A new girl on the block!

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Hi!

Diagnosed November, mastectomy December and will be starting chemo January - all been a bit of a blur this last 4 weeks!!

I have a great support from hubby and I’m not giving in to this invader but would like to hear from others who can guide this new to cancer lady thorugh what’s to come!!

I’m mid 50’s, am remaining positive and ready to take on whatever is chucked my way, but would like to hear about your chemo experiences so I’m prepared. I have a ‘wig session’ early Jan so got that sorted and am getting used to this 'ere plastic boob!!

So if there’s anyone out there who would like to chat feel free - I’ll try to check the site as often as possible so please don’t feel ignored if I don’t reply straight away!!

Good luck to you all!

GypsyBlue

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Hi !

I had a lumpectomy in June and radiotherapy in August this year but did not need chemo, so I’m not any help to you about that. But just wanted to wish you well, and I’m sure lots of ladies with chemo experience will be on here soon to offer good advice.

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Well, GypsyBlue, you seem to have a good attitude, although I’m sorry you’ve had to join us xxx

I was diagnosed two years ago come January, at (almost) 57, with the only sign of BC a small lump in my armpit! Had mastectomy (painless except on the emotional front), and axillary clearance (a little more sore, but not too bad), followed by 8 chemos. 4 of FEC - lost hair and suffered constipation, but no sickness as they give you anti-sickness meds, followed by 4 of Taxotere which I found harder, felt like I’d been hit by a truck! Slept a lot, grizzled a bit, but got over it and am still here to tell the tale!

Am currently having 3-weekly Herceptin at the hospital (it’s intravenous) so if you are HER 2+++ like I am, you will get that. Also on Arimidex for 5 years as my tumour(s) were Oestrogen and Progesterone positive too.

I got a nice wig, and some hats/caps - baker boy styles are good as they come down lower than baseball types, also hats with downturned brims a la Audrey Hepburn are very flattering. Some ladies prefer scarves but I was usless at tying them!

My hair came back grey and very curly, but I got a gentle colour on it ASAP and have had a couple of trims so the curls are gradually going! I now have a full head of hair having finished chemo just over a year ago.

I too have a plastic boob - and have become quite friendly with it! Ditto with my scar, so I am not thinking of going along the recon route.

Almost two years down the line, and I am picking up the threads of my life - which wasn’t very exciting before bc and still isn’t - but hoping to liven things up with a nice holiday next year and hopefully some lovely outings. I am trying not to let the fear of recurrence blight my life too much, and although I’m aware it’s a possibility, I shall try and remain positive and enjoy myself a bit (or maybe a lot, if the opportunities arise lol)!!

Good luck with your treatment, and let us know how you are getting on!

xxx

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Hi DecemberDee

Welcome to the forums. You may be interested in the Breast Cancer Care publication on chemotherapy as it has a lot information which you might find useful.
If you would like a copy of this please go to the following link:-

breastcancercare.org.uk//docs/chemotherapy_07_web_0.pdf

I hope you find this helpful.

Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)

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Hi Gypsy Blue

Welcome to the site. You are exactly a year behind me with your diagnosis and sound so very positive and upbeat. I finished my chemo in the summer and now have over 2 inches of dark curly hair. It was mousey and straight before this. As unpleasant as it is for ladies to lose their hair, I found it really quick and easy to stick on a nice wig or scarf and head out for the day. Now I’m battling for an hour with straighteners and potions trying to get the curls out!

You will get loads of useful help and tips on here about how to get through chemo day and the days following. If you have any worries or queries there is always someone around on here to help you.

I hope you have a good Christmas.

Judy x

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To Redders, Justme, Judyw47 (and Sam)

Thank you so much for your comments it’s nice to know there are people out there who feel/felt the same as me (but I’m sorry any of us has to be here)! Your comments are very helpful and I’ll keep you updated as to how I get along.

They said ‘Les Blobs’ (I had 3) were Hormone positive but I’m waiting to hear whether they were Herceptin + ve. However, chemo is Epirubicin x 4 3-weekly then on to C.M.F. x 4 (two days) before droppping the Hormone pills for 5 years. So, your tips on chemo will be useful - thanks.

