Starting radio in Feb 09 - the 2nd Oct FEC party part 2!

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Hi everyone,

I promised those of us coming to the end of kimo this month (mainly from the 2nd Oct FEC thread) that I’d start a new thread for us who are graduating onto radiotherapy, with the aim of picking up anyone else starting in February 09. Welcome to all!!

As this is a new thread, I thought it’d be agood idea if everyone joining in does a quick introduction, so obviously I’ll go first…

I’m Bella, 43, married with 2 children 13 and 9, and live in the West. I was diagnosed on 15 Aug 08 with an invasive Grade 2 60mm lump, hormone pos (so will also start Tamoxifen soon) but HER negative. I had a mx in very quick time on 29 Aug 08 and took 6 weeks to heal. I’ve been having kimo, and have the last of 6 FECs next week (yee ha! Can’t wait for it to be over as it’s been horrid.) I’ve made loads of good friends on the 2nd Oct FEC thread and hope that their incredible support and friendship will continue here for those who wish to join me, whether we’ve ‘met’ before or not, it doesn’t matter who you are, please join in.

I had my radio planning appointment yesterday, and I promised to let everyone know how it went, and it was a piece of cake! (The only downside for me is the 1.5 hrs travel each way - I’m driving myself and the weather was awful yesterday, which didn’t help.)

I was called on time (!!!). The 2 radiographers seemed about 20 (but don’t all doctors etc seem to be getting younger?!) and they were very sweet. They explained exactly what was going to happen and asked if I had any questions.

I then had to strip my top clothes off, plus boots, and lie on the table. They moved various bits of kit around to support my arm (just one side - I could keep the other one down), feet and bum. My head was also positioned on a doughnut ring to keep it still. They asked me to keep still but breathe normally. Then my lovely Onc came in and drew all over my side with a marker pen. He apologised for it being so undignified, but honestly, when the world has seen your boob(s) it really doesn’t bother me any more!

The only thing which felt slightly uncomfortable was being in a large room and being half naked. Having said that, the room was warm, they said I could keep Miss Wiggy on, and they covered my chest with paper when they weren’t needing to see it to retain my dignity, which was good of them.

They then kept popping in and out to take all the pictures they needed, including I think an X-ray plus a 360 deg scan when the machine moved right round me. They adjusted my position few times and drew a few more lines, then it was all done.

Once they were happy they did my 4 tattoos, whcih are so tiny I can hardly see them. Honestly, girls, it doesn’t hurt, especially to those of us who’ve had loads of blood tests and cannulas. It’s like a tiny scratch with a finger nail and really doesn’t hurt. Piece of cake, as I said.

The radiographer then gave me some leaflets to read, said I’d be given my aqueous cream next time, then got me to sign the consent form.

The whole process took 30 minutes, and was honestly no bother at all.

I hope this reassures you, and I can honestly say that apart from the driving, I’m looking forward to it.

I look forward to talking to you all soon,

Bella xx

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Thanks for this Bella - excellent insight into the process. I see my Onc next Tues before chemo and will get my planning appt then. I am expecting around 3 weeks break for recovery from last chemo then 3 weeks of rads.

I am Tanya, aged 43, have 2 children aged 5 and 3 and was diagnosed in Aug. Had bilateral mx in Sept and FEC-T chemo since Oct. Her -ve so no Herceptin for me but ER+ve so onto Tamoxifen for 5 years after rads.

Looking forward to ongoing and new friendships and support on this thread

Best wishes

Tanya x

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Top thread title, Bella!!! And thank you so much for explaining what happened at your appointment, a bit undignified but not undoable.

I’m Cat, aged 42, and have a three-year-old son, and a huasband who may as well be three also!

I was dx 22 July 2008, and had a right mx on 6 August. Pathology came back with Grade 3 invasive, 36mm, 20mm, and 9mm DCIS, 18 out of 21 nodes affected. My lovely BCN was almost crying when she gave me the results, made a poor prognosis seem even worse. It took me about two weeks to recover physicallyfrom the mx, but didn’t start chemo until october, 3 x Fec, 3 x Docetaxel. I’m having 20 rads, followed by a year of Herceptin because I’m HER2+, ER- PR-.

