Newly diagnosed

[carolec]

Fiestyflora and Donnandfamily - its great to read posts from ladies who have been through it so we know what to expect.  I think maybe its best to expect the worst - especially with the hair loss then at least you're prepared.  I'm not sure why but thats what I'm most worried about, which is vain I know.  It would be good if the hairs on my legs go and then no more shaving through the summer!  I'm going to try the cold cap but from other posts on here I won't hold out much hope of keeping my hair.  Infact have appointment at wig shop on friday and going with my sister and one of our best friends so that should be a giggle!

Lamblite I'm going to be about a week behind you as they are letting me delay chemo for a family wedding in Italy.  There are quite a few ladies now joining the July 2015 chemo thread and some of them have started their treatment.  Hugs xxx

[Lamblite]

Hi, fiestyflora, thanks for your message. This good to hear about it the way it is, it leaves me in no doubt about what's going to happen! I have another two weeks to wait until first session but have already picked a wig 😁 ill read your message every so often to keep me going! Hugs xx

[feistyflora]

Hi Lamblite

Hope you don't mind me 'butting in' like this.  As "a lady who has been through it" I will try to explain how it felt for me. I was nervous and very frightened at the beginning of all my treatment. I won't kid you, you will probably feel rough a few days after the chemo and then you gradually start to feel better (until the next one, when you feel rough again after the first few days ... and so on) and it plays havoc with your immune system.  It is not the actual chemotherapy that is tough (when the nurses are administering the drugs) it is the after-effects - you may have diarrhoea, constipation, sickness, indigestion etc and feel really as though you have flu. You may lose your hair, eyelashes, eyebrows ... and hair in another unmentionable place!  - I did!  My own experience was that radiotherapy was easy, nothing to worry about at all (just a little bit uncomfortable because you have to keep your arms above your head for a few minutes). The after-effects of chemo made me feel really bad and at times I thought that I would never be 'normal' again.  Well here's the good news - I feel better than 'normal' now I feel absolutely great - even better than before and I'm full of energy. My hair has grown back and I am celebrating every minute of life and I know one day you will too. Be kind to yourself, don't do too much, let people look after you for a change and make sure you get plenty of rest because you need it. You will find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!  Hugs & xxx

[Lamblite]

Thanks Donnaandfamily, you've made me feel a lot better about having chemo, I hope you are keeping well xx

[Donnaandfamily]

Hi Lamblite

I had my op, chemo, radiotherapy and removal of ovaries last year...ended September

Just to reassure you the worst part of the chemo is your mind. You imagine the worse but once you have had your first chemo the fear starts to go

.

I had FEC-T.... after the first dose I went shopping with my hubbie.

I felt tired all of a sudden after about 4 hours after it...just like someone pulled the plug out of me.

I had no sickness the emend anti sickness) was fantastic.

I had to inject myself daily for 7 days each cycle to build up white blood cells....again painless...Had the odd joint pain which is common..but paracetamol settled that. I always spiked a temp day 4 after my chemo..this would mean a trip to the hospital for blood tests...but alwasy no problems

The time goes fast as you wait for the next 3 week course.....

I lost my hair and eye lashes and eventually my finger nails. I would feel "rough" for first 5 days of FEC...then feel like me again.

On the taxotere which is the T part of FEC-T it took me longer to feel like me..usually day 8 felt like me

.

There was nothing horrific...just feeling tired and like had flu for the first few days.

I had indigestion so had omeprazole.....great.....and sore mouth..again treated ...

I know it is scary because it is the unknown........ the one thing I would say....drink plenty of water at least 2 litres daily....... really helps..

Ohh and on day of chemo...make sure you keep your hands warm...makes it easiet to get the needle in.

I hope this helps........

As for the radiotherapy.....you would never know I had it.

I hope this helps you ladies....... keep positive...it is really not that bad.. 🙂

[Lamblite]

Thanks Carolec, ill have a look there xx

[carolec]

Hi Lamblite - I'm also having to have chemo rads etc as mine was Her2+ and there's a "Anyone starting chemo in July 2015" thread going so you could have a look on there.  I've also been looking on the June 2015 thread and chemo threads in general as you can get some good tips from ladies who have been through it and are out the other side xxx

[Lamblite]

Hi Cesrabbit, the size was 2cm and grade 3, they didn't say what it was before surgery. I'm just glad it's away! x

[Cesrabbit]

Hi Lamblite.
That's good news as no spread. What was your initial biopsy grade and size though? Did the grade change after op? x

[MadAnge]

Hi Lamblite, I have a stage 3 and a stage 2 which means I could end up with Chemo. I am just going to go with it as it will kill anything that has spread. I am sure the ladies on the chemo thread may be able to answer your questions. We are all with you.

[Blondie223]

Hi Lamblite, sorry to hear your news, I'm currently waiting for results from my WLE and SNB last week. I was told from core biopsy weeks earlier that mine was grade one (so not aggressive), am hoping that status will stay the same. Did you have a core biopsy previous to the op?

