Anyone due to start chemo in April? - Awesom April Angels

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies

Welcome Lori and Victoria and thanks to our supporters from previous months - it really does help

We've got a great bunch of AAA's now (love the bunny analogy:) - just a shame that we all have to be here!

Zuzy - I think we had someone due to start on 2nd April - Amber maybe?

Deborah - yes we sound quite similar, I expect I'll start around mid April which will be 6 weeks after 2nd Op - will be interesting to see what cochtail (mmm) we both get!

I'm away for weekend to beautiful Glencoe in the scottish highalnds so probabaly wont post for a few days but looking forward to catching up when I get back. I'm assuming there is not a smartphone app for this site as haven't seen anything?

take care, Pauline (44, Glasgow) xx

[Mindy63]

You've got your name! Fab! To me you will be the triple A's now and I'll be imagining wee duracell bunnies fighting their way through chemo. Good luck girls!

[Zuzy]

Hi all, has anyone got a date yet? just wondered who will be leading the way!
Panacea, I'm in south London, having treatment at the Marsden. Perhaps we'll be able to get together at some point?
Meemoo, I'll be 39 in April, am hoping won't start til after so can at least enjoy the day (although not sure that wigs and scarves are the most exciting pressies!)
Pauline, also not convinced by whiskey and irn bru but happy to try anything once!
Zxx

[meemoo]

Hi Ladies,

I'm ready to join your group - please

I have been reading the posts on this site for the last 7 weeks (i was dx on 7th Feb) and the support that the ladies give each other is wonderful so please count me in!!! (['ve been following the Valentines and they are all amazing - I love your poems Kath!)
I have grade 2 DCI - they said it was small but then they found other tumors when I had an MRI (they haven't biopsid these as I agreed to have a MX).

I will be having my MX this monday (18th) with immediate recon as I won't be needing rads (had a node biopsy last week and all clear). I have been told that I will need chemo tho due to my age (I'm going to be 40 in April - not how I planned on celebrateing - with a dose of chemo ). So they have told me that I will need about 5 weeks to heal which means I should be starting in the middle of April.

I really hope that by being part of a group, will inspire me to keep my chin up and get to the finishing line with a sense of acheivment that others couldn't possibly imagine.

Victoria x x

[Panacea]

Hello Amber, I'll keep that in mind! Now which Angel shall I be....? Suddenly the whole wig thing has taken on a new dimension.
Pauline, I also had IDC surrounded by DCIS, and had 2 ops and hopefully I'll find out next week if they got clear margins second time around. Ditto on the 2 postive nodes, but then we differ as I'm ER+ and HER2+. I expect to see the oncologist on the 28/29th, and my BCN thought that if agreed I would start chemo about 10 days later. Did they tell you you would need 6 weeks to heal before they would start chemo? It will be interesting to see if we end up on similar regimes.
By the way it seems that there are quite a few of us in our 40s - is that right?

Deborah

[Lola65]

Hi Aprils,
I echo everything Morween has said.





Linda xxx - a February Valentine that hasn't yet started chemo!!!

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Just read this article in the dreaded Mail... at this rate I'll be living on bread and water...
Bread with preservatives andpolluted water....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2293426/Breast-cancer-patients-eat-cheese-yogurts-ice-cream-HALVE-chances-survival.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Has anyone read about the dairy connection, I have and now drink organic, but unsure if that is any better
Maggie

[Morwenna]

Hi Aprils,

Just popping in from January gems to say hi, and good luck to you all!
Reading some of the earlier comments, I also thought I'd point out that oncologists tend not to give a lot of info all at once, I guess for fearing overloading us! Obviousy some people wish to be more fully informed, but instead we are dripfed on a "need to know basis.

However, with resources such as this site, it is very easy to obtain information, even if not all of it is accurate, so beware of that! My approach was to read a lot of stuff, and then say to my oncologist, "Ok, I've read this, and I think that ..... etc", and wait for her comment albeit agreement or disagreement. This led to a rather freer discussion of outcomes and options. I suspect it made it easier for the doctor!

Make sure you get copies of all reports, preferably before you get your oncology consult, then you have the information in writing and have time to think about it in order to pay attention to the options, ... and always have a second person to help you listen, especially if decisions are to be made!

Good luck to you all on the chemo rollercoaster!! 😉

[Guest user]

Hi Angel's - so hospital went ok today - no more surgery which is great news! As suspected, i am def Triple Neg but surgeon didn't seem to think this was much of an issue and said prognosis was still good - think I will ask the Oncho to go into a bit more detail on that. As for the DCIS they found during 2nd op - all out with clear margin so that's positive. So 2 from 13 nodes positive, could have been much worse. Intend to ask Onch more about stats on this i.e. what percentage of ladies with 2/13 go on to develop secondary cancer - just so that I understand the size of the risk. Also risk of recurrance in the first 5 years is apprently higher if you are TN so again one for the Onch i.e. how much higher.
I'm honestly not a sadist - just want to know these things 🙂

Should get my Onch appointment in next couple of weeks and then should start chemo quite quickly after that (need about 6 weeks to heal after op which was just last week so probably another 4/5 weeks to go) I should still be an Angel hopefully 🙂
Hope yopu are all well
Pauline xx

[Amber_D]

Hi Deborah,

Think of Charlies Angels, they were tough, determined and of course beautiful, we're gonna fight this cancer head on and come out the other end,
take care

[WAC]

Hi Kath
Sorry you have so much to contend with but thanks for your reassuring post! Will have to seek out those poems...
Wendy x

[Guest user]

Hi Gail
I too am Tn and being 47 genetic testing has been proposed.....all rather scary .I too have daughter ~ 14.... Sophie xxx

[poemsgalore]

Deborah, so sorry about the arthritis. Seems a daft thing to say to someone who has cancer, but as I said, cancer can be cured and you ladies are doing the best you can to do that. I'm afraid arthritis is something we have to learn to live with. Normally I would be having a once a week injectiion of Methotrexate, but have had to stop that while on chemo, but still take Leflunomide. Oddly enough, arthritis seems to have gone to sleep. Probably because RA is immune system attacking your joints, and while on chemo, immune system isn't working properly. It seems a lot of people have had bone scans etc., but I haven't. Maybe because they already know my problems and don't want find any more

All the best. Kath xxx

[lori28]

Hi everyone,
My 1st FEC-T Chemo is scheduled to start 27th March depending on my wound healing, I still have a slight issue from surgery on 20th February. So if there is a delay I may qualify for your thread!!
I was diagnosed in January with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 2 (Ostrogen 8/8, Progesterone 7/8 and HER2 positive) this all meant diddly squat to me at the turn of the year!!
I've had a Right breast mastectomy and axillary nodes removed, my surgery results show that this is unlikely to have spread as only 3 out of 14 nodes had cancer cell traces....phew!
Thankfully though my oncologist would still prefer me to have the usual scans (Bone, Heart, CT etc) but as my Surgeon has reported clear margins it is unlikely that I will need radiotherapy.
Second haircut is planned for tomorrow as it is inevetable that I will lose my hair, for many as I have read this part is more daunting than the surgery.....some things are easier to hide than others. Anyway I will try every option to see what I can get away with I already have my first felt hat and hope to seek out a suitable wig soon to have on standby.
I feel I have coped well so far (better than I anticipated) but I have a huge amount of support from Family and Friends so far and that to me is priceless.
We all need support and being able to talk to people that have or are going through similar if not the same is a great help......
Best wishes to you all
Lori

[Panacea]

Hello Kath and thanks for keeping an eye on us. I've been lurking on the Valentines thread, and picking up some great info & enjoying the poems. Cripes you've got a lot going on. I was (not so fit) but fairly healthy until all this, but the bone scan revealed arthritis in shoulders, hips and back which has explained a lot of recent twinges. I want them to stop looking now before they find anything else wrong with me!
Deborah

PS I'm happy with the 'Awesome' not so sure about the 'Angel' bit.....

[poemsgalore]

Hi Awesome April Angels

Just popped over from the February Valentines thread to say what a great name you have chosen. I understand how you are all feeling various stages of anxiety, especially after what you have already been through, But if an old doddery thing like me can cope, I'm sure you will too. Other problems I have (cancer isn't the worst believe it or not, I know that can be cured) are Reumatoid Arthritis, Bronchiectasis with psudomonas colonies in my lungs, Sjogren's Syndrome, & psoraisis.
All the very best for your treatment in April

Big hugs
Poemsgalore (kath) xxx

[June_BCC]

Hello everyone

After a request from user pcmartin we have amended the name of this thread as above.

Best wishes, June, moderator

[Guest user]

Hey Southpool and Vanns - thanks for poppoing in and giving us newbies the benefit of your experience. Will def read through the April 2012 thread.

