Hi All!

I hope everyone managed to get at least a little bit of respite from the fear and anxiety this weekend.

Vicki - how was the beach hut? Hope that fresh air did the trick for you.

Take care of yourselves xx

I took the kids to the cinema on Saturday, and then had my sons 4th birthday party on Sunday. So I've managed to keep quite well distracted!! 
 

The breast clinic just called, and they've moved my results appointment to 9:40 on Thursday, instead of 11:40. So at least I don't have to worry all morning. It will be school run, then appointment!! Praying for benign results!! Xxx

Hi Rainbowninja, 

Welcome to the gang! No need to apologise for gate crashing....many of us have done the same but have been welcomed unconditionally. I have found this chat super supportive and it has really helped me to know I am not alone. And nether are you. 

So sorry you find yourself here and that you have been diagnosed with IDC. 

How are you feeling? I hope you are doing ok and find some solace in knowing your situation and hopefully having a plan to beat this damn disease. 

Sending best wishes and feel free to lean on us for support. Xx

Hi Rainbowninja87,

You are very welcome.  The wonderful ladies on this thread have been amazing and helped me cope when I was diagnosed with IDC grade 1 last month.  I was pretty scared and reached out on here, not knowing what to expect.  
 

I think everyone has felt supported by some very wise words and helpful advice.  I know I have, since I started the thread, particularly in the difficult wait for results.

I hope you can feel supported on here, you are not alone. x

Hi Vicki, 

How are you? Did you have your first chemo today? Hope it went OK and you aren't feeling too many side effects.

Sending hugs and thinking of you xx

Evening ladies!

Hope you are all doing OK!

Just thinking that I ought to start preparing for my surgery. For those who have been through it (I'm expecting to have upper left quadrant removal with lift and bilateral reduction /or similar) any tips on what helped with recovery and generally making things easier post-op?

I don't even own a pair of slippers! Do I need slippers? I feel like I need some slippers lol!!

And what about post-op bras? 

My daughter has bought me some button front pj's for my birthday (bless her she wanted to buy mummy a pretty dress but I subtley suggested pj's might be more practical!)

Anyway, enough rambling! Any tips hugely appreciated!

Sending best wishes to you all xx

Hello you lovely person. Thanks for thinking of me. So much appreciated.

Yes first EC chemo was yesterday. The meds going through were OK and I had lovely nurses. Just so wonderful. Felt OK getting home but went badly downhill from about 5pm! Nausea, headache, kidney pain, mood swings and no chance of sleep. However, I do think a lot of that was because of the steroid I'd had as well. I finally slept at about 1am and today I feel far more human. 

When do you have your surgery?

Xxx

Hi Vicky hope you feeling ok I am having my second cycle of chemotherapy next Monday                       this week feeling ok sleep is a problem tho. My first post  love to all x

Hello and thank you. Are you given a steroid as a pre med? I had dexamethasone and I hear it can stop you sleeping properly which is counter productive for me. My body needs to heal after that onslaught! I toldbthe nurse this morning and she said she would ask about the dose being reduced. 

What chemo are you on? 

Hope you are feeling OK and thanks for messaging xx

Oh no - sorry you had such nasty side-effects, but gald you are feeling more human again today!

Let's hope that they can alter your steroid dose next time - I imagine it's always a case of trial and error until they get the balance right as everyone is different.

On the flip side, sounds like you have great nurses ansd support for the chemo sessions themselves so that's good to hear.

When is the next one?

My surgeryis scheduled for 10th March. Have an MRI tomorrow (Nice birthday present haha) so if that doesn't show up anything unexpected then should be all good to go for the 10th.

Fingers crossed!!

Xxx

I am havingEC90 Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide for 3 cycles fiollowed by three cycles of  Carboplatin and weekly Paclitaxel.  I was sent home with steroids to take for two days  I think. Will find out more on Monday.  Thank you x

I'm having ec for 4 cycles then taxol weekly for 12 weeks. 

How did you feel after your first ec? Were you sickly or any hot flashes? I'm getting those today! I feel rather empty inside and am hoping that passes soon. I only had my treatment yesterday though so I guess to be expected. Xx

I'm having ec for 4 cycles then taxol weekly for 12 weeks. 

