I have started chemo I am 1/4 way through 2nd dose. I thought I would be feeling better now, as I was on day 6 from the first dose. But my bones ache like I have the flu. The arm where they put in the chemo feels bruised and seems to be moving up my arm by the day. I have been reading all the info on here this morning, and I am even more worried now about what I am going through, with reading all your stories. I really want to get better but I am so scared. I told someone I used to work with who has gone through breast cancer and lymph node. I told her that I had breast cancer in the right side and under my arm, and she took and sharp intake of breath when I said that. What does that mean? Does that mean I wont get better? that it wont go away. My doc said that I have total of 18 sessions then operation, radio theropathy then probably tablets for several years.
I hope someone would be kind enough to help me out. Sorry I am a whimp about it all, but I am so tearful and scared.
Hi woowoowoo,
I know what your going through, it is scary and chemo makes you feel so low. I’ve just finished chemo I’m in week three of last one, I think the bone ache is normal and gets worse each time as chemo is cumulative, I take paracetamol and brufen when it’s really bad I also find a hot water bottle helps. I was dx grade 3 and had lymph involvement 4 out of 25, I don’t know why your colleague would take a sharp intake of breath a your news especially of she’s gone through it herself, lymph node involvement is quite commen that’s why so many of us have chemo, I know im abit sensitive about dx and can perceive things a bit differently than others when people say things to me could it be that? We are so vulnerable and scared and anxious at times. I hooe she can support you.
Your not being a wimp, it’s a scary hard , lonely place to be. And the light at the end of the tunnel can seem a million years away, but you will get there. I can’t believe I’ve actually completed chemo and although its been hard its gone quickly really.
Trust your team they really do know what they are doing and the outlook is good much better than it was 10 years ago even. Your already in the road to getting better , stay on this forum as the support is excellent and everyone understands where you are and how you are feeling. Have you joined a chemo thread? I’m in the August one and they really do give you so much support as everyone going through very similar physical and emotional feelings at the same time. There is a December one running and they would welcome you, look on going through treatments and youl find them. Just remember your not alone, unfortunately there are many of us, wishing you all the best with your treatment xju
Hi. I didn’t want to read and run. I was diagnosed with grade 2 ER+ BC in March this year. It was a 4.5 cm lump and I had a micromet in the lymph node. I chose to do the chemo first as my onc said it would be good to see how well the chemo worked. I had ec90 x3 and then Docetaxyl x 3. I had very few se with the ec90. The tax gave me the bone pain you seem to be experiencing. I read somewhere to take a few painkillers before the chemo to reduce the pain. I did this and the next two were not bad at all. Have a word with your BCN to see what they recommend for you. To give you some reassurance. The chemo did an amazing job for me. It reduced the lump to 2 cm and all that remained was mainly DCIS and a small amount of grade 1. I had a full ANC and no further cancer traces were found. I then didnt need radio therapy. Chemo is good stuff but as hard as it is on your good cells, think what its doing to your bad ones.
As far as the response from your collegue, you dont know what her experience was for her to have that reaction. Ive come out the other side now but my mum was diagnised 2 weeks ago (at 71). When she told me I had a similar reaction to your collegue. Not that im worried for my mum as she is a tough cookie (she has grade 3 and 1 lymph node swollen) but more that it took me back to my own diagnosis and how horrible it felt and I dont want her to go through it.
I hope I have given you some reassurance. Im sure some other lovely ladies will be along soon to share their experiences.
You have come to the right place for support and you will also find practical and emotional support from our helpliners on 0808 800 6000, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2
The following link will take you to the BCC ‘Treatments’ information section where you will find further support ideas too, such as ‘Live chat’ and ‘One to one’ support: