BAD NEWS PLEASE HELP ABSOLUTELY DISTRAUGHT
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Hi Sam, dont EVER feel like 'I told you so' or that you deserve it' none of us do. I too have family issues. I rang each of my 6 siblings personally to let them know what was happening (in January) & I havent heard anything from some of them. Its hard to deal with, one is even a highly qualified nurse. Just do what YOU feel you need to do & we are all hear if needed XXX1
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Hi Lovely Ladies,
Well today was my onc appointment. My liver mets are 10 at 26mm each and inoperable. She gave me 12 weeks at the aggressive growth it has had in a short time with out treatment. Im numb... Her opinion was she was pleased I qualify for pacilitaxel with pertuzumab and trastuzumab. Lucky me... Start Monday if I will do it she tried to pursuade me to start tomorrow but I am pettrified to say the least. Suddenly today I had left hip pain and strange sensations in my left leg and foot and this scared me greatly too.... Please ladies can you tell me what to expect if I have this treatment. I am so scared of the side effects and do not want to give up walking my puppy or exercising will I be able to live a normal life. I need to know this before I decide on treatment. Thank you in advance.. I wish.... I could wake up from this nightmare. All my plans for the future are gone . Exuse me.... I am pathetic feeling sorry for myself which is very unlike me...0 -
I had weekly paclitaxol and it was totally doable. You get a bit miserable having to have it, but really side effects are bearable. A bit of reflux. A runny nose about cycle 2 to 3. A bit more delicate skin. Feeling a bit tired. Sometimes you might have some aches in your joints but mostly you will be able to walk your dog and get on with things. The herceptin...just a bit tired. They monitor things as you go and adjust as you need. The doses are weight dependent so don't worry about only being small. We were all petrified pre chemo. I remember balling my eyes out in the shower the morning of my 1st...and sometimes in between. But you can do this. You are stronger than you think. Why wait? It will just make your nerves worse. They'll give you a premed to reduce any side effects beforehand and run it slowly. You could call tomorrow and say..yes lets do this sooner. Hope all goes well. Kath x1
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PS...you have every reason to feel sorry for yourself and see no future. But once treatment starts and the tumors shrink you will have hope and plans again. x2
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Hi Sam, You can do this!!!! And keep your plans for the future - Even if your plans have to be modified goals are always good to have. I think shocked is the word you were thinking of - definitely NOT pathetic! So take time to come to terms with this (have a cry, scream, vent) and then gather that strength (you know the enthusiasm that makes running so good) grab it and use it to help you cope and continue to enjoy your running and walking your puppy. And keep coming here so we can give you virtual hugs Xx1
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Reactions to chemo vary immensely - like primek I got a bit of a bloody nose on weekly taxol and some issues with fingers and toes. I never had nausea from either of my chemo cocktails nor had any side effects from herceptin. It's much harder to do than to say but if you can try some relaxation techniques it may help - the body has a great capacity to respond to anxiety with aches and pains, I get them every year before my annual tests! I too would recommend starting - doing what you can to be back in charge of your life is a great boost. We can do surprising stuff - scared or not. Best wishes.0
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Hi Sam
I am having weekly pacitaxel and agree with primek that this is doable. Side effects are mild- a little reflux, bloody nose at times and a little fatigue. I walk my dogs every day and can carry on with most things. I was very fit pre diagnosis and am sure this helps during treatment.
I found the thought of chemo terrifying (fear of the unknown) but once underway the fear and anxiety eased.
Your feelings are completely justified - think we have all been there.
Use your enthusiasm and determination to focus on the future- you can do this!!!
Big hugs x0 -
HI there @Sam09 - please don't ever, ever say or think that you are pathetic and don't feel as though you need to excuse yourself !
To receive a bc diagnosis is frightening enough but then to be told that it is secondary with mets in your liver is so confronting and shakes you to the core..
You feel as though your life plans have been taken away from you.
