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 had my 6 monthly check up yesterday and all is well, except for the lack of use in my left arm, following surgery. I now have to have physiotherapy. From now on I will have a check up every 6 months and a mammogram every year for 5 years.
Camilla, sorry to hear that the FEC hasn't been kind to you. This particular chemo seems to be a bit of a bugger for everyone having it. Hope the Tax is better, when you start on that. I can't comment on either as I had EPI and CMF.
Jenney, just you rant as much as you want, girl! I know what you mean about the DLA. I had a second letter from them this morning telling me they still hadn't reached a decision, but not to be concerned as I would receive benefit backdated to the date of application, IF they decide I am entitled to it!
Wendy and Wiggy, hope you are doing ok. Can't help you with the MRI scan, Wiggy, as I've not had one. Have you got a date yet?
Laila, how are you coping now? So many of you are suffering at the moment. I hope you enjoy your visit to Clacton and that you and your hubby are ok now.
Welcome, Fran. Sorry to hear about your hair problem. My hair started to grwo back about 12 weeks ago. It's still VERY short. But what can you do, except wait and see what happens.
Great result, Sue, re the brain scan. Have you made your arrangements to return to the UK yet?
Chelle, Lorraine, Paula and Stef.....................Hi! Hope you are all ok
You're not alone at all, I'm in a similar position to yourself albeit that it's my wife rather than my mum. You'll get lots of support from the wonderful people who have found themselves on this forum.
Best wishes & keep smiling (makes others nervous) Stuart
Hi Emlou - don't ever feel ridiculous! You sound very much like my daughter. I think it is easier for us patients because we have to get on and get treated while you wait and watch us! You will know how genuine your mum's courage is so let that be your attitude. So much can be done for us and you will find us very supportive here. Keep posting - we will keep listening!
Ah thanx Wendy and Stuart, i have been reading everyones posts and not sure if it has made me fell better, or made me more anxious now reading about everyones chemo etc. When the doc told her she could have a lumpevtomy rather than a mastectomy she had a grin on her face all day, you'd think she had won the lotto, and i was a bit dazed and thinking 'why are we walking around grinning - you have the big scary 'C' word. She is sooo strong, the only good thing i can see so far is the half a stone i have lost this week, think ive cried it out!! We keep making little jokes and i think thats whats gonna help me stay strong for her. When the lovely macmillan nurse told her that her lewft breast would obv end up a bit smaller than the right one, she laughed and said 'its fine, thats always been the biggest one anyway' !! She was honestly more worried incase she had to have chemo, and her hair fell out. She was thinking that at least a mastgectomy is private, nobody need know, where as when you lose your hair, you may as well wear a sign that says 'cancer' and invite everyone to stare. Hopefully the lumpectomy will be the worst over. The nurse said radiotherapy drains you, but most people only end up so tired due to the travelling. She travels in to town every day for work though, so i dont think shes even bothered, I'll be there for her, she'll be sick oif me, im following her round like a bad smell at the minute! Sorry for the essay - it feels good to say it all without the 'pity eyes' that people give you. Think im gonna be on here quite a lot in the next few months xx
Emlou - your mum sounds amazing to be honest to have such a positive attitude. I have been with my sister when she has been to the Onco etc and he beleives a positive attitude plays a big part of the battle to get you through this. Don't wear yourself out with worry as it won't do either of you any good, but follow your mum's attitude & just be there for her when she possibly does need the support. I agree with you on losing the weight as I've done the same myself with crying, but when I see my sister being ok then it fades away. WendyDarling sums it up for me (& I'm glad to see this actually in words) that the patients just get on with it as we (the 'watchers') can feel so damn useless at times. Just say to your Mum that she must talk to you when she needs you. All the best- jewels
you're so right jewel, i can tell im going to get a lot out of this site. I feel better already and ive only joined today. I think once the initial shock wears off I will calm down, but think the fact that she is SO calm has made me freak out a bit (i get the emotional wreck side from my dad, my brother gets strong side from my mam!) Being new on here, you feel a bit stalker-ish reading everyones biogs, but i suppose thats why ppl put them on, although a few have made me cry they have mostly made me think we can get through it, everyone on here is so strong! Everyones story is different, but everyone is so strong xxx
Havent been posting much as am up to my eyes in decorating. Had a it of a worry this week wondering if the chemo was still working as they sugested they might change it and that would have ment starting from scratch again after 13 chemos and only 3 to go. Good new for me my chemo is still working so only 3 more weeks to go.
