Hi sugar65,

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and yes, the waiting certainly is the hardest part.

I too was diagnosed with lobular cancer at the end of last November - mind you, I did not realise that it was lobular until I read my pathology report last week (I had assumed that it was IDC). So it looks like you will be having neoadjuvant therapy as opposed to adjuvant therapy (treatment after surgery) which I am having.  I have been through two surgeries (mastectomy and axillary node clearance) and completed my second cycle of FEC last Wednesday. I had very little discomfort after both surgeries and relatively little reaction to cycle one of chemo. The only side effect that I am currently experiencing is a very dry/sore mouth which is not very pleasant but it could be much worse.

I too have an 11 year old  and he seems to have taken things in his stride. Mind you, it is hard to know as he is definitely hormonal.

I wish you well with everything and I will keep you in my thoughts. X

Thank you for replying, my consultant is hoping to shrink the cancer with chemo, before an operation to try to save my breast., which I understand, but I want it gone and out of my body. I am now waiting for a MRI. I still can't believe this is happening to me. Reading about the treatment is terrifying, but to read about you already been there does help thank you. How did you cope with losing your hair ? I have been told it will go with the 2nd cycle of chemo,

My son seems to be taking things very well today thankfully, yes they do have their moments don't they ! Lovely to hear your story. 

Sugar65

Hi there Sugar,

My history is breast cancer, some 4 years ago.Tell them you want to try the cold cap. It isn't that pleasent, but you have a chance of not losing it. If you can get past the first 30 mind you can do it !! The thought of losing my hair was awful to me, call me vain if you wish, but it's true. I did it and it worked for me as it might work for you !

Hope all goes well for you,

Marian x 

Thank you Marian, I will definitely be asking them about it....I would rather be vain any day, having nightmares thinking of it. X

I meant 30 mins. Unfortunately the session lasts a lot longer but honestly it was worth it for me. The sucess rate isn't great. BUT at least you are giving yourself a chance. If you have any questions please ask, Im happy to help. I know your mind is running riot at the moment, keep talking, keep asking.......remember though there is an end to all this. Me x 

Hi sugar65,

Yes, it is all very frightening and overwhelming at first. Losing my hair was upsetting - it started to fall out on day 14 after my first cycle of treatment and my husband shaved it off the night before my second cycle - but, to be honest, it is not something that I have thought about too much since. I suppose you just have to get on with it and think, oh well, things could be a lot worse!  Have you any idea when you will be starting treatment? I had a six week wait between diagnosis and my mastectomy. X

Hi  Dunanat1

I have been told around 3-4 weeks before the treatment starts, I also have to have a clip put into the cancer in the next couple of weeks. I hope I can feel the same about the hair situation when the time comes I have always had long hair, my thoughts and emotions are all over the place perhaps when everything gets started they will settle down. Do you sleep ok ? I haven't slept a whole night since finding the lump. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery. 

Sugar65

Hi sugar65,

I have never been a sleeper so lack of sleep is something that I deal with on a frequent basis. In saying that, pre and immediately post diagnosis I was sometimes awake for 48 hours straight. In the end I had to get something from the doctor to help me sleep (Zopiclone) as I really could not function at all - these had a tranquilizing effect.

In relation to the anaesthetic I too was extremely frightened by this. I told the anaesthetist my fears and he dealt with things accordingly - I was more or less 'out of it' on my way to theatre.

Hope that all goes okay with your MRI on Tuesday - I did not have this. I had an ultrasound of abdominal organs and a chest x ray - we are still trying to sort out a mutually convenient time for a heart scan. What is clear is that each Trust does things differently.

Take care. X