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 fire away, I’ll try to answer what I can. Firstly no I haven’t heard the term Medullary but I’m interested to know what it is. Try not to worry about percentages as I think these can make us worry. Hold on to the thought that he said yours was good.
Like your kids, mine were getting upset when I felt unwell or whenever I would try to talk to them about cancer, but they are getting better and more willing to listen as time has gone on and they can see I’m still alive and kicking!
DLA Grhhhhhh!! Their criteria is soooo annoying!! Why the time limit?!! They'll do anything to not pay up when i think you are entitled to it!! I was refused because I can cook a simple meal for one and I can walk!! Yes I can walk but often throughout chemo I’ve had no motivation or energy to walk to the toilet let alone go for a stroll. Don’t think my hubby or kids would be too impressed if I just cooked my own tea and left them to sort themselves out either…especially my 6 year old, i couldn't leave her to her own devices in the kitchen!! I have prepared frozen meals when i'm at my best ready for when i'm too unwell to cook! I had no energy for cooking or anything come to that!!They don’t take everything into account, which has really frustrated me. I am appealing but I’ve got Some one helping me next week through Macmillan as they know how to fill out these forms better than I do. I’m not giving up without a fight!!
I like your attitude to the work situation. I was very much like you when we going through that uncertain time. I believe things happen for a reason and like you said whatever happens you do sort it out and manage.
As for the Lupus, mine does flare up although I can have symptoms most days ranging from feeling very achy and unwell to miner ones like headaches. Funnily enough the chemo has reduced the Lupus symptoms these past few months, which my onc said normally happens. Currently I’m not working but hoping to as soon as treatments finished. I’ve worked with children in a pre-school and taught adults with learning difficulties nutrition and how to shop and cook independently, which I loved. Don’t know what the future holds for me career wise as I want something which isn’t stressy and will work around the family, as I want to make the most of them while I’m around.
I believe Arimidex is a tablet. I’m not starting them until I’ve had my Ovaries removed, as you must be in the menopause to take them. I'm 40 years old and way off a natural menopause, so they'll put me into one by removing my Ovaries. Originally I was to have Tamoxifen (which you take pre-menopause) but because of Lupus I can’t have Tamoxifen, as they would increase my chance of blood clots. I assume you’re having Tamoxifen as you’re pre-menopausal? In the meantime I shall have Zoledex injections, Ovaries removed, then Arimidex once I’m officially in the menopause. My cancer is Hormone positive (fed by hormones) and Her2 positive (fed by protein) which means I’m taking Zoledex injections then Arimidex to reduce hormone activity. As i'm Her2 + i shall be having Herceptin for 1 year. This is given in the same way as you receive chemo, but it is not a chemo. Herceptin only works if you’re Her2 +, it appears you are Her2 – as you’ve not been offered Herceptin.
Caley im crossing my fingers your results are good today - please let us know how you get on. Having the recon at later date i think is a good idea as one of the ladies on here had recon at same time and has found that she cant heal properly after it due to going onto have chemo and nothing heals well on chemo she has had infection too. best wishes x stef
Chelle thanks for answering my millions of questions :-) yes i was put straight on tamoxifen when they said 99% sure cancer on first appointment then stopped it to have chemo and will restart it after chemo - i found it ok side effects wise. Good luck with the induced menopause i have been having hot flushes in the evening and bed at night and i feel normal temp to touch but inside GLOWING haha. Your job sounded very interesting and rewarding - i am secretary for NHS and i worked 9-3pm as both kids were at high school michael just left now. and of course now we have trevor i wont work full time ever again if i can help it. prob go back on phased return doing less hrs and build it back up. spoke to macm nurse this morn about reapplying for DLA she confirmed its very hard to get if you on chemo and agreed that its a real battle - which im not up for at the mo - id rather be skint than have to fight them for it. Paula is still in hosp had to have an op??? as her boob was infected? and should be home soon. RE the kids - isnt it upsetting when you cant do what you used to do with regards the children it makes you feel useless at times BUT things can only get better from hereon. keep well x stef
Karen sorry to hear you having hard time with the sicknotes - that does sound ridiculous a Dr is a Dr how silly!!
