waiting for the biopsy result after lumpectomy

Hi Sharon, I am with NIB. My treatment finished last September. Although my hair thinned, I still had enough to look normal without any bare patches. How do you keep the caps cold enough? the Mater had a special freezer, I think they said they had to be chilled to minus 35 degrees.

Judy.

Hi Peony

I'm using them too, but I've had to organise them myself direct from Penguin Cold Caps because no hospitals in Melb offer them. (No one tells you that you can do this, but it IS possible...)

 

Just wondering which health fund you have that covered it? 

 

Sharon

Hi Judy

It sounds like you handled your treatment well, I'm hoping I do too.  I am having FEC-d.  3 rounds of FEC100 then 3 rounds of Docetaxel.  Then radiotherapy.

THank you for the tips.  I love that you are feeling energetic and 'normal'.  I am looking forward to feeling that way again too.  If I feel a little worried I re read the section in the My Journey books that says most people do survive this.

I had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago and all concerned thought it was a straight forward 8mm ductal carcinoma and I would have radiation.  After surgery and sentinel node biopsy they found it was 12mm and had gone to lymph nodes so back in for auxillery clearance. 7out of 17 with sprinkling of cancer.  I was like a deer in the headlights for a few days but have since had bone and body scan which came back clear.  That cheered me up a lot.  

Hence the re-reading of the same page in the My Journey book.  It is great to hear uplifting and positive stories of hour people get through these months and of them leading 'energetic and normal' lives.

Thanks so much for your time. 

Hi Kelly, 

 I didn't use a satin pillowcase, because it was winter, I had flannelette sheets and pillowcases.

 I think I depends on your own body and the chemo regime you are on, to what reactions you have. My first one, I had virtually no side effects. The second one was pretty good too. The third one I felt was the worst, I actually had to lie down and have a little rest on a couple of days (I never usually do that during the day). The fourth one I was really surprised, to have hardly any side effects again.

The main feeling was one of feeling a bit "yucky" that is the best way I can describe it. One thing I did notice, is that I felt like eating food that I don't usually eat, things like burgers and fries!!

One thing I just thought of is...on the night of your chemos, you may find it hard to sleep, I dont know if it is the anti nausea drug they put in your drip, or what. I was tired because it was a big day but found myself unable to sleep, luckily I had some sleeping tablets on hand.

Don't forget to have some Panadol before the cold cap. It is a bit of a shock when they first put it on, but honestly it only lasts for a couple of minutes, then you get used to it. Of course they change it every half and hour, so you get the freeze feeling again, but only for a couple of minutes again. It is worth it to keep your hair.

Just be prepared to lose some hair, just how much is an individual thing, and the chemo you are on, as well.  As I mentioned before I have thinned slightly, It started on day 16 after the first treatment. My hair is getting longer, so the hair follicles, that are remaining must be healthy to grow like that. Also the Surya will make your hair, so shiny and will give it lots of body.

 It is one month today, since my last treatment, I feel very energetic and normal.

All the best to you, as well. Don't hesitate to ask, if there are any other questions.

Judy.

 

 

Thank you so  much for your quick reply.  I am overwhelmed by how helpful people are.  It makes you not feel so isolated with this.

Just ordered henna cream.  Did you use satin pillowcases?  Do you have any other tips re hair or anything else during chemo?

how did you go during treatment?  Are you feeling good now?  

All the very best to you

Hi Kelly,

I coloured my hair every month using the Surya Henna Cream. I can only recommend this colouring treatment. It is a vegetable dye, that has to be applied for 60 minutes, then rinsed out. I wouldnt try a chemical colour. I followed all the other rules to the letter,  no  hair cuts, no hair dryer. no washing of hair for two days before and two days after cold cap.

I had four sessions of DC, the last one finished one month ago. My hair has thinned slightly maybe by about  10 to 20% . Everyone who knows me, has not noticed any difference.

Good luck with your treatment. Any other questions, just ask away.

Judy.

 

So u continued to colour your hair throughout treatment? I'm starting chemo and cold caps next Wednesday but I need to colour my hair monthly too. This colouring didn't affect cold cap?

 

Hi, I had a post operation appointment after the 2nd pne and I was shocked to hear unexpected news from my doctor.

I noticed that my left breast was much smaller after the 2^nd operation.

She explained that she took away large margin from the 1^st cancer and all together the 1^st cancer which was seen as 1.8 cm ended up 7.5 cm incision.

Also there was a 2^nd one which no imaging could show. My doctor thinks no mastectomy required to treat my cancer after she cleared up all margine. But all other specialists will be concerned at the meeting tomorrow.

I posted a new post about this.. I’m wondering what I should do…

 

Hi Lilliekatt,

I just came across your post and wanted to say a quick good luck for tomorrow. I hope you can come back to the online network with some positive results.

Just remember everyone in the online network will be here to help and support you.

Chees, Daina

 

Hi Lilliekatt,

I just came across your post and wanted to say a quick good luck for tomorrow. I hope you can come back to the online network with some positive results.

Just remember everyone in the online network will be here to help and support you.

Chees, Daina