Whilst I have not had chemo this time around, I cannot speak about the effects of paclitaxel but Kayvie, Primek and Afraser have all given different accounts of the side effects they felt.
I had 6 x rounds of chemo 3 weeks apart in 2003 and found that there would be some days where I felt like I had been hit by a truck but I was fortunate enough that I was able to go for walks and take my 5 and 2 year old sons to the park.
So, walk your little puppy on days you feel well enough to.
The fresh air may even help with your general spirit.
I believe that the most recent study is that if you are able to, it is best to keep active immediately following chemotherapy. The wonderful BCNA Admin ladies could confirm this.
Sending you hugs and light.
Sheryl xxx
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You guys are simply wonderful thank you it makes me feel not so alone. Today I did a lot of soul searching and research into the 3 drugs on offer. I lay awake all last night with my heart thumping through my chest and I thought perhaps I was going to have a heart attack. This immense feeling of dread and fear is doing me in I think. I have sat through doctors today saying hurry lets start however the intense fear of chemo to the point of desperation even, has me thinking I will decline the chemo. 12 months of taxol every week I feel I could not poison my little body with it and no amount of trying to be positive is helping. They tell me on the pet scan 11 weeks ago this wasnt evident to now 10 tumors on my liver 26 mm the biggest. So ..... I can almost say I have decided against the chemo for sure, if I can have the herceptin alone I will maybe combine alternative with conventional to try to beat it Does anyone know of anyone who has done this... I feel a little better even talking about eluding the chemo.0
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Hi guys
I am supposed to start treatment tomorrow. Taxol Herceptin and Perjeta all at once, Has anyone else had this and can tell me what to expect I am absolutely pettrified and worried I will react or worse to this bomb treatment of toxic chemicals . I imagine I may not be able to do it which scares me too. I have stage four cancer will this kill me I have read sometimes people die from the chemo or a few days after. God how do you ladies do this the fear is enormous and the stress crippling. How do you get the strength and courage to face this enormous unknown. Please tell me.0 -
The herceptin and the other drug will only slow down the spread. The taxol though will shrink the tumors. You could try it and if it doesn't work in a few weeks or makes life unbearable then stop it, at least then your decision is on your experience, not fear. I respect your decision to choose your path, but feel for those you will leave behind for not trying. Let us know how you go. You are stronger than you think. It's normal to feel frightened and anxious before hand. Once you start it is so less awful than you imagined. We will be thinking of you with heavy hearts. Kath x
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@sam09, I haven't had Perjeta, but I have had Taxol and Herceptin and if I can do it, so can others. I'm not particularly brave nor am I fearless, but I feared cancer a lot more than Taxol! I can't say definitively that no one dies of chemo, but I think the chances are small and may depend on other health factors. If you trust your doctors and they are recommending this treatment, they are doing so to give you the best chance of recovery. Ultimately we all can choose what to do, that's our right. But have you thought of trying the treatment first? If your body can't take it, your doctors will almost certainly at least delay treatment until you are strong enough. Or you can stop. At least then you will know what you are dealing with. Reactions vary a great deal.0
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Oh Sam - my heart goes out to you as you face this treatment. Your team are doing what is best for you! The aim is to shrink these tumours! Try and put your mind in a happy place, even if it is singing a tune to yourself - remember we are all here sending good vibes!
Take care0 -
Sam, thinking of you today.
Put your faith in your specialist team - oncologist, breast care nurses.
It is amazing that in the world of Dr Google, that some of the sites give us much more information that is akin to scare mongering. It is always in the middle of the night that our worst fears arise !
One of the best sites of course is this one - BCNA website.
Perhaps our lovely admin ladies @Ann-Marie_BCNA could point you in the right direction for the most reliable information.
I must say that I have not had the drugs that you mentioned but I would listen to your care team and then make an informed choice.
At least try the treatment - it is amazing what our bodies can endure and then heal afterwards.
Perhaps you could also benefit from a BCNA counsellor over the phone.
Best wishes & big virtual hugs to you.
Sheryl xxx
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