Breast Cancer at age 32

Hey Ember, Hugs and Love for you at this scary time.  You will be in shock mode and something that a nurse said to me that remains important and helpful is to put yourself on a pedestal and treat yourself like a princess.  You are in for a rough time, but think ahead, you are young and strong, you will get through this, each day is precious and you are the most important person in your world right now.  I will keep checking in on you and will think up what I needed for chemo, I did wear regular clothes and although the side effects were horrid the actual treatment was better than I though, I always used to come out hungry, my hub used to take me for a Happy Meal, by the end of the chemo weeks I could not taste anything much, but enjoyed the McFlurry, cooling on the sore mouth.  Xxxx

Hi Ember

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Your type of cancer sounds very similar to mine & my consultant echoed similar to yours.  I have had many tests & struggled to have confidence in my care team but they are the experts who deal with it day in day out so we should have confidence in them. It's natural to be scared. The worst thing I did was Google everything! Reach out to your breast care nurse (I'm presuming you have 1) she may be able to ease some of your fears. 

I am also waiting to hear about my treatment plan so sorry I can't help with your chemo bag. I'm sure there will be plenty on here that can!

Hope you get to know to your treatment plan soon, it may make you feel a little better. I'll keep checking back in to see how your doing.

Sending hugs hugs xx

Hi Ember, I am so sorry to read about your recent diagnosis.

I am 36 with a similar diagnosis to yourself. I was diagnosed at the end of May and started 1st of 6 chemotherapy sessions in June, to be followed by surgery and targeted therapy.

 I appreciate I am only new to this, but to my first session I wore leggings, a vest top with a t-shirt over and hoodie which stayed in my bag as it was a warm day and plan to do the same moving forward. I'm not usually dressed as casually but wanted to feel comfortable.

 I had taken my tablet with a film downloaded but chose to read my book as found it easy to put the book down when the nurses came over etc. I will still take my tablet to the next session.

Hand gel came in handy and tissues as my nose was running through one of my treatments.

The nurses were so helpful and kind and really put me at ease.

Once I had my treatment plan set out I felt much more at ease, although do still have moments when I stop and think it all feels so unfair. 

I found support and strength from reading other ladies experiences on this page x

Hi Ember

You wear your normal clothes for chemo. Think about something that is comfortable but will also be easy to go to the bathroom in as you will be dragging a drip stand with you each time you go. Water is a must as are tissues and something to distract you; you will be there far longer than you think. Weird tastes etc tend to come later. 

Hi, 

Sorry you find your self here, 

You sound very proactive and I am sure you will smash this bugger. 

I am 7 of 16 treatments in and don’t really take much to Chemo, I dress comfortably, take a book, phone, some sweets and a big bottle of water. My Chemo unit is great and have Tea, Coffee facilities, a big comfy chair for me and bring round some lunch too. I’m there for around 4 hours but am cold capping, so less if I wasn’t doing that. I try and warm my veins on the journey in but also have a warmer on my arms while I’m waiting as my veins like hiding. If you cold cap, take some conditioner as you need on for the cap, I wear a hat or beanie all the time as although I still have hair it has thinned quite a bit. 

I did have a Chemo pack from CancerUK, it had, all the things you listed, but I didn’t really need much on the day. 

Good luck xxx

Hi Ember, sorry to hear your diagnosis. I have the same diagnosis as you and if you do end up having chemo some tips for you are:

Wear leggings to your treatment for when you need the loo (easier to get up and down when on a drip)

Buy packets of tissues as you will lose your nose hair which will make your nose run constantly.

If you like your eyelashes get false ones (magnetic ones are good)

Buy some body lotion such as Aveeno, Cerave, or E45 as your skin may go dry. 

You should be given a voucher for a wig. No-one knew I was wearing kne as mine was the same as my own hair. 

Do things that make you feel good

The first few days are ok, the next few days you may feel grotty but then it will ease 

Try drink lots of water

Try do bits of activity (I took up pole dancing to help with my core strength  lol)

I know this sounds scary but I got some of this info from this site after I started chemo! The thing that got me was the nostril hair! Couldn't understand why my nose was constantly running.... then it clicked lol.

It is manageable, bit grotty but manageable. Try keep a positive attitude and try to think about the positive it is doing rather than the negative. 

And good luck

Vicki xx