How did you feel after your first ec? Were you sickly or any hot flashes? I'm getting those today! I feel rather empty inside and am hoping that passes soon. I only had my treatment yesterday though so I guess to be expected. Xx

Good morning hope you feeling a bit better today yes hot flush s and hot feet sent for ice pack socks to cool them off ! No sickness think I now have things in place to help me next time frozen pineapple to suck gargle with salt water just rest. After having my first cycle not knowing what to expect fear of the unknown etc I now know it will pass and you do feel better make every thing you eat help you on your recovery on that note I craved cold chips so had a few. Take care love and big hugs to every one  

Hello

I had loads of aches in my neck and back today. Also woke up and had a cry. Just felt grim. Spoke to nurse who thought the pains were most likely due to my injection that I self administered yesterday. Filgrastim? Slept this afternoon and then at about 6pm I had another good cry as I think I'm just totally anxious about feeling unwell and it becoming worse. I just don't handle feeling sick very well and with all the notes you have to read about if you feel odd always call and check. I got myself all wound up that I was going to collapse any second. Anxiety sucks. I'm now having an epsom salts bath, have had a green tea and done a hypnosis session which has helped. You sound way calmer and together than me!! Xx

Not always calm. Hate the injections I have to have but staying strong for my girls my daughter gives me my injections I do have a good cry too stress reliever you take care not reading anything have to have covid test today ready for Monday. When woman rang said she had questions to ask if I had any headaches feeling ill aches etc. I told her to stop said I had all them all plus more as I had chemotherapy lol.  My biggest trouble is going to sleep   Might try Epsom salt bath.  I am drinking green tea  I decided chemotherapy can have my body for a week then I am taking over.  I have kept a journal for each day had tingling head in the night cut my long hair off !!    Keep in touch big hugxxxx

Hello Ladies,

just checking in to see how you're all doing. I hope the chemo side effects settled down soon Vicki! Good luck for your MRI results Postive T. 
Mary and Bubblesmum, how are you doing?

Thinking of you all. 
 

Lots of love and prayers, Lindsey. Xxx

Hi Lindsey

Hope you are doing well  

As for me, I can honestly say I feel pants! It sucks. I'm day 4 post chemo and still feel sick on and off. Its like when I've had food poisoning and the vomiting has stopped, but there is a lingering grimness just lurking in the background. I haven't actually vomited at all, but just feel nauseous. My anxiety has been bad on and off and it's when my mind runs away qith itself, thinking I'll be the only person ever who just won't ever feel better after chemo. Those kind of unhelpful thoughts. I get paranoid that I'm too weak and that my iron is too low, then I cry because my anxiety takes over. It does not help that my period only arrived yesterday, 5 days late and is quite heavy, so that's probably made me feel worse. I've managed to keep eating though. Anyway, it is what it is. I'm being looked after by my husband. I think it's just a shock to my system to suddenly feel so ill and helpless. Its a hard thing to come to terms with. Xxx

Nice to hear from you Linze!

And thank you! Results Monday eek!

Hope you are good

Lots of love xx

So sorry you are feeling so rubbish with the chemo side-effects. Sounds so tough. Glad you are being well looked after by your hubby.

I have no doubt that you will get through this and that there are many others who have felt the same.

Your strength will get you through.

Sending hugs and thinking of you xx

Thank you so much. I actually feel human this evening. Felt sickly today but got out to a close by park and sat in the sun. Then managed to do sainsburys which was a miracle! Apart from a headache that wore off, I've felt OK tonight thank goodness. 

Thanks for your message. Xxx

Yay!

Really happy to hear this. Onwards and upwards!

You are an incredibly strong woman! Hang in there you've got this xx 

Hi Vicki, 

I hope you and your lovely friends won't mind me jumping in? I just had to respond to your post where you mentioned your 1st experience of EC Chemo. I too was fine when it was administered 1st time, but my nausea kicked in while I was waiting for my hubby to pick me up, and lasted almost 2 weeks! 

In between the 2 weeks, I've had a very dry mouth with ulcers along both sides of my tongue, headaches and fatigue. I have had to use the emergency red card twice. The first time I had pain in my upper stomach, 4 days post Chemo. I had the pain for 12 hours and couldn't take any more before I rang. The person I spoke to wasn't very helpful and told me to take paracetamol. I did, and the pain eased a little, but it was enough for me sleep and awake with no pain. The second time, I developed extreme chest pain. I called red card number, who told me to hang up and call 999. Paramedics checked, and I was sent to hospital for tests. I spent 9 hours at the hospital, (I had every test you could think of) and they couldn't find anything wrong. There is no problem with my heart. The doctor and consultant said it could all be Chemo related, but they had to do the necessary checks to be on the safe side.

Like you, I have been feeling human enough for nearly a week now and I'm loving being back to me again. The trouble is my second round is coming up on 3rd Mar. (Aghhh!) 

Although I know what's coming, it doesn't set my mind to think I can go through the side effects all over again. Throughout my journey, I've been confident had a positive outlook, but some of that has been worn away. Then I see the posts you lovely ladies have on here and I get immediately boosted!

Again so sorry to intrude, and sorry for going on

Take care Vicki, ladies

Much love n big hugs  

Vee xx