Hi jaxette glad to see you join the group but sad you have too!!
Our stories are very similar I received my diagnosis on the 5th Sept had op on 30 Sept and received results on 19 October. I had WLE and then things differ I had full ANC because of node involvement and I am HER2 negative.
I was told yesterday I will be starting chemo in 2 weeks around the 9 to 12 Nov and will have an echocardiogram and ct scan because of the node involvement although they are not expecting to pick anything else up and were happy with the pathology results. He did say that if I had had no node involvement I wouldn’t have needed the ct scan.
all the best for your treatment and look forward to “speaking” to you again.
Don’t worry - scans are mostly only given if there’s node involvement although it does vary a bit from place to place. You’ve had the heart one because some chemos (particularly Herceptin) are quite tough on the heart, in fact it’s not uncommon for Herceptin treatment to be stopped before you’ve had all the doses due to that.
I finished chemo in May and rads in June, and I had CT and bone scans and heart checks before I started chemo (well, the heart one was just after because they couldn’t fit me in before) but I had quite high level of node involvement (6/12, including one apical node). I had FEC-T and am now on Tamoxifen - no Herceptin for me.
Clear margins and nodes calls for a huge double YAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!
Good luck with your treatment - mine just seems like a bad dream now!
Jaxette, glad to see you’ve joined us and here that you’ve got your start date. I wont have a heart scan till just before I start on the Herceptin (a muga scan)and they have no plans to do a CT scan even though I had node involvement.
Well at the moment I’m actually feeling better than before I went in. I always get nervous with the unknown but it went really well. Like I said I went straight to the chemo bit today but being the worry wart that I am I arrived early just in case they decided to do bloods (they didn’t). I had my steroids by injection (made my bum tickle!!) to prevent the sickness and it took 40 mins for all the drugs to be given and then they left me with just the saline drip for 10 mins just to make sure it had flushed everything through. Then I saw the pharmacist to get my anti sickness tablets and mouthwash, made my next appointment and left.
So that’s it, told me to take it easy for a few days and make sure I take the anti-sickness pills even if I don’t feel sick (easier to prevent than stop) and if I need anything else just give them a ring.
I found out the reason for me not having my bloods done a couple of days before my chemo, it’s because I have quite a way to travel so to reduce the expense they do them on the day. It makes sense really at £2.50 a time for the car park alone it gets quite expensive.
Right I’m off to get something to eat, just thought I’d let you know it wasn’t too bad
Hi everyone-Im sure I’ll get to know you all by name etc as time goes on.L4W so glad you didi well today-thatys great news. You should ask your hospital about free or reduced parking fees as you have to be there for treatment.I know the hospital I attend does that so its a wee bit of help.Im glad to have things moving-I must check what type of heart scan they re gving me-I thought it was a an echo cardiogram-all alien to me but Ill get there!! Glad everyone is doing well and nice to meet you!!
Hi Jaxette, yes they have some free parking, problem is that there aren’t many places and it’s always packed. The rest of the car parks are run by NCP and they are notorious for clamping!! They do a discounted scheme but it only lasts 30 days (£10) so I’ll get one when I have my radiotherapy but hopefully as I should only have 2 visit per month I’ll pay as I go for the others. Nurse did tell me they wont clamp me as long as I’ve bought a ticket so if I get a couple of hours and it runs over I should be ok
Still feeling ok, although my head feels a little woozy. Had a bit of tea, just had something light cos I don’t want to over do it, they said little and often was best
Off to do some baking now so I’ve got plenty of snacks in for while I’m resting up!! Buns, Flapjack and Aunty Winifreds Special yummy!!
Thanks for your comments Lulu34
Had a very bad day cant stop crying? spoke to breast nurse, my chemo is slightly late due to “oncologist has been away for a couple of weeks so system sluggish at the moment” however asured its not detrimental to my treatment` Mx would feels very tight today thats also normal. Dont like feeling like this…cancelled 3 lots of visitors today, cant face putting that smiley face on. Tomorrow will be a better day, (in answer to someones question it will be nearly 10 wks since op come the appt on the 16th) Good luck to everyone xxx
L4W - so pleased that your 1st session was not too bad, and really glad that you let us know, lets hope it continues that way
hospice - hope tomorrow brings a better day for you, i have times like that too, usually when i’m alone, so i find its better for me to have company, but this doesn’t usually include visitors who i feel i have to make chit chat with
Hi to Jaxette, and i think the heart scan is just like the scan you would have had at your initial appoint at breast clinic, i had ECG before surgery and was told it was a different test, and as the other ladies said CT scan is only done when more than certain number of lymph nodes affected
good luck to Werne for tomorrow, hope all goes smoothly
Well that’s the baking done and I still feel ok. I’ve taken my anti-sickness tablet and I’ve been drinking loads (and yes my wee was red!!) of sparkling water (lemon and lime, very refreshing). I know it’s going to hit me soon so I’m going to have an early night and try to get some rest.
