Poor Me

sbp

Hello All Sisters Pink,

What a great resource and place to vent this is.

I am newly diagnosed with early breast cancer. So far I have had a left mastectomy with the largest lump being 25mm and ER and HER2 positive. Also had a level 2 axillary node clearance. That was all 6 weeks ago now. Two days ago had a port-a-cath stuck into my chest and in three days time I start chemo. I guess I will really have something to complain about then.

Up until the other day everyone was giving me the impression that not everyone has their hair fall out with chemo but now the nurse tells me that they do so I don't know if I'm more scared of being sick and miserable or of having my hair fall out or both. I guess I will just have to deal with it like everyone else seems to here.

My love to you all xx

Mich x

Hey sbp

Welcome to this wonderful site and congrats for finding us and all your pink sisters.  I am sorry you have to be starting this roller coaster ride but if you need love, support, venting space, question time and all those other things along the way we are here for you.

Sounds like it is all happening quite fast for you which is a good thing as no time to think too much.  A portacath is a wonderful thing to help with your chemo and bloods etc.

Have you been given the care kit and the my journey kit from your breast care nurse on behalf of BCNA?  If not you can go online here and order it.  If you are like me you will find the my journey kit invaluable.

As far as losing your hair I think a lot depends on which chemotherapy you are given but the majority of us have lost our hair.  There are some girls who used the freeze caps which they put on while having their chemo and I think you can also get gloves to help with not losing hair and nails should your chemo do that to you.  Every single person is different but I know some of the girls swore by the caps.  

Which state do you live in, do you belong to a support group at all.  There is a search for groups on this website or some of the staff may be able to help you with this.

You can search different subjects by using the search button at the top of the page.

There are so many people willing to help you, all you need to do is ask.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow when you commence your chemo.  It is the fear of the unknown which is the hardest for you.  I am now post my chemo and radiation etc. and doing well and as so many other girls will vouch for it is very doable but tough some times and that is when you need lots of love and support around you and to make sure you look after number one.  Good luck kiddo.

Lots of love, Mich oxoxo 

Mich x

Hey sbp

Welcome to this wonderful site and congrats for finding us and all your pink sisters.  I am sorry you have to be starting this roller coaster ride but if you need love, support, venting space, question time and all those other things along the way we are here for you.

Sounds like it is all happening quite fast for you which is a good thing as no time to think too much.  A portacath is a wonderful thing to help with your chemo and bloods etc.

Have you been given the care kit and the my journey kit from your breast care nurse on behalf of BCNA?  If not you can go online here and order it.  If you are like me you will find the my journey kit invaluable.

As far as losing your hair I think a lot depends on which chemotherapy you are given but the majority of us have lost our hair.  There are some girls who used the freeze caps which they put on while having their chemo and I think you can also get gloves to help with not losing hair and nails should your chemo do that to you.  Every single person is different but I know some of the girls swore by the caps.  

Which state do you live in, do you belong to a support group at all.  There is a search for groups on this website or some of the staff may be able to help you with this.

You can search different subjects by using the search button at the top of the page.

There are so many people willing to help you, all you need to do is ask.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow when you commence your chemo.  It is the fear of the unknown which is the hardest for you.  I am now post my chemo and radiation etc. and doing well and as so many other girls will vouch for it is very doable but tough some times and that is when you need lots of love and support around you and to make sure you look after number one.  Good luck kiddo.

Lots of love, Mich oxoxo 

Jennt28

Hi sbp,

Sorry this has hit you. This is a great place to get advice and support!

My BC was similar to yours with ER and HER2+. The drugs they usually use here do cause hairloss. Mine started falling out on day 14 after my first chemo infusion. That seems to be the standard timeframe.

I'm in Sydney and called Dianne at Wigs on Wheels. She came to my house with hundreds of wigs and spent more than two hours with me. Do you know some private health funds cover wigs for chemo patients? Worth looking into. My fund paid $600 per year.

Jenn

Jennt28

Hi sbp,

Sorry this has hit you. This is a great place to get advice and support!

My BC was similar to yours with ER and HER2+. The drugs they usually use here do cause hairloss. Mine started falling out on day 14 after my first chemo infusion. That seems to be the standard timeframe.

I'm in Sydney and called Dianne at Wigs on Wheels. She came to my house with hundreds of wigs and spent more than two hours with me. Do you know some private health funds cover wigs for chemo patients? Worth looking into. My fund paid $600 per year.

Jenn

sbp

Hello Jennt28, Mich x & Annie,

Thank you very much for your support, encouragement and pearls of wisdom.

Yesterday I cried and cried when I saw your posts of welcome acceptance and encouragement. And once I stopped crying I felt so good. A bit raw but better and somehow a little bit stronger so thank you.

I must have got my days mixed up, chemo starts tommorrow wednesday at 9am (thanks Mich x). Have moved from Sydney to Newcastle so

 

sbp

Hello

Sorry about that, I thought I clicked on 'save' to save it and come back later but it looks like it's 'posted' it rather than 'save' so I'm glad I didn't say anything bad to anyone.

Anyway, thank you again my Sisters Pink for welcoming me into this arena with such welcome arms. I certainly wasn't expecting it which is probably what knocked me for a six but I'm good now.

After reading what you each said I almost felt ten foot tall and bullet proof. Well not quite but certainly not so scared and intimidated by it all and a whole lot more supported and therefore empowered.

It feels so much better than being scared and alone thank you very much xoxo.

Also yesterday I got my hair cut really short and bought three hats from Tree of Life. They were on sale for $5 each so not a huge loss if I don't like them later on.

Take it easy xoxo

 

sbp

Hello

Sorry about that, I thought I clicked on 'save' to save it and come back later but it looks like it's 'posted' it rather than 'save' so I'm glad I didn't say anything bad to anyone.

Anyway, thank you again my Sisters Pink for welcoming me into this arena with such welcome arms. I certainly wasn't expecting it which is probably what knocked me for a six but I'm good now.

After reading what you each said I almost felt ten foot tall and bullet proof. Well not quite but certainly not so scared and intimidated by it all and a whole lot more supported and therefore empowered.

It feels so much better than being scared and alone thank you very much xoxo.

Also yesterday I got my hair cut really short and bought three hats from Tree of Life. They were on sale for $5 each so not a huge loss if I don't like them later on.

Take it easy xoxo