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I should be starting chemo in about 3 weeks or so. My oncolgist is away next week, I havent met him yet. Ive found lots of advice on the american and british message boards. People seem to make up 'chemo' bags. with lots of supplies. There is also a huge list of side effects. But i thought it might be nice to get some info from you guys who have gone throught it here. What tips and hints are useful? How sick did you feel while having the treatment, how tired? My main concern is will I be able to drive during the treatment? Or will i not be able to drive at all, or will it only be on the treatment days that i wont be up to it. I know everyone is different, and i suppose the waiting around is probably going to give me plenty of time to imagine the worst senarios Somehow I was able to block it from my brain while having all the operations....but time is ticking now

Help please re the above. Am getting lot of pain since radiation Had massage. No arm swelling. Going for mammogram on Monday -so scared as am so sore. Gemgee

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Hi everyone, Sorry been sooo long since I've been on here. The radiotherapy is keeping me busy I can tell ya. Had No: 16 today, just 19 to go....... Actually I know it sounds bizarre and maybe this time next week I'll be cracking up but.... is it possible to enjoy radiotherapy? I get to drive on my own there, have no pain, generally go for coffee. Little bit of browsing around the shops, odd cake here and there...... yes putting on a bit of weight but not too much. I am seriously being kind to myself, a bit indulgent really. My children are well looked after and I have some time to myself. Actually cos I have a childminder in the afternoon, I have tried to have afternoon appointments so I can have a lie-in in the morning and make my way up at my leisure. As far as the actual treatment is concerned, I'm afraid to tempt fate to say that its going bloody fantastic and my energy has not been this good since I got diagnosed. Am I heading for a fall? All you experienced ladies out there, feel free to knock me off my happy perch if you think I'm in the rosy period. My children and hubby are fine and so sweet actually, like telling each other to be good so I can have a rest awh..... Feel like a bit of a fraud really. I have sorted more clothes, bedrooms, clutter since I started this treatment, its mad! Anyone else out there enjoying it? Ok if I should be carted off, let me know. Thanks, Garcon

Hi all I'm 45 living in Cork and have had multiple operations to remove tumors from my mouth in general and my tongue in particular. Last summer I had surgury in Dublin followed by 35 fractions of RT here where I live in Cork all to the mouth area. I've been unlucky in that the cancer has now shown up in my neck and very near my left artery. The plan is to have 3 sessions of chemo, possibly more depending on how the Chemo is doing, start more RT in June and then operate. I will proberbly have to have my left artery removed during the operation . Has anyone had this done??? and could you give me your experience.

Hi Everyone, My story is a little long so bear with me and apologies in advance for the waffle..... Mid May I woke with a terrible pain in my left boob. I examined myself but didn't feel anything. The pain continued so I kept checking. A few days later I found a small lump in the shower. As my period was due I thought I'd wait and see if it went after it finished. Being the consummate worrier I kept checking and 2 days later I found a lump in my arm pit. I went to my GP that same morning and she said she didn't think I had anything to worry about but she would refer me for triple assessment to make sure. She tried to get me an appointment for the clinic but couldn't get through so she decided to make an appointment with a surgeon instead. I saw the Surgeon in St Vincents on 27th May. He examined both lumps and told me I had nothing to worry about. He said (I quote) "the lymph node is clinically benign, everyone is entitled to an enlarged lymph node, and the breast lump is nothing to be concerned about". I asked if it was a cyst and he said probably.....!!He said he'd send me for an ultrasound for "CLOSURE". I was out of the office in less than 5 minutes - probably 3. I had the ultra sound on Thursday (02/06) and it all went desperately wrong. The radiologist took one look at the breast lump and said it didn't look like a cyst. The lump is solid and has jagged edges and the lymph node is also solid. When I asked for her professional opinion she said the breast lump concerned her but the fact I had two suspicious lumps she was very concerned. She did a biopsy of both (ouch). I was due to see the surgeon this morning but the results weren't back - bank holiday weekend. I have a new appointment for Friday at 1.15. I have a mammogram before hand at 12. I'm so confused, terrified, angry etc I don't know what to think. How could the surgeon have got it so wrong? He works with his hands and feels lumps all day. Has anyone had a similar experience? If the results are positive should I change surgeon or get a second opinion? I'm 36, single with no history of breast cancer in my family. My Father died from lung cancer 3 years ago (heavy smoker). Many thanks for reading this and again, apologies for the waffle. Kar

Hi all fellow BC sufferers, I was first diagnosed with estrogen and her2 positive breast cancer at 22, had mastectomy and recon plus lymph nodes removed, 6 months of chemo, radio and a year of herceptin. Was getting on with my life on tamoxifen for 2 years, had just turned 26 when was diagnosed with secondaries in my hip bone. Had pin put in femar and am now back on herceptin, along with zometa to strengthen bones, zoladex and femara for the past year. I was just recently married when the cancer came back coming up to my first anniversary now and have only just nearly got my head around everything. I have been coping with cancer for 4 years but always stayed away from the internet and discussion groups as I found it made me more scared in the beginning and I didn't think anyone was as young as me, but I have just got to the point where I am beginning to not even care what happens to me as anything has to be better than the side effects I am suffering on all these drugs. I feel like a 75 year old woman (no offence to the elderly) and so far away from what a normal 26 year old woman should feel like. I am even considering alternative treatments, much to the shock and worry of my family and friends but nobody seems to understand how bad I feel and everyone keeps telling me I look great. Living with secondary breast cancer is supposed to be about having a good quality of life for however long you have left isn't it and I just don't think that is possible being on this kind of treatment. If I was given a time frame of when I might be able to come off the drugs or even some glimmer of hope I might see the point..........I'm sick of having absolutely no control over my life, is there anyone out there in a similar situation who knows of any alternative? Please help, Jam

saddly we lost our Dad to cancer last week June 9th 2010....missing you loads Dad xxx

I have been asked to take part in the taylor x trial. Im just wondering if anyone here is involved in it? I have to wait till the 1st of july (more waiting...lol) to get the results. The tumour was sent off to america for a specific test. There is a chance that i might escape having to have chemo...fingers crossed!!!!