Hi Everyone,
its so lovely to hear back from you all.
Sandytoes, I have never been so nervous in my whole life for my CT scan that I had a week ago. As much as everyone assured me it was routine I was convinced I would get more bad news as I couldnt ever imagine hearing good news aftet the past few weeks. However it was good news and I know you will get the same tomorrow. I will be thinking of you.
Clare thanks for your advice - we are going away to Bournemouth tomorrow for a few days (going to Peppa Pig World) before chemo next week with the kids and when we get back I am going to explain things to her.
Next week going to have my hair cut and will definately consider the Princess website so thanks for that, - is anyone shaving their head before they lose their hair, worried if i do that my baby will be scared of me??
anyway speak to you when im back next week good luck everyone
Katie xx
Hi katie i’m sorry you have had to join us but you will get lots of support and info on here I know i did.I’m 32 and had a mx and snb on the 12th May got my results yesterday I had a grade 3 ductal carcinoma 26mm with good margains because of mx so that was a hard but right decision and my lymph nodes are clear I’m recovering well from my surgery and im due to start my chemo,herceptin and tamoxifen in the next fews weeks. I totally know how your feeling life is so unfair,I also have 2 young children mine are 2 and 6 years old and I know I feel totally guilty about putting my girls through this.You can get a book called mummy’s lump for children which is a story but i used it for ideas on how to explain things( yours might be too young though ).Im really worried about the hair loss too because you cant explain to the little ones whats going on,Ive decided to cut my hair short before im due to start my chemo to prepare the children and then a shopping trip to buy a wig.
I still cant believe this is happening to me (or any of us)but weve got to stay positive and get through this TOGETHER.
Good luck and i hope to hear from you soon maybe compare notes on the chemo.
Lisa xxxx
Hi All,
So glad to find others starting at the same time.
I am 42 , One 6 year old boy and 3 year old girl.
Diagnosed 2 weeks ago, Big shock , no history in our family.
I start Chemo tomorrow, 2nd June, No op yet as they are trying to shrink tumor first before removing it and lymph nodes. Thinking about cold cap but still undecided, had hair cut short and bought some scarfs so far.
Told the children mummy has a naughtly lump, my son can not wait for mummy to lose her hair, thinks it is funny. My little girl is more concerned with the loss of my pony tail in the recent hair cut.
Will let you know how I get on.
Bertha B
Hi Lisa - definately looks like we will be going through this emotional rollercoaster together!
I had my MX and reconstruction 13th May (day after you!) how u feeling now as I am still very sore (mainly under my arm where they removed 17 lymph nodes) I thought i would be feeling back to normal now but I am definately not.
xx
hi all. i have been reading the rest of your posts and it looks like we are all feeling the same way. ((((((((((((big hugs to you all))))). im 37 yrs old and married and i have a little boy whos 8 yrs old and hes my world. i was diagnosed on 18th april and had wle ans snb 19th may. awaiting to see consultant tommorow 2nd june im dreading this… he will stage/grade/size me then. i already know my lump is 38mm and he has already said if its ova 40mm i wil have to have a mastectomy im praying that its not. im starting chemo the end june i think. waiting to see oncologist.im not looking forward to it but hey ho if it gets rid of this horrible disease in my body iwill take what eva they give me and this makes me lose my hair typical when ive just got it to the condition i want and lengh. my hair is naturally curly. im devastated about it… my husband who has been a rock and my son have been fab…i got some bandanas in matalan for 50p each and there lovely as well…any way sorry for rambling…who ever is starting chemo hope its okay for you. and thinking of every one else. mwah xxxxxxxxxxx
Hi Sandytoes and everyone else
I expect to start my chemo next week too. Sandytoes, you sound exactly like me. I have been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (last week)’ with spread to my lymph nodes. So immediate start on chemo. Had my bone scan yesterday with ct tomorrow to see if it has spread. My biggest fear is it has spread to my neck and will be stage 4.
Hopefully we will all be okay together with our first session this month…
Special hugs to those starting this week.
Sue.
