Chemo affected heart

FormerMember over 13 years ago

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I was diagnosed last September with a grade 3 tumour in the right breast, I had 6 lots of AC chemo to shrink the lump but it didn't work as expected and has subsequently affected my heart function. I had a mastectomy and node clearance in March and radiotherapy in May. With medication the heart has recovered enough to start herceptin but after 2 lots I am now feeling terrible. I have a muga scan this week so will find out if it has affected heart.

Has anybody had any similar experiences? I have been really positive throughout treatment but am struggling a bit just now, I expected life to be getting back to normal by now. I am struggling with fatigue and pain in my arm and shoulder.

FormerMember over 13 years ago

Hi,

I know exactly how you're feeling. I too was positive all the way through surgery and treatments. I was diagnosed last November with a tumour in the left breast. I had a mastectomy and node clearance in December followed by 6 lots of chemo and 25 sessions of radiotherapy, I'm now on Letrozole for 5 years.

I've now developed Lymphodema and even though I exercise twice daily I've got to have physiotherapy because the scar from the mastectomy is so tight I can't raise my arm properly. Like you I am experiencing problems with my heart I had an echocardiogram on Saturday just waiting for the results, They haven't said what's causing it but I know I never had this before the treatments!

I'm also feeling more tired now than when I was going through treatment, it's a struggle to keep positive and I find I'm getting tetchy with people which wasn't happening before.

Lets try and regain our positivity together.

Take care

Pauline

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi all I am in a similar place I had lumpectomy and node removed March 2020 then had 5 lots of ec chemo with 5 radiotherapy then started on letrozole but had to come off that after 6 weeks as I couldn't hardly walk or do much of anything but I too would look for the positives in every good day that I had. Since December 20 I have been taking tamoxifen but I have developed palpatations and breathlessness since January 21. I have now been diagnosed with severe heart failure which sounds horrific but the specialist has told me that it is no longer as life threatening as in the old days it is very hard to keep positive as everytime you think your coming out of one problem just to be knocked back down by another.I have learned one thing about this journey and that is it will be a longer one than I had expected as I am the kind of person who likes everything done yesterday all I can say is try and find the humour and the good in any part of your own journey and hopefully it will help you through it but most of all you have to accept that it will take time good luck to everyone xxxx

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