Hi. It looks like this discussion thread has been going a long time and i hope i will be able to join the community here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer just after xmas and have had a mastectomy last week. I have a secondary tumor in my hip and possibly in my head so will have to face chemo and radiotherapy although I dont know the details as yet. I would love to make friends on here who i can both support and find support from on this journey. I have 2 grown up children and they have surprised me recently as to how supportive they can be. It certainly is a case of role reversal in my house. Chassis x x

Hi Chassis

Welcome to the place no-one wants to be.Hope you are coping with the mastectomy and glad to see you have support at home.I had mastectomy 4 years ago and have recurrance in the lymph glands in my neck and chest .I have been on chemo for 2 years to contain it and like you have 2 grown up children and 3 grandchildren ,so plenty of reasons to fight on.Hope you have a good medical team looking after you.What part of the world do you live in?We are a well scattered lot on here.

Stay strong.

Rose xxx

I am new and have just had my 3rd dose of chemo Do these side effects get any better.. My mouth is sore Im carry nausea around all day even with pills n potions I just never seem to get any relief UNTIL a few days before next dose is due...Any little secrets you got out there for some relief would be greatfully received Thnx xx

Jane

hi jane

i think you should ask to try another anti sickness drug and that might help with the nausea,as for does it get better well you just hope,but i know that when i was having my chemo tablets,i could not wait to take the last dose,but hopefully there will be good news for you when the chemo is over so try to stay strong and as positive as you can.

jeff x

Hi Jane, welcome to our forum, sorry its not under better circumstances. I really think you should ask to get your medicaltion changed as I wasnt sick except the day afyer my first session of chemo and then I was fine, is it fec-t youre having? If so just be aware that when your chemo changes over to the T on the 4th session, thats the toughest, Im sure most women will agree, it just makes you feel really tired and all your bones really sore. Good Luck.

Leonie, enjoy your holiday and Rose glad youre feeling better, Im still doing well.

Take care Col xx

littlesis, how are you? long time no hear lol, think you and me joined this forum about the same time, Good luck for your niece I really hope she finds a match, hope youre doing well. Lotsa love Col xx

Hi Colly

I am fine thanks, glad to hear you are ok, yes you are right we did join around the same time as each other and here we are a year later feeling a lot better well hopefully we are.

Well what have you been up to, I am back at work full time now but I still get tierd so go to bed around 9 of an evening lol, it might be the age as well lol. I have the nurologist on the 5th May hopfully to sort out the hand problem as I keep dropping everything and loosing the feelings in my fingers, as long as i dont drop my Vodka's I should be ok ha ha.

Have you planned any holidays for this year?

I am hoping and praying that they find a match for my niece, what is wrong in this world that so many young people have to suffer

Well you take care and hope to hear from you soon

Littlesis

I have only had 2 doses of FEC  My first dose was Toxatare ( spelling) But on second dose of that I went into toxic shock So they had no option but to give me FEC I know knothing about this or any other chemo drugs, but do I want to? . Im tring to just accept what is happening to me and and my body and try, really try to just take each day as it comes....

Hopefully we will all be able to sticj around here when were better and help those who follow us into this site. Well Done and thank you for being here with me xx

Jane

Hi littlesis, yeah Im back at work too, just doing mon, tues & thurs9-3 and off wed and fri, as I have all my annual leave to use up from last year, so hopefully I'll be able to do this for about another 6 weeks, then I'll try going back full time and see how it goes. I also get really tired, prob around 8ish, I'm not sleeping freat because of the hot flushes and sweats, which are a nighmare, but whilst on this Tamoxifen, they aint gonna go away lol. I was at oncologist 4 weeks ago, she just had a grope around and said to keep up the healthy eating and exercise regime. I've to go see breast Doc on 6th may for my annual appt, so I suppose he will organise a mammogram etc, I feel great apart from some joint pain and this stiff neck that I seem to have had since chemo, but they dont seem to bothered about it, im hoping they know what they are talking about. When did you finish all your treatment? Good luck for your niece xxx

Hi Jane, I really was fine on the FEC it was the Taxotere that was the difficult one for me, my body felt as tho it was being run over by a steam roller, keeping grand now tho, onwards and upwards, keep posting, speak soon Col x

ps if anyone wants to add me on facebook, its under Colette Jameson

I have added you Collette I hope its you anyway hahaha request will come from Jane Stockman

Hi all

Havent been on here for while being trying to get over my knee op. now off crutches but still painful I hope that its just a blip!!!

welcome Jane chemo is tough but we r all here for you xxxx

I keep in touch with some of you via facebook (nina diplock ) if u want to add me . I have just met up with Leonie in Brighton it was so nice to meet her and her lovely family after chatting all these months i wish we were all closer together !

Iam going to start planning going back to work feel a bit freaked about it but they are being very supportive .

good luck to girls with pending surgery xx

has anyone heard from Sara lately??

good luck everyone lots love and hugs nina xxxxxx

Hi all

Havent been on here for while being trying to get over my knee op. now off crutches but still painful I hope that its just a blip!!!

welcome Jane chemo is tough but we r all here for you xxxx

I keep in touch with some of you via facebook (nina diplock ) if u want to add me . I have just met up with Leonie in Brighton it was so nice to meet her and her lovely family after chatting all these months i wish we were all closer together !

