Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi JennieF I've just had my 2nd FEC - the first one I was really sick with but I'm that sort of person (morning sickness with the children etc) so no surprise. Another person who had the treatment was absolutely fine. On the 2nd one they gave me better anti-sickness drugs and was much better. My hair started to fall out in handfuls on the 14th day but had it cut really short a few days before so it wasn't too bad. From what I can gather from the others 10-14 days seems to be the time span. I While I can't say it is my favourite way to spend a day It is "doable" and each day away from the treatment I feel that much better. I also find that waiting for the treatment with others is good as you can swap notes and don't feel so mad. For example I can't really taste any food so I end up eating brown sauce with things and was delgihted to hear lots of others do the same. Good luck with it Wendy x ... View more

Hi Tracey, My story is very similar to yours. I have had a lot of lumps over the years and just got them drained and there hasn't been a problem. In Nov struggled to get appt to see the Dr as I had found two new lumps. Admin looked at my notes and said no need to make an urgent appointment. The Dr took fluid from the one lump but couldn't get anything from the 2nd so said come back in a couple of weeks when it would be bigger and he could get some fluid. When I came back he still couldn't get any fuild so said I should go to the hospital as a precaution. By this time it was mid Dec so managed to get an appointment on 8th Jan. Once I got to hospsital things moved very quickly. I've had two ops - all my lymph nodes have now been removed and like you I have an appointment next week to see if they've got everything. Will then need chemo etc. Like you it was a huge step change from it being nothing to it being serious but its amazing how you do adjust. Like Sharon says there are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes but it has made me prioritise a lot more and reminded me the importance of family and friends which I think is a really positive outcome. The other good thing to hold on to is that you did find the lump and now you are getting treatment however daunting that can sometimes feel like. I have no doubt that I'll have lots of lows along the way but this site is a great source of support. I'll be thinking of you next week when I'm getting my results. Take care Wendy ... View more

Hi, I'm still recovering from the op as I had to go back to remove lymph glands but I have been doing some research and my daughter says that Monsoon's Accessorise Shops have a good range of scarves in at the moment. Hope this helps. Wendy ... View more

Hi Need more surgery but this is the story so far. Hope it helps Age 46 Bra size 32c invasive lobular Size approx 2cm er+ lymph nodes involved Grade 2 ... View more

Hi Melek, Its amazing how quickly you will get to terms with the new language. Although people talk about BC as being just one thing there are different types of cancer depending on where your lump is in the breast. Mine is almost at the end of my breast/start of my arm so I have an invasive lobular cancer. The internet has some good sites which show the breast and the different areas that can get lumps. The cancer is also graded from 0 to 4 depending on how big it is and how far it has spread. 4 is the worst. As my cancer is close to my arm is has spread into my lymph glands. You usually get a full diagnosis after your operations and they have the results from the path lab but I had a good idea from the consultant and the nurse. I found the nurse a good place to start so have a chat with her. The names can be a bit frightening at first but you get used to. Good luck Wendy ... View more

Hi Melek, Hope all the comments are making you feel that you're not on your own. I was diagnosed in the middle of Jan and have had one op and am waiting for another on theh 26th. I found this site a great help and once people know its amazing how many people you find who have either had BC themselves or have had a friend/relative who has. I live in a small village and I was amazed to find four other people had had BC and 3 others with different types of cancer. Lance Armstrong used the phrase "cancer community" and I think its very apt. As everyone says keep us updated. Love Wendy ... View more

Hi Sharon, I know its frustrating. I've got a seroma and although they've drained it once they don't want to drain it again as I have to go back into surgery as they haven't got a clear margin and the need to get the rest of the lymph glands as they have cancer cells so that'll put me back another month. Its all frustrating and feels like being back at square one plus the fact the seroma is uncomfortable. Just hang on in there and I'm sure you'll soon get back on track. Wendy ... View more

Hi Littlemrs I'm so glad you have written this. Like you I was diagnosed in the middle of Jan and had my Op on 31st Jan so things moved very quickly - for which I'm externally grateful. As a teacher it was really hard to leave everthing that quickly and also leave many of the students who are in their last year. I also wanted to get everything sorted at home and also make sure that my children (youngest has just finished Uni) was OK with everything. Although its all been very hectic I do feel very calm about it all. I talk at lot to my partner and children so that we#re in it together and so they are prepared for the next few months and I just feel that this is the job that I'm doing at the moment. That doesn't mean I'm not facing up to anything but rather that I have faced up to things and feel that I'm up for the fight. I have a seroma which the breat care nurses drain for me which is a nuisance. My one side feels huge before the drain it a bit like when you've had a baby but its a wonderful relief when it is drained. It makes the exercises more difficult but it is "do able". I go for my results on Wed and feel that whatever the results I'll take it from there. They've already said that I'll probably have cheme and I'm sure that even though I'm OK now I'll have low days and dark nights so it would be great to keep in touch as it looks as if we'll be going through everything at roughtly the same time. Love Wendy ... View more

A stitch in time saves 9 ... View more

Hi Wendy, Well it must be in the name - thought I was reading about myself. I'm 46 and got diagnosed on the 15th - since then its all been a blur. Go in for the op on Thursday. They've already told me that I'll need chemo so I reckon we'll be going through things at about the same time. Waiting for the results was awful but now I feel that everything is out of my hands. Wishing you good luck. Let me know when your op is. Wendy ... View more