Interesting to hear that hair appears to return sometimes in a different state - I could do with some curls and hey, I don’t care what colour it is cos’ my hairdresser has lots of coloured bottles!! As my hubby said, just think how much you’ll save on haridresser costs this year even after buying a wig!!

Well, have a good few weeks and it’s great to speak to you all - and thank you for being there.

Speak again soon!

Dee

x

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Hi Dee

I am another one a year on from you - this time last year i was waiting for the mastectomy on 27 dec… not the best Christmas! I had invasive lobular cancer and the chemo i had was epirubicin and xeloda - because i took part in a trial. Then i had 15 rads.

None of it was so dreadful to deal with - i think my imagination went into overtime and reality was better! yes, i lost my hair but despite nice wig i ended up wnadering round bald because it was too hot. i dyed my hair before but am now leaving it glowing silver…tho i can’t cope with a curly top and less curly sides so i keep it v short.

have a wonderful christmas and keep moving forward - it’s the best way to go!!!

Jen xx

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Hi Jen!

Sorry you’re a sufferer too but it’s nice to hear of different experiences. I think you’re right about imagination. I had a low day yesterday and couldn’t stop thinking about ‘what if’s’ - but today I’m fine and looking forwards to going out shopping for a black bra to go under my nice new dress!!

I think I just have to accept that sometimes the seriousness of it all comes back to mind and it’s best just to accept the occasional ‘off days’ and then move on!

At the moment I’m waiting to hear about my chemo dates so the big discussion is what colour wig to get - should I go long, short blonde or red!! Interestign that most folk seem to have a hair change when it grows back but I’m thinking of staying grey if it comes back all one colour - saves on hairdressing costs!!

I think in the majority the one thing I pick up is everyone is so positive and determined not to let cancer get the upper hand and that’s just great and I’m sure it helps.

So Jen, have a good time the next couple of weeks whatever you get up to and speak again soon.

Dee

x

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Hi Dee,

Like you I am starting chemo on 5th Jan, 4 lots of Epi followed by 4 of CMF, followed by break and then radiotherapy aswell. I’m going to try cooling cap to stop hairloss. Still trying to get my arm moving having had the nodes removed, only had lumpectomy for a low grade tumour, op was beginning of nov and middle of nov for 2nd op. Just want to get it over with before my 50th birthday and daughters 18th. Just sitting here watching my 10 year old on Wii Fit, will I ever have any energy!! Will let you know what epi is like after 1st dose.
Good luck to everyone having or starting treatment soon.
Alison

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Hi Dee & Alison, I seem to be just behind you, I had my mastectomy on Dec 16th and had second drain out today even though it was draining 80mls daily. My chest is very tight and painful tonight. I have my appointment for results (have no idea of type of cancer or size) on 31st Dec & then see onc on 7th Jan. I will be very inerested to hear of your experiences with chemo.
I have already bought a wig and had my hair cut to same style ready for the chemo. I have young children and am hoping transition from my hair to wig may go unnoticed!?! I’m not going to bother with cooling cap as can’t face hair going thin or patchy, would rather it just fell out.

Like you I try to be positive most of the time, sometimes I find it hard always being the strong one, I don’t mean with my husband but always trying to be jolly for the extended family and friends so they don’t feel too bad!

Anyway I wish you luck with chemo and hope you both have a great Christmas,

Muv

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Hi Muv & Alison!

Sounds like we’re all in a similar boat at the same time!

I’m still waiting for my Chemo date to start which is driving me bonkers - I hate not being in control of this ‘invader’ and find the ‘waiting’ phases really hard. Once I know dates etc I’ll be fine as then I can plan around it all and see once I’ve had a couple of sessions whether I can make it back to work or not. I hear form other people that some find it OK to work and others have stayed off until all their chemo is completed so I’m keeping an open mind.

Had a bad late evening last night, very weepy and ‘is it all out’ and ’ will I see another December’ kind of thoughts (I think because I had an invasive and aggressive cancer it tends to play on the mind a it) - derrr!! However, I’ve just accepted that I’ll get these what we call ‘Dee’s episodes’ and know that I’ll snap out of it again either in a short while or he next day - see today I’m fine and can take on whatever is thrown at me!!

I’ve got my ‘hair do’ Jan 7th and in some ways can’t wait to check out the wigs - I’m opting to just shave it all off once it starts to go. Intrigued to see what colour and style it grows back in 8 months time!!

Muv - the tightness and pain will go, mine has suddenly this week started to really ease off but at night it can still be uncomfortable, I found having another pillow under my affected arm helps it to settle a bit better.

Hey girls - got two swimming costumes through the post today – fab. Already have my swimform so can’t wait to get the OK to go in a pool to really exercise and get full arm movement back (I can’t Wii either))!!

If you need any help finding stuff or info on b cancer just ask as I’m always looking in to stuff and I drive my Macmillan Nurse mad asking questions (actually she says it’s a good thing as it shows you are positive)!!

Have a good week and keep in touch as we can all beat this!!

Dee

xx

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Hi Dee

I was diagnosed in May and had a mastectomy and node clearence. I have a grade 3 cancer and my lump was over 4cm by 2cm so it was a fair size, and im tripple neg. Im 34. I had 4 epi and 4 xeloda. I start rads in the new year.

I tought I would tell you about Epi. I went into the hospital and was back out of the door in an hour each time. The nurses put the canula in the back of your hand (which I really hate) then feed in anti sickness drugs. Then they put in sailine which is constant throughout the rest of the treatment. The epi is injected into the canula so it runs in with the sailine. I had 4 tubes of the epi each time. he nurse sits with you through it as she/he has to inject the epi in. The one imediate thing I noticed is that because the drugs are kept in the fridge, your arm gets really cold. The first time you go to the bathroom after the treatment you pee red! I found that I was OK for about 5 days after the epi, then I had about 4/5 days where i didnt feel great. I often didnt feel really bad, but I just wasnt me. Then I had the next 11 days feeling pretty good. I found that the worst side effect was constipation so i landed up taking loads of senakot. I got heartburn, ulsers in the back of my throat and lost my hair, Oh and my sence of taste was all to pot. Nothing I couldnt deal with. The hospital gave me drugs for all of the side effects.

When getting your wig… I got a long wig to match my hair, but its really anoying at the neck. Apparently it looks really good, but im going for a short one now.

Hope this was of some help. Sorry you had to join us. You will get through it, its a bummer of a year, but there is light at the other side.

Take care and enjoy Christmas as much as you can.

Angela

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Hi Dee

Wow it was like reading about myself exactly 2 years ago but here we are 2 years on I have a lovely head of hair - far better than I had before and feel like it was all a dream sometimes.

I had 8 lots of chemo which started on Jan 15th 2007 - like people say everybody is different and I just ploughed head first kept working as much as I could and dance at least 3 times a week which I think forced the drugs through my system asap. Coping with our plastic friend was fine, chilly at times to put in but soon got hubby to warm it up. I actually think I looked better after the op that I did before when I had 2 boobs - it wasn’t going to get me down. I had a few hiccups through the way but just think there are loads of us out there and always willing to listen, you are not alone.

After all my treatment I have gone for recon and that is just another world.

Enjoy your Christmas and next years will come round just as quick even if you doubt that at the moment.

Bevxx

ps hi Judy hope you are well

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Dear All!

Good to hear from you and hope whatever you’ve been up to has been good!!

My youngestt has come up from Somerset for a week which is great as we only normally see her twice a year! So, we’re out and about each day as I’m not back at work yet (shame!) and having fun either 'sale shopping or finding a country pub for lunches - or both!!

Angela - thanks for the info on chemo, I’ll think of you when I get the ‘cold’ treatment - interesting about the red pee though!! I’m also getting used to my ‘Sponge Bob’ and yes, I agree I reckon I look better than pre-op!!

I’m hoping I can go back to work for roughly 3 weeks out of 4 if possible while having chemo ( to remind the boss I’m still around) as being at home drives me mad (apart from being with hubby of course). But if I can’t I’ll cope I’m sure - maybe this is the time to write a best seller and have it made in to a block buster film …strange, there goes that pig flying past the window again!!

Keep smiling girls and I wish you all the best for 2009!

Dee

xx