Just wanted to make contact with others who have just been diagnosed (and those who are further along) I’m 44 and was diagnosed a few weeks ago and had a lumpectomy and all my lymph nodes removed a week ago. I’m likely to have chemo and radiotherapy too but will find out next week. My main concern is the chemo - not sure that it will combine brilliantly with having a 7 month old baby and a 5 year old! (My husband is v.supportive as is my family but they don’t live nearby).
Hi I was diagnosed in Dec and just found out that I have to have chemo radiotherapy and herceptin I am also worried about the chemo I am 48 my kids are 14 and 16 so can look after themselves (I think not seen them do it before) I am sure someone will soon comment who has children of a similar age. Keep in touch x
Hi there,
I’m home from hospital today following a left breast mastectomy. Some lymph nodes removed too for testing (can’t bear the thought of having another op for more of the same )
In a heap earlier in the bath - every negative tearful thought you can think of - everything from the physical pain to how odd my body looks, to what if I’m going to die,to what if i’m off work for an age and we suffer financially.everything - you name it.
So accepting that I’m not in the best place to be a very positive suport to you right now, I can say however, in all sincerity that I’d be keen to help in anyway I can, by listening or sharing.
Kind regards
Lynn
Good luck with your treatment Hilso. I’m just a year older than you and had chemo and radiotherapy last year. Hopefully you will cope with the side-effects, which for me weren’t too bad, but everybody is different. It sound like you have a good network of support which is reassuring for you, and you will most probably have days when you feel you can’t do much for yourself. I remember being very scared before my first cycle of chemo, and tried a bit of visualisation with a relaxation therapist. That didn’t work for me, and in the end I had to just find my own way through. I found that the first few days after chemo I had hangover-type feelings which gradually improved, and constipation which was naturally and literally a pain in the arse. Don’t know how you feel about losing your hair, I expected to be devastated, but when mine started to go I had it shaved off immediately so I didn’t have to watch it disappearing down the plughole, and to be honest losing that was the least of my concerns at the time. Bloody hell, starting to ramble on a bit, really just wanted to wish you well for your chemo, and let you know that the ladies on here are a great source of info if you have questions.
Hilso
Though the effects of chemo differ from person to person, they are doable. I had no side effects from the one known as FEC (I won’t burden you with medical jargon yet,) except for the constipation, tho the docetaxol is a little harder. Whatever the effects are. we have to get thru it and the tine does fly by. I hope your husband will be supportive and help you with the kids.
Julia xx
Hello…
Just thought Id say hello…Im 33 yrs old…was dx last June and had a lumpectomy…6 lots of chemo and a masectomy since. I have a 5yr old and a 2yr old so can relate to having young children to juggle whilst going through the treatment.
I found the first few chemo’s ok, apart from the tiredness. I pretty much managed to do most of the things I normally do with the girls but just had to rest lots whilst they were at school / nursery. The last 3 chemos werent the best…I found it took about 10 days to get over and then Id have a week of being well before the next one. It is hard when youve got a young family to juggle aswell but having a very supportive husband helps.
What I wanted to say was I got through it and so much so that my two children have been relatively unaffected by it. The time does fly by even though it doesnt feel like it at the time and my chemo now seems like a long distant memeory (last one was Nov 13th).
Good luck and let us know how you get on xxx
Hi
I was diagnosed in December and had mastectomy the week before christmas. Im 44 have 2 boys 25 and 16 who much look after themselves. I’ve had my 1st round of chemo which was ok, felt a bit hung over for a few days but the anti sickness tablets seem to work and have been fine so far, just a little tired as I don’t sleep well.
I have my 2nd lot next week, I know everyone gets different side effects but Ive been told they may get worse as the treatment goes on but I’m trying to stay positive and hope its not too bad. My hair hasnt came out yet but Ive had it cut shorter as it was quite long, in the hope I might keep it a bit longer!. Iv looked at quite a lot of posts on here and they are all very positive and give loads of good advice and support.
Jan x
Hi I had a mastectomy on 30th Dec and my chemo starts on Tuesday - Herceptin and Tamoxifen when chemo finishes.
Having read some of the comments I realise that all my thoughts and fears are normal so thans everyone. It’s nice to know I’m not on my own.
I am 45 with a 9 year old and a 4 year old and I don’t know how tough the chemo will be but get through it I will!
Thanks so much to everyone for their replies - it immediately made me feel better to know that lots of you are out there going through a similar thing. I have now been back to the surgeon following a lumpectomy and axillary clearance - only one lymph node affected out of thirteen but they couldn’t get clear margins so will need a mastectomy after chemo and before radio. Am now waiting to see the oncologist next week to find out exactly what regime I am to have - I feel a complete mixture of being desperate to get on with it so that they can zap any stray cells (my tumour was 4.5 cm and grade 3 hence the chemo)but also really not wanting it to start as I can’t quite face the idea of it (particlularly not the hair loss).