Trigger fingers, Wrists clicking and painful, Pain in feet,-Letrazole?
Hello everyone, I hope you are all as well as can be. I am now 4 months into Letrazole. About 8 weeks I noticed my middle finger on both hands was becoming very stiff and clicking when I woke up in the morning, this has progressively got worse, my physiotherapist has recommended buddy taping to my ring finger on both hands “till the inflammation in my tendons subsides” I have two problem with this. 1 After doing this to immobilise the joint my finger is not able to bend - I need it to work properly 2 I believe while ever I’m taking Letrazole the inflammation is not going to subside, it seems to be quite the opposite. Now my wrists have joined the party, most movements up and down are painful or sideways like picking up a cup to drink they are sore and click. Elbows, shoulder, knees and feet are also involved. I noticed some of you have said that your discomfort settled after a while. My discomfort is building daily now and I don’t get to see my oncologist till early December, I think I will be a total wreck. I do have an appointment with my GP on Monday for an updated referral to the surgeon on Tuesday who is going to remove the PortaCath, can either one of these change my meds? Has anyone here opted to not take the hormone treatment? Does anyone know what the numbers are in favour of continuing with it? Thanks for your time.
Chemotherapy and Working
A little bit about me I work at a primary school and employed to work with children in a small group setting and a number of people are quite concerned about me working during chemotherapy treatment with the amount of germs children carry through winter. It has now come to a time where I am now making decisions regarding my work and what that might look like for the rest of 2019. I am finding it quite challenging, as I love my job and what I do. I work with many amazing people, I am surrounded by caring and considerate people and am finding myself fighting the urge to take the time off. But in order to protect my health I need to put myself first. A slightly foreign experience. Can anyone who has worked in a similar setting offer me any advice on this, or is it the best decision for me to just take the time off.
Recon choices
Hi all. Im torn and need to make a decision by wed I have 2nd recon appt before surgery masectomy on 7th Aug. Im starting a new job role monday too. 3 month contract to prove myself. recon surgeon will only do side with cancer. Said i qualify for tram flap. Im thinking implant immediate. As i want it over and done with as im worried about how long tjis will drag on for. Im also concered about how much time ill need off work. Running out of leave. Please dont say invome protection as its not enough pay. Im single. Teenage kids. Im just torn on what to do and feel rushed to make up my mind before Wednesday but i dont think i wantto wait. But confused and difficultto make s decision. Tram flsp seems big and long recovery.Ive been too sick with chemo and trying to work and its been hard to make decisions. If i have recon can i change mind later.?Any ideas ,suggestioms please would be much appreciated
One down!!
Well I had my first chemo yesterday and can't believe how well it went. I have had hardly any side effects so far and those I have had have been very mild. I even went to work today. Just hope it continues to go this well. Thanks to the advice and support of all you wonderful ladies I think I was well prepared for yesterday, although the nerves did kick in when I first arrived. The nurses there are wonderful and made me feel comfortable very quickly. So that's one down, five to go and as a lovely new friend said to me the other night...I can do it :) Cath xx
Radiation therapy and fatigue
Hi all, I am just about finished chemotherapy (TCH) that the surgeon has said has shrunk my tumour significantly so great news! I have surgery at end of February and then in mid to late March will commence radiation on the breast and axilla for about 6 weeks. My question is about the fatigue that occurs with radiotherapy. I have been told different things - that it isn't as bad as chemo or it comes on later and stays longer. My fatigue during chemo has been manageable but I am not working. I have also been fortunate in really having very little chemo brain! I am interested in whether I can go back to work part time during this treatment? I will of course have to wait and see but just wondering about the experience of others. Thanks Jual
Herceptin restarted and 1st week back to work
Started back at work this week at 4 hours a day. Felt quite good but did find focusing a little challenging 1st couple of days. So many new processes to learn my head was spinning. I was able to remain somewhat active after work which was the plan with a 4 hour day. My oncology appt went well and my heart has recovered from the AC and Herceptin from 44% back to 56%. So Wednesday they call me and herceptin was restarted with a loading dose...13 days past my previous dose due. What I was surprised at was how tired and achy it made me. I had only had 2 since chemo stopped...one the following week and the next one I was still suffering chemo side effects. So imagine my surprise to feel super sleepy with aching knees the next day and requiring nanna naps next 3 days. Fortunately it seems to have passed. The downsude of the oncology appt is that I have osteopenia. Darn it. So once a wee bit fitter will be recomnencing some weights. My brain is switched back on though. I just feel so much more alert and itch to do things. ..which had completely dissappeared on chemo. Yesterday I scrubbed my filthy oven...which nobody thought to do in the 10 months since my diagnosis, surgery and chemo. I was exhausted at the end of the day but also ecstatic that 1. Felt like doing it. 2 Did do it. 3. Was able to get off the floor...which I couldn't do 2 weeks ago as my legs were so weak. So lots of private high fives there for me...but very tired and very sore today. So good to feel a little like the old me again. The genetics people contacted me too through the week after I called again. My initial results were back....but they had obtained an original DNA sample from Scotland to retest against...as they are convinced with my family history that I am BRAC1 mutation +. But......my 1st results show I am not...so woohoo.....I am confident it won't change but should know for sure soon. Such a relief that only have to deal with this breast cancer crap and not fear something else and needing more surgery. So taking it easy today but might do some walking in the hydro pool. Kath x
Back to work, oh no I'm not!
I just need to have a whinge. I am handling chemo well and have been back at one of my casual jobs for a few weeks now, although it's gotten quiet so I went from 2 half days to 1. I have been feeling so good I spoke to my manager at my other retail job and said I'd like to come back, only to hear that all casual hours have been cut as at the start of the new financial year, which means no work at the moment. Crap... I want to get back to some sort of normality, and earn some much needed money, and have ended up going from about 20 hours pre all this shit to 4 hrs a week. And it's not like i can apply for jobs - I need days off for chemo, may need radium in the new year - daily - and will require more time off next year when I have reconstruction, who's going to want to employ me with all that going on. My husband's job is uncertain now too - retrenchments likely - so this year is just ... crap. Sorry, that's my rant for now. DHair Loss, Shingles
Hi, So im day 12 after my first ac chemo. Was shocked to discover when i went to the toilet earlier that my pubic hair is already falling. Does that mean my hair is not far of? Due to go back to work on Tuesday and wondering if i should shave it all of tomorrowm. Don't want to be at work when it starts to fall out. Any suggestions? Also have shingles now will my chemo on friday be delayed. I had 3 surgeries for my bc and this pain is worse than that. Thanks Michelle
working and Herceptin Treatment Schedule
Hi to you all, I've been back to work for nearly 2 months and from next week I will be returning to my original roster of 1 week on, 1 week off. With herceptin scheduled every 3 weeks this poses a problem as I work away in remote central Qld. I am wondering if there are others that for whatever reasons have herceptin treatment other than 3 weekly. I see the oncologist next week but would like to have something up my sleeve in case they don't want to do it cause it doesn't suit then. I already know from the nurses there isn't anyone else doing this while working away in the Townsville clinic. It's becoming more obvious that this job isn't going to suit my cancer but I'm not ready to guve up just yet. Thanks, Kari
