Thanks to everyone for the replies.
I have a meeting next week with chemo nurses to find out about treatment. I really feel that the chemo is something I want to do on my own.
I have some practicle questions to ask.
Will it be possible to come home from treatment on my own?( have to travel by train)
Will i be able to take my son to school the next day?
I really do not want to disrupt the household too much and to try as much as possible to carry on as normal.
Am i being too optimistic?
I had mx recon chemo tam and zoladex, 14 years ago. I now have a new primary, have had WLE ( 4 weeeks ago) and had SNB 2 days ago awaiting results of that I know that I have to have another mx and will opt for imm recon again, just waiting for the results to see if I have to have chemo cos if I do they may have to do it first??? JuneK8 would be interested in what they said to you with regards to lymphovascular in vasion I was told I have extensive LVI and it really unsettled me I am waiting to see if nodes clear? they were last time?, back to judyduddy I went on to have 14 fantstic years after my battle with BC I married and had two beatiful children and since I am back in the battle again, I will be posotive for another 14 and a whole lot more years!!XXXXXXXXXXX
judyduddy… on travelling back from chemo, I have found that the side effects of FEC don’t begin to kick in for a few hours, so you should be ok. TAX doesn’t kick in for a few days - so again, alright, but bear in mind that everyone is different. I would advise you to have a back up plan for your first dose - once you know how you react to that, you should have a much better idea of how you’ll feel. It would be worth contacting your hospital to see if they can arrange hospital transport for you? This might be viable, and would certainly be cheaper.
Taking your son to school - depends. Do you have to drive? You may not feel up to it for a couple of days. This is the time to call in every favour from every local mother - it may mean explaining what is happening, but believe me, it will pay dividends. If you’re having chemo, face it, they’re going to guess anyhow. Might as well get them all on side, and take one less worry away. You’ll be amazed at the kindness of other mums, even the ones that you don’t really know all that well.
xxx Sophie xxx
Thanks for advice Sophie
I guess I’ll just play it by ear till first chemo over.
That’s the bid I was dreading everyone knowing. I have never been good at asking for help from people even family. At the moment only family know about mx haven’t even told freinds yet.
As you say I have to face the fact that people will know sooner or later.
Judyxxxxx
HI there Juddyduddy. I’ve just finished 6 x FEC-T on Monday. Although I’ve managed ok, I did need someone with me at each chemo session to help me keep occupied. Although, I did see other people on their own. I don’t think I could have driven home (felt woozy from steriods) but I maybe could have managed a short train journey. I have tried really hard to remain positive throughout my chemo and keep things as normal as possible for my family (I have two teenage daughters). I always make sure I get up in the morning to see them off to school then wander back to bed. However, everyones side effects are different. With FEC I was so sick and nauseas for the first 5 days that no way could I have driven my kids to school, but this was unusual not everyone feels like this. It’s so hard to plan how you are going to feel.
It sounds like you are in the frame of mind to carry on as normal like I was, but don’t beat yourself up about it if you really can’t! Asking for help is not a weakness - it’s hard I know, I am terrible at it!!
Hope this helps a bit … keep an open mind.
All the best
Rachel.x
Hi J, I didn’t get a lot of information about LVI, the response to my query was roughly, “don’t worry about it, the purpose of the chemotherapy is to sweep up any stray cancer cells that have escaped into the blood stream.” I had clear nodes, so fingers crossed for you, that you will also find this to be the case.
Judy, I agree with the advice to keep an open mind and se how things go with first chemotherapy. I found that as drugs were given I felt quite strange, but that by the time I left the hospital an hour or so later felt ok. The siide effects didn’t seem to kick in until a few hours later. Once I knew this, I did sometimes drive home after chemotherapy, although I wasn’t on my own and only live about 3 miles from the hospital. Once you know how it affects you, you may find you are able to take the train home, but maybe have someone with you the first time. I understand wanting to keep your independence, as Rachel say’s it is not a wekness to ask for help. You will find that people want to do pracical things to help out.
Katex
Thanks Kate …I am hoping for clear nodes…they were last time on the other side??? don’t think I had LVI then but was a grade 3 7cm tumor hence the chemo. In a strange way because of the LVI , I don’t think I would fall apart if they want to do chemo, I would think that at least it’s killing any thing lurking!!!.. but wish for clear node,s as psychologicly I may feel it was worse than last time! and this time I’ve got 2 young children??? Does that make sense?? I know I have to have another mx just when, depends on if and/or when they decide to do chemo…can’t stand the thought of another op so soon …it’s been 2 in 4 weeks!! why can’t we just put it all on hold and have a couple of months off from the waiting and wondering and worrying??? be nice eh??? but in the real world we wait we wonder and bless us all each and every one of us we just GET ON WITH IT!!! love to you allXXXXXXXXjeanette
have just editid this to ask if anyone gone on holiday whilst on chemo??? I’ve got hols booked for sept??
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