I just wanted to share my journey which has been nowhere near as bad as I had feared. From Diagnosis, to treatment and surgery and Hair Loss with a dose of Covid-19 thrown in for good measure. I believe laughter and a positive mindset are the best coping mechanisms. If you worry it will change nothing, but it will make you miserable. If you laugh and are positive it may not change anything but boy does it make the journey so much easier.
I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in December 2019. Routine mammogram. No lump just indeterminate area which needed further examination. Had an ultrasound and then biopsy. This confirmed Her2 positive and ER positive breast cancer.
Worst bit by far was waiting to start and get on with any treatment. As I knew we were in for long haul, I decided to go ahead with a planned holiday to recharge my batteries.
Both my husband and I developed nasty flu bug so the holiday was not great.
Anyway treatment started straight away on return and the plan was to be treated neoadjuvantly AC chemo then Docetaxel followed by radiation, lumpectomy and endocrine therapy.
Lots of scans and preliminary checks to make sure the rest of me was healthy enough to proceed.
We had to laugh after bone scan when consultant said “did you know you have two broken ribs.” Didn’t surprise me at all, the bug we had on holiday left me with a terrible hacking cough and I knew I had bruised ribs. Anyway they healed well.
From the outset I decided to tell everybody, family, friends and even just acquaintances. Best decision ever made, as the support I have been offered has blown me away and helped me stay positive throughout. Only person I have not told is my 97 year old dad, he really does not need to know and is well supported.
I started with 4 A/C chemos. One every three weeks. I elected to have port fitted which has proved great
I decided not to have cold cap, even though my thick long blonde wavy hair was probably my best feature. Too much else to deal with and it added to chemo sessions.
I got through the AC chemo relatively easily. My hair fell out after a fortnight and head was a little uncomfortable in the process. It wasn’t as dreadful as I thought. My husband volunteered to shave my head two days after the fall out which was extremely quick. I bought a wig in anticipation, which I hardly use as I have a turban and some lovely scarves.
I suffered mild tiredness and an occasional loss of taste , which only lasted a few hours at a time.
Didn’t stop me doing anything, just needed to listen to my body and rest if needed.
The plan was then to move to Docetaxel for a 12 week period.
However, Covid-19 kicked in and all plans changed. I received a call on a Saturday from my oncologist who said all chemo was being stopped and they had no idea when they could resume again. As I was Her2 positive they recommended mastectomy to happen the following Tuesday. No more surgery was being carried out after the Thursday of that week so I had to make a fast decision.
Mastectomy was never on the cards so I admit I did shed a quick tear. However, at the time I received the call I was with a friend who had gone through the process 10 years previously and she was so supportive and I remember her coping so well before, during and after and she was brilliant. 30 minutes later with my husband by my side, I called the hospital back and said yes, book me in.
I went the following day (a Sunday) for pre surgery tests and briefing. On the Monday I was called again and told my hospital was now no longer doing surgery! However, the private sector had offered its services and my surgery would be outsourced to a private hospital. Turned out to be the one where the Royal family all go. So 5 star service with my breast surgeon performing the procedure.
There surgery went well, but I was the last patient of the day and needed an overnight stay as it was too late to discharge me. So 5 star food and service and a good night sleep.
Home the next morning with one drain attached. No pain or discomfort. Drain removed a week later.
Did not even need painkillers. Was surprised how well And easily I recovered. A little stiff under arm, but followed all physio advice and all healed well.
Another hiccup. 7 days after the surgery, I developed a fever, tiredness and completely lost my sense of smell and taste and developed a mild cough. This could not possibly be Corona Virus, we had been shielding. It was early days for the virus and no testing available, so no way to know. Whatever I had was mild and needed no treatment. A week after that my husband got the same symptoms, although he developed some breathing issues, again not enough to visit hospital. He took a lot longer to recover but we were certain it was covid-19. This has since been confirmed as we have both had positive anti-body tests.
I did receive a strange survey call from the hospital asking if I had contracted the virus after my hospital stay. They were cagey when I asked more questions so I think I had my answer.
Anyway, moving on, my post op biopsy results came back showing no lymph node involvement and the tumour removed was negligeable in size. Far smaller than had shown on the scans. So either AC had shrunk enormously or it was never that big in first place. I probably could have got away under. normal circumstances with lumpectomy. Either way I was delighted.
Some further good news, they could resume my chemo which had been curtailed. As I had mastectomy I no longer needed Docetaxel but instead Paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks and Herceptin jabs.
Now in the break period my hair had started to grow back quickly. I was surprised it was grey all over but I had been highlighting for years so no way of knowing true colour.
The grey was almost white and a lovely colour and the really short spikey look was drawing lots of compliments.
It was the perfect lockdown hair cut. Low maintenance.
I did not lose lashes or brows but my lashes are thickening up incredibly and are so long. They never were before.
I am now on week 8 of Paclitaxel and all going well.
A bit of tiredness kicking in but have been able to play tennis once a week and do a couple of 5 mile walks. Have some very mild pins and needles in tips of two fingers. A mild rash that comes and goes on one arm and my face gets a bit red occasionally a few days after each session. I have a healthy appetite and am eating normally. So feel very lucky that with both A/C and Paclitaxel I have coped well.
I was warned I would most certainly lose hair again on Paclitaxel and as I type this now, it is falling like snow on my laptop. I didn’t lose eyelashes or brows on A/C but have been told they may go too. Such a pity as I only have 4 sessions to go. It grew back once so hopefully will again. Scarves and turbans out again.
Once my chemo finishes in 4 weeks, I will continue with Herceptin for another 6 jabs and be on Letrozole for 5 years due to my Er+ status.
I am actually nervous about the side effects from Letrozole.
I had early menopause which was quick and with few side effects. I have heard Letrozole can give you symptoms of menopause, headaches, moodiness, weight gain and more worryingly bone density problems and joint aches. I am so fit and active and enjoy my sport and hiking.
I decided to write my story here briefly in the hope it may help someone else.
My experience so far nowhere near as bad as I had feared.
The best thing I did was talk and tell people.
I was also advised not to google anything except on the Macmillan website. I am a big google fan and I know it can be a useful tool but it can also paint a very negative picture of everything in life. I hardly googled at all and took the opinion that all the doctors knew what they were doing. Me worrying and fearing the worst (something I do in normal life) was not going to serve a purpose. I decided to remain positive and hopeful and take one step at a time. I did practiced calming relaxation techniques. I also had a few hypnotherapy sessions which have been marvellous and given me some tools to deal with my life going forward.
Good luck to everyone going through the Breast Cancer journey.
update 17 July On week 10 now and feeling great. Very tired last week but very good this week.
hair stopped falling but maybe because I stopped washing it. Just once a week now in tepid water and mild conditioner no shampoo. Have a fair amount of hair left feels ok just to go without a head covering Have kept brows and lashes so far. No major side effects.
my journey so far nowhere near as bad as I had feared. Remember everyone has a different journey so my message is stop googling and take each step at a time. Read the info from your oncologist and be prepared but do not fear the worst. You won’t get all the side effects and you certainly won’t get them all at once. Keep doing your normal daily routine as long as possible. Eat well. Play some sport or walk and get fresh air. I have managed to play tennis throughout.
two more sessions. And then onto Letrozole ! That’s another journey....
Stay Strong. 
