Last Chemo

[lynnedpope66]

Hi everyone, today I am having my last of 6 fec chemo sessions. When I started it was back at the beginning of march and today seemed a million miles away but it has gone quite quickly. So if any of you are just about to start, you will get through it before you know it hopefully without too many side effects. I have used the cold cap so last of those today too. My arm has been quite tight and they have struggled to get the cannula in at times but today will be the last time. Good luck to all of you who are going through it, you will get there too! Love Lynne. Xx

[Jennymary]

Well done Lynne, are you doing something nice to celebrate xxx

[Nixh]

I remember that feeling well Lynne, at the beginning you think the last one will never come, I had 6 x fec as well, haven't heard of many women who have had the same.. Hope your side effects have been manageable and I wish you a speedy recovery! (I had a sneaky glass of prosecco after .. it was the best drink I've ever had!)

atb,

Nix x

[lynnedpope66 in reply to Nixh]

Yes I know what you mean, I could have cried when I came out! Side effects have been minimal, a bit fuzzy headed and a funny taste in the mouth for a few days but that's about it and usually back to normal in a week. Seeing consultant about reconstruction in Aug as I had an implant but got an infection after 7 wks so had to have it removed. Hopefully next time will be better! Xxx

[Nixh in reply to lynnedpope66]

Oh dear, infections are horrid, I had one when my left expander was replaced as it had sprung a leak.. hopefully this time it will be ok for you 🤞🏻 Am hopefully having my final implants in November, this journey is a long and arduous one!

Glad the side effects weren’t too bad, metal tasting mouth, tiredness and constipation were my bugbears. I had a portacath as veins were pants that helped with chemo day (also cold capped so my day was a very long one!)

Hope your recon goes ok for you,

Take care,

Nix XX

[lynnedpope66 in reply to Nixh]

Gosh, it doesn't sound very straightforward does it? When u had your expander put in how often do u have it inflated and how long do u have to wait before j have that taken out and the implant put in? Xxx

[Nixh in reply to lynnedpope66]

I think maybe I am slightly different than most..

I initially wanted to have a bilateral Diep. I saw a plastic surgeon and started to do the 400 a day sit ups that were recommended lol... I think this was why my consultant recommended I have radiotherapy, as would be using different skin, after finishing chemo though, I knew I didn't want to go through a diep, I was done tbh, I play netball and was getting back on with my life so couldn't imagine having a long recovery, so opted for implants.

This means they've been in longer than normal as had mx August 2015, treatment finished March 2016. Had rh preventative mx in Nov 16, noticed lh implant had ruptured then so had that replaced Feb 17, the skin is much tighter after radio, I ended up with an infection (cellulitis) and in all 3 weeks of antibiotics.. yuk!

Am having final op in November as suits me recovering over winter/xmas.

Most temp expanders, I think are only in for a short time, so replaced after treatment finishes... my "pump ups" were done within eight weeks, so were mostly inflated before I started chemo. Had either every week and then the final one on my good week in chemo. I had a 100ml each time (was a dd cup so had a large expander 650-700ml fill).

This time it's taking longer for the lh one to be filled, the last top up was agony, felt like mastitis .. fluid ended up bursting through a small weakness in my scar, all OK now but as having op in Nov, am having my last top up between now and Sept.

Sorry that was longer than intended! Any other questions just ask x

[lynnedpope66 in reply to Nixh]

Thanks, it's not as straightforward as you would think really is it? I'm hoping to have mine done end of Aug or sept and go back to work either oct or Jan. As I work in a school with 2-5 yr olds it's hands on all day with lifting etc! I just wanted to get that done so I can go back with s fresh start! Keep in touch and let me know how u get on! Xx

[Nixh in reply to lynnedpope66]

I think the bcc nurse and consultants are usually quite flexible with expansions. If you can tolerate every week then they'll do that, if you're only having a small implant then top ups shouldn't take too long.

I don't have a problem lifting my arm strength is good and when I have my softies in they look pretty normal (am still uneven so it balances them out lol).

