So, i have breast cancer...

Thanks Jel, some great tips there :)

Hi Leila and while I am sorry about the reason that had you join us here do know it is the a good place to be when dealing with BC. I have found the ladies here so helpfull and an incredible source of both knowledge and support post being diagnosed in late Feb.

Toilet use and sharing is no problem - you just flush with the lid down and make sure you wash your hands well and like many others I also use baby wipes to wipe down the seat post flushing... One thing I was not aware of beforehand but advised by my Chemo nurse to do is to keep my used underwear separate from other dirty clothing and to wash it separately. I also went and bought up a bunch of small face washer towels which I use for private bits post showering to avoid using the body towel on the same bits just in case... I keep both undies and those towels separate (in a bucket) and I wash them separately from eberything else on the hottest cycle with prewash and extended washing cycle. Also her advice was to ensure that is always sun/line dried. Also, that is only.required during the initial.7 to.9 days post chemo then U have nothing to worry about once toxins are out off the system...

Hubby is in charge of washing so when he handles my bucket he has to wear gloves... And also a few times when I had massive hot flushes during initial post chemo days I made sure my sweaty tshirts I sleep in ended up in the same bucket.

But that is about the extent of how complicated hygiene got for me...

As far as Chemo goes and ability to work everyone is different but if you end uo on the AC regime while some work and others do not keep in mind it would make you succeptible to various bugs so if you work at reception you may need some new routines to help you minimise exposure to various germs and viruses....

Due to allergy to antibiotics I was advised to stop working and stay confined to my home most of my Chemo and when I go out I always wear a facemask. So does hubby whonis nownused to wearing it on public transport in the shops etc... Getting used to it was a bugger for him but now we have a routine and all is good. I know it may sound weird but maybe worthwhile stocking up on them and having one at work in case someone germy is in reception area would be a good idea (not all the time but maybe just during 'dangerous encounyers')... Some ladoes also suck strepsil lollies or similar antibacterial lollies when in presence of people they think may be carrying viruses...

Also worthwhile getting a flu jab and having family get them too before the treatment starts so all are minimising risk of flu making it into the household...

We all respond differently to Chemo and just remeber to plan for the worst and hope for the best as preparing for all eventualities will help you should it get hard along the way - always good to have an alternative plan in place

wishing you all the best

hugs

Jel

Hi Donna, thanks for the encouragement. Its great to hear feedback about people not feeling sick on chemo, gives me some hope! Sounds like you have had a massive 3 months, wishing you all the best for the rest of your treatment xx

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I have been to see surgeon today and got a date for surgery (15/7/16) so only a couple of weeks away (3 weeks after getting the big news). I have asked about the PICC line and the surgeon agreed it would be a good idea for me so that was a huge relief!

Hi Leila,

Sorry to hear you've been diagnosed. With the surgery waiting time your surgeon or their receptionist will be able to give you an indication of how long the waiting period is for your surgery. Because it is breast cancer you will not have an incredibly long wait. As a lot of surgeons have private and public lists it will depend on which hospital you are being sent to and how full the surgeons list is for that hospital and how often they operate there with their public list. When I talked to my surgeon (who has a public list fortnightly at the hospital I was going to) she said that if I had been able to see her earlier in that week she would have operated on me the following day because she had an opening. As it was I then had a four week wait for surgery as her public list was full for the following fortnight. Rest assured that if you need to be fitted in more urgently they will do it.

Let us know how your getting on. Take care. Xx Cath

Hi Leila

Sorry about your diagnosis. It sounds very similar to mine in that you caught it small and early. I also have small children.

I haven't much to add to what everyone else has said apart from I've had a few coughs and colds caught from my three year old. I just needed to keep a close on myself and make sure I didn't get a fever etc. I haven't so far.

I also had terrible veins and after two rounds of chemo opted for a Picc line in my arm. As a terrible needle phobic who was being continually stabbed, it was a life saver for me! The only negative was having it flushed every week but for me it was worth it.

In all honesty you won't know how you will feel during chemo until you are there because everyone has a different reaction. And it will also depend on how demanding your job is. Chemo brain is a real thing too! lol

Best of luck with your surgery.

x-Sherril

Hi Leila welcome,  sorry you need to visit. I worked on an off during my chemo and wore a wig while working. Everyone has given you good advice  you never know how chemo will effect you. Canteen is good for your children they now support young children with parents going through cancer treatment..

One day at a time sending you a hug xx

Hi Brenda, thanks for comments / advice. Its been great to have a read through the posts and some profiles, its given me a lost of encouragement.  All the best to you on your journey too xx

Hi Nadine, thank you for the advice. I think I will ask the surgeon about doing portacath or PICC line :)

Hi Kath, thank you for your comments / advice. so relieved to hear that about the toilet! xx