February Chemo Starters 2018

[Chrissy68]

Hi miss green,

im so glad to hear everything was clear for you. It’s horrible how you get so many anxieties when diagnosed with cancer. I hope you and your partner are together keeping each other company. You certainly need it at the moment xx

[MissGreen]

Hi Weeburd

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending big virtual hugs in your direction.  I hope you get your mammogram soon as it will be one thing less on your mind.

I've never heard of "someone like me". It's sounds such a good idea. 

Hi Chrissy68

I've been working from home since the end of March. Didn't think I'd like it as I live on my own but I've surprised myself. The 1st twelve weeks when Support Bubbles didn't exist I followed the rules & didn't see my partner. We normally see each other at weekends anyway so it wasn't too bad.  Thank heavens for modern technology as it's massively helped. I did struggle with dark days & nights to start with as I don't tend to go out when works finished but I make sure I go during lunch break.  

Around July/August I had a health scare but the hospital were fabulous. Thought I found a lump and couldnt shift a cough I'd had for months. They didn't dismiss my worries and arranged for ultrasounds and scans. ALL CLEAR. I was so pleased to be wrong lol

Xxx

[Chrissy68]

Hi weeburd,

lovely to hear from you, so sorry to hear about your dad and you now caring for your mum. I hope you get some support for . I had that fight dec 18 it is a right struggle but stand your ground. Have you applied for attendance allowance too?

I wanted to do the someone like me as I used that service and it was excellent but at the moment it’s impossible with my daughter being dependant on me. Did you have to go  somewhere to do your training? I have been doing some volunteering for Rvs during the pandemic for chat ins . 

Hope you manage to get your mammogram done soon and everything will be good and put your mind at ease. 

you look after yourself and hope your mum gets support to. Xx fingers crossed you get the vaccine soon xx

[Wee Burd]

Hi Chrissy and everyone else, happy new year to you all 😊

It's so nice to hear that everyone is coping. It has been such a strange year for us all. I have been able to keep working, some of it from home and some in the office with reduced numbers of staff. It's been stressful and busy but I'm grateful to have the security of a job. 

My dad died suddenly in August so much of the time since then has been spent trying to support my mum (86) who's becoming increasingly confused and finding it difficult to cope on her own. She lives in quite a remote rural area and doesn't drive (and wouldn't be allowed to now anyway) but can't be persuaded to move to somewhere else. We're in the process of getting her assessed and trying to get some support in place for her. It's all been made more difficult with the covid restrictions and delays in services of course. 

I've been volunteering for Breast Cancer Now as one of the Someone Like Me volunteers so have been speaking to a few ladies going through treatment and trying to support them in the way that I felt this group supported me.

Just waiting for an appointment for my annual review and mammogram. It should have been in December but I assume has been delayed by covid. Everything feels okay so I'm focusing on that and trying not to get anxious about having to wait longer for it.

My family and I have so far managed to avoid any covid infections and we're all keeping our fingers crossed that the vaccine rollout goes well and quickly! 

I hope you all continue to stay well and keep safe xx 

[Chrissy68]

Hi miss green,

thank you for your reply. Yes I found this group helpful. Strange in a way as we don’t know each other yet the support offered was amazing and sometimes better than from people we actually knew !

I do hope you are keeping well and not sure if you are working too? So glad to hear Christmas was a good one too. It’s certainly has been a strange year but hopefully we will all be able to move forward. I won’t say it’s been a boring year as I’m so grateful that I’m well to do things. I got Covid in April but fortunately I got over it but was unwell for about a month. I’ve now I’ve joined a research group called siren who look at Covid so hopefully they will get more results to knock Covid away ! 

you take good care of yourself and thanks for replying 

with love Chrissy xxx

[Chrissy68]

Hi flora29

so lovely to hear from you and so good to hear your battle with cancer seems to be winning. It is very strange about the BRCA2 gene did they test her because of her cancer? Your mum is so brave to have all the surgery and chemo bless her I do hope she gets stronger. You have done so well as you have obviously had a lot of stress and not long after your treatment.

it’s funny when you listen to other people’s stories and it makes you realise how strong people we have become. I hope your dad manages his health too as it is a hard time for him too and difficult for you all.

