June 2015

So, kind of early, but I like to get organised! Met my oncologist today and got start date of 10th June! (we have a holiday we wanted to still take). Feeling oddly ok now I know when it is going to kick off. Side affects read like a list of horrors, but am doing best to keep positive. Am post surgery, ER+, HER2-, and they got clear margins, however pesky lump was a grade 3, am 34 so they advise me to get this done. So, bring on the summer of poison, I wanted to make sure I dont do this again!

 

 

Hi Vic.
You sound the same as me (except I’m 48!). I too am post surgery, grade 3 HRr+ and HER2+, no node involvement and clear margins. I’m due to start 6 x FEC next Thursday, and again like you unnerved by the list of side effects but trying to stay positive. After chemo 12 months of Herceptin and 10 years of Tamoxifen. I just want to get on with it and am finding the waiting awful again. I’m in the May group but just wanted to say Hi and good luck to you. Enjoy your holiday (we had to cancel ours as it’s bang in the middle of chemo). Take care. Jules xx

Hi jules, hope your doing ok, I know your Chemo is due to start this week so wanted to wish the very best with it and I’m sure in spite of it all you will just be glad to get it underway now,I’ve got my first of 15 days of Rads today and I’m suddenly feeling nervous although I know that’s daft really,not had to go to hospital for 4 weeks and now this just brings it all back but has to be done and I know I’m lucky to get off this lightly! Best of luck to you love xx Jo

Hi Vic I am starting my chemo on the 15th so we will overlap! I had my surgery mid april removal of 2 cancers - was found to be in in 9 of 14 lymph nodes. I’m having 6 sessions of FEC-T followed by pills - and yes the list of side effects is awesome so I’m ignoring it :slight_smile: Have a lovely holiday.

Hi Ellie, just back, so have cracking tan to ruin! Ditto on treatment, FECT for me too. Heart scan done (am so fed up of being topless with strangers!!) and chemo talk on Tuesday ?. Planning handovers etc at work, all getting quite real.

Hi ladies, I’m going to be joining you if thats OK.

I’m 41 and had a mastectomy and SNB in April for a invasive lobular. Turned out it was huge, 15cm, with a ductal cancer in the middle as well - never simple with me! Luckily they’ve both turned out to be G2 and G1, ER and PR positive and HER2 neg, node negative. Oncotype DX on the lobular is also 12 which is great and awaiting results on the other one.

Despite this, due to the size of it, I’m having CXT. Its pretty much been our choice with the oncologist, I’ve got a 2 12 year old and an 11 month old so want anything I can get TBH.

So I start 3 x EC followed by weekly taxol on the 16th. 2 days before my babies first birthday. Think I’ll at least have an excuse not to be baking his cake myself! 

Hi Sar41

Welcome to the BCC forums where you will find support and shared experiences from your fellow users during this difficult time. Our helplines are also on hand weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 on 0808 800 6000 for more practical and emotional support

I am posting a link to the younger women’s area of the site, here you will find information and further support ideas including our ‘Younger women’s forums’ where you can meet up with others to find and share support and experiences, hope this helps:

breastcancercare.org.uk/younger-women

Take care
Lucy BCC

Hi Sar, yup def baking off the list this time! Got chemo talk and scan for pic line later. No idea what to ask as think the doc covered it all.

am not feeling to bad at the mo, think everyone around keeps thinking I might breakdown or something. Dont get me wrong, not looking forward to this starting, but blimey am I happy they caught it…

Hi June girls, I started last week and we set up a closed Facebook group for us may starters which has been invaluable, this forum is fantastic but nice to be able to post photos etc and say exactly what you want in our little group. Good Luck to you all starting this month xx lucy

Feel your pain Vic, I’m doing all that tomorrow except I’m having a Portacath not a PICC down to the fact my toddler pulled my drain out 3 days post op - oops!
Don’t half take over your life but hopefully will be worth it. Know what you mean, I’m not breaking down but have a little teary moment every so often.
Not looking forward to hair loss though however vain that sounds x

On hair loss, nope nor me. Sat looking at wig book…why do they name them??? Am not trying cold cap, onc seem v anti it and my process was if it went patchy, its coming off for me, so why go through the pain. Sarah think porthacath meant to be good. All talking done, tour if unit and scan sorted for picc. That goes in Friday, am planning final weekend with the girls as OH on stag do. Prosecco and fun before all I want is water and bed!

I know, not really sure if I’m a ‘Tiffany’ or a ‘Brandi’, got a wig appointment on Friday so shall let u know lol! Talk done, now just last Oncotype results (and a last minute bone scan), ECHO and line next week and finally get a proper silicone boob, could cheerfully burn my foam one now. Hope your line goes well on Friday and more importantly so does a weekend with the girls. Just think, this time next week you’ll be one down and part of the way there xx

Hi
I will be joining you ladies too. Triple negative, stage 1 grade 3 1.9cm - had lumpectomy twice as no clear margin the first time. Have a chemo start date of 17 June - Have been told it is FEC-T - 4 fec 3 weekly then 12 weekly t, is that the same as everyone else? Feeling like I just want to get started but on the other hand have 3 young children and am worried about how it will affect them? X

Caches hi, am having FECT but 3 x FEC then 3 x T. same attitude, just crack on! The young children, ok toughie, I don’t have kids, but imagine its not wanting to scare them, but also telling them a bit?? Not easy. The MacMillan nurse in my hospital seemed lovely, might be worth asking them how to handle it?

Hi Caches
I’m have 3 x 3 weekly EC then 9 x weekly T starting the day before you. Young kids just seems so grim, I’ve spent more time worrying about how it’ll affect my two than how it’ll affect me. Our local cancer care centre have been a massive help with how to approach things and handle issues. Have you got anything locally that you can access? The main they said though was that they would be fine x

That should have said the “main thing”. Swear my brain has completely gone to mush while I’ve been on mat leave without chucking cancer in the mix.
Roll on October when we can plan our lives without working out when our chemo day is x

Don’t know how you do it ladies, weird to say well done? I get to be selfish and just look after me. Felt odd today…finished work pre chemo starting, I might try to do a bit, but had to do handovers etc. Tomorrow is blood, wig fitting and Hickman line in (picc failed twice ?) so I end the day kinda stoned!

Hi I started Thursday, trip negative having chemo first because thymes want results from BRCA gene tests before surgery. It’s in my lymph nodes under my arm but nowhere else’s. I mainly just feel sickly and tired but I’m only 4 days into it. What else can I look forward to? Got wig fitting Wednesday,.

Hi NMT
The still waiting for results must be frustrating for you but hopefully starting chemo has been a weird kind of relief, do you feel like things are moving forward? Hope you’re still feeling relatively ok today.
Vic, fingers crossed your Hickman went in ok, bet you feel like a pin cushion!
I tried wigs on Friday and was most disappointed that I seem to be a ‘Caroline’. Was hoping for something a bit more exotic lol x

Cheers sat, sat at home with one Hickman Line done. Oddest sensation ever, but chemo nurses seem happy it is in.