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Chemo JAN 2017

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

WTp - did you have to have more biopsies afte the chemo? I thought you were having surgery at start of July - didn't realise they had to do biopsies before this. Worried now!

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Fab news Scotty - so happy for you!! Well, apart from the infection - that sucks!
Quite a lot of ladies at the Younger Women course were also on the aspirin trial... is not heard of it before then.
My biopsy was horrendous to put it bluntly. Went in expecting one like the original with the ultrasound and that gun thing but no... it was the dreaded mammogram machine but the difference being "we're going to compress you but we won't release you". Then the doc took about 14 tissue samples from two areas using some sort of vacuum needle thing. It took an hour!! I saw the tissue at the end and it made me feel so sick - little lumps like peas that has been pulled out. The doc and nurses were fab but I burst into tears as soon as I got out and saw my husband. I hope to get results this week. Although my tumour shrunk, there is a large area of calcification which in best case could be the "ghost" of the tumour - whatever that means - and worst case cancerous or precancerous cells 😩 I'm utterly confused as they also keep saying what a great response I had to chemo.. yet the doc kept giving me "that" look - you know, where you feel doomed?
He said he also wants me to go for yet another MRI which makes me think maybe they don't trust the last one as it was only a month ago and only had one small dose of paciltaxel since that scan... 😩
This journey is forever taking us on rollercoasters, isn't it!
We were in the process of buying our house when I got diagnosed. Literally had the critical illness policy ready to sign but then I found my lump so had to change it all. Would have been a pretty good silver lining! ☺️
Hope you all enjoyed your wknds xxx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Thanks x

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No hospital stay Scotty, I had the choice of going in for iv antibiotics or having tablets plus aspirations so I went for the latter, I had 3 over the course of a week and it sorted it out.

It took a while to heal but that was only because I had re-excisions to get the margins which slowed the process down. 

 

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

How long did it take to clear up
Beebot? Was it all managed without a hospital stay??!!

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Ouch Scotty, you have my sympathy, that happened to me too. My face was a picture when the doctor said he wanted to manually drain it or "aspirate it" as he put it but as with everything on this rollercoaster all you can do is sigh and agree to it. I know you are as keen as me on needles but it is a relief.

 

I had a look at the Add Aspirin trial website. I agree with you Egg, I wouldn't want to end up in the placebo group although I wouldn't know if I was. It sounds like it starts out on the back of some positive results in other studies.

 

Jackie/Mooney, how are you doing? 

Hugs to everyone with whatever is happening this week.

 

Beedot x

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Oh no Scotty! I had visions of you partying this weekend after your good news, but it seems there is always something to throw a spanner in the works! Manual draining doesn't sound very pleasant 😖. Hopefully it settles quickly and you are not too uncomfortable.
Big hugs
Egg x

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Unfortunately I have developed a wound infection. Very painful. Currently on antibiotics and having the district nurse manually draining it🤢

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Scotty as always I am late to the party - fantastic news, so very pleased for you

love Ebimx

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What a great result Scotty! I bet you will be celebrating this weekend. I bet it sent your consultant off on holiday in a good mood too.

 

 

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Great news Scotty!

Re critical illness policies - please all check if you have any and don't hesitate in putting in a claim. I'm a critical illness claims manager and the number of people who often say they'd forgotten they had the cover is quite high. If in doubt give your insurance company a call.

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Lighthouse don't worry did t think your question was rude at all! Have actually meaning to look into it for a while as it might be linked to our mortgage.
Not sure if I will do the add aspirin study. Don't want the placebo arm!!
I think I will be like you with the zoladex and Exesmestane. Thought it would be tamoxifen +/- zoladex but now seems they are leaning to the other combo. But it's looking like it will be after the rads. Onc seems to think no rush to start it!

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

That's fantastic news Scotty!! So pleased for you x

I'm taking part in the Add Aspirin trial too Lighthouse. So far so good, hopefully I'll be ok after the 8 week trial to carry on. As well as possibly helping with new treatments I like the thought that the hospital will be keeping an extra eye on me.

