Struggling

Hi @CarrieP,

Sorry to hear you are feeling anxious.

Chemo side effects vary from person to person. Ive just finished Ac and taxol. I think after the first chemo it tends not to be very dramatic. 

Dont worry if you arent having nail changes or hair is not falling. Your hair will probably fall out but it is individual. You will think nothing is really happening then all of a sudden movement. 

I think at about my second taxol i asked the oncologist how he knew it was working and he said it would be in the months and years to come. I found this very unsatisfactory as an answer but id already had surgery and i had yet to understand that the drugs are really given as a program which they figure will do the required job. In my case apart from blood results presumably to check how my body was coping there were no tests throughout chemo. The programs are given based on your scenario and what they know will best hit the cancer cells. Hope that kindof helps. Try not to worry. Some people dont get many side effects others like me get plenty. I hope you are one who gets few. Regardless it is manageable.

In terms of the biopsy, it sounds lije they traumatised the area a little. Try not to worry but if it doesnt get better go to your gp or whoever is looking after you and have them look. No query is silly and it will allay your fears.

Sending you hugs
Michele
 

Dear @CarrieP

Side effects, if and when you get them, come soon enough so no need to preempt them. Most people find hair starts to seriously shed after about 14 days. Problems with nails can occur with Taxol but there are also ways of limiting damage ( ice treatment, black nail polish). Biopsies can be quite painful but most of all you are very anxious - it’s completely normal to be anxious, not stupid at all just not helpful. It can be exhausting being stressed and you need your energies for other things. Many strong, capable people have found some counselling helpful in dealing with the emotional side of a cancer diagnosis. Everyone concentrates on the physical but the emotional reaction can be hard to deal with too. Your breast cancer nurse or GP can help with a referral. Best wishes. 

Hi @CarrieP 
I had bilateral bc, and multifocal in the right breast. For the biopsies, I got 6 needles in rightie and 3 in leftie, 9 altogether. Leftie was fine and no bruising or much pain. Lump was just above the nipple. Rightie, on the other hand, was difficult. Lumps were in upper outer quadrant. The doctor was also struggling quite a bit to get the samples from both lumps and was really pushing. Afterwards, it wouldn’t stop bleeding, so she had to apply a lot of pressure with her hands for about 5-10 minutes before she could continue. She did that to avoid bruising, but I still bruised quite a bit and was very sore on that beast. Took about 2 weeks for bruising to disappear. So what you have explained sounds pretty normal, nothing to worry about. On top of that yours was benign, so very good news. The swelling and bruising will go away, just give it time and be careful with your breast. 

Sorry you are here to join us.
It is a lot to take in.
I have been very lucky and not had many side effects. So I hope that your theory is very wrong. My story is here if you click on my name or icon.
Your hair will most likely fall in the next week or two (unless you used the cold cap.) 
Side effects vary so much between all of us here.
I hope that you will report your nausea, in case you can have more medication or a different one if it is possible.
Keeping a good fluid intake and reasonable nutrition helps to avoid other issues.
I can't explain your pain etc.
Don't be afraid to ask your Oncologist, or Breast Care nurse if you have one. Ask anything. Make a list of questions.
I also kept a diary. And asked for copies of my reports/pathology. Take someone with you if possible to the Dr.
All the best, there is a way through,  and you will get through it.

Hi @CarrieP One of the few unbreakable rules when it comes to surgical procedures is to keep a very, very close eye on any swelling or redness.

Having needles stuck in your boob is unpleasant on every level and even with the most careful attention to hygiene, infections can occur. If you are still in pain, please get someone on your team to check it out. I'm not trying to up your anxiety, but as many of us can tell you, ignoring a problem and hoping it will just bugger off can end up making things worse.

Cancer treatment can present many challenges, it's best to deal with them as, and if, they arrive. One of the things you can do to prepare is sort out your emergency contact list--breast care nurse should be top of the list but Nurse on Call is also a helpful resource if you are not sure if the thing you are worried about is really a 'thing.' You will learn to trust your instincts and your body; if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

Many folk struggle with the concept of having to trot off to ED, of your GP or whoever for things you hope are trivial. We've just got to get over that--no-one is going to think you are wasting time or resources, it really, really is better to be safe than sorry. Good luck, MXX

Hi @CarrieP, great advice above. You are not being stupid. You know your body and the doctors aren't mind-readers, so write it all down, take a support person with you, and get it all checked out. Best wishes. x

Hi @CarrieP

Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. 

Always get anything unusual checked out...you're not being a wuss or asking stupid questions, just looking out for yourself.  Biopsies can hurt for a long time but it is not worth risking infection.  It's your doctor's job to work this out.  This is uncharted territory for you and you don't know what to expect and sometimes you have to advocate for yourself.  Hair will probably go very quickly when it decides to (you may get a tingling sensation in your scalp before it does - or not) and it may not all fall out.   Your nails might be fine - mine have decided to go weird 2 years later.

@CarrieP So sorry to hear your story & sending a BIG gentle, virtual hug your way! I hope you have gone back to see your GP/specialist about your concerns. Great advice by everyone above & I also agree that noone will think you are wasting their time by going back to get physically checked out.
Have you got a breast care nurse? I found that my McGrath BC nurse was always there to answer my "stupid questions" or ones that I forgot to ask my surgeon/GP. You can always ring/email them to ask for advice & also Cancer Council helpline. 
I learnt early on through my treatment, that although I had a great team around me, sometimes I had to take the first step & be in control of my own health by asking for extra tests etc. so you shouldnt feel like a nuisance if you ever need to return to a specialist to get them to check you out.
I also got genetically tested for the bracca gene upon advice from my surgeon & luckily my result was negative. The result of this test did impact on my future direction of treatment so Im glad I got it done.
I hope you are finding the support you need from friends & family too or others from a local cancer support group. We are all here too & this forum will give you lots of advice & support whenever you need it.
Wishing you love & strength xx

Thanks everyone for all your support and advice, I went and saw my oncologist and they put my mind at ease, apparently one of the chemo drugs can cause muscle spasms and pain and swelling is most likely from the needle biopsy as this can cause swelling and pain for 3-4 weeks after especially if they have hit veins or nerves.