining cells if the chemo doesn'tget them.. Because we dont have too many cases of covid in the south west they are now saying I can have  more chemo so I am having 3 x docetaxel. I wore the cold cap through FEC and still have my hair, be it a little thinner, but they wont let me use it now as it takes too long. So I'm broken hearted as I've had to cancel my wedding till next year and wanted long hair.  

Where are you on your journey?

Best wishes

Stef x

Hi Stef,

My treatment so far...I’ve  had 8 rounds of chemo the last 4 being docetaxol also included herceptin and pertuzebab (probably spelt that wrong) which is the targeted drugs for HER2 +

I had a lumpectomy/mammoplasty 12 days ago.  They took out 4 lymph nodes, they were able to check 3 whilst I was having the op and they all came back negative. One was to small and needed to be sent off to the lab for testing along with the breast tissue to check margins. I’m hoping to get results back this week.

cant wait to get the dressings off as showering without getting them wet is proving very difficult!

i have an appointment with my oncologist on the 13th to discuss when radiotherapy might start and also to start the target HER2 drugs again as I need those every 3 weeks for a year, so I still have a way to go yet.

There are quite a few cancer journeys on YouTube that I found helpful and interesting, they talk about their experience with chemo including docetaxol, radiotherapy and surgery. If you’re interested look up: Melanie Eacott Or Dee Doherty or Nikki Kirsten 

im sorry to hear that they won’t let you use the cold cap. This seems very unfair considering you’ve used it before and managed to keep most of your hair! 

Anyway I hope it goes well on Thursday and the tax truck doesn’t hit you too hard. I kept a diary of all my side effects so I could discuss them with the oncologist and if need be get medication such as stronger pain killers.

Good luck and Best wishes 

fishnchips

Hi Stef, I was just wondering how you’ve been getting on following your first docetaxol? 

I hope you’re doing ok

fishnchips

Hi fishnchips

How sweet of you to check on me. Xxx until now I've been great, even painted the shed yesterday. A little more out of sorts today! Slept for 12 hours last night so a little groggy. Apart from that so good so far!!  No nausea like the FEC which is sooo much better. Injection starts today but I didnt really suffer with them before. 

Did you get your results back? If so I hope they were all good and you are recovering well from your surgery. 

Stay safe

Stef xxx

Hi, glad to hear you’re feeling ok and able to get  on and do stuff.  Wow 12 hours sleep, that’s good... probably because the steroids have come out your system! I wouldn’t sleep for the best part of 3 nights due to those steroid tables, totally wired! 

I heard from my surgeon on Thursday and I’ve got clear margins plus the 4 nodes they removed all came back negative.

Well I hope the side effects keep away for you, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

take care 

fishnchips

Hi there am just looking for advice am 28 I have four children I have been having on and off pain in left breast for a couple of months I have now had a rash under Nipple and I have a small dimple I have swelling above collar bone and near armpit been to gp she has found 2 lumps one in each breast I feel tired and have a funny taste in mouth and aching hands wrists and arms been refereed to breast clinical she said I'd have an appointment in 14 days any advice welcome what to expect etc thanks xx

Hello Julie, I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation, I know you must be feeling worried. 

After I was referred by my gp (10 days) i was seen by a doctor at the breast clinic. She sent me for a mammogram the same day, I had to wait another week for a an ultrasound and biopsy. I had to go back the following week for further biopsies then another weeks wait for the results. 

Waiting for the appointments to come around can seem long and be stressful. Try to keep yourself busy... I’m sure your are with 4 kids at home. My sister would always say to me try not to worry until you know there’s something to worry about.. easier said then done!

I really do hope everything turns out ok for you.

stay safe x

fishnchips

Hello Julie, I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation, I know you must be feeling worried. 

After I was referred by my gp (10 days) i was seen by a doctor at the breast clinic. She sent me for a mammogram the same day, I had to wait another week for a an ultrasound and biopsy. I had to go back the following week for further biopsies then another weeks wait for the results. 

Waiting for the appointments to come around can seem long and be stressful. Try to keep yourself busy... I’m sure your are with 4 kids at home. My sister would always say to me try not to worry until you know there’s something to worry about.. easier said then done!

I really do hope everything turns out ok for you.

stay safe x

fishnchips

Yes thanks so much for reply just nice to talk to someone not family if you get me xx