Thanks again Melinda it's great to be able to communicate with someone who has been there. I believe the condoms are because what they are giving us is a carcinogenic so could harm our partners and yes also because of the compromised immune system. I will check tomorrow when I am in there and find out for sure - it's always just a bit awkward to ask those questions face to face and also my husband is always with me. I have already been through menopause but had to stop taking remifemin and chinese herbs I was taking and of course the hot flushes have come back but I can cope with those. How long has it been since you finished the last lot of chemo? Is it since February - that seems like a long time - I was hoping for a week or two after I finish to be feeling somewhat normal again. Am I living in dream land?