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?
This thread is getting so busy its great to read all the suport everyone is giving. My meds are begining to kick in and my back pain is slightly better fingers crossed I will continue to improve.
Blossom I remember the feeling of finnishing the chemo yipppppeeeee! My mouth has never recovered from the chemo still have that metalic taste. My brother who is a consultant advised me to try difflam mouth wash It has a slight anistetic which helped me a lot. Give it a try.
Chelle and Jean your on the home straight and befor you know it the chemo will be finished. It is amazing how we ajust and put up with all the treatment but for most it is only for the short term and if it keeps us alive we will put up with anything that comes along.
Twiglet All the best with your first chemo As you can see there are many of us here that will answer any questions you have so just ask away.
Paula how are you doing? Was your night good? Friends are fab and I hope your managed to raise lots of money. Your doing so well going out under a week after having a double mastectomy I did find going to work and just doing all the usual things helped me a lot.
Jo Hope your op goes well and just look at twiglet and Paula! How well they have done and I am sure you will be ok. It is very scarey going in for an operation. I had never been in hospital before so I was very scared but it wasnt as bad as I thought it would be.
Chick Loosing your hair is very sad I remember the feeling well. Did have fun with wigs and when the chemo is finished it doesnt take long to grow back in. I shaved my head rather than watch it fall out. My hair was very long and curly now i straighten it as it looks like a shampo and set if I leave it curly.
Everyone else I hope you all good and having a great weekend.
Hi everyone, sore head today and even sorer boobs(couldn't resist a dance lol). Great night and managed to raise nearly £700 for breast cancer. Hope everyone is feeling o.k today. I am now going to find a bed and stay there lol xx
Thanks all for your kind words, I am a bit concerned about the chemo comas that you have all talked about, as a single mum i am worried about this as my son would not be able to look after himself. Do they happen to everyone? and has everyone found that their taste buds have been affected?
I have had a nice weekend but feeling a bit wobbly today, it is hard to try to carry on as normal. Many thanks JO x
Hi Everyone, just wanted to make the younger ladies aware that breast cancer care is running some 'events' for young women with breast cancer. Details of where and when are on the web site, but here is what its about: Younger women diagnosed with breast cancer have specific needs and issues, which is why we set up the Younger Women's Forums.
If you are aged between 20 and 45 and have recently been diagnosed with primary breast cancer, this forum offers the opportunity to learn more about breast cancer and to meet young women in a similar situation.
This is a two-day residential programme, with information on managing side effects of treatment, an update on diet and lifestyle and a medical update from an oncologist.
Participants also take part in discussion groups, choosing from subjects including sexuality and intimacy, fertility and pregnancy concerns and lymphoedema.
Hope this is usefull to some of you, a great chance perhaps to meet each other in person. all the best
My surgeon rang this morning to tell me it was in 3 out of 5 lymphs. I have to start chemo quite quickly followed by radiotherapy. Does this mean it has probably spread or can you have it in the lymphs without it spreading? I am gutted as I was hoping for good news, oh well bring it on!
Hi Paula, Just a quick post to say, that yes it can be in the lymph nodes and not have travelled any further - the chemo and radiotherapy will be there to 'mop' up any stray cancer cells. all the best
Hi Paula. I was told that if its in your lymph glands on the same side it is still classed as stage one. Its only when it travels to other lymph glands (other side) then it is classed as stage 2. As Sian said the chemo and radio will make sure it doesnt spread any further.
Hope you are all good today the sun is shinning here so off to get dressed and enjoy the rays!
It's been a little while..hope everyone is ok! It's just a quickie post, but will catch up properly later..
A belated welcome to Karen, Kay, Twiglet & Jo..hope I haven't missed anyone!! Sorry you have to be here, but you have joined a great thread, as I'm sure you already know.. :-)
Jo, my sis didn't get the chemo coma..she used to have her treatment on Wednesday & then Thurs/Fri were her two worst days for feeling poorly, but she was still up & about & then after that she felt considerably better, although tired. I know it can affect everyone differently, so fingers crossed you will be ok with your son..
Heather, Chelle, Jean, Blossom, Margaret, Lorraine, Marian, Sian, Paula & anyone else I've missed (my sincere apologies if I have missed anyone)..hope you are all ok!! Haven't been on for a while, but always think of you all..
Sis is waiting to hear from Bupa, so nothing happening on the op front yet, but hopefully things will be sorted soon.
Hi to all, Just a quick hello to everybody and a big thankyou for all your advice. I am having a bad day today very tearful , very tired hopefully tommrow will be a brighter one. Hope you are all ok? Luv Twiglet xx
Great to hear from you Lorraine and excellent news that your back pain is getting a bit better. Long may it continue. Can you buy difflam over the counter or is is prescription only?
Congratulations Paula, to you and your friends on raising so much money for breast cancer. So sorry to hear that they have found cancer in some of the lymph nodes. I was led to believe that it doesn't always follow on that if it is found in the lymph nodes, it has spread elsewhere. The chemo and radiotherapy they give you afterwards is meant to "take care" of any stray cells that might have escaped.
Do you have to have a further op to remove the rest of the lymph nodes? They removed 5 of mine and found cancer in one and then I had to have the rest of them removed.
Re the chemo coma that Chelle and I refer to, Jo, don't worry too much. Everyone reacts differently and you'll have to wait and see how you are. Chelle, I think, is the only one of us who sleeps a great deal. Mine lasts 1/2 days and I'm just getting over this one. Yawned and nodded off and on all day yesterday. Slept from 8p.m. until 6 a.m. this morning. A few naps off and on today and I know now that by tomorrow I'll be over it. Haven't yawned or slept since just before dinner and it's 8.30 now!!! Some of the girls manage to keep on working! Just wish I didn't have this awful metallic taste in my mouth.
How old is your son? If he is school age then that will be a help during the day and perhaps you could just make a point of going to bed at the same time as him and resting as much as possible. Do what your body tells you to do. You may just feel tired and not actually want to go to sleep.
Twiglet I am SO sorry that you are having a tearful day. We all have them and it's best to let it all out. Trying to fight it doesn't work. I think we would all agree that we actually feel better after having a good old cry.
Hi Marmalade, nice to hear from you and hope that your sis gets sorted out soon.
