Hello @fimac1 Good to hear from you. I have developed Achilles tendonitis since finishing treatment and general aches and my theory is that being flung through menopause and out the other side added to what we go through with treatment, has left me a bit creaky. Nothing unbearable and boobs fine. Definitely a question for your team.
So… tomorrow I am off to Paradise Tattoo in Cheltenham to get my nipple tassel tattoo done on my reconstructed breast. This is the point where I reclaim all this shit show as my own. I am feeling triumphant!!
I was listening to a cancer and the menopause podcast a few night ago, as you do in the wee small hours when you can’t sleep… anyhow they did say that chemotherapy can stop your periods and as such cause the menopause and the marvellous menopausal symptoms. Might explain your aches and pains…
Someone told me a few weeks ago that we are the only mammals that experience the menopause…
Reporting in with a brand new nipple tassel tattoo and to say I am thrilled is an understatement. I love, love, love it! It’s hot pink and red, heart-shaped with tassel hanging down and has a sparkly effect. Paradise Tattoo Studio specialises in post breast cancer tattoos and I had Tanya Buxton do mine. She totally nailed it. I am hoping that Breast Cancer Now will be cool with me posting a pic of it once it is healed. I feel so good to have reclaimed a part of my body that was taken from me and to have put my personal stamp on it. Take that, breast cancer!! I’m sexy and I know it!!
How fabulous! A beautiful sparkling tassel sounds a wonderful addition. I’m really happy that you’re a thrilled. You have reclaimed that breast and made your mark on it.
Have you shown anyone yet?
Whilst I’m pleased to still have mine they are neither use or ornament. No longer a temperature gauge aka the nipometers and they’re as numb as they come. On a positive note, if I were to get tassel envy when I see yours I could attach a couple with safety pins and I wouldn’t feel a thing.
The replacements are quite cool in this weather. I did wake up one night and wonder what the cold thing was touching my arm… be quite nice if I could pop them in the freezer. This heatwave is causing havoc with my hot flushes.
I’ve treated myself to A few things this week… Dani Binningtons book about the menopause and cancer as I need to educate myself before a GP appt in another 3 weeks; eight different coloured extra wide headbands to cover my hairline as my hair is thinning at the temples courtesy of Letrozole, last but not least, a solar powered pump and fountain to put in an old butlers sink. Just hope the sound of trickling water doesn’t mean I’ll have to upsize my containment product
Had my last appointment at the breast clinic. Now on PIFU for 4 years with instructions to check them every month. Tomorrow’s job as it’s the 1st of the month. Bisphosphonate number 3 of 6 next month then final oncology review in October.
The University of Brighton were looking for women who have had BC in the last two years for their research into cancer related fatigue. I expressed my interest and have been asked to take part. I’m struggling with it. Work days are really hard. Much better than I was six months ago but I’m not as I was which is taking some getting used to.
I will look forward to seeing it. I’m still thinking of designs that I want for my tattoo. I’m thinking of having an otter, using the scar as the water line and his head is popping up out of the water.
Reason? Otters have little pockets under their arms where they store their pet rocks that they play with, and my scar under the arm is like a little pocket. Also, my new hair growth reminds me of an otter.
Thanks girls! I KNEW you lot would appreciate my tattoo. I was walking my dog last night and bumped into my best friend. She suddenly remembered I’d had it done and I whipped it out there and then in the field to show her. I do believe a look of slight shock and consternation crossed her brow before she corrected it to a look of delight and assured me it was fab. My husband pronounced it “Quality” and I’m happy with it so that’s the main thing. @mrsjelly Having a numb tit is a definite plus when it comes to having the thing tattooed!! I like the sound of your purchases. If there are any gems in your book, do share. Menopause and cancer have gifted me a thick midriff and I’d love to know how to get shot of it. (She says as she snaffles a bag of Square crisps.)
@Jaygo That sounds like a beautiful artistic design. I always think of you looking like the tattoo profile pic that you have. Am I right? I think of you as a ‘can-do’ woman with a 1940s Landgirl headscarf and a vest that shows off all your tattoos.
We are off campervanning again straight after work today. Got to go while we get the chance. We loved it down by Ford Open Prison so much that we are returning. I’m sure they are all lovely chaps!
@salbert loving that tassel and newly 3D tattooed…..sounds amazing. Way to go! Yay!!!
I want to do the 3D tattooing but hsve to wait for my current tattooing to fade awaythey told me. Lol…..
