Did you ask your prognosis?

Hope all goes well with your chemo. No one can ever say it is easy but you will get through it and it's not all bad. 

Remember people are here to help and many people have tips for getting through side effects. Sometimes it feels better just to share and know someone understands. 

Thinking of you 

Hi clg03

Glad to hear the kidney test passed uneventfully. It can feel like  a whirlwind at first and I hope you’ll soon settle into more of a routine soon. 

There is a lot of experience of chemo in this community. I’m on my third lot currently. When you know what you’re getting, why not start a new discussion to see what experiences people have to share? 

Xx

Thank you so much for your support. I'll be in touch when the side effects come in...

Thanks again

Hi Clare, I really liked your use of 'expiry date'.  I think I will use it myself to lighten things up when talking to family.  Karen.  Xxx

Hi clg03

I've just read your profile - what a shock that must have been for you - I'm so sorry. Glad you're feeling more positive about the chemo. It isn't nice but it is manageable - take all the drugs they give you to cope with it (steroids ect, anti sickness - dr friend of mine always says, with sickness it's easier to prevent it then try and pull it back once it's started) and be kind to yourself - rest when you need to, sofa days are absolutely part of the package. 

Thinking of you as you come to terms with all this.

Karen - I often use flippant terms around friends ect, some cope, some don't. I like it too! We all have an expiry date, it's just we have a sharper focus on ours! Hope you're having a good weekend. 

Thanks a lot for your reply, Gobaith. Actually, my sister had breast cancer 10 years ago and the medication she was given to stop the side-effects was what turned out to make her sick... :-( I think it depends on what they give you as chemo.

One thing I gather from reading online is that everyone's got their own special journey. How very "special"... :-(

Hi Clare,

Have had a lovely afternoon with my son.  All worries forgotten for the day.  Hope you have a good day tomorrow.  Xxx

Of course I asked - median life expectancy for me is 5 years, but early chemo and radio may add a couple years to that.  That gets me to 69, so I suppose I shouldn't complain (but I will).  The biggest problem is with the loss of stamina due to the hormone treatment.  I really hate having to walk slowly and pace myself, I may look like an old man but between my ears I'm still under 30.

On my initial consultation the oncologist was pretty vague about an expiry date (or is it best before?) partly due, I expect, to not knowing what targeted therapy I would be on. Afatinib has an a mean of 10 months, whilst Osimertinib indications were a mean of 16 months. With a fair wind behind me, and a hint of good luck, it could be 3 - 5 years. Statistically a long shot (less than 3% survive that long), but it is something to aspire to.

As an aside I was most fortunate to get prescribed Osimertinib that is funded by my company private health insurance scheme for 12 months (not available on the NHS as a Stage 1 treatment). Not sure what will happen in March next year when funding stops.

Set yourself stretched goals - aim for the moon and miss you get nowhere, but aim for the stars and, if you miss, you will hit the moon (or further).