That made me smile about your head frisking at Wembley - I'm going there next week with my daughter to see Adele, I'll warn her that her mothers bald head might be on show!

Hope you all have a great weekend x

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Egg - do u think you will do the study? I understand part off what they want to look at is the dose that might be effective. Just realised my question about critical illness cover may sound rude sorry! Its only because we had good news tjis week that our policy will pay out - i had reluctantly submitted a claim as i assumed that it would knocked back but our joy its been supported which takes some financial pressure off. We had joint life and critical ilness which i had forgotten i thought it was just life cover. Xx
Yep blue phased return xx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Thats just the bestest news scotty! Have a wonderful weekend!
Egg - hard call its a huge amount of money - have you got any critical illness cover u may have forgotten about? Not sure how best you work that one out. I am sure your heart will lead you the right decision for u.
Beedot - i think i will follow up as its was awful not what i expected.
Blue - i am her 2 neg er/pr positive and was pre menopausal prior to this rubbish and i had assumed it would be tamoxifen. My onco kept changing her mind about my hormone therapy but settled for monthly sc injections of zoladex to supress my ovaries, then i started exemestane to block oestrogen from fatty tissues as by then in the menopause and zometa as egg describes to reduce risk of reoccurrance in the bones. This combination has only been started as standard in my hospital the last 3 months or so. Based on some trial results published in jan this year. I tjink it was the soft study? I will confirm over weeked if i can find the paperwork. Its worth an ask. Xx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Yay Scotty, great news!

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Blue - the Zometa is zoledronic acid. It's a bisphosphonate and is meant to reduce the risk of recurrence especially in bones. I think it's especially proven in post menopausal women but also in pre menopausal women. When I asked the registrar she initially said no, I couldn't have it as I was pre menopausal (well before chemo I was!) but I then asked one of the consultants and another reg and they said I could have it. So I suppose I will discuss with them again when I see them after rads. It's so tricky when you are told one thing by one dr and another by another dr as you just want to be able to plan!
I will be on tamoxifen, but I think because I am Her + there has been some research about whether tamoxifen and herceptin can sometimes work against each other. So there are some other drugs they can use - something called Exesmestane and then also zoladex which work by switching off oestrogen in different ways. So again I think I will find out more after rads. It seems they are giving me a break from drugs until then! Well, apart from the 3 weekly herceptins, which will be given as an injection rather than IV and which I will start the week after finishing chemo!!
It's never ending. And like you Blue I have fear of it coming back so will throw anything at it! The 7k for additional drugs does make me balk though!

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Scotty that is fantastic news!!! I'm so pleased for you! You can enjoy the weekend now and have a cocktail! (Not a red one!)

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Whoop whoop Scotty. A great result. Pathological complete responses are quite rare I believe!

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Am typing this from my bed! I'm being so lazy today!!! I think I perhaps overdid it yesterday - i wandered around town for an hour, did the food shopping, made a casserole for tea......3 days post op! My armpit and upper arm feel numb - it's really odd actually. I'm hoping my drain will come out today too - I'm fed up of carrying it around now!!
Egg, what are the drugs you mention and if you don't mind me asking, why are you having them - the zometa and zoladex? I have only heard talk of tamoxifen for myself and am wondering if I should be enquiring about other treatments or alternatives. Im er+, her2-. The information given to me I'm beginning to think is very poor! I rarely see my bcn, not even during my hospital stay, surgery and discharge! I feel very much abandoned! My onc has discharged me and my surgeon is monsyllable man!
I can identify with your predicament re treatment and the whole what if angst if you don't Egg. Throughout this whole journey, I feel like I have to do what is suggested by those who 'know', as what if I didn't take their advice/recommendations and it came back. I really feel like I have no choice in my decision making if you know what I mean.
I am also suffering with anxiety regarding the cancer coming back. I'm even one step further as am not convinced it's actually gone at all! I really believe that I will get cancer again, in a year, 2 years, 5 years I don't know, but at the moment, I can't see a disease free future for me! I really don't want to have counselling as know myself that I would be trying to make the counsellor understand how it is and what I'm going through, when that isn't actually the point of counselling and anyway, how can we make anyone understand who hasn't been through this nightmare?
Are you planning a phased return to work lighthouse? I've been off work since April and hope to go back part time during rads in August - I hope it all goes to plan.
Hope your biopsy result turns out to be an oversensitive MRI wtp!
X

