Hi sue ...

So sorry you've needed to join our little club .. but it is an amazing place to find stuff out or have a rant .. I'm a grade 3 breast cancer lass ... had my masectomy in July 2017 ...

The thing I've learned on here, is everyone is different ... there's so many different treatments and some are all different time frames .. some breeze through ... some get those side effects ... energy is a huge factor too .. it can floor us ... if you have lymph node effected... and removed... that arm is quite tender for a while ...

But I'd ask your oncology team... they know your plan, and can give you a better idea ...  fingers crossed it goes well next week...  it's not nice , the wait ... but once you get to the day ... just think that little alien is comming out ...  it's not a walk in the park,  but it is doable... Chrissie x

Thanks Chrissie, I have lots of appointments coming up so I will definitely have lots of questions to ask, Sue

Hi, just seen your post. What surgery will you be having? For example I had a lumpectomy on January 3rd and started chemo Feb 14th. My onco said he wanted to see some good healing before chemo began.

My chemo was on a Thursday and I would come home and have to lay low until Tuesday, when I could manage to get myself together for work, I manage a residential home for the elderly and work was very understanding and let me do what I felt able.

chriss is right, we are so different, my friend was a super star and would go into her desk job straight after chemo (!) and didn't miss a day off work...

my concern for you is the fact your mixing with children, you will have low immunity days during chemo and have to be uber careful.....

Let us know how you get on ? Xxx

Thanks Marlyn, it’s a very strange time as I know I am going to feel unwell when the treatments start but I feel fine at the moment. I hadn’t thought about the children and their ‘bugs’ just thinking about the stress and energy needed to keep an eye on 45 3-4 year olds!  

Oh blimey! 45 3/4 year olds??? I know absolutely I wouldn't have been able to cope with that! In fact, at my onco appointment he did say to steer clear of children and crowded places where there could be potential bugs lurking.....when I did my rounds I used to wear a surgical mask...I didn't care how daft I looked ....I didn't want to risk anything...see what your oncologist says, perhaps mine was extra cautious! 

Agree with Marlyn and Chriss- your consultant will be best placed to guide you according to what treatment you're having and when. 

I have my own business, so thankfully I could dip in and out when I felt up to it. Each chemo session usually took 3-4 days to recover from. I took 1- 2 weeks off completely after surgery. The hardest part was the 'chemo brain'. Even though I felt well enough to get up and do things, my brain stayed quite foggy and I struggled with listening, remembering what had been said, making decisions, etc.

But everyone is affected slightly differently. Hopefully, you'll fall on the lucky side of the spectrum :)

I am having a sentinel lymph node scan on the morning of the surgery, is this usual? My cancer is triple negative so I understand they have to be cautious, but as the op date gets closer I am no nearer to knowing what is happening or what it all means ! 

Hi Sue,

Thought I would say Hi, as I also have triple negative and started my chemo last week.  I've booked myself off work for 4 weeks to see how i do and then take it from there.  I'm lucky they will pay me for up to 6 months pay so my decision on how I feel and I can work from home if needs be.  I also found all the terminologly and appointments daunting and wanted to know what was coming up ahead.  I realised that each treatment is unique and they assess the full situation before confirming all details as I was wondering why some have chemo first and others the opp.  I found my nurse really great and any questions I called her and she would investigate. 

I would play it by ear and see if you can take time out for your treatment and see how you feel.  Especially looking after little ones, which no doubt is rewarding but as i was advised stay away from loads of children if possible lol!

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to know.

Best wishes

Mich x

Thanks Mich, I am lucky also as work has been very accommodating, I will have to see how it goes. Hoping your treatment goes well and wishing you a speedy recovery, Sue

How long was it between your surgery and starting  your chemotherapy? Have they mentioned that you might have radiotherapy also. I am to have 12 weeks of chemotherapy, trying to work out if I will be bald for Christmas! X