Hi all,My nurse has just introduced me to this group.I’m hoping to connect and share my story and hopefully somehow feel better.After being diagnosed and a short time later having a mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed, chemo started just before Christmas and I am struggling with it!Ive got another 2 months of chemo before 5 weeks of Radiation…… would love to hear other stories.I have a fantastic support group of family, friends and colleagues but they just can’t possibly understand what I’m going through.Looking forward to connecting 😊

Hello Rona, I've done 3 of 4 AC then on to 12 rounds of paclitaxel, then radiation. I'm lucky too to have a good support group around me, and my side effects have been relatively mild, but the fatigue floors me the first week after treatment. I flop about for about a week, before getting a 'good' week where I feel almost normal, catch up with a few people for hot chocolate (coffee now tastes musty) venture into the supermarket, just to get out of the house. Then into the next round. I'm hoping I might have a bit more energy with the paclitaxel, and maybe work from home a few days a week. Some days it feel like a very long road, but I keep telling myself it's for all for the greater good, and look forward to the beginning of June when the chemo side of things should be done. Katie

Hi, First time replying or posting anything here! I feel like I could have written your post! I am however behind you in timeline. Had a mastectomy, node clearance and recon on 14 December and started chemo last week (fortnightly AC x4, then weekly for 12 weeks). I just wanted to reach out and say hi and you are not alone. I coped amazingly with surgery but fear chemo will be a bumpy ride (it already has been). I am also struggling emotionally as well. Before all this happened, I had a trip to Hawaii booked and would have been leaving Sunday. Wow how life has changed. I also get having a great support system that can't possibly understand how this all feels,. I can't imagine doing all this without them, but they get to have a break from my hell hole while I have to live with it everyday. I feel guilt that I make them worry too. Anyway, I know I have not helped, but what I take comfort from is that many sisters have been in our shoes before and have made it through. I refuse to let this be anything more than a chapter in my otherwise fantastic life book.

Hi Gorgys, yes I have the injection 24 hours after. No side effects for me so far and I've had 3.

Hi Katie46Great to hear your news! I also got my 2 year all clear today too!, WOO HOO!I am pretty much back to normal also, whatever that is! I've been on ribociclib for about 9 months now. Also managing it but will be glad when I no longer have to take it. I get fatigue particularly in the 3rd week of my cycle (you have 3 weeks on and 1 off each month). I recently had a wonderful week break courtesy of the Otis Foundation.Hope everyone is going well 🙏

Hi Paris_24 I found with return to work a gradual approach worked for me. I was still working from home whilst having treatment on and off, I went from a day or two a week to a 5 day fortnight then 7 day fortnight then 8 day fortnight to full time over a few months. I've been full time since May which was 1 year after I completed chemo (I had radiation after that). My advice is pace yourself and rest when you need to. Best cure for fatigue is exercise but sometimes you really need to rest too! Best wishes for your return to work.

Struggling through Chemo | BCNA Online Network

344 Replies

PSP
Member
2 years ago
I am now up to Week 4 taking Taxzol and Herceptin. Taxzol weekly x 12 and Herceptin every three weeks for 12 months.
My symptoms differ each week but the worst thing for me are the stomach cramps. These seem to be a daily thing now. The other symptoms vary, tiredness, dizziness and runny nose.
I try to exercise daily, I find this helps my symptoms and tiredness, so try to do 10,000 steps per day but don’t always meet my target.
I shaved my hair off and am surprised that it is still growing, perhaps I should have waited 😂.
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi @CeeCee, I didn't get any stomach pains on paclitaxel, but everyone is different. Probably best to check in with your oncologist or breast care nurse to see if they can give you anything for it.
CeeCee
Member
2 years ago
I’ve just started the 12 weekly Taxels and have really bad stomach pain, onto the third day of it now.
Did anyone else have this?
Coastiejas
Member
2 years ago
Hi Ladies
@unicorn3 good to know I'm not the only one who only sweats on one side now! I'm the same with the deodorant...can't feel it going on under my left arm...not that I need it anyway! 😃
I'm on the goserelin monthy injections and exemestane... it's ramped up my hot flushes and I have joint pain in my hips and ankles which is worse of a morning. Some days I get it and others I don't... weird... but it does get better with movement. I got dental clearance on Friday after having a filling fixed up so am ready for my zoledronic acid infusion. My husband has them for osteoporosis and said it gave him a dreadful headache the next day. Apparently that's common but everyone is different and I reckon it can't be any worse than the AC chemo!
@GorgyS my genetic testing also came back negative... it was great to finally have a good result and some good news for a change!
I'm back at work part time and starting to feel like like my old self gradually, I still get some fatigue and need to rest up. I am finally growing arm hair again too! I had hair all over my face but bald arms...go figure!
@Paris_24 have you finished the chemo and did you celebrate in style?
@Katie46 good to hear that you are doing well!

Have a lovely week everyone!
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi @GorgyS, glad to hear you are feeling ok. The Abemaciclib was added to the PBS in around February, and it looks like quite a few of us will be on it now. It wasn't an option when I started treatment, but my oncologist is very pleased to be able to give it to me.
GorgyS
Member
2 years ago
A little update about my progress: I had my first appointment with the oncologist today, after finishing radiation 4 weeks ago and being on Letrozole for 2 and a half weeks. If my genetic tests come back negative, I will start an additional medication, Abemaciclib, which (the BRCA test) I need to do in the next few days. The bone density scan showed osteopenia, so I will also be receiving Zoledronic injections every 6 months and take vitamin D and Calcium. My treatment after 3 months will depend on the BRCA results. Otherwise, I feel good. I hope everyone else is doing OK.
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi @Paris_24, I'm finding the Letrozole and Goserelin injection ok so far, although I've only been on them a month. No significant side effects, I've been getting hot flushes since I started chemo and it hasn't got any worse. Some tiredness from time to time, but that could just be my body still recovering from chemo.

I start amermibercib on Friday, so I'll keep you posted on that.
Paris_24
Member
2 years ago
@Katie46 how is the letrazole and abemaciclib going? I am still to have radiation yet, however the dr gave me the reading sheets on these 2 drugs. I was also concerned about the abemaciclib side effects. Depending on hormones, I might be up for the injections too though we did chat about surgery to remove the ovaries. Keen to hear how you are going on it though. 😀
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
You should definitely get it if you can, I'm 51 and have signs of mild osteopenia, a sign of decreased bone density and possible osteoporosis in the future. They said it was nothing to worry about now, but they'd keep an eye on it. The infusion will help stop it getting worse, along with the calcium vit D tablets.
unicorn3
Member
2 years ago
yep I’m on calcium too and also blood pressure tablets. I had to get myself a pill organiser so I wont forget to take my daily bundle lol.
I haven’t had a bone density scan yet must remember to ask about that one next visit

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