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Brilliant response and response. Clear margins so no more surgery. Almost but not quite a complete pathological response. Very happy and emotional xx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi Lighthouse, I had a Zometa infusion on Monday, the first standalone one as previous ones were given with chemo. I felt heavy limbed and slightly sick the next day (but I also started RT and Anastrozole on the same day) but nothing like you have described, I would follow that up. I have had swollen ankles and my arms were both looking puffy but that was before the infusion so I think that is due to Docetaxel (last one 22 May).

 

I can't believe how many of you are closet smurfs! I had full node clearance so no blue dye, I hadn't heard of that extra bonus before. However, I do have a sort of Ziggy Stardust pattern of blue veins down my shoulder strap line which I think is where the lymph glands were. 

My arm was doing really well after surgery and before chemo, I would say I had 95% feeling and movement back. Chemo set me back a bit as it kept heading for that area but it is settling down again now, particularly as I restarted exercises ready for RT. 

I have just finished week 1 of RT, the boost week, and all fine so far. I do find that the sheer technology of it  has set me thinking that this must be serious, chemo seemed so low tech by comparison. I have found myself worrying about whether this has all been a success, will it come back etc, which I haven't really dwelled on much before. I suppose it is seeing the end of treatment in sight, it will have been 11 months by the time I am finished and time for my first annual check in August.

Good luck with results today Scotty.

Mooney - hope the packing us keeping you well occupied.

hugs to everyone,

Beedot x

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi lighthouse
My onc mentioned Add Asipirin trial. And also the zometa. I had specifically asked about zometa and she said yes I could have it. Plus tamoxifen +/- zoladex depending on side effects. Zometa doesn't sound very nice! The add asipirin is a trial so one arm of it will be a placebo. But as she said - there would be nothing to stop me taking aspirin myself if I decided to do that! As it appears the initial trials showed a benefit to taking the aspirin if you can tolerate it.
I am her2 positive, so I have to decide if it's worth me having another 2 cycles of pertuzumab (perjeta) which I would have to self fund. I will continue to have herceptin, and apparently the trial which has just been published of perjeta showed only 1% improvement in outcome, so it won't be licencsed for any more than 4 cycles of the NHS. Onc said I could have 2 more cycles (this is what trial looked at) but it would cost 7k! Which is a LOT of money. But then I keep thinking what if i don't do it and it comes back - I would always wonder. Such a difficult decision! I think I will have to talk to them again about it - this time with the consultant.
It seems like there is always a hard decision to be made!

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Morning all, its been busy on here! I am just catching up with everyones news.

Blue/ scotty I hope the recovery is going well.

 - I had full axillary clearance which was 12 nodes for me - I still have numbness and sensation change from just below my shoulder, through my armpit and round to the back over my shoulder blades. My surgergy was start of Dec. Its more annoying than troublesome, I tend to forget about it. My surgeon has said its unlikely that the sensation will return, but not unheard of, it can take up to two years.  The main issues for me at time of surgery was the pain associated with the nerve ending re engaging, and seromas that needed draining a few times. Thankfully though both of these issues were relatively short lived and managable.

Scotty - think it might be path resuts today? Positive hugs x

 

Jackie- hope your three hour round trip is not driving you crackers, I an not surprised you are tired i am exhausted and I only had to go down the road! Hows Lulu?

 

Fen hen/Robin  - my fingernails have all gone a milky white and I fear that they will start to fall off - I thought I had got away with this Se as last chemo was May 2nd! I also did the whole dark nail varnish thing.

