Hallo I am new here. I am due to have a mastectomy on Tuesday and then chemo with a year of Herceptin looking likely. Does this mean that I will be unable to drive or go shopping in that year? I have just taken early retirement from teaching and love being outdoors. Can anyone advise what this treatment is like? Could you get out.?
Many thanks for reading this.
Phoebe01
Hi Phoebe , welcome to the forum , I’ve not had chemo but have spoken to plenty of ladies here who have and although it can be hard on you it certainly won’t have you out of action for a year, plenty of help and advise across the forum and I’m sure someone else will be along soon who can answer any questions you have about chemo Xx Jo
Hi Phoebe,
Welcome tot he forum, there’s loads of support here from those of us who are where you are now, as well as out the other side.
As Jo says. There will be days when you don’t feel up to things, when you need to recover, but you will certainly be able to do the activities you enjoy & need to do.
I did not have chemo, but others will advise on this.
It’s certainly good to be able to carry on your usual activities anyway. Exercise is is good in dealing with it all & there are others here who have or need to continue with work.
Life certainly does not grind to a halt.
ann x
Hi Phoebe and welcome.
Treatment will take a lot of your time throughout the next year, but you will also have time when you can get out and do other things. I had a lumpectomy, so can’t comment on surgery, but I did have chemo. Chemotherapy goes in cycles and typically the first week is the hardest and then the other two are ok so you are definitely able to get out and about.
Best wishes for your surgery next week.
Please come and chat whenever you want
Sue xx
Hi Phoebe, sorry to hear of your diagnosis and welcome to our lovely group. Im 48 and was diagnosed back in March and after 8 rounds of chemo I had a mastectomy and lymph node clearance last week. During chemo the one thing you can do plenty of is walking in the countryside as fresh air and exercise are good for you and you are away from the germs and viruses of indoor places. I did lots of walking during chemo and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just be realistic about distance as you may not have as much energy and stamina during chemo so choose shorter walks and stop and take in the views. I avoided shopping malls due the density of people indoors and risk of catching viruses but if you pick quieter times you may be able to hop in one or two shops now and then. I always took my thermometer, a snack and drink of water and my medical notes with me everywhere. With regard to driving, I think that is a personal choice based on how you feel so wait and see. You can read up on the driving laws on the government website. As far as I am aware only brain cancer excludes you from driving. I have also continued to work full time from home during chemo with occasional sick days. Having something to entertain your mind certainly helps as long as it doesn’t add stress. Hope this helps. Best wishes to you. ?
Hi Phoebe , welcome to this very special group of ladies. Good luck with your op, and the chemo to follow. You don’t say what chemo , or how many cycles. Chemo is cumulative and so each cycle will have progressively worse side effects. The other thing to remember is that everyone is very very different. I can’t stress that strongly enough. People may have the same diagnosis and treatment plan as you, but your body will react totally differently. Your medical team will encourage you to exercise, eat healthily and listen to your body. As Mai says, walking in the fresh air is a definite bonus . I walked every day when able. I made an especial effort after I had my GSF injections as my nurse said it would reduce muscle cramps, and it did. I was physically able to drive, but chose not to as mentally my concentration was not wonderful. I certainly couldn’t have worked during parts of chemo, especially in the latter cycles, so I was pleased to be retired . I have no experience of Herceptin, but I’m sure other ladies will advise. I would advise you to join the monthly chemo group once you get your dates. You will meet others going through treatment at the same time and will pick up buddies who will be your strength as you journey together. There are lots of information leaflets on here which would help you at different stages. ?X
Hi was diagnosis with her2 type breast cancer a few weeks ago big shock. I’ve had my surgery so am just waiting for dates to start my chemo and other treatments.
Is there any advice for getting yourself ready for chemo
Hallo! I’m from Macedonia and I’m sorry for my bad english. Five years ago my mom has breast cancer her2 positive on the left breast. She goes trow surgery-masectomy and chemo. Few days ago she was diagnose breast cancer on opposite breast. Surgery is for 5 days. Can someone tell me please, does she will be ok, what to expect? The tumor is 1,5 sm, tumor markers did not show nothing uncommon, but still the biopsy shows egzistance of cancer. Thank you
Karebear
Sorry to hear but glad you found us. If you look back to my pists CK Chemo Day 1, Day 2 , Day 4 and Day 8 there are things I have written which realky helped me. Im now on cycle 4 with Docetaxol and Herceprtin and they have been manageable. All the best.xxx
Agree with sue c my wife had lumpectamy and is on her 2nd course of chemo the first 4/5 days are crap for her I won’t lie but then it gets better and we do get out Wen she is having a “good” day, walking on beach down the local etc.
Stay strong and you will get through this x
Hi there , just to add to what the other lovely ladies have said , I had chemo and a year of herceptin , definitely walking and trying to be as “ normal “ as possible really helped me, I am self employed and worked for most of the treatment, Herceptin was very tolerable and I had a nurse come to my home every 3 weeks to give it, then I would leave for work ! Please tell your onc and nurses if you have side effects from the chemo as there are some helpful things they can give you- emend for the nausea is very good , although you may not experience it, I did on cycle one for the first few days and cycle two I was given it and it stopped it entirely .
Set yourself small treats, I used to go to the village pub Saturday early evening when it was quieter and it really helped seeing people and getting out!
Wishing you all the very best , it seems like it will go on for ever but the year does go past quickly and the herceptin finished - personally I had no side effects at all from this apart from thin eyelashes !?
Hello,
I had surgery first but then chemo, Herceptin for a year and rads.
You will certainly be able to drive but I would not drive yourself from your first round until you know how you will feel. You might have high levels of anxiety or nerves but the chemo does not make your mind dull like alcohol does.
I stayed away from people unless it was my “good week” that is about 5 or 6 days before your next round. I did not want to risk an infection and luckily I never had one. People I know that went out to lunch or the pub to cheer themselves up ended up in hospital so I am glad I was careful.
I took Claritin hay fever tablets every day throughout chemo and Herceptin and did not suffer a fraction of the problems other people had. This is why I took them:
myangrycancer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/claritin-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold.html
I have to take hay fever tablets anyway (only in summer usually) so just switched to this brand.
I also used the cold cap and never needed a wig.
pTNM classification:pT2 multi , pN3a, pMx, pR0, pLV1.
ER/PR- ; HER3+; ki-67-25%
Hello!
My mother has invasive carcinoma GRADE 3,
pTNM classification:pT2 multi , pN3a, pMx, pR0, pLV1.
ER/PR- ; HER3+; ki-67-25%
what stage?, what is the hope of survival in one year, three year