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?
Hi Both Thanks for the words of encouragement, they have really helped and yes I am losing a breast but gaining my life, I have not looked at it in that way. To be honest I am more upset about losing my hair, but I suppose I will get used to that. Thank you hope you have a great weekend. XX
So sorry you have joined us on this site, but welcome!
It's a scary time for all of us We are all at different stages with different types of cancer. It's a great site to ask questions and have a rant and rave if you want to!
Paula my fingers are crossed for you getting a good result on Wednsday re the lymph nodes.
I am doing well. Sore back and side gone now, thank goodness. Still get a bit of dragging feeling from the operation scar to remove the lymph nodes, but I understand that can go on for a while. It's not painful, just annoying!
I hope you are recovering after your op, Twiglet. Having both sides done at once must be very painful.
Chelle, I expect you are in chemo coma now. Wonder if mine will start on Sunday as usual.
Margaret, how many more sessions of radiotherapy do you have to have? You must be about half way through or more. Let me know how you are doing.
To everyone else, have as good a weekend as you can.
Hi Jean, glad to hears the soreness has gone, it must be a relief to move without being conscious of the scars.My aim when I went in hospital on Monday was to be well eneough for our annual rugby dinner dance tonight. Anyway I have achieved it and I have found out that all the lads are wearing pink cummerbunds and bow ties and the ladies pink ribbons and all money raised is going to breast cancer. You really find out who your friends are when you get this horrible disease. xx
Just want to say have a great time tonight Paula, what a fab bunch of friends you have. Welcome to share Jo, hope you find this site a comfort. Jean hopefully you will be ok tomorrow, i'm just coming round from the chemo coma!! Marmalade and heather...hope you're both alright..its been awhile. Have a great weekend everybody, Take care Chelle x x
I had my 6th final chemo session on tuesday, i must say im relieved. that bit is over with now. now just enjoy a break for a few weeks, then operation on 19th june. Ill be glad to get my mouth back to normal, i reckon ive found that the worst thing with chemo. You just have to keep trying different flavoured drinks and teas and foods, to see what your tastes buds can cope with, and every chemo session could be different ( weird isnt it). I cant believe that 4 1/2 months has passed since my diagnosis, its funny how we just adjust to situations and get on with it, cos i dont feel so scared like i did in the beginning. And coming on here, reading everyone elses views and feelings really helps.
Hi everybody I just wanted to say how you are all pretty amazing people and i am so glad that i have found you all, as it makes all this cancer business less scary when chating to everybody esle who knows how you feel. jo i know what you mean about your hair falling out, i had long hair and have had it cut short to prepare for it falling out. jeanie jean glad you are feeling better, i am recovering slowly from my op its not painful just uncomfortable but its another step over. Has anybody got any tips for when i start chemo to help with side affects so far i have heard folic acid is good, oily fish especially mackerel, cabbage, and one which i read in a mag the other day was a honey called Life Mel which boosts your immune system? Hope you all have a lovely weekend, i'm gonna treat myself to a jack daneils tonight and a big bar of chocolate. Luv twiglet xx
Chelle, pleased you are out of the chemo coma again. Let's hope the next lot (CMF) is kinder to us. I'll let you know if i go into my mini coma tomorrow or not!
Blossom, so lucky, chemo finished now. Let's hope your mouth gets back to normal. Has the constipation eased any?
Twiglet, re the chemo it is important to take in a lot of fluid. They recommend 2 - 3 litres a day. It does help with the constipation. I've managed to get through that amount but sometimes I feel a bit water logged. Especially having to get up 2/3 times a night for a wee! But, hey, no constipation!
Also use plenty of mouthwash, as oral hygiene is very important. Helps prevent ulcers and a coated tongue. You tend to get a very unpleasant metalic taste in your mouth. I was OK after the first 2 treatments but it has been awful this last twice.
My mouth is like a badger's bum at the moment! Had a gammon steak for tea and it could well have been an old sock I was eating!
Hope everyone else is doing as well as they can.
My love to you all, as we roller coaster through. I'm having a large vodka or two tonight!!!
i know what you mean about the mouth, my tongue is white at the moment, i do the mouthwash and nystatin, 4 times a day. and doctor gave me fluconazole too. But i still get it, taste starts to come back soon, though. Thank god for lactualose, its helped my constipation loads. the pain i was in last time lasted for ages. When i went to the doctors b4 chemo 6 , she said the steroids might help with the healing, and seems to have done.
i hope everyone is coping with what stage they are at the moment.
hi twiglet, i have been using Life Mel honey, ive found that it made me feel perkier, and i think it boosted my neurtrafills too. i think anything is worth a go isnt it?
Jean is right about drinking loads. it helps flush out all the toxins from the chemo too. i found the hardest thing to do was finding a drink i liked. im on summer fruits again at the moment, i dont expect ill ever drink it ever again after all this is over.
Ask your chemotherapy nurse about supplements to take, because some dont work well with chemo. i i asked if i could take vitamin c and was no.