So many ifs and buts going on in our heads right now eh. Im sure there will be plenty of support along for you from lovely ladies here who have had or are currently undergoing chemo, there are also threads about it you can join in on x

[Lamblite]

Hi I've just been for my results today and am very pleased that they took out all of the cancer.  The two lymph nodes were negative too. The bad news is that the 'lump' was aggressive so they want me to have chemotherapy before radiotherapy! I'm terrified, I hadn't expected this so am a bit emotional just now.  Who else has had chemo and what was it like? xx

[DizzyDee]

Please do Lamblite as all us girls here will be thinking of you. Xxx

[Lamblite]

Thanks DizzyDee, I will try to spoil myself!  Ill let you know how it goes next week 

[DizzyDee]

Hi Lamblite, heart goes out to you waiting but the worst is behind you now. Really hope you get good results. Now rest up and spoil yourself xxxx

[Lamblite]

Hi everyone, I've just had my lumpectomy and snb and actually feel fine! The pain is nothing like what I expected, apart from the pain in my throat caused by tube during surgery!  Now I wait a week for results, I'm really nervous this time x

[DizzyDee]

Cant empathise enough with you girls. That was me scared stiff and my world came crashing down. I was put on anti depressants and Diezapam as i did have a severe phobia of surgery. I say did as i am now cancer free and i no longer have my phobia. The waiting is the worst bit. I had a WLE or lumpectomy in March. I felt so relieved after my op because the cancer had gone and i'd actually done the op! Albeit drugged up on dizeapam. What really worried me before was how my breast would look. I'm small anyway and my tumour was 58mm so quite big. I need not have worried it looks as if nothing has been done! I was so pleased with the result. My heart goes out to you girls. I'm halfway through rads now and feel much better about the whole thing. Hang in there girls it does get better after surgery xxx.

[Suzie55]

Thanks Lamblite you too xx

Hi Cesrabbit good luck with your op, I'm booked for the afternoon session. I had my pre op the day after diagnosis but have a day of it on Monday - 9.00 to see Nuclear Medicine for the SN/blue dye thing, then the wire insertion at 12.00 and to the day unit at 12.30, then probably a wait until it's my turn.

I also now have my app booked to see the Genetics team for the blood test on 29th June so hopefully by the time I'm back from my holdiay I should know what's coming next.

I'll add you as a friend so you can keep me posted on your progress, Suzie x

[Cesrabbit]

Hi Suzie. My lumpectomy is the 22nd too. We'll have to swop notes! Had my pre op today and chat with BCN who was so lovely. Allayed a lot of my fears. x

[Lamblite]

Hi Suzie55 , good luck on Monday xx

[Suzie55]

Hi Lamblite, same for me diagnosed 26th May but was lucky to given a date for surgery there and then - 22nd June. The waiting is now very painful but having the forums to read/respond to has been of great value to me and my family.

I'll be having lumpectomy and from what I've read here it's seems quite straight forward compared to a mastectomy so I feel prepared but I'll probably be crapping myself come Monday morning.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes, similar age to you, take care Suzie x

[Carys54]

That's BCN not BBC!! Sorry predictive text strikes again 

[Carys54]

Hi, I was diagnosed 3rd June IDC left breast, still awaiting diagnosis for right breast as had to go to London for MRI guided biopsy. I agree the waiting is horrible!! Anyway, I made a fuss to BBC so have an appointment this morning with breast surgeon, hope I will have a bit more idea of what's going on after that. Oh and I'm 54 as well Lamblite.

[MadAnge]

Hold on in there Lamblite. Still waiting on rest of my results it's the waiting for the surgery that's doing my head in, but I have gathered from other ladies the waiting is the hardest bit. Stay strong xx

[Lamblite]

Thanks Lucy Bcc x

[Lucy_BCC]

Hi Lamblite
Welcome to the BCC forums, along with the support you have found here our helpliners are on hand weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 with further support for you, please feel free to call 0808 800 6000

I am posting a link to the 'Just diagnosed' area of the site where you will find information and further support ideas which I hope you will find helpful:

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/diagnosis

Take care
Lucy BCC

[Lamblite]

Hi again, I've just found out that I've to have my lumpectomy next Wednesday, I'm terrified of how I will feel after it emotionally.  It's starting to feel too real now! I've got a migraine just now with the shock xx

[wiffle]

Hi im in the same place as you was told last thursday after the biopsy results and now waiting for the lumpdectomy, its horrible isn't it . Im still in the dark about the future, they say its non hormonal and i will have to have radiation therapy and chemo .

[vic55]

I had lumpectomy and SNB, all in one day, and it was fine. Best advice....any worries, use this as a place to ask and keep talking to family, friends and docs. My Breast care nurse was lovely, any odd queries / emails/ calls couldn't help enough. It is scary, so how you are feeling now is normal. Just hugs xx

[missmore]

Hi lamblite

they can tell a tiny bit from a biopsy if you had one initially otherwise you get al the details a couple of weeks after the lumpectomy

I had mine on 25may and was in and out in one day in at 7.30am out at 7pm. Are nodes involved as well. 

Lots of lovely folk here to talk to about all your worries and fears,  all of us in the same boat, not a popular club to join, but a very understanding one

higs xx

sheena xx

[Lamblite]

Hi I'm having a lumpectomy, not got a date for it yet, but hopefully next week. I don't think it feels real to me yet, and maybe that will make the surgery feel worse to me!.Thanks for replying vic55, very much appreciated x

[vic55]

Hi lamblite, deffo surgery means more info. They can get it out, analyse, set treatment plans etc. What surgery are you having?? And hope you are ok, the waiting around us the toughie xx

[Lamblite]

Hi there, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and am waiting for surgery. To be honest, I don't have a clue what to expect, will the results of surgery give more results? I'm 54 and don't keep well as it is xx