I'm so glad your doing ok. My Picc irritates me as it's place on the inner side of my arm, I know they can only put them where the veins are. I was allergic to the dressings so initially came up in blisters but they have gone now and I have a different dressing.

Although the side effects were manageable I didn't feel normal till only 3 days ago, I  think the anti sickness medication didnt suit me so I have a different one ready for tomorrow so I'm hoping I will recover sooner this time. Anyway what will be will be.

At least I will have 2 down tomorrow only 4 to go, I have to say it has come round fairly quickly.

im going to start working from home for a couple of days a week from 14 th feb so have to see how that goes, it will keep my mind occupied I'm hoping and help the time go quicker 

you take care and keep in touch xx

Hi there, hope you don't mind my jumping on here.   This is my worst fear.  I'm a week on from being diagnosed with grade 1 IDC after a vacuum biopsy.  I'm 54 and have had several harmless cysts removed in the past but a mammogram showed I had an area of 17mm calcifications that turned out to be IDC.  The IDC grade 1 is apparently very small at 1mm but I've convinced myself they will surely find something worse in the remaining other area of calcifications. At the moment they are saying they don't know what's in the other 16mm but have said no DCIS was found.  

I'm a bit behind you in that I haven't had my lumpectomy yet, it's due in a week.  I'm terrified and convinced that my cancer will be upgraded.  This is because I don't think they managed to get a big sample out and the sample was too small to do all the hormone receptor tests.  They do know it's oestrogen positive (which I think is a good thing)????? but they won't know if it's HER2 positive or negative until the post op biopsies.  
 

I can't help thinking why do they bother with the stereotactic biopsies if they are so unreliable and inaccurate????  I'm sorry to read that yours were upgraded.  This must have been a huge disappointment  for you.  Did they give you any reason or explanation as to why the two biopsy  results differed so much?

Wishing you all the best x

Hi Keira. Hope you don't mind me bumping your thread. I had a grade 3 cancer which spread to my lymph nodes. I had surgery 2 days ago to clear my armpit so I'm in recovery again.  I know I'm having chemo but not sure what yet as have to wait for these results now. I know I'm also HER2 positive.  Anyway,  the chemo...did you cold cap? And if so how was it as I'm definitely going to give it a go xxx hope you're OK

Hi, no of course I don't mind you jumping in that's what we are all here for, to help each other.

I agree, I really don't know why they give you the biopsy results if there is the slightest chance it could change which seems to be a very common occurrence. 
ye I was very upset when it came back as a grade 3. I don't think we can have a proper understanding of it all till after the lumpectomy, plus the pathology  and if needed oncotype results are available from the surgery.

The reason I think it changes us because a biopsy is only a small amount if the actual tumour so it is only when it has been removed the full tests can be done which often gives a different result however, sone results don't change.

I know that the original treatment plan explained to me was lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, there was no mention of chemo at that point.

The chemo only came into play after the pathology results from the surgery shown I had sone vascular invasion which definitely needs chemo for future protection. 
I was devastated at the thought of chemo but now I fully understand the reason and potential outcome I definitely want all 6 cycles.

I hope this helps

love Kiera xx

Hi Donna, no I didn't cold cap. I'm not convinced it works brilliantly for lots of people but I know sone do benefit from it. I think it has to be individual choice based on the information   they give to you.

I hope you get your treatment plan soon as it does help when you know exactly what's going on.

take care, here to help if I can

love Kiera x

Thanks Kiera for taking the time to respond.  I suppose anything can happen really.  It's all a bit of a lottery until post op biopsies.  Yes it did help a lot thankyou.  I'm still learning and don't know what all the terminology yet! What are oncotype results?!

Best wishes xx

Yes it is a bit if a lottery!

An oncotype test is usually only done for invasive ductal cancer and invasive ductal cancer in situ. This involves the testing of the tumour once it's removed, usually done in America to get a score which determines the likelihood of it returning and whether chemotherapy is appropriate or not as part of the treatment plan.

Also the pathology tests done once the tumour has been removed usually determines the grade, if it is hormone responsive and if the nodes are positive or negative and also if there is any vascular invasion. 
I don't mean to baffle you but once all the results are available which will include the above this determines a treatment plan specific to yr cancer.

love Kiera

Hi Donna 

I am having Chemo, 3rd FEC next week and then 3 Docetaxel, I'm using the Cold Cap, happy to share my experience so far.

If you can go to the Hospital before maybe when you first go for your first bloods to get it fitted, I did this which was better as they had my size before my treatment.

It is crucial it fits correctly unfortunately my doesn't as I have a tiny head so have lost my hair at the crown. 
 
The Nurses will wet your hair and apply conditioner, take your own with you, I use Simple Shampoo and Conditioner Pax also do one. Take a hairband to protect your forehead, I also put a cotton ball on my temple inside the hairband.  I take a paracetamol 2 hours before then 4 hours later. The first 20 minutes is tough but after that it's a doddle, it does make the whole process a lot longer but it's worth it. You do get cold , they will have blankets but I take a hot wattle bottle with me, keep your neck and shoulders warm if you can, my hospital put heat packs on my shoulders. I also put a little bit of soft material under the chin strap as it' can be tight. It's so important it fits properly so they need too make sure you have the correct size. 

paxmanscalpcooling.com/  make sure you read this it has all the info, I wash my hair once a week, I use a  wide Combe but I also do brush it. You will have a big shed around 14 days in but it does slow down, my hair has gone thin but I still have lots, I am not sure how it will be at the end, the thing is for me I have (had) thick big long blonde hair, I'm 38 and it's actually the only thing I like about me, I wasn't willing to let it go without a fight, my Cancer isn't taking that aswel, Even if I lose most of it, it is very gradual which has reallly helped. 
 
Hope this has helped, I wish you well xxx 

Thank you for that. I really appreciate the information.  I'm definitely going to try the cold cap, nothing to lose!! I'll watch the video later. Any help during this time is good as it's a minefield!! Xx hope you're fairing well xx