I got my CT results yesterday. My lung nodules have decreased by 1-2mm so this could be due to having the CT at a different city so I will need another in 2.5 months before surgery. I also have a lymph node above my shoulder blade on the other side from where the cancer was/is that is bigger but that could be due to having a covid jab a month ago. So I may need an ultrasound but not heard either way yet. The clip showed up but the cancer didn’t.
We also discussed my op and he thinks I should have a full clearance and not just level 1 so am back to being unsure what to do re that. My cancer didn’t read the book as it’s usually in the nodes not scar tissue. It can jump to level 2 or 3 and can still be treated if in level 3. If less surgery is done more radiotherapy will be done which can affect the lungs. He said the standard is a full clearance when you have a recurrence. So 1 onc says just remove level 1 and the other says remove all 3 levels.
Hello everyone, i seem to have survived having a cough snd cold, feel much better now, but still coughing. I’m hoping it will subside before trip to theatre next week.
@salbert i’m glad the first part of the moving forward course was good, its so nice to meet other people, especially one you have already had some contact with from this thread. Nobody in my group admitted to coming on the forum, but did meet two people i hsd some connection with. It was unfortunate i couldnt go to second session, but Breast cancer now are going to contact me about the next one in March, so i hope to go bsck then. I do feel a bit strange at the moment - pleased the main treatments are over, but a bit scared to come out of ‘bubble’ and on the other hand glad to be able to do normal things and go out and have fun. I suppose it takes time to adjust.
@Linda_Corinne goodness your case sounds complicated. I hope your BCN can help you with all that information you have to digest. At least there seems to be some good news in amongst that.
Penny
@Linda_Corinne that does sound like a lot to contemplate. What a headache to have two different opinions. I always err on the side of go in fast and hard and do whatever it takes to rid myself of it, but that’s just me. Maybe call the BCN on here too? They are available to us and I found them very useful.
@pennyp Glad you are on the mend. What are you going to see at the theatre? Nothing worse than having a tickly throat when you’re in an audience. I hope it’s a loud show in case your cough lingers. I totally understand about coming out of treatment. A bit like being kicked out of the nest and being expected to fly.
I’m off to Mamma Mia - The Party tomorrow. I WILL be posting a pic of my spectacular costume. 
Hi @salbert i’m going to see Jekyll snd Hyde at a small local theatre, could do with something more cheerful really, but going with a group of friends so that will be nice. Going to a gua sha workshop tomorrow with my daughter (no me neither) but apparently its a chinese facial massage with special tool, going to lunch in Haslemere, never been there. I decided its time to try new things so i dont get stuck in my ways. Xx
@pennyp That all sounds fab. I think we could all do with a Chinese facial massage (depending on what exactly that special tool is!) I sometimes meet my cousin at Haslemere as it is equidistant for us and we have a couple of pics of us with Arthur the Bear at the Haslemere Museum. You have a great weekend. xx
@salbert So glad you got along to the Moving Forward course , not unsurprising I guess that there would be some BCN ladies on there ! This site is just invaluable .
What are they suggesting re the heart function ? Apparently Ace inhibitors can help while on herceptin so I’m guessing you might be prescribed one of these … it’s frustrating though when you haven’t felt any side effects .
My oncologist said that if my heart function reduces they will stop after six months … I’ll just have to see what happens .
Well ladies i have just completed my last round of chemo!!! Feeling mixed emotions at minute with relief that it will be the last one and also like a bit of anxiety too. Anyone else feel this way?
Anyway its done its bloody job with the sounds of it and totally melted it away. I feel so proud of myself today!! I did it… i completed 6 rounds and not even had my dose changed or anything 
i did not slap a bench but i rung a christmas bell when i got home hehe.
Im blooming exhausted and off to bed in a bit! Cannot wait for them side effects to bloody kick in 
last time for it all though! Phew.
I forgot to add! I just wanted to ask how many weeks after chemo did you have your surgery? I have an appointment with my surgeon next friday. Thanks 
Congratulations and well done for completing chemo. I know its a great relief to know you have finished that stage snd that the chemo has done its job, but i completely understand the anxiety as well. I think we all go through the whole gamut of emotions at this time. One minute i was elated and the next i had a sense of antoclimax. Its new territory when you start to get past your usual side effects so it is a bit scary. The surgeons usually plan surgery for about four to six weeks after the end of chemo, that is the optimum timebut i suppose some areas may differ. It just gives you time to feel a bit better. So treat yourself in those weeks have cake or whatever makes you happy. You will probably have lots of appointments in the next few weeks to fit in as well. 
