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Breast cancer

Samokha
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Hi everyone 

I have breast cancer stage 2 and soon starting chemotherapy for 8 rounds , than mastectomy and possible radiotherapy 

Having read about  different chemotherapy side affect I'm really terrifying and thinking the worse 

Haven't sleep well since diagnosis, feeling sad all the time, I'm lost.

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    Hi Samokha, I'm so sorry that you find yourself with this diagnosis. It's really hard to take in, isn't it? Do you know what regimen you will be on yet? Are you hormone or HER2 receptor positive? You will receive all kinds of drugs to help prevent or manage side effects. I completed 7 rounds of chemo from September to January and have just had my surgery. I can tell you hand on heart that chemo was not nearly as bad as I'd imagined and I didn't once have to stay in bed, had virtually no nausea, sickness or pain. However, everyone reacts differently and it also depends on the chemo drugs you are prescribed. I am a firm believer that being fit and having a healthy diet can really help cope with cancer treatments (chemo, surgery and radiotherapy). I started walking the day after I was diagnosed and later added a couple of sessions of resistance training each week using light weights. So if you don't already, I really recommend you take a good brisk walk every day. This will also lift your mood and help you sleep better. Many cancer doctors believe that exercise should be the first treatment prescribed following a cancer diagnosis. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of cancers coming back by up to 50%. It's a no brainer and I really believe it's been a magic bullet for me. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We're all happy to help each other along this unwelcome journey. This forum is excellent for that so let us know if we can help. Take care and I hope you get some sleep tonight. Amy x

  • Offline in reply to Amy321

    Thank you very much Amy for your reply  

    Your message is really give me some positive encouragement 

    Hope you are doing well 

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    Hi Samokha,

    I am so sorry to hear that you have had a cancer diagnosis. You will possibly find it helpful to discuss the type of chemotherapy you'll be having with your breast care nurse. Side-effects of the different types vary considerably. It is also true that some people find chemo hard, whilst others, like Amy, tend to sail through. Do you know what type of breast cancer you have?

    The way you are feeling is normal after such a diagnosis, but things will get easier as you start to fight this. If you do have any problems with chemo, be sure to let the staff know, as there are a number of things that can be done to counter the side-effects.

    Stage 2 is very treatable. You will have a tough few months with treatment, but should then be back to your old self. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. First time around I had a lumpectomy and a year later, I had a double mastectomy. That was all 13 years ago and I still lead a busy and fulfilling life.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • Offline in reply to Amy321

    Hi Amy

    Is her2 negative 

    I've already had a first round of chemotherapy 2 weeks ago,  first week it was hard for me nausea was really really bad, felt sick, couldn't eat , luckily I had no problems on falling asleep  

    Now I'm doing OK

    Next week I'll be going back for second round, I'm very nervous.

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank you Jolamine for your reply

    Is grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, HER2 negative 

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    Hi Samokha. I've just finished eight months of treatment. 14 rounds of chemo, a mastectomy and 20 rounds of radiotherapy. When I was first told this I just thought how can I do this? But to be honest it wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. I wasn't sick at all through chemo just tired. I just rested and was sleeping a lot. The mastectomy went very well and the recovery went well. I've just finished radiotherapy - I'm still feeling a bit tired but getting back to doing the things I used to do and looking forward to a short break in a few weeks. Hope everything goes well for you. I found once I got into the routine of treatment it was easier to cope. 

  • Offline in reply to LyndaP

    Thank you Lyndap for your reply

    I had very bad nausea up to day 8, I almost felt that things won't get any better, by the 9th day I felt some sort of relief, now I'm doing great.

    I forgot to mention I got mouth ulcers aswell.

    Sorry to hear about what you went through, glad that everythings went smoothly 

    Enjoy your break away from home

  • Offline in reply to Samokha

    Hi Samokha,

    I am so glad to hear that you are doing great now - long may this last!

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Very great full. Hoping things will get easier on the go 

    Thank you everyone for taking time to reply on my post it feels good knowing there is some people out there going through a same things and knowing that they are doing great.

  • Offline in reply to Samokha

    Hi Samokha,

    You need never feel alone, now that you have found this forum.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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