Hi all sorry first time post
diagnosed June 2025
WLE with sentinel node biopsy in July.Found mix of DCIS, IDC and LBC but all mixed grades and sizes plus a 4mm on one of the six nodes removed
Had a long chat with oncology this week and Im having preventative chemo then radiotherapy.
The oncologist seemed really nice and we discussed a lot of things and made the plan for 4 rounds not 8 of preventative chemo.
Today I received a copy of the letter sent to the GP surgery and the way it reads has upset me, it says completely different info to my other letters and basically it reads like I dont really chemo but when we were discussing it that was the plan we made.
This is the first time since May when this all started that ive let anything really bother me.
Maybe im just overthinking it, but they wouldn't give chemo to someone just because, I mean if it wasn't an option they'd have said?
Sorry having a bit of a day of it and needed to vent.
Hope everyone is doing as well as they can with their treatments etc
Mimi
Hi Mimi,
It's rubbish that your letter didn't reflect your understanding of the discussion. I've had this multiple times, and always find it best to query it. Worst time was after my first appointment, in which I'd been told I had cancer, but then the letter implied I might not. I think, legally, they can't record it as cancer until biopsy results are back, but the contradiction was really upsetting. I've definitely had letters that suggest choice when I've thought a decision has been made. It might just be that they're trying to communicate/record that there were options, rather than just listing the chosen treatment. Hopefully your BCN can provide some clarity.
Anyway, I was actually coming on to say that batch cooking is an amazing idea - your future self will thank you! But maybe go with relatively plain/bland foods, and then add spice/herbs/etc when you warm meals up... My taste went weird on chemo. There were days when all I could stomach was plain pasta or plain mashed potato. And apple juice was really the only thing that tasted like it was supposed to. For a time, my priority with food was far more about texture than flavour, as everything tasted gross. Just thought I'd share, to save you batch cooking loads of delicious meals that might not appeal. I had Paclitaxel and EC. It was the EC that really impacted my taste the most. I also had weird cravings for childhood comfort foods like spaghetti hoops on toast! Not trying to worry you, and you may not be affected, but maybe worth thinking about or researching chemo friendly foods.
Best of luck with your treatment. You've got this 
and don't forget that there is so much strength in being vulnerable, so go easy on yourself if you're feeling wobbly xx
EC was the real nausea inducer for me. I liked ginger cordial with fizzy water and some lime juice. Plain water just tasted very unpleasant in the first 3-4 days and I really had to make myself drink it to flush things through.
I was prone to pregnancy nausea and this nausea was similar- it improved if I ate. I seem to be able to get really really nauseous without throwing up! 
Dry crackers helped a lot. Again really only the first 3/4 days.
Some people don’t get many symptoms from chemo, everyone varies. The nausea for me was probably bad because of my tendency to travel sickness etc and also apparently age can be a factor; I was 70 then.
Paclitaxel was different, and for me much easier. I had 4 ECs and 12 Paclitaxels.
All the best Mimi. xx
