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

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 Wollylamb,

This is great news. I remember when I first went to have my gall bladder out my surgeom was reluctant to remove my appendix, despite my telling him that I had pain in that area. When I went for my surgery, I stopped breathing under anaesthetic and had to wait a further 2 weeks before they could try and operate again.

On the second occasion, my surgeon informed me that he had removed my appendix, to ensure that it didn't cause further problems and, like you, I felt  relieved to know that it was away. I'm glad to hear that you too feel relieved and hope that you make a quick recovery before moving on to chemo.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

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 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 Jolamine, 

lovely to hear from you , hope you are keeping well ?

All good this week , ready to face second round of chemo this Friday, was back at the hospital last Friday to have my bloods checked and all are good so on to round 2 . 

Just hoping I don’t get as sick as I was the first time !! 

Talk soon 

J xx

hi everyone, sorry I’ve been a little quite.

Big Jean- glad you are ready for your next round, I can’t believe how quickly it’s come around.

Mejules- so pleased that you’ve had your op and you are recovering, what’s the next stage in the plan for you?

I unfortunately haven’t started Chemo, wound was infected so had to have antibiotics. Anyway I’m scheduled to start on the 28th, talking to the oncologist we will go ahead even if the wound hasn’t healed totally as we need to get the treatment started. I’m worried about this to be honest, it’s playing on my mind, but then I remind myself that she is the expert and wouldn’t put me at any unnecessary risk. I’m frustrated and a bit low this week. Kids are on half term next week so a great week to start my treatment!!!

Jolamine- thanks for keeping in touch, I really appreciate it. 

WL

Hi BigJean,

I'm glad to hear that you are fighting fit this week and ready for round two. Have you got a different anti nausea medication to take to overcome your sickness this time? Make sure to mention the bad reaction you had last time before you start this one.

I'm hoping and praying that it all goes well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Wollylamb,

I had a feeling that this might happen. You must be very disappointed. Still, in the bigger scheme of things it is only another week. I am sure that this sounds like forever to you at present, but it shouldn't have any adverse effects.

I am sure that your oncologist wouldn't put you at any unnecessary risks. She is doing this all the time and knows exactly what she is doing.

I agree that next week is not the ideal time for the kids half-term, but you can enjoy the long week-end together before you start treatment.

I shall be thinking of you on Tuesday and hope that it goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine.

you are right, it’s only another week.... and more time to heal from the appendix op.   I just wish it was properly healed then I would feel better. 

It is what it is.

WL

Hi Jolamine, 

thank you for your kind words. Yes I’ve extra anti sickness tablets for tomorrow and the weekend. 

Got very upset this morning was washing my hair and a huge clump of hair came out . I know I said it wouldn’t bother me but it was such a shock . Anyway I have my wig . 

Hope you are keeping well xx

j xx

hi BJ

glad to hear you’ve got some extra anti sickness tablets.

sorry to hear about the shock of your hair coming out. I’ve decided to put my big girl pants on and get it shaved off rather than wait for it to fall out. I may not be as brave once I get to the hair salon though!!!!

Hope all is ok tomorrow, will be thinking of you. 

WL

Hi Woolylamb,

I know the frustration. My biopsy stitches still have not healed, nearly 3 months after I got them. This is despite having antibiotic tablets and cream to apply. Fortunately, it is the biopsy on my leg that is giving trouble and not the one on my face, which was carried out on the same day.

I am lucky in that I am not waiting for any further treatment, but I am sure that you just want to get on with it now. Unfortunately, worry won't heal it any quicker. As you rightly say. It is what it is.

I hope that you manage to enjoy the holiday weekend withthe family.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi BigJean,

I'm glad to hear that you have been stocked up with extra anti nausea tablets to see you throughthe weekend.

It is always upsetting when your hair starts to fall out. You are very brave to just let it happen. I think that I would be like Woolylamb and opt to cut it all off before this happens. I cannot explain why I feel like this, possibly because I might feel still in control of the cancer, rather than having it controlling me.

Now that it has started, you may find the rest follows quite quickly. At least you have your wig at the ready!

Feeling for you and hoping that all goes well tomorrow.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello to all the girls on here 

reading all your experiences is good for preparing what may be ahead  good luck to everyone on this journey  all I know is I’ve never sat on couch so much 

I’ve had a lumpectomy followed by second operation last Thursday to improve margins and remove all nodes as one was positive  I was discharged home after 3 nights and was upset as everyone was saying u must b delighted to b going home but this was only upsetting me as I was thinking no I’m not happy as this journey is only beginning.  

 I’m recovering from this and drain is coming out today and I’m getting results ...  I know nodes are clear as nurse told me on phone but margins  were not ready yesterday. I don’t what I’ll do if I need more margin work ??  It’s all a big scary journey 

My arm is aching and has a heavy feeling following the lymph node clearance I’m really trying to exercise a lot has anyone experience with this procedure  Mejules  looks like you are recovering from this too I’m just hoping I will be able to get back running again 

sorry for the big mumbled rant 

swiperbaby