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?
I posted the other day to say that my doctor had given me a low dose anti depressant as this particular brand seems to work for hot flushes ( How they found that out I have no idea.)
Basically, I have been totally stoned all night and most of the day....I couldn't even cycle to my appointment as I was afraid I would fall off my bike into the river.I couldn't even cook breakfast!..I can honestly say I have never been so off my face in my life!!!
Going to have to review the hot flushes plan as there is no way I am taking any more of those tablets (I only had one)...I just cannot function on them. I will have to see if my onc is happy with me taking high dose Evening Primrose instead ( I hear that works) so the experimentations shall continue!
I am also starting work again on the 6th July which I am very excited about,but only for two afternoons a week then it will be a few months before I can fly...however, it is all good.
Hope you don't get ill Chelle and I am sorry that you had such a down day yesterday Lorraine....going through all the treatment again must be very hard...I am thinking of you.
had a better day today yesterday was so hard much harder this time round shaving off my hair. Teeth hurting its the chemo I think will try and visit the dentist fingers crossed one other pain fixed.
Chelle hope your not out of action for to long this time. Marian I take beta blockers and they help me a lot by stopping the little panics your get now and again. The doctor once gave me diazipan 5 mg and like you I couldnt function. Ask your gp if you can have something like propranalol (spelling) and see if it helps.
Tomorrow wig ordering. Wednesday ct scan thursday chemo. Soon I will only have to go to the hospital once a week for my chemo and I cant wait to get my life back.
Stef I would love a dog and nearly managed to persuade dave but I will have to wait a few more months to see how my treatment is working. Watch this space
Got back from the BBQ on Sat and my PC was defunct! No 3 son, who is the PC expert came on Sunday and declared it extinct! So he has ordered the new parts for me, on line, and will carry out repairs when they arrive. Should have it back at the weekend.
Meantime he had given me his son's PC so I can access my e mail and use the internet. Lewis, my grandson, says he is quite happy to use his Dad's PC until mine is repaired.
I'm glad you are feeling better today, Lorraine. It must be harder the second time around as you know what to expect. Hope you get good results from the scans. Let us now how you get on and keep your chin up, we're all here for you.
Chelle, I really hope you don't get what the kids have. You really don't need that just now.
God, Marian, you've had a time of it. Hope you are feeling ok now. Those anti depressants must be strong. It's great that you are starting work again. That'll give you a real boost.
Paula, how clever are you? You look great. You and Stef are such a tonic.
Lisa, when did you have your Op? My arm still gives me a bit of pain sometimes and parts of my underarm are still numb and that's after 4 months. Oncologist told me last week that this could go on for some time yet!!!!
Hi Stef, i know what you mean about gaining weight during chemo. I've put on 6lbs since march! The nurse told me that it's normal to put some weight on, they'd worry if you lost it. Lets hope it goes after chemo!!! I love the idea of wearing peacock coloured false lashes :-) I'd just love to have thick, long lashes at the mo!
Hi Jean, i'm afraid i can't advise you with those spots, my legs are spot free. It's funny the things chemo can do to you isn't it?!! What a fab grandson Lewis is letting you borrow his computer :-) My teenage son was very reluctant to allow me to use his computer when mine broke and it's in the same house and i only needed it for a few minutes!!! Thats teenagers i guess, online chatting to his mates!! Sounds like us :-D!!
Hi Lorraine, you definately deserve a dog. I'm sure it would help keep you going on any down days and give you something else to focus on. It's lovely to hear you had a good day. Not sure what colour wig you're gonna go for this time as you've tried all colours before :-) How about multi-coloured!!! :-D
Hi Marion, i've heard that evening primrose is really good. The side effects from those tablets sound awful. Maybe your dotor can prescribe those tablets Lorraine suggested. It's good that you're advising us with what works and what doesn't for when the rest of us start taking tamoxifen. Lets hope they sort you out quick.
Hi lisa, like Jean, I'm also numb under my armpit in places and my nodes were removed at the end of January!!
I'm ok, hanging in there as my kids and husband are dropping like flies with this virus!!! I'll be sooo lucky if i don't get it!!
