Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello lovely ladies   I am also a November newbie, I had the lumpectomy in September and started chemo last Friday on the 15th of November. I was a bit scared before but the nurse took me for a little tour which eased my nerves. I am on Docetaxel & Carboplatin, is anyone going to be on either of these two?. I used a cold cap and it was a bit uncomfortable for the first 10 -15 mins but after that it was okay. I took a headache tablet about 10 minutes before and it seemed to help. I don't know if it will save my hair but I am giving it a try. I met a lady who was on her 4th chemo, she has been using the cold cap and has only lost a little bit of hair so it was quite encouraging. I am still waiting for my wig appointment so I hope my hair does not start falling off before I get one.   I have to take steriods to reduce the side effects of Docetaxel and they make me feel a bit strange.  They affect my sleeping so I have started taking them in the morning and in the afternoon. I also have to take some injections to boost my immune system and these make your joints sore, but they are managaeable.  I have not had any nuasea because I have been taking the antisickness tablets when I start feeling queasy. The nurse said to take them everyday to train the body not to be sick for the next chemo.This is my third day after the first chemo and I am not feeling too bad so fingers crossed that i can soldier on.   The taste has all gone though and a lot of the food tastes funny. I am forcing myself to eat so I can keep my strength. I have also noticed that smoothies and milk shakes taste even better which is a bit odd because I  have never had a sweet tooth.   I have not taken any time off work and I am hoping to go back tomorrow but I will see how it goes. I feel I have to do something otherwise I will go crazy.   I am wishing all you ladies luck and hope you cope well with the chemo, it's a necessary evil to keep the cancer away.  I wish i had had the wisdom to take out critical illness cover then i would not feel under pressure to go back to work.   Good luck everyone and thank you all for just being there.   xxxxTendai         ... View more

Hello ladies   I am starting chemo on 15th of November and I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the things I  need to get before I start.   I will be having 6 doses, every 3 weeks if things work out well, then radiotherapy and hormone therapy. I am seeing the oncologist on Monday to complete the consent forms.   I was okay iwith the idea of chemo at first but I am starting to feel anxious as the days go by. I'm afraid of all the sides effects. I will be having Docetaxel and Carboplatin, is anyone going to be the same regimen.   Wishing everyone luck with their treatment, you are all brave gals.   Tindo ... View more

Hi Lynbyns   The swelling is probably from the Biopsy.  The lump in my breast also felt bigger after the biopsy and I thought I could feel another lump but there was only one. You should speak to your breast care nurse if you are concerned about the breast and don't wait until the 12th because you'll just worry more. It's unlikely  the lump would have grown a lot in size, in less than a month but get it checked out if you are worried.   I am  due to have my first chemo on 15th of November. I was diagnosed on 19th September but delayed chemo look into fertility preservation which failed miserably.   Good luck with your treatment. ... View more

Thanks Grumpy. I will be getting it checked out as soon as I get back to Leeds. The thought of it being more cancer sends a shiver down my spine. I am supposed to start chemo next week so I wonder if this will delay things ... View more

Hi Donata   Thanks for the email. I definitely need the luck. I will get in checked out. I thought there would be an end to the bad news by now. I am so exhausted from all the stress. Just when you think you have come to terms with one thing something else comes up.   We just need to hang in there   Wish you all the best   ... View more

Hi Smiler79   I'm sorry to hear your PCT will not fund your treatment. I think it's outrageous that you are  being offered a different standard of care based on your post code. I think you should definitely appeal and ask your GP to endorse your appeal. At least you'll  know you have tried.    I am 35 and had a lumpectomy on the 23rd of September and I also put chemo on hold to go through IVF treatment. The cancer was grade 2, ER+, PR+ and HER+ with no lymph node involvement and my Oncologist did not think postponing chemo for a few weeks will have an adverse effect. I'm not sure about  your pathology results but unless you had some lymph node involvement, delaying chemo for a few weeks will probably not cause a massive problem.   I live in Leeds and the NHS will fund 1 IVF cycle and I thought that was standard for all PCT's. Its a shame that a many people don't seem to understand the issues faced by young women with cancer.   It is also possible that chemo will not adversely affect your fertility as some women have gone on to have children after chemo. The Fertility Consultant I saw said they may be able to put you on a chemo regimen which is less likely to have an adverse effect on your fertility (or 'kinder to your ovaries' as my Oncologist said). I am waiting to see if this possible. My Oncologist also said they could give medication which can protect ovaries during chemo, it's called 'pitiutary down regulation using GnRH agonists'. So you maybe you should discuss this possibility, if you are unable to have fertility preservation before chemo.   Fingers crossed you will have a favourable outcome.   Let me know how it goes.   Hugs and best wishes xxx   Tendai   ... View more

Hi Helenstevo   It's normal to feel scared and confused when you get diagnosed. I am 35 and I was diagnosed in mid September.I had a lumpectomy on the 25th of September. The tumour was grade 2, ER+ and PR+ and HER+  and the lymph nodes were clear. I will be having radiotherapy, hormone therapy for 5 years, herceptin and possibly chemo. I have an appointment with the oncologist to confirm the treatment plan.   The first time chemo was mentioned I cried. I was so devastated and in a total panic as I was worried this would fertility. I have had a long time to think about it and I have decided to go with the option that will give me the best chance of preventing a reoccurence.   Its is daunting at first but you just need to take it one day at a time. I found this forum very helpful because guaranteed you will be able to find someone who is going through or has been through a similar experience. I hope your operation goes well and you recover quickly so you can carry on with your treatment.   take care xxx       ... View more

Hi Poemsgalore   I've read a lot of your threads and I have found them very helpful and reassuring.   Thanks for the link. I will use it to help me make a decision.   I had 2 nodes taken out and they were both negative which is a good thing. However, I can't help thinking that there may be some cancer cells somewhere in that breast or the other one that were not picked up when I had the mammogram and the ultrasound, so chemo may help to kill them. I read somewhere that it takes a while for the cancer cells to actually show.  I gues I am just being paranoid.   I am mentally exhausted because since I was diagnosed,  there is not an hour that passes without me thinking about cancer. It's a terrible disease.   I have researched a lot about the side effects of chemo and they seem to differ for everyone, but I guess if other women could do it, so can I.   It's quite encouraging to read about others who have gone through the treatment stage.   Thanks again, I will definitely need the luck   ... View more

Hello   I just read Ferly's thread and I am in a bit of a panic. I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in my left breast and I had surgery on the 23rd of September to remove the lump and I am waiting for the results. I am also 35  and I was not offered the option of a masectomy. I was also told that i am likely to have chemo, radiation and hormone therapy as the cancer is ER+.   I am worried that if I have arecurrence and have to have a masectomy, I would not be able to have a reconstruction because of radiotherapy. Does anyone know whether this will mean that I not have anything there once the breast has been removed, even an implant.  I'm sorry for being so ignorant but  I am now very concerned. My appointment is next Thursday but I do not think I can wait that long before getting some information.   Thanks ... View more

Hi Tracy, I am 35 and I was diagnosed on the 19th of Sept. Before the appt I thought I was prepared for any bad news but I was totally shocked I kept thinking the hospital would call to tell me there was a mix up but this never happened. I was diagnosed with invasive lobular cancer in my left breast & it is ER+. I don't remember all the other details as my ears were just ringing after the initial news. I had the surgery to remove the tumor & the sentinel lobe biopsy on the 23rd so I am waiting for the results so I know the stage & the grade. The doc said the tumor was about 9mm but they will only know the exact size after the operation. Hopefully I will not need any other surgery. I have also lost some weight even though I gave been eating fine & I think its due to stress. One minute I think it will be okay & the next I'm in an absolute panic. I've also been very anxious about my other breast & I keep checking it to see if it does not have a lump. So I am trying to take it one day at a time but the waiting is driving me insane. It was my first day on the forum and I found it very reassuring to hear from others who are going through the same thing. ... View more

Hi Nelly   This is also my first time on the forum.   I'm glad to hear you had some good news about your surgery and you do not have to worry about the results.  I was diagnosed on 19th and had surgery on the 23rd of September and now I have to endure another 10 days waiting for the results. At times I feel hopeful that the sentinel node will test negative but sometimes I am absolutely filled with fear that it will test positive. I am dreading going back to work tomorrow because I do not really want to talk to people who have not been through the experience.   I live alone, having seperated from my husband and my family are all abroad so I havent told them yet. I have two very supportive friends who have been helping me cope.  My birthday was today but I did not really feel like celebrating.   I am trying to take it one day at a time and I am feeling better after reading the threads on this forum, so thank you to everyone for sharing.   Tendai     ... View more