 

Wtp - great that your team are being thorough, hope the biopsy goes smoothly tomorrow - will you have long to wait for the results? Its such a nerve wracking time isnt it, stay focused on the trip to Sweden. I realise its easy to say but hard for our minds to do this!

Egg, one more to go! yeah!!!!!! Im still blue tooooo!

Esther/slowski - i am also still finding the nagging voice hard to silence. Some days are easier than others. I have had some counselling but I am not sure if it has really helped yet.

 

I have had a busy couple of weeks - Rads finished on Monday and I do feel tired. I am okay as long as i keep going but once i stop i just want to sleep, unfortunnately its never a restfull sleep. I really struggled with my first Iv zomera - the first 48hrs were similar to chemo, lots of pain/aches fluey, I even experienced some rigors. I have since had pins and needles in my hands consistently overnight, swelling in my hands that does ease off over the day. But all in all unpleasant I am sorry to report. Is anyone else getting this? I had wondered if i was developing lymphodema but its in both arms/hands so that wouldnt fit. Maybe its just delayed chemo se? I have raised with BC team who say if symtoms get worse then to call and they will see me.

I have been planning my return to work - not sure how i feel about this really. Back on the 3rd july with a couple of weeks leave. so first proper day 17th Jully Eeek!  i have been off sionce start of Dec. Will need to go wardrobe shopping as nothing fits - still havent heard back from the leisure centre about the fitness course offered via macmillan either despite having left 5 message! Must chase up!

 

Went to Wembly last weeked for a gig and had the experience of having my head frisked as part of the security checks! Luckily I was able to laugh about it but my 13 year was so embarassed, a real kevin and perry moment!

I also signed up for a clinical trial - called add asprin, anyone else been offered this? Anyone taking part in any other studies?

I realise i have now written a small essay, so if anyone has managed to get this far, apologies for the length, love and hugs! Look forward to hearing how everyone else is getting on.

Take care

 

 

 

 

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Esther,

Sorry to hear you're struggling mentally but  I feel exactly like you; it made me realise thats whats so great about this forum - we are fellow travellers and we get it.

I am plagued by a constant sense of dread and also fear I'll never be a granny. Mine are a few years older but happily single/not in serious relationships and loving their lives so I feel my hopes and expectations of daughters in law/grandchildren are selfish and all about me, but find it hard to move away from these feelings. I guess whatever stage we are in our lives when diagnosed, we start being anxious about the next stage, eg, seeing children grow up/get careers and paired off/grandchildren/seeing GC grow up. I too don't know what the answer is. I have been seeing a counsellor which I think helps but the mental side is pretty overwhelming at times.

This thread is a good support though, and I hope many of us stay on it for a while.

Big hugs to all X

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi everyone. Just catching up on the thread after a few days away in Wales enjoying the sunshine.

Firstly, thank you Jackie for my rad grad certificate! You are a real trooper, especially with your long journeys each day - thank you it does mean so much to receive a certificate. X

Blue I'm glad your op has gone well. As the others have said continue with your exercises, I think it's really important in a good recovery. I had a full clearance in November and I still have numbness in my armpit, arm and round the back of my armpit. At times I find this quite unpleasant and I don't know if I will ever get a full sensation back. I didn't have a drain but did have a seroma which "sloshed" around for a few weeks and then slowly dispersed. Moisturise daily to help your scar heal.

Ebim - I had surgery in November and still have blue boob syndrome!! Don't worry it is only in your nipple.

Scotty thinking of you for tomorrow. Xx

Legs have been shaved 3 times since end of chemo - only wished my head hair would grow so quick!

Physically things are starting to get better, mentally I'm struggling .. seem to be constantly worried about recurrence and an overwhelming concern that I won't be a granny, my children are 18 and 21. I m struggling emotionally to see how you can move on.

Take care all. Xx

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Slowski you're also blue still? Oh gosh it really does hang around!