Will keep in touch, fingers crossed yours is ok this time! x

[Chrissie2]

Hi Lynne. Well done. As you say at the beginning it seems ages away but it is surprising how quickly it comes round and it is finished. I had fec-T as did a lot of ladies I have spoken to with minimal side effects. enjoy your time now you have finished xx

[lamonsea]

Thank you for your kind words encouraging us all to be more hopeful and positive. My worry is more the effect in my children. Has the cold cap really helped your hair?

I hope you feel back to normal again soon

[lynnedpope66 in reply to lamonsea]

Hi, yes I can understand your worries, my boys are older, 23 and 17 both are still at home and I think they do worry. I was a little bit tired for the week after my chemo but not many other side effects, I think it can depend what type u r having, I had 6 x fec. The cold cap def helped, I would recommend trying it, esp if your hair is thick to start with. My hair has thinned with a thinner patch on top by my parting but if your hair is longer it's possible to cover this by changing your parting. I have got a wig very similar to my normal hair which I wear when I go out as it makes me feel better. The worst part is not being able to wash your hair very often or blow dry it so mine is very uncontrollable and flyaway at the moment but I feel that hopefully it will recover quite quickly and start to thicken again. I hope this helps. Let me know how h get on. Take care. Xx

[lamonsea in reply to lynnedpope66]

Thank you. My girls are 13 and 11. I have. Very fine hair which grows slowly. Dont yet know what chemo until after the mastectomy and also radiotherapy.

[lamonsea]

Did any of you have the fec chemo with any metatatasis in first sentinel node ,full axillary clearance and mastectomy? Thus is my situation, inow need mastectomy due to invasive lobular, not the dcis or lcis rhey thought from first op and second lumpectomy showed as bigger plus sentinel node . Anyone similar?

[lynnedpope66 in reply to lamonsea]

I had 2 lumps on left hand side, I 3cm and 1 2.5 cm which didn't show up on mastectomy only on MRI scan. Lymph nodes were clear but showed signs of vascular invasion following oncatype test so I was offered chemo as a precaution. Very difficult decision but think I did the right thing. Will now be put on tamoxifen and have been offered the aspirin trial too. Seeing oncologist on Jul 21st so will see what happens! Hope this helps! Xx

[lamonsea in reply to lynnedpope66]

Thank you. Due to them not seeing lcis on mammogram and therefire first had lumpectomy, i did not. have mri and apparently vouldnt have one after first op showed some lcis at edge. Hence now needing third op as second found lots of invasive lobular. Oh well hopefully thurd time lucky as it were

[lynnedpope66 in reply to lamonsea]

Yes! Let's hope so! Xx

[Nixh in reply to lamonsea]

Yep me.. one node positive only.. had two areas of cancer one grade one and one grade 3, also had Paget's Disease so deffo needed mastectomy, chemo (6 x fec) and radio (15 sessions). I had an auxiliary clearance too, but all other nodes were thankfully clear.

I think they look at your age, in my case family history and how responsive you'll be, radio was my choice, chemo wasn't even with one node only.

[lamonsea in reply to Nixh]

Ok thank you. Was yours ductsl lobular or?

[Nixh in reply to lamonsea]

Ductal Carcinoma, two different ones not one spread to two place... I have a high family history (mum and 2 aunts died of it, plus my Paternal grandmother had later in life too). Was being monitored at a family history clinic so have been having checks since I was about 25. Had an annual mammogram and MRI scan, was spotted there, had no symptoms really (oddly had a cold that wouldn't budge for a few months before, maybe related?) was told I wouldn't have felt it as with areas were small under 5mm. The Paget's disease I should have spotted tbh as had a sore nipple but put it down to monthly and maybe a too tight a bra, is definitely something people need to be aware of I think!

[lamonsea in reply to Nixh]

Sorry to hear about your mum and family. Sounds like youve been well looked after and hopefully now sorted. My mum is survivor currently bit hets was caused ny previous radiotherapy they said but now im not sosure

[Nixh in reply to lamonsea]

yes, the prospect of getting bc has been around most of my life, so although a shock when diagnosed ..was sort of waiting for it! Your mum sounds like a battler! Hope she's OK x

[lamonsea in reply to Nixh]

Thanks, she is indeed xx

[carol2412]

W

[lizzyHZ]

Kind and positive words wishing you a full recovery and all the best x

[jackearls1000]

Lynne ...I too have now finished ...thankyou for your support xxxx