Hello my lovelies…so finally had (nearly) all my results. So far I’m ER+/PR+/Her2- for right breast (12mm grade 2) and ER+/PR- for left breast (10mm) but waiting for the last Her2 result…aarrgghh. If - then it’s surgery/rads but if + will be surgery/chemo/rads, so still something to get my head around if it’s a +.
I was due for my lumpectomies on 13 Jan but wouldn’t you know it, I got Covid so had to have surgery put back to mid-Feb. Spoke to my BCN this week and the plan is now for me to have a HT implant in tummy fat and to start taking Tamoxifen upto surgery date (and once I start the HT they’ll book in my surgery…so hopefully within 2-3 weeks).
This waiting game and the drip feeding of results is torture! I did have a bit of a meltdown last weekend where I destroyed a Yorkshire pudding tin as it wasn’t clean (lol) and ended up jumping up and down on it whilst having a full on crying rage…but don’t worry I’m OK now and can actually laugh about it. Hubby was bemused and even offered to clean the newly destroyed pudding tin haha x
Anyway, I have a question which I hope someone may know please. I’m 53 and have very thin skin on my arms which tears and bruises so easily. I had been using a collagen cream but not used it since diagnosis as I think it may not be good to use as I’m ER+. Therefore just wondered if anyone knows…or if there’s anything else I could use to help the skin on my arms? I also wondered if this may be a link to my cancer as my skin started getting thin around same time as my peri-menopause started and likely around same time the cancers started. Thank you x
Hi CrazyCatLady - I’m so sorry you have got Covid and wish you a very fast recovery, and hope nobody else in your house catches it, or that they are also recovering.
Fingers crossed for your final results - but I totally understand you taking out your frustration/anger/upset on the Yorkshire pudding tin. I did something similar when I was going through treatment - sometimes all feelings just come out, and I had an equally bemused husband! Good that we can now laugh at the episodes - the way you told it did make me laugh.
I’m sorry I don’t know the answer to your skin/collagen cream question - maybe give the nurses on here a call, or perhaps the nurse or GP could advise over the phone? My only comment would be to recommend you don’t go down the route of trying to work out what caused the cancer in the first place. I tried that and I have to say it didn’t help and you are more likely to end up blaming yourself unnecessarily. It’s not clear why some people get cancers and some don’t - obviously there are some lifestyle choices that might make us more likely to get it, but I’m sure you also know people who smoke, drink heavily, don’t exercise etc etc and are perfectly healthy.
I hope you get a new surgery date soon and wish you all the best for it. Do keep in touch and ask any questions. Hugs, Evie xx
well, you don’t make it easy, gallivanting round and catching nasty viruses - it’s a good job you hadn’t started your chemo. I suspect your illness would have meant admission!! But at least it’s out of the way now, we hope.
When I went through menopause, I used wild yam cream, rich in oestrogen and so helpful in giving me an easy ride. However, there are so many triggers for this disease, there really is no point asking about causes - you can’t put the clock back. You may have a breastcare nurse who steers you clear of parabens to avoid oestrogen triggers from now on. My breastcare nurse dismisses the idea as lacking clear evidence (handy since probably 80% of what we use contains these apparently risky substances). But it’s worth breaking in mind the necessity to consult with your b-c nurse about these things.
I was prescribed a cream for intimate washing (but it can be used anywhere) called Epaderm. It’s a very soft emollient. You can buy it at a chemist or on Amazon and it’s a huge container (500ml?). For keeping my scar flexible, I was advised to use Aqueous cream (and through radiotherapy) and I still use it on my scars and my affected arm daily. You can buy tubes from a pharmacy or from Amazon but it’s most economical to buy the tub.
If you bruise easily and use arnica, it’s time to stop the arnica IF you need to have chemotherapy. The NHS officially denies the remotest possibility that homeopathic remedies can work but they aren’t willing to take the chance and arnica is a no-no in case it does a manage to thin your blood. Be ready for many bruises - you can have no idea how many blood tests and cannulations like ahead!!
Good luck with the skincare. Now is the time to make the most of ‘simple but effective’ rather than expensive promises that may not be delivered. I was pleasantly surprised at how good my skin was after chemo, using only Epaderm and Simple Lotion, after many years embracing the Environs range (mug? I liked it). Jan x