One more thing… They give you the drugs for a reason, do not try to be a hero, take everything they give you. Some of these drugs can make you constipated so have some sennakot in your medicine cupboard.
Found this in another thread. It has 520 signatures, but think we can do better than that!
Free dental checkups and sight tests for cancer patients
Responsible department: Department of Health
All cancer patients should receive free dental check-ups and free sight tests for five years, i.e. during all treatment, as per the prescription exemption certificate received. Especially as chemotherapy is known to cause dental problems, and tamoxifen is known to cause sight problems.
Copy and paste the link below into your address bar:
epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/53515
Pass it on!!!
Hi Girlies,
My name is Cindy, and I better be starting my Chemo in November!
I was diagnosed on 11th Sept and had a WLE and SNB on the 19th. Ive been extremely lucky and everything that needed to be clear was. I was lead to believe that I would be seeing the Oncoligist last week, but my appointment is tomorrow, again the surgeon said treatment would start in a matter of days, but the Onc’s secretey warned me it would be 2/3 weeks!
I have no idea which drugs I’ll be taking but I’ll have 6 x 3weekly cycles, followed by 15 rads and 5 years of hormone therapy. It sounds like some of you already know the drugs - I’ll be reearching all that tomorrow night!
I’m not worried about loosing my hair - I think some girls look stunning bald - I’ll be the exception!! lol but I’m feeling strong enough to give it a whirl - infact my daughter wants to shave it all off! Thanks for the info tho that once you’ve had a treatment you can’t go back!
I love this forum - I trawled some of the August group and think the support we can give each other will be great, here’s to all of us!
Cindy
Also signed and done x
Hi Cindy
Welcome to November xxx I also had a WLE and SNB on sept 11 th but one of my nodes was infected so back I went for a full clearance on Oct 9th but all was clear. My oncology apt is next Wednesday so I will also start my treatment mid November but also not completely sure of treatment and drugs but I think we will be familiar. I know I have 6 chemo treatments one every 3 weeks and then rads and tamoxifen so we will keep each other and all the other Nov ladies company xxxx if you look at October there are tons of really helpful tips and advice from the wonderful ladies on that thread xxxx
Sam xxx
Hi Janey,
I went to the docs to book in for a flu jab but they have asked me to come back next week to book in for it but I think best to get it out of the way before we start chemo so if we do get reactions from it we know it isn’t the chemo !
I went to see some friends who I used to work with this afternoon and had a really lovely time. Lazy day tomorrow for me I think, my hubbie is off to Wembley for the American Football game with his friends so just me and kids at home and our bed to myself ha ha.
Sam xxxxx
Hi Cindy
Welcome to our team…sorry missed you earlier.
Good luck with all your treatments and do stay in touch with us all
Take care
Janey xxxxxxxxx
Hi everyone and a big thank you to janey who sent me this link having read it through I really think I can now go through with the chemo. My oncology app is nov 12th so will probably start mid november. I am still having “wobbly” moments but this forum has given me the kick up the backside I needed and made me realisr I am by no means alone. All of you out there have become “friends in my pocket” as I only need to go on my phone to find inspiring support thanks and best wishes to all.xxx
Hi flower75 the book is the funky fresh juice book highly recommend it its bright funny and very positive exactly what we all need enjoy and best wishes xxxxx
Thanks no1penguinfan, sounds great and I’m def going to give it a try! Best wishes xx
Hi
I think I haven’t had wobbles yet as I just feel like this all really isn’t happening ! I don’t feel ill and apart from my numb and slightly painful arm from my surgery, most days I feel ok. I’m almost like a robot just going through this process, maybe that is how I will get through xxxx
Thanks Janey
Apt is tomorrow afternoon so ill let you know what lies ahead for me xxx
After my surgery results I was told rads and Tamox would be my treatment plan, they wanted to do the Oncotype test but funding was refused. Saw my onc yesterday and she totally threw a spanner in the works by telling me that if I was anxious about the thought of recurrence I should go down the chemo route, but it is my decision and one I have to make by the end of the week. Am only 44 with family history (mum and sis, both had chemo and rads which is something I brought up at the meeting) so I think that is why she is suggestig this as an option to consider…
My tumour was quite small (10.5mm) with clear margins and no lymph or vascular invasion, HER2-ve and ER and PR positive. The stats test she did showed without chemo there was a 5% chance of recurrence I think, it was a bit confusing to be honest.
Am going to ask for a second opinion as wondering if she was just concerned about my worries but as the nurse in the chemo suite who rang me later in the day said, equally they don’t just give chemo on a whim…
Such a tough decision to make, really not sure what to do… xxx
Hi Sal
Yes I too am anxious get it all started but today does make everything all the more real and right now I’m still in bed feeling a bit queasy and I don’t want to get up !
Lilginge this is a huge descision for you but is it not better to be safe xxxx I know it would make the next 6 months unpleasant in many ways but it is lessens chances of reoccurrence ?
Will update later with my treatment plan
Hugs all round today
Sam xxxx
Good luck to Sam And Sal for today.
Hope the queasiness gets better Sam
Janey xxxxxxxx
Hi got you in our group Janey, I am out of bed, it is weird because as I soon as im up I feel better, I just can’t lie in bed anymore. I’ve slept abit better the last two nights but it doesn’t help as Alex who is 5 likes to come and visit and these visits start about 4.30 ! He just comes in, says I love you and then goes away- so cute but not after 5 visits half an hour apart but he wakes me up and I don’t want to tell him to stop as he is so sweet xxxx
Sal it would be good to have the same start date, ill be two treatments in by Xmas and also in the second to third week around Xmas so hopefully not feeling too bad. Let me know when you find out. We are telling Gaz 's daughters tomorrow xxx
Sam xxxx
Hi tadpole
Yes I had my surgery on oct 9th and I still have a bit of pain but huge discomfort in my arm. It feels numb down one side and I can’t lie on it and struggle to sleep. Apparently though this is normal as we have had a lot of nerves cut and hopefully we will get the feeling back but it could take up to 6 months. Make sure you do the exercises they gave you as my discomfort does ease a bit when I go them and as soon you can have a soak in a bath as that also helps xxx
Sam xxxx
Hi Sal
Got my date to start chemo 20 November, same as Sam.
Let us know as soon as you can…all on the same day would be brilliant
Janey xxxxxxx
Hi i was diagnosed with stage 2 bc. im 32 & a single mum to my 8yr old boy. i have had ny mri which has showed just 1 lump in breast. the biopsy under arm in nodes came back clear but a shadow on the ultrasound made them do a sn biopsy op. which i had tuesday. They stitched inside but glued me on outside as apparantly you heal quicker as they are desperate to start chemo as its grown 6mm in 10 days! I get my snb resulrs thursday & im awaiting an appointment for my pre chemo stuff which i assume is bloods & muga scan?? If my scar has healed by friday they said chemo will start on 11th nov eek. im having fec for 4 sessiins then 1 other drug with herceptin (her2+) for a further 4 sessions. herceptin for a year. they arent sure on number of rads as yet but will have lumpectomy after my 8 lots of chemo & 5yrs of hormone drugs. i am petrified of how ill cope with chemo. im really not sure what to expect. Been told its going to take 3hrs to administer my chemo each time!! I hate needles! Im just getting over my snb op. my scars v sore tight pulling bruised & swollen! God help me with chemo & lumpectomy (altho is this a similar op/ scar to snb)?? Or should i expect worse pain? Sorry lots of questions im such a mardy worrier! Good luck to you all xx