Having a stressful day today. Had my pre chemo consultation by phone today. Went well with lots of information given about what to expect.  However, I did forget to mention about some niggling breast pain I've been having. They come and go, sometimes slightly shooting pain. Did phone breast care nurses last week, who said probably due to all the biopsies I had. They were done a few weeks ago, so wondered if pains would only start happening in the last week. So annoyed with myself, even had it written down. I know I can mention on Monday, but will now have to go through two more days of stress!!

Hi Pippin 24, I think every little niggling pain is a worry when you're in the position that we are, try not to worry hopefully the chemotherapy will start to work killing all of the harmful cancer cells,  hope everything goes well for you on Monday,   I'm anxious at the moment waiting for my PET scan results on Friday the 8th xx

Thanks for the recommendation, will take a look.

Thanks, will let you know how it goes. Xx

I have the Bisphosphonate infusion every six months , going for one again in April . I don’t have any side effects xx

Hi Pippin 24 , only just just got back from the hospital after 2 hours,  I've basically been told that the cancer areas are the main lump under my breast,  a nodule in my lung and one around my heart,  hopefully should be starting treatment which will be abraxane weekly chemotherapy and pembrolizumab every 6 weeks.  I'm struggling with them saying that this will be be life now as I can't be cured,  hope you're doing OK xx

Hi Rufusblue, I'm so sorry to hear that you're now going to be on treatment for life, that must be a difficult thing to hear. I have a friend in a similar position, who has secondary breast cancer, which has spread to the brain. However, she is doing amazingly well, treatments are so good now. Will the weakly chemo be only for a certain amount of time? I seem fine after injection yesterday, so will see how that goes. Sleep is my biggest problem at the moment, keep waking at about 4.30am, then can't sleep anymore. I think it's more to do with coming off hrt and getting hot flushes. I am also worried a bit about a couple of lung nodules and a cyst on my liver. They've said not to worry about it and I'll be having another scan in 3 months. It's difficult not to worry about everything though. Will you need surgery for the lump, or just the chemo?  Please keep in touch to let me know how things go. Sending big hugs. Xxx

Hi Pippin from what I've gathered there's no end to the chemotherapy which I find upsetting,  it's classed as inoperable so can't have an operation,  good to hear your friends doing well,  I'm going to have to try and pick myself up and get on with it.  It could be the steroids that's keeping you awake so hopefully it's a temporary thing,  take care xx

Hi Pippin, I"m glad the chemo seems to be going well and the injections too, i think i'm going to have to do that too so it's good to hear you're ok on them. Sorry sleep isn't great though..ive been waking at silly o'clock too and i haven't started my treatment!!....i think you just wake up and then your. brain pings open and there's so much buzzing around your head. Really hope you can get into a better sleeping pattern soon...these hormones and overactive brain have a lot to answer for don't they!!!!..Sounds like you're doing well though.but i'm so sorry you're worrying about the nodules...yes very easy for them to say don't worry but i can totally undestand that you will...but if they're not worried for now then hopefully that will give you some comfort. Concentrate on the chemo that you're having now and it's fab that they want to check again in 3 months so if it is anything they'll be totally on it...i know it's hard to put it the back of your brain though so i'm sending big virtual hugs...and really hope the next few days are ok with the chemo. xx

Oh i'm so sory to read this. I want to jump out the screen and give you a hug....That must have been a lot to hear today. BUT it sounds like they have a plan....and although perhaps not curable they can hopefuly treat and keep at bay...do you know when you'll start your treatment? You need to go and do something nice for yourself...but you can totally do this...i'm sure you have so much support around you so lean on them...and i am here too if you want to offload to a random!! I'm here. Big hugs xx

It certainly is upsetting to be on permanent chemo, but try to stay positive. I suppose we have to be grateful that there are so many available treatments with what we have. Let me know how you get on moving forward. I'll also keep you updated too, especially with regards to my next scan regarding the nodules. I think once you have cancer, there is no end to the worry unfortunately. I saw that you posted a new thread, I hope you get some responses from others in a similar position, which may be of some help to you. Xxx

To be honest I think sleep issues are to do with hot flushes, as had to come off hrt. One minute I'm boiling hot, next minI feel cold. I ended up listening to relaxing music from sbout 4.30am, which was better than laying there overthinking everything. Managed to clean bathrooms and go for an hours walk with hubby, so a pretty good day today. Trying really hard to not focus on the nodules they found. Even before I had my scan, they said they have seen these a lot since covid. Just need to keep reminding myself of that. Did you manage to sort out a wig and decide whether you will try the cold cap?

To be honest I think sleep issues are to do with hot flushes, as had to come off hrt. One minute I'm boiling hot, next minI feel cold. I ended up listening to relaxing music from sbout 4.30am, which was better than laying there overthinking everything. Managed to clean bathrooms and go for an hours walk with hubby, so a pretty good day today. Trying really hard to not focus on the nodules they found. Even before I had my scan, they said they have seen these a lot since covid. Just need to keep reminding myself of that. Did you manage to sort out a wig and decide whether you will try the cold cap?

You’ve done really well.  I’ve been pretty tired with a fuzzy head.  Just think the chemo circulating around your body will be attacking anything that should not be there and it is fantastic they are on it and monitoring.  I know it’s hard not to worry though - we are but human. Xxx 

I am quite pleased with how things are going so far. Think most of us will have struggles during one part of our journey or another. Good to have a site like this to share our experiences. Think there will always be niggles and worries about things moving forward, to be expected after going through so much anxiety I suppose. Keep me posted on how things are going for you. Xx

Hi NGS, just wondered how you have been feeling?

How are you doing today Pippin? Hope you're still managing to cope well. Are you still feeling ok? Really hope so!

and yes hope you're doing ok too NGS...Big hugs to you both. xx

Hi Greeny80, I'm doing great thanks. Now finished all my anti sickness meds, so just on injections now. So far have had minimal side effects, slight sore throat and a little constipation, also a little tiredness at times. I have been napping a bit some afternoons and in the evening. Hope you're feeling OK at the moment, I know it's not long until your chemo starts. Hopefully you're feeling ready and prepared to beat this thing. Xxk

So happy to hear you’re doing well still! That’s great…and it’s good you’ve have time for some naps and rest. Your body will be working overtime internally! 

im doing well. I’m having my port inserted tomorrow and then yes I start a week on Tuesday. Feeling positive and will just try to take one day at a time and really hope I can get away with relatively light side effects!…but I think I’m feeling as ready as I can be..

Hope the treatment continues to go well

I didn't realise you were having a port, please let me know how it goes. Mine has been agreed, but still no date yet. Going to contact someone tomorrow to try and chase it up. If it's not done before next cycle, not sure it'll be worth having done. Good luck for tomorrow. Xx

Hi Greeny,

I'm glad to hear that your port is being fitted and that you will then be all ready for your chemo to start next week. I hope that you get through your treatment with the minimum of side-effects.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hey Pippin, Just back from theatre and now the proud owner of a port!! It was all very painless and quick..really hope you get a date soon. You’ve got another 2 weeks until your next round don’t you? 
Hope you’re feeling ok again today. Xx

Thanks so much Jolamine. Just at the hospital now, Port fitted and it was all relatively painless so hopefully I’ll be ready for next week when chemo starts!  

how are you doing? Xx