Hi, new to this group

Hi GigGirl, so sorry you have found yourself in this position but good that you have found this website as there are lots of lovely supportive ladies here.

Have you been told why they want you to have chemo therapy, if not you should ask to make sure you understand and are comfortable with your treatment plan.  It could be because of the size or the tumour, if the tumour is large chemo is used to shrink it before surgery.  What size is your tumour?

I haven't had chemo so I'm not the best person to give advice but my understanding from ladies who have had or are having chemo is that it's not as bad as many people think it is and there are lots of medicines to help with any side effects.  

There is a January chemo thread that you might want to have a look at and ask any questions you have about chemo there.  This should be  the link https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/questions-about-diagnosis-and-treatment/209377/january-breast-cancer-chemo

I understand things are happening quickly for you and if you feel you need some time to stop and think and digest it all then again have a word with your surgeon and Breast Care Nurse to see if they can give you a few days to process all of this.  On the plus side the faster things happen the sooner this will be over with and it saves a lot of waiting which a lot of us have found to be the hardest part of the whole process.

Hopefully you have friends or family to help you as it must be really hard being a working mum of two and homeschooling to boot.

Try not to worry too much as breast cancer is very treatable these days.

Sending you a big virtual hug xx

Thank you so much for the response. My cancer is apparently small at 2cm, but with calcs around it the affected area is 3.8cm. They got the HER2 test results back which show its HER2 positive, hence the sudden need for chemo. 

My surgery is scheduled for the week after next so the question seems to be whether to delay and start chemo, or go ahead and start chemo after. But the oncologist isn't available to review this until Tuesday so I'm in limbo. 

It's good to hear that it might not be as bad as I expect. Cancer and chemo are terrifying words to process. 

Thanks again x

Hi GiGirl,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have also been diagnosed recently. I know the name of cancer and chemo is scary. I think the waiting periods for our treatment to start is the worst part. I have to do chemo first and been told it will be in a couple of weeks. So still waiting.. I have 2 young children and worried for them but there are lots of treatments these days for breast cancer. We feel awful now but it is not always going to be like this. Things will get better.. be strong and positive. Lots of fantastic girls here to support you. You are not alone... take care xx

Thank you x it helps to know I'm not alone. 

Hi

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.I can really relate. I was diagnosed last Sept Grade 2 invasive breast cancer tumour just under 5cm,  that had spread to my auxiliary gland and was initially advised lumpectomy and radiotherapy once they confirmed it hadnt appeared to spread anywhere else. Was getting my head around that, but was then advised chemo was needed as inunderstand decisions really are made on each person but person. To hear chemo.wouldmspan 12 weekly sessions and 4 fortnightly sessions I was devastated. For me it was the unknown and when younstart reading up on side effects it can make tou more anxious. But I've just had my second fortnightly chemo so just two left. I won't lie it isn't pleasant but just speaking from my experience it has been more manageable than feared had a number of side effects non long lasting ive just had to learn to go with it rest when I need to and dont overdo it rest is as important as anything and imagine with little.ones it will be a challenge, you will get throughnthis but is doesnt mean it won't be frightening and doesn't mean its not OK to be not ok be gentle.qith yourself I wish you as good a journey as possible xxx Gaynor x

Thanks, good to hear the process and treatment is manageable. At the moment I'm struggling with the not knowing which direction I'm going. Did you have surgery up front? Have you been able to work? Jo x

Hi Jo, 

No, first chemo over 20 weeks due to have lumpectomy mid to end of March you have to have 3 week break after chemo before op. Surgeon said with being under 50 (I'm 47) and as tumour just under 5cm if chemo first would be able to conserve the breast but not sure if need an auxiliary direction yet. I wanted to work and that was my intention throughout but after talking g it through with breast nurse and husband decided to go off sick, although I'm fortunate that I am in receipt of full then half pay for a number of factors otherwise not sure I could of, the mental and emotional effects are hard too so think for me personally was best choice although I intend to go bk before surgery recover then back again. Will just see but as I say everyone has different pessures to manage. I have realised that each step or key part of the process brings some degree of worry and anxiety and the big challenge has been to educate myself enough but not too much because its overwhelming, try and break each stage down and deal with one worry at a time easier said than done but I've learned to work on a week by week basis now xxxx