Hi, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope everything goes well with your surgery. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer in January. I will be starting chemo on Monday, but due to have a mastectomy further down the line. Although, my treatment plan is a different way around, I am still interested in any information about what's involved in the surgery and anyone's experience of it.
Hi Pippin24 - I had a single mastectomy and axillary lymph node clearance 6 weeks ago. 6 weeks on and I have healed really well. The pain afterwards for me was sore bit I'm not sure if it's due to the lymph nodes being taken aswell. I'm really nervous about starting my Chemo next week how are you feeling about it? I'm seeing my oncologist today to sign consent forms and discuss exact treatment. Wishing you well.
Pippin24 the chemo itself went OK but I've had the most horrendous sickness - violent vomiting could keep any medication done. I ended up having to get an antisickness injection last night. I've woke up today feeling rough but just trying to keep my meds down. Struggling to eat anything - hoping going forward they can get this under control for me. How are you doing? X
Hi Angus201, sorry I haven't kept in touch, forgot to bookmark this thread. Hope you have been doing OK since your chemo, and sickness didn't last too long. My side effects were minimal after 1st cycle, just hoping it will be the same after next cycle, which is on Monday. My hair started falling out on day 14, which did upset me, even though I knew it would happen. I took control and went and had my head shaved, number 4 with the clippers. Have now worn my wig for the first time and have also got lots of lovely hats to choose from. I'm feeling much better now, especially as the anticipation of losing it has gone. Hope all goes well with your next treatment. Xx
Hi Angus101, how are you getting on with your chemo? I’m getting a start date for mine on Monday. Will be having the same course of chemo and plan as yourself. I’m 6 weeks post mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction. Chemo frightens me not sure how I’m going to cope physically and mentally with it.
Hey Pippin24 I've had my 2nd chemo now and got to say the nurses were fantastic they introduced another anti sickness drug into my regime so no vomiting this time which makes all my other side effects more manageable.
My hair is coming out in handfuls now which I'm finding hard, I need to shave my head but I can't find the courage. I have my wig fitting tomorrow so I'm hoping that might cheer me up a bit.
Hi princess74 I'm so sorry you are going through this, it's tough isn't it. My first chemo wasn't great due to severe vomiting but the nurses have been amazing tailoring my anti sickness drugs so when I had round 2 I've had no vomiting which has help so much as I found it completely debilitating 1st time around. Physically and mentally I'm struggling but I try and write everything down, I take long walks with my earbuds in with loud music. Be kind to yourself, let yourself feel however you want to feel and its OK to get a bit mad & sad . The main thing I've learned is there's always something that can help wether its extra medication, a quick chat with someone, having a good cry. I hope your Chemo goes OK. X
Pleased to hear that your second chemo went well and that sickness is now under control. I think as much as we prepare for the hair loss, it is still hard to deal with when it happens. Hope your wig fitting goes well and you find something that you like. Xx
Pippin24 how are you getting on? Hope your treatment is going OK. My 3rd chemo should be this week but it's being pushed as I ended up with neutropenic sepsis after my last one was in hospital for 5 days was awful. X
So sorry to hear that you ended up with neutropenic sepsis, that is just awful. Hope you are now feeling much better. It's a shame that your third chemo is now delayed, do you have any idea when you will be able to have the next ones? I had my second chemo last Monday and so far all has been good, with minimal side effects. I have my port being fitted on Wednesday, which I'm a little nervous about, but will make things easier moving forward. Also have a thorax ct scan at the end of the month. It's to check a couple of small lung nodules they found at my last ct scan. They did say they have seen a lot of theses nodules since covid, I'm hoping that's all it is. It's obviously always a worry that the cancer has spread and it's awful having to wait so long to find out. Last EC chemo is on the 15th April, then move onto docetaxel, which is apparently harsher. Will have to wait and see how that goes. Hope things go better for you after your next chemo, keep in touch. Xx
I've had a mastectomy and axerilery node removal 3 wks ago. Healing quite well waiting to see surgeon Thursday. Feeling nervous as not knowing what to expect as in further treatment.
Thank you for your help as you said difficult not showering properly but found ways around that. It's difficult to get comfy just after surgery but it does get easier.
At the moment I don't want to look at my scar. I know it sounds silly but that is me. It's nice to talk to other people who have been through the same and the advise is very helpful. I've rested when I felt tired and found that very benifical.
I wish you well and hope your treatment is going well.
I've had a mastectomy and axerilery node removal 3 wks ago. Healing quite well waiting to see surgeon Thursday. Feeling nervous as not knowing what to expect as in further treatment.
Thank you for your help as you said difficult not showering properly but found ways around that. It's difficult to get comfy just after surgery but it does get easier.
At the moment I don't want to look at my scar. I know it sounds silly but that is me. It's nice to talk to other people who have been through the same and the advise is very helpful. I've rested when I felt tired and found that very benifical.
I wish you well and hope your treatment is going well.
I had mastectomy before Xmas and it took me a while to look at scar but I knew it was dry so I massage it every day . I too had lymph node removal and it’s a worrying time waiting results and treatment . It does get easier but you need time it’s a big operation and you need to adjust . I struggle a lot with it as having one large breast niw and nothing is so surreal . sue
