I’m going to have FECT. I know it’s the unknown and like you said it affects people in so many different ways it’s hard. Are you having radiotherapy after? And always here for all you lovely ladies as you are giving me strength to get through this and I hope I can do the same for you xxxxxx
Still no word from jakeb? Xxxx
I’m having12 weekly paclitaxol (taxol) - some ladies have this one after FEC-T, but I’m not having the FEC-T and this is because I didn’t need chemo until they found my stage and grade 1 cancer was very unusually her2+ which was a real shock. I need herceptin but to have that you have to have chemo so they are giving me the weaker taxol only - although still has many side effects. Did you get the flushed face Nico - I usually have it for a day after chemo - looks like I’ve had a couple bottles of wine! Wishful thinking.
Jakeb hope you’re ok xxx
Hi Lovely Ladies
I’ve been to see the oncologist today and am having the same as you are Carolec - 12 weekly Paclitaxol followed by Herceptin. I also have a relatively small invasive element but it is Grade 3 and HER +. I was told that if you start the chemo and really cannot cope with it you can stop but still continue receiving the Herceptin. No research has been done on the use of chemo and Herceptin in small (less than 1cm tumours) so they don’t really know if chemo is necessary but it’s the way it prescribed on the NHS. It just makes you think how important cancer research is so others might not have to go through chemo if it’s really not necessary.
It’s strange but I feel so much more positive than I thought I would. I feel like I have a plan now and an end is in sight. I feel more in control, more like it is my decision to have the chemo and Herceptin. Almost like it is an investment or insurance policy for the future. Does that make sense?
I start on 28th August. Eek! Two weeks today. Two weeks to fret and stock up on nice tasting meals! And worry about my hair ?
Bevster - I’ve just ordered some frozen mango cubes in my online shop. Thanks for that tip!
Have you decided about your hair yet Sarahd? The BCN said today that I should get my long, thick hair cut.
Best of luck to you all. Keep us updated on how your first sessions go. Thinking of you all xxxx
I start mine on 28 August in Calderdale anyone else in this area. I am having my PICC fitted a few days before. It’s been a whirlwind but we all have to keep our chins up. Dreading the PICC line being fitted I am a complete wush and needles well my legs just buckle. Has anyone had one fitted how long does it take and does it hurt. I had my mastectomy lymph node clearance 16 July. The operation went well and I am healing well. I am having EC 3x3 then taxol finish 4 December if all goes to plan
I asked to try cold cap but because I have COPD oncologist said I would not stand the cold so I have been on line ordering headgear etc. roll on Christmas!!
Is anyone going to be having the same or similar treatment as me? Neoadjuvant chemo AC-T (eight two-weekly cycles), then mastectomy and lymph node clearance?
My chemo starts on Wednesday. I asked my oncologist about PICCs, etc, but says she wants to try my veins first. Let’s see how it goes. I’ve come up to Glasgow from London this weekend to spend some time with my elderly parents before I start chemo. Am planning to run through all the details with them this morning, which will be sad. On the upside, I’ll have bacon and eggs cooked for me!
Hi Poniente
I am in Pontefract so not a million miles from you. I’ve had my treatment at Pinderfields so far and it will be Pontefract for the chemotherapy. Best of luck with the line.
Brave scholar - telling my parents was one of the hardest bits for me. It’s horrible. I could see my mum just wanted to take the pain for me and was asking herself why it was me and not her. I’m sure the more information you can give them the better they will feel about it. Often the fear of the unknown with cancer is worse than the reality. Hope it goes ok. xxx
Hi ladies it sounds like we are all having different treatments. It must be so tough to tell your parents. I found it so hard to tell my kids. I lost my dad last September nick and like you glad I didn’t have to tell him. Good luck for weds we will all be thinking of you xxxx
Hi all in the August group
Sadly I will be joining you all for this lovely journey via the Marsden, Surrey if anyone else is based here. I had a stage 1, HER2/ER +ve BC & like a few others this month was told I only need the chemo to get the Herceptin working. After my op, I was upgraded from a grade 2 to a grade 3, which was totally gutting & like being diagnosed all over again. They said I would probably now have been advised to have chemo anyway, although no nodes involved. So off to the Marsden on Weds to hear what I’m in for at the end of the month. Slightly disturbed to hear the other HER+ ladies are having 12 treatments . . . I was told 6 by my surgeon, but may well be joining you for the marathon. That’s quite a lot of freezer time for the cold caps!
Good luck every one. My thoughts are with you all.
lxx
ps someone advised me to get hypnotherapy to help with the ice caps . . Has anyone tried that? I gave up smoking via hypnotherapy years ago & I think if it can help you break a really bad habit like that, maybe it could work??
Good luck, bibi44. Re telling my kids (boys, 16 & 14), I started crying before I’d managed to say a single word. After I told them we just all sat there in silence hugging each other and crying. That was much tougher than telling my parents, which was tough enough. Right, that’s my dose of self pity for the day!
Hi ladies I have been talking to some lovely ladies on a Facebook page called flat friends I asked them for some tips and they suggested to make sure you have an overnight bag packed at all times just in case your temperature goes up. I thought it was a really useful tip. Hi bibi44 so sorry you have had to join us. I think we maybe on the same I’m having 6 treatments of FECT. We will all try and support each other through this. Big hugs to you xxxxxx
Hi ladies wondered if I could join your group , I should be starting chemo end of august , I’m triple negative with node involvement , so it’s 6 x TAC and clearance after chemo , I’ve to have a bone scan Monday , Hickman tues and chemo maybe this fri , I’ve developed a sore throat though , typical so not sure if I’ll be able to have the Hickman fitted or the chemo , be nice to chat to people going through the same thing as I’m a nervous wreck most of the time xxx
Busy week Lisalouw! A few people have said the worst bit is the worry before you start. I know I am in panic/stress warp 10 at the moment. I wake up in the middle of the night with chemo drug names swirling round my brain & I don’t think that’s quite what they mean by ‘chemo brain’! I was so pleased to get out of surgery ground hog day (2 ops in 2 weeks), but then suddenly remembered what comes next… . .
all the the best with everything xx
Hi forestidelady that is a huge help:) thank you I really appreciate your advice. I’ve had a call today to say they are starting on the 26th now and not the 24th! I know it’s only 2 days! But when you build up knowing what day if you know what I mean. Hope you are all ok today xxxxxxxx
Good luck for the 27th big hugs. Hope your bone scan went ok today Lisa xxxx
Yes, Carolec, GCSE results due on Thursday for older boy. Fingers crossed, and well done to your elder daughter on her A levels. I signed the consent form for chemo today. Hair cut tomorrow and all systems go for Thursday. Good luck with the rest of yr chemo.
Hi ladies how are you a this morning? Congratulations to your daughter for her a levels carol. How are you today brave scholar? And bibi 44? Woken up with a sore throat and a ulcer on my tongue! My son down with a cough and a cold. I know I will need to see g.p but can this prevent me starting chemo? Sorry to ask more questions ladies i know you all enough on your mind xxxxx
Aww carol. So you had chemo on Thursday and you were doing all these things the day after? You are one brave and strong lady. I’m so sorry that you are in hospital. How long have they said you will be in there for? I hope they won’t keep you in there too long. I think it’s a woman thing when you have got things to do you want to get them done I know I’m the same. Are they giving you some nice painkillers? Keep strong and you will be out of there in no time xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi everyone , I had my bone scan yesterday so had to spend a day away from my 5 yr old boy which we both didn’t like , it’s makes you radioactive for the day , and now I’m waiting on my Hickman line fitting , it’s all go isn’t no wonder we get run down , chemo fri if my assessment goes ok tomorrow , this will be my second experience of chemo , so I know a little of what to expect , which doesn’t really help the nerves , in fact I’m worse this time round , my surgery was bilateral mastectomy , had 2.2 cm stage 3 , hope everyone doing ok , it will take me a while to get to know everyone , I don’t think anyone else having TAC chemo are they ? Xxx