Chemo Queries

Hi Nlijw and welcome to the group nobody wants to join but here we all are.  This is a really good site to help you on your journey. 
Some treatments are weekly and some are every 3 weeks it depends on which Regiment of drugs you are given. Your medical team will determine what you’ll receive based on what type of breast cancer you have from your biopsy. Some people will get treatment before surgery to try and shrink the tumour.  
for example, I am HER2 positive and hormone negative, my tumour is 7cm and I have 2 nodes involved. So I’m receiving TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin & herceptin) TC are chemotherapy and H is target therapy. I get it every 3 weeks for 6 rounds. Then surgery then radiation and finally  I finish off a full year or 12 more rounds of H every 3 weeks. Some with hormone positive will get hormone target therapy which can be for 5-10 years.  
I am not finding my infusions to severe, they give me plenty of pre-treatment medication to cancel out most of the side effects & your team will help you manage all your side effects. Also their is a monthly chemo group with lots of tips for handling side effects and getting online support from people who know what your going through.

Hi. NIijw. Sounds exactly like mine. 6cm also. 18 weeks of FEC-T chemo then radiotherapy then hormone meds. Chemo is every 21 days as well. Due to have my second cycle next week. It is very "do-able". Dont believe everything you read and try not to google too much. Good luck and shout if you need any further info x

Hi!

I had grade 3 with a 6cm lump, Her2 positive on my left breast diagnosed at the end of august last year.

I have just completed my chemo and had a lumpectomy on 4th March, due radiotherapy soon.

I had 3 sessions of EC, then 4 sessions of docetaxel, pertuzamab and trastuzumab in 3 weekly cycles.  This reduced my lump in breast and lymph node under arm to no trace ....absolutely  amazing!  It killed the cancer completely according to my oncologist but we still have to have the operation and radiotherapy  to be sure there are no stray cell that have escaped and to prevent it returning....hopefully!

had side effects from the chemo but not too bad, and have had pain since the operation but again not too bad.

I would recommend doing the cold cap if you get offered it.  You need to do it from the first session of chemo.  I lost a lot of hair all over but kept enough not to need to wear the wig I bought just in case.

every step of the way is scary, but then I think it doesn’t turn out as bad as first feared.

good luck and stay strong x

Hi Baileylady. Mine same 6cm lymp nodes etc

It is strange how hospitals differ. I had surgery first but was told lumpectomy not an option due to size of tumour and wehad mastectomy. 

I'm cold capping. Had 1st round. Due 2nd next week. Praying my hair stays a little. Got wig on standby but no confidence to wear it yet. 

Hope yr recovery continues well x

Hello NIjw,

Having your chemo every 3 weeks allows your body to recover in time for the next treatment. 
I’m stage 3 and having 6 rounds, then surgery, then 11 more targeted treatments.

I’m just about to have my 6th round...Chemo day is fine, and I feel ok for the next 3 days, then I’m pretty poorly until day 10...then I have a week of feeling good before the next chemo. 
It really depends how your body copes with the treatment and the drugs you are given to take home should help with sickness etc. 
Xxx

Hey pineapple,

just wondering how you feel on your poorly days? I’m only on day 2 after my first round and coping, but worried about what comes next.

Ruby xx

Hello Ruby, 

After day 3 I start to feel very sick and wobbly on my feet. I’ve tried different tablets after each round but some keep me awake so that seems worse if I’m awake all night and feeling rough. I feel like I’ve got a bad hangover that lasts for 10 days. My taste totally goes so food is like eating sawdust. I’ve found oranges are the only food I can taste. I also have constipation but I’ve managed to predict this and take herbal tablets before it gets bad. 

Its got slightly worse as I’ve had each session, I presume that’s a build up of drugs or my body getting weaker? 

You will totally smash it, side effects are different for everyone and I you have to remember that the bad days won’t last for long xxx

Hi there, starting chemo shortly. Seeing BFN next week. My BC sound get similar to this thread. Are you given advice on wigs or is this something you have to research yourself? Thanks. Lots to take in but this thread makes me feel it's doable. Thank you

Hello,

I was given a recommended place to get a wig by my BCN. I went along for a fitting and got one easily, basically you pay £74.50 and the NHS pay the rest if it’s over £74.50.

I haven’t had to use my wig as I’ve been having cold cap during chemo, I had my hair cut into pixie style before starting chemo (and the cold cap has worked really well with just some thinning) so although I felt more prepared in buying a wig incase my hair fell out it might be worth holding out until you see it coming out. It really depends how you think you’ll feel. I saw it as a good safety blanket!
I’ve had chemo throughout lockdown so have been hibernating since before Christmas...I plan on wearing a cap for the school run to hide the thinning! 

Write done any questions you have for the BCN, everything goes out of your mind when you’re actually there! 
xxx

I think it depends where you are? In Scotland you get a free wig on prescription and I’ve been able to get mine ordered and delivered while I still have hair. I did find it a bit stressful to choose it all online though. Your BCN should be able to give you advice either way.