December 2017 Chemo Starters

[Karebear]

 I go tomorrow for my final chemo I've  mixed emotions not looking forward to S/E but looking forward to no more nausa and getting the picc line removed.
Good luck to anyone else finishing chemo this week xx 💪💪

[Cathsin]

Dramaminx just reread your post had me in tears at what you have been through. Although I am a complete emotional wreck these days totallly different to the normal me . I do feel for you and what you have been through x

[Moijan]

Hi Dramamine,

sorry to hear all all your news, you must have been holding tight to the skin of your pants whilst that all flew by....💜🦋💜🙏

now your new new plan is in place, I hope things become more settled for you. You deserve some respite.

loads of love to you

Moijanxx

[Cathsin]

Dramaminx what a time you have had you are so strong . X

[Camilla9]

Dramaminx what a terrible nightmare! I feel for you greatly!

So positive the CT scan was clear and that it's all out now. 

Hopefully positive and on track going forward.

Big hugs xx

[runawaygirl248]

Sorry to hear of your news Dramaminx but glad to hear that the surgery has gone well and fingers crossed for your CT scan ❤

Stay strong 💪💪 

Jo xx

[Karebear]

Well dramaminx
you are such a strong woman 💪💪💪 I've no words xxxxx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

I’ve been wondering how you are dramaminx. I’m not surprised you couldn’t face the forum. What a scary time for you. Thank goodness they have a plan for you & thank goodness your ct was clear. Fingers crossed for your bone scan on Tuesday 🤞and that things start going in the right direction now. Big hugs xx

[KirstyH]

Oh dramaminx what a time you have been through recently! I had wondered how your meeting went, so sorry to hear the chemo wasnt working and it had grown, such a horrible crappy disease! So glad to hear they got you moved along to surgery quickly tho and you've had a clear CT scan. It's strange that it moved into lymph nodes when you were supoosed to have had full clearance previously! Keeping everything crossed for your bone scan.
Sending hugs xx

Im a few weeks away from lymph node biospy then mastectomy and possibe clearance depending what they find, already know I have one positive nide but they will check some others

God scary that thet almost dismissed it runawaygirl,but thankfully they found it. Sometimes you really to push these things, so many mis diagnoses xx

[Karebear]

The men's full.monty live is great as well as prostate cancer is connected with breast cancer
So anyone like me that has boys we need to.make them aware to check there (willys) as well
Xc

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Well done runaway girl! Brilliant news!! 😊

Yes Kirsty, a lumpectomy in September 2016, chemo & rads, then a mastectomy last October as where the tumour was, it started started as a pin prick around July but gradually got bigger & bigger. It wasn’t picked up on an ultrasound or an mri. I kept getting told it wasn’t cancer. It was a horrible, painful 4cm cavity by the end. When I had surgery to try & close it, and a VAC dressing applied, my surgeon took a biopsy (thankfully) which showed it was cancer again. They say I’m very unlucky! Xx

[Dramaminx]

Hello everyone! I’ve been scanning through the last few pages to see where everyone is and it looks like you’re all coming to the end of your chemo, which is just brilliant. You may remember that after my 6th chemo a couple of months ago there was concern that the tumour was not responding and I was going for a meeting with my oncologist to get the results of my lymph biopsy. Well a lot has happened since then! Feel free to grab popcorn 🍿 if you can stomach it.

The news was devastating. Not only was it not responding, the tumour had grown and spread to my lymph. I’d had a supposed total lymph removal 20 years ago but I guess it’s hard to get them all. To know that I had gone through six cycles of chemo just to be left bald and poisoned and in a worse state than I was to begin with was very, very hard to accept and I’m afraid I just could not face the forum. I felt like I’d run 20 miles of a marathon with you ladies and suddenly I’d been told to stop running, I wasn’t going to finish the race and I wasn’t getting a medal.

My two remaining chemos were cancelled and I was booked in for a mastectomy three weeks later. As the priority was to get it out, I couldn’t have a reconstruction at the same time, which is something else I had not factored in. On 13 March I had a 96mm grade 3 tumour removed - it had tripled in size in just a month - and the cancerous lymph node. I went home the same day and have recovered well, my hair is even starting to grow back, although in the last two weeks I’ve lost most of my lashes and brows!

My CT scan came back clear and I have a bone scan on Tuesday which should be the last loose thread. On Friday I will begin a six-month course of oral chemo followed by radiotherapy to my armpit. As my cancer was so aggressive they are keeping a very close eye on me and this next lot of treatment is to blast anything not visible on the scans. Can’t believe I’m going head first into more chemo and another set of side effects, but I am happy that they have a plan.

Having had nearly two months chemo free I can tell you that you do get your life back, your energy returns, your tastebuds kickbin and so does your hair. So just keep going! I know some of you will be going on to have a mastectomy and it really isn’t too bad, chemo is much worse so if you can get through that, you can get through anything.

Take care all xxx

[KirstyH]

Well done on final one runawaygirl! Xx

[KirstyH]

That is good to hear then and hopefully wont ne too bad. Yeah I am getting immediate implant reconstruction to tey first although there is a cjance the rads could muck it up, but I dont have enough fat om back and they were unsure if enough on stomach plus i didnt want the long revovery, so fingers crossed the implant works.

That is so **bleep**ty having a reoccurance so soon after, so was it lumpectomy first then mastectomy when it reoccured? How did the reoccurance appear?

Yes some people just dont know wjat to say and are so insensitive! I am the same and really appreciated the wee thoughtfull gifts from the ones who jave really been there then there are the ofd few who have disappeared and have been pretty useless. Will always keep that in mind now xx

[runawaygirl248]

Some people can be insensitive at times wirh their comments but sometimes I think its just a case of they dont know what to say.  

I've had amazing support from family and friends especially those friends who have known me the longest and the little thoughtful gifts theyve sent me have perked me up on those down sometimes darker days. 😊 

There are also those who i will re-evaluate on my "friends" and "family" list who have pretty much disappeared since my breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemo treatment. I prefer to be surrounded by those who have offered support and love during these mad 6 months.

6th and final (hopefully) chemo done for me earlier today and I skipped out of the Oncology Day Unit...and yes I have video proof!! 😉

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Karebear I know what you mean! I’ve even deleted my Facebook account! I had a recurrence very soon after my initial diagnosis. I was only back at work for 4 months before I had to go off sick again. When I went back to work last week a colleague said to me ‘nice to see you back, you almost made it back last time!’. I think people don’t know what to say!! Xx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Yes I’m sure you are getting nervous. You’ve had to go through all the chemo first so much longer to think about it. I had a sentinel node biopsy the day before my lumpectomy & it wasn’t as bad as I thought at all. I was more wit that they put a dressing under the arm & I thought how am I going to shower & use deodorant before the operation! Nor was the mastectomy, if anything they numb it so much, I didn’t need pain relief the whole time I was in hospital. Will you have imediate reconstruction? Xx

[KirstyH]

Sorry to hear about your friend cathsin, lucky she went and got checked though!!

Yeah haha I have been using my eyeliner everyday and filling in the brows now with an eyebrow powder kit, thank goodness it doesnt actually lookn too bad. Oh that is good news that it hasn't changed at all, as you would have expected it to change on chemo if it was anything sinister so fingers crossed. What is micro-ablation?