I too have struggled these past 18 months, my 14 yr old daughter injured her ankle and has not walked since. It’s been really hard as she is a teenager but now a disabled angry teenager and sadly she has lost hope . So you can imagine the challenges that have followed. She has a condition called CRPS ( complex regional pain syndrome) and is in constant pain and it has affected her in many ways. She’s had to change school and is wheelchair/ crutch dependant so like you I have had to become her carer as well as my 85 year old mum ( whom I have to say sadly she has not been any support the last 3 years).

But positively, like you I am working I can only manage 3 days so a big cut in wages but we are managing. I have my oncologist appointment on 15th jan so hope all goes ok as last jan 2020 I had surgery for suspected cancer but thankfully it was ok and I’m due a CT for a mass under my breast bone but they are monitoring it and believe that it is the thymus gland that never shrunk away in adolescence! So fingers crossed and hopefully I can have my very long awaited boobie operation ( implant has capsulated from radiotherapy so will be sorted and other boob uplifted as I’m now extremely wonky !! 😀)

Hope you had a good night last night and fingers crossed that the vaccine will help improve everyone’s life. I’m due my 2nd one soon so hopefully it’ll help as my immune system has been affected from chemo and I can’t do my job so well ( no face to face contacts). Hope your teaching continues well. We have been paying for a private teacher for Hannah as she can only manage half days at school. I’m curious as to what you teach ?

Take good care of yourself especially caring for others as its tiring. 

with love Chrissy xxx

[MissGreen]

Hi Chrissy

I too found the little 2018 group so helpful.  Great Christmas had even in these weird times. 

Stay save and stay healthy everyone x

[Flora29]

Hi Chrissy and happy new year! 
Lovely to hear from you and I hope you are doing ok. 

All is fine with me. I had my annual mammogram just a couple of weeks ago and got the ‘nothing of concern’ letter on Christmas week, so that was a nice gift! The WLE has left scar tissue and a marker staple inside, so it is a bit painful when poked or squeezed, but I’m getting used to that. 

My mum (74) has had peritoneal cancer this past 18 months, so has had two courses of chemo, 2 surgeries, and a full abdominal clearance, leaving her with a stoma, but is in the final push now, and although they think it will come back, the treatment should give her a few more years. She’s been found to have the BRCA2 gene, so I’ve been tested again but they still can’t find it in me. Having had BC twice before I’m 50, I still don’t believe I don’t have the gene! 

This year has been about helping mum , especially as my dad is an alcoholic so has had some stretches of poor behaviour, where the drinking has got really bad and mums been recovering from surgery so my brother and I have had to take her away from him (with mums full agreement). She’s now halfway through this last course of chemo, and dad is currently sober, so possibly things are looking up! 

I’ve not stopped work at all, but have been working and teaching from home, online. I quite like it! And saved a ton of money by not commuting. But I realise I’m lucky to be in that position when it’s been such an awful year for so many other people and businesses. 

let’s hope 2021 gets better, eventually. It will, I’m sure of it. 

hugs to all xxxx

[Chrissy68]

Hello to everyone who used to write on this forum. I was just wondering how everyone is? I’ve just read back through the thread and I can’t believe how time has passed and wondered how everyone is coping now. I do hope you are all keeping well especially with the way we are all having to manage with COVID. Hope you’ve all managed to have a lovely Christmas and just wanted to say how much I felt this forum helped me and all your wise ideas and comments were so helpful to me.

[Flora29]

Thanks Wee Burd, I’m pretty certain it is just scar tissue or lymphodema, so I’m not overly worried, but I will get it checked.   Thank you all xxx

[Wee Burd]

Flora, I also have a lump where my WLE was done and got in a panic about it. The BCN got me straight into the clinic, I was checked out and had a mammogram. All was well apart from lymphoedema in the breast and I was referred on to the lymphoedema nurse for manual lymphatic drainage. It was such a relief! Go and get checked! 

Good to hear from everyone. Keep well xx

[MissGreen]

Hi ladies

I cannot believe how far we have all come. I'm so pleased to hear you are all do well (ish) and let things get you down too much.

Flora I love the idea of travelling around in the camper van and yes you need to get the lump looked at. If only for your piece of mind.

Chrissy I most certainly do remember the Hair Bear Bunch lol. Hope the acupuncture works for you so you can get rid of the Tens machine.

WeeBurd I'm glad hear all is well with you. Hope you have a fabulous birthday and lovely time in August visiting Ireland.

I found out yesterday I'm on Letrozole for another 4 years and maybe more. Oh joy. So that means still being injected once a month with Zoladex. It's taken a few months for a BC Nurse  to get the info for me as no one had told me. Too be honest I also forgot to ask when I saw Onc in Jan/Feb. They really are amazing.  I'm mostly ok but struggle with awful flushing and aching joints. Bruise worse than normal too which is daft as Ive always bruised easily. The latter is probably because I'm still on anticoagulant tablets.

I'm 50 in a few weeks and am not looking forward to it but at the same time I'm grateful to still he here. If that makes sense. We've booked to go to Australia in January to see my best friend as part of my celebrations. Cannot wait.

So pleased to hear from you all.

Flora get checked out please 

Xxxxx

[Flora29]

Hi Wee Burd and Chrissy

good to hear you’re both doing well and have some nice things to look forward to. 

Life has been back to normal for me for a while. I had my ovaries removed in Feb/Mar so that I could take letrazole and apart from them trapping my small intestine which needed extra surgery 36 hours after I’d been discharged to correct, and then I got a mild bout of shingles, I’ve been fine!  Well, I say that, but I think I can feel a lump where my WLE was. I am pretty sure it is just scar tissue, but I do need to get it checked. 

We’ve just bought a campervan instead of our caravan, so lots of trips to look forward to this summer. 

[Chrissy68]

Hello weeburd and everyone else,

lovely to hear from you and hasn’t time gone so quick. I am doing fairly well. Still experiencing problems with peripheral neuropathy in hands and feet and pain all around my implant due to capsulation from radiotherapy and of course menopausal symptoms too. I’m using a Tens machine for this and waiting for acupuncture. They are going to start me on Gabapentin and noramitriptylline so fingers crossed it’ll help. 

Im working now 3 days a week which is enough . Fitness is improving and I’m feeling fairly good. Like you looking forward to our long awaited cruise soon , can’t wait. My nails are brittle too and still tender . The lifting has nearly grown out . My hair is sooo thick it reminds me of the hair bear bunch ! Do you remember them ? Memory is better since I’ve been back at work and I do think it has helped me get back to normality.

hope you had a fabulous holiday I’m doing a hot air balloon flight soon so like you trying to do happy things xx

look after yourself xxxx and enjoy lots of treats 

[Wee Burd]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to check in and see how you're all doing.  It's now a year since I completed chemotherapy and was just about to start radiotherapy.  I finished my herceptin in May and am still on Tamoxifen.  Things seem to be going okay, although my eyebrows have never really grown back properly and I still pencil them in.  At least I have eyelashes again, and the hay fever isn't as bad this year, as the little nose hairs have grown back!  I still find my nails are very brittle and I have weird bruises on my legs that came when I started herceptin and don't seem to be going away.  However, I do feel quite positive about life in general and am doing my best to make the most of everything.  My husband is taking us away for the weekend next week for my birthday, and we have a holiday booked to Ireland at the end of August that I'm really looking forward to.

How is everyone else doing?  Hope you're all going from strength to strength.

[MissGreen]

Hi Chrissy

Glad you got it sorted 

X

[Chrissy68]

Hi bibi

lovely to hear from you. So glad you nearly finished herceptin too. I had my first hair cut and dye last week . My hair is really curly and thick too came back very dark too.

i finally had my meeting yesterday with my manager . I wanted to work mon tue wed and She wanted me to work mon,wed,fri to cover the service needs. I wasn’t happy so she has accepted that I work mon wed Thursday the first week and tue thurs Friday the second week . It’s actually worked in my favour as I will have a 2 day weekend followed by the next weekend as a 4 day weekend. But I had to take the matter to her boss and brought into the equation about the equality and discrimination act !

Anyway finally done but roll on the next 4 years and then I can retire !

good luck to everyone keep strong and healthy and certainly enjoy life as much as you can xxx

[Bibi]

Just caught up with all your comments about how you are doing - my first chemo was 1st Feb 2018 - it feels like it’s been a long year! Still having Herceptin injections- weirdly they fall on exactly the same dates as my chemo sessions last year - due to finish in June and feel like that will be a final letting go- well apart from the  Letrozole but hey ho. 

I’m lucky I’m retired so don’t have to face the work issues - your boss sounds horrible Chrissy - hope you manage to sort out your days. Flora hope you recover from your further surgery issues quickly. 

Also have curly locks - I used the cold cap so didn’t lose all my hair - wasn’t expecting the chemo curl but I’ve got it - hair now really thick again but definitely wavy. Trying to get fit and doing lots of exercise - have aches and pains from the drugs but loving life and glad I’m here. Hugs to you all and glad I had your support last year xxxx

[MissGreen]

Hi Flora29

Sounds like you have an awful week but have managed to stay upbeat. I suppose if we can drag ourselves through chemo we can pretty much do anything? ( " note to self -  I must remember this when I feel worried & scared about the future" lol) 

I hope your recovery is quick 

X 

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@Flora29 wrote:

Morning all, and well done to all of us for making it to a year since chemo started.  Hugs for everyone still going through it.   I had my last Herceptin last week so tentatively rang that bell.  

Tentative was right too, as I had my ovaries removed the next day (to be assured I’m post-menopausal and can take letrazole) and then 36 hours later was back in A&E as they had caused a bowel obstruction when they sewed me up.   More surgery and 3 days in hospital but I’m home and fixed now.  Let’s hope that really is the end of it!  

Chrissy, definitely look up the disability laws and reasonable adjustments that should be made for you. Reduction in hours should be a simple thing to comply with.  I went back to full time work after rads in May, save for Wednesday afternoons off to herceptin every 3 weeks. I now have 3 weeks off to recover from this surgery and then back to it!  But I have a great boss, and a brilliant team around me. We all support each other. Could not ask for more. 

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[MissGreen]

Hi Flora29

Sounds like you have an awful week but have managed to stay upbeat. I suppose if we can drag ourselves through chemo we can pretty much do anything? ( " note to self -  I must remember this when I feel worried & scared about the future" lol) 

I hope you quickly recover from the operations 

Xx

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@Flora29 wrote:

Morning all, and well done to all of us for making it to a year since chemo started.  Hugs for everyone still going through it.   I had my last Herceptin last week so tentatively rang that bell.  

Tentative was right too, as I had my ovaries removed the next day (to be assured I’m post-menopausal and can take letrazole) and then 36 hours later was back in A&E as they had caused a bowel obstruction when they sewed me up.   More surgery and 3 days in hospital but I’m home and fixed now.  Let’s hope that really is the end of it!  

Chrissy, definitely look up the disability laws and reasonable adjustments that should be made for you. Reduction in hours should be a simple thing to comply with.  I went back to full time work after rads in May, save for Wednesday afternoons off to herceptin every 3 weeks. I now have 3 weeks off to recover from this surgery and then back to it!  But I have a great boss, and a brilliant team around me. We all support each other. Could not ask for more. 

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[MissGreen]

Yes Wee Burd it has been one hell of a journey for us all. Glad to hear you're doing okay xxx

[Flora29]

Morning all, and well done to all of us for making it to a year since chemo started.  Hugs for everyone still going through it.   I had my last Herceptin last week so tentatively rang that bell.  

Tentative was right too, as I had my ovaries removed the next day (to be assured I’m post-menopausal and can take letrazole) and then 36 hours later was back in A&E as they had caused a bowel obstruction when they sewed me up.   More surgery and 3 days in hospital but I’m home and fixed now.  Let’s hope that really is the end of it!  

Chrissy, definitely look up the disability laws and reasonable adjustments that should be made for you. Reduction in hours should be a simple thing to comply with.  I went back to full time work after rads in May, save for Wednesday afternoons off to herceptin every 3 weeks. I now have 3 weeks off to recover from this surgery and then back to it!  But I have a great boss, and a brilliant team around me. We all support each other. Could not ask for more. 

[Wee Burd]

Hi Miss Green what wonderful news! And how appropriate the timing was. What a year it has been. My anniversary of starting chemo was on 14th February  - Valentine's Day this year was much more pleasant than last year anyway. I'm still getting the herceptin injections so still visit the oncology ward every 3 weeks but it feels very different going there now. I'm back at work full time again and it's tiring but I am trying hard to remember to be kind to myself and not work too late and take proper breaks. I have a much more understanding boss than Chrissy. That sounds awful to be treated that way. Is there some kind of grievance procedure? You should be able to get proper reasons for your boss's decisions. 

Anyway I hope it works out. Glad to hear you ladies are staying healthy. What a journey we've been on and we're still going strong 💪🙌👍

[MissGreen]

Hi Chrissy

Lovely to hear from you too. I only had chemo so worked after each 2 week cycle.  Was on reduced hours up until end of July. In Aug I worked full hrs but started late and made time up with a reduced lunch. From October I went proper hours.  Won't lie it's taken it's toll on me as I leave the house at 6.45am and on average don't get home until 7.  In Nov and Dec I took more time off to recover from Wide Local Excisions. 

Sorry to hear your boss is being less than supportive. You are covered by the Disability Act and always will be because of the cancer. She should treat you in accordance with those guidelines. It might be worth you reading up. 

I have had 2 hair cuts now. Mine came back curly lol. Keeping it short in a pixie - ish style. 

Take care of yourself.

X

[Chrissy68]

Hi miss green

im still here lovely to hear from you.

I too had my first year on 12th feb it’s weird isn’t it and guess what I had my first hair cut today too and dyed . It was really dark and curly and she’s cut it into a pixie cut looks nice.

Are you back at work? I went back on 4th jan done my 10th day but tbh my manager had been vile .

I submitted for flexible working in April when all my annual leave is used up and wanted to work mon, tue, wed ( I was full time before cancer but I’m struggling doing 2 days and they won’t let you do anything less than 3 ). She turned round and said to me I want you to work mon, wed, and Friday ! Feel like I’m having constant battles with her .

anyway hope you are keeping well do you have anymore surgery . Next year I hope to have my up lift done and fat deposits to implant as that had gone bit funny .

you take care lovely to hear from you xx

[MBJ]

Hi Miss Green

What wonderful news for you. It will also help all of us who are in the middle of our experience. Good luck, enjoy life to the full. X

[MissGreen]

Hi ladies

Not sure if any of you are still about? Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of my first chemo treatment. Feels appropriate that today I was told I am cancer free - No Evidence of Disease.

You all made the last 12 mths easier.  Thank you and take care.

Teresa

Xx

[Wee Burd]

Fantastic news Miss Green! What a good start to the New Year. Onwards and upwards!

[MissGreen]

Hi again.

I had a hospital appointment today. It was 2.5 hrs late and only lasted all of 10 min max. However, I'll forgive them as they confirmed the 2nd WLE was successful so there's NO cancer in the surrounding area. Just have a CT scan and Onc appointment in 5 weeks to go through before they can say "no evidence of disease". Got my first Post Chemo hair cut today as well.

Feeling happy

XX

[MissGreen]

Happy New Year ladies. Hope you're all okay and had a fabulous Xmas and New Year xx

[Chrissy68]

Happy new year wee bird hope you had a good and everyone else xx

[Wee Burd]

Happy New Year to you all. Wishing everyone good health and happiness in 2019.

[MissGreen]

Hi

Wee Burd it most definitely sounds like you had a better day than last year. Well deserved too.

Macneech - that's a hard choice for you to make. I chose a Diep back in 2003 and just had enough tummy fat for it. Mine was done at the same time as my Mastectomy. I did need a little lipo after a few months as it was too big but I've never regretted having done. Take your time, if you can? And ask to see photos of the surgeons work. I didn't have the luxury of time but my surgeon showed me photos and it helped me realise I'd made the right decision. Good luck with whatever you choose.


Chrissy - my family and friends are also shocked we don't get regular scans. Because I've had two recurrences now I asked whether my boob would now have regular ultrasounds? NOPE was the response so again it will just be down to my vigilance. It doesn't seem right especially as they didn't show on CT scans. The scan I am due in Jan/Feb is for lungs and chest. Too be honest I want a full head to toe won every 6 mths and I think all cancer patients would.

Like Wee Burd said- thanks for all your support this year. It's trully helped xx

[Wee Burd]

Hi All it's good to hear from you. We have had a rough year. I had my surgery a year ago today and it seems like a lifetime ago. Had a much better day this year with a Christmas quiz and raffle at work, went to my circuits class and then went to the pub quiz tonight!
Miss Green I hope that the surgery has been successful this time. It all sounds quite hopeful. Macneech maybe there are other forums on here that can help you decide what's best to do.
I've been for manual lymphatic drainage for the lymphoedema in my breast and been shown what to do for self care. It seems to be helping although it's not gone away yet.
I hope you all have a peaceful and stress free time over the festive season and wishing all of us the best of health for 2019. It's been a hell of a year and I'll be glad to see the back of it!
Thinking of you all and thanking you for all the support ❤❤

[Chrissy68]

Hi macneech

its horrible to not have any scans unless symptoms when I tell friends this they don’t believe as people think you would have a scan yearly ! So I know how you feel about that.

i had an implant at time of surgery ( mastectomy) which is amazingly 1 year ago tomorrow. I agree with you it’s hard to make decisions. I think looking back I didn’t do research as I should have asked for an expander but wasn’t offered. As a result my SNB showed lymph node spread and then I had to have radio so yes I run the risk of capsulation now.