Still waiting for my rads planning appointment. My local hospital is a bit slow about organising appointments even though I ring them regularly to ask.

I love the kimo thread that’s going and now look forward to maintaining the support, care, and friendships from there and making new friends here, too.

cat

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Thanks for joining me ladies!

I forgot to say I’m having 14 zaps, mostly Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 5 weeks starting on 6 Feb (which is only 18 days after last kimo) in Cheltenham.

Bella xx

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Just got a call from the rads department at Northampton General Hospital. I rang and nagged the bcn this arvo who told me I wouldn’t hear anything until after my last chemo. Must have guilt-tripped her sufficiently because the call came about 30 minutes later, so I go along on the 26th to undergo my ritual humiliation. Not bothered about the tattoo business other than they’ll be pretty rubbish as far as cuts go. I already have a couple scattered around so random small ones will be fine, maybe even turn them into something interesting eventually.

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Hi there Bella. and all the other loverlies…here goes then:

I am 48 - two kids (25 and 15). Misdiagnosed as benign May 07 and dx Aug 08 with 52mm inv lob, 4/17+ nodes ER+ & PR+ HER neg. Had left side mx early September. Currently had 3 x FEC100 and 2 x TAX. Radio 5 for 5 weeks and my planning meeting is on 28/1 day before final chemo. Taoxifen following rads.

Thanks for all the reassurances Bella…tattoos don’t worry me - what’s another little prick to endure!!!

Will be keeping an eye on here for tips

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Hello to all friends old and new. Well said, Pheebster - what’s another little prick to endure when we’ve already coped with the biggest sh*ts in the world?

Here goes: I am Liz, 48, two kids (14 and 16) diagnosed 22 August with 1.5cm ductal grade 3 HER+. Had mastectomy and back flap recon on 8 September and started 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere on 8 October.Just got last Tax to go on 21 Jan, then 5 weeks of rads. Also started Herceptin with first Tax.

Very comforting post, Bella. Shall feel much less apprehensive about my planning appt on Friday.

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Hello to all

Thanks Bella for the new tread.

I am 31 ( might be the youngest among us) - no kids but now want some later. Was told nothing need to be worried Oct 07. Very unrelectunt GP referred me again this July, following the event I found a lump wont go away after period in my left breast!! Dx on 20th Augest and OP on 4th Sep. Grade 3 invasive and DCIS mixturer 19mm tumor, triple negative so chemo FECx6 for me. Last Chemo on 20th Jan.

Have not heard from my onc about Radio at all- need to call tomorrow to chase. Was told I am having 15 radio on chest +3 only on the lump area.

Brain in a wired state at the moment- keep on forgetting things and trip over things too!! Spelling becomes even worse than normal!!

Hair on head start to grow back a bit this round but nurse said it might be gone again after next kimo!! Well at least have a little bit fury stuff covered is better than nothing!!

Thanks for sharing the experience Bella!! This is really re-assuring…

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Hi
Have just registered. Great to read all your stories and positive messages. Am half way through chemo and looking forward to the radiotherapy starting mid/late March.
So…
I’m Jules.45 tomorrow ! Aaahh!
2 children (10 and 16) ,1 husband !
Diagnosed 3 October 2008. Surgery 22 and 28 October 30mm grade 2, 1 node.HER neg ,PR and ER positive. Wide excision and axillary clearance.Started chemo November 08.6x FEC.
Was looking up holiday insurance for the summer so already found this site and forum hugely helpful.
great post Bella.Definately helps toknow whats ahead of us.

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Hello to all!

I wasn’t part of the last thread, but am due to start radio in February too. Great to read your introduction Bella, and all the other info.

I am 49, diagnosed June08 with lobular cancer, 2 tumours (2.5 and 6cm). I normally live in Oman with my husband and three children, 14, 12 and 9, but have been living in the UK in what is usually our holiday house since July for my treatment. I started on chemo first, and had 4 Epirubicin/cyclophosphomide then 4 taxotere, finishing on 17th Dec. I’m having a mastectomy and node clearance tomorrow (easy to write, but yes, tomorrow!!!), then due to go for rads planning either 12th or 19th Feb. Will have 15 sessions starting the day after, Mon-Fri (weekends off for good behaviour I guess!).

