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?
Dearest Paula what an awful time you’re having. I wish you well and hope you feel better soon. Big hugs x
Hi Jean it sounds like you’ve got a fab few days ahead with your brother staying. Have a great time and enjoy all that yummy food :-)
Kay I’m hanging on every word about Herceptin as i start mine next month. It’s a relief to hear the side effects are not as bad as chemo…phew!
Karen I’m starting Arimidex in a few weeks, so I’m pleased to hear it’s going well for you and hopefully it will for me too. I've hated the fatigue but sadly i think the fatigue can go on for several months! :-(
Marmalade I will be over the moon when all the treatment is over. It’s just a shame I need Herceptin for a year, so I’m a long way off as yet! However finishing chemo is a real positive :-D I'm so pleased your sis is finally getting her op, what a long wait you've both had! The support group sounds like an excellent idea x
Wendy hopefully these next 2 weeks will fly by for you coz waiting for treatments/appointments can be very hard. Hope there were lots of cheers and no tears last night!
Stef try and stay positive with your hubby’s job I know how hard it can be. A couple of years ago I had to give up a job I loved because at the time another condition I have called Lupus was making life difficult for me. My joints hurt so much that working, driving, housework etc was really uncomfortable. So I reluctantly handed in my notice at work only to discover a few days later that my hubby’s place of work went into liquidation. This left us both unemployed!! Pete managed to get another job a month later and my Lupus slowly improved by not working and taking things easy for a while. Shame I went on to get breast cancer and felt pants much of this year!!! Chin up and my fingers are crossed that things will work out for you both x
Paula, hope they've let you home by now. That boob of yours is being a real nuisance. Will this delay your treatment any, I do hope not.
Jean, hope you enjoy your brother's visit. Tell Duncan that if he leaves any of the whisky, I'll have it!
Chelle, You'll be amazed how fast that year goes. I have multiple sclerosis, and used to worry that chemo, herceptin etc would make that worse, but it doesn't seem to have (touch wood). I'm sure you have similar worries about the lupus. Is it an auto immune illness, like MS?
Sam, hope you're OK.
Paul and I are off to spend a few days in Shrewsbury tomorrow. May as well make the most of this country until I'm out of travel insurance purdah. I've wanted to see it for ages but the cost of the train fares put me off. Then I found this small train company that runs a service out of Marylebone, and got really cheap tickets. I'll be back on Saturday, so until then take care everyone.
Hopefully the year will fly by! I know it did for my sister.. From beginning her Herceptin to finishing it was scarily fast. I know how fab she felt at finally finishing everything, but finishing your chemo stage is fantastic!! :-) After the couple of years you have had, you deserve the most wonderful time from now on.. I for one, will be rooting for you!!
xx
P.S. Jean.. :-) xx Paula.. Hope you are home soon!! xx And Kay.. Enjoy your break!! xx
finally came back to the landof the living afte my hellish time with second fec, thanks for all your kind words they really did help.
my am was good today as my youngest son ellis(5) went back to school today and it was my first school run with my bandana i was really nervous but everyone was great and very supportive so what a relief however i do look like gypsy rosie lee lol.
hope everyone is better now my we have all had a time of it this time round!!! good luck to those awaiting results and appointments and to those who had/r having treatment this week.
one thing has anyone here appealed the dla decision and how hard was it to do so, i'm still waiting to here but want to get prepared as i expect it's going to be a no as it seems thats the case.
Hi Jenney, glad you're feeling better. I found fec gruesome but you get through it. At the time it seems endless then suddenly it's all over!!! Thanks for info on herceptin Kay, as you say anythings a breeze after chemo. Crumbs fancy it being so expensive. Still it's worth it to keep all us gorgeous ladies up and running.( well maybe walking haha). Have good time with bro Jean! 1st radiotherapy tomorrow. Take care all. Lots of love Karen xxx
Sorry for taking so long to reply....I am still here, just got back from a little holiday.
Yep, the DIEP is on the 17th. I remember being so sick after the mastectomy and I hated having the drains removed....so I am a little nervous. A bit excited too, at least I will feel soft again.How are you doing?
Karen good luck for tomorrows radiotherapy please let us know how you found it as thats next step for lots of us.
