Today would have been the day that I would have received my first chemo. But due to seroma being drained twice weekly and taking around about 120mls off on both, it has been decided to postpone. Hopefully I will get a new starting date today
I know that they have done it for good reasons I really wanted to get this underway but I am really upset that it has been delayed, the treatment time is being prolonged 6 months chemo 3 weeks rads and 1 year heciptin. At this rate the holiday abroad with a group of friends (15 of us) next year will not happen.
Now I am imagining the cancer cells that could be left having a laugh and building up ‘saying were gonna get ya’
Sorry just needed to sound offa built my self up to have the chemo.
I am so sorry you guys are having delays - I was delayed several times during chemo because of low blood cells, so understand where your coming from! As for the hols next year dont worry you can have a break during herceptin! I to have booked a holiday - month in New Zealand! But was told that I could have a break half way through! I have had a WLE on New Years eve then a mastectomy on the 21st Jan, Got more chemo, rads then herceptin and tamoxifen. So I have also got a long haul! BUt what I have learnt is that with the support of this site I can get by and I hope that you can also find the support needed from some of the amazing ladies on this site. Oh the Helplines good to. I should get my chemo dates to day! I have already had 6 x FEC before ops… it is doable
It is normal procedure to have ultra sound scans, ct scans, bone scan and probably when your chemo has finished hey guess what more scans!
Hope this helps. My mast. was 31 January last year and I started chemo 20 April, all due to wound problems. I was soooo anxious, but my onc stressed that it was all OK and that I needed to be healed and fit before starting chemo.
Looking back I can appreciate what he meant, but I know how you both feel. Do everything they say to help you heal, and I hope you start chemo soon (that sounds awful, wishing chemo on someone!!).
Hi Anne
You have made me feel better as i was told chemo had to start within 12 weeks to gain anything. I pointed out if i hadn’t gone to doctor til later i would be outside the dates. They said that don’t count so i believe it may be down to their stats and figs. My consultant is desperate to do skin graft to hurry it up but i cant cope with another op . What was your wound problem and how long did it take to get better. At what stage was you allowed to start chemo. Has it got to be healed completely. Sorry for all q but i am trying to fight off skin graft so much i cancelled my apt last week but will have to go this week. Also what was your diagnosis. Sorry for all q you can tell i am bovvvvvvvvered.
Wheres the sun today.
Julie.
Hiya Julie, sorry for not getting back quicker - gardening (suns out here - Essex).
My problem was that I’d had previous radiotherapy to my right boob (11 years ago) and this made healing very difficult. Had district nurses dress it daily initially but eventually ended up going to the actual hospital, where plastic nurses (sounds good!) helped it along with different dressings - one was seaweed, I believe.
I wasn’t allowed to start until it was healed (dry), and they didn’t give me a date either - just waited for it to heal, then it was all systems go. My BC was 6cm, Grade 2, and I went on to have 4 x AC then 4 x Taxotere. Now on Femara with regular checks and feeling brill.
Hi Anne
Thanks for that reply i think i will ask oncologist Fri when i go. my wound is healing well still wet. i have had district nurses coming daily. now 10 weeks down the line three times a week. they all have liked to try something different and then hospital input i feel i have been in the middle especially when they have contradicted each other.
sun only appeared for a short while here in bedford
thanks again
julie xxxxxx
Every nurse, bless her, had a different idea - eventually the “plastic nurses” who really know their stuff decided to pack it with “seaweed” and left it for over a week, no peeking or pulling about and it healed almost completely during the first week I was in their care. Sorry can’t remember the technical name for the seaweed, but thats what they all called it.
Having been there, I would ask onc if there’s any specialist nurses in plastic surgery to help you out - or what does he think of “seaweed” - love to see his face!!
I REALLY know where you’re coming from. My op was 27th Dec and my chemo should have strated last week, the hole in the op wound is tiny but has leaked like a drain, it is now only leaking a teeny tiny bit and I am hopeful that my new chemo date of 19th will go ahead. It is soooo frustrating, isn’t it?
Hi Louise
my wound is under the boob so to speak nothing so they say to do with area of new skin. it started 10 days after op as a small blister then within 3 days i had amass of them. they fought i was allergic to dressings but as gone on they don’t and haven’t a clue. the wound is about 5 inches long and two inches up if you know what i mean. on the mend now anyway. i may get a date soon although i want one i don’t i am scared. i am really pleased with shape of new boob and glad i went ahead with immediate recon.
have a gt day.
juliex
Hi Sharon,
I know its frustrating. I’ve got a seroma and although they’ve drained it once they don’t want to drain it again as I have to go back into surgery as they haven’t got a clear margin and the need to get the rest of the lymph glands as they have cancer cells so that’ll put me back another month. Its all frustrating and feels like being back at square one plus the fact the seroma is uncomfortable. Just hang on in there and I’m sure you’ll soon get back on track.
Oh Julie that sounds so frustrating, not to say SORE! I am glad you are on the mend but these things seem to take forever, dont they?
I have been back to the GP nurse today and mine is worse! Luckily my McMillan nurse is back from hols so I phoned her and am seeing her at 1pm, she can make a firm recommendation about chemo yes or no for 19th.
The ONC has given a new provision date of 21st Feb but subject to the seroma. (What a birthday I will have). If delayed this time it will have to go to the main man to make the decision if we wait or go ahead.
Its just a bummer really having to wait round. Who said life gets easier - they need shooting.
Hi Louise
thanks for your concern about my wound but i must say i am very lucky as no feeling there due to mastectomy and implant. off to see oncologist tomorrow.
x Julie x
hi just to let you all know that i had my operation in oct 07 and due to infection of implant and having to have it removed i did not start chemo until 18th jan i too was worried but no-one else seemed to be.
good luck Sandra x x
Hi All
just to give update saw oncologist fri said she will wait for wound to heal so no skin graft needed. She did say i might want one for looks in the future… i dont think so its under the boob so to speak i cant see it standing up only when lay down and stick boob out. Anyway given a date for 4th march for check up and poss start chemo then next two weeks. That made it so real now i am scared…
Have a good day all Thick fog and ice here in bedfrodshire.
X julie X