Hi Annke

Really sorry to read your news. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 but didn't have chemo so of little use to you but I saw no one has got round to replying to you so I didn't want to read and run. Hopefully, someone will come along soon and provide their experience. x

Hi, 

I'm 48, diagnosed last Feb, Hormone+ and Her2-   ...Grade one invasive tubular lobular ductal....So surgery first and chemo started 5th May....six EC and six Docetaxel...The week before my chemo I cried everyday...I read the info they gave me and almost refused...the booklets they gave me highlight the worst bits so you know when to worry about infection....I reluctantly went and didn't experience ANY side effects for the first three doses of EC...like nothing...no sickness, no temperature, loss of taste etc.... worst bit was the compulsory steriods for three days which made me a bit wired..lol...cleaned everything in sight and couldn't sleep .

The last three Docetaxel were different...three doses...after each dose I had flu like symptoms...for a week...pain in legs, headache. They gave me morphine which I used two doses of, mostly paracetamol and sleep.  Hard to think back now...my last dose was 18th August...

They said I shouldn't have live yoghurt for four momths after so got my first one yesterday...!!! yay (hate the stuff but want to be as healthy as I can be)

I also used the cold cap...lost 50% of hair but it started growing back during last chemos...anything you want to ask please do.......

I read the booklet and confided in a friend (not my husband or mum) that I wanted to refuse because I was scared of sepsis and 18 weeks of sickness...he said...but you have to do it to be there for Milo ...my gorgeous cat....glad he said that...it made me stop thinking just about me.

I really wish you all the best xx

Hi Magpie,
Thank you for your response, and I hope you are doing great now? I hope I can say that one day

yes Annke, I came out the other end and doing well. Key to me was to completely focus on the life saving treatment, ticking each step off until it all finished, then I let myself have a cry and resolved to get on with my life, in between treatments I would treat myself to something nice, new clothes, pampering at the beauty clinic etc. It gave me a boost and allowed me to feel human again.

I wish you all the best and hopefully not too long before you're cancer free and doing well also x

Hi. 
I cannot offer any relevant advice, but I wish you the best in your course of treatment. I receive my ultrasound and biopsy results later (Thursday). Talking about this with others whom understand is key.

Steph