Hi Karen
I thought I would be in the January Gems but because I have still not seen my oncologist(next Monday) I think I to will be a Feb Valentine.I am really scared of whats to come, for me its the unknown I hate but we have to go through this to come out the other side. 
Hello Valentines
I am popping in from the October Pumkins. I have just finished 6 x FEC with the cold cap and it was definatley doable (my dx was grade 2 stage 2 IDC 2.5cm, WLE/SNB nodes clear and margins clear ER+ Her2-). I was lucky that I had no sickness but I was lucky enough to ben given Emend via the drip at each session, Emend is the wonder drug for preventing sickness. You will also be given steroids and at least one other tablet to take at home and the advice is thake the tablets as prescribed because they are there to prevent sickness (if you wait until you feel sick it may be more difficult as you may not be able to keep the tablets down). Another tip is that these tablets really do block all exits so I found that taking senakot to prevent constipation for the first couple of days after chemo also helped.
In general my side effects were not too bad, yes I did feel rough for a few days, a bit like flu or a hangover but generally I was ok for weeks two and three. The tiredness has built up for me but I have learned to pace myself so I can enjoy normal things like going out for dinner etc. I even managed to stay up util 1.30 on New Year’s Eve (after 5 lots of FEC)!
As for the cold cap, it is the most uncomfortable thing ever but I have kept my hair, yes it is a lot thinner and in poor condition but I have not had to wear wigs, hats or scarves at all. Personally it was worth it as I hate anything on my head, I have never worn hats as my head gets hot.
I am waiting for my date for rads now, hopefully soon, then tamoxifen.
Good luck Valentines and feel free to pm me if I can be of any help.
Jayne x
Thanks for popping in Jayne, and great you didn’t have too bad a time. It’s good to have evidence that not everyone has it very rough. Clinging on to that thought here! I’ve heard others talk about Emend, and that in some areas you have to insist about having it, although it does seem to have its own side effects for some people I believe? Good luck with the rads. xxx
Hi Lesley x it’s amazing how long you have to wait to finally get to treatment stage & we are all in agreement that the wait & not knowing is the worst , my physio commented how I’ve been rushed through !! Err don’t think so , my mam said its to give you time to get over every stage ,bless her although she does have a point.
thanks Jayne for your post it must bring back memories of how you felt at this stage , I’m sure you’ve had your rough days but sound like you’ve coped remarkably well & it’s nice to hear that ! I asked about Emend & was told its unlikely I will start on that , she did tell me the name of the anti sick I will get but it went in one ear & out other , seeing onc on Thursday will ask again , thanks.
Karen x
Hi everyone, I would like to join the valentines as I am in the same boat.I found lump myself end oct,had actually two lumps together.Op 14th dec removed lumps and tested two lymph nodes both clear.Thought I would only need four weeks radio but had post op check and was told all cancer removed but was grade 3 invasive ductal, oestrogen 7/8 so recommended chemo 18 wks followed by radio 4 wks,also start on Letrozole.Must say I was gutted as dreaded thought of chemo,hair loss and other side effets.Seeing onc thurs to find out plan for me and start date.Am going to get wig,see how I get on.Feel it is important to talk to others for support as it is already a massive part of my life.I turned 60 at Christmas,what a present!! Like the idea of keeping a diary as a pattern of side effects will probably emerge.Good Luck and roll on autumn.xx
Hello all,
Got my biopsy result and I now officiall have 2 different cancers. Right boob IDC with 2/25 lymphs affected. Left is tubular cancer for which I’m to have WLE/SNB. Praying for clear nodes so I can still be a valentine. Have been advised that tubular cancer rarely affects nodes so fingers crossed. Surgeon told me I’ve been refered to ONC so should get seen soon after next surgery which is on 6th Feb.
Good luck for all results/appointments up and coming
Hi Karen – I’m another one who plans to try out the cold cap at least once or twice. If it doesn’t work, or I can’t stand it, so be it.
Several of you mentioned still having trouble with hypersensitivity after surgery. Mine was much worse than I was prepared to live with, so I tried several things. First, and most successful, was a cream which farmers use for dairy cows with mastitis. When we lived in the West Indies, all the expat women suffer terribly from rashes and bites on their breasts, and one of the female hotel owners came up with this stuff. It was like magic! I still - 20 years later - have a tin of the American version, called attractively “Bag Balm”. The British version is udder cream and should be availble from a farm supply store such as (at least in the South) SCATS or Mole Valley Farmers’ Coop. The only trouble with it is that is smells strongly medicinal and doesn’t rub in very well so stains your clothes. If you were to use it, I would wait until any open wounds were well healed.
I kept trying and bought several creams from Holland & Barrett. I found the Vitamin B scar and stretch serum to be very soothing. I put it direct on the actual scars and then used the Vitamin B moisturizing cream around the whole area. What eventually seemed to do the best all round job for me was the Aloe Vera moisturizing cream.
I notice that most of you ladies who have mentioned your diagnosis have ductual carcinoma, either invasive or in situ. Does anyone have the lobular type? I have invasive lobular. My surgeon said several times that it behaves very differently and is notoriously hard to pinpoint – which is perhaps why it didn’t show up on mammograms till it had metastisised quite extensively locally. Anyway, it would be good to compare notes if anyone else has it.
Had my ECHO today and the doctor/technician/whatever, said I would live! Next stop is back to the Oncologist on the 29th and hopefully good news about the CT. Sleep well ladies (I find I sleep about 1 night in 4 - I hope tonights the night!
Love and hugs to all, Louise
Dear Millymolly – what rotten luck! You must be feeling, as I have several times, when the hell do1TdQD I catch a break? I hope for your sake that it all comes together quickly, but you’ll always be a Valentine. With love, Louise
Welcome Xmas eve to the thread I’ve found it to be a great support so far ! & was also told i would be given chemo even if it hadn’t spread to nodes as it was grade3 ( turns out it had spread so defo getting it !)
millymolly I am so sorry for you , it must be such a shock & something else to try & get your head around , bet your pleased they found it though ! I’ve been told I won’t be getting a MRI or ct scan personally I would prefer to have one ! Take care x
Hi again, yes I’m making up for the lack of Xmas dinner now, really missed the turkey though. the back pain is driving me wild, I’ve tried some yoga and ended up with the cellulitis coming out…I will try again now I’m feeling loads better.just waiting for the post,an again for that chemo date-never was then wait for the postman so anticipated! Good luck for all those of you waiting to see oncologists today. Jan x
Thank you girls,
I’m getting my head round it and am glad they found it early. Asked for regular MRI from now on but not sure if I’ll get them. Prehaps someethigns dont need to be known as the new thing they’ve found is very tiny.
Dear All – Goodness me, I’m suffering from chemo brain before I’ve even started the chemo! The scar and stretch cream and moisturizer from Holland and Barrett is Vitamin E NOT Vitamin B. Sorry,
Louise
Gosh! Even more Valentines! Welcome Jo, Lola, Jennifer, Lesley and Xmaseve!
Jo and Sarah, I’m having a line put in the day before I start chemo (whenever that is!) too, I just thought this was standard.
I turned down the cold cap as already had hair cropped in anticipation and didn’t like the idea of going “patchy”. Plus I was told it takes 4 hours to have chemo with cold cap and only 1 hour without! Will mostly wear hats / scarves, I’m actually looking forward to “accessorizing” (think it will be the “bohemian” look for me!). Will get a wig just in case I fancy a change but will probably not wear it too often.
I like the “Chemo caddy” idea Kath, already thinking about what treats and goodies to include (plus some useful stuff too!)
Good that you’re getting that tooth sorted Lola’ I’ve booked in to have my teeth checked tomorrow as definitely want to avoid any avoidable health issues once I start the chemo. Really don’t want this to drag on because of delays.
Kath, please don’t hurt yourself trying to cross everything LOL! Think it’s best if we just stick to fingers crossed for Lola’s results, will be rooting for you on Friday xx
Sorry to hear that you have to have more surgery Millymolly, stay with us Valentines so you can keep us updated. Really hope you’ll be onto the next phase soon. I was devistated after I was told no clear margins after first surgery but was so glad I had the second surgery as there was still quite a bit of cancer left. It’s worth making sure they do a thorough job so you can feel cancer free when you’re starting chemo. Hugs x
Hope you sort the cording problem soon, Karen. The only advice I’ve read about this is to persrvere with exercises but not sure if that will help. I’m sure I’ve seen a thread on this site about cording think it was under the sugery section.
