I’m starting chemo on Friday 17th March, subject to Endopredict results on Tuesday 14th. But my oncologist reckons 70% sure I’ll need chemo…
I’m 47, my cancer is IDC, 2.5cm grade 3 (agressive little bugger) ER positive, Her2neg, one positive node. So I have joys of radiotherpapy and tamoxifen to come too.
Chemo regime will be 3 X FEC then 3 X T
My lumpectomy was end of January so I am desperate to get started (whilst also dreading it!)
Looking forward to support each other and sharing stories.
Thats my first week over - feel like I am counting down the days and weeks - it’s gone slowly, but I’ve been ok - Wednesday night I was so tired and yesterday had an upset stomach - so not a bad week. It is difficult to know what to expect and how your body will cope. I want to get on with my life and at the moment seem to be waiting… and the finish line seems a long way off. Sometimes I feel angry and frustrated and take it out on my family - they’re very supportive and I know they are worried about me and don’t know what to do. I keep reminding myself that the cancer has been removed and this is all preventative - it’s worth a few months of my life to stop it returning. I don’t like not being in control of my life and not being able to do the things I want to. It’s now 5 weeks since my surgery so I’ll soon be able to do my normal housework - oh the simple things in life - never thought I’d be looking forward to that! For the newbies I would say that the chemotherapy treatment was not scary, but not knowing how you will react is the difficult bit - hope it goes well for everyone getting treatment this week xx Keep thinking of sunshine and restful places with a good book, good company and a nice cocktail - mine’s a French martini:relaxed:
Hi moonstruck lou green Helen rachael Elizabeth and rachael 14 and all you other lovely ladies … had my first chemo on Tuesday this week ,i was very nervious was but not as bad as I thought… The nurse was really very nice very surportive … I went straight home after as I felt as though I got a hangover a very fuzzy head and got into bed … but the few days after just felt slightly nausea but very tired … feeling a little better today as I surpose feeling lucky that it’s not been as bad as some people react to the chemo … I am just a little constipated but eating lots of fruit and vegetables drink prune juice which is horrible … hope all goes well on you lovely ladies treatments … iam so glad to speak to you all ., as we can understand what we are all going through and it’s lovely to share each others experience so it helps each other through this horrible journey. … always here for you lou green any time you need a chat … And thank you rachael Elizabeth for your kind words … sending love and hugs to everyone. … sorry just one top tip I drank 2-3 ltrs of water the day before chemo on the day and still doing it do not sure if that’s helped xxx ?
Welcome cartwheels and Helen sorry that you are here but hopefully this forum will help in some way … wishing you both luck in this horrible journey and by sharing things helps us all xx sending hugs x Angie
Hi Everyone and welcome to the new folk - it’s amazing how many we are - good to have people to talk to who are going through the same thing and can share their experiences - I find it very frustrating - in the mornings I feel ok and do bits and pieces around the house, but by the afternoon I’m tired again! I was told that drinking lots of water the day before chemo was good too. Cartwheels and meash67mosh we have the same regime - 1 week down for me. I am sleeping a lot - about 10 hours a night plus a nap sometimes in the afternoon! Hope everyone has a good weekend and feels ok. Lou - a French martini is vodka, chambord and pineapple juice - let ill looking forward to one xx
Hi everyone. I am not a March chemo starter but will be April/May. Waiting for op but thought I would try and find out as much about chemo as I could so then I would be prepared. I am writing down hints and tips so please share as you go on through your treatment! I will keep on eye on this thread and wish you all well. Lots of hugs lovely ladies !!
Hi ladies thanks for the welcome. I just want to get on with it now and like moonstruck said get my life back and feel in control again. Since the 15th December I feel like I’m been living in some sort of bad dream. I’m sorry to see there are so many of us going through this, it really helps talking to others in the same position. Some of you have mentioned cocktails and sunshine, as soon as this treatment is done we are getting on a plane with our 2 children and heading for the sun!
Good luck for those starting chemo next week. Helen
I’m 46, starting chemo tomorrow, 12 x weekly Taxol. I have IDC in my right armpit, nodes were supposedly clear after lumpectomy but a micro mestasis was found during Endopredict and I got a score of 3.7 so chemo for me.
I didn’t fast but am trying cold capping and got myself Elastogel gloves and slippers. I’ve been told it’s ok (by oncologist) to continue to take vitamin D3, B6 and bio curcumin - anyone else taking these?
