Hi, I’m due to start Chemotherapy in two weeks time. I had my mastectomy on the 20th August and they found the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. I had my bone and body scans last week and have been told unofficially that they look OK (whew). Like everyone else I am dreading the Chemotherapy, I thought I was dealing with everything OK but it just seems it’s one thing after another just now. I had to have a scar that starts just under the collar bone to just under the breast due to the position of the two tumors and it is still giving me a lot of pain so the idea of more is very daunting. Any tips or support would be so welcome as I’m sure my family must be getting fed up with talking about it all the time. Thanks in anticipation x
morning Helen. Welcome to the group - great group of ladies, they are my virtual family bestest family ever. aknythinkg your want to know just shout. did you read Barbarellas message?
Good morning Helen & welcome x
Hi Seaview and Helen51 - welcome to the group.
Remember no matter how tough it gets these ladies will help you through and keep the end goal in mind.
This awful period in your life will eventually pass.
XXX
Hi all,
Frechfancy - tried corsodyl this morning - tastes different but not too bad. Sods law though got a mouth ulcer last night (and haven’t even started yet) and breaking out in spots - think it’s stress. Hopefully chemo will sort out the skin!
Seaview and Helen51 - sorry you’ve joined us, but welcome. I’ve found the forum really helpful.
Seaview - got my 1st day before you (17th). Am looking at all of this as a 3 part plus a bit olympic event - 1 event down (surgery), now to event 2. Feel as prepared as am gonna be - bring it on!! nearly packed chemo bag, drinking my 2L - start as I mean to go on! (rushing to the loo every 2 mins - bladder the size of a thimble.
Barbs - how’s poogate? Really hope you’ve had movement
Helen - I found warm bath very soothing, also tried lavender soft pad - can warm up in the microwave or can be used as a cool pack (just put in freezer). If you’re getting sharp pains it’ll be the nerves saying hello - warm water from the shower on the area may help. Also if you massage the scars very gently (it feels horrible at first) it can help (it’s a good thing to do anyway 'cos it helps to soften the scar tissue . I found paracetamol didn’t work for me, but votarol was wonderful. Don’t be brave - if you need pain killers - take them.
Kate PB and Nicky69 - thinking of you both, hope things are better this morning. Sending virtual hugs Sun’s out here - hope it is where you are and it’s lifting your spirits
Pas the boss - really admire you coping when OH is away. Mine’s out and about chemo week in the evenings which is worrying me. Hoping I can be as strong as you
Samjs - know what you mean about being seen with no hair. I feel my family think it’s not really going to bother me (am not a makeup / hair perfect kind of girl), but the thought of it makes me feel very vulnerable. have had wig appoint postponed until next week, but have finally bought 3 sleep caps from annabandanna. Don’t want to do too much more now - 1 day at a time and hopefully today you’re feeling a bit stronger.
Can do this!
Pots
ooooops just realised I should have posted on here rather than the other Sept thread. Hoping to start chemo in Sept, Duxotaxel alongside Herceptin and what I believe is a newish drug called Perjeta/Pertuzumab. Initially having the duzotaxel one day followed by the other two a couple of days later incase of allergic reactions. Would be interested to hear from anyone being treated with these drugs and looking forward to chatting with others in a similar situation xx
Hi Helen51 and hawkie,
Welcome to the constellation that is the Septmber Stars. This is where you will find the best virtual friends you will ever have.
Hope all the rest of the Stars are twinkling happily today.
Good luck to Pots for tomorrow.
If anybody is interested I can thoroughly recommend the following book, its the story of a friend of mine who, like us all, found herself in this situation almost 2 years ago. It was written by her husband and was initially an online blog but with the help of a breast cancer charity he published it as a book. Its an amazing read and has kept me positively sane these past 2 weeks since diagnosis. It may also be of interest to OH’s who may not know where to turn. Its a truthful yet humerous story that will make you laugh and cry (just to warn you) but I have found it invaluable! Hope some of you do to x
Just popped on quick to say good luck at the bar tomorrow Pots, let us know ur back as soon as ur able as we’ll only worry otherwise xx
Good luck to Pots tomorrow, hope it goes well x
Good luck tomorrow Pots, let us know how you get on. Everyone here will help you through it xx
Just wanted to wish Pots the very best of luck for tomorrow. Hope you’ve have a lovely day today and have not been getting too stressed out.
Let us know you’re safely out the other side, whenever you feel up to it. We like to keep an eye out for all our Stars xxx
HI Stars,
Welcome aboard Seaview , Hawkie and Helen.
Pots I hope you are ready for tomorrow, go sock it to them girl.x
Kate I get confused too especially as I am in the maisies too as I thought I was going to start in August, as it is I am not starting until the 27Th so nearly in the October group. But not joining another one.
Hope you lovely stars are shining brightly- sure some may have the dimmer switch on so it maybe a subtle shine.
xxx
Started chemo on Friday 13th September. Greetings to all who are going through similar.
(anyone know how I can change this number to a more interesting username?since they changed the website I’ve had a boring number allocated)
Tried the cold cap treatment which was more uncomfortable than the drip feed but bearable.
First night waited perhaps too long before taking evening anti-sickness tablets and as a result was violently sick all through night. Attempted to take further anti sickness tabs but threw these up too.
Now, I make sure I have tabs before I feel queasy. Just seem a bit flushed now around neck and face…
Not working whilst on chemo, bored silly, catching up on all those sorting out jobs. Place should be immaculate soon!
Naturegirl5
Hi
Naturegirl
If you can email us at moderator@breastcancercare.org.uk we can change your username for you, please send in your chosen name
Best wishes
Lucy BCC
Morning Stars, how are you all this morning? The weather on the south coast is overcast, think it may rain shortly 
I’ve been trying to work out what Fec Day I’m on, I was dunked on 10th so thought I would be day 7 today.
Due to my pesky seroma I was given antibiotics which had to be started today 17th however it’s says on the packet start on day 8 the 17th of September.
So to avoid all confusion can we all agree that the day of dunking is Day 1 and so on.
Hope my fellow stars have a good day, take care x
Morning stars,
Welcome naturegirl, yes no one wants to here but it’s a great place to be. Lots of support and giggles and feel free to rant and moan when you need to, we all do at times.
Nikki I would say the day you are dunked is day 1 but not been dunked myself yet xxx
FEC1Day14
Good morning Stars
Hope everyone has woken up well and ready to fight through another day. Everything still going along ok this end.
Just like to say welcome to Naturegirl. Hope we can all be of some help and support to you while we all travel through chemo land and beyond.
Love and luck to all with appointments and things to do today. xxxx
Hi Naturegirl, welcome aboard! Hope your se’s ease off soon. I start chemo next week and note what you say about taking sickness meds, thanks for that. xx
Nikki, I’m with Sam, think dunking is day 1 xx
Bonnie, hope you’re ok, let us know when you can xx
Welcome Naturegirl ! As others have said you will find lots of support here from those going through it too xx
Pots - good luck for today Hun xxxx