Fran hello I have found the only way to get your hair growing properly after chemo is to shave it for a few weeks last time i had chemo it only started to get thicker by doing this. Fingers crossed yours gets thicker. Couldnt keep my hands off the stubble lol
Jean so glad your 6 months check went well and its good news your only having 5 year mamograms I had to have mine yearly.
Maybe it would be a good idea to get sedation for the mri it is clostraphobic and very noisy I have heard people having to be sedated so just ask your gp before you go.
Emlou Good you came here and as I said you will get lots of suport here. My eldest son 22 years at the beginning he would cry all the time and they all follow me about the house asking me if i am ok. It is heartbreaking knowing they are so upset about me and it makes me feel so much better when they are smiling. Keep your chin up and I am sure it will get easier for you when you realise your mum will get better. Most people do recover I am just one of the very unlucky ones and had a very agressive type of cancer so new it would come back. If your mums not having chemo then its not spread into any glands and must only be in the breast so sounds like a good prognoses for her. By the way Your mum could have a reduction done on her good boob Thats what i did so have a matching pair lol
Sue great news about your latest scan.
Jean Paula and Steff How are you all I wll have a look on the site you sent me and register. Are you going to post it here eventualy when its up and running?
Sorry I haven mentioned everyone but I have read all the posts and good luck to you all where ever you are with your treatment.
Hi everyone! Chemo knackered me out this time, but to be honest my partying wicked ways don't help and I think it has caught up. On this note I am going to behave myself this weekend and work on the website. Lorraine, so chuffed your bloods were ok, website will be posted when we have added our own bits, it will give people an indicator on how it works xxxx Jean, are the taste buds back yet? xxxx Steff, hope Trevor is behaving himself, little bugger lol xxxx Lilla, hope the side effects are getting better, I am determined they won't get the better of me but this time like yourself they have caught up, yuk! xxx Kay it's great to see you!!! xxxx Sue hope you're ok over there xxx Chelle, hope you're enjoying your chemo free days xxx Emlou, please come on here to chat it really helps, even as a relative. From my experience I couldn't bare my family being upset so from the start I put on a brave face and tried to live my life as normal as possible. My daughters have since told me it has helped them enormously to stay positive and upbeat, my hubby had a bad time at first but is now following my mood and we lead a completely normal life when possible. For some reason I can't stand sympathy so I tend to speak to people who are going through this rather than upset the family. Stay upbeat for your Mum and be there if she needs a cry, everyone is different. xxxx Have a good weekend everyone and don't dare tell me you are going partying as I have to behave myself lol xxxxxx
I cant believe how inspired i feel from talking to strangers about the dreaded 'C' word. I wasnt sure at first whether to join, but am glad i did. You are all so strong, both the patients and the families of patients. I am going to look in to doing something, a race or something a bit crazy to raise £, and it will also get some of this baby weight off me (my son is 5 - im a slow starter hehe) Some training will give me something to keep my mind of it, and my mam can come swimming with me.
Lorraine, thank u for recommending this thread, everyone is so good at explaining, and its not the sympathy party i thought it might be, Its refreshing to be able to talke about 'cancer' without thinking i might upset anyone!
Paula, im going to live on this site! i got a bit upset reading somew ppls profile, but its just made me understand that every person gets it differently, and if you are all so strong and can beat it, my mam should have no problem as shes the strongest person i know!
Hopefully the surrounding tissue and lymphnodes will be clear and this can all be a distant memory, but if not, im sure we'll manage!!
Thanks everyone, and i will most def be back 2m! (And Paula, im lucky if i get a night out at all lol)
