Hi there ... and welcome to our little chat room ... there's quite a few of us here ...  I'm also a grade 3 her 2 lass ... and thought of all those sinarios that rush through our heads ... thought the worst ... it really scary at first .. l think it was like jumping on the biggest rollercoaster being strapped in , and off it went and couldn't make it stop ... it does get better ... once things fall into place, and if l could go back in time, I'd have told myself to stop panicking. . 

If you can take each day and each problem as and when they pop up, you will get through it a lot better ... we all had those feelings your having now ... it's good to get them out ... but once you do, if you can stand up and look cancer square in the eye, and get ready to give it a run for his money ... cancer doesn't want us strong, it wants us to buckle and give up ... wer all kicking cancer down the road ... once you know how many on here have been where you are now, and wer still all here ... all different stages, different treatments but holding each others hands ... wer all on that rollercoaster right next to you ..

I'm 10 months post mastectomy. . Still going strong ... because my cancer was contained, l didn't need chemo ... and my skin doesn't heal very well and I've got weak bones can't have radiotherapy either .. but im on tamoxifen for 5 years .. but every tumour is different ... talk to your oncologist, you may just need radiotherapy... but talk to them ... then think all the pros and cons ... 

Well hopefully some of the others will pop by and give you their thoughts ... but your not alone, if you need a shoulder, wer here ... you can do this ... try to live in the day ... no what ifs ... big hug ... Chrissy x

I have just looked up your phobia... I have heard that have tablets to help with it ... but tell your ontology team, I'm sure they must have come across it before ... so don't panic, hopefully they can put your mind at rest ... Chrissy x

Hi Cloughie,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and your worry about your emetophobia if you have to have chemo. Please don't worry about this, as there are several different types of medication for this problem. Discuss it with your care team as soon as you get a chance. If one tablet doesn't work, don' be afraid to say so and get it changed.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and had a lumpectomy the first time 8 years ago and, a double mastectomy the second time around. If it is of any consolation to you, I found both surgeries must easier that I had imagined.

I shall be thinking of you on 7th June and hope that all goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi I’ve just been diognosed and also have emet x

Hi Jo,

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Do you know what type of cancer you have or what stage it is?

So long as you pre-warn your care team it should be easy enough for them to cope with your emetophobia.

Has there been any decision about surgery or treatment yet?.

Please keep in toutch and let us know how things are going, We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi there thanks for your reply. I’m going in tomoz to have lump removed and full node clearance. I’m told I will go back after 2 weeks for results and treatment plan. I’m so scared of being sick I fear I will say no to chemo.

Hi Jo,

Just have a word with your care team and stress again that you have emetophobia. They should be able to find a tablet that will work for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Carol. I can see I’m way too late to offer advice but your post is exactly what mine would be. Last Friday my biopsy results took even the consultant by surprise and I was told I had breast cancer. After a single rude word, all I could think of was being sick. I’ve had emetophobia and panic attacks since childhood and I’m in my late 60s now. It simply controls my life. I’m less fearful of the cancer than I am off the loss of control to others and being sick.

I’d be interested to know how you have got on. Have you tried Cyclizine? My GP prescribes it to stop nausea and vomiting and, until this week, I‘ve just used it when needed. It works, even with psychosomatic nausea. If it’s a placebo, who cares! Now I’m taking the regular 3 a day! I won’t know till Friday if I’ll need chemotherapy, and like you, my terror suggests that I’d refuse it. I know that would be stupid but you have to have the phobia before you can understand, don't you?

I hope by now you’re on the way to full recovery and are looking back wondering why you were so fearful. Best wishes, Jan.

Hi Jo,

I hope that all went well for you today.

Been thinking about you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jan,

I am sorry to hear that you are in the same position. The first thing to do is to inform your consultant of your phobia and how you feel about chemo.

Do you know what type or stage of breast cancer you have yet?

i am sure that your care team can find a way around things for you.

Keep us posted. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx