I was diagnosed yesterday with stage 2 breast cancer and tumour of over 5cm and it all seems a massive blur.I have my bone CT and MRI scans nexr week, and seeing the onogologist the week after.
From everybody elses experience when would Chemo start, as they have said they need to do that before surgery . I run my own business and need to makes some plans but everybody seems very vague about dates, and if I can travel while having chemo?
Also anybody in my area ( i live in cookham dean ) who is going thourgh the same thing - as I very scared and confused at the moment.
Suzanne
Firstly, welcome to the forums, I am sure you will find it a great source of information and support.
I’m sorry to read of your diagnosis, the first few days and weeks are always difficult when coming to terms with things and getting to grips with your treatment plans, etc.
As well as the support you are receiving on the forums you might find it helpful to order the BCC resources pack. It has been specifically designed for those newly diagnosed and contains information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If you would like to order a copy just follow the link bellow:-
Also, do give the helpline a ring to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. They’re on 0808 800 6000. Open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 9-2 Saturday.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Just bumping this up,
Hi Suzanne,
Sorry you have had to join us here :(. It is just so hard at this point when you know you have to go through treatments but can’t pin anyone down. I can understand the frustration when you run your own business too, because my OH & I have our own business but cancer doesn’t respect that! I would imagine that once they have the scans out of the way it won’t be long before you start the chemo. They have to fit you into the chemo unit timetable having made decisions on which chemo is going to be the right one for you and that will depend as well on the results of those scans. It is hard to say this early just how much you will be able to do. Some people suffer badly with side effects and others just sail through them. You treatment will most probably be one that happens every 3 weeks for 6 sessions. Usually at the 7-10 day of that 3 weekly cycle your bloods are at their weakest and you have to be careful not to pick up infections specially at that time. There are quite a lot of threads here started by people going through chemo recently and once you know roughly when yours is starting you will be able to join in there.
My experience isnt terribly helpful for you because I have been living with breast cancer now for 22 years! and things have changed a lot over these years with a lot of improvement in the drugs that are around. Do you know yet if your breast cancer is triple negative, hormone positive or/and her2 positive? or aren’t you at that stage yet of having had those results?
Hope you start to get more answers soon. If you think of other questions you want to ask the ladies here - then post about it.
Dawn
xx
Hi Suzanne Just to say we appreciate how shocked you must feel and Dawn has done a brilliant job of explaining how it all might work.
I had my treatment at the Parapet too.The care there was wonderful ( not sure if the mods will let me say that)I too had chemo first and I never came across anyone else who had chemo 1st mostly they had surgery 1st. So I felt very alone for a while.
Again my info is ‘old’ I was having chemo just under 2 yrs ago.The s/e affect everyone differently. I work full time and managed to do so throughout chemo but with surgery had to take sick leave as I wasn’t able to drive for a while and that is a large part of my job.The scans you are having are all part of the 'staging’process and once you see the Oncologist ( one of the 2 Dr A’s)they will have the results to hand and you will have been discussed in the MDT- multi disciplinary team meeting so a treatment plan and a date for chemo will most likely be given then.Waiting for the tests and then the results is truly agonising, but if you can keep busy and find distractions-work,socialising, whatever that will help the days pass. What sort of travelling do you have in mind?
Being scared and confused is awful but unfortunately par for the course at this time.I really felt like I had been hit by a truck and then when I got to my feet it reversed over me again.
The BCNs at the Parapet are lovely and always available so hope you have one, do give her a ring if you need to.Have your questions written out and ready for your appt, and their usual practice is for your BCN to go into the consultation with you and then into a room outside to go over the plan with you in case anything ‘escaped’ you.Do you have someone to go with you as that will be helpful too. Also as Sam BCC says the help line are really good too.Try not to Google that is the way madness lies there is some scary and downright unhelpful info out there.
Sorry you have found yourself on here but there is a mine of info and support to be had on this forum. PM me if you would like. I am in Windsor Wishing you well J xx
Hi Suzanne Hope the tests are well under way for you sending you loads of ((Hugs))) J xx
HI Suzanne, I know how you feel, the initial shock lasted me 2 weeks . I cried everyday (more than one) and felt like someone had turned me to dust and I fallen on the floor. Its the waiting that is the worst thing. I have 2 stage 2 invasive cecils as I call them now and the C word is doing my head in. Not sure whether in lymph nodes but Im going to surgery 11th April, then wait and see what is next. Its a shock, nightmare even. But my breast care nurse said to me its not the stage or sigze of the tumour its just important to get the right programme for you. Im not in your area but believe me everything you are feeling and will feel is OK. Speak to a BCN or here on line or rant to one of us. We do all know how you are feeling and everyday a different emotion comes in. I am not self employed but do not get paid for being off. Huge financial strain. Pull in any resources you have to help with your business. Dont google too much. I have been convinced that it scares you too much . Keep to the safe sites like this one and really if you call your BN in floods of tears at the end of your tether - ITS OK. Jill
You guys have been so helpful!
The being run over by a truck thing made laugh!
I am hoping that I’m one of those 'sail through ’ it people - and I’m going to the parapet on Tuesday-so hopefully will know a lot more by then .
Does anybody suggest who I get to chat to my son- he flips between being amazingly grown up and pragmatic to sobbing in hs sleep - I’m sure there must be someone who can help - I also have to tell my step children this week - I have a feeling when the ex wife finds out she might dance on the ceiling with glee! But let’s hopes fe s a better person than that.
The Internet as terrified me - I was warned!!! But I still as to look- silly me!!
Thanks girls
Sx
Hi Suzy
I was diagnosed at Parapet last June…may be abit too far along in my treatment ( Herceptin just started )but private message me if you fancy a chat or meet-up and a glass of something sometime…
big hugs
M x
Hi there I am in maidenhead and am also being treated at at The Parapet but for DCIS. Expecting to have a mastectomy within the month. Still not really clear on everything. Wishing you well .
Was at parapet today 10 months since diagnsisi and mastectomy 4 months ago and finished radiotherapy , keep positive and the journey will unfold into new beginnings believe in what the specialist say and keep well eat well and be free of stress and grab any of us for a face to face coffee if this will help I met so many special people on my journey xx much love Maggie
My chemo started within about 3-4 weeks of diagnosis my tumour was 7 cm and other tissue to , but after cheno surgery and just finalised radiotherapy its 9 months since diagnosis and was at parapet to see oncologist all good now and just 3 monthly follow up free of cancer and have made this journey easier by getting support I live 30 mins form you but happy to meet up ASAP could meet on A4 in a pub for a coffee left me know xxx
I was diagnosed may 2017 had a mastectomy on the 12th June got cording now which is painful being treated via the parapet windsor. Very scary process