Hospice, sorry you had a bad day ‘the waiting room’ is the worst place to be but it seems to be where we spend the most time. If you’re feeling up to it try to get out and visit friends, that way when you’ve had enough you can leave and has the added bonus of a change of scenery. I find I go stir crazy when I’m stuck at home.
Weme good luck for tomorrow, don’t forget your sweeties and try to drink plenty. Hope all goes well for you (((hug)))
Todays song is Anastacia - You’ll Never Be Alone (I didn’t know she’d had BC back in 2003, she went for a breast reduction and they found she had BC)
Grannie22 I am watching you tonight from the nest in the yew tree ( in the dark dark wood. I am patrolling tonight because of the steroid tabs chasing away the sleep fariesn. Best of luck with your future treatment you know we will be there if you need us, just shout. My second to last Tax is tomorrow then DXT.after Christmas.
Best wishes for all in waiting rooms. So boring old mags and buggy coughs next to you just when neuts are low. Unhealthy places hospitals!!!
Hugs to all especially old friends grannie
Cackled x
Good luck for today Weme, bit of advice nurse gave me was to wear gloves to hospital and keep them on. It helps to plump up the veins in your hand so makes getting the cannula in easier
Lulu, hope all went well for you yesterday and all your SEs are little ones
Well I’m still feeling ok, bit light headed (sort of a foggy feeling) but not too sick at the moment. Had an ok night although I didn’t sleep right through and was awake with the birds, guess that’s just the steroids chasing the sleep fairy away so will have to find out who’s on patrol in the dark dark wood tonight
Tracy hope alls going well with the packing and good luck for your scans today. Safe journey home for Tuesday and best wishes for your treatment, hope you’ll be able to keep in touch and let us know how you’re getting on
Hospice, could you ask to see a different onc, most hospitals have a team. My consultant was on holiday when I was dx but I saw his understudy and she got the ball rolling. It did mean I had to go back to see him just before my surgery. They do have timescales for your treatment and I know they are only guidelines but 10 weeks is a bit much to expect you to wait. It may not be detrimental to your treatment but doesn’t help with your state of mind. Do you have PALS service at your hospital, perhaps you could speak to them. Try to stay cheerful and do try to get out (((hug)))
Thank you for watching over me last night that must be why I slept better than I have in awhile xxx
Good bit of advice about the gloves L4W will remember that one and glad things still going ok for you except the sleep of course.
One thing that I am thinking about is when to get the clippers out, my BCN recommended doing it just before I have chemo because of the hair follicles becoming painful, what is everyone’s take on this?
Jean - I’ve just shaved mine off, 2 or 3 days after the scalp started getting sore. The soreness started on day 12, and then the hair started coming out on day 14. Hope that helps you make a decision.
Morning ladies! Today has been better, thankyou soooo much for all the lovely comments. Had hospital appt for a fitting but they didnt have time today so they ordered me some bras to try instead. She thinks I need a bigger bra which may help with the discomfort I
Oops me again(cant get used to laptop without a mouse attached!) Called and saw an old friend on way home and almost feel myself, sel–pity session over with for now. Have a flu jab booked for later today. I have realised also that I am probably having too many visitors and am unintentionally putting pressure upon myself. Having just moved doesnt help as everyone is keen to see new abode.Dicussed with BN re long wait and apparently there is nothing they can do about it. So in the “waiting room” I stay!
Thanks again for messages of support xxxxxxxx
P.s my name is Michelle (known as Shelle) dont know why I chose Hospice name as I cringe everytime I see it! Not sure how to edit and change it.
Anyway the crux was Chemo day was crap. Had an allergic reaction and was there for 7 hours. Feeling great now though!
Hope Weme got on ok today
L4W glad you had a good experience yesterday
Hospice 13 hope your feeling a bit more reassured by your BCN. Why not do some fun things during the next couple of weeks that you prob won’t feeling doing during Chemo. I went a wee impromptu holiday with my bf and did shopping and dinner with the girls.
Will maybe rewrite the full story later when I can be bothered lol
