August 2019 Chemo Starters

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy monthly threads
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This thread is for anyone due to start chemotherapy in August 2019.  Others will be here soon but please come on here and introduce yourself and you can all help one another through this phase of your treatment.  If you have any questions please post away on here and others in the community will watch over you whilst you are getting started.  Once you are into it you’ll be pretty good at helping each other.  You can also ask the nurses on this forum if you have any concerns.  In the meantime, the top tip is always to stay well hydrated throughout chemo, aiming for 2 litres of water per day.

 

Here is the BCC guide on chemo:

breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-treatment…

 

I finished my chemo over a year ago and doing very well again now.  Here is my story which has some chemo tips on how I coped which were collectively shared from others who had gone through the same from this forum: lifeafterlola.com/

 

Best wishes xx

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Hi @Mai7  

Thank you for getting in touch. I am sorry you’ve not yet had a response to your comment. I’m sure someone will be along shortly to continue the conversation. 

Kind regards,

Shareena 

Social Media Officer

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Hi New here not sure how it works…I had my mastectomy in June and lymph node surgery July I was offered chemo and due to start… in few weeks…which I’m unsure of as I was told it was my decision to take treatment 

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Hi

I have joined this thread as I might be starting chemo in late August or early September.  I was recalled from screening at the beginning of May.  To all intents it was DCIS but on histology showed a small (11mm) Grade 3 in the middle of it.  I found out today that nodes were clear so am hopeful that it has all been removed.  Sadly it is TNBC so only chemo and radiotherapy as treatment options but I remain positive that this will work given that it seems to have been caught early.  It has been a long three months but the care I have had is excellent.  Just need to get on with this now and get this thing sorted.  Hope that we will be able to support each other through this challenging time. xx

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Hi All,

 

Another newbie here - I had my first chemo this morning so just made it to the August group :slight_smile: Writing this slightly whoozy in my bed, as it feels like the side effects are just kicking in, currently feeling as if I have I downed an inadvisable number of gin and tonics over lunch time - head is a bit fuzzy, a little touch of nausea and everything is a wee bit slow and befuddled. 

 

I was diagnosed in April with hormone positive lobular cancer, had a mastectomy and immediate implant reconstruction in May, and they found macromets in a node, so this was followed by full node clearance at the end of June. Luckily other nodes were clear - I was borderline for chemo and they had discussed the Optima trial (the tumour would be sent for the Prosigna test to determine likely benefit of chemo) with me before realising I was too young (to go on the trial you need to be over 40 and I’m 36), so after getting my CT scan results this Tuesday (full body scan was clear) it was full steam ahead today! I’m on accelerated EC, so 4 fortnightly doses, and then 12 weekly paclitaxel, so feels a long old slog ahead, but I’m pleased to be onto this phase and cracking on with it now, and hoping I get through without too many delays so I’m done for Christmas. 

 

All feels a real unknown about how my body will cope at the moment - cancer aside (ha!) I’m fit and well, and I’ve gotta say it feels very alien to be subjecting my body to something that will make it feel ill, as aside from the obvious physical after affects of surgery and being pretty generally anxious, I’ve been quite ‘well’ through this process so far. I have two young daughters (3 and 6) so home life is hectic. Work wise, I’m a self-employed storyteller and musician running workshops and groups for families, so I’ve had to take a few months off already and dep out my work (I’ve done odd sessions when I can). I’m working on some recording and digital content whilst I’m off regular work, but I’m hoping on better days I might be able to do some sessions, but just trying to take it day by day. Finances aside, it’s so frustrating to be forced away from the job I love and business I’ve built up, but I think I will approach things differently (in a positive way!) when I go back rather than rushing back at full pelt. 

 

Oh, and I went for the big hair chop yesterday and am not cold capping (my raggedy mum hair wasn’t really my crowning glory, and I figured I’d get very frustrated not being able to style, and a wee bit obsessive about watching for shedding, so going to embrace the wigs, scarves and bald look for a while) so will be watching my head with interest and go for the full shave. Quite enjoying my funky short 'do in the interim though!  

 

Sorry, this was a mega post :slight_smile: Look forward to meet you all on here, good luck and love to everyone 

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Hi everyone,

I’m 39 with 2 young boys (5 & 8), diagnosed in April with 8mm IDC, Grade 3, ER+ and HER2-.  I had lumpectomy and sentinel nodes were clear.  Three surgeries later, they couldn’t clear margins, as DCIS and a little more invasive cells were found under the microscope, so I’ll definitely need a mastectomy. 

 

Meanwhile, I have had the oncotype DX test done and this came back at 21 and since I’m under 50 that’s a 6.5% chemo benefit.  Had appointment yesterday with oncologist and I start on Thursday 8th Aug…ahhh everything moves so quick and super scared.    I due to have 6 sessions of FEC over 18 weeks - to be reviewed after 4 sessions.  Wondering why I won’t be having FEC-T (oncology ward manager did question this, but seems to have confirmed I’ve not to have the T) Anyone else just having FEC?

 

I’m petrified about losing hair and just realising how much it makes me look like me.  ANyway, I will try cold cap but realistic that it only works for a few people (getting hair chopped on Tuesday afternoon) and wig appointments Tuesday mrn with local shops. Looking at a few sites and wigs are so pricey…anyone heard of these ones  (www.sheswigs.co.uk; www.urhair.co.uk) wigs look nice and good price too compared with some human hair wigs at ££££.

 

Can’t wait to get started on this…so I can get it over with! Totally know what you mean with the fit and healthy, so weird that all this is going on inside and we can feel completely well.  I’m getting my eyebrows microbladed tonight so hope this looks natural (fingers crossed).

So glad for this support forum…we need all the info and support we can get from each other.

 

xxx

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Hi everyone

 

Got the letter today for my appointment with oncology next week so hopefully will be starting this next bit of the journey in the next couple of weeks.  We have a long weekend away next weekend for our silver wedding so it won’t be before then but should be before the end of August - I hope so in a way as I want to stay in this group.  Feeling nervous and a bit grumpy about it to be honest - seriously worried about my hair (don’t know why as its hardly gorgeous) and if they don’t let me try the cold cap I will be seriously unamused.  Hopefully we can support each other through this and make it just a bit better as a result.  Keep strong and well xx

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Hi everyone.  I managed to post this in the wrong place yesterday, but Community Champion Jill has helped me find the right place.  Hope this finds you now…

 

Having been diagnosed in July, I was originally going to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy followed by radiotherapy.  But when I went for my appointment with the surgeon they’d had more results in that showed my cancer is HER2 positive - which changed things dramatically (I thought I was going to ‘get away’ with having chemo).

 

So now I’ll be having 18 cycles of SACT, including 6 chemo at 3-weekly intervals (although I’m not sure whether the Ontruzant/Herceptin will be at longer intervals once the chemo is over).  I will also be having Zoledronic acid to help bone strength, but only once I have obtained a report from a dentist. There seems to be so much to do and sort out!

 

I had my first chemo last week (Weds 7th) and was fine for first couple of days, but have felt very nauseous (only been sick once) and nasty ‘other end’ business for the last 3 days.  Has anyone else been able to identify a pattern of good and bad days?  I had to have another biopsy (lymph nodes) yesterday and it was an early morning appointment, which I think didn’t help at all and I felt awful all day.  SO tired too.

 

Just thought I’d introduce myself and wish everyone else on here the very best of luck with their treatment.  I’m scared, but am trying to remember that the drugs are my friends and that they will be fighting for me against the Evil Lump as we have named it.  Best wishes to all  xx