Last chemo session - positive

Hi everyone,

I have just finished my last chemo session and wanted to share my experiance in case it’s of help to anyone starting on their BC journey. Overall really positive, sorry it’s a bit wordy.!

Potted History

small early stage tumor pick up by routine mammogram at the beginning of November, originally diagnosed as invasive lobular cancer so had to have an MRI, the wait for the results was the worst time for me. Thankfully it hadn’t spread anywhere and op was booked for 16 Jan. ( lumpectomy and a few lymph nodes removed)

I didn’t get my Her2 results until the day of the operation and they came back positive, this really freaked me out as I wasn’t expecting to have chemo.

At the follow up I was told it wasn’t lobular but ductal 

Started chemo 4 weeks later - 12 sessions weekly of paclitaxel and herceptin every 3 weeks.

So that brings me today, I can honestly say it hasn’t been as bad as I feared ( I do appreciate that it is not the same for everyone and I really feel for those of you who are suffering) .

I have cold capped throughout and I’ve retained about 90% of my hair. I used the Daniel Field booster system, no idea if it has helped. It is pleasant, no, is it manageable, I think so. If you can get through the first 5 mins it becomes bearable. I found a guided breathing exercise on instagram and did that and also took a couple of pain relive tablets an hour before they put the cap on, both helped.

iI also used Suzzi Pad cold gloves and socks to prevent neuropathy, during the chemo infusion, so far so good, no issues. 

I worked throughout it, I had my chemo on a Tuesday and feel great on a Wednesday, lots of energy, this would decline over the following days but it still wasn’t to bad. I slept when I was tired and if I needed a disco nap I would have one. I am also hungry all the time, that’s the steroids for you. I’ve put on over half a stone 4kg but I will deal with that later. 

I didn’t feel sick at all thankfully.

I did get a few mouth ulcers and the corners of my mouth became very sore and I’ve also had achy legs but both were manageable for me.

It had felt like an incredibly long time to get to today and while it’s not the end of my journey as I still have radiotherapy, herceptin every 3 weeks until Feb and hormone treatment to go, I am proud to have reached this milestone, tomorrow is the beginning of renewed strength and brighter days.

To anyone who is about to start treatment, I wish you the best and hope like me the side effects are less than you fear, cancer treatment really has come a long way and if you have any questions then please reach out. 

M