Good morning everyone
I was a late april starter and have just stepped in to give you a bit of encouragement, I had b/c 14 years ago had mx/recon/chemo/tamoxifen/zoladex. I refused rads, as onc said it was belt & braces, holding it in reserve in case I had local recurrence. I was 34 then. I went on to get married, which wasn’t in the pipeline at the time, not even on the horizon but a good mate who became my hospital chauffer, my family all lived away, then became my husband, he was at the appt with me when I wastold that I was too old for ‘egg storage’ and children were most unlikely, he married me anyway…to cut along story short at the grand old age of 39 I was overjoyed at the birth of our first child, a boy (now 9) followed 20 months later by a beautiful brown eyed baby girl(now 7)I have had the best 14 years and I love them more than anything…
Fast forward to this year I was again Dx with b/c other side this time ext DCIS, grade2 invasive (last time grade 3) ext LVI and this time (none last time ) node involvement…the shocks kept on coming!!! just to say I had results of recent bone/ct scan and they were clear no evidence of mets,…so keep your chins up all you waiting for that!!! I asked my consultant ( a well revered professor) when he dilevered the blow about the node involvement… I said " I have had 14 cancer free years do you see any reason why I should not get another 14+ years" he answered " No we have every reason to invest in you heavily and you have every chance of seeing your kids grow up" I asked onc same question and got the same answer!!! Phew a long way to go but can breath again!!! My boy is autistic so it’s not easy and he hasn’t coped with the hair loss and won’t be happy when I go in for MX having that after chemo, but it’s all for the greater good I am having 3xFEC + 3X TAX just finished 3rd FEC, not great but not as bad as I feared FEC 2 was the worst ( but I’m sure I didn’t get anti sick drugs I had first time, so made sure I got them this time… and the weeks are indeed flying past… that’s me half way through!!!( well the chemo bit anyway). I hope this post gives you all hope that we can get through and come out the other side… it is a harsh reality some don’t but I focus on the MANY that do,… hugs and much love to all J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx edited for spelling mistakes …it’s too early!!!
Hello…
This is my first post but have been reading through the older posts, esp the May starters, knowing that I too will have my own ‘story’ of chemo soon, the positivity they ooze are great to read. Am starting chemo 16th June, little frustrating that I have to wait after being told by my onc that it would be this week, but was told that bank holidays have put chemo slots behind. I was all geared up for starting but also really going to enjoy the time between now and the 16th and treat it like a holiday from work. Due to my nature of work I am unable to work throughout chemo
I am still totally confused by it all, I only found the lump on Good Friday (or not so good friday!) and was convinced it was one of the 8/9 harmless lumps… (left it a week whilst head was firmly in sand and quite comfortable there!!)I have no idea what grade it is, I only know that it is too big for surgery first so it will be chemo first then surgery!! Oh and its positive to oestrogen and progesterone… Like us all I am sure, I am mainly staying uber positive but have moments where I want to say no thank you to chemo and stay at work and forget about the whole thing!!
Is anyone else doing the ARTemis trial? I have agreed to take part but no idea yet whether I will be getting the drug or not, should find out on the 15th June… seems worth a shot though!!
Good luck to everyone and take extra good care x
Thanks for the motivation J - it’s really great hearing stories like you - especially when you’re feeling really down and scared.
Sue - I’m off for a CT scan this morning - appointment at 9.45. Sorry to hear you’ve had the same whirlwind diagnosis and straight into treatment as me! It’s alot to take in in such a short period isn’t it? With each piece of news (like when I was told, and then when I was told it had spread to my lymph nodes, and then the pessimistic meeting with my onc) I’ve been rock bottom, but the next day it’s started to sink in, I start feeling more positive and then BAM! Another bit of bad news!! Anyway - fingers crossed no evidence of spread for either of us… They’re going to be quick with the results - if they’re clear, I start chemo tomorrow. If there is evidence of spread, I’ve asked for chemo to be delayed so I can come to terms with it being secondary cancer with a clear head before I start the long road of chemo.
Long Lashes - sorry to hear you’ll be joining the chemo train with us this month. And another youngie (I’m 33). I went and bought some nice scarves and a wig yesterday. I’m dreading the thought of loosing my hair as at the moment I feel and look like me, although am battling with cancer internally. I’m dreading it being outwardly obvious that I’m a cancer patient.
Speak later!!
x
Morning all June Girls,
I’ve crashed for a minute from May, just to say Good luck and keep your collective chins up!!
I had my 1st of 6 FEC last week and I just want to say that it was not as bad as I feared. There was NO projectile vomiting, some queasiness and nausea feeling but I took my antiemetics when directed and also Crystallised ginger (available all health food stores like H&B), a godsend, really helps with the nausea.
I drank lots of water, about 2 litres the day before and the day of chemo and the 2-3 days after and I’m sure the hydration really helped.
The big thing for me was the sleepyness. I became Dormouse extraordinaire!! But, hey, if that’s it, then its doable. The chemo drugs can sometimes give you se’s as they are administered, fizzyness and/or headache but I didn’t have any of that.
So Girls, you can do it, its not soooo bad and soon it’ll be 1 down for you all.
Good luck, love and hugs
Wandyx
Hi everybody,
I go for my bloods done tomorrow(3rd June)and then start my 1st of 4 FEC on Mon 6th June.I have already had Lymph nodes tested- clear and have spent the first part of May in hospital having a skin sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using stratice. My results showed a 120mm mass of DCIS which contained 4 invasive cancers. 2 were ± and the other 2 were ++. They ranged in size 2,3,7,9mm and were grade 3. My treatment now consists of 4 x FEC, 1 year of Herceptin and 5 years of Tamoxifen. I am scared there is no point in saying otherwise, but i am also very strong and believe that everything will be ok. So for all you others who are going through the same i wish you loads of luck,keep strong and we will all get through this together.
Love and Hugs,
Julie x x x
Hi June folks! Another intruder from May here to have a chat.
I’m on neoadjuvant chemo (arranged to start 4 days after DX) and surgery in End of Sept/Oct.
It was a devastating whirlwind to begin with and OH and I were traumatised. First lot of EC gave me dreadful SEs so Oncy reduced dose of the E for the EC 2 and it made life bearable.
(Just to amuse you, the inbuilt spoolchikker just suggested that “Oncy - did I mean to type Poncy?” lol)
In between times I discovered the Haven and have had some counselling and other therapies, have lost my hair and somehow managed that - with the thoughts that things can only get better in the follicles department!
Overall, a few weeks in, I’m getting “ME” back again, me with a BC DX attached, instead of a cancer with a small, frightened person attached. I now have a “Cancer can F*** Right Off” attitude, that’s when the tears don’t break through; which they still do a LOT.
Had EC 3 yesterday, this time with “Attitude” and less scary cos I know what’s going to happen; I was SO SCARED during the first ECcking.
The “Attitude” has, I think, really helped with the SEs this time round.
Yes, I’m knackered. Yes, I’m nauseous. Yes, I have a headache and chemo-brain. But I feel somehow much more empowered now. The hints and helps from other forum members has enabled me to find coping strategies for the SEs that no hospital will tell you.
You will read the following word a lot round here: “doable”. It IS doable, but no-one said it was going to be easy.
Two last things (sorry it’s been such a long post).
- Stick to reliable info sources; Google is NOT your friend when it comes to cancer.
- Avoid any threads in here that don’t sound relevant or cheerful. At this stage in your journey, you need to learn how to saddle up and get on that horse.
Good luck, you will find many friends here.
Ninja x
Good evening all
I would like to welcome all our new ladies, I know non of us are happy to be here but hopefully we can support each other thru this very difficult time.
Thanks to the lovely ladies from ‘may’ thread for posting support messages, its ready good to hear how your doing and what’s instore.
Sandytoes I hope your doing ok, have been thinking of you today. Xxxx
BerthaB I hope it went well for you today and your not feeling to horrid (rubbish word sorry but couldn’t think of a better one!) I don’t start til tues, will understand then I guess. Anyway hope the se’s aren’t to horrendous xxxx
Clare xxx
hi all hope ur are all ok. good news today clear nodes and clear margins as well. upto now i dont have to have chemo and they say im equivical with herception, tissue has been sent to other hospital for more testing got to wait another to weeks for results to determine wether ive got to have chemo hes pretty sure i dont but have to wait and see. defo have to have radiotherapy. im ova the moon cant stop this girl smileing…hope everyones results were good today thinking of you ladies xxxxxxxxxxx
and yes i forgot to ask what grade and stage it is doh!!! take care every one xxx
Morning long lashes, gr8 news for you, really pleased. Hopefully it will stay the same once the other tests come through, fingers crossed.
Clare xxx
Morning all, I was diagnosed with a recurrence in April, nearly 6 years after original diagnosis.
Tumour grade 3, Her2+ and ER-.
Non stop tests, CT, MRI, Bone scan, and muga.
Best news is that it has not spread to organs or bones.
Sadly attached to chest wall, got to have chemo first to shrink it with a view to surgery later.
Like you Champagne Dreams my chemo has taken longer than usual due to all the Bank holidays. Still I’ve just decided to enjoy the time as life may not be easy for the next few months.
Going to climb Snowdon this weekend and going to Queens Tennis Club next weekend.
Start 4 x Taxotere on 14th. Not looking forward to it. (who does)Means to an end. Last time I had CMF and Epi followed by 12 months Herceptin and Arimidex for 5 years.
Will be glad of the support through this site and hopefully be of some support to others in the same boat.
Good luck to all those starting chemo this month.
Julie
Bum. I wasn’t able to start yesterday. I had a reaction to the anaesthetic for my portacath. First of all I shivered for about an hour - like I was in a freezer! But I wasn’t cold. And then I was just really light-headed and dizzy and kept switching from hysterical giggles to uncontrolable sobbing - for about 8 hours! And I couldn’t remember anything from 5 minutes ago. It was like I was really, really drunk or something! Quite funny looking back on it now. Anyway, they kept me in overnight and am starting chemo on Tues now, so need to psych myself up again!! Just want to start zapping these cells.
x
So sorry to hear your news Sandytoes but glad you are ok.
Good luck for Tuesday.x
good luck for tuesday sandytoes…hope your okies xx
Hi girls, just want to wish all starting chemo this week all the very best. Don’t know about you guys but I have found the waiting to absolute hell, my world seems to be on hold. I have decided not to use the cold cap and have spent a small fortune on hats/scarves/buffs, felt guilty until my OH pointed out how much I will actually be saving not having my hair cut and coloured!! I have my first FEC on tuesday…xxx