ER +, full lymph node removal, chemo, 3rd op and radiotherapy

Hiya I was similar in Sept 2021 . Diagnosed stage 2 . Two operations full lymph node removal as the cancer was in 7/21 lymph nodes ER + and upgraded to stage 3 as was 4 cm and fast growing . Had surgery / chemo/ radiotherapy finishing in April 2022 but am now at home preparing to go on holiday and returning  to work in August . This is my second bout of breast cancer having been initially diagnosed in 2013 . My advice … keep positive  / keep smiling / don’t overthink and take it all one step at a time .  I’m now on anastrole for 10 years and it all seems a distant memory now

Hi Sandies, sorry you find yourself here and welcome to the site,

I had grade 2 stage 3 Er positive breast cancer 2 different types in left breast . Lobular and dcis. Large tumour 9.5cm and 2nodes positive. Had mastectomy,Have completed chemo and now half way through 15 days of radiotherapy. It’s all very scary when you are first diagnosed and you’re bound to feel overwhelmed , just take it one day at a time . I felt exactly the same when I was where you are now and I can’t believe I’m at the other side of chemo and almost through radiotherapy it has gone so fast . It’s no walk in the park but it’s all very doable .

HI Manj. Thank you so much for the reply. It really does help to hear of others journeys and give me hope. Really pleased that you are through the other side ok. Any tips for chemo?

Hi Missi K. Thank you so much for the reply. It really does help. Did you have reconstruction when you had a mastectomy? Any tips for chemo? I am dreading it. I am sitting her feeling fine but have this black cloud over me and know I have a lot of crappy days ahead!.  Really pleased that you are nearly through it. :) 

No I didn’t have a reconstruction as I already had implants in  and they had ruptured( had them removed same time as mastectomy)and didn’t want to go down that route again , I really didn’t want more surgeries down the line to keep replacing them . If I had never had implants I would have probably had reconstruction but thought I had put my body through enough already . I think having cancer has definitely made me priorities health over vanity . 
It’s normal to have have dark moments, I had lots . I would be fine one minute and a total wreck the next . I try not to let my mind go into that dark place so much now and try to enjoy life as much as possible. If you click on my name you can read my profile and a bit about my journey so far . Sending big hugs x

Do you know what chemo you will be having and how many .?Everyone reacts differently to chemo I had 3 EC and 3 Docetaxol . 

Hi, I was stage 2 pre-surgery then changed to stage 3 following pathology results.  12 cm cancer (9cm hidden in dense breast tissue on mammogram) anf 7/14 lymph nodes positive.  Finished chemo in March, Radio May and going back to work in 2 weeks x

Missi k - I am having the same - 3 or 4 of each. what side effects did you have on this? I have heard that the side effects start after a few days.

Hi .mel28 - thank you for your reply. How did you get through chemo?

On EC I had a couple of painful mouth ulcers , sore dry/ bloody nose , watery eyes and constipation also suffered with acid. I only felt slightly nauseous for first two days but never vomited.
I found Docetaxol worse than Ec ,and had my last 2 doses reduced due to feeling unwell. Also had central chest /stomach pain , which turned out to be acid reflux.  although I didn’t have many different side effects to the EC I just felt very weak and not well in myself. Chemo is accumulative so maybe this added to how rotten I was feeling. I was also very anemic which didn’t help.  
You will be prescribed any meds you need to relieve side effects. Anti sickness meds , mouthwash , laxatives ect . Everyone reacts differently to chemo , this was just my experience.