Tamoxigang New Year, New Thread, *46*

[BetsyBoop]

Hands round a for everyone.

Yes, people assume "aggressive" is bad, but it does react very well to chemo because it's greedy!

Harriet I am HER2+ on right and HER2- on left so I will be having chemo followed by Herceptin, radio and Tamoxifen.

ADVICE NEEDED!!

So bone pain has stopped!!

BUT

Now I have continual issues with diarrhoea Its not constant but tummy cramps and the runs at least twice a day! I have been trying to eat even though I can't taste anything! But now i'm wandering if I should just stick to water for a day?? I've lost about 8lbs in the last week! (I can afford to lose some weight) Did anyone else have tummy issues on Tax? Or with any Chemo drugs?

Any foods that I should avoid or foods I should try?!

I will call doc if things don't improve! But I always feel a bit silly, and like they are going to say, it's the side effects you just have to deal with it!

I officially HATE this drug!

Thank you for your replies. These are concerning and underline the fact that we have not really started this process yet and I am already doubting the rather wishy-washy things that have come from hospital. I do not understand how my friend can have been told no chemo when at 41 Malteserzz was told it would probably be required. Do you think this is due to the fact they just don't bother giving chemo in late 60's as it is too hard on an older body? kitkat1969 you say your DM and her friends had only surgery and rads - is this as effective?

I am also concerned about your comment regarding grading and the fact that this does not reflect the stage of disease. Thanks as I understand this point now. How can a dr have said it is "early" when relevant tests not been done yet. Is it considered early if no lumps are present or is the presence of lumps and bumps irrelevant? I don't understand? This wooly upbeatness from hospital has just worried me stupid as several close relatives have been told in respect of other cancers don't worry this will be kicked into the long grass and all will be fine quickly and neither of them are here now.

I will stop wittling on. I just felt more confident at what I was told the drs had said to her but maybe she misheard or they were just flanneling at this point. Thanks all.

Amber thanks for that, really useful

Really I'm sure you'll get some good advice on here but also could you ring your chemo helpline and ask, they will be able to suggest something I'm sure. Sounds miserable hope you can get it sorted

Really - Don't hate the drug, hate the cancer. I am having tummy trouble too with Tax - the most awful cramps with diarrhoea. I have continued eating as normal though. I think you can take Imodium which can be bought from the chemist, but do check with a medic. Do you have a 24 hour chemo line that you can call?

Really - Meant to add that if you don't, I would be happy to call mine.

Just had phone call from Oncologist. My appointment had already been moved on one week and now he can't make that date either. So he is having a clinic next Saturday. As Imhave a scan on Wednesday and am already in a state of worry that should reduce my period of blind panic.
Meanwhile we are off to a spa hotel for a couple of days - still got my portacath in but I think I can swim etc ( can't I?)

Thanks tiny and malt I called Chemo line, but as I predicted response was it is one of the side effects, try over the counter products. IF no better by Monday see GP! IF gets worse call Chemo line again!

Oh and don't worry tiny I do hate the cancer, and I know I should be remembering that this drug is killing the cancer, but right now its just bloody annoying and I've had enough!!

Takes self away to sulk in the corner! Sorry xx

I had AWFUL diarrhea on FEC and it's the main reason my onc wants weekly paclitaxel as she said docetaxol is bad for tummy probs. Fwiw she told me taking immodium was fine, but best check with your BCN. Thinking of you really - it's awful!

Worried - With regards to hospitals Barts has an excellent reputation. It also has a state of the art Cancer Centre and Breast Care Centre. I guess your friend would ask their GP to refer them to Barts instead of the local hospital. BTW, are you referring to Queens? I wouldn't step inside there for anything either.

Lily enjoy your weekend away I don't know whether you can swim sorry. Good that you won't have too long to wait for the results of the scan

Really sorry you didn't get more help from them hope it settles down

Offering my pink fizz round for everyone who needs it

Lily - Enjoy the spa hotel, sounds a lovely treat. I would think it is okay to swim with a port-a-cath as it is under the skin and they have to 'stab' it to gain access, but I would check with the Doctor just to be sure.