Iam going to start planning going back to work feel a bit freaked about it but they are being very supportive .

good luck to girls with pending surgery xx

has anyone heard from Sara lately??

good luck everyone lots love and hugs nina xxxxxx

Hi all, I am pretty new to this chat...was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February and have undergone a lumpectomy!  I am now deciding on what treatment to have next, chemo is being offered to me however I am expected to make the decision myself (I wish they would just tell me that I either need it or don't need it, but apparently I am a gray area :-) ) I am finding this decision tough and would welcome any advice!

Thanks Linda x

Hi Linda

sorry u have had to join us but u r so so welcome. Come here anytime to chat/rant ask anything the girls (and boys )r so helpful and will help get u thru this xx

iam 47 diagnosed with grade 3 ca breast in july I had 6 cycles chemo then radio finished treatment in jan.

I like u came here to ask about chemo cos like u say they give u choice !!some choice huh !! you need to chat to nurse /dr they will give u "predicted survivial rates " with different treatments !it sounds horrible .

I initially didnt want chemo as i didnt want to put my family thru it!! but you must talk to your family and friends to ultimately it is your decision but us women ALWAYS worry about what everyone eles wants too xxx!!

I decided to have it even thru it only increased my rates by about 6% i felt if god forbid it did come back i at least would know i did everything to try to stop it !! but only u know how u feel dnot be pushed make your own decisions . It also depends on how healthy u r !! chemo is tough but as all these lovely people know it can b done !!

whatever u and your family decide will b right for you- this time will pass i know it seeems so long now but trust me u can get thru this and we r all here to help youxxxsome of us chat on face book feel free to add me if you want nina diplock

lots of love and hugs xxxxnina

remember dnot put too much pressure on yourself xxxxxxxx

Hello again Ive just been reading all about your choices. How did you get choices? I certainly didnt. I was told- 6 sessions of chemo,  then op ( dunno what theyre gonna do tho, I know its about the lumps in lymph gland) either lumpectomy or breast removal???? then 5days a week for 5 weeks radiotherepy. I thought this was standard proceedure.

Hi Linda

Sorry you need to be here but welcome.I wasnt given a choice really,things were explained to me and I was told "this is what we think would be the best treatment for you "and I went with it.Chemo to shrink the tumour,mastectomy more chemo and radio.I,m glad i wasnt given a choice.You could ask your oncologist what he would do if you were his wife or daughter. Not everyone suffers the same effects during chemo and at least you know that you have done everything to prevent it coming back but it your decision.

Good luck,let us know how you get on

Rose xxx

Thanks for your messages.  It seems everyone is different when it comes to treatment.  I had two lots of surgery first and all the cancer was removed without having to have a mastectomy.  My cancer was completly hormone receptive and my lymph nodes were free of cancer.  All good signs!!! Then I went to see the Oncologist where my treatment plan was definitely radiotherapy and anti hormone treatment but 'because I come into a grey area' I was given the choice to have chemo if I wanted - hard decision!!  I know if I really needed it I wouldn't be given the choice.  I have written a list with for & against however so far I seems to be struggling to thinks of many reasons for chemo and have lots on my against list.  I have all the statistics...but unsure whether these are a help or a hinder lol!  The oncologist said that just last year I would not have been offered the option of chemo, but due to my age (58) and size of the tumor (3.1cm) they are presenting it as an option.  Anyway have until Wednesday to make up my mind.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply & hope all is going well for everyone!

Linda x x

Hi Linda

I did post a response on here to you the other day but its not here,I probably pressed the wrong key me and computers are not the best of friends lol its a tough decision to make I think you doing the right thing writing a list.whatever your decision I'm sure you'll get a lot of support and help off the lovely ladies on here.I know I did they have been an absolute god send.keep in touch and take care ( hope that all made sense got a bit of brain fog tonight lol)

Donna xx

hi Linda,I too was a gray"area" even thought I had to have a full masectomy in the end.I too think it's a good idea to ask your oncologist for their advice,mine told me it would only give me less than 5% better chance of long term survival and in my shoes she would'nt bother.After three lots of surgary I was pleased not to HAVE to have it,I've finished my radio now and am getting back on my feet.Good luck Nettyxxx

Hi Ladies (and Jeff)

I had a lovely holiday in Brighton.... and have come back relaxed and ready to fight a bit more.

I did notice that we have some new ladies on this post.... Welcome.... not the best way to meet people for sure..... but better people you will never meet..... the ladies and gents on this post really helped me get through my darkest days.... and I hope you will let us help you do the same.

Well... I had my pre op assesment this morning... all went well with that.... but a couple of things happened that did make me giggle.

When i had to get weighed... she says, "well done Caroline, you have lost over a stone since last time"...... suddenly i realised and told her to hang on while i took my big silicone fake boobs off and then I got back on the scales.... she looked at me in surprise and said "actually you have lost over 3 stone since last time"......... nice to know that my useless ex husband was good for something... even if it was only causing me to lose weight..... lol.

Then she was saying that I could fetch a bra in to hospital for extra support if I wanted to..... so I said "Can you tell me what size bra I am going to need? and I will get one"... she just laughed and said "good point, Most of my ladies are only having one side done so we know what size it is going to end up"

There is not much more I can say now except.... NEW BOOBS IN 2 DAYS... WOO HOO

Sorry but I am dead excited...... Lee, good luck with your surgery on the 26th honey... I will be thinking about you

In fact I will be thinking about you all because there is no way I would have got this far without all of you

I love you all

Caz xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi caz I just wanted to wish you luck for your operation and I'll be thinking of you

Love Donna xx

Lotsa love and luck coming your way Caz xxxx