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When I was reading side-effects of chemotherapy, one I read with bemusement was "chemo-brain", thinking to myself I'm like that at the best of times without chemotheraphy The smile is on the other side of my face today I can tell you. I feel as if I have had half my brain removed; my concentration levels are so bad that this morning I was driving and hit a kerb & burst my tyre. Then I was walking down town after doing the job on my wheel when I felt like I was going lobsided and had to sit down for a minute. My bones feel like as if weights have been strapped to my legs and I feel like as if I have ear-muffs on, because everything sounds so woolly. Worst of all, I have absolutely no energy.... it's like all picture and no sound with me. I got AC chemotherapy on Wednesday 8th June; I got a cold at the beginning of this week which had me in such bad form, (and to be fair to myself, I'm not a grumpy person), so maybe some of the symptoms are associated with that but would love to hear what ye think guys. I have one more AC to go next week before I start on 12 x Taxol so maybe this is just going to be the week where Elvis left the building or is it going to stay like this until chemotherapy finished? As for how long it took me to write this e-mail..... laughable!!!

I remember some discussion about this on this message board when I started out in cancer-world, but am not sure where the info is; also seem to remember opinions were inconclusive. So, does anyone know if it does work/really stops your hair falling out on chemo. I remember it seemed to eb a long time you had to stay with the cap on after chemo. Has anyone on this forum stuck with it? Am considering switching hospitals (same onc) for the treament as they offer the cold cap in one and not my current... thanks..

Hey Am just about to undergo my third round (Docetaxel and cyclophosphamide). Was nauseous enough with the first two, last time they gave me lorazepam as well as cyclizine for nausea, dexamethasone and emend, but then I got very constipated (nurse did say lorazepam could cause constipation) followed by diarrohea (took senakot like they told me, maybe too much of it!!) and then piles - all lovely stuff. A week on and it still hurts to go to the loo (sorry, TMI!) even though the piles have cleared. I've heard that chemo can screw up the bowels, anyone else suffering? I'm juicing like mad, drinking water, everything I should be doing I think. Any advice?

hi can anyone help me with what follow up check up etc is usual. Im having problems getting appts .Maybe what im being offered is ok.I was diagnosed triple negative end may 2010, surgery, chemo and 33 radiotherapy finishing at end feb 2011. What would usual schedule appts be eg breast surgeon and check mammo. would appreciate anyones experience. thanks

Hi folks! Done and dusted with my AC regimen so revving up to start my weekly Taxol next week. I'm wondering how did people fare out in general as the weeks went on? My kiddies are finished school today for the summer so I'm trying to figure out how much help I'm going to need - hope the weather is good to us or else it's going to be a loooooong summer!

Hi guys, I am 24 years old. When i was 19/20 i found a lump in my left breast, showed it to my gp, who called it a mobile mouse and not to worry. I have been reasonable about it, But I was never happy leaving it. I went to about 2 other gp's at the time who said the same "it was fine". But one of them referred me to a breast clinic at this time. So at the breast clinic the consultat there completely brushed me off and was basically telling me i was a waste of time and it was definetely benign,(he seemed really mad) I was being fobbed off everywhere and so I went along with it and said they know best (which they do, I realise how unlikely it would be for breast cacer at such a young age). When I was 22(still not happy and worried) I decided again for a second opinion, had ultrasound done (paid for it), the radiologist told me it looked fine but he recommended exision biopsy on his referral note to the consultant, but when i went to the (new) breast consultant this time , they did a core needle biopsy with the result- Fatty tissue Lump, I left it at that and left it for a year and half. But a year later (now) , Im 24 going on 25, I got worried again, I went back to the breast clinic and said that I really want it removed as im anxious about it all the time. The registrer said "ok " and it should be operated on in 4-6 weeks. Now I wish I had done this back 4-5 years ago, But they were all telling me not to have surgery!!! Ive waisted so much time worrying and NO one can be sure what the lump is. Has anyone had a "fatty tissue/lipoma " removed from their breast? Is it normal for the lump to have stayed there this long? I have got it into my head now that It IS cancer and I cant sleep.:( I feel as though it has probably spread. I think ive lost weight I hate the way young people are brushed off.... :( I am waiting for surgery date , I cant take the waiting, ive waited long enough

