Had my surgery to remove 1 x 18mm and 1 x 3mm lumps with no lymp involvement on 9 Jan. As my two lumps = 21mm and are a level 3 faster growing linked to HE+, it puts me into the poss’ chemo bracket. These were picked up on a routine mam and I certainly couldn’t feel anything. My twin sister went through chemo twice and said it’s doable and if there are any doubts then take what’s offered and chuck everything at it. I hate feeling sick and horrible but I suppose that’s the least of my worries. Anyone got any advice and comments on how they felt going through this? Don’t suppose anything will start until Feb time as I’m still mending from the op and waiting for an appointment. Reading all the comments on this site from lots of ladies going through this awful time, certainly makes you think of just how much our lives are affected by this and just how strong we can be when the chips are down.
Your sister is right, the chemo is do-able and not as bad as you envisage.
I was diagnosed in November 2010 with a 45mm lump, no nodes involved but Her2+. I had chemo to shrink the lump initially which meant that when it came to surgery I had a WLE, sollowed by 20 sessions of rads.
I am coming to the end of my 12 months on Herceptin now - 2 more left, am back at work full time and although I am not 100% back to my previous self, am getting there.
I was scared to death of feeling sick so told my onc this and she made sure she gave me all the anti-sickness going. The best one is Emend, which I am told is not always given in the first instance (as it is expensive), so my advice would be to shout for that one. I was lucky, my treatment was private so I got it no problem.
The main thing is to pace yourself, you will feel tired beyond belief some days so beat yourself up if you need a duvet day.
Thank you for posting your comment which was very reassuring. I will ask about Emend and see if I can get that. I do have a week stomach where drugs are concerned and certainly travel. Still waiting for a letter to see Consultant Onc and chemo etc. Also still healing after surgery three weeks ago. I’m generally OK in myself because I know that I have to go through all of this to come out the otherside. One step at a time. Been thinking about hair loss as well and what I should do about it. Cold cap or not, wig or not, shave head or not. Guess I just have to wait and see if it’s going to fall out. BC nurse seems to think it will. No doubt hair loss is the least of our problems, at least it will grow back over time!
I had my onc appointment yesterday to go through the regime - I am having 4 lots of AC - administered every 3 weeks. Beryl I too HATE feeling and being sick in fact have a phobia so I asked about Emend too. He said he hadn’t heard of it but made a note about my phobia and has recommended Ondansetron which he says is the best - well he would say that!! I am due to start in around 10-12 days. I think I’m going to ask for the cold cap but I’ve heard that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t so am going to get a wig this Saturday - just in case!
Anyway good luck with everything - you might want join the February Chemo girls??
Hi
I was treated in 2004, and like you my biggest fear was feeling sick (also a phobia) alhtough initially In was too embarassed to mention something which seemed a bit trivial.
However don’t be, the hospital takes side effects seriously. I was initially given domperidone, and although I wasn’t sick that evening I really didn’t feel too god. To my surprise the nurses actually rang me the next morning to see how I was doing, so I explained the problem and they immediatly sorted out a prescription for Ondasteron, which worked perfectly for me. There are at least 20 different meds, something will work for you, just raise your concerns and make sure you know who to ring if you have any problems.
regards
sarah
I hate feeling and being sick too. I had Ondasteron as well as Emend and never felt anything more than a little queasy (but not enough to stop me from eating!).
Hi Sandytoes - yep I think it was you who recommended Emend but as my onc said he’d never heard of it he’s recommended this Ondansetron and all the info I’ve looked up said that it is good for chemo sickness so fingers crossed! Honestly as if we don’t have to go through enough without the fear of vomiting on top!
Emend is also known as Aprepitant, so maybe your onc knows it by this name. Emend is 3 tablets, one given an hour before chemo and one on day 2 and day 3.
I then also had Granisetron for 5 days after chemo, Dexamethasene for 5 days, Ondansetron and then I had Domperidone (Motilium is the other name for it) 3 times a day for the whole 4 months I was on chemo.
So you can tell how I wanted to make sure I didn’t fee sick with that lot in me. Mind you they all worked!!
As for hair loss, I wasn’t at all bothered about that. Shaved it off when it started falling out and went without, just wore a hat outside as it was winter. Have hair back now, although slightly curly, but like it short.