I’m told Taxol is manageable but still really scared. I managed to get anti anxiety meds, I hope they help tomorrow. Got tons of stuff to help me prepare, Evonail for nails and Biotene mouthwash etc. I’ve found forums really helpful and lots more info than I get from medics.
Hi all I had my first chemo on Friday 10th march at Torbay hospital. I have 7 primary ductile tumours one in lymph node left arm. My largest one is 9cm in left breast. Before January I couldn’t even feel a lump then it blew up pretty much over night. I had chemo for acute myeloid leukaemia 10 years ago I guess it’s a gift that keeps on giving for me. Anyway just wanted to say hi and good luck… I was never good at opening up a conversation lol xx
Hi everyone - welcome to the newbies and hope that those who have just had their first session are doing ok. Meash67mash - as everyone says, the waiting is the worst bit - you’re doing the right thing and keeping yourself busy and getting organised - sometimes you want to talk about it and other times you want to be distracted and forget and do normal things in your life - do what you want to do. I have a lot of supportive friends and family but some of them don’t know what to do or say, whereas others ask lots of questions and make me laugh. I’m sure you’ll get your date soon - they don’t hang about! Big hugs to everyone x
Hi ladies,
Hope you all doing OK . I’m just counting down the days until Thursday, I just want to get on with it. Some of you have mentioned fasting, is this for religious beliefs or have I missed something? I’ve stocked up the food cupboards and emptied the washing and ironing baskets and tomorrow I’m having my long hair cut. I feel about as prepared as I can be, I’ve also got tons of bottled water in so I can keep track of how much I’m drinking.
Lou you sound very positive, the spring weather helps me to feel good. Best wishes to all Helen x
Hey blue ash - what fasting regime did you do? I am considering this as I am experiencing neuropathy - tingling hands and feet - after first infusion of taxol. Very disappointed as I’d worn cold mitts and slippers too! I’ve fasted on 5:2 before but that’s it. As I have weekly chemo think 48 hrs might mean too much weight loss?
Thanks Sue for the info regarding fasting.
I think I’m all set for tomorrow. I washed my hair last night and rinsed in very cold water practising for the cold cap tomorrow! I think I’m most nervous about how that is going to feel than the actual treatment. Just want to get on with it, I will let you ladies know how it goes. Helen xx
I am having 4 cycles of EC , followed by 4 Docetaxel followed by another 4 of EC. The consultant at Guys recommended chemo first before surgery. However the doctor at my local hospital suggested having the surgery first. Am wondering which would be better. Having a lot of breast pain and have just started chemo…apart from mouth sores and sickness on the first evening I’ve been ok, though it’s early days.
Afternoon, I’ve been for an update on my CT, Bone & MRI scans today, thankfully Bone & CT all clear
My treatment plan is to have chemo first, so now waiting for Oncology appt about starting, not sure if the first session will be in March or early April but thought I’d join in here anyway ! Will be having Mastectomy after chemo.
Having my treatment at Colchester, anyone else on here at that hospital ? xx
Maybe it’s just me but I found ice cap fine - didn’t bother me at all! On taxol it’s 2 hours max which may help but it didn’t bother me. Good luck tomorrow!
Dear pate1
I am no expert but believe the benefit of chemo first is it can shrink the tumour to make surgery easier? Mine turned out bigger than it looked on scans so it wasn’t an option for me. Ask them to explain to you the benefits/drawbacks of each approach? So tough making these decisions!
Hi TSSTOCK70
Im also at Colchester. Its been a long wait for me so far. I have been today for latest test results. Chemo due to start week after next xx
Hi Tessa really nice to hear from a fellow Colchester hospital patient. I saw Dr today and have to have more blood tests tomorrow. We are waiting on some results before chemo starts but i was told today itll definitely start week after next the latest. Im scared but VERY keen to get started. I just want this thing gone. I dont really know what to expect from chemo, plus I dont yet know what im having… did you go for a wig? Im still undecided.
Linda xx
Thanks Tessa thats interesting about the wig. I think my biggest fear is itll look fake but the BC nurses keep telling me ill be surprised when i do try one on.
Really glad to hear youre coping ok with treatment so far. I hope to be able to say the same myself soon
Linda xx
