Hi.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and have gone through surgery but am now facing chemotherapy. I thought the surgery would be bad enough - I had a wide local excision but then had to have all my lymph nodes in my left arm removed. Starting chemo in 2 weeks and very worried. In fact fairly terrified but trying not to show it! Also not looking forward to losing my hair. Have had a lot of teary moments about it all. Anyone else just started or starting soon? It would be good to talk to people going through this same challenging journey.
Hi
If you join the October starters on the chemo monthly threads, you can talk to people going through chemo at the same time as yourself. Equally, there are many people like myself who have already started treatment and are happy to talk through our experiences so far.
I know it’s a scary time, but please try not to worry, it’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be. Take one cycle at a time and then take one day at a time and you will get through it.
Just had my third cycle and tend to take it easy for a few days, so am hear if you have any questions.
Sending a hug x
Hi Sue C.
Thank you for your reply. I’ll do that, thanks. Just getting used to working out how the forum works…!
I guess it’s the thought of it and all the waiting at every point which has seemed to make everything doubly hard…Im now in a place thinking well just get on with it 60% of the time and then random times of feeling very emotional and a bit scared which is just not like me at all. I usually deal with stuff pretty well. Hope you are doing well. Not long to go before yours is finished then hopefully :). Take care. Lots of hugs
Hi Sue.
Only saw my oncologist yesterday afternoon so a bit blinded by science! :D. It’s FECT? Something like that. Think I have 2 drugs then Doxa something as well. I braved the going to see about a wig thing but it wasn’t a good experience really but I’m going to see someone else on Tues and already feel happier about that one. Scarves are great but I’ll be useless at tying them so have got 1 sleep hat so far and a couple of others which are ok. I will wear them but think if I’m out at something where I don’t know people I’d rather wear a wig! I want to enjoy the eve evening not have to cope with all the states and questions :D. I can’t bear to cut my hair short so will hang onto it for as long as I can whatever! I’m going to try the cold cap but as my hair is straight and fairly fine and not a huge amount of it already I’ve been told it may well not work. But at least I’ll feel I gave it a go! 4 months seems a very long time but I know it isn’t really. Up to 2 years to get my hair back is very daunting as I really do not suit short hair so the wig will be used a lot! I re covered from the surgery really well but despite all my efforts at the exercises a I do have the start of a bit of lymphodema in my left hand. Seeing the lymphodema nurse next Weds though. Meanwhile I’m getting married on the 8th Oct so everything has been a bit of a roller coaster emotions wise! Excited one minute and terrified the next ( not terrified of getting married though I hasten to add :D). What have you been on? Have you been ok on it?
I meant stares not states! 
Hi oncologist said he wanted to start chemo next week but the breast nurse laughed and said no way as too crammed for next two weeks. Obviously breast cancer is very popular (sorry I’m getting a black sense of humour! ). Is just as well though as when we said we were getting married he said well that’s fine then as you would be wiped out if you have it before. When I asked what I could and couldn’t do re exercise wise he said well walking…in the park etc and when I said what about abseiling he didn’t stop laughing for 5 minutes. Said that’s a first! We go caving as well as fell walking that’s why :D. It’s a second marriage so we’re pretty chilled about the wedding. I thought maybe we should wait and find out what was happening as I was very worried about the effect it would all have on him and it didn’t seem fair but he bless him said no we’ve waited over 3 years for this. It’s just a small wedding with close friends and family and should be fun :). As to the honeymoon, someone asked us the other day and we said we’re having chemotherapy for our honeymoon :D. We want to go back to Iceland and we were planning on going after the wedding but will go when my treatment is over. As I know it will be eventually :). It’s just that I’m not a young thing anymore lol and time seems blooming short!! . You got me thinking maybe I should get mine cut short after the wedding…I don’t think I’m brave enough to get it shaved either!
Thank you :). And thanks for your messages. It helped a lot. Hope all goes well for you now for the rest of your treatment.
Lots of hugs
Hi Sus12,
so sorry that you had to join us here. You may wish to join the October 2016 starters thread. Slowly, but surely others are joining the thread, who also shall be starting in October. There are a couple of scary posts on there. Please do not let them put you off - such experiences are very, very rare - and in this specific case are due to underlying health issues.
If you scoll right to the beginning of the thread you should find quite a few tips and links, where you can read up how to prepare and deal with a few things.
It seems a scary journey you are embarking on - and it is not easy for all - but it is doable. I just finished my last chemo on 1st September this year - and I am back working full time already.
I shall keep an eye out for you on the thread - ask any questions you may have - here to help and support you, as best as we can.
Hugs
Sue xx
Hi Sue H-S.
Thank you and yes I will do :). As to the scary posts I guess all of us have different experiences and some not so good as in anything but it’s very hard for them to deal with and the forum at least allows them to talk about it. My experience could be similar or different but it will be unique to me due to different drugs / other health issues/how my body responds to the drugs etc etc. My doctor who is very supportive said she would only allow me to be on certain websites and I was banned from just googling stuff! :D. I’m fairly fit and healthy and did the 54 mile London to Brighton cycle ride the Sunday after I was diagnosed so I’m as fit as I can be to deal with this onslaught I hope :). I’ve already signed up my two daughters to do it next Sep for Breast Cancer Care so I’m determined to get back to full fitness as soon as my body will let me! I’m always going to be grateful that it was a routine mammogram that caught it. My consultant said I would never have felt it. It had spread to 4 out of 8 of my lymph nodes but I’ve had those removed now. Things could have been very different if it hadn’t been picked up so I’m a bit scared but staying positive! I’ll look out for you on the October thread :). Great that you have finished your chemo at long last and been able to get back to normal a bit now :).