So, i have breast cancer...

Just so you know there are many different regime of chemo. I had 4 rounds of AC chemo  3 weeks apart. I am currently on taxol and herceptin. The taxol is weekly for 12 weeks and herceptin is 3 weekly for 12 months. So it is quite a commitment to being cancer free. Kath

Sorry to hear you diagnosed. With a big family the three main things you may find hard or impossible at times is main meals (do up frozen ones or line up neighbours or family to drop meals in), washing and hanging out clothes (get the older kids to do it or stand on a box to reach the line like I did sometimes as the arm after surgery won't reach up for a while), and making up beds (get the kids to help you tuck in the sheets).

I was public hospital in coast of Qld and it was 3 weeks from seeing the surgeon to actual surgery (if you are having surgery first). I also needed a second op due to it spreading to the lymph nodes under my arm and that was another 3 week wait for surgery. Ask the surgeon if you can have a portacath put in your chest vein as it will make everything a whole lot easier on your poor veins.

Chemo if you require it is usually done in 3 week intervals. One day to give it and 3 weeks recovery. It may be best if you can take a week off work every 3 weeks. Do you have holidays you can stagger into one week off and 2 weeks on? At work stick to the normal duties and don't get creative. Your brain will get a bit fuzzy sometimes. To combat infection from kids at work, suck an antibacterial Strepsils a few times a day.

Well wishes for you on your treatment.

Hi Leila, sorry to hear of your diagnosis but on this forum you know that everyone knows how you feel and can share their experiences too. 

I was diagnosed 2 months ago, have had 3 surgeries and just yesterday had my second AC chemo. The other ladies who commented said all the other things (toilet, illness etc) but I have a few things to add. My 10yo son just had a nasty cold but I didn't get it thank goodness, I was careful but I still hugged him and kissed him on the forehead. He was great too and didn't leave his snotty tissues around for me to pick up! I washed my hands a lot too so maybe that all helped.

also re working, I was truly blessed and didn't feel sick at all after round 1. In the first week, I did nothing but lay around home waiting to feel sick but when that didn't happen, I contacted 2 of my bosses (I have 3 casual jobs) and went back, but they are only 1 or 2 days depending on the workload (sadly they tried to do the right thing and make my workload lighter but now there's not much to do!!). 

I have a wig which looks great and natural, I wear it out but I'm still losing hair so it does get a bit itchy so I also wear hats, but as its winter they don't look out of place.  If u have access to a cancer council office I highly recommend getting in touch about their wig library - I am in Brisbane and made an appointment and they gave me a wig, a fringe (which I also love) and 2 turbans for free, I just have to post the wigs back when I'm finished with them. 

Take care and stay positive - you will get thru this! 

All the best  

Donna 

Hi Leila. Welcome, but sorry you had to join us here. It's a scary time when you are first diagnosed. I remember having a lot of questions and being anxious. But 'surreal' sums up what I was feeling. I was in the private system and had a 4 week wait for surgery because the surgeon I choose was in high demand.

Like Kath said, you can use same toilet with chemo just flush twice with the lid down. It can be hard to be around sick kids during chemo you may want to wear a mask if they have a sore throat or cold and you will have to wash your hands a lot. You can't make others sick.

Since you have bad veins you may want to ask your doctor about having a portacath inserted. Chemo really damages your veins which can be a problem for some. A portacath goes under your skin in your chest and is used to deliver your chemo via IV. It means you can avoid using the veins in your arms for bloods and chemo. Another option is a PICC line in your arm. You get a lot of needles during chemo (some for blood, some for chemo, some for other drugs if you get sick) so it may be worth it. Other people get through fine without a port of a picc line.

Like Kath I couldn't work through chemo but I did work through radiation. Everyone is different.

Best of luck. Come on here and ask anything, any time.

Take care

Nadine

Welcome Leila and sorry for your diagnosis. it is a  whirlwind start and so much to  take in.

As to chemo., we are all different and some are able to continue work through chemo. Others like myself have not. Some have reduced hours and modified duties. It all depends on the type of chemo, if you need it and how it effects you during your cycle and how you can manage with the fatigue and being a Mum as well. You do not need a seperate loo...just a lid and  flush twice. I also have some wipes for suspect seats...for myself or splashes from myself. You don't have to avoid people on chemo. Just sensible measures, good handwashing and bacterial wipes when out. They say most infections come from ourselves not others.....like your own gut.

I purchased some lovely natural coloured makeup which I wear most times when out and people always say how well I look. I have multiple hats as didn't like the wig much and coordinate them with my clothes.  This time of year being cool nobody even realises I have no hair. So loosing hair and being a bit washed out can be concealed for work if need be.

Hope this helps and ask as much as you want. There are lots of people here to help. Make sure you are connected with a breast care nurse who will be a support person and can answer lots of questions regarding treatment. 

Kath x