Really - I have to remind myself not to hate the drugs all the time!

Wee - I think you would have really struggled on Tax, if you had diarrhoea on FEC. I usually have a cast iron stomach and nothing upsets it.

Malt - Pink fizz sounds lovely - enjoy. PS: Hope your son is feeling a bit better. x

Really, I hope you're tummy settles and that you get some helpful advise soon

Really hope your tummy is feeling a bit better.

My oncologist advised me to get some Immodium in just in case - only started the weekly tax today so hopefully wont need it.

worried - they give chemo to older ladies less often as the types of cancer you are likey to get when older tend to be less agressive and less responsive to chemo - you really do get the care that is right for you.

FYI - I don't believe that BC care is skimped on for older ladies. A lady I know had a bilateral mx 2 weeks ago aged 94 .
My DM actually had Grade 2 TNBC and it was in the nodes but she just had the (very small) lump and the nodes wiped out and a short course of Rads - nearly 4 years ago now. I think (generally) cancer behaves differently in older bodies.

Amber may have something to add as she is far more knowledgeable then me. (I only know about the DCIS/IDC mix as it's what i had).

Really - I can't help but maybe Ruby will pop in as unfortunately she has expertise in that area!! Are you home as it is the weekend or you staying at work?

and weebarra - my onc told me he was having a spat of bad diarrhoea with his ladies on Docetaxel and he didn't want any more -one of his reasons for going with weekly for me .

lily - anything to reduce worry time is good. No idea about the portacath and swimming (as I was a picc line girl) but enjoy your trip away.

Also the younger you are the more potential years you have left so they want to make sure it's wiped out as much as they can. Saying that my friends mum had chemo at 78

Also there are more likely to be other health issues as you get older that mean chemo is more risky/difficult. For example the wouldn't give FEC to someone with a heart condition as it can actually cause heart problems (I had to have a MUGA scan to check my ticker was ok before I could have it) So it all a bit of a balancing act risk/benefits taking account of age, general health, stage and grade of cancer and risk of recurrence to decide who gets chemo, rads etc. (surgery is almost always a given if operable)

Morning lovelies, gutted I missed the pink fizz last night.

really I was for one second slightly jealous of your tummy problems as you have lost 8 lbs. I know that's mad! I am on a battle to lose a bit more weight to get my BMI down for op. bcn says I am just a bit short and to stretch myself up for measuring height .

Amber - thanks for explaining grades as I thought it was something else to worry about! That being said my cancer responded brilliantly to chemo so if it is graded higher after op then its not a problem.

foofoo I don't wish to be greedy! Please feel free to share, in fact you have the 'tummy' issues. It will do me a favour and it's easier than you being stretched xx

foo - I've learned to really stretch for the pre-op measurement - and have managed to 'grow' 0.5cms since my first Op. Being a short arse that really helps my BMI - so BCN is talking sense!!

I need a lot of stretching !
Hope everyone got some sleep last night
Ds seems ok, not eating much but managing to play on his x box !

Malt - I've been out without my wig today - got no comments and didn't appear to get any looks so it's done with . DD asked me to stay in the car - am putting it down to age

That's great kitkat the more you go out without it the more you'll get used to it. Kids eh !

well done kitkat, can't wait for the day when I can go "bare" again. Yes most probably your DD age - they can find anything and everything you do embarrassing at that age! (Even DD (8) told me the other day I wasn't "allowed" to go out of the house uncovered until my hair was back to "normal" - I've told her there's no way I'm waiting that long As soon as it is thick enough you can't see my white scalp I'm done :)

really - I hope your tummy troubles settle, I only had it mildly, this was one advantage of the anti-es (that had really bunged me up on FEC) - they seemed to work "with" the tax to even each other out