Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi riversidedawn, it's great for me to have the treatment at home as I work as a Med Sec at my local hospital and didn't want to be a patient there and keep bumping into colleagues feeling sorry for me.  The nurses always phone in advance to arrange a convenient time but I am lucky that I'm off work at the moment so it isn't a problem.  I have now had 4 different nurses, one just to do the Neulasta injection, but they've all been fine.  I have bloods done the day before at home also.    ... View more

Hi all, just an update now that I've had my 2nd FEC on Tues 30/12.  I am having all my chemo at home so had a different nurse this time and I think she put it through slower so I didn't feel so woozy or get the metallic taste this time.  Unfortunately my neutrophils were down to 1.1 so I had to have a G-CSF injection the next day called Neulasta (a long lasting one so only one needed thank goodness - it was a bit painful) and I will have to have this after every cycle from now on.  So relieved as I really am sure I couldn't inject myself.  So far I haven't had the bone pain/lower back pain I was warned about.  My hair came out easily if I pulled it on day 13 after my 1st cycle (22/12) and it hung on until Mon 29/12 when my hubby shaved it off.  I have kept some "stubble" for warmth so have started wearing scarves and hats and wore one of my wigs on New Years Eve at home.  A bit sad putting the hairbrush/hairdryer/straighteners away.  I have also taken the Domperidone this time and really haven't felt sick, just a bit of heartburn.  So all in all really not feeling too bad.  Next one is 3 of 6 and will be half way - yay!  Hope you are all getting on OK and looking forward to a healthier 2015.  My New Years resolution is to lose some of the weight I seem to have put on quickly over the last month, get fit, keep the blood pressure down and give my body its best chance of getting through the treatment.   ... View more

Hi Wyn Thanks for posting, it's good to hear some positives.  I had my first FEC on 9/12 and apart from feeling quite woozy at times during the actual chemo and a slight strange taste in my mouth it was not as bad as I thought. I too have good veins in the back of my hands luckily (that was such a relief as it is the only place they are good) so it was not as traumatic as I thought.  I did feel queasy for the first few days but apart from that I was fine.  I know it might get harder as time goes by (I am due 6 cycles) but am determined to get through this.  Reading others experiences really helps but hope more people post with the positives rather than the negatives as you can get a bit overwhelmed by all the different side effects and really worry yourself.  Hope you and all your fellow December Angels are well.  It's good to communicate with those that have already been through it and come out the other side. Babs xx   ... View more

Hi Jackie Thanks for your reply.  I am having my bloods done on Monday and then my first dose on Tuesday 9th all being well.  I just wondered if there is anything I should or shouldn't be doing these few days before (although got daughter's 18th birthday party this weekend so it won't be a quiet one!), maybe boosting iron that sort of thing?  Just anxious to get started now so I can look towards the end.  Will keep reading the forum even if I don't post (depending on how I feel next week) - it's good to hear from others in the same position and those that have already been through it and survived!  Sometimes you can't imagine getting through the other side and wonder why you are poisoning your body for so many weeks.  Have to remember that this is short term pain for long term gain. Babsxx ... View more

Thanks for your replies.  Just want to get started on the chemo now so that I can find out what I'm dealing with.  Have bought 2 wigs in readiness for losing my hair so feel a bit more prepared now.  Has anyone any experience of feeling unable to drive for a few days afterwards?  Someone told me this might be the case and wondered if it was a common side effect.  Any top tips would be welcomed! Bx ... View more

Hi Diane Glad to hear you have made a decision.  I am seeing consultant tonight to make my decision after asking a few more questions but have more or less made up my mind that I will go for the surgery and immediate recon then chemo.  I am healing well but think I have "cording" in my upper arm which is a bit uncomfortable but going to see a physio next Friday so hopefully that will improve. Gentle hugs to you too. Barbara xx ... View more

Hi Diane I had WLE and SNB on 10/9 and went back for results 18/9 expecting to be reassured all the nasty stuff was gone. However he said that there were some of the invasive cells near the margin in 1 area but several areas of DCIS in the margins. He recommended a mastectomy and talked about reconstruction. Also offered me chemo before any surgery saying it didn't matter which way round I did it. No radio needed as sentinel node clear. Lots of things to think about so we are seeing him again next week. I think I would prefer to get the surgery over with and have immediate recon rather than a 2nd op. I am trying to stay positive and remember that I'm lucky that I have these options to make sure I remain well. Still a shock when you think one thing is going to happen and then it's the opposite. Take care and let me know what you decide. Barbara ... View more

Thanks Zoe. Good luck with the treatment. ... View more

Hi I saw the cons last night and unfortunately I need further surgery so a mastectomy is required. Quite a shock and really not what I was expecting. I could go for chemo now before surgery or do it after. I think I would prefer to get the surgery over with first as that is my biggest fear at the moment and I think it would stress me out worrying. So sorry it doesn't look like I will be joining your group but I wish you all the very best with it. I will probably be looking at chemo around jan all being well. ... View more

Hi Sheila one thing I found which my hubby suggested was to cuddle up to a spare pillow so you can sleep on your side (not the side of the op) as the first night I could only sleep on my back. It stops gravity pulling the sore boob down and keeps your arm on that side away from the body slightly which helps. I am still on full dose paracetamol which I am sure makes a difference and the occasional ibuprofen. Hope you feel better soon. Barbara ... View more

Thanks Zoe. The pain comes and goes in different places so is bearable (but I am still taking full dose paracetamol and the occasional ibuprofen). Can't wait to get dressings off tomorrow and see what is underneath - it doesn't look like the actual wounds are very big but am bruised black and blue (and yellow)! My arm only aches at the very top on the inside near the armpit. Will let you know if I will be joining you for chemo. I too am really anxious about all the awful side effects you hear about but also that everyone's experience is different and am trying to stay positive. We can and will get through this if we have to in our fight against this disease. I want to beat it with whatever I can throw at it so I can get on with my life and reassure my kids that I've done all I can to make sure I am around for them a long time into the future. Maybe you can get some more pain relief for you soreness? Take care. Barbara ... View more

Hi Zoe I too am a new member of this 'club'. I had WLE and SNB a week ago and due to see cons tomorrow to find out what next. Told likely chemo and herceptin as I have mucinous grade 2 ER+ and HER2+. So I may well be joining you - will keep you posted. How was your recovery from surgery? Think I overdid it yesterday and was quite sore. Barbara ... View more

Hi Wendy Op yesterday went well and I am feeling much better than expected (the pain killers are doing their job)!  Have been out for a couple of walks today so slowly getting back to normal.  Have appt with consultant next Thurs to find out the plan.  Allergies seem to have settled a bit - face is no longer pink but very, very dry and flaky (I have had this on and off for a few weeks now).  Feeling much better now the lump is out.  Hope you are doing OK. Barbara   ... View more

Hi Wendy Many thanks for your reply. Consultant has mentioned the possibility of chemo (6 cycles) and Herceptin for 1 year but can't say for definite until after surgery. I am just anxious to get the op over with now. I am having an ultrasound tomorrow to mark the skin so surgeon knows where he is going! After that I am having the dye injected to find the sentinel nodes then op on Weds. All being well I am first on his list so hopefully not there all day. Got to go shopping to find a soft bra this evening as all mine are underwired. Didn't sleep well last night as my sensitive skin/ itchiness/allergies are playing up and I think the stress hasn't helped - I have a red face again today. How have you found the chemo - was it as bad as you expected? ... View more

Hi, I too am new to this, having gone to the breast clinic on 30/7.  I had a mammogram and ultrasound and was told it looked "suspicious" and had immediate biopsy of lump and lymph node.  Found out 4/8 that it was definitely cancer but nothing in lymph nodes.   I have just turned 46 and too feel too young and healthy to have this (I also run regularly and go to the gym).   I delayed seeing cons until after my week's holiday so didn't see him until 4/9.  I have grade 2 mucinous cancer - a "special" type I am told!  It is also ER+ and HER2+ which means I will likely have chemo and Herceptin after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy.  The surgery is arranged for 10/9 but I need an ultrasound and probably insertion of a wire to help the doc find the lump the afternoon before.  Also they need to treat me as if I have MRSA as not enough time to get swab results before op (cream up the nose and some horrible bodywash to use - lovely!).     I also keep feeling as if I am in a dream, that it must be someone else they are talking about but the more people I tell the more real it becomes.  I have had a lot of time to come to terms with it (as best I can) and now I am just anxious to get something done and get on the treatment path, whatever that entails.  The story seems to unravel bit by bit as you go along.  They can't tell me anymore until after the surgery, whether further surgery or mastectomy is required (I hadn't even entertained that idea!) and exactly what treatment will be needed.  I am lucky to have caught it early and the lump is relatively small.  I have a very supportive family and friends and am trying to stay positive.  I have 2 more days at work next week and then .... it begins!   Hope all is going well with you, at least here you know you are not alone. ... View more