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?
Chelle, I'm phoning the onc's secretary tomorrow to see what's going on re the radiotherapy. I can't see why the onc would contact the hospital on Jul 15th to arrange the treatment if she knew that they wouldn't give me an appointment until after August 26th (last chemo)
My taste buds are nearly normal. Had a lovely fry up this morning. Bacon, sausage, egg, black pudding, mushrooms nd tomatoes. Bliss! Hope your taste buds recover before they zap you again on the 18th!
Sue, sorry to hear yur news. Have you decidedwhat to do yet or are you wating till you see the onc on Wednesday? Let us know how you get on.
Jenney, hope you are ok after your first chemo. Just tick that box and now it's only 5 more to have.
Wendy will be thinking of you on Friday. Hope you are enjoying the sunshine. It has been lovely here for the last 3 days.
Kay had anyone warned the animals at Greenwith that you are on your way!
As I said before, the taste buds are nearly 100%. From now until the 19th I should be fine. Then last two chemos on 19th and 26th. YIPPEE! Roll on 10/11th September for the final taste bud recovery.
My mum will be going into hospital next week to have a masectomy. We have been told that the cancer was caught early, but she has still not had her results back from the lymph node tests (she will get them back two days before her operation)
I am currently living away from home, but I have decided to go back and look after her when she comes out of hospital. The problem is is that I really do not know what to expect. What sort of things will I have to do for her? What sort of food should she eat?
Many thanks to those that respond :) and all the best to those that are in the same position
Welcome to this very friendly and helpful site. I am sure that you would rather not be here and that's the same for all of us. So sorry that your Mum is ill and obviously you will be very worried about her.
First of all, can I say that there are a lot of ladies on this thread who have had a mastectomy so they will be more able to help you than I can re this op. I had a lumpectomy and removal of all the lymph nodes.
How your Mum will feel after the op depends on if she only has a mastectomy or if the lymph nodes are removed as well. I think if they are both removed at the same time it is not as painful as having 2 separate operations. Again someone else who has had this done will be better informed than me. You will probably have to help her to wash and dress for a few days, especially if she leaves hospital with a drain in. I think most of us left with drains in. Usually they are removed 4/5 days after the op. She, may of course, not have a drain in place. You won't know until after her op.
As for eating, basically she can eat anything she wants! Having the operation, as far as I can tell, doesn't affect anyone's eating habits. In fact I think most of us eat more now than we did before!
Does your Mum live on her own? If she does and I would think that you can't stay with her indefinately, it might be a good idea when you make a meal, to make a little bit more and freeze some individual portions for her. So after you have returned home, she will have a few easy meals to prepare for herself.
There will be others along here shortly who can add more info to this for you.
Please ask as many questions as you want to. Someone will nearly always have an answer or some advice they can give to you.
I send you and your Mum my very best wishes and will be thinking of you both.
My mum diagnosed with breast cancer grade 3 in may of this year and has had a double mysectomy about 2 weeks ago. We have just had appointment at hospital with surgeon and he gave her good news that her lymph nodes were clear. Although Doctor has said she needs chemotherapy to make sure they have it all. I am worried about what to expect as she has emphysema and worried about how chemotherapy will affect her can any one relate to this?
Many thanks Jeanie Jean for you very kind message.
My mum doesn't live on her own, but her partner has his own business, so can not take the time off to take care of her during the day. She is really positive and seems quite calm about it all... more than me!
Hi everyone,haven't posted for a few days...been recovering from last chemo (totally wiped me out this time) feel loads better this morning, yipee!!!
Jenney, I'm having Taxotere & Cyclophosphamide..Taxotere does have the usual 'crappy' side effects but they are bearable so don't worry.
Bec...the oncologist will be aware of your mums chest problems & will monitor her throughout treatment...however make sure they know your concerns & ask questions.
Feel so touched by the support this site gives, everyone continues to be so upbeat & positive..Go Go Girls xxxxxxxxx
Bec30, sorry, I'm not aware of anyone on here who has emphysema. However, as Lesley said, the hospital staff should be aware of this and should monitor her closely. No harm in mentioning it again if you go with your Mum for her treatment. If you are not able to go with her just remind her to remind them!
Kimita, so glad your Mum has a partner. That will certainly make things easier for her. I found i needed a lot of help physically and mentally for the first couple of weeks after the ops. Sometimes I think it is harder for our family and friends to cope with this awful disease than it is for us. For some reason we ladies seem to accept it and get on with the treatments. We have no choice, really. We do have our down days, believe me, and that's when friends and family can be so supportive.
Lesley it must be strange for you to be on the other side of the fence, so to speak. Glad you are feeling better after your latest chemo. How many more to go?
Phoned the onc's secretary this morning to find out what is happening with my radiotherapy appointments. She is on holiday...dam! However another onc's secretary is covering and she said she will have a word with Dr. Lupton and try to find out what is happening. So I'm now waiting on a phone call. Don't think I'll hold my breath!
Love to everyone especially those on their chemo week.
Hi everyone, I finally had to shave the legs yesterday, as much as I was determined to hold on to the hair for dear life it got a bit much when my hubby started to plait it lol My hair has started to sprout as well, (a bit like a patchy action man). I am really surprised as my onc told me the chemo I am on would still affect my hair. Bloody chemo cough drove me mad this week but on the bright side the nails didn't hurt and are still in place. Back on Wednesday to be zapped, it has started to feel like my second home going once a week. So many new people on here I can't keep up, but I am reading the posts and wish you all well. My sister has her second op on Wednesday, hopefully the lymphs will be clear but I think she will be chemo'd anyway. Still no periods and lots of hot flushes so I think the induced menopause has arrived, bring it on, it's the only bloody positive thing to come out of chemo lol Keep positive everyone xxx
Had a call from the oncology dept. Apparantly Sep 14th has been pencilled in for me but will not be confirmed in writing until after the last chemo on Aug 26th. So looks as if things are taking shape.
