Hi BigJean,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason you've joined. I hope that your results on Tuesday can help to put your mind at rest. Even if the news is not so good, it helps to know what the next moves are and puts a more positive slant on things.

I suspect that the pain in your back is consequential to your diagnosis. We always seem to think the worst and develop all sorts of additional symptoms. In most cases this seems to be due to stress.

I have lost my mum to breast cancer and, have had 2 bouts myself within the past 9 years. Waiting for results is always one of the most stressful times of a cancer journey. Try to keep yourself distracted by other pursuits and do your best to stay away from Google. The fact that you are healthy and have never smoked, should stand you in good stead with any treatment needed.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine ,

thank you for your kind words . I’m so sorry you lost your mum and you going through it twice . I am not going to let it get me down just back from a big walk with my family and I feel great . That’s the weird thing I don’t feel sick at all . 

I’ll let you know how I get on on Tuesday but I am ready to fight 

talk soon xx

Hi BigJean,

I am so glad that things weren't as bad as you suspected and, can understand your need to get on with treatment now as soon as possible.

I sincerely hope that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi everyone,

i forgot to mention that I have been told I have to go on Herceptin every 3 weeks . Didnt really ask anything about it was just given a leaflet about it ! Does anyone have any advice on this ??

thank you all so much . Xx

Just read this, that's great news Jean, really pleased.

LJx

Hi there,

I'm on Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks for 10 years.  At the moment it's given with my chemo but once chemo stops I'll still be going in every 3 weeks.

I am allergic to it so am given an IV antihistamine too but hopefully you won't be allergic anyway.  Nothing really to advise you, I get no side effects from the H or P, my mum was on Herceptin too and she never had any side effects from it.

They'll monitor your heart closely as it can cause damage to your heart.  One way to help protect against that or minimise it is to follow the usual rules for improving your 'ejection fraction', you can Google these.  They include obvious things like cardio exercise and monitoring your sodium intake (and, therefore, fluid retention).  But obviously speak to your oncologist before starting or changing anything.

LJx

Hi thanks for getting back to me . It was the nurse that told me I would be going on it . She just gave me a leaflet and said I would be on it every 3 weeks with chemo . 

Bit worried now as there are heart problems on my Dads side of the family . 

I’ll say this to the oncologist when I see him on Thursday. 

Thanks for your advice 

xxx

Twintwo, I was thinking I hadn't seen you and you pop up! How are things going? 

I had chemo 4 yesterday so feeling a bit grotty now. Was told I will be starting herceptin after chemo finishes, but hadn't realised I will be kept in for 6 hours incase of any reactions , then on the next one it will be 2 hours then all being well the others will be a 5 min job... I was also relieved to read you and your mum were ok on it...fingers crossed I will be xxxxx

hi Jolamine

what a week!!!!  I had to return from holiday in Devon to see the surgeon about my appendix, he doesn’t believe it’s an issue, but requested another scan to be sure which I had on Friday, so just waiting for the results from that.  I’m scheduled to start Chemo next Thursday if all is ok.

i also told my children who are 7 and 9, the little one doesn’t really understand the older one is more aware and has a lot of questions, but also the kindest heart. We also met with the head teacher to make her aware so the school can provide support where needed. 

See my oncologist on Tuesday and hopefully all systems go.

WL

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that your appendix doesn't seem to be an issue and hope that Friday's scan doesn't show up anything untoward. Have you been told when you will get the results?

You will probably get some very strange questions, but this is only natural from children. It is good that you have already told the children and spoken to their teachers.

I hope that you have drawn up a list of questions for your oncologist tomorrow and that you are taking someone with you to this appointment.

I have my fingers crossed for you tomorrow and hope that all is still ok with your appendix. I expect that you just want to get on with your chemo now and, hope that you can do so.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi jolamine

So big UTurn, the PET scan showed up my appendix still and they couldn’t say with certainty that it wouldn’t cause issues during chemo. So the surgeon and I agreed to take the risk away and remove it, that was on Wednesday. He was fabulous, and moved things around and took it out this morning.  So I’m in hospital hope to be discharged tomorrow, swift recovery and on to chemo.  I feel like a weight has been lifted and I’ve actually moved forward a step rather than hanging in limbo. 

I feel significantly less anxious now.  Hope you are ok.

