Hi Vicki,

Welcome to Cancer Chat and well done for posting this. You have come to the right place for information and support. We all find it hard to deal with a cancer diagnosis and find our emotions all over the pace.

I haven't had chemo so I can't answer your question myself. I just wanted to suggest that if you use the search engine on the blue band at the top of this page, you will find 3,000+ previous posts on this subject. I am sure that you will find these helpful.

Cancer is a journey - one that most of us don't want to take. It is easy to ignore symptoms and drift along. However, you are responsible for your own body and you really have to take note of everything that is happening now. At the sign of any change please mention it to your care team.The sooner you catch cancer the better the outcome, so please don't ignore anything.

You can face the reality of your diagnosis. We have all been where you are and somehow or other we find strengths that we never knew we had, which see us through.

You can discuss all of your fears and emotions here. We have all been where you are now and understand what you are going through.

If you don't want to speak on an open forum, there is a private message facility, whereby you can speak to one person in private. You need to set up a friend request to do this, but it can be very helpful if you are a 'private' type of person.

Please keep in touch. There is always someone here for you whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Vicky, just read your post, and I feel for u especially as u are so young. I'm 54, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in January this year, surgery in March and had a mastectomy. I had a sentinel node biopsy and some cancer was found so required chemotherapy. That was a real shock as at the start of my diagnosis the cancer appeared to be small and it was thought I would only need a lumpectomy but unfortunately proved to be bigger than initially thought. Chemo was my biggest dread and losing my hair. But I coped with it better than I thought. Don't get me wrong, I hate it, but I felt I had no option but to get on with it. Fec-T is the chemo regime I was put on. The fec was definitely easier than docetaxel, but fortunately I wasn't sick with wire of them which was a huge relief. I suffered mostly with exhaustion, indigestion and oral thrush, ulcers and sore tongue. Don't hesitate to phone helpline and tell your oncologist at your blood test appts and get help with any side effects u might get. I finished chemo 6 weeks ago and can't believe it really, as at the time u think u won't cope with it, but u will. Please let me know how you are getting on. 

Sandra 

Hi Vicki,

I have been away on holiday, so apologise for the time it has taken me to reply to you. I see that Sandra has  been able to tell you a little about her experience with FEC-T Chaemo. I expect that you may have started treatment by now and was just wondering how you are getting on?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi., it feels like a lifetime ago when I wrote that. From what I remember chemo wasn't that bad or if it was the liquid morphine did its job haha. I'm getting there believe it or not my problems started after treatment, I later found out I have the BRCA1 gene! A double mastectomy was the best way to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, everything what could have went wrong with a double mastectomy did & more. Resulting in breasts totally removed & scars from armpit to armpit I was the worse case the QE hospital had ever seen!.. But after the scars settled I started the reconstruction, I currently have expanding implants in (bit uncomfortable but u get used to it) my implants are at full capacity so Iv got pornstar boobs, don't need a bra their actually quite nice don't slide into my armpit when I lay down lol. Having the BRCA1 gene I was strongly advised to have a hysterectomy, I think prevention is better than cure so I had the surgery.. Jesus **** early menopause is a *** hot flush is kinda like having cancer u can't understand unless ur going through it! Sorry for the essay I started writing this 5hrs ago, Iv never wrote things down before I'm still coming to terms that I'm talking about me. I hope u reply. Love vic x

Hiya 4yr after my first post & that diagnosis...a lot has happened but I know nothing seems that bad when ur able to look back. I'm not exactly doing great but I'm doing good.. I'm more a stubborn c#%t than a survivor Iv got to win reguardless the opposition lol 

vicx

Hi Vicki,

It's great to hear from you again, although I'm so sorry to hear of all that you've been through. I hope that you feel happier in yourself having done all that you can to reduce the risk. Having a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy is a lot to cope with and, I hope that you are back to your old self again now. I am delighted to hear that you are so happy with your *** star boobs. 

I had a lumpectomy 11 years ago and discovered a second lump the following year. This time I had a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, due to previous non-cancer related surgery, I was unable to have reconstruction. One breast is good, but the one that has had two surgeries is not a pretty sight. Still, I have never regretted having the double mastectomy and, I feel sure that you won't either, now that it is all behind you.

Please stay in touch and remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Sorry for the late reply Iv never really spoke about myself I got through my diagnosis & treatment convincing myself ignorance is bliss, thought I should just be grateful Iv survived/beat the thing what took my mam (died at 51yr old) & her mam my nana (died at 28yr old).. like the X men Iv got a gentic mutation BRCA1 the end of the special ability stick, I rapidly produce cancerous cells‍♀️ If u don't try & laugh once in a while ul end up constantly crying! Feels strange talking to someone who been through it, hope ur keeping good.

vic x 

Hi Vicki,

I am so sorry to hear about the BRCA gene, but glad to hear that you have come through all of your treatment. It's good to hear that you can manage a laugh despite everything. The one feature that you really need to have to get through this is positivity.

I'm doing fine thanks - just been having tests for a third bout, but so far all seems ok - just one more scan to go, so please keep your fingers crossed.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx