Hello my name is Heather I have just been diagnosed with brest cancer last week for the first time (and last I hope) Both my sisters have had cancer,one died seven month ago Im a bit scared of what to expect with the chemo. Can anyone tell me how soon after the treatment do you start to feel ill? How soon do you lose your hair?
I was about to share that I’m having an off day today, but then read the past threads and decided to shut up!! Lol.
Jo, I can only echo what everyone else has said, but I do know exactly what you’re going through I’ve been through similar with my other half and even though he says he’s only with me, the trust thing is very hard to get back. Only you can decide though what’s right for you. Go with your heart not your head xx
I ventured out of the house yesterday for the first time since my chemo on Wednesday. I had a slight panic attack in Sainsburys til I realised that I just need to slow down, and not try and charge around at a million miles per hour. One of the side affects is breathlessness, and I did notice it when I got back to the car. By the time I got to my parents I was fine but felt very tearful. Managed to keep it together until my 6 year old niece came round (she’s staying at nanny and grampys this weekend) and she gave me the tightest cuddle ever and then stared at my hair stroking it. I asked her what she was doing and she said that mummy had told her that I was poorly and that my hair was going to fall out. She then burst into tears buried her head in mine and kept telling me not to let it go as it’s so pretty. Well, I couldn’t keep it together then and the pair of us were in bits. My mum and dad didn’t know what to say when they walked into the room and saw the pair of us lol. Mum and I have managed to convince her that I’m not going to die, I will get better but my hair has to go before I can get better. She seemed to be OK ish with that, but has asked me if I will see her every day next week just so she can check too!! Bless her.
My hat arrived today. Ordered if off Suburban Turban website. It’s worth having a look if you’ve not seen that website. It’s a beautiful hat, very cool this weather and very lightweight. I am surprised though as it fits like a beany hat, whereas on the model it looked like a proper hat. Still it’s very nice and I’m sure I’ll get used to it, I warn you though, they’re not cheap on there.
Hi Lorraine, Excellent news about your holiday. Enjoy every second of it - for all of us as we're there with you in spirit!! lol Just don't get burnt!!!
Hi I hope you don't mind if I join you. I had a mastectomy 10 days ago will be starting Chemo early Aug. I'm going on holiday on the 20th July for 2 weeks my surgeon said its ok and will give me a letter confirming his approval for travel insurance. I'm really worried that i'm leaving too much time between surgery and chemo but I know nothing about cancer apart from the fact it took the life of my very dear friend. Any advice would be great please. Also If i'm going on holiday Im desperate to sort out a wig before I go so I'm prepared for the baldie bit! I wouldn't bother but I have a 5 year old autistic son who can't cope with even the smallest change. I recently had a colour and slight change of style hardly anyone noticed but for him it was the end of world to the point where he wouldn't have anything to do with me. Does anyone know where I start? I've been on the internet but think I need to go to a shop or something....I live in Kent but can get into London if needs must. You all seem so brave! I've decided i'm a wimp because I am so afraid that when I think about things I feel really ill. I had 2 cancers in the same breast one 5cm the other 7cm doc said they were very aggresive but nothing showed in the nodes. He removed 4 should he have removed more? do you think it could be in the others? How do you all manage to stay so positive?
Hi Maggie, you are not a wimp, all this can be quite frightening at first. They generally look for a certain amount of clear nodes before they stop taking them so I would think in your case it is great news as 4 were clear. You can get two free wigs on the NHS, speak to your macmillan nurse and explain the urgency, she will contact the relevant part of the hospital to get you fitted and wigged out. They have a great choice and the quality is great. Only your oncologist can tell you whether it is a long time in between surgery and chemo but it seems about the same as most of us. Don't worry about having a moan on here, we are all here for each other and all have our off days. Although the treatment isn't ideal I try to stay positive by thinking I am still alive and if any cells have escaped the chemo and radiotherapy will zap them and at the end of this I will be well again. Keep your chin up and keep us posted xxxxx
I filled my DLA form in this morning and I don't sound ill at all lol Apart from my hubby doing cooking and cleaning on my off days I sound relatively fit, looks like I might not get it!!!!
hello all, i had my operation 9 days ago now. and im out of hospital, im staying at mum and dads for the weekend then going home to husbund and 3 boys on monday. i had my lymph node drain out on friday, that was a relief as it was irritating as it was so close to bra strap. ive got to keep bra on for 6wks 24/7. to keep my new boobs in postition. i see the breast care nurse on tuesday and she will take dressings off and put new ones on. the actual breast operaton doesnt hurt, its the just the removal of lymph nodes which is more restricting. ( im doing my exercises, though, so that should help).
chick36, im sorry to hear you are having a rubbish time, as if you havent got enough to cope with. sometimes men are just like big kids. why is it always about them. ive been going to PAC counselling, and we dont just talk about cancer, and ive found it very good. you must do what you feel like you can cope with at this time.
hi sam, i used to get very panicky in supermarkets. i think it was a bit of paranoia that everyone was looking at me. try and find out when the supermarket is quieter and go then, that might help
maggie, when i was diagnosed dec 23rd 2008. i was a wreck for a good couple of months, but gradually things just sink slowly, and then you find more things out about the treatment you are having, then things do get a bit easier. please keep talking to people. i found my breast care nurse fantanstic. id phone and id be balling down the phone, but i always came off feeling reassured and relaxed.
Hi Paula So glad you don't think i'm a wimp. I was getting a bit of a complex and because I was feeling so bad about myself I had stopped talking to everybody about it will find out about the wigs tomorrow and try hard to be positive. Also pleased you said the waiting time between surgery and chemo was average. You also made me feel better saying 4 clear nodes is good. So thank you for that....your a star
Hi Blossom Thank you for reply. So glad you are out of hospital now and I hope you start to feel a bit better soon I had the mastectomy last Thursday afternoon and came home Friday morning, I'm thinking maybe that was a little too soon after the op and thats why I don't feel too good about things. I will take your advice and ring the breast nurse perhaps I need to share my feelings with her.
