Advice after diagnosis due to Chemo

[Mariemcdonald11]

Hi

I have just finished 8 cycles of chemo and 15 rounds of radiotherapy for breast cancer and all is good. However my recent heart scan compared to the one I had before treatment and one half way through shows that my heart has dropped a little.

I have to take ramicon daily and go for another scan in 6 weeks before I can recommence my 3 weekly injections.

I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help my heart during this time and beyond. It came as a bit of a shock just when I thought I was past this horrible journey.

Thanks in anticipation.

Marie

[RufusScamp]

The obvious advice is to have as good a diet as possible, plenty of fruit and veg, and regular exercise, but discuss with whoever is treating you what the best form of exercise might be.

[Hiker]

Hi Marie - I'm not sure what you mean by your heart had dropped a little - guessing you mean your heart rate? In which case, you may be interested in my story.

I had 6 cycles of chemotherapy in June 2016, but I didn't have radiotherapy because they are saving that for if the cancer returns. Some years later, in October 2020, right in the middle of the Covid outbreak, I had about a week of very strange attacks, which I felt and heard in my head - like a large truck vibrating and making a noise, then I felt faint. So, I went to the hospital and was in the cafe before my appointment when the engine in the head started, but this time I had a full-on cardiac arrest, long enough for me to flatline for around 15 seconds. This is a condition called asystole that can be very quickly fatal. It was lucky that I was at the hospital. My poor husband raised the alarm and I spent 4 days in intensive care. I was flown to another hospital for a pacemaker to be fitted, as they found that the sinus node in my heart had stopped working properly.

I have since found out that if you don't have heart disease (I don't), the cause of sinus node failure is, almost without exception, iatrogenic, (i.e. caused by necessary medical treatment).

So, I am certain it was the chemotherapy that caused it. My advice to you would be to consult a heart doctor and perhaps you could have long-term regular checks. Despite a healthy diet and regular running, hill-walking and exercise in the gym, my heart was obviously failing, but I had no idea, and I feel that I am very lucky and of course grateful, to be alive today. If I hadn't been at the hospital on that day, it may have been a very different outcome.

At my latest pacemaker check, the doctor told me that my heart is working about one third of the time, so at least there's still some life in the old ticker! I wish you all the best, please contact me if you have any questions.

I wish you all the best,

Michele