Breast cancer: about to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Hi I found a lump in my breast in November a month after a all clear mammogram doctor sent me to breast clinic that did biopsy which come bck as cancer but clear lymph nodes but doctor wasn't happy with results so I had mri scan which showed abnormal lymph node so more biopsys so more waiting for results all over Christmas then January I got results saying cancer was aggressive and it had got to lymph nodes was booked for op on 22nd January 2020 but I got a phone call to say they had a cancellation and I could have my op the following day but with another surgean at another hospital so I went in on 10th January and had operation they took lump away and a cluster off lymph nodes and had to wait 3 weeks for results but within them 3 weeks they sent me for a full body pet scan I've been bck and got the results they said they gat all the cancer lump and it had only gone to one lymph node and body scan showed all clear so they say I'm cancer free which was great news but I've got to start chemo next week for 6 sessions over 4 1/2 months then a month of radiotherapy  wondering  if anyone has got any good information on what to expect and any good information for me 

  • A warm welcome to Cancer Chat Baker70!

    It's good news that your scan gave you the all clear and that it had only gone to one lymph node. I can imagine though that it has been a really stressful time for you especially as you are now waiting to start chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. We have some detailed information on our website on chemotherapy which I hope will give you some useful tips to help you prepare for your first session. You can read more about what to expect from your chemotherapy treatment on this page. You can also find out more about radiotherapy for breast cancer here

    Starting treatment can sometimes feel a little bit daunting. If you have any questions at any point, our nurses are available on this free number 0808 800 4040 and they will be happy to talk to you about any aspect of treatment. Their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope you won't mind but I have also slightly changed the title of your thread so that it can be more easily spotted by some of our other members who have been in a similar situation before and who will hopefully come and share their experience with you. 

    Wishing you that everything goes well with your treatment next week. Keep us updated if you can!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Thank you for replying and the information and I will keep up dating once treatment starts x

  • Hey I've just completed 6 mths chem and just started radiotherapy.

    Everyone's journey is different. 

    Chemo wasn't to bad for me, just felt a bit sick and fatigued. 

    I always had mints to taste my mouth,  it was always dry as well, my food habits changed a lot, I couldn't drink coffee unless it was a latte from a shop, mad eh oohhh and milkshakes. My fridge had no food just milk shakes. 

    Do what your body tells you, if your tired sleep,  every one is different feel free to msg if I can help I will xxx

  • Thank you for your message I'm scared about starting chemo I'm afraid of losing my hair I am going to try the ice cap but not sure if I will be able to  cope with it x I hope I'm not being rude by asking but did you loose your hair and did you manage the ice cap x jane 

  • I lost my hair after 2nd chemo, didn't want to try the cap, there's no guarantee it will work, and I think it's painful.

    When my hair started coming out I looked like uncle fester my son shaved it off. 

    My middle son did brave the shave to be bald like me. 

    To b honest I rocked the bald look. 

    I did have wig but never took it out the box. 

    I was self conscious the first time I went out but that disappeared.

    Everyone is different, I had long blonde hair Its now growing in grey but I love it. 

    Anne xxx

  • Thanks for the reply and fair play for being so brave I just hope I can be and I'm glad you had the support of a good family my husband and youngest son have always got really short shaved heads so no change if they had there hair shaved I got 2 hour hospital appointment tomorrow for them to explain everything to us so I'm going to ask about cap and see if I can cope with it xx