HI, yes I have all the same feelings and mixed emotions. I am having my first chemo session today and am terrified. I was supposed to be going in at 8.30am but I got a call yesterday putting my appointment back to 11.30am as they haven't got approval yet even though I have already signed the consent form. I am praying that my chemo doesn't get delayed. 

It is really hard to stay positive but I am really trying. Good luck with everything, have you got a start date for your treatment? I found that the hardest bit, waiting for my appointment and praying nothing gets any worse whilst waiting. 

Hi SueBea

Urgh I'm not very clever I've just typed a message to you and did something wrong when sending and lost it, doh! I'll blame movement of the train! 

Thanks for your reply a d good to know we all have these mixed emotions. At the moment it feels like it's not me a d was someone else they were talking about. As I don't feel ill and haven't had any letters etc. I was diagnosed on Tuesday so early days still. Think they said chemo in about 4 weeks. 

Aww sorry your appointment has been moved, I hope they don't keep you waiting too long. Good luck for today, I'll be there soon needing some encouragement.

Mich x

Hi Jinxb

Thanks for messaging us, I see you are the same as Sue. I'm having my second treatment now. I've managed the cold cap but will see how I do as I have fine hair too and have started loosing loads this weekend. My wig is ready on Thursday to collect just in case

Are you in East Kent?

X

I’m near Maidstone so not too far from you. This third cycle has been a struggle but I’m a week in now so starting to feel better. 

Hi Sue,

I had the ultrasound 2 days after my third round of the EC chemo. It was booked after my first follow up with the oncologist. 

I hope you hear something soon. 

Jinx

Morning Ladies,

Mich, how are you doing today? I hope the side effects are manageable.

I have an appointment with the oncologist on 22nd October, I am not sure what is is for. I would feel a bit better when the lump gets measurered so that I know if it is working.

Stay dry,

Hugs to you all

Sue

Hello Sue,

How are you doing? Anymore coastal walks? 

I had many appointments with my oncologist throughout EC and taxol. She mainly wanted to check my reflexes and check how I was doing in case she needed to adjust any meds. I would think no measuring is a good sign! I think they will give you a scan if you ask for one to put your mind at rest. Just think you are nearly through EC! That's the first milestone :)

I went to a conference in London by breast cancer care. It was for younger women so I met others and learned a lot! They also told me of an app called BECCAnfor everyone, which is primarily tips for moving forwards after breast cancer, but there are lots of inspirational stories on there and tips for fatigue / diet / even what bra to buy if you have a mastectomy like me!

My port comes out on 24 October which will be good as I'm noticing it now it's not being used.

Roz x

Thanks Roz, I was wondering why I was seeing the Oncologist. Im still not sure if I'm having a lumpectomy or mastectomy, it depends on the result of the braca test. I have been feeling really scared today, it's the fear of the unknown.

I'm glad you are moving on now, enjoy life to the full.

The 24th is a long time to wait to have the port removed. You've come a long way and are now out the other side, it must be a strange but wonderful feeling.

Keep well,

Sue xxx

Hi Sue,

Yes it is a long wait, but I had to wait for my bloods to go back to normal and my breast surgeon is taking it out, and he's busy doing urgent operations so I'll let him off :) 

It's not easy and must feel strange not knowing which procedure you will have. I hope you won't have BRCA, but if you do, you will be in the best possible hands and there's so much support. We just have to follow a couple of extra steps and then go back to normal life again :)

Roz x

Hey ladies, 

I'm the same as you Sue, depending on my Brca result will depend on surgery, so I'm also waiting. At the moment I'm focusing on trying to be normal after dose 2. I'm actually venturing out the house today, going for lunch and mooch with friends in Canterbury. I do need to find a head band urgently now tho as Deff sporting a bald patch. 

Hope you are all well and have a lovely weekend despite the weather. Claire, hope you are having better weather than us. 

Xx

Hey Roz

That's great thanks for the advice, I've heard about the app, so I'll take a look. I have a book gift voucher too so may treat myself to a book on recipes and healthy eating. Ketogenic diet is meant to help with my migraines too. 

Glad you are doing well hun xx

Hi Sue

How you doing, good week? I've been OK much better this time so hope it lasts. Just the constipation is a right pain in the.... Lol! 

Is your next treatment tomorrow? I'm having my port fitted tomorrow and booked for a scan on Tuesday. Any more appointments for you? 

Hope you having a relaxing weekend. 

Xx

Hi Sue

How you doing, good week? I've been OK much better this time so hope it lasts. Just the constipation is a right pain in the.... Lol! 

Is your next treatment tomorrow? I'm having my port fitted tomorrow and booked for a scan on Tuesday. Any more appointments for you? 

Hope you having a relaxing weekend. 

Xx

Hi Mich,

I'm glad you have coped better this time, I always feel rough the first week after chemo and recover after that. Try Fruit & Fibre, it works for me.

My next Chemo is Friday as I wanted to get the sessions back to Fridays, when is your next one? I have an appointment with the Oncologist tomorrow, just routine I think but I have loads of questions. I still haven't had any scans or the lump measured. 

The weather is rubbish today so no walks. 

