hi
is anyone who is having or had treatment at dewsbury/pinderfields.would love to hear from you
regards karen
Hi Karen,
I have had all my treatment at Pinderfields or Pontefract.
I am twelve months down the line and feeling a whole lot better thank goodness.
This time last year i was dreading the thought of chemo i started Jan 15th and finished in May 07.
I am very glad to say i got through the treatment a whole lot better than i thought i would. I am not saying it wasnt tough as we all know this treatment isn’t easy, but with the support of nurses,family and friends i found it a lot easier than i expected. Are you going through chemo at the moment and what stage are you at.
Are you having chemo at Dewsbury or Pinderfields i had mine at Pinderfields the nurses and staff were marvellous.
I have just had the all clear on my first mammogram so that was a big relief just before Christmas.
I am feeling realy good and positive at the moment other than a heavy cold which fades into insignificance with what you are now going through as i know only to well.
Well i would love to wish you all the very best with the treatment. Hang in there girl you can do it. I know its tough but try and stay positive and except the support from anyone who offers.
Let me know how you are going on that would be great.
Love and Best Wishes and plenty of cyber hugs (((((((((()))))))))))
JanW xxxxxxxx
hi jan
well done you…except for your cold…you can keep that to yourself.i am just starting out.dx on 19th nov under dr ali at clayton,then had mascectomy and snb and 18 nodes removed(15 involved) at pontefract by dr kryack on 4th dec.was told i had 2 tumors IDC and ILC.one was 5cm and one was 1.2cm.went to see dr kumar,onc at clover unit and she is lovely.also met leanne the bcn who i had spoke to on the phone about having my wound drained.five times so far.she is so helpful.i live in liversedge which is a trek to wakefield so i am being transferred to dewsbury for chemo and future appts.all the nurses at clayton have been superb.everytime i try to speak to a bcn at dewsbury i cannot get hold of them and always end up speaking to leanne or michelle.i wish i lived nearer to wakefield.
i have my chemo councilling on weds 09/01 and then onc on friday and think chemo starts the following week.i have to be honest all this cancer thing hasn’t phased me too much but now chemo is just around the corner i’m crapping myself.i can cope with the hair loss(have buffs at the ready) but i’m dreading the sickness.i’m a very poor patient,i hope hubbys wearing his broad shoulders.what type of cancer did you have ,would love to know so we can compare stories.
love karen
hi karen
i’m in cleckheaton, i was diagnosed by dr ali but then i went private to leeds to have surgery, wle and now i’m under jimmys for my chemo - i’ve had three and got three more to go. i was dx at the end of september. it is just a horrible treadmill to be on, all the appointments, the information overload, the worry… but please don’t worry too much about chemo, you will come through it, each one gets easier i find as you learn what your body needs. if i can offer any help or advice i will. i am 39 by the way, had lumpectomy, grade 2 lump, 1 lymph node and am her2 and er2 so i’ve herceptin and tamoxifen after rads. good luck, carrie
Hi Karen and Carrie
Nice to hear from you girls who live close by. I come from Mirield so quite close really.
I too had my first op booked for the 4th Dec with Mr Ali it was actuallly my b’day but they managed to bring it forward to the 28th Nov so thats when i had my surgery in 2006. Thats a coincidence isn’t it.
Just to mention i am only 42 so similar age to carrie.
Where are you going for your chemo Karen i had mine at the Clover Unit at Pinderfields the nurses are wonderful there but i suppose they are wherever you go i would think they all seem to be very caring.
About the chemo Karen you will find it very daunting at first as we all did, i think the first one is the worst as you dont really know what to expect. It really isn’t as bad as you might think. Before you know it it will be done with and you will be back at home been taken care of by your family, don’t try and do too much rest and take it easy and listen to your body.
I remember just like you having to have the wound drained loads of times as it kept leaking everywhere. I remember getting some breast pads and putting in my bra to save my clothes getting stained and wet it really worked.( I have always been a bit mad. Sorry)
It will settle down soon and my scar now is really good.
Hope you both are doing well and the chemo doesn’t knock you about too much.
Just a brief low down on me. I had op Nov 06 second op Dec 06 as they found pre-cancerous cell in margin all came back clear. Started chemo in Jan 07, rads in June and tamoxifen for 5yrs mine cancer was oestrogen positive and a grade 2 with no node involvment.
I had my first mammogram in Dec and came back clear. So I’m feeling rather good at the moment but as like the other ladies you still have your ups and downs and its normal to feel like that. Try and stay positive i know its not always easy at first but keep your peckers up
Take Care and hope the treatment goes well
JanW.
Hi All
Just wanted to add i am from Wibsey nice to hear of some local girls on the forum. I am 38 and was dx in April 07, had mastectomy,chemo,rads and now on herceptin and tamoxifen, just trying to get some normality back into my life at the moment but finding it hard.
Take care all
Rachel
hi rachel, karen, jan
good to hear from you all - hope the days are going well. i am having one of those slow days - aches and pains and no energy, wondering where the hell my life has gone. it’s all been a whirlwind since dx last sept. can’t’ wait to be through chemo even though i do find it manageable.
