Breast Cancer Now Forum

What a difficult time for you.  If it was me I would rather know, I find it easier to deal with what is, than what might be.  Im sure you will find the strength to supprt your sister but you will only find that if you put yourself in a positive frame of mind for yourself and your treatment. I wish you so many positive vibes, GOOD LUCK xx ... View more

Hi Petal, I havnt been on here for ages but was just having a catch up and saw your post about HER2 positive.  I am HER2 also, in fact triple positive, but thanks to the wonder drug Herceptin, it gives us the same chance as every one else, in fact I feel so lucky as 5 or so years ago because of the cost it was a post code lottery as to whether you got it or not. So stay positive.  Today is the last day of my rads, I had my op before chemo, its a breeze after chemo, I did during week 2 have a very tired, exhausted time but bounced back week 3 and this is week 4.  I have used aloe vero gel from Holland and Barret, and I was also advised to try drinking the aloe vero juice by a friend and I have had no se's at all apart from this last few sessions which where boosters where the skin has gone slightly red, but no soreness at all, so not really worth mentioning.  So good luck and stay positive the end is in sight.  My life is returning to normal, and it feels so good 🙂 ... View more

Thanks for the tips about the regular creaming of the area with rads.  Yes got 15 regular rads then 4 boosters so 4 weeks worth in total and yes on the right side. Surgery, chemo, herceptin and heart echoes in Winchester and rads in Southampton, both about 10 miles from home. Chemo ok had E Mend from the start just feel generally tired and yuk 1st couple of days and then gradually better over next 4 or 5 days, then almost normal, just get more tired than usual.  Know I have been really lucky though.  Oh yes and 1st few days my sleep pattern is a bit of a mess, like now, I think its the steroids they give you for the 3 days after.  You sound as if you have done brilliantly, and at least now you can get back on with your life, every 3 weeks for the herceptin isn't too bad by the sounds of it?  Haven't looked at travel insurance yet, but its great your getting out to Dublin, have a super time, I do hope the weather is good. Where is your hospital?  Hair, eyelashes, eyebrows growing back ok? And most important did you have a good trip to Dublin? Hugs x ... View more

Hi Rollercoaster.  Had my 5th FEC on Wednesday so only 1 more to go on 26th March yipee!! Have my tattoo's done for the rads earlier that day then start rads 7th April daily till 1st May. Your so ahead of me, how did your rads go?  So my loading dose of herceptin is on the same day as my rads 17th April, 2 different hospitals, so should be fun. Herceptin at 8.30am then rads at 3pm, going straight from one to the other. My herceptin is by injection so my picc line is coming out on the 26th March.  The oncologist assures me the herceptin is a walk in the park after all the other treatment, I hope he's right, guess Im lucky they can do the echoes the same day apparently. To be honest since I was diagnosed early November I have been wishing for time to just hurry away till end of chemo, so feel I can get on with my life and make plans while on herceptin its not so invasive (I hope).  And yes we are lucky a few years back it was not available and it really gives us the best chance.  I will be starting Tamoxifen about the same time too.  Have to hope that goes OK too!! You must have had your 2nd herceptin now, was that better?  Any side effects?  Can you transfer to injections if you want?  Hope all is going well? Thanks Lol for the reassurance x ... View more

Hi.  I would love to be on a herceptin thread.  I finish my chemo on 26/3 which is 6 x FEC start herceptin 16/4. ... View more

Hi. Im sure this is too late with previous posts, but there might be new ones? I am situated near Bishops Waltham, suppose half way between Winchester and Southampton. After a routine mammogram I was diagnosed early November with tumor 12mm grade 2  ER positive 8/8 HER2+++ had WLE  and auxiliary clearance and 2 lymph nodes positive just completed 4 of 6 FEC due to finish chemo end of March then radiotherapy in Southampton finishing beginning of May.  Herceptin starts in April for a year and then of course Tamoxifen for goodness knows how long??  I have just turned 60 was very fit and healthy have horses and a dog hopefully to keep me that way.  Also a grown up daughter. I think im coping ok, fed up tired and frustrated at this point, but know its what I have to get through.  Would love to hear from others.  Take care and hugs x ... View more

Hi, my arm was getting very sore and I could feel tightness and hardness in the veins, the nurse advised me to massage the arm using a non perfumed cream as often as possible, which I have been doing.  Its worked for me Good Luck x ... View more

Hi, It sounds as if your doing really well. I have joined the December Angels group forum most have started their chemo in December like you, I certainly have, my 1st FEC was on the 9th Dec so I'm a little behind you, and my hair is currently where its meant to be but it is all so scary, I keep thinking is it today its all going to start. Read the other posts I have found it so helpful, and it certainly stops you thinking you are alone with this.  Good luck xx ... View more

Hi I had FEC1 on the 12th Dec, and have to say the lack of sleep has been awful, that and the very hyper feeling my mind racing but unable to concentrate. I did go to my GP yesterday and got some sleeping tablets and stronger headache pills, have to say although I feel a bit leaden this morning I feel so much calmer. Other than this problem I feel fine. Hope you can sort the sleeping out I know how desperate I was beginning to feel x ... View more

Hi everybody, I had my 1st FEC chemo on 12th, next on the 2nd Jan, I am definitely working on 1 at a time, during the 1st 4 days I really couldn't bare the thought of going through it all again, but since then things have improved so much apart from I can't sleep and headaches, I feel like a walking zombie through lack of sleep, I almost pass out by 9pm then wide awake again by 1am and that's it, just can't sleep, my brain seems hyper active, but no concentration, every night the same, and makes me pretty stupid during the day, think I will have to see if I can get any medication. I tell you what though you are all inspirational, in the depths of the night I don't feel alone and I feel I can tolerate this, and there is an end in sight, and Im so pleased I am going through this at this time of year, its comforting to think somehow, come the spring we will all be well on our way to normal lives again. I had the cold cap, but too early to tell I guess if its working or not, all hair currently where its meant to be, well what's left of it , I had it cut very short, and it seems to have a mind of its own and sticks up on end, look as if Iv had a nasty shock!! Feel for you all x ... View more

Thanks for the welcome Jonamo.  Well had the 1st chemo Thursday so an end in sight hurrah! Wasn't that bad, got used to the cold cap after about 10 minutes then OK.  Just felt a bit spaced out by the end of it.  Have felt sick and headachy a bit like a bad hangover but the medication seems to work well. I just find my mind is a bit hyper, can't sleep but unable to concentrate,Im hoping its just the steroids which I finish tomorrow.  Yes I also only had to have the 1 injection the following day (very pleased about that).  All body hair where its meant to be at the moment but I guess that takes time to fall out! Eating really healthy much to my amazement the yearning for cake and chocolate seems to have disappeared so far, salads, fruits and berries and loads of apple juice. I so hope everyone is doing well and remember this is all about reducing the chance of recurrence. Good luck angels x   ... View more

Hi Angels, I am new to this forum and start my chemo tomorrow.  Its certainly been the roller coaster many of you talk about. I had no lumps that I could feel, and as usual felt really well. I went for a routine mammogram 15th October, recalled and here I am I had a ultrasound guided WLE and sentinel node biopsy proceeding to axillary clearance.  The tumor was only 12mm but ER positive, PR positive and HER2 positive 3+. and 2 of the nodes where positive.  It seems they got good clearance.  So I am doing my best to be very positive as this is all about reducing the chance of a relapse.  So tomorrow is my 1st chemo of 6 every 3 weeks, I really just want to get it over and done with, then 30 sessions of radiotherapy, and herceptin for a year and tamoxifen for a heck of a lot longer!! So there it is, and I so identify with it being like its all happening to someone else.  My husband has been fantastic, he has been looking after my horses before and after work for me, the dog is happy to have constant company, and daughter and friends all very supportive.  Just feel its hard sometimes trying to always be upbeat for everyone.  So that they feel OK!!  So had my hair cut really short today and plan to give the cold cap a try. Just feeling so apprehensive so good luck to you angels starting this treatment and no doubt I will be searching for your comments on what helped you get through this. Take care x ... View more