Sorry for the triggers. Totally understand. I went to the chemo unit for a blood test and felt same.
Sounds like injections not too bad. Fingers crossed.
Take care xxx
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Hello Ladies,
I hope you are all well. Haven’t been on here for a while as I have been trying to keep busy.
@rachel60 OMG! glad you got over your meningitis. You are indeed unique. Hopefully no more blips 
@Jess_1 well done for the mammo result. I managed to avoid the Zoledronic acid - discussed with my onco who said will be negligible benefits for me.
My first mammo in November so will be apprehensive closer to time.
@Artylady - so happy you finished Herceptin. I have 3 more to go can’t wait. I shall mark the end of 23rd September with a nice celebration or the weekend after. I would like to see if the aches and pains will go away after.
@naughty_boob the race for life went well - thanks - managed to collect more money on that day itself. It was very emotional and had a cry at the end 
(there was a sign saying ‘you are all heroes’ which set me off - but we all are! ).
How are you getting on with the vaginal oestrogen - I heard it on the menopause and cancer podcast and they say some people are using it on their face too to prevent wrinkles 
. Is it good? Where can you get it? Is it potent enough to help the aches and pains? I feel it’s the lesser evil as compared to other HRT.
I am trying to keep busy - to avoid thinking about tomorrow and live in the present. I went on a hike with the ladies in my strength training group today. We had a great time.
I am getting soreness on my left breast like bruising on the rib at the side and underneath - possibly radiotherapy related? It twinges now and again. I am also doing upper body strength training might be that?
Anyway take care you lovely lot - enjoy the summer especially if you have holiday plans. Let’s all try and stay as well as we can physically & mentally 
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Hi all
I’m now 7 weeks on from starting vaginal oestrogen and I can say it’s made a huge difference. No longer sore, itchy or in pain.
I followed the advice to use everyday for 3 weeks and then twice weekly. I still use moisturiser 3 times a week and lubricant when needed.
The Fezolinetant/Veoza has also stopped nearly all of my hot flushes, I’m definitely warmer than before and when I do get a hot flush it just a slight increase in temperature and pass quite quickly. My sleep is improving but I do notice my aches and pains can wake me or I get cramp. I find moving nd stretching helps more with the aches and pains. If I sit too long and get up I look like an 80 year old woman hobbling for a few steps until it eases.
First annual mammogram and a 3 week wait for results to be told it’s all clear. Yay! I’ve just had my second to last Herceptin, last one 12th September. It’s been a long year.
Hope you are all well 
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@naughty_boob
So good to hear about effects of oestrogen for you. I too feel like 80 year old when I get up from sitting too long or when I wake. I think WD40 would be good 
.
I exercise daily - I strength train, walk 10k most days, and do yoga alternate days. My non negotiable. It’s so easy to just have a ‘lie-in’ (going to gym before I start work) and de-motivate myself so I give myself a good talking too and I feel great after.
I was so excited as I finally get a face to face with my GP on Tuesday (I have not been spoken to since my diagnosis May last year). I will be speaking about HRT etc.
So happy for your mammo results, stay well and not long before your last Herceptin. They made you wait 3 weeks for results? Mine is early November but I have holiday plan to see my family so I won’t be waiting for results before I go - they’ll just have to wait for me to come back if they wish to recall me . I need to see my family.
I watched Amy Dowden’s cancer story and it all came back for me but happy she’s doing well too and may be back for strictly next month. Her hair looks nice too. As for our Princess of Wales (she’s lucky to not have lost most of her luscious locks). My hubby said she had the premium stuff 
. Good for her.
Also read that a book about our former 45 day PM Lizz Truss, mentioned that she considered scrapping cancer treatment on the NHS to pay for tax cuts ! Mental!
Where would we all be today?
Ok - I hope you are all doing well mentally & physically and thank you for sharing your experience and support 
xx
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@Dhillman so lovely to hear from you.
I heard about the Amy Dowden doc on This Morning and one of the clips showed her having her cold cap. I started shouting at the screen as they were putting both caps on at once and there was a clear bulge at the top of her head.its not surprising she lost a lot of hair on the top. It doesn’t look good for the Paxman company, but I used it after watching videos on www.coldcap.com and www.cancerhaircare.co.uk and I kept most of my hair with two small patches. Had the nurses put it on correctly she might not have lost so much of her hair. I started to watch the doc that evening and had to stop after watching her family getting upset, I think only lasted 5/8 minutes. I feel that it is still raw for me as I’m still having Herceptin. Maybe later in September when I have had my last injection I will give it another go. The one thing I hope the documentary does it for all those people who have let down a cancer patient by not supporting them because they felt a bit sad or couldn’t cope with your diagnosis. It’s not them that it is happening to, they need to put their feeling aside and support the person actually going through it. It made me think of sending a text to my so called friend of 20 years who didn’t think there was an issue when she only texted 5 times in over 6 months during my surgery and chemo. I haven’t bothered but I hope she watches it and realises how she let me down.
