Thought I was dealing with it okay but....

I’ve had some excellent information from Breast Cancer Care UK. Cancer Research UK also have a helpline covering technical cancer information. They can’t tell you what to do personally but can give you some useful stats

Thanks Anabrock.

Hi there, I probably don't need to remind you that you are going though something that's a “big deal” and it's ok to feel up and down.  I'm also sure you know the Internet tends to give a more negative view that's not reflective of the average.  I'm a few months ahead of you, having had chemo first, then surgery and radiotherapy and am still in the hormone treatment.  Honestly, I have managed pretty well. Chemo sounded more terrifying than it actuslly was and as worked through my treatment, I was up and about after surgery within 24 hours and the only bad thing about radiotherapy was the time it took to get to and fro the hospital each day around the road closure in my village!  

I've learnt that everyone is individual and has a different experience but mine has been generally ok.  I blogged throughout, feel free have a read if that helps.  Best of luck x

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/one-life-live-it

Thanks Irishgirl, this is really helpful and I will check out your blog.
I think my biggest issue is fear of side-effects - I like knowing that what I'm feeling is my body rather than a chemical side-effect. I found hot flushes really tough to deal with during menopause and the thought of reverting to 5 more years of that depresses me ridiculously, relative to the benefits I could obtain.
At heart I think I must be a wimp - and I've been lucky to be a healthy wimp for the past 50+ years! I'm the one who has done all the looking after and I'm much more comfortable in that role than in feeling unwell.
I hope your recovery is progressing well and appreciate your taking the time to respond.

Hi Sidmum

I had a generally similar path to Irishgirl, I am just a little ahead. I am responding to your concerns about the hormone treatment. I am about 5-ish month into letrozole and am doing ok. I am postmenopausal and had no menopausal side-effect symptoms at all. At first achey and stiff hips, knees and ankles, especially first thing in the morning or if I sat for too long. I tool paracetamol on occasional days for this. For the last month + I have been fine and the aches have faded away. On balance, I am glad to be getting this as it reduces chances of recurrence.

Wishing you all thebest

WallyDug

Should have also said that I am HER2+ so still getting H &P until March 2022. Likewise glad to be getting it.

Irishgirl16

Like you I am having TCHP next Tuesday. Any advice? Just so scared of the HP bit! 

Did you take paracetamol? They say be wary as it can mask fevers..so not too sure when I ought to!

I try not to work myself up too much in the lead up to...Monday port fit first. 

C x

WallyDug

Finally next Tuesday to start. Any advice in prep???

Having TCHP...how did your treatment go?

C x

Hi Claud

My treatment was ok apart from the first chemo, which for me was EC. It gave me terrible sickness and headache from the night of the chemo for about two or three days. However, I told the onc at the review appt before the 2nd dose and they gave me a different drug to control this, which amazingly worked like magic. I would suggest that what ever chemo you are on, you make sure that you stay hydrated, drink more than you think you will need as it help to flush all the toxins out. They are very good at giving the support meds that each of us need for the different chemos. So if you do feel anything that has not been covered, do speak up and tell them.

I was glad when it was over and I got the lumpectomy and relieved to have had a complete clearance of cancer from the chemo alone - so a very positive outcome. Then came radiotherapy, 19 doses and the bisphosphenates every 6 months for three yrs. + letrozole tabs for the next 5yrs Glad to be getting everything poss to stop it returning.

Good luck with your treatment. It is much worse thinking about it than getting it.

All the best

WallyDug

Thank you so much Wallydug - this is so re-assuring and just what I needed to read. I was sure there must be people who were delaing okay with the Letrozole but I just couldn't locate anyone.
I'm so glad your treatment is going so well and really appreciate you taking the time to respond.