Breast Cancer Now Forum

Good morning everyone, I’m going for pre assessment this afternoon, ( feeling sick with anxiety) starting paclitaxel next week for 12weeks……encouraging to read the experiences of those who have started treatment or even finished and have found it all doable! I feel like such a baby, but it’s just fear of the totally unknown I suppose ☹️ @Magenta59  so pleased to hear of your very positive consultation it does spur me on to take a more realistic, positive view of things, thank you for sharing. Love to all going forward xx ... View more

Thanks for your reply Amy, I am still 50/50 as to whether to give it a go, but for all the reasons you mentioned I’m wondering whether it’s worth the extra time and discomfort……I have really thick hair and it’s already starting to shed more than usual due to the stress of last few months!! HMLL….can I ask you where did you get fringe pieces from? Glad to hear you have some help with your children from sis in law and friends, to take some of the pressure away from you. Hopefully side effects from injection with be minimal for you, keeping everything crossed! Hugs to all x ... View more

Amy…..Great to hear second round of treatment went well yesterday. Can I ask have you tried cold cap? Best wishes to all xx ... View more

Amy, So pleased to hear things went better than you were imagining, ( nice touch with the goody bag!)…hope you slept well and continue to feel ok. HMLL….sounds like you are getting yourself well organised for next week, I went crazy and cut a chunk off the length of my hair, I feel by going to my hairdresser it makes it all too real ( ridiculous I know, but that’s were my mind is at the mo )….wishing you well for next week, will be thinking of you. hugs to all xx ... View more

Can totally understand the jittery tummy…..I’ve got it already just thinking about what lies ahead! Will admit to feeling totally petrified about the whole thing….fear of the unknown is a horrible thing……I’m imagining getting every possible side effect, can’t switch off from it. Wishing you well for today Amy hugs to all xx ... View more

Hello to all on this thread, I was advised preventative chemo after high oncotype result…..already had mastectomy 7weeks ago, surgery was successful in so much as clear lymph nodes and margins so was expecting to go straight to letrazole, so chemo a bit of a shock add on. Will be up to 12 weeks paclitaxel starting in a couple of weeks. Anyone else on same? Sending good wishes to all x ... View more

@AnnieV  How did your appointment go today? Hope results were good for you. Had my appointment today, think I will be going ahead with chemo as preventative treatment. It’s a very individual choice but I know the way my mind works and if I didn’t do it I would blame myself if it did reoccur…..it would be once a week for up to 12 weeks, so the ball has been set in motion but I still have time to reconsider if I choose to….it’s certainly not an easy decision that’s for sure! The one thing we all want is to give ourselves the best possible outcome and if the oncologist thinks this is best for me then maybe it’s best to follow that advice. hugs to you xx     ... View more

@AnnieV  I’m in the similar situation to you as regards the possibility of chemo, as you say it comes as a shock because everything after mastectomy was clear but because of high oncotype score chemo is suddenly thrown into the mix. I’m driving myself crazy trying to weigh up the pros and cons…..my thoughts change by the hour! I have appointment with oncologist on Wednesday to go through it all and try and get some clarity, but, because at the end of the day it will be my decision I feel totally lost and confused. I think some people do look at you and can only see a person who looks fit and well so really can’t comprehend what you are dealing with. I must admit I think I have removed myself from having to deal with too many people, maybe becoming a bit antisocial, but I really can’t cope with ‘pretending’ that all’s fine when my mind is in total turmoil. Fingers crossed you will not have to deal with chemo and the outcome of your appointment next week is not as bad as you are imagining. Sending good wishes and hug x ... View more

@tweenie  Hi, ….if it’s any comfort my surgery was moved forward by 2 weeks simply because of a cancellation, I was glad to get it over and done with that bit sooner. Trouble is when we feel anxious and worried we read bad meaning into everything, an entirely natural reaction. Be kind to yourself over next few days. Sending good wishes x ... View more

@bee1234  Hi,….since last post, results from CT and bone scan were all clear, had mastectomy 5 weeks ago, margins and lymph nodes all clear, so that’s all positive, but then oncotype test came back with high result, meaning chance of reoccurrence high, now waiting to speak with oncologist about possible chemo which has freaked me out……again!! How are things with you? xx ... View more

