Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jules! I had a grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS close to the margin, node negative, ER negative and HER2 positive. After 2 WLE the surgeon did not think any more surgery was necessary, the oncologist said that my five year survival benefit with chemotherapy and Herceptin would be 6-7%. I was under the impression that the chemo would mop up any stray cancer cells and the Herceptin would make the chemotherapy work better as well as blocking and destroying the HER2 growth. I am now undergoing chemotherapy, TCx4, it's not a nice experience but I, together with all others in the same boat will get through it somehow. After chemo I am not sure what will happen as my tumor was not visible on any scan inc MRI. I have very dense breast tissue and not sure how to proceed as yearly mammograms is not going to reassure me of anything. Another discussion with the oncologist in the near future... Take care and good luck x ... View more

Hi Kellc,poor you, I hope the new line will last for the rest of the treatment. My veins are dreadful but they insists they want to use them if they can instead of putting a PICC line in. Molliana, really feel for you, I don't think you can quite prepare yourself for the hair loss, I am dreading it. The nasal drip is ever present but the least of my worries now. Had my first TC with Herceptin a week ago. Finally the severe bone pain is subsiding, but having problems with constipation and headache and now I have just discovered I probably have oral thrus to top it all! Well, another phone call to the GP tomorrow I suspect. It's been harder than I thought with the chemo, been in bed a lot, just waiting for for the fog to lift. They say about a week to recover so let's hope I'll get there tomorrow. Take care everybody x ... View more

Val, could you get in contact with your chemo unit and see if they can help with the sickness, have read there are very effective anti sickness medication available, don't suffer in silence please. Just had my first GCSF injection and anyone worrying about self injecting I can reassure you it is virtually painless. X ... View more

Kellyc, so sorry to hear you have been so unwell, hope your infection will be cleared up so you can have your next chemo session as planned, if not I suspect they delay it a week. I have just taken out my first GCSF injection from the fridge and will give myself the stap in 15 minutes, hope I won't miss the target!! Had a rotten day yesterday but feel a bit better today, the sun is out so I venture out and get a boost of Vit D to pick me up. Thinking of you all x ... View more

Hi Tweasel. Thanks for your reply, glad to hear you are soon finished with your sessions. I need five injections after every chemo. Was warned about the joint/back pain and was advised to take Ibuprofen so hopefully I can manage with that, same as you. Take care x ... View more

Good afternoon ladies. Had my first Chemo yesterday, on the TC regime. What a long day that was, cool capping, chemo and the IV Herceptin, took all in all 6.5 hours before they let me go home. Had a bad night, could not sleep, nausea and headache etc.. Hope it will improve by taking all I have been prescribed. Regarding the cool capping, you do get very cold for 10 minutes then all goes numb and I did not feel a thing. Was advised not to take paracetamol prior cold capping. Starting GCSF subcutaneous injections tomorrow to boost the white blood cells, anyone else's having these? Take care everybody x ... View more

Hi all! Glad to hear you feel ok at the moment Mollianna and long may it last. Went for a wig fitting with a friend yesterday, got on much better than I thought I would, brought a friend along so she helped me choose. I will try the cold cap because I have to stay for 6 hours the first time I have chemo due to starting Herceptin at the same time so the cold cap won't delay my time in the chemo unit. If I don't get on with it I just leave it be and use my wig and hats. X ... View more

Hi all. I saw my oncologist for the first time last week in preparation for chemo/Herceptin. I did ask about tumor markers and she said she do not routinely use them as they can be a bit of a blunt instrument and difficult to interpret although in active cancer it can monitor the effects of treatment given. I have not had them as had two WLE now with removal of grade three tumor with only small specks of DCIS remaining. Don't really know what to think now, maybe I should ask to have them taken anyway? x ... View more

Hi Judimam! Hope you get your appointments through soon, it helps to have something to focus on. Good luck Molianna for Wednesday and everybody else who will be starting the dreaded chemo this month. Kellc, was it really bad? I am due for echo on the 10th and if all well TC on 15th April. Yesterday I eat so much chocolate in desperation I almost felt ill, now there is none left in the house, apples do not have the same attraction unfortunately!! x ... View more

Hi DJ007 Thank you for your inspiring post. It has given me hope and also encouragement to try and keep things in perspective, easier said than done I know but one can only try ones best. ... View more

Hi April girls, may I join? Had 2 WLE, grade3 invasive DCIS, SLNB clear. Saw the oncologist today for the first time, talk about overload of info! Anyway, the BC nurse went through it all with me afterwards, such a lovely lady, gave me all the time in the world. Having TCx4 alongside with Herceptin. I signed up for a randomised trial, either I will have 6 or 12 months treatment with Herceptin. Can't get my echocardiogram until later this month so not sure when chemo starts. After that,who knows, my choice, radiotherapy or mastectomy, my decision according to the surgeon. Take care everybody and thanks for listening. ... View more

Hi Val, Rita and Cocolily . Couldn't agree more, had my second WLE a week ago and waiting for results is draining to say the least. Don't seem to be able to concentrate on anything at the moment. Results some time next week, then poss mastectomy, then chemo as HER2 pos and then radiotherapy. Just want to get on with it now but I expect there will be all sorts of appointments before then. Take care x ... View more

Hi dear all! I am in the "waiting room" too, will know hopefully next Friday. I think I will have more or less all the treatment box options ticked, chemo, Herceptin and rads, the grey area is mastectomy or not. Fluffs, can't' they send your ref letter electronically? X ... View more

Hi Fuffs, made my day reading about your sandwich story! Restless and Katielou2 I do feel for you, it is a bumpy ride isn't it. Just had my second WLE last Friday so hoping for good margins this time. X ... View more

Thanks Lynny and Donna,def feel a bit better now after you so kindly shared your experiences x ... View more

Thanks Lynny, that sounds reassuring. How do you find the chemo is going? x ... View more

Best of luck for Friday, you will be fine! ... View more

Hi Cocolily. I am also HER2 pos and fretting about that big time so I am sorry I don't think I can be of much help at the moment. I have to go for another WLE this Friday as not enough margins on the previous one, then I think it will be chemo with Herceptin unless they have to do a mastectomy prior this. What I have read is that chemo and Herceptin is the standard treatment and if that is what they recommend I will go for it. Keep well! x ... View more

Hi Judimam and glad you enrolled in our all inclusive, friendly club. No problem too small to discuss here! Hi Fuffs, well it's all a bit confusing, a lot of things are for me, it is a grade 3 infiltrating ductal carcinoma of no special type, associated high nuclear grade DCIS of solid and comedo type, invasive tumor and on and on the report goes...ER and PR negative but HER-2 positive. Virtual hug to you too x ... View more

Hi and thank you for your support. Had a meltdown in clinic today when I received my result, I think the breast care nurse went home today with black and blue arms as I was clinging on to her for dear life. Anyway, calmed down ( a bit) now. Hope you all have a good weekend x ... View more