Yes my lymph biospy op is 12th April so only 2 weeks away now! and then mastectomy the following week on 19th April. I am now really worried about the pathology results and been having dreams about it, need to try and stay calm lol x

[Karebear]

Cathsin people say the most stupid things to me as well . I just take a deep breath and try to smile at them
They have no idea what we are going through
My friend list has got a lot smaller since this has happened to.me
I only want the people who have supported me through this in my life now
Xx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Cathsin, one of my oncologists makes mistakes like that, not just with me either! Sorry to hear that your friend is in the same boat 😕

Kirsty, thank goodness for eyeliner is all I keep thinking! I have a 1cm nodule in my lung, it didn’t change size at all after chemo so they’re still unsure. I had another pet scan last week as they’re now talking about possible micro-ablation. I also need to have reconstruction but because I only finished radiotherapy last April I have to wait 18 months. Is your surgery next month? Xx

[Cathsin]

The full monty girls and boys did an excellent job if it helps some people get checked out that's a bonus .
I will tell you a story about a friend of mine . When I got my diagnosis she said I missed my nammogram it was in September . When she checked it was due Sept 16 . I told her she needed to get checked straight away . When she got her results she text me and said it looks like we are not going to be chemo buddies after all .......... I am still in shock over her comment x

[Cathsin]

Kirsty having a lumpectomy got 2 areas to remove one is the area of cancer and the other is a intermammory lymphnode that was taken by the cancer and some lymphnodes as well . Yes I felt physically sick when surgeon said that and it rendered my husband speechless who's is a rare occourance x

[KirstyH]

Thanks, hopefully a quiet day. lol typical man unicornmummygirl!! do you have anything nexct on the treatment plan?

my eyelashes and eyebrows are very scarce now, so they prob continue to fall out before the start to grow back 😞 x

[KirstyH]

Oh god cathsin, what a thing for him to come out with! Good to hear you also have surgery date, what kind of surgery are you having? x

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Morning!

Good luck today runaway girl!

Hopefully work will be relatively quiet Kirsty!

My last chemo was 6 weeks ago & I’ve lost more eyelashes 😩 my taste is back to normal & energy levels are getting better. My husband has man flu & has probably complained more in the last few days about his cold, than what I did throughout the whole of surgery & chemo!!!!! 🙈

I hope everyone is doing ok & manages to enjoy the bank holiday weekend xx

[Karebear]

Did anyone watch ladies full Monty. I found it very emotional but brilliant. It's funny that they had the same feelings as I have had and said the same things that I have said to family and friends
Xx

[Cathsin]

Good luck runaway girl my last one is next Wednesday . Got date for my operation as well it's 3rd May . That appointment was s bit of a shock when surgeon said how is my Lymphoma being managed ? My response was nobody has told me I had lymphoma !!! He checked the notes and said oh yes it came back negative .......

[KirstyH]

Good luck runawaygirl!! Last one in this stage of the treatment 💪

Im at work today as we dont close for good Friday 🙁 but wr are closed on Monday so still a long weekend 😉 xx

[runawaygirl248]

Hope everyone is OK and has a good bank holiday weekend!

6th and final chemo for me this afternoon. Mixture of emotions from being nervous to giddy to anxious!!

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Enjoy your time with your friends Camilla 😊

Good luck today Sam. I think it’s normal to feel like that, I know I felt the same. As you start to feel more yourself & as life gradually gets back to normal those feelings do get better. I think being in this situation we are all going to have those thoughts.

I hope everyone is ok xx

[KirstyH]

Good luck with round 6 everyone!

I am the same as you also Camilla, with the lymph node situation, I had 1 swollen node on scans at diagnosis which they biopsied and was positive, but all the others looks normal and no more were tested at that point, so full clearance was always what I thought, but my swollen one has reduced by half back into 'normal' looking region as per scans, so they have decided to do a sentinel node biopsy but remove more than just the sentiel nodes and remove a few more that are up stream from the affected one, if they are all clear and was only the 1 affected, then think its going to be rads to the area instead of clearance, obv if any active cells/others postitive then full clearance will happen the following week with my mastecomy. I am also sporty, play basketball and its my right side & im right handed so I am praying that the chemo has killed what was in that 1 and the others are clear... but if not then I want them gone so will get the lot out.

enjoy time with friends 🙂 x

[Camilla9]

My chemo 6 is next week and I can't wait for this whole chemo business to be behind me.