Thak you Jayne for popping in from October It’s so great to hear that you didn’t find it too bad, Think it’s the fear of the unknown we are all experiencing here at the moment. I’m preparing for the worse but really hoping it’s not as bad as my imagination is making me think!
Hugs to all
Elaine xx
Hi ladies
May I join the Valenines? I too am starting chemo in early Feb. though I don’t have an exact date yet.
Wow, there are so many of us in fact pages and pages to read under Valentines what a big team we’ll be.
My short story : Found a large lump late October was initially diagnosed with dcis Phew !! I thought! but that was not to be within that were 3 smallish idc’s. Since then I have had WLE, Nodes removed …tiny changes in 1st node which they count as a negative? Unclear margins so had a MX with Ld flap 2 weeks ago. So far recovering well.
I am er/pr - but her2 positive.
The her2 pos scares the living daylightsout of me so i would love to hear from others with similar diagnosis.
I am happily married with 2 teenage boys one of whom is borderline autistic, a lovely german shepherd, chickens, tortoise etc etc…Mad House! I am 51 years old.
I,m going to try cold-cap and see how that goes. Any advice very welcome. My hair is shoulder length and thick should I have it cut??
Well thats me in a nutshell. I have been absolutly terrified throughout , theres nothing brave about me! I think the emotional side of cancer is the pits!!!
Well bye for now. Good luck to you all. Big hugs
Lavendersun (Jackie) xxxx
Hello Valentines, I was going to say it’s lovely to see more new Valentines, but I realise it’s not very nice for you, finding yourselves in this position. So sorry everyone.
My goodness, we do have some brave members here. Dental treatment as well as all you’ve had to put up with and still have to put up with. It’s a good job chemo doesn’t make your teeth fall out as well as everything else 
.
Had copy of a letter from rheumatologist to oncologist today. They have been discussing my RA drugs, and whether I should come off them or not. Rheumo is letting onco decide. I know I can’t have methotrexate jabs, but not sure about the other one. Maybe now they’ve got that sorted out I will get a date.
It’s always good to hear from others who have experience what we will soon, so thanks for the visit Jayne.
Well, back to gnashing my few remaining teeth worrying about what is to come.
Hugs to all
Kath xxx
Welcome Jackie but sorry you were put in a position to join us.
Arrrrgh! Just had the phone call, blood tests etc 5th Feb, line put in 7th Feb, Chemo start 8th Feb!
Tummy is doing back flips and not in a good way 
Anyone else got a start date yet?
Glad you’ve got a start date Elaine- onwards and upwards now! Sarah x
Hi Lavendersun and welcome aboard! None of us wants to be here, but at least we are all at a similar point in our journey into the unknown, and can have lots of support and fun as we proceed along! I’m also HER2 positive, which added to a grade 3 IDC isn’t such a good thing to have, but I have every faith in Herceptin the Wonder Drug - providing its side effects don’t kill me off first. 
Kath, sorry to hear there may be a problem with incompatible drugs. How would you feel about coming of the RA ones? Would it cause you any further distress? I do hope not. Chemo may be bad enough without that extra hassle.
I have made my dental appointment for next week, after having to tell them it is urgent due to forthcoming chemo, otherwise my appointment would have been weeks away.
Good that you have some dates to work to, Elago. You can start some proper planning now.
xxx
Hi ladies,
I am feeling really frustrated today waiting and waiting for dates- not a good day- I had a rant at my husband this morning and feel a tiny bit guilty about that but he is so understanding- thank goodness! Every time I come on here I see new valentines , some of your stories really humble me! Got my first lot of medication today in preparation for chemo, got to take steroids from day before to prevent allergic reaction- anyone else heard of this yet?
Absolutely agree Elaine, my imagination runs away with me at times! Are you having your line put in as day surgery?
Thinking of you all & those who have appointments today- hope they went well & those who have them tomorrow good luck! Xx
Sarah x
Hi Elago
Yes I think once it gets moving it gets moving for us.
Good luck I have a feeling my date will be very near yours and my stomach will too be doing back flips. If it isn’t already.
Well off to walk the dog in the woods i cant get out much as recovering from op so really enjoy a short walk.
We’ll get through this together, all of us. As they say “” Keep calm and Carry on ! "
Big hugs