Went and saw my oncologist today for my first appointment and she said I am stage 2a so I am borderline as to whether I would need chemo or not. She said definitely no radiotherapy but I would definitely need hormone blocking therapy. The chemo would be more just in case of preventing any recurrence and would only last 3 months - 3 weeks apart with docetaxel cyclophosphamide. I have tentatively booked in to have the first treatment on the 26th but just have to confirm. I am leaning towards doing it as I don’t want cancer popping up somewhere else and playing the “coulda, shoulda” game. I think the loss of hair and side effects are worth it for peace of mind. I’m gonna try the cold cap thing and might even order myself some eyebrows and eyelashes incase I need them. I’m also going to take that first week off work so I can see how I will handle it. All abit scary with the potential side effects but I think to do it would be the right choice. Luckily I have a very supportive husband who is already thinking about foods he can cook me, great friends (you certainly find out who those are) and a fabulous boss and work colleagues. It’s only 3 months of my hopefully very long life.

Thanks everyone for your support and advice - it’s so helpful and comforting to get everyone else’s experiences. @kmakm I go to a medical centre so it is just who is available. If I find someone I like I normally stick with them. In terms of counselling the breast care nurse have told me it is available for me. I’m coping at the moment more so because I think this has all heppend so quickly and don’t have too much time to think. That may well change and I will definitely keep that as an option for me. It’s tough that everything they can help us can cause so many problems. I just keep trying to tell myself that as long as these things keep me alive it’s worth it. I may well revise that comment mid way through chemo though!!@Zoffiel. My boss has been very supportive and is already thinking about if I need to take 2 weeks out of the 3 off how we can go with staffing. I feel comfortable having the time off as I think I have about 5 weeks sick leave I more want to work for my mental health and to be out and about doing something and my job has been very good st keeping my mind of what has been going on thus far. The money and being able to save my sick leave in case I need to take extra time at the end of chemo certainly is a minor factor too. I will always be kind to myself first though. I can imagine what the general public can be like - they can be tactless at the best of times!! I’m hoping the cold cap works for me so at least that won’t be a problem but I am prepared to start rocking some sort of scarf of cap.

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At 43 you may well be able to work right through. You've got a plan, which certainly helps, and if you have supportive people around you so much the better.Do have Plan B up your sleeve. It's not unusaul to get the wobbles up during chemo and, unfortunately, the things that send the whole show off course are beyond our control. If you are in a position where you can juggle your days around to accommodate any issues that may come up it would be great to find out exactly how flexible the business is prepared be. Have a frank discussion with them about what sort of notice they need from you if you can't come in and what might happen if you need to work shorter shifts.The other thing to keep in mind is your colleagues and clients. I worked right through BC version 1 when I was your age. I felt a bit crappy at times but the people I worked with, and the clients, ( I worked in a library) got pretty stressed if I turned up looking like the walking dead. I was on a contract at the time so I was under a fair bit of pressure to be there and, as I was coping, there was no way I was giving up my job. Yes, I was constantly told how ''brave' I was but it did put extra pressure on those around me. I didn't ask for favours, but you do need to be aware that people get strange ideas in their heads about what will be helpful. The public...don't get me started. The things they say....Anyway, get those big girl panties on and have a crack at it. Just remember to be kind to yourself as well. Marg xxx

@kmakm. I am looking at the possibility of a wig as my insurance company will cover up to $250. There is a place in the city I could go and have a look. I imagine most women are sympathetic if misguided but some men can place so much importance of appearance and don’t know how to deal with illness- luckily my husband is not one of those men.

@kiwiangel Today I had my last infusion of Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide. I got to ring the end of chemo bell! In three weeks my three months will be up.My experience is that you will feel OK for the first couple of days while the steroids prop you up. After that the fatigue will hit and you will not be able to do much more than lie on the sofa or bed. So you are wise to plan to take this week off each cycle. My chemo was on Mondays and on Thursdays the bone ache started and hung around for 48 hours. It got worse each time, have painkillers on standby.Be mindful that you are at your most vulnerable to catching a germ on Days 7, 8, 9 & 10. I don't know what your job is, but you might want to think about delaying a return to work until Thursday of the second week. You don't want to get febrile neutropenia!We all react differently, but as TC is cumulative, you may find it harder to keep working as the cycles go by. Be kind to yourself, it is what it is, and we are doing the maximum we can for The Pulse! I made the call and as hard as it's been, I have no regrets. I want to be here when I'm 80! All the best, let us know how you go, ask me any questions, and have your constipation meds ready to go... <3 K

