I found a lump 20th June 25. Had an appointment beginning of July had scan and mammogram and Biopsy done in both breasts and lymph the same time.
The results confirmed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with lymph involvement, ER PR + And HER2 Negative.
I had surgery 4 weeks ago Lumpectomy and Axillary Clearance. The results were Grade 2 35mm, margins clear. And the 14 nodes removed 10 had cancer.
I am worried about chemo as the surgery used the fraze ''we are going to throw the kitchen sink at you" I am thinking this means that the chemo will be aggressive? Can anyone share light on this please? I am 37 and have a 14 and 7 year old.
Does anyone know where I can get Wigs from etc?
Not sure on cold cap yet will know more after my oncology appointment on October 1st. I am worried about chemo.
Hi,
I am sorry you are going through this. I remember the early days and they are so traumatic. I can inform you of my treatment plan as I suspect yours may be similar. I was diagnosed in Jan 23 with a 25mm grade 3, ER and PR+ her2 negative, invasive ductal carcinoma with 2 affected lymph nodes. My treatment journey following lumpectomy and node clearance was:
Six rounds of chemo, 3 weekly commenced in April.
I started on 6 monthly infusions of bisophosphates with my 4th chemo. These are given 6 monthly for 3 years and reduce risk of bone metastases.
Five consecutive days of radiotherapy. Commenced in August.
Started Letrozole in August - a ten year course.
Commenced Abemaciclib in October. This is a relatively new drug giving to high risk breast cancer women for 2 years.
I hope this treatment plan doesn’t overwhelm you. It is doable and I have six weeks left of the Abemaciclib, last zometa infusion due in December and I am continuing Letrozole for 8 more years. I have lived and am living a full life. I am not going to say there have not been hiccups along the way but I remain cancer free. Your oncologist will provide you with your treatment plan, he is on your side although I wasn’t happy with him when he informed me of my proposed cancer treatments.
I wish you well, this site is good and if you are prescribed Abemaciclib there is a good facebook group.
Hi, the chemo was every 3 weeks. There is a monthly chemo thread on here or Macmillans site so you will be able to join that and share your experience with others that are going through the treatment at the same time.
I retired at 60, the following year I developed breast cancer. However I continued looking after grandchildren and cycled and walked with friends. The week following chemotherapy I was floored, but I picked myself up and continued with normal life. When on Docataxel chemo you take steroids and I would blitz the house when on the steroids as I knew when they finished I would crash. This time passes quickly. Prioritise yourself and your health, except help, you will get through it. It is doable. We are strong women.
Hi @kjg,
Don’t worry too much about the chemo-most people sail through it. The chemo is called EC and is given every 3 wks-you’ll only be at the hospital for half a day when having it. On the 3rd day after, you’ll feel like you’ve been hit by a bus-but just try to rest and get help with the children. This lasts about 3-4 days then you’ll feel quite normal till the next one. I was in the same position as you 2 yrs ago, nearly identical diagnosis! But I’m 57 so I took early retirement. Think I could work part time if I had an office job but I wouldn’t be able to do my very stressful, physical job again. The meds after all the treatments are finished aren’t fun but you’ll learn to manage them. Keep active when u can but give in when a “fatigue day” hits!! Hope u have lots of support around you. And keep asking all your questions on this forum-it’s a god send!!
Take care xxx
Hi Jo
So sorry you are here with us all,but we are in it together.
I had invasive ductal carcinoma 5 years ago and this year diagnosed again,this time triple negative,so have had a lot of treatment.
First time I had surgery then chemo,FEC, six rounds.Ill be honest I had a rough time and could not have worked (nurse).The hospital didn’t mange my anti sickness meds very well until cycle 5,so I was very nauseous pretty much the whole cycle.I did manage 6 cycles though so sure you can too.i then had 4 weeks radiotherapy then Tamoxifen.
Re cold cap I didn’t use it first time but this time I did.I found it manageable initially but my chemo days where really long 6-8 hours so in the end it was a relief to get it off.
Unfortunately my hair shedded and I ended up shaving it off as I couldn’t manage it.