A lady I met also had implant but she is bigger breasted than me and tbh she’s had uplift other side and hers looks brilliant where’s as I am a lot smaller and I feel it just sits on my chest and is rigid . So I would take that into consideration as no one told me that when I had it done .

i can’t have uplift or anything else now for over a year as I won’t get sick pay . It’s annoying as I would like to just get things sorted now! Good luck with your decision and make sure you research it all . I have since found a reconstruction group which I go to and have learnt a lot . Wish I knew about it before perhaps there my be something like that near you x

[Macneech]

Hi all- I hope you are all going along ok.Miss Green - fingers and toes are crossed for you Good that you are having repeat CTs atleast they will hopefully be reassuring.I have been told that I won't get any further investigations on my affected side unless I have symptoms🤔

I had my appt with a plastic surgeon today - I came out very confused as I thought I would have my temporary implant transformed into a permanent one.It seems I have a choice of a Diep ( I haven't got much fat so I could work on that over xmas!) But I might have to have 2 more ops after to get the shape right.Or I could have an implant that comes with long term difficulties/hardening but will need 2 ops here as well ( needing a saline filled skin stretcher first).I hope the surgeon would say what he thought would be best for me but he has sent me away to think about it - very confused!! Any advice???

Wishing everyone a Happy xmas and hopefully a much better 2019. Xx

[Chrissy68]

HI Miss miss green lovely to hear from you and I’m so glad you’ve had surgery . Let me know how margins go keeping everything crossed for you . 

Hope everyone has a lovely Xmas. I’m back to work 4th jan dreading it and would rather retire but I’m too young ( but don’t feel it now ) 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS XXX

[MissGreen]

Hi Ladies

How's everthing going with your radiotherapy, hair growth, lymphedema etc? Getting there I hope.

Had the re-excision of my Wide Local Excision yesterday. Pretty much slept from 8.30pm to 7.30 am this morning. Still feeling tired and now the anaesthetic has worn off I feel uncomfortable but that's to be expected. At least this time I don't have to worry about having a drain in. Now just the dreaded 2 week wait to see if the clearance is good. Last time they got 0.8 of a millimetre and they need 1mm. Who new the margin only had to be that little?

Also, this week I have had an appointment with Oncology. The apt went well. Was worried I'd need more chemo as tumours that were removed 6 wks ago were grade 2 & 3 but I don't. Having a CT beginning of Feb which will be about 6 mths since my last one and I hope I can finally say Woo Hoo "no evidence of disease".

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas and New Year. I think we have bloody well deserved it.

Xx

[Wee Burd]

That's my hair from before the chemo took effect! I had just had it cut from shoulder length. It got really thin and patchy during the treatment. It's coming in quite thick again now - and also surprisingly curly! - but mostly grey. I'm going to get it coloured again on Tuesday as I don't like the way it has aged me.
It's reasonably easy to add a photo on here. The instructions were quite easy to understand even for a technophobe like me!

[Macneech]

Yes - thank you Wee Burd I think I will.I noticed your picture - all that hair! Mine is similar but still unruly.I have had 2 tiny trims to try and get some control.I am still wearing my wig out and to work.

Was it easy to get your picture on here? I  will have a go. X☺

[Wee Burd]

Hi Macneech I didn't have an implant and don't need reconstruction - my boobs are slightly uneven but not so much that it's noticeable when I have my clothes on. Maybe that will change after the manual lymphatic drainage if the swelling goes down!
I hadn't realised that radiotherapy could give me swelling either. I also hadn't realised that it was classed as lymphoedema- I had thought that just affected the arm. Probably someone explained it at some point but it didn't stick in my head!
If you've got the option of massage treatment it's probably worth taking up even if it's just for the relaxation.

[Macneech]

I forget Wee Burd - did you have a temporary implant like me? I seem to be getting more tender and I have a bit of swelling by the evening. I thought the pain is from where the nerves are tuning back in - it was numb all across my implant ,under my armpit and around to my back before.I thought the swell8ng was something I would have to put up with- lymphodaema.I didn't appreciate it could still be an after effect of the radiotherapy. 

