and all was OK.
I’m starting with 18 weeks of chemo, 6x3 and FEC and TAX. I’m sorry, but I don’t know what that means. Surgery depending on what happens as to what degree, but she’s picked up a lumpy thing tonight under the arm. I already knew the cancer is there because of the biopsies. I’ll have rads for 4 weeks x 5 days and then see what’s what. I’m told it’s not hormone driven so I don’t now what that means either, sorry.
Looks as though things will be moving along in a weeks time. I have notes, but because my hospital notes were missing I couldn’t ask what sort of bc it is. My appt was after hours tonight.
Feeling content, and ready to go :o) x
Hi elttiks,
Attached is a link to the BCC Resource Pack for primary breast cancer, available to order free of charge, which I hope will be useful:
I’m sure forum users will be along soon to offer support but do also remember that the BCC Helpline is there if you need any additional information and/or support, Tel 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
With best wishes,
Anna, BCC Facilitator
Thank you. Order sent :o)
Hi eltticks,
If you have been told you are having 18 wks of chemo it sounds like that is 3 FEC and 3 taxotere - each one is given at 3 weekly intervals. The FEC is Fluorouracil, Epirubicin & cyclophosphamide. I think she then means depending on how the tumour responds to the chemo will dictate the degree of surgery. Sometimes chemo can completely shrink the tumour. The radiotherapy is given each day excl. weekends so I think she is saying that the 4 wks and 5 days means 20 sessions which covers a wide area to take in quite a few lymph nodes in the area, then 5 more sessions more intensely concentrating on the tumour area. Saying your breast cancer is not hormone drive is often expressed as ER/PR negative - you will see that around the posts along with ER/PR + or positive. Those that are positive have 5 years on tamoxifen or other hormonal drugs. I think they will test your tumour eventually to see if it is HER2 positive and if that is the case your chemo would be followed by herceptin which is given 3 weekly for a year. her2 positive tumours can be quite aggressive but since herceptin became available it is very effective in controlling the cancer.
I hope this is the sort of info you are looking for but do ask away and I am sure many members will be posting to support you.
Dawn
xx
Hi Etticks,
There are quite a few chemotherapy threads where you may find support. Some are just starting and others have yet to start. Others on the site have been such a help to me. Having completed the same regimen as you ( also pre surgery), my experience has been ok. It is do-able, hard at times but do-able and side effects don’t last too long between treatments. You do have normality between treatments.
As your notes were not available it may be worth ringing the breast care nurse tomorrow to discuss your notes. You can also request these notes are posted to you ( I am copied into all letters that go to my GP).
I hope all goes well. Have you a start date/ timescale?
Sue
Thanks Ladies, that’s a great help.
I’m sure the notes weren’t available because they are with the breast surgeon while i’m still having scans. She phoned me monday evening and so far things look normal in other places.I wasn’t on the list to see the Onc, it came from a phone call the afternoon before. I need another CT scan, but had to put that off as the date wouldn’t work with the time of the month.
She talked about me meeting the chemo sister on the 7th, and starting on the 8th and yes, that has to be the week I see the mortgage people again, and plan to have that scan. Typical.
Bye for now x