Hi I need some advice please. I'm trying to help care for my sister. She is 36 and had a mastectomy last week, We are waiting for results to see if the lymph nodes have leaked or not. Since the operation she has been in alot of pain and can't do much around the house or drive or play with the kids which she is finding extremely frustrating. I have had a few chats with her and she said that if she could speak with someone who has been there it might be alot better for her. I can tell her all I know but it isn't good enough. She wants to speak with someone who has experience or is experiencing it. I have looked extensively for support groups/individuals in my area and have come up with nothing. I of course will continue to help her as much as I can and be there but sometimes it seems that it's not enough and I understand but I would greatly appreciate any advice or help anyone can give me. Is there anything more I can do? Better still is there anywhere I can to try and get her some support from women who have been through it or are going through it. She has no internet access so she can't even come onto this forum. Please help! Sorry it was so long. Thanks so much for reading! Ruka.

Hi there, I've been reading the messages here for a couple of days and am beginning to feel like the grandmother here! I was told that at 48 I'm young to have bc. but everyone I've read about is in their twenties and thirties and I really feel for you. I had a mastectomy in February and am currently having chemo to be followed by radio therapy. Doing well so far but second chemo felt worse than first and I wonder does it get worse as it progresses. My hair fell out in clumps after first session and I feel like my taste buds are changing so much now. I'm in fairly positive mode about this but surprised myself by having one really bad day last week where I woke up in terrible mood and snapped the head off everyone for the entire day. Is this the start of the dreaded menopause and how quickly does it kick in when having chemo? Just looking for a few guidelines, I know every treatment is different but I'd hate to turn into that person I was for one day as I'm a pretty easy going 'girl'.

I am posting this in the hope that someone will be able to maybe to give me some advice. The story so far in the past fifteen months I have had three mammograms four ultrasounds a sterotatic biopsy on both breasts, 2 core needle biopsies on my left breast and a wide local excision on my left breast. Even with all of this I have thankfully never gotten any bad news. Now the wide local excision biopsy removed a fibroidenoma and an area of microcalcification that turned out to be ADH, I was told that they sucessfully had goten all of the ADH and the margins were clear. In the last couple of moths i have been experiencing alot of pain in my left breast which at one point got so bad that i rang the doctor in the breast clinic she saw me straight away examined me could find nothing worriesome and basically put it down pre-menapausal hormone changes. I suppose my question is has anybody had my experience which lead to a bad outcome, am i a complete lunatic with this fear i have if that they keep taking a little piece of me and eventually my luck will run out, should i go and get a second opinion and where would i go for a second opinion. I suppose as far as the breast pain goes that does really worry me because i never get it in the right breast and surely if it was hormonal both breasts would be affected. Sorry for going on so long i would appreciate any help or advice shelly1

Hi ladies, I was wondering if any of ye had a child after chemo, i am 35 with no children and already had major fertility problems before chemo, we were due to do an ivf cycle using donor eggs this summer but i was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April, had modified radical mastecmectomy in May and doing the third round of TC chemo at the moment, only 4 rounds to do and then six weeks or 30 goes of radiation starting in September, also on a clinical trail for triple negative for 12 mths. mine was 8cm, grade 3 that grew along the chest wall, no niple involvement, nodes thought to be positive from scans but unbelivably came back negative on histology report after operation. so i was a bit shy about asking the onocologist about getting pregnant after i finish my treatment as the breast suregeon had ruled it out beleiving that it was strongly hromone receptive given my hormone levels when i was diagnosed and especially when i would have to use fertility drugs to sync cycles and support pregnancy. please if anyone has any experience of this i would be grateful, we were 15 months waiting for information evening on adoption to discover we have to wait for five years clear before we can even apply, then it would take 4 years and at least and sorry after trying for three years i know 9 years more would be impossible. take care.