Chemotherapy: Feeling anxious about starting

katinthemiddle · New User Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 7

Hiya

I haven't been on the forum since November 2009 when I first mentioned my worry about an abnormal mammogram. I had DCIS in 2005 with lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I was worried about a recurrence. Well it wasnt a recurrence as such. It was a new primary tumour 2cm. I had a mastectomy in December and they did the sentinel node biopsy which showed cancer, therefore I went back in last week for lymph node removal. Not pleasant. Got results yesterday and thankfully there was 12 removed with none positive. I start chemo in 2 weeks time, FEC and Docetaxel over 6 months. When I read the side effects, its quite frightening. I just wondered if anyone has had this combination and how they found it. Incidentally I'm having the other breast removed once treatment is over as I am at a high risk of recurrence in the healthy breast having already had two breast cancers in the same breast and I'm only 40. I look forward to any helpful suggestions Laughing

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 1078 Location: UK

Hi, Kat - so sorry about the situation.

Do not be too frightened about the chemo and possible side-effects. Eveyone is slightly different and many do not suffer the serious ones. Nausea and hair-loss and the most likely, and both have well-tried systems of management in place.

I would say that if hair-loss is a fear, then have your hair cut really short before you start - it helps you to get used to the look, and if there is loss, it is far less traumatic than handfuls of long hairs. After the chemo is over, the hair will grow back (with possible minor changes in texture!)

Nausea is usually controlled by additional regimes, but there are also many complementary techniques, such as taking ginger, which can also help.

You are probably very wise to have a prophylactic mastectomy.

I am sure others with experience of chemo and its effects will add to anything I have to say.

alfredchew · New User Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

Dear Kat,

You may also consider alternative treatment apart from the usual cut, burn and poison method. They are irreversible once you have started this process.

[Removal of link - please see forum guidelines]

Wish you best of luck in your endeavor.

Regards

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 1078 Location: UK

All treatment, whether mainstream or alternative, is irreversible. Do not allow statistics to put you off the potential life-saving nature of any treatments, but do ensure you are fully informed of side-effects and how they can be managed.

If you have specific worries, ask here and almost certainly someone will have some kind of experience to share.

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 187

Here is a page that may help a little bit with your going through the chemo treatment. true faces of breast cancer dot org slash tips dot htm.

Edited to remove the actual link.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.mybreastcancerstore.com
www.habierose.com

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others