Waiting to start Chemo

Hi everyone. I had a mastectomy on 14th July, results on 4th August. I had two tumours grade 2, 20 lymph nodes removed, 17 had cancer in them but the three furthest away from the breast were clear. I still have fluid that has to be drained a couple of times a week. Her2 negative and taking Arimedex. I have been told I need chemo and maybe rad. Is there anyone who has been through similar or someone who is similar to this now? I see the oncologist on Tuesday to plan when to start treatment.

Alemap

Hi
I m pretty much at the same stage of the waiting game as you. I had mastectomy 14th july.They took a 13cm tumour out (apparently that is huge !!) and I had cancer
in 23 out of the 29 lymph nodes that were removed.I am going to oncologist tomorrow to get chemo plan and then will need radiotherapy then will need ovaries removed then hormone treatment. Cancer was stage 3 and aggressive had no symptoms or lump apart from boob being swollen for 2 weeks. Would be nice to chat to somone at same stage as me,I still can t take it all in. It s like a nightmare
best wishes
Janey

Hi
I was same, no lump just a funny nipple that kept changing, felt no lump so didn’t worry too much until I saw drastic change. Good luck tomorrow let me know what you have to have and I’ll let you know my regime. Keep in touch
best wishes Pam

Hi,

I had a mastectomy on 1st August. Got my results last week. The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes but no where else. I am now waiting to start chemo followed by radio therapy (in approx one month). Chemo is the thing I am most terrified about and I know after all I have been through this will sound incredibly vain but I dread the thought of losing my hair or gaining weight. I want to try the cold cap and wonder if anyone else has tried this???

Good luck girls

I’m a bit farther on than you. I had surgery in June and now have 2 chemos under my belt. My cancer was grade 3, with 3 out of 24 nodes affected.

I remember feeling as though it was the end of the world but felt much better once I had my treatment plan etc. Just wanted to get on with it. Once I had all the info I put my chemo dates on the calendar and am crossing them off one by one. The time does pass quickly and as everyone tells you chemo is doable. Those with extreme side effects are in a minority.

Keep in touch and all the best for tomorrow.

Mal

Hi Everyone
Had mastectomy on 15th July, Clearance in may all nodes ok (what a relief for me) andlumpectomy followed by reexicions (June)
I meet my onc on Wednesday to discuss way forward as am hormone and her2 negative so chemo is my only option to ‘mop up any stray cells’.
Coped well with diagnosis and ops but not so sure about chemo though - heard too many stories.
Janey glad to see you on here again - agian so sorry for your news
Sounds prejudiced sorry -sorry for everyones news but things can and will get bertter for us all
best wishes
Liz

HI all
well back from onc will start chemo in approx 2 weeks.Bad news had to have another biopsy today as I have a funny rash under scar.Started off looking like bites !!! Results thursday .Here we go again
Love Janey x

Hi Janey
Will keep everything crossed for your biopsy results on Thursday.
Good luck
Best wishes
Liz

Hi Janey

Good luck for Thursday.

Mal x

Hi Saw onc today, CT scan was clear, bone scan next week then I’ll be told what the next stage is. Chemo and then Rad.

good luck everyone

Pam

Saw onc today - very nice, informative and helpful. Start next wednesday 27th on TAC2 trial wont know till then which of 4 groups I will be in. Will let everyone know then. Told wig prescrip would be passed on to next dept and they would be in touch - 2 places to get them in Inverness or by post from Edinburgh. Oh well more waiting but not long this time.
Good news though no rads as clear margin on mastectomy

Good luck to everyone
best wishes
Liz

Hi Liz

Snap - I’m on Tact 2 trial Arm 4 (accelerated Epi followed by Xeloda) too.

The time absolutely flies by and I am due my 3rd Epi this Friday. After the first, I spent the following few days thinking that they’d given me a placebo as I had no side effects at all. The only side effects I had were all in my mouth - sore throat, loss of taste etc. After my second, it’s been mainly tiredness and nausea, but very do-able.

With regard to wigs, I didn’t like my NHS wig. I didn’t feel comfortable in it at all, so ordered another online which is wonderful. I think I would have become a recluse if I hadn’t found something I felt comfy in. Some people prefer scarves etc but I felt very self-conscious in them. Everyone’s different.

Have you had a look at the ‘Top tips for chemo’ thread? It’s really useful.

Pam - wonderful that your CT scan was clear.

Janey - let us know how you go on tomorrow.

Take care

Mal x

Thanks Mal
I’m wading through everything at the moment
Any factsheet etc I can find. At least I should know what they are talking about come next week.
Looking for tops tips as I go through the list (must bookmark it)
I’ll let you know which arm I end up on
best wishes

Liz

hi all new to site had op on july 15th remove lump which was grade 3 and 13 of my nodes which was all clear starting my chemo on 19th sept have to go to onc on 18th to see the nurse to explain thinks to me i am worried

Hi All

I am due to start FEC chemo on the 1st Sept, and needless to say I am petrified. I think the worse thing is the thought of losing my hair. I plan to try to cold cap, although looking at other threads it doesn’t seem to be too successful, but I must give it a try.

xx

Hi everyone

Liz - After reading the Top Tips thread before I started chemo, I spent £50 in the chemist on everything that I might need - and I’ve not used any of it! Still rather that than the other way round. The only thing I’ve used on a regular basis is mouthwash to try and get rid of the awful taste.

The day of my first chemo I was absolutely terrified and just wanted to run (I think we all have pre-conceived ideas), but I can honestly say that it’s nothing scary. As for side effects, it’s a minority who get the extreme and for the majority, it’s not pleasant but not as bad as you’re expecting.

You’ll all get through it and this site is brilliant.

Mal x

Hi Mal
Went to Poundland today and bought Dig thermometer and 4anti sicknee armbands for £2 and found 2 bandanas in Claire’s accessories for £1.25 each
Denrist told me to get baby toothbrush and corsydl mouthwash (will stain but she will sort it afterwards)
Think thats about me reday now
Thanks
Liz

Hi All

Had my 3rd Epi this morning and so far so good. Feel spaced out (like I’ve had one too many and can’t walk a straight line) and soooooooo tired, but otherwise OK. I expect any other side effects to kick on Monday when I finish the steroids.

I don’t know where you live but I got a shock when picking up my prescription at the hospital pharmacy on my first visit, I had to pay a prescription charge for each medication prescribed (including mouthwash). From what I’ve read on this forum it depends on where you live. Some charge, some don’t (I live in Manchester). Just thought I’d mention it. I ended up getting a pre-payment card which worked out a lot cheaper.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water before, during and after chemo and you’ll be fine.

Mal x

Nearly Forgot

  1. Janey - how did you get on yesterday? Good news I hope.

  2. The rest of my hair fell out overnight apart from a few wispy hairs on top. The wig I ordered online was from Contrast Wigs and I can recommend them. It feels and acts like real hair and wasn’t too expensive and matches my hair colour exactly (which is difficult as I had 2 different coloured streaks in).

That’s all

Make the most of your week-ends.

Mal

Crystal - Hi. I also started FEC 1st Sept. How did you get on? Is your next one the 22nd Sept as well? I have a totally irrational fear of injections, but once this was put in, was OK. I haven’t had any side affects at all apart from bit of a sore throat on day 7 and a tiny headache. Was pleased about that was was terrified about the side affects. Hair is going to fall out on cycle 2 . Not doing cold cap. Probably just going to stick to scarves as well rather than wig. I also spent a fortune at boots on various things but would advise ladies to wait for first cycle before spending money on things you might not need. Can say that FEC wasn’t as scarey as I thought it would be. its quite doable girls xx