Skin Reaction
Hi Looking for help with my skin, chemo and immuno has covered me in a rash which is dark and red. Can anyone help with anything that has made it at least fade or disappear. I have tried Cortisol cream ,Prednisole , Moogoo Oil and Sorbolene. Any other suggestions please. Thanks Jody66ViewsSign in to react to this post3Comments
Cumulative Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Hi, I have had surgery for BC in left breast and lymph nodes which has been follwed by chemotherapy. I completed my last session last Tuesday and have found the side effects this time very intense. Apologies in advance for the topic, it is not pleasant.At first, Following my final infusion I was unable to go to the toilet and since then (after using coloxyl and prunelax) I have experienced 'urgency' and have had to rush to the toilet frequently. I feel nauseous and have had pain in my stomach. Until this cycle, side effects were unpleasant, peaking n the expected days, etc. but this has been been really brutal. Is this normal? I am so looking forward to things settling down and I am grateful for the excellent care that I am receiving from the amazing oncology team. In about three weeks I will commence radiotherapy which I will receive every week day for five and a half weeks then I will see my oncologist and go on hormone blockers for 5-7 years. I understand that the side effects of these are unpleasant but as I am well passed menopause I believe that this will not be as bad as if I were a younger woman. I am 69 and was working .5 in an academic position until my diagnosis. I know that I am not going back to that position, this experience has been life changing and I have noticed some cognitive changes. They are not 'severe' but I am nowhere near as sharp as I was. I am accepting that and just hope to recover. Is it normal to experience such intense side effects on the final round? Kind Regards, Anni445ViewsSign in to react to this post8CommentsWorried I’ll overdose on salt!
Hello, I’m new here. I’ve only had one round of chemo (last Tuesday) and I’m completely weirded out by my mouth turning into a foreign entity! The only thing that seems to give me any sense of my old self is salty liquid. I’m talking stock powder dissolved in boiling water - it’s now one of the few ‘foods’ that gives me any joy! I’m trying to eat a balanced diet, but finding it hard to do with zero appetite and a rebellious mouth. Worried I’ll overload my system with salt! Help!283ViewsSign in to react to this post8CommentsBone and join pain side effects of chemotherapy
Hi, I’m new to this group and have only just started chemotherapy. I’m experiencing strong bone and joint pain from the chemo and wondering if anyone could suggest ways to minimise this. I’m taking Panadol but it doesn’t cut through. Im also doing the scalp cooling treatment. I’ve been advised to wash my hair only once a week. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep it looking fresh? It looks very greasy and bedraggled.637ViewsSign in to react to this post11Comments
Sore toenails
Hi everyone Newbie here. Toenails are really sore tonight. Just wondering ehat everyones thoughts or experiences are with bed cradles or what to use to take the weight of the blankets off my feet please? Thank you so very much for your time and help💕🌷💕224ViewsSign in to react to this post8Comments
Young mum diagnosed IDC and DCIS.