I'm in the process of trying to change our thread name to Awsome April Angels so look out for that when you pop back in

Pauline x

[Guest user]

Hi Pauline
I do hope all goes well with 2nd op today - do I presume that is the nodes under your arm? I was very lucky to get that done at the same time - a bit of a postcode lottery with that one I think. It was a bit weird getting used to carrying the drain around and then I managed to pull it out the day before it was due to be removed! Happy to say no problems caused though and a week on I have increased excercises which feels fine so far.
Speak soon, take it easy!
Nicki xx

[Guest user]

Hello again
I went to see my consultant on Tuesday to get my results and was told I was triple negative and because of that and my age they will be testing me to see if I am genetically pre-disposed to the breast cancer gene. This felt like one more blow as I have a 12 year old daughter. I'm also trying to find out a bit more about being triple negative. I'm going to see the chemo nurse today to get booked in for my first cocktail (if only!) of 6 sessions then radiotherapy so I'd be really interested to hear from you.
Good luck
Gail x

[Guest user]

Hi girlies,
Im also from the April 2012 thread and I actually can't believe I'm writing this a year on ! Like you I read messages of those who had had pervious treatments and thought it sounded such a mountain to climb but honestly it will fly. However I really couldn't have done it without my other "bunnies" who have now become dear dear friends who i speak with everyday.
Cancer has changed my life for the better and if you asked me if I would have changed things, then the answer is no. I have lost some of my breast but gained a more positive approach, a more determined attitude and a better sense of humour. Not to mention an appreciation of the importantthings in life.
Please please read our thread as its uplifting and quite frankly funny.
Top tip. Do not google.

[southpool]

Hi

Thought I'd pop back in and let you know I have posted on the April 2012 thread so it appears in latest posts. It is worth a read both for some good tips & a laugh!! Our group supported each other through some tough times but we also had lots of laughs. We are from all over the country, range in age from 28 to 64 and all different walks of life, but we will be friends now for life.

Pixie who started our thread has raised over £10000 for cancer research uk since she started treatment by making and selling Pixies Happy Bags. Do google them as they make fab gifts for all the people who will help you on your journey.

Pauline I managed to work all through my chemo as am self employed consultant and could work from home some of the time. Don't stress yourselves about work, you will know what is right for you, some people can continue & others can't.

The final top tip & a bit of a motto for us 'step away from google'!!!

Take care
S x

[Guest user]

Hi - I was just reading some of the previous posts about going back to work and financial issues (I know I am getting way ahead of myself but interested!) There are some really sad stories about ladies being forced to return to work too early or not getting paid while off etc. There was a good bit of advice about keeping a note of dates and conversations with employers etc as you really dont know how their views will change over the months that you are off.

Personally I have been very lucky so far, not officially signed off and can work from home albeit I have stepped back from my normal day to day a fair bit due to Ops. I do however, envisage having to be signed off at some point (prob during chemo at points) and whilst my work have been abspolutely terrific so far and I don't really expect that to change, I think I will start to keep a note of conversations / emails etc just to be on the safe side. Might be worth other AAAs considering?

so much to consider, take care

Pauline x

[WAC]

Good luck for tomorrow, Pauline - will be thinking of you. I'm having another glass of wine tonight to celebrate seeing my lovely surgeon today and not bursting into tears! Still not convinced about whisky and Irn Bru though...

Take care - and gentle, virtual hugs
Wendy x

[Guest user]

Thanks MM , I'll try the moderator in the morning then and see what they say.

Welcome Nicki - we are all newbies as well and getting the feel for things, soo glad you have joined. I'm at hospital tomorrow after my 2nd Op so hope to get date for appointment with Onc

Amber - Whiskey n bru is the bomb, so much so that I'm having another one this evening 🙂 you should give it a try!!

I'll let you all know what hospitial say tomorrow - anyone else got app's this week?

big soft hugs (I'm still sore!)
Pauline xx

[Amber_D]

Hi,

how are all you awsome angels this evening?
had a wee bit of a wobbly day, met up with a lovely lady yesterday who had recently finished her treatment. Reality kicked in, Iam really struggling with losing my hair, I feel my my identity is going to be taken away from me and Iam not in control any more.
Anybody else feel like this?
Pauline, maybe I should try your whiskey n iron bru, swop it for the vodka n iron bru lol.
take care Angels, have a lovely evening
Ps. Anyway heard from Charlie lol xxxx

[Guest user]

Hi
I've never posted to a forum before so not quite sure if I'm doing the right thing here! Anyway, I'm pretty sure I will be joining the Awesome April Angels. I was diagnosed on 18th Feb and lump and nodes (at the same time) removed last Wednesday. Next stop for confirmation of treatment is the 25th. Really scary stuff and I hope to stay positive, give and receive support, and generally share all the stuff that this journey is going to bring.
Nicki xxx

[WAC]

Thanks for such a reassuring post, Maggie.
Wendy x

[Mungos_mum]

Hi Pauline,
If you contact the moderators, they may be able to change the name of the thread. I know this has been done in the past. Good luck!
MM

[Guest user]

Ladies - I cant see how to change the name of our thread to Awsome April Angels - shall I just start a new one and put a note on this one to redirect people to the new one?

