Hi everyone, I was diagnosed on 13th April with grade 3 invasive breast cancer, had a Mastectomy and lymph node removal/biopsy on the 9th May, on the 25th May I was told that they seem to of got the cancer in the breast with the mastectomy, but it has spread to the lymph nodes so have to have another op on the 6th June to remove them, tomorrow I have to have a whole body CT scan and a radioactive bone scan to see if it has spread anywhere else, I have also been told I will have to have a course of chemo and go onto hormone therapy. Is anyone able to tell me how long a course of chemo is, how often will i have to have it, how long after i finish chemo should i wait to travel, had plans to go to Bali at the end of July. Sorry for the essay lol, any advice etc will be very much appreciated..... Thank you in advance...

@Schwen if your veins are already crap, get a portocath. It's a monster idea, having a creepy little box under your skin, but it works. Well, they usually work. No stabbing or jabbing and you have both hands free during treatment. This stuff sucks, but some technology can help. Marg xx

The things I've used are: anti-bacterial wipes (large & small) for fingers, trolleys, public toilet seats, etc..., hand sanitiser, coloxyl with senna (constipation), gastrostop (diarrhoea), paracetamol, Mylanta double-strength, little kids really soft toothbrush, Biotene mouthwash, sorbolene (for dry skin). The Maxalon they give you may not be strong enough. I have been prescribed Ativan for nausea throughout and Somac and Nexium for reflux.Try to get yourself on a Look Good Feel Better session. If nothing else you get free make-up and maybe to try on some wigs. Regardless, make sure you have a good eyebrow pencil (the lack of hair I can live with - lack of eyebrows, I can't). And if you see some pretty scarves around in the op shops, go for it. I'm not sure what Bunbury has, but many places have wig libraries - they can be hard to find, though. Try asking at the local hospital. The wigs are so expensive and you only need one for a few months - maybe someone else from WA may be able to help, here. I mix it up a lot - I wear beanies and scarves for the most part when I'm out and about, but wigs when I want to look a bit more "normal". At home and at exercise class, I don't bother unless my head is cold (or earlier in the year to protect from the sun). Oh, and when your hair starts falling out, you may want to go for a No. 1 or 2 (or straight for a shave) as it's not only messy but can hurt. The hair is the one thing you can have some fun with!

Hi @Schwen, Firstly, welcome to this site - you'll get lots of info and support here. Treatment isn't a one size fits all and your oncologist will tell you more when you have your first appointment. For me, chemo didn't begin until the surgeon cleared me as recovering from ops which was approximately 1 month from second surgery. I had grade 2 lobular carcinoma, a partial with sentinel node biopsy, then a mastectomy with axillary dissection ( 3 out of 8 nodes positive) - OR/ER+, HER-. I am currently going through chemo 4 X AC 3 weekly, then 12 X paclitaxol weekly, then it will be rads and hormone therapy. Your treatment might be similar or might be different. Talk to your doctor's about your planned holiday. It may be that you can fit it in between.

Hello and welcome! I am sorry that you find yourself here. I hope you find it as helpful and supportive as I have. You never have to apologise for any question, length or otherwise. Yours wasn't that long anyway!Your chemotherapy will probably be about six months long. As @Sister says there's no one size fits all, so we can't be definitive. Some people have some types of chemo once every three weeks or every two weeks. Other types are weekly. Your oncologist is the doctor in charge of this though your breast surgeon should be able to give you a good idea.My chemo commenced about five weeks after my lumpectomy, though it was somewhat delayed by Christmas. Mostly they like to crack on with it, especially if you're in reasonably good health otherwise.Let us know how you get on. Hang in there, K xox

@Zoffiel I totally agree! Best thing I ever did was have the portacath inserted. After having an axillary clearance as well in my left arm and then a cellulitis infection which meant four days in hospital on an IV drip, I had four cannulas inserted in four days. It was so very painful as the veins kept collapsing. The portacath makes blood tests so much easier too @Schwen. Good luck. M

Nervous about next step | BCNA Online Network

63 Replies

Riki_BCNA
Member
8 years ago
Hi @Schwen hoping you feel better very soon and wishing you all the best
Eastmum
Member
8 years ago
Ah @Schwen - so sorry to hear you're in hospital Wendy! Such a pain! Thankfully though, the IV should sort out that infection - sounds like you've had an awful time. Fingers crossed that they won't delay your chemo again. xxxxx
arpie
Member
8 years ago
Bugger Bugger Bugger ..... hoping it heals quickly ... and all the best for your continuing treatment xxxxx
nikov
Member
8 years ago
Super frustrating Wendy, wishing you a speedy recovery and hoping for the best xo
Zoffiel
Member
8 years ago
@shwen I had the same problem a few weeks ago, 18 months after surgery so a little different in that respect. In the slammer over the long weekend, what a raving pain the backside, and painful to boot! Hope it clears up quickly, noone needs this nonsense. Mxx
Sister
Member
8 years ago
Bugger! Hope it's sorted soon, Wendy and that you can get started on chemo (imagine wishing that) but remember that if you're told to wait a few days that it's for the best.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@Schwen Gargh! Poor you. Painful and infuriating :# Hang in there and fingers crossed you come good fast. Bloody breast cancer... *mutters rude words under breath*
Schwen
Member
8 years ago
Just to let you all know i have ended up in hospital on iv antibiotics, woke up yesterday with 90% of my right arm (mastectomy Side) bright red, hot and very painful, hopefully home tomorrow after 48hrs of these antibiotics, i am just hoping and preying that this doesn't delay me starting my chemo on Thursday (12th)...
Cheers
Wendy....
nikov
Member
8 years ago
Argh, must be frustrating @Schwen but focus on the positives such as HOW AWESOME IS P!NK LIVE!!!! lol
Sister
Member
8 years ago
That is so hard @Schwen - when you're all psyched to go. I got delayed on my first time due to the port not being accessed properly (and there's a story I won't forget in a long time) and had to start a few days later - it really messes with your head. But in a few weeks, you'll hardly think about it.

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Nervous about next step

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