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Scotty all the best for tomorrow.

Ebim like you I had op November and still blue!

Had final rads today but still 13/18 Herceptin to go.

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Hi Ebim yes had chemo today. One more to go! I was hoping yesterday that the surgeon would say I didn't need any more chemo but sadly it was wishful thinking. Have spent the afternoon baking for a school cake sale in a steroid sweat! Told my son his cakes will be called Chemo cupcakes 😂

Am now slightly worried about how long the blue lasts for! November till now is a long time! And Wtp is still blue too!!

Scotty all the best for tomorrow am keeping fingers crossed!

Egg x

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi lovely teddies,

After chemo finished I thought that the worrying would reduce, but if anything there seems to be more around and I feel so sorry for all that you are going through.  I was one of the lucky ones I had my op prior to chemo.  And Egg I am that Smurf - op was November and I still have the blue dye.  My OH, who is an avid birdwatcher, refers to them as my Blue Tit and my Great Tit !!  

Egg have you had your treatment for this week?  

Robin - I too had hair regrowth on my legs which was shaved off as soon as I realised it was there - any growing hair has to be on my head !

Scotty good luck tomorrow.

Jaqui thinking about you with your 140 kms round trip 

Big hugs to all who are worried, wish I could wisk you all off to a real cocktail bar so you could forget them  for a little while. 

Love to everyone, Ebimx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi everyone,
Blue - well done on getting through the op!
Scotty/Blue - I totally understand re pathology results - through chemo you kind of forget all that awful anxiety waiting for results and then it's back again!!
Egg - I had my sentinel node biopsy back in December as was originally planned to have mx then too. My nipple is still slightly blue from the dye!!!
Thanks Beedot and everyone else post-op with the tips. I'll be having guide wires too (which freaked me out more than the op!) and no drains too...
I've booked a trip to Sweden for 6 days after op as my surgeon said it would be fine. My OH is coming so he can do the lifting!
Got another biopsy on Saturday which is also filling me with dread. They found another area of calcification on the scan which could indicate precancerous cells. They say they just want to be cautious but I'm scared all over again... surely the chemo would've zapped it? Or maybe not if they aren't dividing as rapidly? Agghhh!
Love to you all and speedy recoveries xxxx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Thanks for the tip Beedot.
I never thought I'd see the day where my choices for washing were either to wrap myself in cling film and do it myself, or offer myself up to my OH and ask him to help me! He delighted in tickling my feet whilst washing me yesterday so I'm definitely favouring the cling film approach! Luckily, I bought a massive roll when I had my picc line in, so it will come in handy again.
I'm feeling a bit brighter today. Less restricted, more mobile. I'm getting sharp, burning sensations down my arm occasionally if I overextend it and wonder if that's the nerves settling down a bit?
Is everyone else having an OK week?

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi Blue, glad to hear you are home. Re bathing - I got OH to wrap cling film round me like a boob tube so I could shower, a strange procedure but it worked a treat! I kept the surgery side turned away from under the shower but managed to get the rest of me washed. I didn't have a drain in by that point though, it was removed before I came home.

 

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Lol!
I think I've read somewhere that some surgeons don't like to use drains. Maybe the drain being there encourages the fluid to drain and not be reabsorbed? On surgery day and yesterday, the drainage was bloody but watery, and today it's a straw coloured fluid which I'm assuming is lymphatic fluid?
I will be glad when it's removed!!!

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Hi Blue good to hear you are back home and getting back to normal. I saw some drain bags online but when I asked surgeon she said she doesn't like to put in a drain. Which makes me wonder where does all that excess fluid go if there isn't a drain!! 100mls is quite a lot to be sitting around on my armpit and boob!