Hi Stef I’ve been having hot flushes too!! It’s funny how some of us are put on Tamoxifen/Arimidex immediately while others have to wait until the end of treatment to start them! At least you know you didn’t suffer with side effects on them :-). You’re lucky you have a good job to ease back into when this is over. Any employer looking at my health record probably won’t want to employ me lol!! Working part time is a good idea with the children and Trevor. I’m probably wasting my time reapplying for DLA but hey ho I’ll try once more. I don’t blame you for not re trying, it is a battle. You’re right that things can only get better…thank goodness! X
Caley the very best of luck today with your results. Please let us know how it goes. Big hugs x
Evening all, finaly got my results, my appt was at 2.30 and got seen at 4pm, always waiting!!! They told me i actualy had 4 lots of cancer not 3 as they first thought, to think i had biopsy, ultra sound, mamagram and mri and it still didn't pick up the 4th cancer! They removed 9 nodes and 6 were infected, do u think havin 3 clear is good sign? I now have to have bone scan and chest and abdoman checked, realy didn't want mri, has any1 had sedation for this? I should get letter from onc in next week or two, so should be starting chemo soon, then its rad and tamoxifen for 5yrs. Also said i may need herceptin, but those results aren't back yet. I don't know if results were good or bad really. My largest cancer was 4cm, smallest was 2cm, one was invasive ductal, others dcis, if i remember rightly! Hope you are all doing well, speak soon, big hugs caley xxxxxxxxxx
Caley thanks for coming on to tell us how you got on today - 3 nodes clear is better than none - thats how we have to look at everything now :-) its weird how many nodes we all have i had 28removed 3 were affected - and Paula only had a few nodes like yourself - she said its to do with fat mass or somet as she trains and does weights she wreckons thats why she had less nodes - that makes me a fat git hahaha - i'm not fat really. Great your getting a check all over its best to know whats going on i think rather than presuming - i dont trust mamagrams as mine wasnt seen on it and quite a few people i know said the same - had mamagram and 3 mths later found a lump so im scepticle - would want a full all over scan after ive finished all treatments and prob only get offered mamagrams every so often. You sound in good spirit after your mastectomy and news of the 4th little begger they found - give yourself a pat on the back with your good arm :-) and keep smiling hun - stef x
Thanks stef, I think your right about mamagrams, mine didn't detect much, thats why I had mri, don't know if i'd trust one in the future! May also be right about nodes, I also used to go to gym and do weights, maybe why I didn't have many? I had my wound drained again today, about a pint came out, told her thats the only pint she'll get out of me, haha. They may just as well have drained it friday, but were reluctant as risk of infection, but hey, all done now. Thanks for your kind words, big hugs, Caley xxxxxxxxx
Hi Caley, Got your results at last.... So good that you had the mastectomy to get rid of it all if you had 4 lots. Yours sounds much the same as mine, invasive and DCIS, luckily I only had one lot. Just like all you others, my mammogram was clear, but the ultrasound afterwards showed the cancer up. I have had MRI'S before, very very noisy, but perhaps they will give you some headphones or something. I am sure they will give you a happy pill or something to sedate you if you need it... I found it a struggle as was in the tunnel for over an hour without headphones but once you are out, thats it. Anyway, you take care and good luck with the MRI's etc, at least you will be suer its all gone! Hurrah! Night Lisa x
Hi Caley, glad your wait for results is over, I found it the worst time as at least when I knew I knew what I had to deal with. Steff is right, my surgeon told me when they clear the nodes it is called a stage 1 or stage 2 clearance (I think from memory). I asked why I only had 5 and he told me that everyone has a different amount and it is down to how much fatty tissue you have in that area. As I worked out quite a lot before this he said I had very little fatty tissue and therefore there were few nodes. I was there when the oncologist asked him if he could get more and he said he would have to go in under my collar bone to get more as he didn't think he would gain anymore from under my arm pits. He said as 4 were infected anyway, going back for more would not serve a purpose becaus as 5 were infected I was going to have radiotherapy anyway, chemo was always on the cards whether or not they were infected or clear. My sister has just had a double mastectomy with cancer found in both breasts, she has been told there is no need for radiotherapy but has been offered chemo, so it seems the nodes are important for radio. Keep your chin up xxx
Sorry Caley, still fuzzy from hospital. 5 were removed, 4 were infected and the last one was suspicious but I think it turned out to be clear, can't remember now, anyway point is they only found 5 in the stage clearance were as they found 28 in my Mum and 11 in my sister.