Jan - great to hear you had a clear mammogram, you must be so relieved.
Rachel - how are you finding the herceptin, how long does it take and where do you have it? i’ll be starting on herceptin after chemo - also where did you have rads? Do you feel your life is almost returning to normal? I haven’t worked since sept and though i don’t really have the energy for it, i’m wondering whether to do something part time. also, looking forward to hair coming back! be good to hear how you’re all getting on. Carrie xx
Hi Carrie
Just had third Herceptin Yesterday and probably only side effect i have is a bit fluey and a runny nose its nothing like chemo which on the taxotere completely wiped me out, i started radiotherapy/herceptin/and tamoxifen the same week, end of November so wasnt sure which side effectI belonged to which and was also only 3 weeks after last chemo. I have not woked since dx in April as oncologist said if i didnt have to work then dont and with two children 8 and 12 i was busy enough at home.
I had radiotherpy at Cookridge under Dr Thomas but it was due to close the week after my treatment and is now all transferred to Jimmys.
I have been been having my treatment at the Yorkshire clinic as i had private cover through work, the first Herceptin took about 6 hours you have to stay incase of a reaction, but now i am usually in and out in 2 hours.
I have not decided if or when i will return to work i have had the same job for 21 years and only work part time they are not puting any pressure on me to return,but i have enjoyed being with the children in the school holidays so may take a career break, to catch upon all the cancelled holidays this year.
I dont know if i will ever feel completely normal, but it is true when they say it gets easier and you think of it less often each day
Take care Rachel
hi girls
i cannot believe i am the oldest of the bunch at 43.
hi carrie
i’m just a stones throw from you in hightown…your a little ahead of me on the chemo side of things…will you be having tax…i hear thats the worse but i’m tring to face the EC first so will worry about that later.good luck in your future treatments.im not sure about my her2 status yet, though i am er/pr - so no tamoxifen.keep me posted on how you are doing
hi jan
i lived in mirfield 31 years…moved 2 years ago to hightown to get a better house for the money,mirfield house prices are crazy.i lived at stocksbank drive with my parents and littlemoor road with hubby.i am having chemo at dewsbury.been for councelling today and have my first session on 19/01.i have a ticket to choose a free wig from a shop in leeds,i am so excited about it.lol.CT scan this friday too.it will be a relief to get the result of that out of the way.
hi rachel
i can imagine how difficult it is to get your life back to normal after such a crazy year of appointments,treatments and attention.but i expect it wont be long before you get back in to the swing of things.if you can afford to not work then stay at home and have some quality “me” time and family time.i have chosen to work through my treatment as much as i can,i only get six weeks paid sick leave,but also i have no children so i can sleep all night when i get home if i want to.it stops me mulling over what ifs etc.
hope all you girls keep in touch and let me know how your all doing
regards karen
hi karen
i’m hightown too! And i lived in mirfield prior to moving up here - i was just off stocksbank road. which breast care nurse are you under at dewsbury. as i was originallydiagnosed at dews, i still see debbie the nrurse at dewsbury, she is lovely and very helpful. i am not having tax as my oncologist at jimmys saidit wasn’t right for me, i am just having 6 x epirubicin and cyclophosphamide. have you got the date for your first one, if i can help at all with any advice just give me a shout. i have three to go! i can’t wait to be over it all and get my life back. i haven’t worked since dx, i don’t have kids either so don’t have the pressure to keep working. my folks have temporarily moved in with me and they have been fantastic.
Rachel - thanks for the info on herceptin - sometimes i read far too much and scare myself witless even though i keep reminding myself to go a day at a time - i’ve still three chemos to go and already i’m thinking about herceptin. my biggest worry is my veins as my last chemo was agony and i worry about them holding up enough for a year of herceptin! It’s great that you’re enjoying being with the children and not having any pressure to return to work, good for you!
Lovely to hear from you all, Carrie x
hi carrie
wow! where abouts are you.i’m on ferncroft.i have my first EC on 18/01 and i am also under debbie.havnt seen or heard from her for a while tho…on sick i think.have you lost all your hair now? why are you going to jimmys and not dewsbury for your chemo.i see dr khumar tomorrow.
regards karen
hi karen
(edited by moderator) seeing debbie on friday - yes she has been off sick for a month. I ended up at jimmys as i had my surgery done at the bupa hospital in roundhay, so had a leeds consultant. he then referred me to jimmys for oncology. i didn’t even know they did chemo at dewsbury, it would be handier to go there but i really like (and trust) my oncologist in leeds - he’s called dr perren. good luck for the 18th - what are you going to be on, EC? Or tax? or both. I am not on tax, just EC. I’ve got my fourth one on the 21st i think… keep counting them off! carrie x
Hi All
Jan- It sound like you are having the same chemo as me 4EC and 4 Taxotere, I dreaded the thought of feeling sick with the EC but the anti-sickness tablets worked really well, the Taxotere was tougher but doable, dont hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Carrie- I had problems with my veins after 3rd EC by 4th it was very painful, because i was having Herceptin the onc referred me to a cardoivascular surgeon for a groshong line putting in my chest, it wasnt pleasent but it was definately worth it and will be in until Herceptin finishes.
