Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jacksprat Well done, one down! Oops regarding the cold cap though! I cold capped and apart from some thinning I have kept my hair, so fingers crossed for you. I hope the sickness subsides soon. If not, give the unit a ring and they will change your meds. I was sick on the first round and for the next round I was prescribed Emend. What a difference. So don't be afraid to ask. Also good oral hygiene is a must. I ended up with a huge ulcer on first round, even the nurses were impressed by the size! They prescribed Gelclair which cleared it up. Also saltwater is good. With the steroids, they seem to "carry" you through the first few days and then you do get a low. My worse days in terms of feeling rubbish were days 6-9, BUT everyone is different and some people find the first few days the worse. Also they make you very hungry! I have never eaten so much whilst having chemo! For my last round, the Onc suggested reducing my steroids to reduce the lows so I did and it was a bit better. Hope you've managed to sleep. Sarah. X ... View more

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I feel a lot better now and calmness has resumed! Xx ... View more

Hi Strudel I had chemo after surgery. I've spoken to the nurse this afternoon and she's put my mind at rest and basically said other factors are more important with regards to my prognosis hence why they didn't mention it/glossed over it. I feel slightly better now! Next step is wait for Genetics results, but that's a whole different story! X ... View more

Hi Jo I know. I wish I hadn't looked now! Seems you take a step forward and then 2 back sometimes. I've left a message for the nurse to call me back and hopefully they can offer some explanation as I can't get it out of my mind now. Xx ... View more

Hi Stef That must have been a lot to take in. I had full mastectomy as I had several small areas of invasion, the largest being 8mm and because I only have small boobs they said it would be a mastectomy. Like you I wasn't overly concerned at losing my boob. I just wanted the cancer out. I had 1 lymph node affected and went on to have full node clearance. The others were all clear. I have now just finished chemo but won't be having radio. Like you I am also Er positive so start Tamoxifen next week. Plus further surgery in the New Year to pop an implant in. I am also awaiting results of the genetic test as strong family history of cancer. But that's a bridge to cross if and when ! So different treatment plan to you in some ways but I just wanted to say hi really. The mastectomy wasn't as bad as I feared and I have worked through chemo apart from the first week albeit part time. It is scary facing all this and must be more so when you're pregnant. BUT it is doable and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 39 so maybe slightly older than you? If you need to chat, ask questions please do post on here as someone will have gone through it be going through similar things Sarah xx ... View more

Hi daisy62 My Oncologist was pretty flexible within reason. He was happy for me to start the week after seeing him but we had booked a few days away so I postponed it for a week and he was totally fine with that. I think I ended up starting mine approx 2 weeks after initial meeting. Sarah x ... View more

Ann Such a lovely post and one I am sure will help many. I am a week post last chemo, feeling pretty rubbish and mentally exhausted. However your post has shown me that there is life after cancer. Thank you x ... View more

Kelly It feels so good when you start and feel normal again doesn't it. I always have a glass of wine when I'm on the up again. I figure one can't hurt and when I asked my Consultant if it was ok she replied "hell yeh"! I had last chemo on Thursday so feeling pretty rough at mo. This time next weekend I should be on the up again. I've cold capped too and so far so good. I know what you mean about down below though. Although randomly have kept arm hairs. What's all that about?! Enjoy your dinner out Sarah x ... View more

Hi Marie I am working through chemo. I do only work part time though (2 days a week)and I am office based. I don't work the first week but I work weeks 2 and 3. The chemo side effects last till about day 9 so the first week is a write off. For me personally work is a bit of a lifesaver. My husband works 11 hour days and most of my friends work too so if I didn't work I would spend a lot of time on my own. Work gives me that sense of "normality" . I am very lucky that my employer has been fantastic. I'm on full pay and have felt no pressure at all to be there. I would say see how you feel and if you don't feel up to it then take the time to rest and don't feel guilty if you find you can't work. We are all different and what works for one person won't work for others. I have been lucky so far, apart from the side effects the first week, I haven't suffered any infections etc although the fatigue has increased with each round. Good luck with whatever you decide Sarah x ... View more

Hi Angie Just to let you know my vision has been affected after each chemo round. I did mention it to the nurses and they didn't seem overly worried so I'm presuming it's another thing to add to the list of side effects! Sarah x ... View more

Hi OnceWild Kids are funny aren't they. My 6 year old keeps asking if the nipple will regrow. I've said no a thousand times so the other day she presented me with some blu tac she had rolled up and attempted to paint pink and announced if I get some strong glue and stick it on it'll be exactly he same as the other side 😂 X ... View more

Hi Seagull1 Another solution for ulcers is Gelclair. The chemo nurses prescribed it for me and it's fab. Also salt water is really good. You sound pretty similar to me. Days 3 -8 are the worst and then day 10 I turn into a new woman! Xx ... View more

Hi Welcome to the forum. I would totally agree with Jo. I also have private health insurance and ended up going down the NHS route. I have had fantastic care also and would do the same again. My breast care nurse actually said off the record that if she were diagnosed she would 100% go with NHS and she has experience of both. We still get a pay out for surgery and chemo which like Jo said is a bonus! Things do get easier once you know what is ahead Good luck Sarah x ... View more

Hi JoJo45 I have a picc line in my left arm. Nodes removed from right hand and it has been absolutely fine. I even sleep on that side as more comfortable than node side. I don't have any restricted mobility. Only thing i was told was don't swim, play golf or tennis! And you have to cover it when showering. I'm so glad I have it as major problems with locating veins. Cold capping is very much a personal choice and not everyone can bear it. I have had 3 sessions so far and have cold capped. I have been extremely fortunate so far and have not lost any hair to speak of. Some odd hairs coming out if I pull (which bizarrely I frequently do)! No shedding on any clothes, pillow etc. I have one session left so I am hoping my hair hangs in there. Most ladies find the first 10 - 15 mins the worse and then you sort of get used to it. Eyebrows and lashes still intact at the moment too, although they are thinning ! Pls don't be afraid to ask if you need to change anti sickness meds too. You really don't need to suffer. I had mine changed on round 2 and then another change for round 3. Do be vigilant with oral hygiene as I was a bit blasé about it and came out with a Huge ulcer after round one. I didn't make that mistake again. I now use a salt mouthwash every day post chemo as a a preventative. I was also prescribed Gelclair which is really good. Good luck with everything. The time really does go quite fast Sarah xx ... View more

Hi Mimimichelle Sorry you find yourself here😔. I can only echo what the other ladies have said, once you have a treatment plan in place things do settle down and become "easier" if that's the right word. I'm 39 and keep hearing "because of your age" too! You sound very positive which is good. There is a Facebook page, for younger ladies, younger peoples breast network which is really good. I haven't actually joined but I do have a look now and again. I have found the support on here and also from local ladies I've befriended extremely useful. Good luck with the surgery. Hopefully all this will be over before you know it. I had a mastectomy and am currently 3/4 of the way through chemo, and then hormone therapy (Tamoxifen) for 10 years. Sarah x ... View more