What is it like having chemo in current crisis?

I asked about my oncotype score but was told it couldn't be done. It's not clear whether that's because of the cost or because my situation is a local recurrence so there's no primary tumour to test (and I guess they don't still have the ones they removed a few years back).

it's such an uncertain time to make a decision. Have you tried calling the Macmillan or BreastCancerNow nurses to talk it through with them? Or if someone said, nope, you can't have chemo - would you feel relieved or that you'd missed out?

Chase that up. . If you qualify normally to have it. . . Ask if you want it. . I was told Thursday no test no chemo. . .due to virus but after a good think over weekend I made calls Monday. . Tuesday my surgeon called back and after a talk agreed to still do it.  To me it was important as I would worry about the what ifs too much. X 

Thanks for the prompt - I asked and the nurse specialist said that as far as she knows they don't do oncotypes for node positive patients.

In the meantime I spoke to a lovely Macmillan nurse who said that based on what I was able to tell him, chemo was the least bad choice, so I feel more positive about going ahead.

Hi,

I had my 1st cycle of EC two weeks ago and am due my second cycle next Wednesday (My treatment plan is 4 x EC followed by 4 x Docetaxal plus Herceptin and Perjeta).  At the moment this is still going ahead.  I'm having neoadjuvant chemotherapy so not even had surgery yet.  My oncologist told me on Tuesday that there is the possibility that all cancer treatment could be stopped - this put the fear of death in me as I don't even know what my options will be if that happens.  

Just trying to take it one day at a time and hope that the NHS doesn't get overwhelmed x

I'm going in on Monday to do the consent form and blood tests, and will apparently start within a fortnight of that.

They haven't mentioned treatment being cancelled but I think it varies so much by NHS trust. We're quite close to NHS Nightingale at Excel so maybe that relieves some of the pressure locally.

Hi all, 

hoping this might bring some hope to you all. I know it depends on which NHS trust you are in but I just had my third round of chemo (I’m having 6 x docetaxol and carboplatin as I can’t have EC due to childhood leukaemia). I also spoke with my oncologist and he has assured me that all of my treatment is going ahead as planned! He told me not to panic and follow the gov guideline very strictly and the hospital will make all of the provisions it needs to for its patients - they have moved the whole chemo ward to a separate building!  I also had the cold cap and still have only lost about 20% (although I know it is still early days). I’m trying to stay positive as all of the staff were brilliant today. Feeling very lucky we have such a great NHS! 

stay safe everyone :) 

Hi everyone, I just wanted to touch base and see how everyone is getting on?

i had my first dose of EC on Monday and I’m feeling rubbish! 

Constipated, nausea and very tired and wondering how I am going to muster up the energy to it all over again.

anyone else on the chemo boat yet? Xx

I had my first dose of AC on Thursday.

For some reason I hadn't expected the ward to feel a bit like a waiting room, with rows of chairs facing each other.

I felt quite ropey a few hours after getting home, but the anti-nausea drug plus ginger biscuits helped. I took anti-constipation meds (over the counter ones we had already) and ate prunes the morning after, and they eventually helped.

The steroids might be helping with energy levels at the moment, so I might start to feel more tired when I stop those. I don't have much of an appetite but I'm also very pre-menstrual so it's hard to know what's that and what's the chemo drugs.

I'm really glad I know what to expect now, it's all a lot less mysterious. For something so drastic the actual process is almost mundane.

I hope you're feeling better today! xx

Hi there , yes I felt the same after my first lot. It does get better .. did you use the cap .. that made me feel sick so I stopped using it. You will feel better second time round but then bloatedness is not nice so keep drinking plenty of water if you can! 

I just couldn't be bothered with the cap. The strange bonus of having chemo now is that the only people who'll see me already know I'm having it, so they can just admire my turban instead of strangers wondering where my hair has gone.

And it's good to know it gets better!