I just like to introduce myself quickly. My name is Nadiya, am 33 y/o and have recently been diagnosed with grade 3 invasive breast cancer.
I have also subsequently found out that I have the BRCA 1 gene and have decided to have bi lateral prophylactic surgery after my chemo (due to start next week I believe).
Unfortunately my mum was diagnosed with advanced secondaries 2 weeks ago (which was a complete shock) and we are seeing the oncologist this afternoon to find out the severity of it and if they can offer her any treatment. Phew. (Easier to type it than to tell people face to face).
I have being reading all your posts for some time and want to say how much all your comments have helped me through with your support, making me laugh and sometimes making me face reality.
I am due to start 6 cycles of FEC next week (I think altho still waiting for a date) and I have a couple of questions. Does everyone have to take steroids with it? Can you opt out? Also, i read someone talking about a lady that makes Du Rags and sells them on ebay. I forgotten the name of the lady and wonder if anyone knows it so I can get a few stored away before baldness strikes.
I really loved the tips for chemo. So useful. If anyone has any more useful advice, please do share.
thank you for making me feel that I am not alone in all of this and I plan on becoming a more active member of the forums than I have
Sorry you have had to join us and am so sorry about your mum too, hopefully they can treat her successfully.
I had 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere, which I have just finished. I found the FEC a breeze to be honest, but not everyone is the same and we all react differently. Think everyone has to take the steroids as they are anti sickness ones, and they worked for me as suffered no sickness at all.
Post edited by moderator - for a couple of beany hats for the evenings and nights, but got a wig for the day. I am sure some ladies will tell you the name of the site you are asking about, but I don’t know what it is.
I would say listen to your body after your chemo, and rest when you can if you need to. Take it easy for the first 6 days really and try not to rush around and carry on as normal, as it will take it out of you.
Hope you are doing OK though and post as much as you like and you will always find suport and help on here.
Welcome to the site - though sorry you have had to join us.
I had a mastectomy on 13th Nov and started on 4 x Fec on 28 Nov, second one due 19 th Dec. The steroids are given as part of the anti-sickness treatment - though they aren’t taken for as long as the other tablets. I didn’t have any problems with them.
I can only echo what Dawn has said - listen to your body and don’t try to overdo it… Everyone reacts differently as you will have seen if you’ve been reading these threads. I was nauseous for the first three days after treatment - not physically sick, just a feeling like car sickness. Other than that I have had heartburn on and off, but nothing that Rennies couldn’t cure (and they will give you something at the hospital if you ask), mild constipation, cured with Senokot (though again the hospital will give you lactalose or something similar if you do experience this - the other main effect was the sheer tiredness - it took me some time to understand that, because it isn’t a sleepy tiredness - it’s more a ‘I can’t be bother my backside to do anything’ tiredness. I’m quite an active person and I really couldn’t understand the complete lethargy I felt. It probably took me till about day 9 after treatment to feel like ‘myself’ again - and I would say I have no side effects at the moment and feel really well.
Can’t help with the website unfortunately - but I’m sure someone will be along who can!
Good luck for next week - keep us posted how you get on
Thank you :-). and congratulations on finishing your chemo. I will definitely check out the website. And yes, I will heed your advice and as difficult as it will be for me to take anything slowly I will try. I am thinking of going onto SSP and taking off time from work just so I don’t have to worry about coming in when i don’t feel like it. (my job involves travel and meeting clients). I am not sure how financially feasible that will be and I know that it is a luxury to even consider taking off time when having chemo but if I can, I’d prefer it.
Thanks for your posting. Right to the chemists it is! Thanks so much for the advice. It really seems like a case of ‘suck it and see’ but if I know what possible symptoms might be then at least I can try and take it all in my stride and not panic too much.
And yes, like yourself I am fairly active, perhaps active is the wrong word as that implies sporty but I am very bouncy and have lots of energy so my friends are plying me with books, audio tapes and DVD’s and I have to say I am kind of looking forward to catching up with some reading (especially the The Golden Compass trilogy which I haven’t read yet).
Thanks again and I am sure to keep posting with queries and hopefully some advice if I think I can help
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care chat forums. I am sure you will continue to get lots of help and advice from the many informed users of this site. You may also find Breast Cancer Care resource pack helpful which has been designed for those newly diagnosed. The pack is free of charge as are all our publications. If you would like a copy just follow the link below: breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514 If you need to talk to someone in confidence then please give the helpline a call, the staff here are all either breast care nurses or people who have personal experience of breast care issues. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 the lines open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm. I hope this is of some help to you.
Just wanted to comment on your post re taking take off from work. I was very much the same as you - had intended to try and work between chemo etc etc. I work for the NHS in a training related job which involves lots of meetings with various departments and other NHS boards. My boss was being really good about how and when I could work etc etc but at the end of the day I decided now was the time to think about me.
I haven’t been with them long enough to quaify for contractal sick pay so will go onto SSP only - which is a significant drop from my usual salary. But it is surprising - is you make a list of all the work related savings you will make (travel, lunches etc etc) - it is workable - obviously it means a change in some habits and a bit of cutting back - but at the end of the day it’s only work!!! We can do that later lol !
And re the word ‘active’ - I too meant bouncy and lots of energy - definitely not sporty !!!
It is good to hear from you and to hear that it is possible to take time off. The more I think about it the more important it feels for me to heal myself without dragging myself onto a train to see a client around the country.
I work in design and work with the new accounts so it probably won’t be very consistent for them if I answer the phone one week and then am not there for the next two. My work have been fab and said they will work with ever I want but I also want to feel I am getting paid for me putting in 100% and not me being a bit flaky at times.
I must say I hardly spent anything at all after I had surgery although must admit to my laptop being broken. Thank you for telling me about you, I feel that I am making the right decision more than ever now.
Thanks Katie for the information. I really have been making a lot of use of your materials, helpline and sessions.
They have all helped me immensely. In fact our design co-operative (where I work) design a lot of your materials so when I was diagnosed I pulled out a leaflet on younger women which we designed earlier in the year!
Thanks again Katie
but I am very bouncy and have lots of energy so my friends are plying me with books, audio tapes and DVD’s and I have to say I am kind of looking forward to catching up with some reading (especially the The Golden Compass trilogy which I haven’t read yet).