Chemotherapy and type 1 diabetes

[Rebeccajoy]

Hi I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have been told I need treatment, 4 weeks of radiotherapy, 9 months of chemotherapy and 5 years of hormonal therapy. Now the oncologist said said its up to me whether I have the chemotherapy as its going to be very hard going because of the diabetes and could course some problems. I really don't know which way to turn! Can anyone please help? Thanks Rebecca p.s also I am only 28 years old and on a plus side I am on an insulin pump

 

[SimplesL]

Hi Rebecca

Sending you as many hugs as I can. I know what a scarey place you are in at the moment.

I can't give any medical advise as I didn't need chemo or hormone therapy. For me it was 2 ops & 3 weeks radiotherapy. I completed treatment in March 2011, so you do get through it & come out the other end.

Are they suggesting you have your chemo & rads at the same time? Do you have a diabetes specialist doctor/consultant as partof your multi-discipline team? If not it may be beneficial for you to meet with 1 to go throuigh what you can expect diabetes wise.

Have they explained what problems your diabetes could cause with chemo you need to know all the prs' & cons. I understand with chemo they give you a % of the benefit of having it. As you are so young to be going through this, it will effect your risk score. A friend of mine I met when we were both having our radiotherapy was offered chemo due to her cancer being invasive her % was only 1% so she declined, but she is 75 not 28.

The main thing is take advise, have you found the Breast Cancer care site which like this one has a great on-line forum and experts you can go to for advice. They were a big help & support for me with questions when I had my rads. The forum like this 1 can't give medical advise but give an awful lot of support' I found it invaluable.

Your hospital may also have a "maggies centre" who will have volunteers you can talk your fears and concerns through & will support you.

I wish you the very best, I found when going for appopintments etc I wrote down any questions to ask & always took someone with me just in case I forgot to ask or missed the answer.

Regards
Lynne

PS when you start your rads make sure you have the moisturisor they recommend. I was told aqueous cream, but forund diprobase cream ( I got it on prescription) was better, & also aloe vera but the pure version (at least 99.9% Holland & Barrett sell it) was also really good at "cooling you down" after your session.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have been told I need treatment, 4 weeks of radiotherapy, 9 months of chemotherapy and 5 years of hormonal therapy. Now the oncologist said said its up to me whether I have the chemotherapy as its going to be very hard going because of the diabetes and could course some problems. I really don't know which way to turn! Can anyone please help? Thanks Rebecca p.s also I am only 28 years old and on a plus side I am on an insulin pump

Hi Rebecca, welcome to the forum.
Sorry to hear of your diagnoses life must feel very scarey at the moment ((((((hugs))))))))). Re the chemo side effects can you ask your dsn and diabetes consultant how to manage your blood sugars, with this unwanted bonus in your life? I would have thought the hormone therapy would play havoc with numbers as well 😱
The good thing though is you have a pump so that will help no end. If it helps you at all my Mum had breast cancer in 1978 and today she alive and well.
My very best wishes to you.
Sue

 

[Copepod]

Sorry to hear about your news, Rebeccajoy.

As well as discussing with your cancer consultant, specialist nurse etc, do you have any contact with a diabetes clinic team? If so, they should be able to advise about your options.

Also, cancer charities are very good at talking through / advising on treatment options, with helplines staffed by nurses and therapists eg http://www.macmillan.org.uk/HowWeCanHelp/TalkToUs/Talktous.aspx

As SimplesL says, Breast Cancer Care and Maggie's Centres (if your hospital has one) are also good sources of help and advice.

 

[Caroline]

I can't add tot he advice already given, but if you need support we are here. I hope you make a full and speedy recovery.

 

[margie]

Hi Rebecca - sorry that you are having to go through this.

Back in the early 90s a relative was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer - she asked her Dr what he would advise if he had been her mother. She felt that way she would get a better handle on things that way. She is still with us today.

Ask as many questions as you can - some breast cancers are aggressive other are not

As well as breast cancer care there is a support forum at http://www.breastcancer.org/
I had a cousin use that one.

Another site worth considering - you will either hate it or love it http://www.mylifeline.org/ It allows you to set up your own blog - the idea being that rather than having to repeat things over and over again to friends and relatives you can direct them to a site where they can find the latest information. They can leave you messages. post photos etc and there is also the facility to coordinate offers of help. You can get a friend to update it for you.

As others have said try and talk to your diabetes team about the options - they are in the best place to help.

Best wishes for your treatment.

 

[newbs]

Hi Rebecca,

Sorry I can't offer any advice in this respect but I just wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear your news. We are all here if you need us.

 

[trophywench]

You are starting to do the very best thing you can do for ANY condition - ie talk about it! Don't stop.

{{{Hugs}}}