Hi Katyffith, 

Reading your story is like reading my own, although it looks like I'm a few weeks ahead of you. I'm 30, and have been diagnosed with the exact same type of breast cancer (invasive ductal, grade 3, HER2 positive) about 3 weeks ago. And my world has been upside down since. But in a way it is really nice to hear someone is in the same position as I am!

I've had all my scans now and I know how scary it is waiting for the results. The only advice I can give you is to not overthink things until you have all the answers (although I know how easy this is to say and how damn hard it is while you're waiting). And your reaction on wanting to keep life as normal as possible, I have exactly the same!! But I think I've got to try, and then adapt if I need to take a step back.. 

I'm currently going through fertility treatment, have you already started yours? Do you know when you'll have your CT, MRI scans?

I hope all your scans come back clear, we can and will beat this!! Xxx

Hey, 

Oh I'm so sorry to hear you're going through the same, such a whirlwind of emotions, amazing you've had your CT scans, I pray your results come back clear, when do you get your results?. I have my scan tomorrow and follow up appointment next Thursday, I can't wait to get more answers and hopefully some reassurance.

whatever it is we will get through this!! Feel free to message me any time if you want to speak to someone going through it.  I've ordered some receipe books online I want to eat as healthy as possible I've been looking at alkaline diets, lots of fruit and veg 

xx

Hello Katyffith,

When it comes to alternatives therapies, like medicinal mushrooms, there is little evidence that they help. It's also important to speak to your medical team beforehand, as they will be the best to advise you. There is also more infomation on coping with side effects of chemotherapy here, which I hope might be useful. If you'd like to speak to one of our cancer nurses, they're available on the freephone 0808 800 4040. Lines are open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Best wishes to you,

Moderator Anastasia

Oh Katie, I am so pleased that it has not spread, I bet you feel so relieved.

it's great you have your treatment plan so now you can move forward.

I really appreciate you replying to me, I have read your reply a few times and it has really helped. 
 

I see the oncologist on the 8th December to see what plan I have. 
 

Good idea to freeze your eggs I was given the option but decided not to as I have to have Tamoxifen for 5 years.,

You are so positive , I need too pick myself up a bit and get my game face on. 

lots of love Sarah 

Hi Katie,

Im so glad your scan came back with no spread!! Best news ever, I also felt like I already had won half the battle when I get the news so I'm so so pleased for you!

My fertility treatment went well, they got 15 out, 10 were useable and we have 6 embryos on ice now. But I have also started zoladex for ovarian suppression, so hopefully that is just our back up plan! 

I started chemo this week- I have 4 sessions of EC every 3 weeks, and then weekly Paclitaxel for 3 months with Herceptin. The first 2 days were a bit rough, I was fine with nausea and tiredness but had a pretty bad headache so just locked myself up for 2 days. But started to feel a lot better yesterday, and went wig shopping this morning! 
 

You have some time to think about lumpectomy or mastectomy, so would encourage you to take the time and discuss with your surgeon (and yes wait for the gene test! I am still waiting for my results..). 
 

You got this!! Let me know if you want to chat offline from this forum if easier, happy either way but wanted to give the option! ️
 

Xxx

Hey!

how are you? Hope you're doing well and treatment has been kind to you <3

have you had many side effects? Are you cold capping? If so how are you finding it?

ive been on a bit of a rollercoaster the past few weeks, something suspicious seen in the same boob, I've had multiple biopsies one came back not as cancer so they wanted to do more tests as she has a gut feeling it is more cancer, bit of a spanner in the works but thankfully the oncologist has confirmed this doesn't change the prognosis but may impact which surgery is best for me.   My treatment plan was also changed im now doing basically the same as you, 3 sessions of EC and 9-12 sessions of paxcitaxol and herceptin, I was a bit upset at first as my treatment has changed from 12 weeks to 18 weeks minimum but this is supposed to be safer for my heart and ovaries so I'm sure will be thankful in the long run, just have to trust in the process.  
 

I finally start treatment Wednesday, having my picc line fitted tomorrow which I'm a bit nervous for but I'm sure will be worth it, do you have a picc line? 
 

Feel free to vent here! Or I can give you my number, sending lots of positivity and good vibes, we got this!

xxxx

Hey hey!

