**Tamoxigang counting down to Easter eggs- thread 48**

[BetsyBoop]

throws some hot cross buns on the trolley

Speedy I've just had 3rd and final FEC and now worrying about potential side effects of the 'T' bit. I didn't have Emend 1st cycle and was was nauseous and actually sick on 1 occasion. 2nd cycle I had Emend and didn't feel sick at all really just 'out of sorts' and didn't enjoy foods/drinks that I normally would just like when I was pregnant. However I did get extremely depressed on that cycle and cried solidly for nearly 5 days so wonder if my mind was elsewhere.

On this cycle with Emend I have been feeling a bit sick (although not overwhelming) and have had to take additional anti sickness medicine. However today that seems to have subsided (5 days post FEC).

My big issue is just feeling too hot all the time. I'm not really getting flushes and I'm not running a temperature (I keep checking). I just feel too hot.

Thanks feline.
I was really hoping not to feel that sick but it doesn't seem to have made that much difference. Hopefully will keep feeling better each day.

Am going to continue being horizontal for a bit. My sister is staying to look after me which is lovely.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend x

speedy, I did still take ondansetron and domperidone while on emend, and still had some nausea, but the emend did make a huge difference. I do know of others who have had to keep on adjusting the medication. There is more they should be able to do.

My boys have had a lot of fun at the expense of my bald head. The most recent proposal is that I should sell space for advertising, but there was also a running theme about adding a voldemort face at the back under the turban - as in the first Harry Potter.

Sorry just a quick question as on my phone!

Did anyone get small blisters on their breast during Rads?

Speedy, I was horribly sick the first time round. They then gave me Emend and changed steroids for second round. I was still sick once, but nowhere near as bad as first dose. I still felt very nauseous for the first few days though. Then the fog lifted and I felt loads better. However, today I'm not feeling quite so good. I think I might have over done it with the fibre intake and have a grumbling tummy and have to keep making Linford Christie sprints to the loo!

I didn't really but did have a lot of symptoms similar to sunburn so wouldn't be surprised about blisters

Thanks malt Will keep an eye on them! Not sure whether to put the aqueous cream on top or leave uncovered! Oh the joys of Radiotherapy! Xx

They told me to stop using the cream once the skin had broken that's when they gave me gel instead. I'd let the air get to it when you can, go braless and wear loose clothes when you can
Hope you're having a good weekend

Thanks malt haven't been able to wear a bra for the last few weeks! Too uncomfortable Thankfully the breast isn't too sore! But my collarbone is itching like mad and very tender! Will definitely see the nurse on Tuesday and see what, if anything she suggests!

I went shopping with my mum today. Picked up some supplies for a little party we are hopefully going to have, to celebrate end of treatment! Hoping to raise some money for Macmillan at the same time

Hope you are having a good weekend too! Xx

Hello and welcome magic you have come to the right place to preserve your sanity in the next few months. In answer to your question, I had a double mastectomy on 8th April. I was in hospital for two nights but this was because of the fact that it was both sides (2 drains). I know someone who was sent home immediately after her op off a single mx but I think one or two nights is the norm. If you are just having a mx, the recovery time is really not bad, although i got really bad indigestion from the painkillers. Up and about pretty much straight away although I will say I am still tender - sometimes actually sore after just under 4 weeks. If you are having a sentinel node clearance the recovery time will be longer as there is a lot more discomfort and restricted movement in your arm. Still feel okay in myself but need to take it a bit easier. The biopsy on your armpit will probably determine whether you need a SNC or not. The general rule in this country is to offer under 50s chemo. The thing to remember is that we are all different. Your hospital will offer you what is best for you and your recovery time and reactions will be as unique as you are.
Hope everyone else is having a good weekend. I had an 8 hour rehearsal today which was a shock to the system but good practice for getting back to work on Tuesday.
I received my first oncology appointment today. No details and not sure what to expect. Anybody remember what their first appointment was all about? Also, how long after the first appointment did your treatment start and did you get any say on the dates of the chemotherapy?

