I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and start my chemo this week. I am terrified. Please could you help me with hints and tips

[jivey]

[Hidden]

Hi .....Welcome to the club that no one wants to join,I am so sorry that you are having to go through this at the moment, I am not sure whether I can be of much help as you don't say what type of chemo therapy you are going to have, there are a some people on here that have had breast cancer in addition to their Ovarian Cancer but most of us have Ovarian cancer, you are very welcome on here, but I am not sure whether you would get more support on the breast cancer support site, (you could get support from both) I am sure there will be someone along soon that can give you advice though...meanwhile try not to worry (easier said than done) and stick with it,and you will soon be out the other end the worse part is going into the unknown but most of us have had aggressive chemo more than once and we are still here.... Love and best wishes x G x

[jivey in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks for your encouragement - tomorrow looms and I know I now have to gather my strength and get on with it. I hope you are doing ok.x

[TinaWright]

Hiah,

While I was going through my chemotherapy for OV cancer, my cousin and my friend both were going through chemo for breast cancer.

We supported one another enormously and compared notes and really although their chemo was different to mine we all seemed to be going through the same symptoms and feelings. I had 6 sessions of chemo after surgery, but they had 3 sessions of chemo, surgery then 3 more sessions of chemo, then followed by radium. Maybe ladies with OV have their treamtnet like that depending how advanced it is. You don`t hear of many ladies with OV cancer having radium but I think some still do.

I do know that both of my pals seemed to be going through their treaments longer than me because of the radium but they were both soon back to work, about 6 months after the end of treatment.They started with a few hours a week and gradually worked up to their full hours and now both doing real fine.

I hope that offers you a little reasurance.

Try not to worry too much about being sick, they give you excellent anti-sickness drugs and if they don`t work then you can try others.

Just try and stay safe as your immune system will be low, so try to avoid crowded places or kids party`s, schools etc, just because kids are always ill.

Eat a well balanced diet but anything that you fancy too and avoid take away food just in case you pick up a stomach bug. Although I was adviced this, I did ignore it and was fine but I will offer you the same advice. It may be too late in the year for flu vacine but talk to your GP or oncologist about that too as it`s far better to protect yourself that be ill with a low immune system. Just wash hands more especially when around public places, I carried the anti-bacterial gell around in my bag and still do that. But there is no need to be too daft about it. My cousin was and when ever she went out she took her own mug with her. She anti-bacterial wiped all her door handles three times a day and she never went out at all, in fear of catching something. To be honest that was a bit OTT but if that made her feel better about it, that was fine.Apart from that, rest on the not so good days and sleep if that`s what your body needs, I slept and slept and spent the first couple of weeks after each chemo in bed then the third wekk when my immune system had started to get stronger I was up and about and feeling really quite well, I took advantage of the good days, went out, met up with friends and tried to enjoy life to the full. We are all different so you will find your own balance.

I think the best advice is to listen to your body and if feeling the slightest bit ancious call your chemo nurse or oncology nurse. They are always only one telephone call away and sometimes the chemo nurses will call you to check up on how you are doing, mine did this once a week.

Hope this helsp a little - all the best from Tina xx

[jivey in reply to TinaWright]

Thank you Tina. I know there are thousands of us out there and it is so comforting having someone to turn too. I know we all react differently and I am normally a strong person, but I think the fact that I am not in control makes it harder. I enjoy work, everning courses etc and feel so aggrieved that I may not be able to do these things. I will take your advice on board and try and get through this as best I can.

I hope you are well. Jx

[harley]

So sorry to hear you are having to go through this. I remember how scared I was 3 three years ago at the outset, I am now undergoing my third cycle of chemo for recurrent PPC. Eat well, I juice fruit and vegetables copiously, I feel it is something I can do and it helps the body to cope with the chemo. 3 years ago I tended to shut myseld away and life came to a halt in case I caught an infection, this time I am a lot more relaxed and am doing most things but everyone is different.

I do try to stay away from people with colds etc, at the weekend when I was shopping in a supermarket, a lady nearby was coughing and spluttering badly, I said to myself, turn around and go down another aisle to get away but she followed me, at the moment when I almost broke out into a run she stopped to speak to someone - relief. My husband roared with laughter when I told him about it. As Tina said, children always seem to have some bug or another and at times I find this frustrating having to say no to babysitting my grandchildren but my daughters understand the risk and try to shield me from their sicknesses. I do find it difficult to make long term plans, I take each day as it comes but always have something to look forward to. Recently I was nominated and picked to take part in Courage on the Catwalk, a fashion show involving ladies who's lives have been touched by cancer, this takes place on the 21st April with lots of practices before then, it has given me a boost and it is great being involved with so many women who all have their own cancer journeys

Listen to your body, its OK to have a duvet day if thats what you feel like, different chemos have different side effects, some more debilitating than others.

Contact your nearest cancer support group where volunteers and others affected will be a great support.

Good luck with the treatment.

Joanna

x

[TinaWright]

I also found the macmillon nurse was wonderful she told me about a pamper day at the local hospice, anyone was welcome who has cancer and here they taught you how to do your make up and nails and how to make yourself feel a millon dollors again. As a hair and beauty therapist I didn`t need that but it must have been a nice day, meals were provided and all free.

What ever makes you feel good then go for it, lunch or afternoon tea with a friend, a girly day, an internet shop for clothes was a huge pick me up for me, then I had the excitement of the next day delivary and decided what to keep amnd what not all in the comfort of my own privacy and bedroom.

Choosing a second and third wig gave me great pleasure, The thing is when you look a doll, no one knows what you have been through, you can be glamourous and find your feminity again. I bought new handbags, costume jewllery, scarfs as well as shoes, boots clothes.

If you are like me and gain weight - then don`t worry buy a bigger size, cut out the lable and say nothing to no one. You can look a million dollars whatever size you are and still look amazing. Look in the mirror every single day and tell yourself that YOU are beautiful.

Now, anyone getting the idea I`m vein, LOL!!!!!

I also made a list of all the fabulous new hair styles I was going to try while it grew back, I experiemnted with styles I would have never dare do before.

And Loooove the comments, learn to take a compliment, and remember you are so worth it

Lots of love from Tina xxxxx