After 3 wks I then have a CT scan to see just what the chemo might have achieved. Then it's the chat with the surgeon to see what she is planning. I know that a complete axillary clearance had been in store for me, but, if the cancer in the lymph nodes has now gone, I'm hoping it won't have to be so drastic. It's my left side and I'm left handed and before BC I was playing tennis 3 times a week and swimming regularly, the prospect of poss lymphoedema is miserable.

However, the bottom line is that I will accept what the surgeon thinks best.

Good luck everyone with what the next stage brings.

My husband is away for 3 days now so hopefully I'll catch up with friends as not feeling too bad. 

[KirstyH]

Morning ladies,it has been a little quiet hasnt it!

Thank god it was cysts runnaway girl what a releif! Hope the viral infection passes soon!

Oh dear what a nighrmare dropping your phone down the toilet unicorngirlmummy 🙈🙈 I hope its recovers

Sam I was exactly the same, thought id want to celebrate but I felt so scared and emotional on week leading up to last one, kept crying amd also felt annoyed when people keot saying, well done thats it done! All I kept thinking is,it could come back. Now that im 12 days into the last cycle tho, I can say im back to feeling a lot more positive and i am now happy chemo is done. Apparently its quite common to feel like that on lead up to last

so this cycle only needed 2 days off work at the start and have had very little side effects, so pleased I can feel normal on this one after the 4 hospital trips on round 4 and 5 🙈

Now its my surgery pathology im worried about and obsessing over, dreaming about pathology results and eveeything 🙈🙈 xx

[SamH87]

Iv been counting down to tomorrow since the end of November... yet now it’s here- I don’t want to go!! I don’t want the 12 days of feeling horrendous. I don’t like people saying ‘oh it’s done’ — I panic thinking ‘what if it comes back and I have to do it again’ ... I’m scared that chemo is now over.
All total contradictions but I don’t even know what I want!!!
Arghhh 😩😩

Anyone else felling like this about their ‘last’ chemo?!??
Xx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

Oh runaway girl, bless you. Thank goodness it was dealt with so quickly and more so that it was a cyst. Good news about the hair and that chemo 6 can go ahead! It has been quiet on here, I hope everyone is ok? I had an appointment with the lymphoedema nurse this morning, whist rushing out the door I put my phone in my my back pocket as I remembered I'd not put deodorant on, I run upstairs to do that and I thought I'd better do a wee and yep....clunk...phone in the loo!!!! It's ridiculous how lost I am without it! It's in rice and its working sort of! I hope everyone's side effects aren't too hideous xx

[runawaygirl248]

This thread seems to have been quiet of late - I hope everyone is OK and not suffering with too many S/E's!

I've been to the hospital this morning to see the Oncologist ahead of the 6th and final chemo this coming Friday and providing I am still recovering from this viral infection it will go ahead as planned 

I did find another lump in the same breast as the removed tumour so asked the Oncologist to have a feel of it.  I was sent over for an ultrasound and thankfully the scan showed the lump as not one but 2 cysts side by side so they drained them off - the relief was immense as I've spent the last 5 days fretting about it! 

Happy to report that my head hair also seems to be regrowing albeit it fine baby hair - not sure if as a result of reduced chemo dose on cycle 5 but great to know that my hair will regrow!

Hope everyone is OK.

[Karebear]

Its a bit surreal that some of us are talking about finishing chemo and starting radiotherapy
It's been quite a journey for some of you.
I feel quite lucky I've avoided hospital & infections SO FAR.
Am feeling ok so am going to open a bottle of prosecco I'll not really taste it but i dont care
Xx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

That’s great news cathsin 😊

Runaway girl, I hope you’re feeling better & that next weeks chemo can go ahead 🤞

Camilla, hope you’re starting to feel better too & have some cream for that heel.

