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?
Hi Sorry I havent been on for a while but end up in hospital last thursday and only got out on Monday but having to go for daily blood tests. My platelets were down at 6 and should be 100+ My white blood count down at 7 and should be 12. Had to have 3 blood transfusions and 2 platelet transfusions then started weekly chemon on Friday. Had an MRI scan and now waiting on another bone and ct scan. I think the cancer is in my bone marrow. My brother (the consultant) is coming from London today as I am seeing my consultant and having more chemo today. At least I have know pain as they have put me on MST (morphine sulphate tablets) which are great for my pain I feel much better even after the chemo. Going to loose my hair again but who cares if it keeps me alive!
Will keep you posted and will try and catch up with all the posts here. See a few new faces this is a busy thread so pleased everyone is posting regularly. Thinking of you all
So very sorry to hear you have been in hospital & that you have to have more chemo, but as you say, a small price to pay I guess.. So glad you're not in any pain!!
It's nice you're brother is coming up from London..hope the chemo goes ok for you today.
Will be thinking of you and willing you on through your treatment, as I'm sure everyone on here will be..
Paula, sorry to hear that you are bringing up blood. Have they solved the problem yet? Hope you are getting some sleep now.
Chelle, I don't even get tired during the day! I'm only averaging 4/5 hours sleep a night, with breaks! It doesn't seem to be bothering me, just annoying! CMF is def. better that EPI. However I have mouth ulcers now. They nearly didn't give me my second dose yesterday because of the ulcers. My blood count was high so I was really miffed that they were considering not giving be the second batch.
However after much chat we reached an agreement. They have given me yet another mouthwash (stronger one) and as long as my mouth doesn't get any worse, I should be ok. If it deteriorates i have to contact them immediately and they will tell me what to do next. Fingers crossed. It's no worse today, so that is good.
Like you, signs of bum fluff on the head and one hair under my arm! Oh how I treasure that one......tee hee!
I'm sorry you are having to wait so long for results, Lisa. I think we have all found that this is one of the hardest parts.
I love my wig (Wilma, she is called) It's on first thing in the morning and there until I go to bed (whenever that is!!) Don't know what it will be like in the hot weather though.
Jo, so pleased you are home. Take it easy now. Don't try to do too much. Are you still getting a helping hand from your ex and your partner with your little boy? I do hope so. You'll feel so much better when they remove the drain tomorrow. The numbness does get better. 4 months on and I still have slight numbness, but nothing like it was. If you ache anywhere trying using Ibulieve or Ibuprofen. It worked for me. Also I massaged my arm twice a day to help get the movment back.
Oh dear, Lorrainne, I wondered where you were. So very sorry to hear that you ended up in hospital again with more problems. I send you my very warmest wishes for your next chemo battle. Forget about the hair, as you say, it's a small price to pay.
Well girls, steroids have me buzzing again.............so what's new!
Off to the pub today for lunch and a glass of wine. Might have two and see if that knocks me out!
Hi Lorraine so sorry to hear what a terrible time you are having and that you havin chemo again - just be strong and happy rise above the ifs and buts and what ifs - i say put two fingers up to world and then grin and get on with havin laughs with friends and family. That is my way of coping with the poop. Hope your chemo is not too mean to you and you have lots of up days :-) with love stef x
Jean does your wig not drive you bonkers i not sure if i gonna get hang of leaving it on and might have to take head scarf in my bag if and when i venture out in it just so i can swap over if it uncomfy.
Hi everyone! Lorraine so sorry you are being blasted again. I know it's hard but try to stay your positive, battling self and bear in mind we are all with you xxxxx Steph your pup is gorgeous, I am soooo jealous. Your wig story cracked me up, I dread to think what my lot will do with mine when they arrive!!! Jo great you are home! Like Jean said it is a relief to get rid of the drain. Although you may be uncomfortable now in a few weeks you will be feeling far better. Jean treasure your one hair and have a great lunch, a girl after my own heart, if you can't sleep, drink lol Good news about the bleeding, the doc examined me and he does not think it is anything other than the amount of tablets I have been taking so I am on ulcer tabs to coat my stomach lining. The irony is I had a barbie last night with friends and whilst moving plant pots around I have pulled an old running injury in my hips, I can hardly walk and I can't take ibruprofen. I think they should just put me down lol, I have never had so many things wrong with me in my life . Seriously and joking apart I am still in good spirits and after a fair few beers last night I managed another 5 hour sleep. Have a great day everyone xxxx
Hi all, i'm new to all this but could do with some friends at the mo! I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago. Had a mastectomy 2 weeks ago. All just been a wirl wind! I'm now waiting to see if i'm to have chemo, thats on monday coming, and what other treatments. I did get some good news that my lymph nodes are clear and my bone scan was clear, Yeh! But i guess im just like so many others, left feeling a bit like a mushroom, left in the dark! I no i'm having my other breast removed, but i dont know when this will be. Guess i'm still in shock of it happening to me, if that makes sense? Just did not think i would get cancer at my age (37). Its so hard to try and stay strong, for the family when inside i'm falling apart. Like i said, just could do with some friendly advice and support. xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Thanks for the posts sorry I still havent managed to read back and catch up Nothing new there then lol.
