Hi - sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

My Mum had breast cancer just over 2 years ago. She too was told lumpectomy and then chemo but this was then changed to the sameplan as you. I think the way they described it to my mum that because hers was triple negative, stage 3 and quite aggressive - even though there was no spread - they advised chemo first to start getting it sorted and also if she didn't respond to the chemo as well as they hoped - they would have a head start in knowing what to try next! She didn't have spread either but there was lymph node involvement.

She had 2 tumours that were described as quite large.

My mum was quite phobic about anything medical but did cope quite well with chemo. She was never laid flat out ill or anything but had to have some doseage adjustments in her anti sickness medication and got dehydrated (even though she drunk loads!) and constipated at times.

She had a complete response to chemo but then unexpectedly was advised to have a belts and braces approach and had 2-3 weeks of radiotherapy. I think this was because they couldn't decide if chest lymph had been involved as they looked slightly enlarged on her original scans.

My best friend is currently going through cancer treatment (not breast cancer). She had 6 months of chemo and then 5 weeks of radiotherapy and chemo and has only had a few months off before starting another 6 months of chemo yesterday. She is also battling drug addiction and it may help put your mind at rest that she has stayed pretty well throughout x

Hi my story sounds similar to yours two lumps which are larger too, lympth nodes are involved ( just two though I think) but everything else clear on CT. I'm also having my chemo first just had my first one on Monday and haven't felt bad at all but heard it can be day 4 or 5 so I'm not holding my breath! How many cycles are you having? Good luck with yours xxx

Hi, thanks so much for replying! Your message has helped me so much. I really hope your Mum is doing well now and that your best mate is doing well also! It is so cruel how many people it strikes but this forum is already helping me so much!

Mine is invasive ductal carcinoma and from what I'd read I wouldn't have chemo first but I think it's because they found more tumours in the same breast and the surgeon said they are larger than they thought.

It seems that the word "chemo" scared me more than even the thought of mastectomy! But reading your reply has calmed me down. 
 

I'm ready to fight!x

Sounds like we are on the exact same journey! Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. It's so good to hear we're all not alone in this. So glad to hear that you are feeling good after your first chemo! Have you done it with the cold cap? Just asking as keep hearing loads about it and thinking I may try it.

I have invasive ductal carcinoma and they found more tumours in the same breast when they did the mri so that's why the plan changed for me I think.

Sending love and positive vibes your way x

I went in after finding a lump and then they found the second one on ultrasound and then mammogram I don't think mine are huge but Definitely not small. When there's two I think they add it together? But not certain on that. I used the cold cap nurses said it doesn't work for everyone but I thought I'd give it ago. I can't telL if it has or hasn't worked for me yet as it's too early but I shall keep you posted. I didn't find it painful in the slightest though it's just a little bit heavy. My nurse told me that sometimes they do The chemo first so they can see the chemo working and sometimes the cancer can be 100% gone just from the chemo so that's really positive. How many rounds of chemo are you having? 

That's brilliant that the cold cap wasn't painful or anything! You're doing so well! You're my inspiration now :)

Sorry I completely forgot to answer your how many rounds question. I saw surgeon yesterday and he said I'd have chemo for 6mths before surgery, every 3wks so I'm guessing 8 or 9 rounds. How many are you having? I am meeting oncologist this wk or next to find out more about the chemo I'll be having.

Thanks so much again for your replies x

I'm also 6 months I thought it would be the same but im

having 24 all In all. Not comparing though xxx

I still have to chat to oncologist so maybe it'll change from what the surgeon says! I'll def keep you posted.

Keep your chin up, you're doing amazingly!x

Hi Laurenren,

I think I've responded to you on other posts as we had a similar diagnosis. I had my first chemo last Thursday which I'll be having before surgery. At this stage I'm not certain if I'll be having a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I have lymph node involvement and a second smaller lump in the same breast. I get my CT results today. 
I'm having 6 sessions of chemo, surgery then possibly radiotherapy. 
When I spoke to my breast nurse we spoke about how getting the chemo first means the horrible lump is been treated immediately. My consultant said I may even be able to feel it shirinking which is encouraging. It was also encouraging to hear that with lymph node involvement chemo is the best treatment plan for me now. 
Hope all goes well with you.

x

Hi,

Yes I think we have chatted before! I seem to dip in and out of here depending on what I can handle that day haha. I feel better now that I know what the plan is and I concentrate on that and stop my mind worrying about other possible problems! 
 

Our plan sounds much the same! So glad you have started now and heading towards kicking its ***! How was the chemo for you? It's what I fear the most but also know it's what will get rid of it for us.

Sending hugs x