I have been on the forums over the last few weeks and have found them very helpful and positive,
I was diagnosed with BC on 9th Oct.9mm tumour, no spread after lumpectomy. I have private health care through work, so all moved VERY fast. Lumpectomy on 13th Oct, Part pathology 16th Oct, all removed with good clear margins and no spread to lymph nodes, the cancer was grade 3 (not surprised given my age). The whole thing was picked up on a BUPA medical , tumour was not felt at all so thank goodness they found it!! BUT a HUGE shock.
So tonight I went to see my oncologist to see what treatment I need and I am having 8 cycles 4 of Epirubican and 4 of CMF - then radiotherapy. My cancer was not hormone receptor which concerns me a bit.
Anyway I don’t mind losing my hair and all that, but i am VERY vomit phobic and a bit scared so i would love to hear all your positive stories and hope tp have some words of wisdom for others at some time too.
Whilst you await replies you may find the following thread useful to read, it has been compiled by users who have undergone chemo and it’s a really helpful thread of tips, you can read it via this link or go to the first page of the discussions and it’s there called ‘Top tips to help get you through chemo’:
You may also find it helpful to call our helpline where you will be able to talk to someone in confidence about any concerns you have. Our helpline is on 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2.
Hi Buella
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glad you were treated with such speed, i started my chemo on 17th Oct and although i was sick the first night it was only once, i told my onc and she changed my meds, i had my second epi on 31st Oct and i have had no sickness or ill feeling whatsoever, it’s frightening not knowing what to expect but it is doable, and everyone on these threads are great and so informative, just remember if you are sick let your BCN now they will do all they can to help you,
good luck and chin up
Shirl
Hi Buella
Our diagnosis sounds similar - i was dx on 9th Sept, 15mm, grade 3, no nodes involved and triple negative. I will be starting Epi & CMF in a couple of weeks, no definate date yet. i can’t offer any experiences of chemo yet having not started but just to say that i’m sure both of us will receive lots of support and advice from this wonderful site and i wish you all the best. I have read many posts where it has said that the anti sickness drugs they give are extremely effective and that we are not to remain silent if we are having awful side effect so speak out - i intend too !!
Good luck
xx
Hi
I have a similar diagnosis to you - diagnosed June 08 :triple negative, WLE, negative nodes and on E-CMF chemo. I have just had one cycle of CMF and found it easier than the epirubicin. Most side effects can be controlled with anti-sickness meds, anti-diahorrea meds, mouthwashes etc. You will be fine once you get started and start crossing off the treatments. Are you on the TACT2 trial?
Good luck
Annie
Hi there,
just to reassure you that you will not necessarily be sick. I have felt a bit queezy at times but nothin to bad. Just an unquenchable thirst and frequent bouts of a couple of days of lethargy after each chemo.
Not as up and at it as usual but i didn’t expect to breeze through it entirely
Good luck with it all, I have 2 more to go (CMF now) and looking forward to finishing…it’s a day that seems a long way off when you start…but life lived in bursts of 3 weeks between treatment has got me there
Good luck to you
Gillian