To Holiday or cancel and start Chemo..

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tjpj
tjpj Member Posts: 4
edited November 2019 in Just Diagnosed

Hi

I have just been diagnosed and been given the following results ER+8 and PR+8 and HER2+ ... I understand this means i should respond well to hormone therapy ? waiting to see the Oncologist tomorrow. Already been told that i will need Chemo for up to 5/6 months first, before a lumpectomy and followed with radiotherapy and then hormone treatment (that is if i have remembered everything correctly... (considering up to one week ago no one thought it was a 'bad' lump - no external signs at all)

I've been told that because I'm young (5 weeks off my 50th birthday!) they are able to throw everything they can at me because i should be able to take it

They've told me the chemo could actually shrink the lump to a size where it will make it less obvious when they have to remove it. They've placed a 'marker' on it so that if it does disappear then they know where it was for when they do need to remove whatever is left

Whirlwind of emotions going on at the moment - MRI done this morning - quite painless just led down thinking about the holiday i'm due to go on in three weeks (still waiting to find out if that is still a possibility)

Hoping tomorrow with the Oncologist will put a clearer plan into place - dreading the Chemo and effects - never thought i was a vain person .... guess i am!

Trying to stay away from Google but thought that finding a place where others have been through / are going through the same thing may help

Only positive i can take at the moment is that the surgeon says that towards the end of treatment he will bring my good boob in line with the not so good one as it may shrink and he may make it 'pertier'! thanking my employers for private health care!

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited October 2019

    talk to your oncologist, raising your holiday plans and timing. By the notes you provided, your tumor is triple positive. Chemo is a typical treatment. It’ll be a discussion between you and your doctor as to when you start chemo. The plan/protocol may allow you to travel between treatments. In response to your vanity comment, my wig garnered more compliments in the 6 months I wore it than my natural hair ever has.

    This is the hardest time - breathe deeply and often, take someone with you to take notes at doctor appointments, and don’t make rash decisions.


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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2019

    My onco said if I was determined to go, it would probably be OK to take a planned trip for a week in NYC that was 2 weeks away. He didn't recommend a planned Alaska cruise that was 4 weeks away.

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  • trinigirl50
    trinigirl50 Member Posts: 343
    edited October 2019

    Tell your MO about the holiday. It may well be that they can wait until you get back if it's not a long holiday. Or they can schedule with the holiday in mind. It is worth a discussion.

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  • AngieB92
    AngieB92 Member Posts: 323
    edited October 2019

    See what your MO says about holiday. I’m triple positive as well and about to have treatment 3 of 6 next week. Chemo has not been nearly as horrifying as I had imagined it. I have been able to work everyday and do all of the planned activities (with my MO’s approval). The SEs are manageable. The worst one for me has been losing my taste buds for about a week and a half.

    You can do this!! The worst part is waiting to get a treatment plan in place

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  • tjpj
    tjpj Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2019

    hey all


    Holiday cancelled - thankful for travel insurance! It's all been nonstop thanks to works bupa cover 'MRI's/ ct scans done - portacath goes in Thursday, Echo booked for Friday ...(after dental checkup)

    Hair being cut tomorrow (not much but a few inches)

    Chemo starts wednesday 30th ... cold cap is planned so that I can try and keep my hair for my birthday party in a few weeks

    Fingers crossed I can still work as required, fortunate to be able work from home too 'have been told some of my activities may stop for a while (braver scouts carry many hidden bugs!)

    Keep up the good work - according to my sister my palate prefers food with no flavour so losing the ability to taste isnt too much of an issue 'i will just stick marmite on everything if it comes to it!

    Thanks for your comments



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  • Britspeech
    Britspeech Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2019

    Just wanted you to know that I, too, put Marmite on everything!!!

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  • tjpj
    tjpj Member Posts: 4
    edited November 2019

    oh what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been- and only one marmite day so far!

    Holiday cancelled, MRI's, ct scans, dentists, blood tests, visits to the clinic and treatment started!


    First treatment last week, wore a cold cap - yes its uncomfortable- but I will persevere- had one really tired day - bit of a sore throat but other than that my hubby has me wrapped in cotton wool!


    Back to work today (from home) immune system should drop end of this week so will see how it goes - but prep for my 50th birthday party is still underway

    All the best to you all

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