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Oh Scotty, I really feel your anxiety regarding the pathology results. I feel sick when I think of mine and the outcome, especially as MRI has shown the outcome of chemo to not be as good as it could have been. I sincerely hope you get the best news possible on Friday. Do let us know how you get on.
Yes, i am home now but am struggling a little. I am normally a real coper and very capable (even though I say so myself!!!) but am very impatient! I'm finding having to accept help with day to day tasks really difficult. My OH had to help me bathe today, as due to limited arm movement, drains and non waterproof dressings, I couldn't do it myself, and it really upset me. I hate being so vulnerable! But I couldn't take another day of baby wipe washing, especially in this weather! I don't have any pain, just discomfort, and my arm has more movement than I expected at this stage - I can raise it 90° no problem, but I don't have any strength in it yet - I couldn't chop the veg for tea tonight so had to ask for help again! The drain is staying in for 5 days I think and is draining 100+ ml a day at the moment. Egg, I definitely recommend getting a bag to carry your drain around! It's so much easier, and hidden from the children.
I had the guidewire inserted pre op for my lump and also for my still enlarged lymph nodes. It was fine, not particularly uncomfortable.
X

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Will do. Had anyone else had path results after chemo?

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Blue are you home now and recovering?

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Scotty will be thinking of you on Friday and I hope it's al good news. At least this way you know sooner rather than worrying about it for weeks. Please keep us updated.
Big hugs
Egg x

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Heard this afternoon that I've got an appointment with my surgeon to discuss pathology results on Friday morning. Nerves are kicking in. He said he'd try and rush them through before he goes off on leave but I still wasn't really expecting it!

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I knew I would miss someone. Wtp!! Hope you're doing ok and glad you liked your course. I've just emailed my nearest Maggie's Centre to find out about courses. R x

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Hello everyone. The thread has been busy, I've been following all your news of surgery etc but haven't posted. Just scrolled back to remind myself what you're all up to. If I miss anyone I apologise!
Egg. Good luck for your op in August. I remember the blue dye from ten years ago when I had my mastectomy. It makes your pee blue so be warned! I remember having guide wire for my lumpectomy too. (I had two lumpectomies but they didn't get all of the dcis hence the mastectomy. I had a full reconstruction done at same time so happy to answer questions about that).
Scotty. Very good shrinkage, you must be pleased.
Blue. Hope your recovery is continuing to go well. You must be pleased to be home.
Fen Hen. Sorry to hear about your nausea and fingernails. I have lost three nails and one more starting to go. This eight weeks after last chemo and despite dark nail varnish!
Jackie. I do hope Lulu is better. I'm glad you're half way through rads but sorry to hear about the nausea.
Slowski. The fears you describe are quite normal I think. As well as the BCC course Maggie's do one called WhatNow?
Ebim . Your cruise sounds fantastic. A much deserved break.
Lighthouse, Esther, Beedot, Mooney. Hope you're all doing well. Hope I haven't missed anyone.
One week after finishing radiotherapy I went back to see nurse yesterday. She is still concerned about my bad sun burn and I went home with TWO sacks of wound dressings! Some of them are very hard to attach and the advice she has given me is somewhat contradictory so I felt a bit frustrated yesterday. Apparently the burn can get worse for two weeks after rads finishes but then slowly gets better. These side effects!
Losing fingernails but have hair on legs. It's soft and downy so I'm resisting shaving. Can't bear the thought of shaving hair when I'm so impatient for it to grow everywhere else!
Hope all is going well for everyone this very hot week. R x

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I saw surgeon and op date is now set for 2nd Aug. Blue like you I am having guide wire. Couldn't quite understand what she was explaining but I'm going back on 4th July to sign paperwork so will get it in more depth then I expect. What she did say was that they use blue dye in the sentinel node biopsy and that can turn your face and breast blue! I think she thought I was quite mad as I burst out laughing at that point - all I could think of was waking up looking like a smurf! On top of everything else that has gone on!