Jenney - great isnt it that the kids are back in school - i am on FEC and really cant talk to mine without upsetting them when i am on bad days after chemo and although they are 13 and 16 - my 13yr old daughter doesnt understand how i feel after chemo - like being on my own as cant communicate properly and have no patience. Re:- DLA i was refused on grounds that i will be symptom free by FEB 2010 - they say you have to be ill for 3 mths before applying and for 6 months after that also??? so i rang them and if i want to pursue it - (theres 2 or 3 ways to pursue it) think you can simply reapply with evidence from letter off oncologist or dr saying i will still be ill in FEB 2010 or to up for a meeting with professional members??? cant remember now - so i said id get the letter and reapply that way - then thought id sack it as how can i get them to write letter saying i still be ill when i wont be on chemo and well clear of symptoms. Let me know how you get on with it.
Jean hope you have lovely time with your brother this week and enjoy your meals out now you can taste better :-)
Chelle thanks for your comments re Pauls job - you must have been worried when you both ended up out of work! i feel a bit untouchable kind of - like "whatever" what happens will happen and we will sort it and manage. Glad your tastebuds are returning these are all steps in the right direction :-). An old friend of mine had lupus and had difficulty walking very far she was in her early 20's - she moved away and ive not seen her for years - is it progressive chelle or does it flare up or stay steady - i know you said when you rested up it improved - what line of work are you in chelle? Are you off sick at the mo like me - and are you able to return when you feel ready? Chelle is Arimidex in tablet form or drip at hosp,? is this alongside radiotherapy or before it are you not having herceptin. the first thing my mum said when i was diagnosed was why cant she have herceptin? i think the consultant said cos i was pre-menopausal?? and i asked what type of cancer i had after chemo 2 as no-one had told me and the oncologist said medullary thats good - so i stupidly said ok and asked no questions - when got home looked it up and its weird as sounds a bit conflicting - it said usually large lump in breast that usually doesnt spread and is easily treated???? my lump was 1.5cm and had affected 3 nodes (had 28 in all) and i gettin 8 lots of FEC then radio??? and when he said its good - the outlook is good if it hasnt spread to nodes gives you very high % of survival after 9yrs and if it has the 9yr survival % drops back to 61% ??? so i was really none the wiser. i gonna ask more questions on wed. Gosh just read back and it looks like i interagating you question after question lol x
Kay enjoy your trip to shrewsbury it is so nice to get away from the house and same old same old routine :-) x
Has any one else heard of the term medullary.
Also has anyone noticed under their finger nails a build up of skin like a very thick nail bed?
Just a quickie to let you know, Paula had another operation yesterday and was kept in again last night. I don't know what the op was for, I am assuming it was to repair the popping boob. When I know more I will let you know. She should be home today, if all goes well.
Will catch up with the other posts later as we are on our way out.
Am going mad! Employment and support allowance won't put money in as my last sick note was signed by a different doctor. Taken me since yesterday morning to get ESA on phone and they will accept another doctor for 1 month but not 2 and mine are always made out for 2 months. Hopefully got it sorted but ended up crying me eyes out. It's the stupid things that can floor you isn't it? Aaaarrgh! Thats better. Sorry everyone i'll be in a better mood later. Lots of love Karen xxx
Karen I’m not surprised you’re going mad! Don’t apologise, I would feel the same. It all sounds a little petty to me saying they wouldn’t except a different doctor signing it!! Grrhhhh!! At least it’s sorted now. Good luck for Radiotherapy tomorrow. Let us know what it’s like as a lot of us here are having that x
Jean thanks for letting us know about Paula..what a nightmare. Please pass on our love and best wishes, my thoughts are with her x. Enjoy your time with your brother x
Marian good luck for the 17th. I think it’s natural to feel both nervous and excited :-)
Jenney glad you’re back to the land of the living, sorry it’s been nasty for you :-(. You’re a better woman than me coz I’m still wearing my wig when dropping off/picking up my 6 year old from school. What a wimp I am lol!! I’m appealing my rejected DLA decision but I’m getting someone that the Macmillan ladies arranged for me to help fill out the form as they know the right things to say...i won't hold my breathe that i'll get it though! Enjoy feeling better x
Marmalade thanks for your lovely words. I’m sure you’re right and the year will fly by. Has your sister got a date yet for her op? She is so lucky having you supporting her. Are you considering having the gene test? Hope you’re having a good day x
Kay I’ll join you and Duncan with that whisky :-D Yes Lupus is an auto immune disease. It’s funny because since having chemo the Lupus symptoms have been reduced. Trouble is I’m already noticing my joints starting to ache more than they have for months now that I’ve finished chemo. My onc said people with arthritis are usually better while having chemo!! As Lupus can attack major organs as well as the joints they believe the Lupus attacked my pancreas and made me a diabetic! I don’t have much luck when it comes to health ha ha! How did you find your MS while having Herceptin and Radiotherapy? Hope your keeping as well as possible now. Have a fab time in Shrewsbury x
