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• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  April 21, 2014 4:29:24 AM WATime

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  So I had my second last dose of FEC nearly 2 weeks ago. In the last few days my arm above where I have the IV attached has gone hard and sore. It appears my vein has given up the ghost! Has anyone else had this and should I be concerned?

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:09:43 PM WATime

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  Chris, are you seeing a physio?
  Can you google 'Thrombophlebitis'
  I had similar (and had the Thrombophlebitis) but with some physio massage, and warm packs, and as they were always inserting into the same vein in the same arm my wrist was so sore I had a wrist brace.
  See a GP or physio, I can't remember where you're having treatment, was it RPH? The physio's at RPH are very familiar with it.
  Hope that helps you xxx
  Oh to shed some light, I also had the FEC treatment, 6 in total. Its a very tough regime, yay for being your last one soon!
  

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:23:56 PM WATime

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  Cheers JOJo! I've not had to see a physio so far this has happened I. The last week. I'm having treatment at RPH, so will.book in with my gp tomorrow and discuss it with him, or I might call the oncology team. I'm just unsure how serious I need to take it. How long did it take for it to go away?

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:28:29 PM WATime

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  Ooohh it took a while (a few weeks) to settle down to a comfortable level. But if I were you, I'd call the oncology team, see if you can get a referral to the physio team at RPH.
  I am not a medical professional so have no idea if its serious, I just know its what I had, the area for me was painful and hardened (you could feel the hardened vein under the skin) and it was achy too. I still cannot have needles in that vein, as its completely stuffed, its still hard but doesn't hurt anymore and if anyone does try to take blood from it, it jumps out of the way or just wont let the needle in!
  But being that its easter, going to your GP would be good as well as calling the Oncology team, as you can then at least get in to see someone quicker. Hope you get on top of it soon xx

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:30:23 PM WATime

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  Thank you! I will get on to it tomorrow, just bloody annoying that it's happened now!

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:32:59 PM WATime

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  Tis annoying, but the bright side is ONLY ONE MORE FEC! :D
  Does that mean you're done with the horrid chemo after this? Gosh I do hope you are!

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:37:47 PM WATime

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  Yes! After 16 weeks of nab paclotaxol and 12 weeks of FEC, stick a fork in me I'm done! I just then have my op (lumpectomy) and then 6 weeks radiation. The good news is my oncologist can't feel anything where the lump was!

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!
• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  April 21, 2014 6:54:21 PM WATime

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  Wonderful!!!
  FEC is tough, but it did the job for me!
  Hope you continue to get nothing but good news from now xxx

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Ness

  

  • 81 posts
  April 23, 2014 7:07:06 PM WATime

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  Thanks Jojo for replying to Chris! I have just seen this string of posts - well done!
  How exciting Chris that you are nearly at the end of the FEC - and to have such positive news from the oncologist is brilliant news! When is the op?
  Hope you get the arm sorted asap! xxx

  The Click Project Coordinator
  

  Daughter-in-law and niece of breast cancer "thrivers"!

• Chris

  

  • 18 posts
  April 23, 2014 7:38:04 PM WATime

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  Thanks Ness! I have my op on 22nd May, just want it all over with now!

  Grade 3 ductal, HER2 neg, nodes are clear!