I'm doing ok thanks had my 2nd round of EC yesterday, but still feeling relatively well today luckily! 
My side effects have been manageable, bit of nausea but nothing too crazy as the meds help quite well, headache and a bit achey all around. I think it feels like a bad hangover, but that might just be me haha. I'm not cold capping, decided against it as didn't want to give myself more discomfort. I've shaved my head last week and am embracing all the wigs at the moment!

I'm so sorry to hear you've had a rough few weeks. But also good they are being thorough and that it doesn't seem to be changing your treatment plan loads. I say that, but I know hearing the news of getting more chemo or a different surgery is hard to hear, but they are doing everything with the aim of curing you! 

I don't have a PICC line but I have a port placed in my arm. I think it's just down to the preference of the hospital, both do the job and can 100% tell you that it is worth having one! Taking bloods, giving chemo is so so much easier through it. 
 

Yes might be worth it to exchange numbers, especially since you'll be starting treatment soon! Not sure what the safest way is to do that here though.. is there an option to private message?

Xxx

Hi Elvira114, 

There is indeed an option to private message, and is the safest way for you to exchange numbers as our forum is public.

I hope our handy guide on private messaging will help but if you encounter any problems along the way, don't hesitate to get in touch :happy:

All the best,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Steph,

Thanks for letting me know! I tried to search and add her as a friend, but her username doesn't come up. 
Any chance you know why it's not coming up? :)

Thanks,

Elvira

I'm sorry you haven't been able to find Katyffith via the search tool Elvira, but good news - we have a workaround.

If you go to Katyffith's profile (just click on their username or avatar in this discussion), you should see three pink buttons. One of them should say 'Add Friend'. Once you click on that button Katyffith should get a notification that they have a friend request. Once they have accepted the request you'll then be able to start messaging one another.

I hope this helps but again, if any difficulties arise, just let me know.

We'll get you connected, don't worry :happy:

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hey! 
 

so glad to hear you're doing ok and side effects are manageable, you're smashing it! :D Had my first session Wednesday and thank god I've been doing ok similar side effects to yourself but nothing drastic all manageable, very thankful!

So glad to be started now!  My picc line has been bothering me and quite uncomfortable but other than that no real complaints. 

how are you finding day to day life, have you been getting out much or are you isolating, so much Covid talk on the news.

Did u manage to find how to private message?

sending you strength and positivity xx

Hey hey!

Sorry I've been quiet for a bit - with chemo this week and Christmas planning coming up, I think my brain just had a system overload for a few days haha. 

I hope you're doing ok!! I'm so glad to hear your side effects seem manageable. Are you stil feeling ok? No bad sickness, headaches, body pains etc? 

I heard the picc line might take some time to get used to, I hope it settles soon. The've given me a port in my arm and took me a bit to get used to, but is all healed now and doesnt give me any issues so hopefully similar story for you! 

Day to day is ok in all honesty. I try to do as much of my normal life as I can - I still work for example. Just not really the week where I have chemo, but I like the fact that it gives me a routine, people to talk to and not think about cancer 24/7. But I do work from home and try to be a bit mindful of who I see, especially with covid again (although I'm so so tired of covid now, I thought cancer was enough to deal with for a bit?!). How are you dealing with it at the moment?

Regarding the private message - I actually had to go on my laptop and tried adding you as a friend. It says request is sent, but not sure if that works on your phone? Hopefully you could see something on your side haha! 

Speak soon, you're doing awesome - 1 step closer to beating this thing!! Xx

Hey hey!

Sorry I've been quiet for a bit - with chemo this week and Christmas planning coming up, I think my brain just had a system overload for a few days haha. 

I hope you're doing ok!! I'm so glad to hear your side effects seem manageable. Are you stil feeling ok? No bad sickness, headaches, body pains etc? 

I heard the picc line might take some time to get used to, I hope it settles soon. The've given me a port in my arm and took me a bit to get used to, but is all healed now and doesnt give me any issues so hopefully similar story for you! 

Day to day is ok in all honesty. I try to do as much of my normal life as I can - I still work for example. Just not really the week where I have chemo, but I like the fact that it gives me a routine, people to talk to and not think about cancer 24/7. But I do work from home and try to be a bit mindful of who I see, especially with covid again (although I'm so so tired of covid now, I thought cancer was enough to deal with for a bit?!). How are you dealing with it at the moment?

Regarding the private message - I actually had to go on my laptop and tried adding you as a friend. It says request is sent, but not sure if that works on your phone? Hopefully you could see something on your side haha! 

Speak soon, you're doing awesome - 1 step closer to beating this thing!! Xx