Look after yourself,

Love Sue

Hi Sue,

How did your oncologist appointment go?  My scan was fine, they didn't say much but the tumours are shrinking so happy about that, whew!

I have my next one on Tuesday.  I coped better round 2 so fingers crossed the same for round 3.  Same as you feeling yuck for about a week but no being sick and A & E visits lol!

I now have my port, the worst was waiting all day to have it fitted as was so hungry and thirsty!  They were fitting 3 that day and I was the last.

[@Rozza]‍  How you doing?  Did they take your port out today?

Big hugs

xx

Hi Mich,

My Oncology appointment was pretty uneventful! The Oncologist felt my lump and said it felt smaller but no scan. I am going back to see her in 5 weeks and will see the surgeon in December. The problem is, until they get the results of the brca test they can't tell me what surgery I am having so I am feeling unsettled. Have you had the brca test?

Anyway on a positive note, it will be my last EC tomorrow then on to Pax so half way there.

Roz, I hope you are well and back to living a normal life.

Take care ladies.

Loads of love & hugs to you both,

Sue xx

Hello Ladies!

Ah so glad to hear the EC is getting better for you both and Sue amazing you have one left! I'm hoping you will feel miles better on taxol, the best change being no nausea!

Mich I'm sat here now in clinic after having the port removed today. They took it out with local anaesthetic, as they say it's easier to get them out than in. It was totally fine :) I've taken tomorrow off work though just to chill out and keep my shoulder relaxed. I hope you both have a nice weekend ahead xx

Hi ladies,

Hope you had a good weekend :)

How was Friday Sue?  Hope it wasn't too bad.  I'm having no. 3 tomorrow, first time being plugged in lol!  Yeah I've been put forward for the test, so just waiting for the results and same as you the consultant will decide from there on my treatment after chemo.  Are you also having the pax / carbo combination?

My hair is quite thin on the top now i have to wear a hairband.  Not sure if i should carry on with the cold cap.  Will see how i feel tomorrow. 

Glad to hear your pot is finally out Rozza ;)  I had mine put in with local and sedation.  Was quite weird as i was awake but not bothered about what they were doing, I'm sure i probably did doze off as seemed so quick!

Hope you all doing ok ladies. 

xx 

Hi Ladies, I'm feeling a bit rough from Friday's chemo, very dizzy. Like being drunk without the fun! I nearly stopped using the cold cap on Friday as it was agony and I had a migraine throughout. I'm glad I persevered though as I still only need to wear a head band after 4 sessions.

Good luck today Mich, let us know how you get on. Each time is different for me so hopefully you won't suffer from bad side effects.

Lots of love to you both and keep recovering Roz. I'm so glad you've come out the other side. 

Sue xxx

Sorry for the radio silence ladies.  I've been having trouble accessing the site from my phone and I never seem to have the energy in the evenings to get the laptop out - combination of chemo and an 11 month old that doesn't sleep.  Will have a read through now and catch up.

Ok I've had a quick read through now.

Mich and Sue - how long do you have to wait for results of your BRCA test?  I got my results a few weeks ago, negative.  Surgeon is recommending a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy so I'll probably go that route.  I'm actually moving back to the UK in January when my chemo finishes and will have my surgery there.  I'll also be in Kent, my parents live near Rochester so my son and I will stay with them for the rest of the treatment as my partner is staying in Hong Kong for the time being.

Jinx, I'm getting a lot of headaches but just taking paracetamol.  I'm very aware that I'm not drinking enough water so trying to up that too.

I've seen a couple of you refer to work, I'm impressed that you're still working through this!  I stopped working the day I got the diagnosis as I just didn't feel I had the mental capacity for it.  I do have a good sick leave policy.  I've been googling trying to find out roughly how long people take off after cancer treatment as I feel like I want to take the time to get myself fit and well again but also don't want to take the ***.

Sue I hope you're feeling better.  I get a bit light-headed sometimes with the chemo.

Interesting also to read about the ports.  I'm 10 treatments in now and onto my 3rd vein, wonder at what point they'll decide I need one.

Will try and keep up more in future, love to all.

Hi Claire,

Welcome back. I have to wait 2 - 3 months for the brca results although it is marked urgent with the hope of getting the results before I need the surgery. I am not working as I was made redundant from my job at the same time I was diagnosed with cancer. It never rains .....

How are you feeling Mich? Did you manage to continue with the cold cap? This all feels like groundhog day to me, every day is the same. I have a friend coming round today which will be nice but I feel I need my life back. 

Roz, How are you doing now? Are you back on alcohol? I miss the social side of drinking but the thought of it makes me heave.

Lots of love to you all,

Sue xx

Hey Claire,

Welcome back! I'm glad you are doing ok and have your opp planned.  Its nice you have your mum here for support too :)  I'm off work now, well they have signed me off for 6 months, if i do want to work they are fine with it and will add to my leave so just need to see how I feel.

Sorry to hear you are not feeling well Sue, that sounds like me on my 2nd session.  I was well rough for a week like zombie mode but luckily no sickness.  Tuesday went well, i felt rough that night and last night but feeling much better today, hope it stays that way. I do stuggle a bit with the injections well the pain in my bones so need to make sure i dose up on paracetamol.

Hugs all around,

xxx