Possibly starting chemo | BCNA Online Network

lrb_03
Member
8 years ago
The neulasta injection os to help your white cells recover faster, as chemo can cause them to drop dangeruosly low, a condition called neutropaenia. You will get lots of information about what to do if you develop a temperature whilst going through chemo, from the chemo nurses.
Some places give all patients having certain chemo combinations the injections. Where I had my chemo you only got it if you had an episode of febrile neutropaenia, so a high fever combined with a low white cell count.
This cancer thing is a s teep learning curve.
At the time I was working in a gp practice. I didn't catch anything, worked 3 days a week right through other than one week off when I did have febrile neutropaenia, never found a cause for the fever, though
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
Hi @kezmusc thanks for that info - hopefully they are experienced as I’m sure many people would want to use it. What’s the neulasta injection??? I feel much better that you managed to stay healthy in a hospital while undergoing treatment. Gives me hope
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
Yes, squash it right down on your head. Maximum connection. I haven't caught anything either. Fingers crossed I don't in the next three weeks.
kezmusc
Member
8 years ago
Hi @"Kiwi Angel",

If you need any tips for the cold cap, give me a message. It is very important that number one treatment is done right and you need to know how to fit the thing as well. Some nurses are experienced at it and some are not so it's best if you know what you are doing. The first one is pretty much the make or break of it.

I worked part time pretty much the whole way through. I work in a hospital and had no problem with catching any bugs and I refused that stinky neulasta injection after the first one. Actually I still haven't even caught a head cold since I started chemo. Probably will now after saying that!
Hopefully you sail right on through.

All the best xoxoxo
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
:* for you and our hubbies
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@kmakm. I am looking at doing that program. Lucky to have hubby - don’t know what I would of done without him over the last 2 months.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@kiwiangel Good idea. And if your hair does go, get yourself into a Look Good Feel Better workshop. They can be fun, you get some good tips and some lovely free make up. Ask your breast care nurse.

I have a wonderful husband too; we're lucky!
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
@kmakm. I am looking at the possibility of a wig as my insurance company will cover up to $250. There is a place in the city I could go and have a look. I imagine most women are sympathetic if misguided but some men can place so much importance of appearance and don’t know how to deal with illness- luckily my husband is not one of those men.
kmakm
Member
8 years ago
@kiwiangel Sounds like you've got things very well thought through. And great to have a supportive boss. Kudos!

The cold cap didn't work for me but it turns out I rather like my bald look with a cap or bandana! You do lose your privacy at that point though, so do be prepared for the lingering look. I've found men to be much worse at this than women...

You've got this! Let us know how you go. K xox
Kiwi_Angel
Member
8 years ago
Thanks everyone for your support and advice - it’s so helpful and comforting to get everyone else’s experiences.

@kmakm I go to a medical centre so it is just who is available. If I find someone I like I normally stick with them. In terms of counselling the breast care nurse have told me it is available for me. I’m coping at the moment more so because I think this has all heppend so quickly and don’t have too much time to think. That may well change and I will definitely keep that as an option for me. It’s tough that everything they can help us can cause so many problems. I just keep trying to tell myself that as long as these things keep me alive it’s worth it. I may well revise that comment mid way through chemo though!!

@Zoffiel. My boss has been very supportive and is already thinking about if I need to take 2 weeks out of the 3 off how we can go with staffing. I feel comfortable having the time off as I think I have about 5 weeks sick leave I more want to work for my mental health and to be out and about doing something and my job has been very good st keeping my mind of what has been going on thus far. The money and being able to save my sick leave in case I need to take extra time at the end of chemo certainly is a minor factor too. I will always be kind to myself first though. I can imagine what the general public can be like - they can be tactless at the best of times!! I’m hoping the cold cap works for me so at least that won’t be a problem but I am prepared to start rocking some sort of scarf of cap.