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 Paula, I don't feel so bad today, just keeping busy and making the most of the beautiful weather. Hope everything goes well for you. Will be thinking of you too. xx
Debbie you sound very cheery. Keep it up! Hope the decorating is goin well.
I know how you feel Caroline. I had the dreaded wait between having the lump removed and then having the lymph nodes cleared. My thoughts are with you as I know exactly how you are feeling. The waiting game is so difficult.
I'm glad you are feeling better now Paula. What about your sister?
Chelle, do you have one lot of CMF on Tuesday followed by another lot the following Tuesday? That's how mine is being done. One lot on Wednesday followed by another lot the following Wednesday. Then 2 weeks off and start again.
The sun is shining, so I'm off to the garden as apparantly tomorrow won't be as nice and the rest of the week it goes downhill.
Hi again, Thanks Jean it's nice when someone understands how you're feeling. My emotions are all over the place, one minute I'm fine, then a wave of depression descends, fine again then real anxiety. But it's nice to be here, I do have difficulty speaking to those closest to me. xx
Sorry you have to be here, but you have joined a great thread where you will find loads of help & support. I know I keep saying it to people, but they really are a great group of girlies on here!
Hope everyone has enjoyed the weather today..hope the sun reached wherever you are..
hello all, i hope everyone is keeping well. and enjoying this nice weather. caroline i felt that when i was first diagnosed. i was all over the place emotionally and a nightmare to live with. but it does get easier. we just find a way of coping and getting through it.
i had my last chemo ( chemo 6) about 3 weeks ago, and im starting to pick up physically as well as mentally. i started slimming world last week, i need to get some weight off before my operation. Which has been put back a week, im gutted, All my family had organised their lives around my treatment. plus you get ready mentally. ive been counting down the days. i got letter on saturday so cant phone anyone until tues. although i left a message on the breast care nurses answerphone. i just want to get on with the next part of this journey, because then the end is nearer. and i am gratefull for my treatment.
oh i think my hair has started to grow back a bit. it will be good to have hair again.
take care everyone. lets hope this weather stays, because it makes you feel brighter.
Hi Caroline, its difficult not to worry and have that sinking feeling from time to time but everyone says it gets better...phew! I had very little problems when i had some of my lymph nodes removed earlier this year. Hope it all goes well.
Yes Jean i do have cmf tuesday and then the second dose the following tuesday then 2 weeks off. Im dreading it!! I've crossed everything in hope that i don't feel sick or suffer that awful tiredness, i just want to stay awake!!! lol. Hope you get on ok wednesday.
Debbie i hope the decorating is going well. You sound in high spirits :-)
Hi Blossom its great to hear that you are picking up and your hair is coming back..woo-hoo!!
Hope everyone else is enjoying the bank holiday. Take care, Chelle x x
Hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed the sunshine.
Hello Jan hope your opp (9th june) and the rest of your treatment goes ok .
Hello Caroline please try not to worry I hope the rest of your treatment goes ok.
Jean & Chelle hope your new chemo is kinder to you both.
Paula sorry to hear you had to be restiched hope it is healing well again.
Blossom pleased you have had you last chemo ,good luck with slimming world
Debbie Dont burn that scalp all the best for your scan on wednesday.
Marian thinking of you ont the 1st hope it all go well for you.
Marmalade yes 7 more to go hope your sister is well
Lorraine hope you had a good weekend at you brothers did you have a swim in the lovely sunshine yesterday?
We had a barbeque with the family at the weekend as it was my husband birthday and our sons was on friday,and warm enough to use the swimming pool, we put it in 3 years ago it does have a heater but we wait for the sun to warm it up as it would cost to much to run it, but it has a Telescopic cover so we can push it back on nice days or use it like an indoor pool it heat quite well when all closed up. The grandchildren love it I didn’t go in as I was not sure about the chemicals with my skin, as the radiotherapy is now taking affect my skin it is getting very tanned itchy and signs of breaking down only 2 more of all the area (23) done then 5 where the tumour was. Hope everyone else is ok and all the best if having treatment this week.. Take care margaret
Had my lumpectomy and lymph node clearance on 27th April just starting to feel A1 again ie. swellings and tenderness under arm gone now just left to do lots of arm stretching excercises as arm feels tendony and stringy pulls really tight. Had 25 nodes removed (all) and 3 were affected - i have grade 3. Start FEC tomorrow and have it every 3 weeks until end Oct (8 lots) then 15 days radiotherapy. I think i cant believe i have something (cancer) that i should be worrying about not had one weepy angry upset day yet just been my usual bubbly self full of life. But think its affecting me inside (llike a nervous energy_) as eating like a horse to try and keep weight on as my friends a nurse and is telling me to eat loads meat and protein and carbs so it is stored in my muscles. But weight keeps dropping by 2lb then a pound goes back on etc. Was presuming that chemo makes you lose weight but just checked it out on web and it seems that it quite normal to put on 1-2 stone due to the steroid, has anyone had FEC and am i to expect GAIN OR LOSS? Really not looking forward (obviously) to chemo no. 1 and feeling sick as i feel so damn good at moment. and obviously the hair loss but i think once i know what chemo like and get over hair loss - cant get any worse. Lots of you are nearing end of your chemos now, and there are some new ladies on here to Hi all.
I actually told my hubby that he wont see me hairless i will hide it best i can. My 13 year old daughter is fascinated with fact i going to lose my hair. Luckily i got short hair now and not long blonde tresses. so it not such a huge loss as someone with great hair.
Does anyone find it strange that i have no emotions/worries that i have cancer, i am unsure as to whether my brain is blocking the feelings, like putting your fingers in your ears and going lalalalala. though my attitude is "what the hell can i do about it - get on with it"
How soon after FEC no. 1 did the sickness start and is it physically sick or just nausea big time. Much appreciated xxxx
I had 6 x FEC and just about to start 15 radiotherapy. I was sick the first two times I had the drugs which started about six hours after I was given the chemo. Basically they had to alter my anti sickness medication. In the end I was given a new drug called Emend which worked magic. I dont think they can start you on it straight away as it is tres expensive but if you do have problems you can ask for it. Once I was given it I was not sick at all.
The first chemo was the worst as I my body did not know what to expect. After that I kind of got used to it and spent a lot of time sleeping. You do get into a routine and the time goes quickly.
Also with FEC you do not have to loose your hair. I had the cold cap and nearly have a complete head of hair. I bought a £200 pound wig and never had to use it.
If you have any more questions about the treatment I just let me know.
Also, thanks Paula for telling me about your reconstruction. I have an implant at the moment but eventually I will have the DIEP tissue reconstruction. I am worried about this as this is a really long operation and I will have a large tummy scar.
Anyway, thats enough about me. Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine. I have started drinking alcohol again now.....it is great!!!
I did not put that much weight on through the chemo.
I lost a couple of kilos at the start with the sickness then towards the end I put a couple on. I think I was about 59 kilos when I started chemo and am 62 now. I have noticed a bit of a difference as my clothes are tight but I have now started exercising again so hopefully I will be back to normal soon.
Also when I started the Emend anti sickness I stopped taking the steroid as it just gave me indegestion and for me did not make any difference to my sickness. That is just me though, everyone is different.
