My Mum has breast cancer
Posted on: Tue, 20/05/2008 - 14:38
Offline
My Mum has breast cancer
My mum got dx 3 weeks ago with breast cancer, she has had surgery and has had results back the cancer had spread to 9/10 lymph nodes, she is due to start chemo in the next week every 3 weeks for 4 months and then Radio every 5 days for 4 months - is the normal? She has been told she will loose her hair also.
Thanks , Take care bye for now Faye xx
I'm sorry to hear about your mum... My mum was diagnosed 5 years ago with breast cancer and the treatment varies depending on the type of cancer. My mum was offered a cold cap(?) but declined and shaved all her hair off before starting Chemo! If you need to talk more we are always here, Love Bambina xxxxxx
Hello Faye, I'm really sorry to hear your news about your mum, you must be beside yourself with worry. However, you have found this site and hopefully lots of new friends who will support you both through this difficult time. Firstly, I would like to say that every cancer is different, and therefore the treatments are tailored to each individual case, so what treatment one person may have, the next person won't - it can be very confusing!!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, had surgery, 6 months chemo (8 cycles) and 5 weeks radiotherapy. The chemo your mum's having sounds about right, however, I'm unsure she will be having radiotherapy for 4 months, possibly it's daily for 4 or 5 weeks? However, as I stated earlier every case is different so please don't take my word for it, ask her oncologist or breast care nurse, that's what they're there for!
I'm afraid its more than likely she will lose her hair through the chemo, but again this will depend on the drug regimen she is to receive. Some hospitals offer something called a "cold cap" which can delay and sometimes even prevent hair loss and that may be something your mum would like to consider. I had very long hair, and it promptly fell out three weeks after my first chemo, on a hotel floor in Bath!! Your mum will be given a wig, but to be honest mine never came out of the box, I preferred scarves and hats, and my hair's now growing back thicker than ever!
I hope I've helped a little. When you first start this journey it seems a daunting and sometimes insurmountable task ahead, however, you and your mum can get through it, and we will all be here to help you along the way.
Love Jayne x
Jayne x
Sorry to here your news Faye
My wife Carole (samdico on here) had the cold cap, but it didn't work. She had/has rather bushy hair! ;), Fortunately her head shape is rather cute so being bald suited her.
It can work on some people though.
She also had Chemo followed by Radiotherapy. She coped well with both. It affects people differently.
Best wishes for the future. Paul
My smile is just a frown thats upside down
(I copied that :) )
Paul
Hi Faye
I don't know what I'd do if it was my mum, I'll be thinking of you both.
I'm 36 and was dx on 4/3/8 with breast cancer, had left mast on 13/3/8 and had 29 lymph nodes removed. I've to have 4 cycles of EC chemo then 4 cycles of Docetaxel, my chemo Dr has told me that because of my age, I'm at high risk of cancer returning. So to lower the chance he is putting me on a strong dosage of chemo. After chemo I'll be having radiotherapy for 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. I'm Her2 negative so I won't be going onto Herceptin but I've been told I will be on hormone tablets for 5 years afterwards, not sure what they will be just yet.
I have poor veins so I requested the Hickman Line, which I had inserted on 8/5/8 and had my 1st cycle of chemo on 12/5/8. Today I was told my Hickman Line has to come out, I promptly burst into tears! So I'm back at hospital for it removed tomorrow but they have told me they will put another back in before my next chemo is due (2/6/8). Everything crossed !!!
I feel like I have gone on and on but I just thought by telling you what I have to have etc etc it might just help you a little. Just remember 1 thing Faye.... we are all different.
Oh before I do shut up, my cousin and I were both offered the cold cap, and both of us turned it down, it doesnt always work. After my 1st chemo my mum(best friend), used the clippers to cut my hair really short, it was hard for her to do but wouldn't let me go to the hairdresser. When she was just finishing off the darn guard fell off!!! So lets just say my hair is shorter than expected, the next time you and your mum watch tv and the latest Specsaver advert comes on think of me. ha ha ha. I'll shut up now, honest.
Keep smiling, be positive and together you will both get through this.
Take Care n Love to the both of you
Kerry