Second time with breast cancer - making decisions

Chemo wobble and into hospital

2010-12-28T13:33:25Z

It has taken me a while to get back online as I have not been feeling great. Had a central line put in on the same day as my first chemo (3rd Dec) - made the mistake of saying I should be alright without the sedative. If anyone else has this option - take the sedative! I think I must just be a big baby. Anyway, had the first round of Taxotere. Will remember to take the sickness tablets religiously next time but wasn't too bad. However, very achey and couldn't get comfortable or sleep over the next few days. A load of spots came up on my face, a rash on my chest and then a urine infection (a bit like bad cystitis). Temperature was OK this whole time but rang the hospital and they told me to come in to test my bloods. They then told me I had a zero count for neutrophils and would need to keep me in hospital to give me intravenous antibiotics. I stayed in for five days and was incredibly down and feeling bad for the first couple of days as I couldn't handle it. The nurses were very good - one in particular hit the nail on the head when we were talking as I am pretty much scared of everything this time round. She helped me to get signed up for some support to talk to someone which will happen next week. I will probably just cry the whole time as I find I am very weepy.

Eventually back home and they said for the next round of Taxotere they will reduce the dose by 20% and that my husband can give me an injection to boost my white blood cells the day after my next chemo. Had the chemo on 24th Dec, injection on Xmas day and now waiting to see what happens. Really hope it is better this time. I am still scared of what will happen and everyone else seems to be so capable and brave. Am feeling achey again today but can cope. Night time is the worst when I can't sleep. I am sure I can't be the only one who doesn't know if they can cope with any more chemo?

I know that this is a bit of an essay but it helps me to write it down and go over it in my mind - I seem to be doing that a lot.

xxxxxx

Chemo plan sorted

2010-11-28T16:46:55Z

Thanks to eveyone for their help to date. Good to hear from Lea as this is the chemo I will probably have. Saw the oncologist last week who said I will probably have 3 x Taxotere and then 3 x FEC. (Unless they think I have shouldn't have any more Epirubucin as I had this back in 2004, then I will have 6 x Taxotere. They will be calculating this. I have had an ECG to check my heart and will have a scan to check the pumping action of my heart too.)

Chemo starts Friday 3rd Dec with PICC line to go in the day before. Am trying not to freak out about the list of side effects.

At least it is a bit less than the 7 months chemo I had last time. Hopefully I will have good results like Lea and it will shrink away.
I find it very helpful to post a blog and get your comments. I think I might need to talk to someone too, as I have had some times when I have felt very down and might see about local support groups. There is one near me for those up to their 40's - so they might just let me in!

Take care everyone.

All change - now chemo before surgery

2010-11-21T16:52:15Z

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your support. I had the results of my MRI scan last week which has shown one main tumour (lobular) and a couple of extra small ones on the right side. All OK so far on the left side.

To cut a long story short they have recommended I start with chemo first to shrink the main tumour to make surgery easier. I will find out more about this on wednesday, but probably a Taxane of some sort. Hopefully this will start sooner rather then later and I will have surgery sometime next year.

I have also been offered the option of trying a cold cap. I know that it is supposed to be very uncomfortable and may not work, but I think I will give it a go if it is a possibility after I see the oncologist on Wednesday.

I really appreciate all of your comments and have also joined the Breast Cancer Group online where I have started to make some comments as well so you might find I am repeating myself if you look at both blogs.

Take care everyone.xx

Bit of background - second time for breast cancer

2010-11-16T15:08:57Z

Hello,

I have been reading many other blogs and have found it really helpful, so thought I would outline a bit about my situation to see if any others have had similar experiences that I can learn from, or if anyone is going through the same thing now.

I first had breast cancer back in 2004 when I was 38 and had a lumpectomy, removal of lymph nodes, followed by 7 months of chemo and then radiotherapy. A horrible experience, as it is for everyone, made bearable by family and friends.

Since then I have been fine and checked regularly and enjoying post cancer life. Earlier this year I had pain in the same breast which noone was sure about so had tests. Just over two weeks ago I was told that the cancer has returned (Grade 3), I will definitely need to have a mastectomy and probably chemo.(As well as my ovaries out). Such a bombshell when you think everything is OK and statistically very unlikely to return.

I have had a CT scan which very luckily showed that it has not spread elsewhere and I am just waiting for the results of my MRI scan to see exactly what is happening in both breasts.

I have already spoken to the plastic surgeon and I am a good candidate for a DIEP reconstruction which I want to have at the same time as my mastectomy. We have also discussed the possibility of a double mastectomy with this reconstruction which I know is a big operation. At one stage I thought I definitely wanted to have a double mastectomy anyway - but I need to go through the level of risk for the other breast and look at the statistics as well as MRI results. Appointment to discuss all this is on wednesday 17th Nov.

There is such a lot to think about medically as well as all of the other effects on your life, some of which I remember all too clearly from last time. I have read some really helpful blogs where I have thought 'I feel like that' or 'I have had the same thoughts'.

Grateful for any comments from others with similar experiences and I am sure I will be posting other thoughts as things progress - I'm finding it very difficult to contemplate everything that is going to be happening and facing it head on again. Not sure I can have the positive outlook and 'braveface' I had last time.

Thanks to all and sorry if I have gone on a bit.