@AnnieV  Very similar to myself….all surgery results clear, but re graded from 2 to 3…..so, off for oncotype test it went! Now waiting for appointment with oncologist to see how beneficial chemo would be…..as you so rightly say, it’s the mental anguish that is hardest to bare 😖 Good luck x ... View more

@Andrealand  Hi, just reaching out to offer any support I can at this worrying time for you. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement, at times it feels like it is all totally consuming! I had mastectomy 5 weeks ago and now waiting for appointment to see oncologist for possibility of chemo…..it’s the waiting for results or appointments that is the hardest. Its good that you have family around  to support you, but sometimes it’s good to offload onto this forum as it can feel like you’re overburdening those close to you with your worries and concerns. So sorry to hear you have suffered the loss of your daughter, it seems like your son is doing his best once again to be strong for you and protect you…..he sounds great. Good luck for Wednesday, sending good wishes x ... View more

@karzo  Hi….it is all totally all consuming and overwhelming, somehow we all have to find a way that helps us get through day by day or even hour by hour! I hope your appointment gives you some sort of clarity moving forward with a treatment plan. Good luck with your appointment today , thinking of you x ... View more

@AnnieV  My oncotype results were back within 2 weeks, so not too long a wait, but doesn’t mean it’s not on your mind every day no matter how long the wait!…… I’m now waiting for oncologist appointment to discuss next phase of treatment, I know I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on anything else, feel like I’m in my own glass bubble looking out on people leading ‘normal’ lives! Good luck with results xx ... View more

@louby_lou69  Thanks for your reply. Hope things are going well after your lumpectomy, I know it’s early days but hope things not too uncomfortable for you, try to keep up with the exercises when you feel ready. I think I will be choosing to have the chemo, haven’t seen the oncologist yet, but I need to know in my own mind that I’m doing everything possible to avoid any reoccurrence…….I’ve been trying to prepare myself as best I can, but every time I hear of another possible side effect I’m buying whatever is needed to help with it, my ‘just in case’ cupboard is getting fuller by the day! I’ll certainly check out the book and you tube videos you suggested. Take care, best wishes x ... View more

Hi Jaybro, Don’t apologise, nagging is fine ( and sometimes needed ) as long as it’s done with the right intentions in mind! Best wishes to you xx ... View more

Hi Lowlyf99 Sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, not the news anyone wants to hear that’s for sure. I know you haven’t had full details  yet……but sometimes just the anxiety and stress of the situation alone can be the cause of fatigue and tiredness, so try not to read too much into that at this stage, easier said than done I know! Good luck with your appointment next week x ... View more

Hi AnnieV, Yes, that’s exactly how I felt, first came the total relief that all results from surgery were clear, hormone meds for 5 years….. and then suddenly the oncotype test…..and now because high category of reoccurrence probably chemo…..but, hopefully  your results may of course come back low so you will not need chemo…..it’s the thought of another wait for results that does drag you back to square one for sure….I’m waiting to speak with oncologist and my anxiety increases every day! Fingers crossed you get favourable results, keep in touch xx ... View more

Hello, just wanted to say it’s of some weird comfort to know that other people are finding things difficult at times……sometimes it can feel like everyone else is feeling positive and dealing with whatever treatment is needed and I am the only one having angry, negative thoughts and shouting at my husband every time he’s says ‘ it’ll all be fine, you’re clear of cancer’…….I had mastectomy 4weeks ago, lymph nodes and margins clear thought only hormone meds would follow and I could deal with that……. but now maybe chemo needed so unfortunately the rollercoaster continues, when really I want to get off now! Sending good wishes to all xx     ... View more

Hi Jan, Thank you for your reply. I feel such a pathetic wimp, I just can’t get my head round the thought of chemo, think because it has been mentioned when I thought my treatment was sorted, then suddenly this will be an added extra! I wish I could face this as bravely as a lot of the people on this forum……anyway, I’ll know more when I speak with the oncologist and I’ll just have to get on with it 🙄 like it or not! All the best with your continued treatment xx   ... View more