One of the hardest parts for me has been being separated from my family, although fortunately they have been here for the summer, at half term and again for 4 weeks over Christmas. My husband is flying back now to arrive tomorrow morning in time for the op, and will stay for 9 days to see me through. Thank goodness for kind friends who have helped us immensely, virtual friends here, and for Skype.

Julie
x

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Hi Julie

Welcome, lovely to have you here. Best of luck for tomorrow, you will be absolutely fine - I know it’s easy to say but having been through it, the anticipation is worse than anything that will happen. Glad your husband is going to be with you for cuddles and support. We can all give tips for what to put in your hospital bag if you need them, but definitely take a good book, an iPod if you like music, and my lifesaver was my teddy.

Cat

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Hi Cat,

Brilliant advice about the teddy - I have one here that talks when you press its tummy, except that the the talk is actually my three children telling me they love me. Must add that to my list straight away!

Julie
x

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Good luck Julie…you will be fine.

My tip - take loads of surface wipes and use as often as you can, and a small bag to carry your drain(s) around.

Please let us know how you get on once you come home…

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Thanks Pheebster. What type of bag - how big is the bottle? (sorry to ask daft questions!)

J x

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Julie, I know the thought of the op is scary, but it’s really not as bad as you think. I’m not just saying this, but getting over the op was the easy part - it’s just a straight (ish) physical recovery. I was sitting up eating sarnies that same evening, and out of bed a day later. You’ve already done the hard part - 4 taxotere - respect! Be thinking of you tomorrrow.
Liz

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Oh, Julie, take wet wipes!!! Shower in a bag, will stop you feeling icky. The drains are about the same height as a Coke bottle but not as slim - does that sound right, girls? My hospital gave me a pink fluffy bag for the drains, my MIL wanted to steal it so that says a lot about it (she’s weird). Defo a little cloth bag like a shopping bag would be useful.

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Thoughts with you this morning Julie.

By this time tonight you will be on the road to recovery.

As Cat said…the drain bottles are about the size of a small bottle of coke or water you would walk around with.

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Good luck for today Julie - thinking of you

Happy birthday to you Jules

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Hello My lovelies… told you you couldn’t get rid of me :o)

Hi to all I know and all I don’t… good luck Julie and Happy Bday Jules!

I’m 40… single Mum to two sons (12 and 15) benign lump removed 16 years ago… regular yearly (but one cock up and missed 2007) mammograms/ultrsounds for 16 years… diagnosed 15th July. Grade 2+ DCIS… no nodes…HER neg… ER Pos… had WLE and sentinel nodes 1st August… started FEC 6th October… have just opted to not have 6th and final FEC as too rough (a wimp!) will be starting Rads sometime soon… had no planning apts yet… onc told me will have x15… over 3 weeks… then Tamoxifen and genetic testing (Grandmother and sister had bc) and possible Bilateral Mx and Ovaries removed to look forward to.

L x

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Hi All

Im new to this thread.

Im Angela, diagnosed in may 2008 at 33 (34 now), I have a Boyfriend, No Kids, but want them and was just thinking about it when this kicked off.

8 Weeks after starting a new job, I found a lump and went for biopsys and ultrasound. Biopys came back clear, but ultrasound was suspisious so they did another biopsy and that also came back clear. Surgeon decided because of the size of the lump he wanted to remove it anyway 4cmx2cmx2cm. The results of that were that I had cancer and I was then sent for a mx and lymph node removal, 2/20 with cancer. I was then sent to have eggs harvested and started chemo in July I have had 4 epi and 4 Xeloda and am on the last couple of days of Xeloda at the mo, Friday is the last day Yay.

I have been told that im having 20 rads over 4 weeks. I havent heared when Im starting, but I asume Feb. Cant wait for it all to be over now.

Its great reading how bella got on, puts my mind ar rest, thanks.

Angela