Hello! Im 37 and was recently diagnosed in November with early breast cancer - IDC (ER+, PR+, Her2-) and then following my surgery they also discovered DCIS. Plan is chemotherapy starting tomorrow and then mastectomy/recon 4-6 weeks post surgery! Looking for advice on: 1. What to take with me to chemotherapy tomorrow (will be there approx 5 hours as will be trying scalp cooling). Also what do people wear when using ice gloves/boots/cold cap? 2. Any advice on TC chemo and how you tolerated it (I’m doing 4 cycles). 3. Any tips on managing chemotherapy with 3 children aged between 3-7yrs and a husband who works long hours but very supportive. Thanks so much!196ViewsSign in to react to this post1Comment
Feeling scared and just a bit angry
Hi, I'm Karen, 61yo, from Victoria. I was diagnosed in September, my birthday actually, I was numb. I had been dealing with a very coercive relationship, narcissism, gaslighting the lot, to be told this news was just too much, I had all sorts going through my head, How do I tell my children? How do I do this? Why me? Everything was so hard to process and even now I'm struggling. I was told it was an Oestrogen based cancer, sorry I cant remember much of that conversation, but 2 Biopsies, the first one they biopsied the wrong lymph node, Pet scan, M.R.I and blood test later to be told sorry its not good news, well having a lump in the breast isnt good news anyway but, I had my right breast and Lymph nodes removed, then to be told its bad news I'm so sorry was another kick in the guts, 35 of my 36 nodes were affected, so onto another more thorough Pet scan, blood test and M.R.I, To get the good news that it wasn't anywhere else in my body. Now I'm preparing for Chemo to start on the 2nd of Jan and I'm absolutely terrified, I have no emotional or any other support at home, even though I'm told everyday that he cares, they say actions speak louder than words well Im yet to see any, my son who is my heart, doesn't know how to deal with this and neither do I. They have just had an Eptopic pregnancy and I'm hurting for them, we were all so excited and happy. I don't know what to do or how I'm going to do it, my living situation is so toxic to my mental health and is impacting on my son and daughter-in-law as well. My partner is trying to get me out of the house and that is something I can't deal with at the moment as I'm trying to deal with being there for my son and daughter-in-law and Chemo, I feel like I'm rambling, my life is a mess, I just don't know what to do. Sorry for the rambling talk I'm not very good at putting things on paper, everything is very disjointed.753ViewsSign in to react to this post15Comments
Scared about the side effects of treatment
Hello everyone, I'm 35 with two young girls- I was initially diagnosed with LCIS just after a routine scan- but after my mastectomy surgery 2 weeks ago, the pathology has come back that I have HER2+ estrogen and progesterone + Lobular carcinoma, but thankfully no spread. It was a real shock as I was not expecting this news, thinking I would only have to have the mastectomy and that would be it. I am starting chemo, immunotherapy and hormone therapy in a few weeks. After what I thought was going to be a relatively straight forward recovery after my mastectomy and 6 weeks off work the oncologist said I am now looking at 6+ months off due to the upcoming treatment. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and sacred about the effects of the upcoming treatment on my overall quality of life (and caring for 2 young children!). I will likely lose my hair with the chemo- the oncologist mentioned I could try the cold cap therapy- for those that have had it has it made a significant difference (the Dr said it takes a long time each chemo session to put on and off!)? I would also appreciate any insight into how to approach looking for some counselling support as well- would it be best to go through a GP or...? Thank you for reading, I'm so glad there is a support network like this available- I feel very alone so far. xx1.3KViewsSign in to react to this post26CommentsEmotional rollercoaster
How do you cope with the emotional upheaval caused by the hormonal changes brought on by treatment?128ViewsSign in to react to this post2Comments
Starting chemo this week: Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then Paclitaxel
Hello everyone, this week I start chemo. As I understand it, 4 cycles of Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide and Pegfilgrastim then 12 cycles of Paclitaxel. I am looking for any advice and tips on how to get through it. We all know that experience and side effects are all different and individual but it would help to know how others have coped. I haven't had my introduction session with the oncology nurse yet and the fact sheet is a bit scary. I am in Melbourne and will be treated at St Vincent's private in East Melbourne as that is where my medical oncologist works. For the time being I am remaining a private patient as insurance covers it. I am choosing to try the 'cold cap' to see if it will help with not losing hair but as I have fine hair and already experiencing age related hair loss, it may not work. I know it will add about 2 hours to treatment and am willing to give it a go. My plan is to take audiobooks and colouring books with me to pass the time during treatment. I'm aiming to keep busy but not taxing myself too much. At this stage I do not plan to work on treatment days but do plan to work from home other days. A friend has suggested a probiotic as a precaution as a relation and her mother used one during their chemo and found it helpful. Has anyone else found this? With the second treatment and Paclitaxel I am concerned about the possibility of peripheral neuropathy side effects due to a previous condition. I read in another post that some ladies have tried cold gloves and socks - has that worked? I will have to look into it further but am curious and want to be prepared. Thank you all for reading and any advice and tips :heart:634ViewsSign in to react to this post13Comments
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