Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer

Hi there,

I wondered how you were getting on - glad to hear you are managing to cope.  I think that they are the same drugs that I will be on so good to hear how you are.  I have the same thoughts about the drugs, but as someone said to me, think of them as your friends keeping you safe.  I hope you dont mind me asking but how is your hair doing?  Are you managing to live a reasonably normal life?  I am terrified I have to confess, particularly of the side effects.

But well done! Two weeks less to do so a great achievement!  

Take care x

I'll be thinking if you xx

I'm on my second attempt to message you today, I'm so not PC savvy  how are you after your chemo? I was thinking of you.

Pet

Never mind, you got there in the end!  I start on the 19th so just had my preassessment on Thursday 12th.  I had my hair cut really short yesterday and have stocked up on all sorts of stuff for constipation/diarrhoea/sore mouth etc etc!!  I’m going to have a PICC line put in on Tuesday.  Have you got one?  How are you doing? Have you just had your third session? I’ve been thinking about you too and wondering how you are doing? Sorry, a lot of questions there!  Take care and thank you for your message, it’s lovely to have someone to talk to that’s on a similar journey.  Kerry x

I haven't started yet, I only go for my operation on the 19th. How long did you have to wait before you saw the Oncologist? Pet xx

I’m so sorry, my mistake, I’ve been talking to another lady who is a couple of weeks ahead of me.  I had my surgery on 7th Oct and had a zoom call with the oncologist about three weeks after that.  I start chemo on Thursday.  It’s been a little bit chaotic - the surgeon decided that he wanted to remove a little bit more tissue because there were some cells that weren’t cancerous but were changing.  The Onc said chemo had to start within six weeks of treatment so I’ve got to go in on Monday to have another magseed in while they can still see where they removed the cancer, so I’ll have more surgery after chemo which isn’t great! I’ll let you know how I get on on Thursday - I have to confess that I’m terrified! I think it’s more the unknown, hopefully once it starts it will be ok.  X

My nurse did warn me that could happen, it is all very scary, I'll be thinking of you on Monday, I really hope you will be ok. I was first told it was cancer with a small C and no chemo just radiation but now it a capital C and I will be having chemo so think what next. Let's just hope we will get through this, i plan to, I'm trying to stay positive I hope you try to do the same. Take care. Pet

Hi there

I've now got to the end of week three and my first cycle of paclitaxel and carboplatin. I'm into a new cycle this week and will be having both drugs this week so am a bit apprehensive. Have you started your chemo yet?

Overall, I find I am nauseous and spaced out the day I have chemo and the next day but after that things are not too bad. I'm still getting out for walks although am starting to notice that I am slowing down and beginning to get tired quicker. The filgrastrim injections make me feel weird for a couple of hours and are giving me some pain in my shoulder and back.

My hair is doing okay so far, I am wearing the cold cap during treatment which is uncomfortable but I'm getting used to it.

I've not had any surgery before chemo, the positive news is that I have already noticed a change in the lump, it is softening slightly. I like what your friend says about thinking of the drugs as your friends to keep you safe. During the chemo I get a big dose of piriton as one of the pre-meds, this makes me very sleepy and helps the time go quicker.

I hope you are getting on okay, take care

Hi Cloud123 and ExeterDeveon

I think it is me that is just ahead of you both, it is quite difficult to follow these threads and see who is messaging who. I am now three weeks into my chemo, I have a port-a-cath fitted in my chest which was sore to start with but now it is healing makes things easier.

I am on paclitaxel every week and carboplatin every three weeks and so far things are going okay. I was terrified before I started and still find all the drugs hard to deal with but they are all there to keep me comfortable. My hair is okay so far but I am using the cold cap. I find I am nauseous the evening after the chemo and a bit the next day and have suffered a lot with indigestion and acid reflux which I've not had before, I am on medicine to control this which has really helped. The other main side effect for me is pain in my shoulder and lower back which I think is from the filgrastim which I have to self-inject on days 3-5 each week.

Hope you are both getting on okay, we will get through this ladies x

Hi, wow your well on your way with treatment. Thank you putting it all down it really has helped me with the reality of it all. I'm having my lump removed first which is on Thursday. I quick question but are you able to drive while having treatment? It may sound made but that's one of the things that I worry about as I live alone, I have a great daughter and great friends but I don't want to bother them if I can help it. Fingers crossed for all of us in this situation.  Pet xx