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?
You'll find that you get lots of funny sensations and aches and pains and they move around! I was told that it was internal scarring healing and it all takes time.
Just remember that for every ache and pain you get, something is getting better. You feel it more as the numbness wears off.
Paula, you are a tonic! Your wig looks fab. Can't wait to see the blonde one.
I can just about cope with the pills without the Sunday - Saturday box. However if I have to have any more this may become a reality. Then i think of my old Mum with her box and I think aaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I'm turning into my mother!!!
Thanks for the responses, nice to have got some of my feelings off my chest (pardon the pun!). It was my birthday yesterday and had a fab time. Got spoilt with lots of lovely pressies, had my nails done and took the plunge and had all my hair cut off (which was down to my bra) and died blond! Much easier to keep now! But must admit the day has really taken the wind out of my sails today, i'v slept most of it, but enjoyed myself. By the way its good to read all yor letters and get some ideas on the different treatments. Like i said in my last note, i'll find out monday what they have instore for me, the waiting drives me nuts lol! xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sarah, welcome.. glad you had a good Birthday! Best wishes for Monday!
Chelle, sis still waiting on Bupa, so nothing in the pipeline yet & I'm good thanks.. Hope you're doing ok!
Margaret, sorry to hear you're frazzled, hope you're not too sore!
Paula, your wig looks fab!
Jean, really hope you get your sleep pattern sorted soon!
Lorraine, hope you are ok!
Everyone else, hope you are all ok or coping with your treatment as best as you can. Sorry not to name everyone, but as I said this is just a quickie..
Heather, if you read this, hope you're coping alright, I know everyone on here thinks about you..
Thank you for all your best wishes and messages. I havent posted for a few days as it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I guess things are really starting to hit me now. On my first day out where the first drain was taken out leaked, soaked my dressings , so I ended up down at the GP's having it all changed and they put me on antibiotics as they were worried about the drain site as it looked red and sore, this I have since found out from my breast nurse is normal and she has taken me off them again. The second drain is now out, which is a relief, but as things come back to life, I am having quite a bit of pain. I also have lots of swelling under my arm from where they took my lymph nodes, has anyone else had this?
Jean yes i am still having support from my ex and my partner for looking after my son. I am slowly telling my son a bit more about what is wrong, but I am not sure he understands.
I am so scared about going for the results on Tuesday, I have thought of not going, but I know this isnt an option. Until I know what I have to face I think my emotions are going to be all over the place. At the moment I do not really want to see anyone or go out, but I am sure my confidence will come back eventually.
Sarah I know what you mean about the shock, I was diagnosed two weeks before my 40th birthday, it was all too much to take in and like you things have happened so fast. Be strong I am trying very hard to be.
Lorraine sorry to hear your news, I hope all goes ok.
Can anyone tell me my ambition was to have a tattoo for my 40th birthday but now i have had my lymph nodes removed , would i still be able to or should i wait until after all chemo etc is finished? any advice would be appreciated. Also were you all told that you were not allowed to go swimming until after the treatement.
Hope you have all had a good weekend, I am enjoying the grand prix.
I think a lot of people get the underarm swelling after lymph node removal. For me it felt and looked like I had an egg under my arm. I had to leave it for a week to see if it would settle down by itself. When it refused to move I had it drained. I don't think they like draining the swelling too soon as the needle can introduce infection.
I am not sure about the tattoo. I know you are not allowed anything on the same arm as the node removal but that is it.
Thanks Marian It feels like i have a couplel of eggs under there at the moment. It is quite painful to touch, but I think that is the bruising coming out. Can i also ask how long after the op did u all start feeling normal, it has been just over a week and i still feel exhausted.
Hi, I have just registered with this forum. So, hello everybody (*waving*)
I was diagnosed with breast cancer with spread to lymph nodes 22 March, had mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes 12 May (5 weeks from biopsy taken until operation done - which I think is marvellous). They found 2 cancers in the breast and 2 lymph nodes also cancerous.
I will have my first chemo on Wednesday - and at the moment I am quite anxious as to how I will react to it.
Have already got my wig - I went for a copper red one (my own hair is dark blonde) which a professional hairdresser will style for me for free on Tuesday! My husband will use his razor to get rid of my hair on 18 June as we are going to Silverstone for the whole weekend 19, 20 and 21 for the Formula 1. Go, Button, go.
The swelling will eventually go away. After they removed my lymph nodes it felt like a huge cushion under my arm and down the side of my boob and it was all swollen up.
I hope they have given you an excercise sheet. I had three sheets. 1 to be done whilst the drain was in, one to be done after the drain was removed and then an advanced one. I still do the advanced one 3 times a day, every day. I really feel that it helps.
I think you are a bit like me, Jo. I expected to feel much better quicker than I did after the ops. It really took me 3 and a half months to feel something like normal, but that could be to do with my age (60 now)Others feel better much quicker. Just try to be patient. I know it isn't easy. I believe the average time is 6/8 weeks.
Ask on Tuesday about a tattoo and swimming. The experts are the best ones to give you advice on this and please let us know the outome of your results. Will be thinking about you.
Sarah, good luck with your results, tomorrow. Please let us know how you get on.
The waiting for results, I think, is one of the worst things
Hi Stavanger
Sorry you have found yourself here with the rest of our little gang. You sound like a very positive lady, though. Keep it up.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing. Every contribution helps.
Hello Marmalade. Sleep still a bit of a bugger, but we'll get there. Heather is doing well!!
