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 all and thanks for the info, I only had one lymph node involved, I did have the chemotherapy fec something or other and another don't know the name of but it began with T, thats all I can tell you. I was told I would need radiotherapy, however when I went for the measuring they said because my surgeon had filled the skin spacers I could not have the radiotherapy as the dose would be to high for my heart. The radiologist was pretty matter of fact and said, well you only had one lymph node involved so it should be ok not to have it, these were his exact words, surprising what you remember. This is why I'm now a bit concerned after visiting this site and reading all your posts, I hope he is right I certainly don't want to have to go through it all again thats for sure. oh well on the good news front my hubby Kev is due back tonight, cant wait to see him it feels like he has been away for ages, and its only been 12 days. wendy good luck with the surgeon. regards to you all sue x
Hi Sue, how lovely having Kev home. My hubby Petes on night shift this week, and i always get excited when it's over (he does it every 3 weeks), as i don't really see much of him during that week. So you must be well excited after 12 days. Have a fab evening. Don't worry about not having radiotherapy. I've heard of people being unable to have it like yourself, because it effects the heart. May be the website Marcus has provided may have some more information in this area. Surely having chemo must be as good if not better than having radiotherapy?? There are many women who only receive rads and not chemo with lymph node involvement. If you're still worried maybe you should arrange a chat with your doctor?? In the meantime try not to worry, they would have done it if they thought it was necessary i'm sure.
Hi Marcus sorry you've experienced such loss in your life. Thankyou so much for that website, i'm sure it'll give many of us answers that we are looking for. Hope you're ok and your mum and sis are doing well.
Hi Kev so glad you've popped in on us. I'm happy to hear you and Brad are keeping well. You take care too and keep checking in from time to time (we need someone to make sure we're behaving ourselves!!).
Hi Paula what a relief they did find out your sisters other boob was cancerous before it was too late!!! Makes you wonder what other mistakes these doctors make!!! I'm really pleased you're feeling brighter lets hope you're ok today after your zapping! You know you can always chat on here even when you're feeling negative. I love your sense of humour and you always sound so bubbly but we don't mind the boo-hoo days either, that's what we're here for x
Hope everyone else is ok, take care, love Chelle x
Hi everyone, now the the halfway line and only 10 weeks to go!!!!!! Chelle thanks so much for the concern, I am now back to normal and burning on all cylinders, well the ones I have left lol My problem is I will not accept I have to sleep when tired, it is not in my nature to sleep in the day and the last chemo without steroids made me very tired. I am severly anemic which dosen't help I suppose but my oncologist said if I can put up with it is best as she dosen't like to give transfusions unless it is absolutely necessary. So I am going to accept it (for once in my life). Hubby is over the moon as I can't give him half as much earache as normal lol It is quite ironic actually, there is only me would get down about sleeping having got rid of Gregory, ulcers, painful joints, nausea, chemo cough,,,,, need I go on lol I told my surgeon about my sister today and he just gave me a disaproving look, I don't think he was impressed they had missed it. Not long for you and Jean now Chelle, I am going to have a party for you both I am so happy lol Hope everyones chemo went well today xxxxxx
Hi everyone - I hope you don't mnd if you let me indulge myself and tell you about my day? I'm sure I'll feel much better when I've got it off my chest - haha! When I saw the consultant this morning she already knew I'd told my nurse that I wanted the DIEP flap so she was able to tell me that it could be the end of September before I get the op. This is because it's holiday time and different members of the team at the other hospital will be on holiday. She said that if my gynae team could remove my estrogen implant it would help otherwise I'd have to start tamoxifen. Then a nurse knocked on the door and said that a doctor wanted to speak to the consultant urgently. The consultant went on talking to me and the nurse repeated it was urgent. She went out of the room then came back and told me they'd detected something on the MRI results that they were concerned about in my other breast! I asked to see my notes and was shocked to find that my original tumour was 7.3x5x4 cms.! We decided that the best option was a double masectomy and have reconstruction of both at the same op. I left the room armed with instructions to go to have my bloods done, my chest x-ray, make an appt. for another ultrascan and go to gynae. At the ultrascan they decided to investigate straightaway but they couldn't see what the MRI could see so there "was probably not anything there"!! Seeing it didn't find how big my original lump was. I wasn't that confident. Over at gynae they told me what I expected to hear- they wouldn't be able to find my implant after 6 weeks and anyway it wasn't a good idea to start carving up the area they were going to use for the flap so it will have to be tamoxifen after all. So I still haven't got a date, I may have cancer in my right breast - or may not! I don't know what you would do but I will still go for a double masectomy. If, in 2 years time, I have to have my other breast removed they won't be able to use my tummy, plus I will have to have another op I'd love to hear from you and I apologise for going on about me so much. I do care about all of you! love Wendy xx
Well done for reaching the half way point, it isn't easy. It's such a lovely feeling isn't it. It's good to hear you're feeling back to normal. I really do hope it lasts. It's funny how the tiredness gets you down more than anything else thrown at you. I'd rather feel sick, have mouth sores and everything else than this horrid fatique!!! It can't help you being so anemic, hang in there girl, you're doing so well. Glad your hubbys having a good time :-)
We'll all have an online drink with our chats when we've finished chemo :-D Take care Love Chelle x
What a shocker!! Please don't apologise, you are certainly not going on. I'm so sorry you may now be facing cancer in your other breast. As i've just said to Paula...hang in there girl, you're doing so well, keep positive it may be nothing. I must admit that i too have lost confidence in the mammogram and ultrasound, as they told me they couldn't see anything and they were sure it wasn't cancer!!! I'd definately go for a double masectomy and reconstruction at the same time if i were you (of course you must do what's right for you), and don't panic about Tamoxifen it'll be fine. Take one step at a time and take everything they offer you to get rid of this awful disease.
