New to all of this

Hi

I'm scared too, it's the unknown and feeling not in control,  knowing its going to effect your everyday  life, im trying to do some things like going out with family before it starts, one of my colleagues  is an advanced BCN, she said so many of her ladies make it through this, I just concentrating on the next appointment, reading the macmillian  info, I like to know facts  that's helps me feel me in contol, I hate waiting, and I'm starting to write down questions I want to know, plus chatting  on here, as I don't feel as though I'm the only one now! I wish it wasn't happening,  but  it is ,I'm going for mri, while waiting for next appointment  I'm going to try go for wig fitting. My friend who recently  had cancer told me only stick to nhs , macmillian  and cancer research  websites info on other websites  is outdated.  I've been up at 3am reading same as you , but hope I'm reading right stuff now. Stay in touch x

Hi I just had follow up clinic after biopsy on Wednesday evening and am seeing the oncologist on Monday 

I have the option of lumpectomy then chemo or the other way round  At the moment I feel I want chemo first because I think it might be better to get the bit I dread done first but I guess I need to talk to the oncologist first and not rush into any decision 

I was advised Chemo first, that was they can ensure the right Chemo for you, I had Scan after 2 cycles of EC and my tumor had shrunk from 32mm to 14 mm, which has boosted my confidence in the treatment. Of course I would liked to have just taken the lump out but if I had to have Chemo anyway, at least I know I am on the right path forward and it is being effective for me. 

I have 1 more EC then I change to 12x weekly Taxol. I am anxious about the next step but have navigated the first step well and am feeling more confident about the outcome. The Operation scares me most about all of this but that’s a bridge to cross another day. Today the sun is shining, I feel healthy and am going to enjoy right now. 

I hope once you speak to your Oncologist you feel a little more confident than you do today xxx

I've Bern advised the same chemotherapy  first, as my tumor is about 32mm to at the moment, MRI today and hopefully  get an appointment  to see oncologist  this next week to confirm plan, I think I prefer it this way, as want to know if chemo  works, yours sounds like it's going the right way x

I do hope so, until I know otherwise, there is strength in where I am as opposed to where I was at the beginning and those first few appointments. 

There are hurdles with each step, my hair is a lot thinner for one, I’m cold capping, it gets to me but it’s amazing how your priorities shift when you look at the big picture. My aim is to get to this time next year Cancer free and embracing a more confident future. I know this is going nowhere fast with treatment, hurdles, and then follow up once Carol Cancer has been evicted but I am in a better place now than I would be had I not got my lump checked when I did! 

We women are strong, resilient and capable of overcoming this with the help of medical intervention. We may not always feel it but what is the alternative? 

Stay grounded ladies, you can and will move forward xxx

Thank you we all have different scares don’t we I’m not at all worried about the surgery it’s the chemo that terrifies me 

what worries me is if the chemo given before the lump is  removed and the chemo doesn’t work the lump has been there even longer risking spread 

Hi I’m so like you I’m having an mri on Wednesday and have decided to get a wig fitted ASAP 

I really hate the waiting and am so used to being the one in control 

a friend of mine advised have your head shaved and use the wig don’t wait for you hair to fall out It’s one thing you can control 

I was thinking of cold capping, was going to get pixie cut first, try do it in stages x

The hair thing feels such a big issue when in the  whole scheme of things it’s really not I suppose but it’s the confirmation you are I’ll 

Hi Harrigoose I  had 4 EC treatments which for the first week I found hard going especially having to inject myself afterwards for 5 days. I was really worried about the phase 2 chemo. I am now on 12 weekly Paclitaxel and 3 weekly Trastuzamab/Pertuzamab injection HER 2 blockers. I am finding the weekly Paclitaxel so much easier to tolerate than the EC chemo. I hope you find this too although I know everyone can react differently. If you are having a mastectomy there is a fabulous site online called Knitted Knockers where a group of ladies knit or crochet a soft prothesis to wear after surgery for free. Mine came with a lovely card with a beautiful message. There is also a site on facebook called Pillow Pals that make mastectomy pillows and all they ask for is the cost of postage. Another site I have found really helpful too is look good feel better who do online zoom calls in things like nail care, how to tie scarfs and help with how to do your wigs. They also offer a make up course and how to draw on your brows and some gentle exercise classes,tai chi and breathing techniques which have helped my confidence a lot, and other courses too. Jxxx