I thought turning 40 was huge!

Hi Vicki

I was diagnosed with early breast cancer Nov 2011.  I had a wide local excision (lumpectomy) and sentinel node biopsy on 22/12/11 (Merry Xmas).  The lump was bigger than was originally thought and they weren't able to get a full clear clearance due to it being too close to the chest wall.  They found micrometases in the 2 nodes removed.  I then had a total axillary clearance (17 nodes removed) on 19/1/12.  No further cancer was found in these nodes.  I went home from hospital next day after surgery with a drain attached and this was removed on day 7.    I have had a full body scan, full body CT scan and due to a heart murmur I also had to have a heart gait test.  I had an infection from either the second surgery or the drain of which I was on antibitiotics right up to the day of my first chemo which was on 2/3/12.  I am now day 12 of first chemo and feeling fine except scalp is itchy and tender.  My next chemo is due on 26/3/12.  I am having a total of four cycles of FEC and 2 of Taxotere.  I live in a rural area of W.A. on the coast.

I have my wig I purchased already (4 my daughters wedding on 7/4/12) plus one from the Wig Library for day to day wearing which is more natural and doesn't look like I just walked out of a hairdressers cause it is very windy town we live in,  plus some turbans and bandanas from them also.  I have had 2 hair cuts so far to make the transition a bit easier, next one will be the full Monty which I will have in 1 week when I go to Perth.  I think I will try and buy some MOOGOO cream for my scalp as other girls have suggested.  I am also rinsing my mouth on a regular basis due to ulceration and cocky cage feeling.  I have also had some major aching which I found corrective massage and some reiki healing etc. helped dramatically.  I have some trouble with hand shaking/control but the body aching has been my main problem other than major fatigue.

I hope you are going well on your journey and wish you all the best.  I am very happy to chat with someone who is in a similar place on this rolla coaster ride so just put your fingers to the keyboard if I can be here for you and vice versa.

Mich x LOL

hi and welcome to out great network of support, although it's not the best way to meet new people, you have come to the right place, we have women who have gone through and others like yourself who have just started the journey of the unknown, and fear.  I would like to say first of all THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS ON HERE, so feel free to ask anything you want to know, or just to be reassured, there will alway be someone on here, who knows how you are feeling. Ad although we all react differently to our medication/treatment, we do know the phsycological (probably spelt wrong lol), Have you both applied for the my journey kit from this site, it is free, and i know when i was first diagnosed, i was given sooooo much information and leaflets, i didn't get through them all, but with the my journey kit, you have everything at your fingertips in an organised manner, so just one of the things to help on the way. if you havent already registered for it, make sure you do. As for the wig thing, again there are lot of information on here look up the services directory, and hopefully there will be a place near you, which will help. We are so lucky to have this site, so PLEASE keep comming back and let us know how you are doing. we are all only a keyboard away. and as we say here, by helping yourself, you can also help others by joining us. Good Luck Ladies,. Keep in touch XX

hi and welcome to out great network of support, although it's not the best way to meet new people, you have come to the right place, we have women who have gone through and others like yourself who have just started the journey of the unknown, and fear.  I would like to say first of all THERE ARE NO SILLY QUESTIONS ON HERE, so feel free to ask anything you want to know, or just to be reassured, there will alway be someone on here, who knows how you are feeling. Ad although we all react differently to our medication/treatment, we do know the phsycological (probably spelt wrong lol), Have you both applied for the my journey kit from this site, it is free, and i know when i was first diagnosed, i was given sooooo much information and leaflets, i didn't get through them all, but with the my journey kit, you have everything at your fingertips in an organised manner, so just one of the things to help on the way. if you havent already registered for it, make sure you do. As for the wig thing, again there are lot of information on here look up the services directory, and hopefully there will be a place near you, which will help. We are so lucky to have this site, so PLEASE keep comming back and let us know how you are doing. we are all only a keyboard away. and as we say here, by helping yourself, you can also help others by joining us. Good Luck Ladies,. Keep in touch XX