**JUNE JULY AUG 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

Well done your hair for clinging on so long! Hopefully the new growth will come in and incoming and outgoing will overlap. My hair was shoulder length but I can hardly remember it. I think if I was going to do this again (and I'm not planning to!), I'd get a wig before my hair fell out. I was given one a couple of months in but by then I'd got used to wearing scarves. A woman at my unit came in last week revealing her new growth and it was a very good powerful look. I'm not there yet, and also I'm a wimp, but it was inspiring. Yes, Omeprazole is my new friend. Didn't need it before but though I'm eating exactly the same my tummy is doing very different things. Until recently I've felt like everything was running quite smoothly – I had SEs but knew to expect them. Now I have all sorts of new jabs and twinges and I feel a bit like a leaky boat in choppy water, bailing out but with the shore in sight! Have you got anything planned for post-chemo? 

Hi Claire

I hope Friday went ok, only 3 more to do and you will be there.  I’m feeling better by the day and starting to feel more normal and this will be you soon.  The rash has gone and I have more energy too.  I was fortunate not to loose my taste too much and apart from a tingly tongue which is going now I really sympathise with anyone that has lost their taste x

Well done for ringing the bell and I hope any SE’s start to subside quickly for you x

Great photo Dclem4 and hope you had a well deserved break x 

Wow Gwenniepennie - fab hair and I hope mine comes back that quick - going to start talking to it :)) 

Thinking of you  and really hope  your gene test is negative x

Our daughter sent me a card at the end of Chemo and it said - Life is a journey and the end of one part is always the beginning of another.  Keep going, there are so many good thoughts and wishes behind you.

Take care everyone xx

Good morning all hope you are all well. Have just finished 3 x EC chemo treatments some bad days but manageable and some ok days. Moving on to 3 x Docetaxel and getting a bit anxious as get the impression the side effects are worse on this has anyone got advice or tips on what to expect and how best deal with things would be much appreciated and thanks in advance have a good day all . Gail

Well done for finishing Chemo and hopefully you will soon start to feel a little more like your self soon.  I had my RT planning last week and definitely do arm exercises before and practice holding breath.  Perhaps it was just me but I got pjns and needles in hands and then they felt numb which became quite uncomfortable.  It did seem to take some time and I am hoping the actual RT is shorter which starts on the 30/7. 

I hope the lovely weather has lifted your spirits.  Take care x

Well done CoffeeFiend on getting through number 6 - is that you finished? I can’t seem to remember anything at the moment! I hope your side effects are minimal. 

Historywoman Good luck with your first chemo. I was very anxious for my first few and couldn’t eat much, but there was tea and biscuits on the ward and soup and sandwiches over lunch time if wanted. I took some crisps / rice cakes and water with me to make sure I had something though, once you’ve had the first one you’ll know better what to expect.

Thanks all for well wishes on final treatment. I rang the bell very loudly!! I’m absolutely shattered now and have been mostly sleeping the last few days, waiting for the stomach issues to kick in but will be so pleased to start to feel a bit better. 

Good luck with the RT Panagia and hope everyone manages the weekend ok.

Ruby xx

It’s a great feeling to ring that bell well done Redruby. Weather had been glorious sometimes too hot but shouldn’t complain. Can’t quite get it round my head that I’ve no where to go tomorrow I will relish the long lie. SE so far are boob is red and around about feels like sunburn paracetamol is doing the trick scars are a bit tight moisturising everything. 

Good luck to anyone having treatment or starting treatment 

take care 

Anne Xx 

Hi Gail

Sorry I can’t give advice but thanks for posting this as I’m about to start the exact same regime as you (3x EC then 3 x docetaxel) on Tuesday and your experience is comforting.

You probably know all the stuff that medics have told you... but maybe others who’ve gone through it can say how this relates. This is mostly from my chemo nurse who has 20+ years experience with chemo..

• for docetaxol, we’ll get steroids theday before, the day and the day after - this is to prevent fluid retention 
• lots of people get 4th cycle blues with the change to docetaxel and feeling progressively tired - I’ll be grumpy ! 
• Docetaxel is administered a bit different from EC via a bag over about 1 hour (as opposed to EC via a running drip) Not exactly sure what any of that means tbh
• Lastly if we do feel worse with docetaxel, it might be comforting to know that it’s triggering cancer cell death (aptosis) as opposed to just stopping cell replication and growth, which is what the EC does

Hope it goes well for you and thanks again xx

Well Done Red Ruby … another step in the right direction … xx️

Hi 

Yes Friday went well  my bloods had even improved!....down to the last 3! Currently sat in my garden suncreamed up and under the parasol! Glad each day is getting better for you and that you're getting to near normal. Not long before your RT and then that's another bit completely finished xxx

fantastic photo, that will be me in 3 weeks time !!! Xx

Best wishes everyone and take care xx

Hi sarahsflowers 

thank you so much for the information re Docetaxel it’s always good to find a positive and as tough as it may be we have to go through it to get the end result. Hope all goes well with you for your treatment. Take care