Sam, my nose has streamed throughout the whole of chemo, there are tissues everywhere & I still have lovely dry flaky skin on my nose from it! 🙈😩

I had a PET scan this morning to check on this lung nodule, it’s awful how you convince yourself they’re going to find all sorts 😬

Hope everyone is doing ok & that you manage to have a good weekend xx

[Cathsin]

Moijan I have no expectations at all I am only thinking about today and this stage of the process to be honest the thought of thinking past that scares me
Sam I have appt with surgeon on 28th then rads after surgery

Runwaygirl hope you recover suitably for no 6 we just need to get it boxed off now don't we x

[Moijan]

Well Cathrin,

Maybe it has? You could imagine it has...would be a powerful thing to do.

glad you are home and well. Healthy level of neutrafils xx

moijanx

[runawaygirl248]

After having temperature overnight and high heart rate I was at the Oncology Assessent Unit by 8am this morning. Temp kept rising to 38.5°C but after IV antibiotics it started to slowly come down. All full bloods showed everything is fine and Im not neutropenic (maybe that's thanks to GCSF injections), chest xray clear and no bacterial infection shown in bloods. Viral swab done but will take 48hrs for the results.

Sent home at 3pm and to take paracetamol regularly and plenty of fluids and rest. Sinuses are starting to become congested so maybes a cold has been in the making the last couple of days.  Need to get it shifted for 6th chemo cycle on 30th March!

[SamH87]

Ah hopefully the side effects will be kinder to you Cathsin! Have you had your surgery yet? Or are you going straight onto rads? Xx

[Cathsin]

Neut level 2.1 homeward bound for me
They reducing my last chemo level as expectation is that cancer has already gone x

[Moijan]

So pleased for you Dr BEX l

will miss you..check back on us from time to time. 

Much love andhugs

 Moijanx

[drbexl]

Glad to see some of you coming out the other side! I've got chemo Friday, and next Friday, then (ABW) that's that bit done! Got an MRI scan Easter Monday, then rads planning 17th Apr. I'm semi 'back to work' next week - working from home on some writing! 🙂 

[SamH87]

So glad to see that some of us are now coming out the other side!
I just dread the feeling of next week ... just got to get through that first and hopefully will start to feel the same.

Great news on the speedy surgery Kirsty! I am yet to meet my surgeon so not sure what my plan is? Like you though I havnt yet had any kind of lymph node biopsy so I’m hoping I’m not in for a nasty surprise when they do that.... :-I

Runawaygirl - there is a definite SE pattern isn’t there! Part of me hopes that round 6 will be ‘ok’ but then the rational part of me knows it has been the same for the last 5 and it’s very unlikely to be any better for number 6!!

My SE at the moment is a streaming runny nose! The Herceptin means I’m permanently glued to my box of tissues!!
Xx

[Unicorngirlmummy]

That’s good you have a date for surgery Kirsty, it’s much easier than chemo!

Cathsin & Camilla, I hope you’re feeling better very soon.

Runaway girl & Sam, only more to go!

Moijan, glad the port went well!

Karebear, I was going to ask my BCN about counselling too. Although the physical side effects get better, the mental ones still linger 😕

Big hugs to you all 😘 xx

[Cathsin]

Have s look out for something called moving forward Karebear it's a programme run by us in Wigan I am a bit too soon to get involved but will defo look at it when everything is done.
We are all foing amazing and counting down now
Unicorngirlmummy we don't wa t to strangle you glad you are in the other side it will be the rest of us soon x

[Karebear]

I've  been feeling very down cycles 4 & 5  I think it's down to coping with all the S/E., And now am nearly coming to the end of chemo. 

When the radiotherapy is over am going to go to counciling I think it will help me get on with life.

[Camilla9]

Kirsty, great news your ops planned and dates fixed.

I have a CT scan a month after last chemo so don't think any plans will be made until results are known so no speedy op for me.

I think the gcfs injections have kept my neuts on track so have never had that problem.

Good luck to anyone struggling.

Hugs xxx