Hello from a Newbie

I got bombarded with an enormous amount of info for that first chemo appointment, which I was grateful for. I took a notepad, which i highly recommend. 

I was told all about what chemo treatment I was going to get, what to expect in terms of side effects ,what I needed to do beforehand, what I would need to get ahead of starting etc.

I was told my full treatment plan, every day it would be and when it was likely to start (I got my first appointment through shortly afterwards.

I also got the results of my CT scan, which I'd had the week before.

My oncologist also talked me through options for hormone treatment and I made a decision on that there and then after we talked through benefits of each.

I had to have a heart scan before chemo started which was booked in for the following week. I think my chemo started a couple of weeks after I saw the oncologist.

I found my oncologist appointment better than my surgeon ones as mine was so practical, gave me tonnes of info and she really knew what she as talking about with no hesitation that the treatment she had planned for me was going to give me the best chance of long term survival.

In terms of chemo times - i had to get bloods on a Monday, I had a telephone appointment with oncology to get results the next day and then got told my appointment time then. My treatment was on a Thursday but they didn't book me in until they knew my bloods were OK o go ahead.

It might be different in you area but my experience of chemo was excellent. Very slick, and everyone was fantastic. I felt very well looked afer.

Thank you so much for your response, that’s given me a great insight to what I can expect. My care so far has been amazing. I had a catch up with my GP today too who pointed me on the direction of joining macmillan and also to ask about financial support as I’m self employed but that’s for another thread.

My GP has organised for my COVID Booster for tomorrow so it gives me enough time before chemo for it to be effective and also put me in touch with the GP oncology nurse so she’s on hand too.

I’ll make sure I have my notepad to hand as well. I love data so will relish the opportunity to get to grips with everything and what the adjuvant treatment will be.

Thanks again

I have just had my second appointment with oncology. My first one was with a oncologist over the phone where I was asked about my health, medication. Discussion was had around what radiology was and what I knew. Was I aware of why I was having it etc. Very helpful as I was also able to ask questions as well. I was also told how many sessions I would be having, mine has gone down from 15 to 5 but was informed that this is following research which has been conducted over a period of time. 

Today was my second appointment which was called a planning scan. Here they took me through what was going to happen. I went through a CT scan where they were able to pin point the area that the radio waves were going to penetrate. You will also have three tattoo dots placed on your chest area,one either side of the breasts and one in the middle of your bust. These are very tiny black dots and will be permanent.

I would also practice holding you breath especial if it's the left side of your body. I have been doing this for some time but laying on the floor, arms above your head. I got to 30 seconds which is about right.

My third appointment will again be a telephone consultation next week then on the 16th I will start radiotherapy.

The hormone treatment I've already started and will be on it for 5 years.

I have not had chemo so I'm not able to talk about this.

I hope you find this helpful, but don't worry the team will guide you through this.

Wishing you all the best and remember your alive and the cancer will be gone. 

Hi, I was diagnosed with IDC with 7 positive lymph nodes.  Had mastectomy and axillary clrarance on 22nd Oct.  My first appointment with the oncologist was 4th Nov and was very positive and booked me in there and then to start chemo on the 10th.  I have to have a covid test 3 days before a chemo session and bloods 2 days before.  I had the cold cap on my first session, first 10 minutes was quite hard but after that wasn't too bad x

My experience is very similar to Beatthebreast, appointment wise.

Ive had 3 EC chemos so far, these were every 21 days. I found the chemo hard, but doable. The first 6-7 days following chemo I felt pretty much rubbish. By day 8 and the following days I just felt more myself.

Im now about to start 9 weeks of Paclitaxel starting with Herceptin which will be very 3 weeks and will continue after active treatment has finished for a year. My last chemo is early February.

When I went for my chemo pre-assessment the nurse told me to do things when I felt well, she said some people just go from one chemo cycle to the next and don't seem to live. The majority of chemo is 18 weeks long, that's a long time to isolate away from everyone. I've been sensible and worn a mask, but I've still met up with friends for coffee, walks and lunch out. Family have done LFT before they've come over to visit and I've refused hugs and sat away from people. 

Good luck with your treatment.