gaco

Triple Negative Breast cancer

2010-07-22T15:03:46Z

Is there anybody out there who has been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. This is my diagnosis and I have seen two oncologists, one for chemo and one for radiotherapy. The second oncologist thinks I could benefit from Tamoxifin but the first said it wouldn't be of any help to me. There isn't much known about the best treatment for this condition so it would be helpful if anybody else has this diagnosis and what their treatment options have been.

Radiotherapy and Aqueous cream

2010-07-22T14:43:59Z

Thanks for all for comments about aqueous cream. Will now start applying religiously. (Going upstairs in a minute!) To Wench53 if you read my first blog about radiotherapy, please do not take any notice. I am sure I am more of an exception with my anxiety about it. Most people seem to find it ok and even I am now getting more used to it. Wish you good luck.

Radiotherapy

2010-07-20T08:56:29Z

Thank you for all for your comments and support. I am now on week two and think I am slowly getting better. Spoke with somebody who was starting yesterday and she said she felt exactly as I did with her planning session,even before radiotherapy and I hadn't even mentioned how I felt, so made me feel better knowing not just me. One more request from anyone who has finished. Any advice as to whether to put aqueous cream on every day before any problems or wait and see how bad it gets.

Started Radiotherapy this week

2010-07-14T09:15:10Z

Finished chemotherapy five weeks ago and started radiotherapy this week. Was told would be only three weeks, now extended to nearly four with booster doses. Will understand more when see oncologist tomorrow. I thought radiotherapy would be easy (!) after chemo but first session felt a bit stressed, then yesterday felt like I was going to have a panic attack on the bed. Started thinking about how important it is not to move and immediately wanted to get off the bed and couldn't get the thought out of my head. Now getting palpitations just thinking about treatment and am worried how I will get through. Was suggested I take low dose tranquilliser beforehand. Has anybody else experienced this situation? Wondering why I feel like this when most people have said radiotherapy piece of cake after chemo. Would be really grateful for advice.

Responses to advice about Taxotere

2010-04-12T09:16:09Z

Just wanted to say thank you all so much for your comments. It is really encouraging to hear your experiences. I will speak to the oncologist about the steroids and I hope I can be as brave as you have all been and go through with it. I fully understand that this is about potentially saving or extending my life but just goes to show how great my anxiety is about the treatment that I can even consider not having it. Am at least going away from here heartened to hear again may not be as bad as I feared.

Don't know whether to proceed with Taxotere

2010-04-09T09:16:51Z

Have just finished 3rd cycle of FEC. Have had bad indigestion problems whilst on it which I have been taking Lansoprazole for, which doesn't cure it completely. Now been given steroids for next session. I can't believe the strength I have to take. I feel steroids I have taken for FEC have already badly affected my stomach and mind (feel depressed and can't sleep when stop after 3 days). Really scared about higher dosage effect. Have also read that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss in 10% of cases. Another really worrying thought. All that in addition to my fears beforehand of the serious aches and pains from this treatment. I am two weeks away from this session and am already so stressed and worried I am seriously considering not continung. Can anybody reassure me or convince me this is the right thing to do? I know I should talk to my oncologist and probably will but she seems to be on a mission to get me through no matter what! Please help!

2nd FEC - feeling fed up

2010-03-15T18:23:22Z

Just had second FEC. Wasn't too bad last time. This time spent next day in bed. Was up yesterday and went for very short walk. Went for walk this morning but feel fed up, feel like I might be developing bladder infection and have pain in arm where lymph nodes removed. Wore cold cap both times but head is going quite bald on top of head. Been advised not to wash hair or brush it. How does that work? My hair looks awful. Any advice. I have a wig. Should I just get it all shaved off, cut very short and leave it and see how bad it gets. Any info or support gratefully received.

Back pain

2010-03-01T17:44:10Z

Hi Sarah32

Sorry if this is the wrong way to contact you. I don't really understand the difference between blogs, forums, etc. I just wanted to say thanks for responding to my request. Took some paracetamol last night and thankfully pain has gone. Asked nurse and she just said expect various aches and pains! Finding whole chemo thing very difficult. Waiting for every symptom. Not very helpful to myself is it?

Anyway thanks again. Was very reassuring to hear you had experienced same.