hello all i was dx 3 weeks ago with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer grade 3 stage 2 im on here wanting to talk to people in the same boat as me im starting chemo this firday coming worrying like mad dose anyone have any advice ?
FormerMember
Hi Billie
Can't give you any advice on your condition but I hope I can on the chemo side of things.
I recently finished 5 months of chemo and now I've started maintenance therapy. Like you I was terrified. Just hearing the word chemo and I felt ill. My oncologist told me because I was generally firt and healthy that I should cope ok. I did cope quite well with minimal side effects. I realise all chemo regimes are different and effect people in different ways. All I can advise is stay positive, take it easy when your down and try and stay active when your up. You can't change whats happened so its best to fight it head on and stay strong. For me it was quite daunting starting my chemo but the staff are absolutely fantastic, they don't allow you to be down as laughter is therapy as well. Going for my treatment was like playing for a team, all the other patients were amazing as well, always encouraging and coaxing each other to join in.
Welcome to the site. I got diagnosed with IDC October 09, had lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. I have had 6 cycles of chemo so far and a further 2 to go. Then start radiotherapy in June. Do you know what chemo you are having and how much? Listen to what the nurses tell you and take your medication. Side affects are different for everyone, but if your meds don't work for you tell your oncologist and he/she will change them to help you cope. When you go for treatment make sure you have something to eat before and take a drink with you. You may find it helps to take some boiled fruit sweets to eat during, as you may find you get a funny taste. Listen to your body and rest when you need to. Side affects usually last for a few days but by the second week have usually gone. To help minimise hair loss you can have whats called a cold cap. I didn't use one and my hair began to fall out in the middle of the second week of the first cycle of chemo. I chose not to use one because as I saw it it is only for a short time and my hair as started to grow back already. Talk to your nurse about it if they haven't mentioned it. The staff are fantastic and so are other patients as we all are there for one thing and that helps to keep you positive to know you are not alone. The people on this site are amazing and always here when ever you need a shoulder to cry on, listen to your moans or rants, or to listen to good things. Hope this as helped, if there is anything else you would like to know just ask.
Hello Billie, in 2007 I was diagnosed with Grade 2 ductal carcinoma. I started 6 sessions of chem 3 wks apart. I had the cold cap for first treatment but decided not to use it again as I found it uncomfortable, but everyone is different. I drank lots of water during the time I had chemo and also chewed gum all the time and I found this helped me. When that finished after a few wks I had a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed. Then after a few wks more I had 5 wks of radiotherapy. It.s like being on a merry go round your time seems to be centred around different appointments, here there and everywhere but wherever you are there are lots of people around you to talk to you, explain anything your not sure of. they don't mind how many times you ask a question or even the same one again. Keep in touch sweetie we're all here to help whatever that maybe, just ask.
