Hi Vicky, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it must have been a shock for you. Our situation is not quite the same as I'm older than you and my children are adults. However, I was diagnosed in January with invasive ductal carcinoma and am also HER2 positive. I was put on chemo first, then will be having surgery, followed by radiotherapy. I will then go onto hormone blockers for 5-10 years. The chemo I was put on is EC-T. So far I've had the 3 EC and 2 of the T (for me this is docetaxel). I also started on phesgo injections  when I started the docetaxel,  due to being HER2 positive. My next treatment is on Tuesday and last one on the 9th of July. For me the side effects have been minimal and I'm able to do all the normal stuff like cooking and cleaning. I also go for a 2 1/2 mile walk every day, which is great for the mindset. Obviously everyone is different and some people do get more side effects, but thought you'd like to know it's not so difficult for everyone. I hope all goes well with your journey moving forward and  if you have any questions I'm always here. Xx

Just newly diagnosed with breast cancer (not sure what type though!) but my treatment plan is similar to yours. Reassuring that you can still live a reasonably full life during chemotherapy. Did you use the cold cap as I’ve decided to give it a go? 

Hi Vitchy, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I understand how stressful this is. Just to let you know, I felt much more relaxed with everything once my treatment started. I stopped drinking alcohol, I eat healthily and walk 2 1/2  miles every day. This has helped me keep a positive mindset, I also feel this has helped minimise my side effects. I decided against using the cold cap, as I already suffered from headaches and didn't think I'd cope very well with it. I bought a wig and some lovely hats, which I'm happy with. I've upped my water intake since being on chemo and now actually get fewer headaches. Most of my hair fell out quite quickly, but was left with some fuzzy hair. Strangely, it seems to have started growing back already and I still gave 2 cycles of docetaxel left to go. So far I've had no damage to my nails, which I'm really happy about. I have been using a product called polybalm on my nails, which I started using just before the start of chemo. I did a bit of research on it and so far it's working for me. Stay strong and keep positive, I haven't found it nearly as bad as I'd imagined it would be. I wish you well moving forward. Xx

What positivity. Thank you so much that’s a great help x 

Hi Vitchy, have you started your chemo yet? I wondered how you were feeling and if you decided to use the cold cap? Is it a standard option you are offered or something you have to request?
I have my surgery tomorrow then chemo once recovered. 

Start EC chemo next week. Have a wig fitting tomorrow but hopefully won’t need it if I can stand the cold cap. Will let you know how I get on. Apparently first 15 mins is the worst. I’m taking a blanket to keep me warm. Good luck with surgery x 

Hi Smudge24. I hope all goes well I your surgery. Please let us know how you get on. I have my surgery next Wednesday.  X

So I had surgery yesterday. They took the lump and two sentinel lymph nodes. I woke up feeling great. Didn’t sleep last night probably because I was so well rested after general anaesthetic- or worried I’d knock the wound. Still feel good today. Now have the long wait to see if they’ve got all the clear margins they need and fingers crossed the nodes are clear of microscopic cells. That’s what worries me most. 

RedRuth84, what kind of surgery are you having? Is it before chemo? I can’t remember if you’ve already said? 

Vitchy, good luck for chemo. How many rounds do you need? Is yours before surgery? I plan on also trying the cold cap. 

Hi Smudge24. I am glad you are doing well after surgery. That's great to hear. Long may it continue.  I am having a lumpectomy and  partial reconstruction as they are having to take the overlying skin as its too close to the skin. They will take skin and other tissue from.around my bra line under my arm round towards my back.  They'll also take between 1 and 4 lymph nodes. I have had tamoxifen before surgery and likely radiotherapy afterwards. X

Were you her2 negative? Mine is positive which is why I need chemo afterwards. Will find out the exact route when I meet oncologist after recovery x

Yes HER2 - and ER +.   How long did they say it would be before you see an oncologist? They've told me pathology after the operation is taking 4-5 weeks of more which seems like a really long time. X

They said 6 weeks recovery from surgery then I’ll talk to oncologist. If I don’t need any more surgery because the margins are ok from lumpectomy, I’m going on holiday before starting chemo. It was booked before we knew and we thought we’d have to cancel but if luck goes our way, we’ll get to go away before starting the long road of chemo.  It’s all the waiting around that’s hard. You maybe don’t need chemo because of the her2 negative status. How big is your tumour? In terms of the lymph nodes, I assume scans have not picked up any on you either? I was given a radioactive injection next to my nipple the afternoon before surgery and it starts to drain away through the sentinel nodes. Because the radioactive stuff drained into 2 of my nodes, those were the ones they took. Sometimes it can be 1 or up to 4. I just hope there’s no microscopic cancer cells in them. 

They said 6 weeks recovery from surgery then I’ll talk to oncologist. If I don’t need any more surgery because the margins are ok from lumpectomy, I’m going on holiday before starting chemo. It was booked before we knew and we thought we’d have to cancel but if luck goes our way, we’ll get to go away before starting the long road of chemo.  It’s all the waiting around that’s hard. You maybe don’t need chemo because of the her2 negative status. How big is your tumour? In terms of the lymph nodes, I assume scans have not picked up any on you either? I was given a radioactive injection next to my nipple the afternoon before surgery and it starts to drain away through the sentinel nodes. Because the radioactive stuff drained into 2 of my nodes, those were the ones they took. Sometimes it can be 1 or up to 4. I just hope there’s no microscopic cancer cells in them. 

Smudge24 l, I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you can go on holiday!  My tumour is 44mm x 38mm (so quite large from what I gather on here). How big is yours? 

I also noted you told your children recently. How old are they? I've got to tell my just turned 5 and nearly 7 year old this weekend and I'm dreading it. 

Yes I'm in for the same injection to identify the lymph nodes.  Fingers crossed that all of our lymph nodes are clear. 

My children are 10 and 12 so slightly older, or slightly more aware than yours might be. The tumour is (was) 14mm. If you don’t need chemo, do you need to tell them? 

I'll have to be in hospital for 2 days so I need to tell them something. They've told me because I have small children I will need to stay over night because of the element of reconstruction. 

How did telling your children go? I’m recovering well. Had the outer dressings changed today but no other news. Just again in that waiting zone- eager to get results. 

Hi. Thanks for checking in. My youngest gave me lots of cuddles. My eldest was quiet and had very little reaction yesterday. But today on the way to school we had tears and lots of questions from the eldest. So I think it's still processing. 

How long did they say the results take in your area? They've said 4/5 weeks here but usually the results for everything else have come quicker so fingers crossed.  How is your recovery? Are you managing the exercises? How are you coping with things at home? 

They said 2 weeks. Hopefully earlier, although I found out today that my nurse has broken her foot so I’ve been allocated to another nurse. It’s a bit annoying as my nurse has been telling me everything once she sees it on the system rather than me having to wait to see doctor. This one might not do that.

I’m managing totally fine, it’s the resting part I find hard as I’m quite an active person generally so want to get busy all the time. 

I’m pleased it went well telling the kids. Good luck for Wednesday. 

Hopefully this new nurse is just as diligent. I never have the same one twice!   Let me know how get on. I will be thinking of you. 

I am also an active person and a 'do'er' so I don't know how I'll cope either.