Grade 2 triple positive cancer - round 3 chemo just completed

Hi there,

Yes, I found each round was a little different for side effects. I hope you can avoid the nausea this time.

Ive found the Docetaxel a bit challenging. Main tips are to have pain relief ready, paracetamol and ibruprofen but make sure you call your team as soon as you need to if those don’t work for you, they will prescribe something stronger. Stock up on Diarrhoea meds just to be safe and maybe something to keep your nails strong. 

Lots have things have tasted horrible so it’s been hard to drink enough. Maybe get some different juices / squashes and drinks in so you can find something you like.

Some people find this half a bit easier so I hope that’s the case for you, the main thing is to prepare as best you can and ask for help as soon as you need it.

Take care,

Ruby xx

Thanks so much Ruby - this first half has been hard for the first week after chemo but then Ive been feeling so well again the 2 weeks after it has just about been manageable. I’m so hoping the second half isn’t as bad or any worse anyway but I think prepare for the worst and I might be pleasantly surprised - fingers crossed anyway. Sounds good plan with the drinks and I’ll top up on the pain relief etc. I’ve been using some nail oil In preparation so will keep going with that. 
Thanks  for all the tips it it really does help. 

hope you are doing well

Kate xx

Hi

Im triple positive with stage 2 lobular cancer. I’m having a lumpectomy on 10th August then chemo 6 weeks later.

I’m having TCH regime I think (no Perjita) and I’m terrified.

I keep swinging between trying the cold cap to just not bothering. I know lots of your hair falls out but to be having ‘some’ hair is better than having none at all. I have extremely thick, coarse hair.

How did you find the cold cap? 

When I read your post I thought…you’re 50% through your treatment. Once you start the next round you’ll be closer to the end than the beginning

Hiya

Yes halfway through chemo and that feels a good milestone to tick off.  If you haven’t already heard about it there is a really good charity called https://lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk/ they do brilliant online workshops and videos and send free gift products to you which are great pick me ups.

I was nervous about the cold cap in the beginning. However I’m glad I tried it. I am still loosing a lot of hair and it may not work for me by the end but I have enough hair left that I can wear a cap when out so no one would know at the moment. You are in the unit longer as the cold cap needs to go on before chemo can start and for a period after but that’s just a good excuse to relax and read some more magazines. When it goes on it is cold but after a few minutes you get used to it . I was recommended to chew sweets and this really helps especially when it first goes on. Also I dress warm and take hot drinks with me. It can feel a little like having a cycle helmet on but once you get used to the cold you don’t tend to notice it. I have the ‘paxman’ system I think it’s called at my unit. 

Im happy to answer any questions you have as I know it can be so daunting. Good luck with all your treatment

Hi I am starting chemo tomorrow, fec-t I am triple positive er 8/8 pr 7/8 20mm lymph nodes clear, how do feel about being triple positive, I don't quite understand it xxx

Beast of luck tomorrow Shaz. xxx

Hi shaz - I’m now 5 weeks post chemo, just finished 5 rounds of radiotherapy and starting to feel much better. I was diagnosed with grade2 idc, er8, pr4 and her2-3 with no lymph node involvement. I’ve now started on tamoxifen.  I swing from being very worried about being triple positive to then feeling I have to accept they caught it and take the preventative medicine  and try to enjoy yourself. It’s not easy and you are just starting which I remember being so frightened about.  However I can say now, even though it hasn’t been easy because it made me so tired etc, it is true when people say it is doable and the fear of it for me has actually been worse than the treatment but I can only say that now I’ve finished and look back on it. I got support from ‘someone like me’ - they rang me every 3/4 weeks and I could ask them questions about it all as they had the same/similar diagnosis to me and were a few years post treatment- which gave me hope. Which really is all we want.  Have you heard of the predict app as well? If you wanted to private message me viA here I’m happy to answer any questions from my experience you have about the chemo etc. I also did fec-t - I found first 3 the hardest and the docetaxel slightly easier.  Everyone is so different though and you may find you feel ok throughout. I worked inbetween first and second rounds for a few days but then stopped however one lady I worked with worked all the way through. I hope it all goes ok and I’ll keep everything crossed for you. Xx 

Hi worried its over 10 weeks after surgery before starting, what was you advised xxx

I had my lumpectomy then results 2 weeks later and then had to have another lumpectomy as they didn’t get clear margins so another 4 weeks wait for op.  I think it was then another 3 weeks for results and then another few weeks before chemo started as had to fully recover from op. So I think 10 weeks is fine. You have to be fully recovered from op before they start chemo. Plus did they say the same to you - they told me the lumpectomy meant I was cancer free and that all the next treatment was all preventative. Have they removed  your tumour first? Xx

Yh had surgery tumour removed, and cavity shave clear of cells. Lymph nodes clear. I am her2 positive are you xxx