Deborah - like you, I went in for Ops on my own but def intend to take hubby to the chemo sessions - even just to settle me in then come back for me. We might not be able to drive!

Pauline x

[Panacea]

Thanks Funkilala and Maggie. I guess its the not knowing what it'll be like that's got all this whirling round in my head. I've gone for all the scans and biopsies on my own, partly so that my partner can save his leave for when we really need it, and also because if I go on my own I don't have to worry about him worrying about me! But I think perhaps the chemo is a whole other ball game.
x

[mggdggn@yahoo.co.uk]

Hi Panacea,
Im currently number 3 fec of 6, I have both mum and sister for company having chemo, and because both of them nurses they don't trust anyone with my care so watch like guard dogs ( they watch everything like guard Dogs anyway lol)... My chemo suite is lovely, very intimate and cosy. They sit with me while I have the cold cap on, they go for lunch and come back and we read and chat. This makes the day go quicker. Your hubby will be fine, let him take books to read or laptop to play on. Once he sees you settled and happy he might decide to come every session to keep you company or he may decide to drop you off and then pick you up. Why not include him on the first session so he can make his own decision once he knows you are happy and safe.
Good luck Awesome Aprils you'll be fine
Maggie x

[Funkilala]

Hi Panacea Funki from the VALENTINES thread here.
I would definitely have somebody go with you for the first chemo at least. You may walk out of there feeling perfectly fine or you could feel a bit light headed and nauseous. Better to be safe than sorry. You will be fine on your own whilst having the chemo but I would arrange for someone to come and pick you up or travel home with you.

[Panacea]

Amber yes I think you can change the name, or ask one of the moderators to do it for us. Zuzy where abouts in London are you? I'm in Hackney, so attending the Homerton but think chemo is at Barts.
I'm wondering about whether its possible to go for chemo on my own, or whether best to have someone with me. What do people think? Maybe some of our January & February ladies could give some advice? I went in on my own for both lots of surgery (we'd been told I couldn't have anyone on the day ward, although everyone else seemed to have extended families in tow). It was fine, and the nurses seemed to take extra good care of me. I wonder though how practical that is for chemo, or if its best to gently prepare my OH for coming with me.

[WAC]

Amber - Awesome April Angels - love it!
Pauline - whisky and Irn Bru??? Not for me I think - but enjoy it!
Wendy x

[Guest user]

Hi Lola65 - thanks for popping in. I'll give that a try

Pauline x

[Lola65]

Hi Pauline, I think as you started it you can go back and edit it.

[Zuzy]

Good name! i was v surprised they'd taken 10 but Apparently the number you have varies quite a lot and I had a lot that showed with the dye but quite a few we're v small? It's all a bit of a mystery to be honest! Will be interesting to see how many I end up having in total!

[Guest user]

Hi Wendy - I'm celebrating with you with a whiskey and Irn Bru - pure class 😉 that's great news!

Amber, sorry - there must have been a delay in your post - love the Angel's extension !

Awsome April Angels 🙂 🙂 🙂

Does anyone know if we can change the name of the thread or do we need to start a new one reflecting our fab name?
Pauline x

[WAC]

Hi
So "Awesome Aprils" it should be - and apologies for typing errors in last post. Thought I could share some good news for a change..
First good thing today - had drain removed and didn't feel a thing
Second, absolutely wonderful thing - got results today from lymph node op last week. I'd got two micromets - 1 mm and 0.7 mm - in the node removed when I had my mastectomy 4 weeks ago but there was NO cancer in the nodes taken out last week. Such a relief after I'd spent the last week thinking myself into some very dark places... Probably shouldn't be, but am celebrating with a moderate glass of wine. Now just have to psych myself up for the chemo...
Thanks for all the support - sure we'll need it over the next few months but, as you say, Pauline, it's wonderful to know we are not alone.
Wendy x

[Guest user]