I had some muscle twitching in my shoulder towards the end of the treatments which was annoying but that's gone now.

I wonder if I should make use of my  Haven sessions and have some massage/lymphatic drainage??

I have had my radiotherapy follow up but didn't achieve much from that.I asked the oncologist about recurrence and he suggested I looked at the Predict website on line.This was a bit scary and didn't take into account the radiotherapy😞

I  have had to refer myself back to the surgeons for permanent reconstruction. My BCN sorted an appointment for this really quickly - (next Thurs) but I appreciate they won't do any surgery until atleast 6 months after the rads.

Hope everyone is doing ok.Thinking if you Miss Green - we have all become expert patients! Xx

[Wee Burd]

Hi Miss Green, hope the next surgery goes well and with a quick recovery time. It sounds like it's all hopeful anyway.
I did get my mammogram results back - all clear thank goodness although there are changes due to surgery and oedema from the radiotherapy. The BCN is going to refer me to see if I would benefit from manual lymphatic drainage to reduce the swelling. It's a relief to know there's something that might be able to relieve it as it's been getting increasingly tender.

[Chrissy68]

Hi miss green I will keep fingers and toes crossed for you and hope it’s a day case too. Thankyou for letting us know x do you know when the next op will be xx

[MissGreen]

Hi lovely ladies

Got to have another operation 😔. They cut out the 2 remaining cancers that chemo couldn't shift cancers which is good but they didn't get the clearance they need. Got 0.8 of a millimetre rather than the 1mm they want. Who knew that's all they need to start with? This time round it will be less invasive so no guide wire needed and doubt I need an overnight stay. I'll pretty much be up for anything to try and stop me having a 3rd recurrence.

WeeBurd - have you had your results back yet?

Xx

[Chrissy68]

Hello everyone hi miss green hope you are doing well and recovering .let me know how your results go.

macneech I hope work is going ok for you. My hair has got really thick and so dark I looked like action man at first but it’s looki ng really scruffy looking now but I don’t want to cut it !.i have bought a wash in out /dye but worried to use it .

The moving forward course was very good and worth going to. Mine was a distance away and I travelled on the train there took me about 1.5 hours but would have took much longer to drive . In fact next week I’m going to the same place to meet the ladies and have lunch .

hi weeburd I think it’s normal to feel how you are. I will be a year on 21st of dec and it’s very emotional. I went to my cancer centre yesterday and have met a lovely bunch of ladies and listening to them makes you realise that most people feel anxious about reoccurrence. In a way I find it reassuring knowing I am not going mad have you got a group you could join as talking to others really does help. Unfortunately I think a lot of family and friends think you should be back to normal and get on with it but that is so difficult sometimes but being with those who truly understand does help immensely. 

Thining of you all xx

[Wee Burd]

Hi everyone. Glad the surgery seems to have gone well Miss Green. Here's hoping you have a good recovery.
I've had a bit of a trying week as I thought I had felt a change in my breast and the skin was looking a bit odd. Phoned the BCN and was told to come into the breast clinic. Saw the consultant and he reckons the changes are still the effects of the radiotherapy that finished at end of July. I was so relieved. Was sent for a mammogram and waiting for the results.
I thought I was recovering pretty well but it just sent me back to the start! It's just over a year since my diagnosis and it's been quite an emotional time. How are you all coping these days?

[MissGreen]

Hi Macneech

The op seemed to go well. Off work recuperating. Get results next week.

I haven't had my hair cut yet, 22 weeks since I stopped chemo, and it's gone a little curl. Good old chemo curl lol.

Xx

[Macneech]

Hi Miss Green - I hope your surgery went ok.

Chrissy - how did you get on with your moving forward course?I was interested in this but our nearest one for Portsmouth is Kent!

My hair like you is curly on top and very unruly😞I am still wearing a wig at work as can't do a thing with it!! I have dyed it a couple of times with no I'll effects.

Hope everyone else is doing ok xx

[MissGreen]

Hi Chrissy

Sorry just re read my last post and realised it wasn't clear. Sitting at the hospital as I type this. Need to get a wire inserted into my boob to help surgeon as the remaining tumours cannot be felt. Got to wait around until this afternoon for the op.

I am so pleased your Occupational Health meeting went well and now your boss will have it in black and white that you need to take your time in getting back to work full time xx