Thought I would just add in when I was in hospital I managed to escape twice for a pub meal lol Had to have a couple of beers.
Sarah Just wanted to say that I know what your going through all of us here are going through a similar thing albeit different stages of treatment. If you have any questions ask away there will always be someone that can share their experience. I think we all go through the sireal thing most days otherwise how would you carry on/ I am a very positive person but I do put the cancer in a box as much as I can and get on with my life to the full when Im able.
Lorraine so sorry to hear you have got to go through chemo again and losing your hair,but as you said it's a small price to pay if it gives as life,hope it all goes well for you.
Hello Sarah hope all goes well for you the hole thing is a shock to our system but you will get through it ok and they are lovely people on here to help you along.
Well ladies I have finished my radiotherapy i am abit cooked but it's done,they put my skin reaction down as sever (they don't see it very often so don't be put off by my reaction) this last week my skin just gave in and broke down,the cream they are now treating me with (Flamazine) is for burns they also started me on antibiotics,i have to cream twice aday but taking the dressings off are a killer as they stick and pull more skin off (make my toes curl when i do) it,but i have mannaged to grin and bear so to speak,the radiotherapy is still working after 7-10 days so new places keep poping up but i also have some that have healed. The fellow up of this treatment is to see someone in 6-8 weeks.
thats enough about me i read few of you have had problems hope they are sorted and your all feeling better i will get time to read back and catch up with everyone now i not up the hosptial everyday. take care everyone have agood weekend Margaret
Stef, Trevor is gorgeous! I just love spaniels. One of my son's has a King Charles Spaniel called Ollie. He is beautiful.
The wig fits better when you don't have any of your own hair to get in the way. I found the bandanas a bloody nuiscance as they kept slipping off and moving. Wilma stays in place all the time, even when it is windy. I just feel better with hair on rather than a scarf, but that's me!!!
Paula, so glad that the bleeding is ony due to the tablets you are taking and hope that your hip is better soon. FIVE hours sleep, well done!!!
Great news about escaping to the pub, Lorraine. My 2 glasses of wine at lunchtime yesterday worked. I slept for 1 1/2 hours when I got home. But, as usual, 1 a.m. before I got to sleep last night and up again at 5.a.m.!!!! I've just had my second breakfast. Seven o'clock is a great time to shop at Tescos , you know. You get the place to yourself.
My mouth is not too bad today. I'm still bouncing off the walls. Sunday i should come down again, I hope.
Sarah, Like Lorraine says, fire away with any questions. We'll all do what we can to help, comfort and hopefully take away some of your fears.
By the way, any one on radiotherapy who have had the lymph nodes removed as well as having lumpectomy/masectomy? I'm wondering where they "microwave" you. Breast/underarm/both?
Dearest Lorraine, im really ever so sorry that you're going through yet more problems with this awful disease. You're such an inspiration to us all, you sound like you're in high spirits despite being knocked down again with this battle against cancer. I echo everyone else in saying i hope chemo is kind to you and hair really is a small price to pay. Good luck and much love x.
Jean im so pleased they allowed you to continue with your second dose...what a relief! We just want to get on with it as quick as possible don't we?? Glad your mouth feels alittle better today.
Hi Stef, i only wear my wig when im not at home. I couldn't face leaving the house without it. It's not that im vain, i just feel like i don't want to stand out in a crowd and no one is looking at me when i have hair. Around the house i wear either scarfs, hats or nothing! It depends how cold my head is!!! lol. One thing i've noticed since having no hair is just how cold your head gets!! My head did get very hot under the wig earlier this week during the hot weather, like Jean says, i'm not sure how comfortable a wig will be throughout the summer!!
Hi Sarah lea, I too am sorry that you find yourself here. As the other lovely ladies have said, this is a great place to go whenever you feel the need to off-load, ask any questions or just have a chat. Good luck for Monday, at least you will know where you're going next as far as treatments are concerned.
Poor you Margaret, it really does sound painful. I'm wincing as i type thinking about you removing the dressing each time!! At least that's over now...phew!
Paula what a relief that the blood was just the amount of tablets you're taking (bad enough though!). Glad it's sorted.
HI Marmalade, any news for your sis yet? Hope you're keeping well.
Hello everyone else, hope all is well. Take care Chelle x