Liz Truss, don’t get me started. My husband told me about this and he was furious. How dare she! I’m sure all of us are so grateful to the NHS for all the treatment we have had and realise had we lived in the USA it would have cost a fortune. We have to remember that all working people pay taxes and national insurance that funds the NHS so it’s not totally free.
I like the idea of a WD40 for our joints, it reminds me of the tin man I. The Wizard of Oz. You sound like you are doing well and I’m so pleased for you. I agree the exercise is so important but I still do have days when I struggle to get out of bed. Hopefully that will improve once my Herceptin finishes.
Going away while waiting for your results is a good plan, I did the same. Being busy meant I didn’t think about it until I heard the results.
Wishing you all the best
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Hello! How are you all doing? Life settles a bit - different but ok. Hope you are too
Xxx
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Hi @rachel60 im enjoying my early retirement/redundancy. Got lots of jobs to do that didn’t get done over the past year and some volunteering. Surprising how my week fills up.
How are you?
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That is great news. Sounds like positive changes! I gave up my job, spent good summer relaxing after my blip and now think what is next. It has to be fun!
Xxx
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Yes exactly. Life is too short to do something you don’t like.
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Hello All,
Just saying hello and hoping you are all doing well and thriving. Also enjoying some walks in the autumn sunshine.
Aside from eating well, exercising, working etc I have done some crazy charity things like trapeze for McMillan charity, race for life, sustainable fashion modelling and winning an 80s dance comp (proceeds to CRUK). YOLO!
My first I year breast scan post all the treatment is on the 4th - wish me luck.
Trying not to worry before the event.
Take care all xx
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Hi @Dhillman
You sound like you have been very busy. I’ve just completed the 100 mile walk for October for BCN but managed to do 150 miles.
I’m increasing my exercise and continuing to volunteer for BCN and the local foodbank. I started Nordic Walking with Penny Brohn it’s gentle enough but uses 90% of your bodies muscles. It’s been nice meeting other’s regularly who have also had a cancer diagnosis but we rarely mention it. The lady who takes the group is local to the area and shares lots of facts and history.
I’ve continued to have physio on my neck and chest wall, I went to the GP to get Naproxen to help as paracetamol and ibuprofen gel wasn’t working. It was suggested I have an MRI which I did last week and now waiting for the results. I’m hoping it’s just getting older. I spoke to my breast care nurse who said with my diagnosis it isn’t likely to be anything sinister but it doesn’t stop you worrying.
Be thinking of you on the 4th, scanxiety is real, it would be great if they told you there and then but many of us have to wait weeks. I hope your results come through quickly.
Hi to everyone else. Hope you are all doing ok.
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@naughty_boob
Hello,
Sounds like you have been busy too. It’s really nice to continue to find support/get support from fellow BC experiences. You don’t have to say or focus on the disease but there is a quiet knowing, an understanding of what we have all been through, going through etc. it’s like a secret club of ‘gentle head (boob) nod’ to each other a 
.
Hope your MRI turns out ok. Every little ache, twinge, itch, pain etc will continue to worry us until whenever. My left breast has been spasming at times, tender and at times heavy pressure felt. It might be due to gym work. It’s also almost a year to surgery date.
Anyways …
Love to all and keep up the good work of staying healthy and keep warm and cosy xx
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Pleased you are doing ok. It’s an odd post treatment feeling isn’t it.
Just back from my 6 month check with surgeon and all is good. One year tomorrow since I ended chemo.
Hope you and our group are all doing well.
Xxx
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@Dhillman I hope the 4th went well and hope you get your results soon. Anniversaries are so hard. This week is a year since I was hospitalised for 6 days with infection/temperature. It’s so hard to think how poorly I was. I hope the spasms in the breast have subsided, if not maybe call your breast care nurse just to ask. No harm in double checking.
@rachel60 Glad your 6 month check went well. Another anniversary to think about tomorrow. I hope you have a good day and think how far you’ve come.
I had my MRI results, good news nothing sinister but I have 2 bulging discs in my neck and some arthritis. They are classed as pre prolapse ( or pre slipped) discs, need pain relief, continue with physio exercises and generally try to strength the neck and upper back. I’ve started swimming so hopefully that will help.
I hope everyone else is doing ok.
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Hello,
@naughty_boob - thank you for checking up on me. I have had a few stressful days as after the 4th, they called me back on Thursday to examine my opposite breast for 3D image and us scan. I went today, all clear for both breasts (phew). I didn’t tell anyone I had a call back. Just as well as I am flying on Friday for a holiday. I can now relax.
Sorry to hear about your cervical disc issues, hopefully Physio will help you.
@rachel60 so pleased about your scan result too.
Both take good care and all of you brave ladies on here - keep well xx
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So very pleased you are ok. What a relief and you can enjoy your holiday xxxx
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So pleased all your results were ok and have a great holiday.
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