Hope the most of you are OK. I keep reading your postings every day. Nice to hear that husbands and cats are back home....lol..and wild rabbits left in peace...
Wendy - I will always trust that what the doctors say is the best solution. After all they are the specialists.
Had my last FEC today (after a 3 hour wait!!). I have resigned to looking upon chemo day as a wasted day, so I try to get my appointments at 11 - 13 so I have a nice start to the day at home. Steph and Jean - did your chemos today go OK?
I will start on Taxotere next visit. Have to start the steroids the day before I go and for two days after. Chemo nurse told me to wear dark nail polish on fingers and toes when I come for the chemo, as that will help to keep my nails from falling off. Anybody else been told that?
Going for my booster tomorrow at 15.00 - must remember to buy more ibuprofen for my side effects (pain). I asked chemo nurse how long I have to wait between chemo and rads and was told about 4 weeks. I am seeing my oncologist at the next chemo, so will ask her as well. Then I can start planning for the day I'll have the pink champagne I was given as a leaving present from my last job!! (Left end of March).
Chelle you sound very up beat after all your recent stresses - go girl your a real fighter. Not stopping on as really cant type and read back etc as my eyes are skenning after chemo haha. I will read only for the mo :-) was chatting to a young girl at hosp who had cervical cancer grade 3 its gone to her lymphs in her groin and she has blood clots in her legs and pains all time in her womb area and she has 4 children 3, 6, 9, and 12 wow thats tough going - makes you feel humbled.
Sue, I think you should be asking the onc. the questions about radiotherapy. There must be reasons, I would think, why it is better for you not to have it. It must be to do with the implants/your heart. The disadvantages must outweigh the advantages. Hope you and Kev have a great reunion and that your step mum is ok now. We women, will we ever learn to slow down.
Paula, that includes you, slow down woman and take a break and a rest and a sleep!!!! Thank goodness you are back to your old witty, mad self. I do appreciate your input (whether it be good or bad) We're all here for each other. You're half way there now. That is a great milestone to reach.
Cripes, Wendy, what a bummer. it really makes you wonder about these mammograms, ultrasounds and scans. Why are they so innacurate? I had a routine mammogram in June 2008...........all clear. Come back in 3 years. Dec 2008 BLOODY CANCER! So what's the point in 3 yearly screening for over 50's? I wish you luck in reaching your decision. It's not up to me but I reckon I would go for the whole lot chopped off. When it's done it's done!
Chelle, I've joined you now. Only 2 more to go next month, then party time. I had no probs today with chemo. In fact I had a good day!
I was told to cut out the steroids altogether as I don't need them. (I have to keep them on hand in case I do feel nauseous without them) Apparantly, according to the Sister in charge of the chemo unit, any medical person looking at my blood test results, would find no indication that I was undergoing any chemo treatments!!! I look like a normal, healthy 60 year old. Me that's on 20 fags a day and 1/2 a bottle of wine a night...Jesus!
So watch this space! Do I believe her....I really want to
Stef, hope you get through this lot of chemo better than the last.Thinking of you.
He he Jean ill try your healthy regime it seems to work for you lol x i thinking not taking the steroids and see what happens will keep you informed. x stef