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Blue glad it all went well and that you are up and well enough to post!
I am sitting in scan department waiting to have an ultrasound and then will see surgeon this afternoon to discuss surgery. Keeping fingers crossed! I am also going to ask about having an mRI as don't trust the ultrasound - the consultant actually missed my lymph node first time round and it was only picked up on MRI so really want to have one of those to make sure nothing is missed before surgery. Don't understand why they just don't do that in the first place when they know there have been issues with the ultrasound. Grrrrrrr
Rant over! Positive thoughts now.
Egg x

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Mine went from 5cm to less than 1cm. It seemed to have shrunk even more when they put the wire in. Not sure about nodes under the armpit although they were no longer palpable. Pathology results are terrifying. Glad you seem to be coping well ❤️

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Thank you Ebim and Scotty. I am doing OK!
I'm still in hospital, but waiting for discharge. Had perhaps 2 hours sleep last night - regular disturbances for BP check, drain and wound checks, room mates snoring, new admissions....! Everyone has been lovely but I'll be glad to be home!
The guidewire insertion pre op was fine, and surgery went OK I believe although I was in theatre nearly 3 hours! I have very little discomfort and have managed to get myself washed (with baby wipes!?) and dressed, including step in crop top!!! I've even done my exercises! My homemade drain bag has been invaluable - thanks for the tip Robin/Beedot! I also made a little cushion for my axilla with the same material and look a right bobby dazzler walking around the ward!
My affected/operated breast looks smaller and much perkier than my other one! It looks fabulous but im definately asymmetrical! Am wondering how it will look when the dressings are removed, but they won't be removing them for another week! The suspense!! I'm already dreading getting the pathology results. I'm even worried that the surgeon has left some lymph nodes behind! How was your post chemo/pre op MRI Scotty? Did you show good response? I think WTPs response was massive. My lump on MRI shrunk from 2.6cm to 1.4cm, so not a great response, and my lymph nodes were still enlarged, but will see what has really happened when I get the results in 2 weeks.
X

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I second that. Take care Blue x

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Blue ....Just a quickie to say have been thinking about you all day on and off and hope it all went well and that you get a good nights rest tonight.

love Ebimx

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Hi Egg,
Re the Younger Women Together event - they are planning the next one in January but think get quite a lot of people apply so I would contact them now to get your name down. It's a Fri and Sat with accommodation and all food provided by the charity. The sessions range from the medical understanding of BC management (talk from an oncologist) to diet and exercise. We also had a very good talk from a BC survivor and there were a choice of smaller breakout groups covering subjects such a fertility, menopause, reconstruction, communication etc. There were also a tea breaks and a dinner on the Fri night which gave us time to chat to each other. I hope to stay in contact with some of the ladies I met. I did feel a bit emotionally drained and "cancered-out" by the time I got home but it was def worth it.
There's a separate Facebook group too - search "Younger breast cancer network" and request to be added if you feel it might be useful. They also arrange London social meet ups. I've only just joined.

Xxx

Re: Chemo JAN 2017

Hi, hope you're all keeping cool 😎

Scotty I had a full node clearance and a mastectomy, as Jackie said the exercises are really important, not easy at first though. I'm starting to get used to using my arm as normal again now. It's taken a long time as the healing seemed to go backwards with every chemo, with all that behind you hopefully you'll heal much quicker. I did worry myself a few times by thinking it was swollen, then I looked at my other arm and realised it was just my bingo wings!
The thing I found most frustrating was in the kitchen and making meals - I had problems with chopping etc - wish I'd found bags of frozen diced onions, mushrooms and veg in Tesco's much earlier - anything ready prepared is definitely worth it.

Jackie I've had nausea too, it's not really gone since the end of chemo but got worse during rads- it seems to be going slowly, I've not managed to lose any weight though sadly.
Hope your dog's ok, my golden retriever had pancreatitis a few years ago, she was in intensive care for a couple of days but pulled though - don't think she was very impressed with the low fat diet she had to live on after that!

I've lost my first finger nail today, just when I thought they were going to hang on. I still have then covered in nail varnish though so I can't see what's happening underneath, think I'll keep it that way for quite a while yet.

Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow Blue, Beedot and anyone else with treatment or appointments x