Welcome Magic offering another hand to hold. I too was 45 when diagnosed last December with bilateral breast cancer grade 2 left HER2 negative, grade 3 right HER2 positive so qualified for pretty much everything. Had surgery, now 4/6 chemotherapy done, then radiotherapy, Herceptin for 12 months and Tamoxifen for 5 years. I have 2 boys 14 and 18 who have been marvellous. I found it best to be completely honest with them. My advice would be to take each day at a time. It's not easy but you will get through it! x

really DF had blisters on his neck from radiotherapy and was told to not put anything on his skin whilst it was broken, (it's was sticky and weeping too) 2 weeks after the rads have ended, his skin is almost perfect

Thanks honey that's exactly what I need to hear I'm just hoping the boosts don't cause too many more issues! Xx

Bigger buns I had to wait ages from my op till I got an oncology appointment but once I'd had it I think it was only about 2 weeks till I started chemo. Think they just went through why they thought I needed it and answered any questions, I looked around the chemo unit too and had a group talk about side effects etc, don't think anyone else had that so might be just my hospital
I didn't get any say about chemo days, my oncologist did Thursdays so that was that, I did have some choice of time though

Welcome magic

You really ave to see how you react to treatment. I was pretty lucky and breezed through che mo, worked part time, kept my hair until after my last chemo when a lot fell out. Until then nobody would have niwn I was ill.

I had double mx with implant recon. In hospital 2 days and you really will need some help fr about a week. Not being able to drive was limiting.

What appalling typing on my post last night ... Tiredness not drunkeness!

Just wanted to send a wave to difficult pickle who hasn't posted for a while. Hope your ok.

Thanks for answering my questions ladies. . feel a bit better knowing what sort of timescale I may be looking at for getting homeafterwards
foofoo it's good to hear you managed working part time .
it's like everyone is saying. . It's all unique to each person. ..just got to wait for Thursday to know what exactly is happening. Thanks for all the replies and hand holding everyone it's much appreciated

magic like you I found out that I had BC on the day of my biopsies and then had to wait 10 days for more information and a rough treatment plan. It was a shock finding out like that but I think it was preferable to not knowing and waiting in limbo until the results. Gave me the chance to tell some key people to line up support (I waited to tell my kids 13 & 14 until I could give them more information about dates and treatment plan.) Also I came on here which was the best thing I could do - stopped me googling for information and the positive and negative but real life experiences were a real help. I also started imagining all sorts of symptoms of secondaries, these miraculously went away as soon as I had some reassurance from the BCN. Good luck until Thursday, there will be up and down days but nothing as scary as these first few after diagnosis.
Another 8 hour rehearsal for me today, I'll be missing the sunshine which has been in short supply this weekend in Cornwall.

CBB I'm glad I'm not the only one that started imaging all secondary symptoms, alsorts goes through your head doesn't it !
You're right though it's given me time to sort out the help and support im going to need and this place has already proved invaluable just talking to people who have been there. ..
I've been banned from googling anything by my son and daughters:)

magicmango sorry you are going through this, but be assured there are lots of lovely people on here to get you through this and hold your hand, they are a remarkable bunch.
I joined this thread as my DF has vocal cord cancer and has just gone through 6.5 weeks of gruelling radiotherapy, it's great to have someone on hand to moan to, cry to and ask any questions, someone usually has an answer or a helpful suggestion
to you all, you're all stars

Is anyone else having Zoladex ( goserelin) injections? If so, have you put on a lot of weight?

Hi Rivercam, I have had six years of zoladex. I haven't really put weight on with it but it is listed as a side effect.

It does give me terrible hot flushes though.

Really sore feet today, putting plenty of moisturiser on them and got them raised at the moment. Had to take some Tramadol last night to get to sleep.

On Tax at the moment, any other tips for alleviating this please?

foofoo I had and on odd days still have sore/numb feet! I found putting moisturiser on at night helped. Place lotion on feet, but don't rub in and then put some socks on! Sounds odd, but it worked for me! Apparently rubbling the lotion in doesn't help because it causes friction! Also I found wearing two pairs of socks helped me! But obviously I had issues during cooler weather!

Thanks to all who made comments about the sickness, glad there might be something else they can do as well. I would like to respond to lots of posts but feel real quite rough and down today, struggling to focus. Having a bit of a self-pity day. At least I managed my injection by myself. Thinking of everyone else today too