This time I have triple neg tumour had mastectomy and chemo was docetaxel and carboplatin.Different experience and different side effects.i would say whilst it was tough I was properly managed this time.I changed my oncologist after last time and she is amazing.
You will feel so overwhelmed but you will get there,one day at a time and take any help you can.We didn’t have much help with our son (who is now 10) but we managed.
Sending hugs and remember you aren’t alone x
Thank you. Lucky I have support around me just a worry with the children seeing me like that.
I work in an office and they are starting hybrid working so hopefully I will be ok to work at home some days. I feel achy now and I have not even started chemo.
Left lumpectomy and my right shoulder /arm is aching not sure why but it’s frustrating to say the least @moobloo I hope you are well and enjoying retirement xx
@jowels thanks for your message.
I am so sorry to hear that you have recently been diagnosed again with Triple negative.
I think I will give cold cap a go, my youngest has said she doesn’t want me to loose my hair, but I have had a chat with her and reassured her, that it’s only hair and it will grow back and it will get me better.
I hope you are ok and have a support network this time around. Take care thank you x
Hi @kjg
Forgot to tell u about the nausea. They will give u 2 anti sickness meds before, during and after chemo which are brilliant! I wasn’t sick at all. And another one incase u still get some nausea but I only had to take it once. Just make sure that u take it all properly as prescribed. I didn’t feel like eating healthy though so just lived on toast, crisps and chips!! But it’s only for a few days x
Hi Kjg
Thank you hun I have
Yes,give the cold cap a go and see how it goes you never know.Take paracetamol before hand if you can and take a plain unscented conditioner in with you (I used fairy in nature or simple )
Sending lots of postivity and love your way xx
Hi An amazing Wig experience at Hair Plus in Victoria Quarter Leeds. Sue changed my world from feeling not myself due to hair loss to a bright faced alive again feeling! The wigs are fantastic I was a hairdresser for 50 years and so fussy, very impressed with the quality. The cost is £80 for a £300 wig with the concession paid by NHS. Will put photo on if I can work out how to do it. The whole process of cancer is pretty rubbish from OK days to the worst symptoms.We are left to cope alone as talking helps a lot but we are alone with responsibilities from cooking, shopping, cleaning,self care, try open a can or a jar or even the flipping foil on tablets!! BUT you do get through each process. Keep going keep positive cry and accept this is shit feel sorry for yourself (you have earned the right) then rise again and get another day forward a step at a time. You are not alone. X
AHH that’s amazing. Leeds is a bit far for me as I am in South Wales. I will hopefully get some recommendations when I go for my first oncologist appointment next week. I am yet to have that but I’m hoping after that appointment I will know when I will be starting treatment Nd receive the voucher to go towards a wig. Xx @elle1 thank you it’s good to know I’m not going insane with my emotions all over place and the worry of not knowing x
I found cold cap ok. Was worried about the effect. I just felt for the first 10 mins I was going to start a headache then it went off. Worried it hadn’t worked properly but had ice crystals on my head when they took it off.
@kjg just wondering did you have a CT scan following your results I have 4 out of 17 nodes taken showing positive so now have ct scan before oncology app and am so worried!!
@kjg thanks for the reply I’m trying to be positive I just want to get on with treatment il be having chemo and radiotherapy too, just chatting on here with people who understand helps so much I’ve had my surgery I knew prior I had one positive lymph but after surgery frond out it was 4 out of 17 so they said 4 or more meant CT to check for spread, the nurse did say if it had been 3 I wouldn’t be having it so not to worry xx
I hope your treatment is going ok x
It’s all really scary and an emotional rollercoaster. I had CT before surgery didn’t go for another after. Not sure why yours is done the other way, but I see that as a positive being extra sure.
Definitely keep asking questions on here. I find it overwhelming sometimes but it really does help with everyone on here as we can all help and support eachother as much as possible.
Do you know what treatment you are having?
I’m on 4xEc fortnightly then 4xpax fortunately.
First one went ok thank you. I also did cold cap. Xx
not sure why but it’s frustrating to say the least
it’s good to know I’m not going insane with my emotions all over place and the worry of not knowing x
xx