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?
Good morning everyone hope you all are in good spirits. I got the results of my MRI yesterday, the lump is a bit bigger than the mamogram showed so I'm going to have about eight chemo sessions and then eaither, a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. He has offerd me a double mastectomy but there is plenty of time to think about that. He also said that he would do me a boob job free of charge!! you never know I might end up in Vogue Magazine yet!!!!
We all went to Bridlington beach (that is me, my husband, and my gorgeous little dog Barney Boo) on Sunday. We Must have walked six miles at least, it was very uplifting and did me a power of good, i'd recomend it to anyone who's feeling a bit low, Barney slept the rest of the day, gave us a rest from his tennis balls, bless him.
Sorry to hear that your lump is a bit bigger than expected.. I know the decision on the double mastectomy front is a very personal thing. My sister had originally wanted both of hers removed and reconstructed at the same time, but unfortunately the plastic surgeon wasn't available quick enough, as her consultant had said she needed the mastectomy as soon as possible. She therefore just had the cancerous one removed last April and will have the other one removed and them both reconstructed together as soon as she can arrange it. Although she was always going to have it done because she wanted "a matching pair", her decision to go ahead this year was also based on the results of the genetic test (see my profile), but as I said at the beginning, it is such a personal decision and everyone has different thoughts.
Your day out on Sunday sounds fab.. It's funny because I would love a Boston Terrier one day and have always planned to call it Boo. It's just a dream at the moment, as I work full time and I split up from my partner last year, but maybe if I win the lottery :-) and don't have to work anymore.. :-D
Anyway, hope you have a good day and everyone else does too!
It really sounds as if that walk along the beach has done you the world of good. Your spirits appear lovely and high today.
Sorry that your lump is bigger than expected, but this is a good place to be right now because you know where you stand with treatments and whats needed for your situation. I found the waiting for answers difficult, between being told i had breast cancer and waiting to know exactly what my situation was, what treatment i would need and roughly when i would be having various treatments. Do you know when your chemo begins? At least you have got plenty of time before you need to make the decision about a double mastectomy.
Marmalade just go for it girl, get yourself a Boston Terrier, lifes to short! Ive just read your profile and i'm so sorry that you and your family have lived with this dreadful disease for so many years. I wish you and your sister all the best for your future.
Lets hope we have a lovely summer so we can all take long walks in the sun and lift our spirits when we need to. Take care everybody
Marmalade, I agree with chelle1, go for it, get a dog, although before getting my dog I would probably have advised the opposite. Being the practial one of our household I vowed never to have a dog because I think its unfair when we both work full time, but when my husband brought this gorgeous little bundle of fluff home, and after a lot of shouting and giving him the silent treatment for a while, my goodness I couldn't be without him now, he's the joy in my life, Ive never known a dog that is as good as Barney Boo, I can't fault him in any way, my husband says often that I love the dog more than I love him... Who meee, no !!!!! There is a Boston terrier pup that lives near us and it is soooo cute I could eat it all up. Is it just me or does anyone else like the smell of puppy breath!! stange woman aren't I. My brother has just got a black cocker spanial pup (Cedrick!) and I can't stop cuddling him.
Chelle, I don't know when my chemo starts yet Im going to see the chemo doctor on Monday so I'll find out then. Sooner the better I suppose, then at least I know somthing is being done. bring It on I say, Its here, and moaning and groaning about it isn't going to make any difference to the outcome. allthough I may have a different out look when I start to feel ill. It is so nice to have people like you to talk to, I really look forward to logging on.
Well Im back at work tomorow. 12 hour 4 day shifts so you probibly wouln't hear from me for a while, too tired to do anything after work.
Hmmmm, well you've both certainly given me something to think about on the Boo front. You're so right about the life's too short part, that seems to be my most used line of late..need to start applying it to myself. Have to say though, I'm slighty worried regarding the puppy breath, it's not something I've ever heard someone say before, not sure strange even begins to cover it.. :-)
Chelle, thanks for the good wishes! I've just read your profile..wow, what a year you've had and on top of the diabetes and lupus. You sound like you're approaching everything with such a positive attitude, which I think is fab. Stay strong, but if you do need a shoulder anytime, it's here..
Heatherann, hope you get everything sorted on Monday with your chemo doc! There's nothing wrong with a good moan and groan..feel free anytime. I know I'm not going through what both you and Chelle are, but will be an ear for you if needed and knowing some of the experiences my sis has been through may help. Hope work's not too tiring..
Marmalade you are so right, theres nothing wrong with a good ole moan and groan! Infact i think i quite enjoy it!!! As you seem to have noticed, i do try to remain as positive as possible but naturally i do have my down days and its great knowing i have a shoulder to cry on...thanks so much.
Heatherann, good luck for Monday. Its good to know that you're moving forward and i agree 'bring it on!!' Please let us know how you get on. Im sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
I too am unsure about the puppy breath thing!!!! lol
hi I am new to the site,i found out in oct that i had bc,in nov i had surgery to remove the lump & lymph nodes,i started chemo (6 fec-f)in dec my hair started to fall out about the 3 week after treatment (signs of it coming back already after 4th treatment) i have 1 more to go 27 jan.It hasn't been that bad apart from heartburn and the steroids you have with the treatment keep me awake in the night. Then i have 6 weeks of radiotherapy. margaret
I want to say welcome to this website, however you are only here because of this awful situation you have found yourself in. Im so sorry that you too have been going through this terrible time. Its great that your hair appears to be growing back. Unlike you mine is showing signs that its about to fall out. Today im noticing hair where ever i go!! And it sounds like you didnt have too much illness with the chemo. I slept for the first week!! I've been blaming the steroids but maybe it wasnt them if they kept you awake!
Good luck with the radiotherapy and please keep us posted with how you are getting on. All the best, Chelle x x
I was diagnosed in december 2007 and had one boob removed. Eight sessions of chemo and 15 days of radiotherapy. Chemo wasn't too bad once I got the sickness under control. My hair fell out after 20 days from the first chemo session. Been back at work since september 2008 Feeling good.
Just dreading a mamogram on friday I hope that they don's see anything. Still waiting for reconstruction (wish they would hurry up)
I was diagnosed in december 2007 and had one boob removed. Eight sessions of chemo and 15 days of radiotherapy. Chemo wasn't too bad once I got the sickness under control. My hair fell out after 20 days from the first chemo session. Been back at work since september 2008 Feeling good.
Just dreading a mamogram on friday I hope that they don's see anything. Still waiting for reconstruction (wish they would hurry up)