WL 

Hi WL,

hope you are keeping well after your surgery. When do you start your chemo?? I’m due to start mine this Friday . Just want to get star on it now and fight this . 

I met another lady while at the hospital she’s under the same oncologist as me , I’m a bit anxious as he gave her a  percentage on her cancer . I asked him was mine curable he said yes but didn’t tell me anything else . Is this normal , I’m starting to worry a bit now !! 

Sorry to rant on . 

Let me know how you are doing. 

Xxxx

Hi WL,

hope you are keeping well after your surgery. When do you start your chemo?? I’m due to start mine this Friday . Just want to get star on it now and fight this . 

I met another lady while at the hospital she’s under the same oncologist as me , I’m a bit anxious as he gave her a  percentage on her cancer . I asked him was mine curable he said yes but didn’t tell me anything else . Is this normal , I’m starting to worry a bit now !! 

Sorry to rant on . 

Let me know how you are doing. 

Xxxx

Hi BigJean,

I just want to wish you all the very best as you start your chemo on Friday. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi

great to hear from you. I’m doing ok, my shuffling around looks more like walking today, still sore but I’m getting there. I see the oncologist today so I’m hoping for a start date for my chemo, I’m guessing it will be in the next 2 weeks assuming my recovery continues as it is. 

My oncologist hasn’t given a percentage, but to be honest I’ve stopped asking for affirmation that I will be ok as everything she says about my BC freaks me out, so decided to focus on the practicalities of moving forward rather than looking back. 

Glad and to hear you are starting chemo on Friday. I wish you the most amount of luck I can send you and I really do hope it goes well. 

Keep me updated 

WL

Hi 

Bigjean and WL

Have been following your progress as I’m a few weeks behind you both in diagnosis. Just had my ct scan to see if it has spread as it’s in my lymph nodes. Provisionally booked in for mastectomy and lymph node clearance on 20th May but hoping the ct results come back clear.

good luck big jean with your chemo starting tomorrow x

hi Mejules

Sorry to hear you are on the same journey. When do you get your CT scan results? 

I’m provisionally booked in to start chemo on the 21st May following my appointment with the Onco this morning. Been told to rest up and recover from my appendix removal so that’s what I am doing.

keep in touch

X

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that you have at long last got a date for starting your chemo on 21st May.

I hope that yourrecovery is still doing well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Everyone, 

sorry haven’t been on in a while. 

Started my chemo last Friday, felt grand after it but wasn’t too good all weekend. Today is the first day I’ve started to feel ok , nausea has been quite bad and the tiredness has really hit me . 

Had a meeting with radiation oncologist today just to touch base she explained I will need radiation under my arm under my collar bone and somewhere else in my breast . 

Has anyone else been told this ? Is this normal?

im back to the hospital tomorrow for bloods and meet with the oncologist. Feeling good about this . 

Hope everyone doing well and keeping well . 

Xxxx J

hey

Great to hear from you, I’m so sorry that the chemo is giving you those side effects.  But just think 1 down already.

so I’m still recovering from my appendix removal, having some wound issues, hoping if I rest over the next few days I will be good to start on Wednesday.  I’ve had great weather for resting up so far. I bought a wig this week, the boys have been trying it on!!!!!

I will let you know if I end up starting next week. Hope you are feeling better.

X

Hi WL , 

great to hear from you. Sorry that you are still having issues with your wound . Hopefully it all clears up soon and you can get started . 

Hopefully it won’t be as bad next time but I’m going to ask the oncologist for stronger anti sickness drugs !! 

Thats mad I bought a wig aswell , it will be hard to see my hair go but hey it will grow back and it’s only hair!! 

Let me know how you get on and when you start . 

Talk soon 

J xxx

Hi wooly lamb

im so relieved had results from ct scan yesterday and no sign that it’s spread elsewhere apart from lymph nodes. Sobbed like a baby with relief as had convinced myself it was bad news. Masectomy and lymph node clearance on Monday so at least I feel like I’m actually doing something to try and get rid of this. 

Hope your wound clears up well hun and good luck for Tuesday with your chemo x let me know how you get on but for now take care x 

Hi Mejules,

It's great news that there is no spread elsewhere from your CT scan yesterday.

I shall be thinking of you on Monday and hope that all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx