Recently diagnosed and very scared!

Welcome to the group no one wants to join.   It is very scary at first but you need to take a deep breath and take your treatment sessions one day at a time.  I didn't have chemo as I have lobular cancer which does not respond well to chemo.  I had a mastectomy at the begining of December and am due to start radiotherapy soon.   Please remember, breast cancer is very treatable nowadays and the majority of people go on to live long healthy lives.  There are women on here who are 10 - 20 years post treatment.  Look at the chemotherapy threads where you will find advice on how to deal with it and the side effects it can bring.  Also, I think there are certaiin toiletries you should avoid.  If you have any questions these can be asked in the treatment threads.  All the best with your future treatment.

Hi Family79, I’m sorry you’ve had this diagnosis. It is a shock to the system. I was diagnosed last March. I had mastectomy surgery, chemotherapy (3xEC + 4xD) and tomorrow will be the last of my 15 radiotherapy sessions. I never thought I’d get to this point but here I am. It is very daunting when you are first told of your treatment plan. It can feel like it will take forever but it is doable and you will get through it. Wishing you all the very best. xxxx

Hi Family79

I am sorry about your diagnosis. I have also been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I am 44 with no risk factors for BC so it has been a shock to me too. My treatment plan is exactly like yours. I start my chemo this Friday. I know we are going through an unlnown path but we have to remain positive. I have young chikdren, too and I have had lots of emotional feelings over the past few weeks. Everyday seems like several days to me. Be strong and positive and try to deal with things step by step. Take care xx

Thank you so much for all your responses.... Im trying to start thinking logically and practically about the steps and I think this group will be a massive help. If anybody has any experience of the chemo I'm having or any hints and tips please let me know. Please also keep in touch with your journeys and I wish you all well xxx

Thank you so much for all your responses.... Im trying to start thinking logically and practically about the steps and I think this group will be a massive help. If anybody has any experience of the chemo I'm having or any hints and tips please let me know. Please also keep in touch with your journeys and I wish you all well xxx

Thank you for your response and please stay in touch with how it is all going. Wishing you the best for the start of your chemo... Im still waiting for a start date xx

Hi Family79,

I’m sorry you are joining us here as everyone has said so far and they have given you great advice.

I am 39 years old with a 3 year old son. I too was completely “side-swiped” and am still trying to get my head round things after having been diagnosed in August 2020 (please click on my name for more details). I ordered clothes for my son up to the age of 10 as I was in a complete panic with what my prognosis was and worried that I wouldn’t be here for him. It’s your second worst fear isn’t it to loosing them, is them loosing you. We are so close and I am slowly trying to get my head round things with good and bad days. The ladies on here have been so warm, friendly and supportive. Breast cancer is so treatable now and so please be rest assured that I am sure we will make it through this.

I was set on the same chemo path as yourself initially (3 EC and 3 Docetaxel).  Everyone responds differently and have varied tolerances and so I can only tell you how I responded. As a handy tip, it is useful to keep a record of your side effects (if you have any) as the specialist oncologist can make adjustments to your treatment. It is by no means set in stone and so do not be disheartened or surprised if it changes during the course of your treatment. I can only speak from my personal experience, I managed the 3 ECs (with a 10% reduction after the first). I then had 1 x Docetaxel which didn’t agree with me and so this was changed to 6 x weekly Paclitaxel which I am half way through just now (3 down, 3 to go!) and tolerating better. 

I know it is still very raw for you but has anybody discussed whether you wish to use a cold cap etc? Has one be offered to you? It has worked so far for me.  Also, still low on your priority list, I know, but I contacted my work as I have a critical illness policy as they can sometimes require you to make a claim within a certain period of time from diagnosis (I think mine was 28 days). Just a thought if you are working and have a policy so you don’t miss out?

Please ask me any questions if you want more info. I hope this is of some use and comfort to you?

kind regards and warm hugs,

Bekky

xx

Hi, I had my first dose of EC on Friday and first day wasn't easy, feeling sick and nit being able to eat anything but now 2 days later I am feeling much better. I was very scared starting chemo but wanted to tell you iti is not that scary that you hear. Xx

I'm 48 and on the same treatment plan of 3ec & 3 docetaxel, though I had surgery before chemo.  I'm due to have my 2nd cycle on Thursday.   So far I've been very happy and grateful to have had minimum side effects.   The first week was exhausting and a general feeling of being off, but I soon improved and felt myself again the past 10 days or so.  I had a bit of constipation and a sore mouth but all manageable. Yesterday my hair started to fall out and today I do feel a bit like a labrador shedding everywhere

Chemo seems so daunting,  but your chemo team and people here are all so very supportive and will help with any questions you have

Take one day at a time. I also have a 6 year old. I found mine a great comfort as he is brilliant at distracting me from my thoughts! 
I remember first being diagnosed and standing in a supermarket (when such things seemed normal) and my thoughts were screaming at me “you have cancer!” I couldn’t get past that for a while but little normal things help. I found talking to my little one helped us both. We explained to him in the simplest terms “bodies are made up of lots of cells, some of mummy’s cells are not right. They’re called cancer. The doctors will take them out.”  It meant that I didn’t have to worry about him imagining something even worse if the room hushed when he came in. im coming up to my one year post scans now. It does get better and this forum really helped me.