@mrsjelly you have all my sympathy re fatigue. I struggled at work and in the end I was able to reduce my working hours. I also found my speed of working much slowed……dont think it ever speeded up again tbh…..im old and cranky now and retired 3yrs ago. Loving my new life.
Have they checked your vit D levels? Low can make you very achy. ..I could barely walk.
Good news i finally have ny mri scan date 20th August. So a month earlier than expected.. Hopefully this will reveal all as the symptons are being a pain. Last night I swore someone was vibrating the bed. With the hissing and droning it really does feel like an engine is running!! Now I know thats not the case I think what ever it is should bog off!!
To console myself ive indulged in some retail therapy…..taking advantage of the sad demise of Denby and Radley.. ive got to say though there’s something a tadge off when importing from Denmark 6 denby saucers works out to be a fraction of tbe cost then purchasing from Denby itself (20miles down the road from me ) in its massive closure sale!!!
Another sunny day am heading doen my garden for a read cold drink under my shady brolly. Have a lovely day everyone!
@salbert you are right. I used to model myself on the 1940s/1950s look and I have a wardrobe full of swing and wiggle dresses that sadly I can no longer get into. My famous pink quiff went too. I now look more like an otter than a land girl, but times are a changing…inch by inch I’m clawing back control. x
I’m still tired all the time finished kadcyla January 2026, i just take my time at work and do things at my own pace, come mid afternoon i need a nap, getting back up after down on my knees is a struggle
I will just flag that I suffered for 18 months with bilateral Achilles tendinitis which I was told was probably functional or menopause related. I kept pointing out that was unlikely as it was both ankles and that tendonitis was listed in the Aromatose side effect profiles but was brushed off repeatedly! Eventually I did my own research. It was as I suspected , a direct result of Letrazole. Obviously I stopped the drug but had to use GTN patches to improve blood supply to the tendons to get it to resolve. Which took about 5 weeks in total.
They are just so rubbish admitting to and dealing with the side effects of the treatments they dish out! Thank goodness we have theses support groups. X
@waveylocks Pleased you don’t have ages to wait for the MRI scan. I have my annual scans this week. On Wednesday I have my mammogram on my remaining real tit and on Friday I have my MRI on both sides. This has come around fast. I then have my follow up with my consultant for the results and my penultimate zoledronic acid on Friday 14th August. I’m truly grateful for all this after care and how vigilant they are being but now that I have got on with life again, there is a part of me that thinks ‘How inconvenient!’. It’s a reminder that I went through breast cancer and forces me to pull my head out of the sand in which it is firmly lodged again. We all know I am the master of denial. Enjoy the Denby and Radley therapy!!
@Jaygo You sound very cool! I have a feeling the land girl will return. Give her time. I love that look. Camper van trip was brilliant again, thanks. From this campsite, if you walk one way down the river you reach Arundel and if you walk the other way you reach Littlehampton so we did the latter this week. What lovely beaches they have. We also walked and paddled on Climping Beach which was wild and beautiful. It was so hot that my beautiful little Staffordshire Bull Piglet (Terrier) came charging into the water too and seemed quite surprised as I don’t think she has been in the sea before. We think we have found our new favourite campsite. There is a pub on the site too called The Ship and Anchor and they have live music right there by the River Arun. Blissful.
Hello @bravetreacle1 That’s most interesting that you have the same Achilles business going on. I think that mine are on the mend with my insoles that the podiatrist made for me. I’m still hobbling in the morning and if I’ve been sitting down for some time but I ran down the stairs for the first time in about a year just the other day which was a wonderful thing to realise. Breast cancer and menopause can do one. We will keep fighting back while cutting ourselves some slack at the same time. And hell yeah, these support groups are worth their weight in gold.
@salbert I know that neck of the woods well. My in-laws live there by the Lido. The camp site sounds lovely. An idea for if we ever have to go and see them for longer than one day. I’m too long in the tooth to do the whole sleepover thing. It gives me the ick.
Arundel does have a really good music scene doesn’t it? We’ve seen some good bands there, in particular a band called Pier Pressure. For anyone that lives in that region they’re worth looking out for if you like to listen to songs you know and love in Rocksteady style complete with brass section. We always seek them out if we’re down there. xx
I like the sound of your purchases. If there are any gems in your book, do share. Menopause and cancer have gifted me a thick midriff and I’d love to know how to get shot of it. (She says as she snaffles a bag of Square crisps.)