I've never posted on this thread before but i've just read through everything and can i just say how absolutely amazing i think you all are! I mean after everything you're all going through and you are still able to come on here and help others in the same situation. I don't envy you but i admire you all. I hope everything goes okay for you all i really do. It semms funny how illnesses like this never seem to catch the criminals, they seem to live forever!!!
My nan has got to go for results tomorrow from a biopsy she had taken from her breast last week, i just hope it comes back negative, i don't think i could cope, yet im not the one going through it. My best friend also has cancer. I hate the "C" word, it makes me cringe when i write it, but then i suppose it just means that i still dont accept it.
Hope you are all as well as you can be, and have had a nice day today.
We had a very nice weekend cruising a canal in my stepson's longboat. Went there Saturday and came back on Sunday afternoon. And he cooked us a lovely dinner!
Have started getting side effects now. Only tiredness, but I was surprised how it hit me though. One moment I'm gardening and the next minute I can hardly stand up. Then after some rest I can do another couple of tiny jobs and it comes and hits me again. Weird! Anyway, as I have only had the one round of chemo I'll have to wait and see what happens through the next two weeks until I have my next go.
My appetite has grown into proportions that I have never seen before, and it is only the last two days. I try to eat a lot of fruit. Will certainly have to go back to training at the gym when I get my prosthetis - even if I can't go swimming like I used to until treatment has finished.
Laila sounds like you had a lovely weekend on the boat. I dont seem to get out at all and even bought a vw polo so i didnt feel isolated while off work but Trevor keeps me in a bit as going to appointments etc. i dont like to keep leaving him as the toilet training goes out the window. I know about the starvin hungry thing i found that on chemo day Wed and up to Saturday couldnt taste anything well i could but it all tasted nasty even water. Then on Sunday (day 5) found i was hungry and the more i ate the less weak i felt and then Monday and Tuesday could have eaten a buttered frog - ate about 6 meals and felt like hadnt eaten each time. but then by Wed i was back to myself again and normal appetite. Why cant you go swimming - have they advised not too as i am dying to swim - thought id just get a swimming cap and go for it ????
Jean my Auntie had breast cancer but not chemo just mastectomy lymph nodes removed and radiotherapy and she has large brown freckles on her face and arms not sure about her legs. so it seems part of territory. Glad your very kind gradson has lent you his PC we would have been worried if you werent online :-)
Lorraine glad your on the up :-) when you said going to dentist about teeth i read somewhere you cant have treatment whilst on chemo and to have a good hygienist appt and chek over before treatment - problem was i read this too late. Just lettin you know what i heard?? Dog keeps your mind off everything as you so busy cleaning up piddle and poop and shouting get off my forsythia bush, and no dont wee under my bed just cos you can :-) and i do feel quite trapped and like its groundhogs day - same again and again - i certainly dont regret it and he does make me laugh but if you getting out at moment that might take a back seat. Sorry to put a bit of downer on things but just reminding you whats involved :-) unless you get a slightly older dog 1 or 2 that would be much easier. Have fun tomorrow chosing your wig and update us (change your pic to show us).
Marian sorry to heat about those terrible tablets - leave them well alone you dont need that at all. When you said FLY are you an air hostess or just planning to go abroad ?
Lisa Trevor keeping me busy think i gonna have to toughen up - but he is my new baby :-) My chemo went ok i though just accept now that i will have 7 wonky days either buzzin, tired, sickly slightly, starvin, and food tasting bad, then back to being normal again. I got my 2nd one tomorrow and just pray it stays at same level. Great to hear you may be back at work, you do miss the banter and laughs (and bitching hahahaha) Hey dont stress about the chemo we are all everyday ladies here and we coping with it and you WILL to, there is no option to be down come on up and at em fight it hun :-) When does yours start and how many you having. mines FEC and having 2 of 8 tommorow. Do you know your profile is hidden not a problem but mine was hidden as i hadnt given the site permission to show it and wasnt aware until recently.
Chelle great news you still fit and not got the bug - just shows how strong you are - keep fighting fit x stef
