Scared about what’s to come….

It is so scary!  But just take one step at a time.  I was terrified of chemo but it wasn’t as bad as I expected - I got some but not all of the side effects I had heard about by any means and everyone was so kind. If you can fit in a treat or special night out now with friends then that’s a good thing to do.  When you know what chemo you’re having there’s lots of wisdom here too… take a deep breath and just do one thing today to make yourself smile and one thing that feels like planning/getting ready - there’s lots of waiting around during chemo so I arranged for friends to drop off their favourite reads for me to borrow, found some puzzle books, leant to use audible for when reading is too tiring, you could set up a playlist - I wish I’d learnt to crochet as I saw people doing that.  Take care 

What a lovely hope filled reply. Is it good to prepare for the worst and when it doesn't happen one feels to have gotten off lightly. I was a nurse and do like to read although not as much as some. I think fear is the worst thing but it's hard not to be like that at the beginning. 

The longer one lives with this condition one adapts and maybe starts to believe some of the positive things people say. Hope is everything and people have it in spades. Most people survive this, Kylie Minogue, Maggie Smith, I Googled famous people who had it. Maggie Smith went back to her acting job two weeks after finishing chemo I read. Yesterday I thought, well I went through IVF and many injection to get my son, even though I hate needles. 

I can and will do this. This group is amazing. Thank you for helping. Op on 6 th Dec, results 7 th Jan. Invasive ductal and in 1 of the 40 lymph nodes. Results from Oncotype DX in 2 wk. xxx

Thank you so much! It is the not knowing what to expect. The two lots of surgery I’ve had have been ok but chemo!!!! I can and do enjoy crochet so it’s good to know I can take that with me! I do read etc - thank you for taking the time to reply I hope all is good with you? 

It's normal to be scared I'm waiting for an appointment next week where they will tell me I'm having chemo. I know from oh oncotype is definite. Im terrified - yesterday I cried all day - day before I was angry . This morning im wretching. I thought I'd get away with radiation and no one would have to know - now my hair loss will be a walking dog. - labelling me sick. If I could do it without hair loss it wouldn't be as traumatic . Have you someone in real life to lend a shoulder to lean on ? 

I have my appt next week to tell me the same, if it's yes or no to chemo. I just feel lucky to be in the group being offered treatment. I know if I get chemo it won't feel that way. My Mother wasn't offered anything hers was too advanced. I don't want to be disfigured but at least the hair will grow back. I had female pattern baldness in my 50s my Mother helped me pay for Trichology treatment. I know someone who wears a wig, I didn't know until she told me. Fingers crossed. X

As LabradorLover says - one day at a time.

I had my chemo first - almost 7 months of it . Once you start you can count the appointments off  - there can be bad days but it’s there doing its job so you can get through.

 The nurses are truly amazing, they make the process bearable. Take a book, sweeties, crochet, notebook- I took a small wrap -sometimes the dept felt a bit cool - another side effect!

i lost my hair quickly so my husband shaved the balance off.

 I didn’t mind - it didn’t matter.  It’s back now - thick and curly!

love and luck xx

Hi, the unknown does feel scary but you will find your way.  I had dose dense chemo - 4EC then 4 paclitaxel. Chemo was every 2 weeks. I found the thought worse than the reality. It is very doable. 
I found fasting to 600 calls the day before and day of chemo reduced side effects. Drink 2 litres of water 2 days before until 2 days after. Exercise is good for your outcome, good for fatigue, good for helping with chemo and will help you recover faster. 
There are some things you can organise before chemo - one is your medical exemption certificate. You get the form from your GP. You get free prescriptions for 5 years. You need all sorts of things on chemo so worth having. I had all my dry skin creams from the GP and an eczema shower lotion for dry skin too. And buy yourself some sweets to suck during cyclophosphamide too. 

there are other bits and bobs that help too like researching cold cap (cancer hair care is a good website for that), go to the wig shop to figure out if it’s for you (the nhs give you a voucher usually), but more than anything do some things you enjoy and treat yourself 

you can do this. Xx

Hi Sabrina - hopefully you won't need it. Lobular seems to get low onco scores. Need to look into wigs I ordered a cheap few off SHEIN yesterday but want a good one too . 
spebt the day crying yesterday really need to get stronger emotionally 

I start my chemo tomorrow and had a couple of weeks to process it Ive been up and down emotionally but made the most of time to get out and about a bit and still getting over my surgery it’s a difficult time but staying positive now and tell myself I be ok and I can do this , read great advice in here so packed my “chemo” bag as going to be trying cold cap , The fear of losing my hair is awful but at the same time it’s just hair and hopefully grow back ,  I’d love to know what the Shein  wigs are like Redcar ,  my main concern is explaining to my 5yr old grandson if I’m unwell and hair falls out during chemo  , I just can’t wait for the next 21 weeks to be over and then radiotherapy all done  roll  on summer , lots of positive and best wishes to you all xx

My friend in woek bought expensive wigs and eBay wigs a few years ago she loved the cheaper ones as more comfy