Penny
Thank you for the reply @pennyp
They have said the same as me the time frame is around 4 to 6 weeks after chemo for my operation. Im glad its not just me feeling these emotions… like you said i feel a real sense of relief but also anxiety about not having chemo in my system… i do feel a lot happier about my mri results though showing no sign of it which makes the odds even better in our favour! How are you doing now?
Its a weird feeling, you cant wait for this nightmare to be over but also the looming anxiety that keeps coming over me.x
@jeml I’m good thanks, getting fitter. I still have a few residual side effects, but hsve a follow up appt tomorrow with oncologist. Its nice to be able to resume ‘normal’ life but as you say, every now and then amxiety hits you. One of my issues is that whilst in treatment bubble i put aside other problems to the back of my mind and now i have no excuse not to face them, but they are not insurmountable . At least i know that if i can cope with chemo and keep relatively sane i can cope with anything.
Congratulations @jeml you should be proud of yourself.
(no bench emoji, the best I could do).
I had surgery first and then chemo so I can’t comment on the time line for you. I waited 4 weeks after chemo to start radiotherapy as I was totally fatigued. They wanted to start after 2 weeks but I said no, it was too soon. Lucky for me, I then had clear Christmas.
All I would say is be kind to yourself, it can take months to get your immunity back from chemotherapy and you will still be lower than normal with your continuing Herceptin/phesgo. I get the relief it’s all over and it might suddenly hit you what you have actually been through. Make sure you have someone you can talk to about how you are feeling. Obviously we’ll all be here for you.
You are awesome🥰
Aww thank you so much! Being the superstar you are and taking your time to reply to messages. Feeling very emotional and your message actually made me cry. I think i am coming to that realisation already with everything that i have been through, i did not think it would happen this soon but here i am! Had the hardest time of my life and i think mentally it will always stay with me too. I dont want to live my life in fear either but i guess there is going to be them moments that creeps in x
I totally hear this!! We are so bloody strong when you hear about others going through it i always thought ’ wow i could not do it ’ but its amazing what you can do!! My little girl as been a big part of that and i would literally walk to the end of the earth for her.
Have you had anymore scans etc or is it just left now? I lost my grandad after my first round and was poorly so never said my goodbyes and i think now its finally hitting me, his house as gone now and a new family is in it and its propee hit me these last few days. He was my second dad and it was my second home and its all gone. What a shit show of a year!
Sorry for spamming this post! 
but has anyone used any products/oils to help with hair growth? My hair is coming through pretty quickly along with everywhere else which i did not miss 
Would like to speed it up a bit though! Thanks jemma
@jeml Well done on completing that last round !
You did it.!!! Now that hurdle is out of the way it’s a chance to have a breather and recuperate .
I’m not sure on surgery timelines as I had my surgery first but I suspect it will be a few weeks to allow you to recover from the chemo 
I cold capped so kept most of my hair. I did use Percy and Reed Scalp range (shampoo, conditioner and oil/serum).
www.cancerhaircare.co.uk have lots of tried and tested products. You can email and call for a personal consultation. There are so many companies claiming they can are the best for cancer patients but a lot of it is hype and just them trying to make money.
The shampoo range the above recommend is Faith in Nature which is widely available and a reasonable cost. Rosemary range is good for hair issues.
I’ve just been for my pre chemo bloods - slightly stressful as my veins refused to play ball and after several failed attempts she had to go in the back of my hand .
Kasabian in Manchester on Saturday were incredible, I’m so glad I was allowed to go before starting chemo ! My daughters first big concert done so it was nice to have mum and daughter time x
Also my last proper outing with my hair as I’m going to shave it off as soon as it starts to shed
Thinking of you with chemo, its tough but really doable! And it does its job too! And it really does go quickly time… i thought my nurse was just saying it to me to make me feel better but honestly it does go quickly. Keep snacking if you start to feel off it and plenty of rest and fluids. I binged watched a lof of stuff and made sure i watched my fave movies etc as a pick me up! Well i have an appointment come through today about an admission on 6th december! So im guessing thats my surgery as i have a face to face with my surgeon this friday too. Its happening quick x
I have the faith in nature! Thats all i am going to use now 
no nasties etc. I will have a look into the oils etc thank you!
I will look into rosemary oil too! I had a massage a few week ago and the lady mentioned something and honestly cant remember what she said now! X