Take care all Rachel
Hi rachel
Just wanted to ask, is a groshong line the same as a hickman line and did you have to ask your onc for it? I had a really painful third chemo and am dreading the fourth - wondering whehter I should try to get the line put in before the fourth - although that’s a week on Monday so probably no time now. Does the groshong line take a lot of looking after? Does it affect your sleep? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to work out what will be better for the herceptin in the long run.
All the best to everyone, Carrie x
Hi Carrie
I had my groshong line put in after 4th Chemo, it was my oncology nurse who suggested it when she was having difficulty on chemo number 3 finding a vein. The oncologist came to see me while having the 4th Chemo and i had got myself really worked up about it and was in floods of tears, he examined my arm and realised that even the vein where blood was taken from was solid and he said they would struggle getting blood and also my arm ached constantly. The Groshong line is similar to the hickman line its just the valve on the end of the line that differs i think.
It was not a very pleasent procedure having it put it but it was most deffinately worth it, the rest of chemo was so much easier. It does need cleaning and flushing weekly but i was taught to do this myself which is very easy, but i usually let my husband do it. It doesnt effect my sleep, only at the beginning until it settled down when it was still a bit sore but now i dont notice it being there at all. Only downfall cant go swimming.
Overall I am really pleased with it and have no regrets having it put in as my veins still have not recovered.
I would definately ask about it.
Hope this helps Rachel
Hi to all your girls who live near to Dewsbury/Mirfield
I feel like we have our own little pose. It really is amazing how many people are being daignosed at such young ages but at least we know we aren’t alone.
Hi Carrie i hope you go on alright with your next chemo i too started to have problems with them getting my veins towards the end so i can’t blame you worrying about the herceptin aswell, i didn’t need herceptin as i was her2 negative ( i think that’s the right way lol) i get easily confused. But i think if i were you i would certainly ask the question about the groshong or hickman line.
I have finished all my treatment and you will be there before you know it. Mammogram clear after the first year so yes its a big relief.
Hi Rachel it sounds like you were glad that you had your line put in and i hope you go on alright with the rest of your treatment
Hi Karen you only have a year on me so thats not that bad is it wishing you well with the rest of your treatment
You will all get there before you know it. Stay strong and rest and let people take over your stresses and strains
Take Care and Best Wishes to you all
Make sure you all keep in touch
JanWxxxxxx
Hi all
Just checking in too and wondering how everyone is doing. I am having an OK-ish week although yesterday I was supposed to go to a relaxation session at Dews Hosp and was really looking forward to it but then chemo brain took over yesterday and I completely forgot to go!! I was so disappointed as it was just what I needed. I also forgot my pin number at the bank - 15 years i have had the same number and my mind just went blank… Also I went to choose a wig this week at HairPlus in Leeds. I wasn’t expecting to be impressed as the brochure didn’t look great but I got a pleasant surprise and found one not too unlike my real hair. So. All in all a much better week - thank god for these third weeks of the chemo cycle, I’ve been able to go out and see friends again… shame I’m back in again on Tues for chemo no.4 but I guess it’s another one down!!
Thanks Jan for the support and reminding us that we’ll all be through it soon!! I can’t wait… it will be like christmas all over again!
Thanks Rachel lfor advice on groshong line - have appt on Monday prior to chemo so will ask whether it’s an option for me - really hope so as I can’t bear the thought of more pain on Tuesday - i cried all the way through my last chemo! gulp… must be brave next time!
Anyway, hope everyone is well. Carrie x
hi to all the locals
i start my AC chemo today…10 am…as you can imagine my stomach is in knots.hubby and i are going for a big fat-busting greasy cooked breakfast at the local cafe on the way to chemo…heres hoping i don’t see it come back today.will let you know my experiences.
love karen
Good Lord!!!
What a bunch we have in the Dewsbury area.
I am from Thornhill.
I had my surgery at Pontefract. First op Mr Palmer. WLE then Mr Ali for lymph node clearance. My Oncologist is Dr.Kumar. Breast Care Nurse, Debbie.
I also have two friends in Ossett had Breast Cancer the year before me. They didn’t need Chem so consider themselves lucky.
I have been to Dewsbury this week for my second mammogram. Just waiting for results…
Sorry everyone didn’t finish my last post but wanted to say.
I had my Chem at Dewsbury and they were wonderful. I had my favourite nurse Katherine who never blew a vein.
I managed to work throughout my treatment ( 6 EC)
Karen don’t be frightened it is scary the first time as you don’t know what to expect. The nurse sits with you. She will insert a saline drip which they then put the drugs into the drip with the saline a bit at a time. It can take a while but you just sit and relax. I never felt sick just didn’t fancy anything to eat. I would walk around Tesco’s trying to find something to tempt me.
Katherine only worked on Thursdays and the rest of the time she worked as a nurse on a surgical ward at Dewsbury. I wrote a letter to the senior staff telling them she has made my Chemo much easier and hoped it would help get her a permanent job on the Chemo Ward.
Do let us all know how you get on. I will report back on my results when I get them.
Love to you all.
Jugsy