Hi Ladies
Wendy, think you have it - Awsome April's - does that sound ok to everyone? 🙂
Amber D - looks like you are the front runner in terms of start dates so we'll all be looking to you for the gory details 🙂 Let us know how your wig hunt goes- i'm thinking scarves and hats and possibly a wig for work (if and when I can face it!)
Zuzy - Interesting you have already had 10 removed and now going for full clearance. I had 1/2 the first time and then 1/11 the 2nd time - not sure why I didn't get full clearnace (which I think is in the region of 20) that's what i thought I was getting - will ask the doc on Thursday!
I'm a bit worried that another op might be on the cards for me - 2 so far. While taking another bit from the tumour area (supposed to be good tissue) they found high grade DCIS - hope this doesn't mean another op and delay things further. Just want to get on with it now! Was at the dentist today and getting some work done (rush job) over the next couple weeks - you may have heard this already but good to go before chemo starts and get anything done asap.
Other thing I just realised is that if you go onto 'latest posts' which I was doing, you don't always see all the posts so best to come through 'getting treatment' 'chemo' on the left hand side - you may know this already but thought I'd mention if not!
You learn so much reading these posts - my hubby is worried I'm reading doom and gloom horror stories, but I'm actually finding it all really educational and comforting knowing you are not alone (not that I am wishing this on anyone else...)
Big soft hugs xx

[Amber_D]

Like your thinking Wendy, how about Awsome April Angels, anybody else got any ideas xx

[WAC]

Hi
In my other life (not the life of hospital appointments, insomnia and breast cancer websites!), I am a lecturer in further and higher education. One of my lovely tutor groups this year - 16-17 year olds - call themselves the "Awesone OneSure wee we could incorporate the words "awesome" and "April" into a suitable title...

Wendy x

[Amber_D]

Hi Deborah & Pauline,
it truly is a minefield, so many questions but lets take strength from each other and the other lovely ladies on here. I didn't realise there were so many different types, grades etc but I guess unless it affects you or someone you know we're all in the same boat.
iam going to try and get a wig sorted out in the next week, it will be my safety net, losing my hair is a biggy for me, I feel like I'll lose my identity and be labelled a cancer victim by everybody if I wear scarves. Don't feel I would be that confident at the moment anyway but I guess that could change.
Anyway what are the April group going to call ourselves?

Amber xx

[Guest user]

Hi Deborah

Us scottish lasses are made of strong stuff 🙂 I'm fortunate that i can work from home so still doing that for the moment albeit I have stepped back and not getting overly involved in too much. My work are fab and I feel very lucky, have read some horror stories on here! I had a few days off after each Op to recover and still feeling quite tired after Op last week. Apart from that very positive and pragmatic about things which i think helps.

Naps are great, enjoy 🙂
Pauline x

[Panacea]

Hello Pauline and Amber, I was born in Glasgow, so I'm with you in spirit up there. I've got invasive ductal G3 with 2 nodes so it sounds like we're not disimilar, it'll be interesting to see if we end up on the same regime. I've having a very lazy day today, and I may even go back to bed at some stage. I seem to tire so easily now, I'm not sure if its being off work, or if its partly psychological. Apart from a few slightly wobbly days I've been pretty optimistic, and just glad that I noticed my lump when I did, but I guess the stress may still be taking its toll on me.

Deborah

[Zuzy]

Hi all, I'm hoping to start chemo in April (there's a sentence I never thought I'd write!!) I was diagnosed in October, had WLE and SNB on 15 Feb following 4 months of neo adjuvant hormone therapy, 4/10 nodes involved so have full clearance on 22 March.......It's been nearly 6 months already and really just want to get on with things now! I'm 38 and also in London.

[Guest user]

Welcome Amber 🙂
Good that you have a start date (I think!) I'm back on Thursday to officially get results of 2nd op removing more nodes albeit I already have the results from my GP - 2/13 positive (post above explains!) Hopefully I will get my Onc appointment in next couple weeks and get my start date too. I'm a bit worried that they also found 'high grade DCIS' from an extra bit they removed from the tumour margin as not sure what that means in terms of treatment - hopefully not another op. I'm also triple negative and doing lots of reading about that to understand more.
I must admit to being completely ignorant to breast cancer and it's complexities before this, there is so much to it and lots to get your head round!
take care
Pauline (Glasgow) xx

[Amber_D]

Hi Deborah,
opposite end of the country, Iam from north east Scotland

[Panacea]

Hello Amber, it sounds like there's a few of us now in a similar situation.
By the way, I'm in London, where is everyone else?
Deborah