Anyone in norfolk?

[Guest user]

That is excellent news, you all must be so relieved. Chemo is going well, but now been told have to take tamoxifen afterwards. Life is sooo much fun!!! Liz xx

[Guest user]

Just noticed I never said on this thread how my sister got on last month! She was absolutely fine - they were cysts which the doc aspirated there and then and we were on our way ! All of us just so relieved the fickle finger of fate let us off. Hope you are all doing well xx

[Guest user]

Hi Debbie,

I am so sorry to hear your news, will keep my fingers crossed for your sister.
Love and hugs

Liz xx

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Hiya girls, my younger sister (42) has been to GP today as she has found a lump in her breast. Doc wasn't sure about it so she is now waiting for appt at breast clinic at N&N. Been bawling my eyes out even though we don't know yet and she may yet be fine. She wants me to go with her which of course I will but I am so dreading it. Our poor mum is in a state again - so I know you will all be keeping your fingers crossed for her. Will let you know once we know more x

[Guest user]

Hi Suz,
Sorry for long delay in replying having trouble with the internet and teenagers take priority!!. Mr Figus was my main surgeon and apparently Miss Ali helped, she was lovely when she came to see me, (Mr Figus had gone on his xmas break). Everything is really good, scars are very neat and i am healing well. I had my op on Dec 17th and was up and about fairly quickly. Am due to see Mr Figus again next week for a check up. I am very pleased with everything at the N & N - had a friend who had surgery at KL and is not very happy with her results. Hope everything goes well for you. Please PM me if you want to know anything else.

Love Liz xx

[Guest user]

Hi ya,
Excellent News Debbie & hope to hear the same again in July after your check up.

Liz, really glad to at last hear of someone who has had Miss Ali perform an Opp as this is whom i am having, but was a bit worried as everyone i know has had Elaine Sassoon. You;re obviously pleased with your result which is great news. Would you recomend her?

Suz xx

[Guest user]

Hello all, glad everyone is progressing well - we are getting everything back between us - hair, boobs, life ! LOL - just back from N&N appt with my Onc - all good news - bloods showed no evidence of cancer and he was happy the bone mets are stable. He wants a routine CT scan in June and then see him again in July. Keep posting girls - its great to hear how everyone is doing, love Debbie x

[Guest user]

Hi Suz,
I also found the keeping abreast session really useful, they helped with making my mind up I had MX with immediate DIEP recon, the ladies there explained things that the doctors dont think of. Next meeting is 17th March. I had Mr Figus and Miss Ali do my operation and I am really happy with it (well as happy as you can be in this situation).

Hope everything goes well.
Liz xx

[Guest user]

Hi Denise & girls,
Strange day for me as its my 1 year anniversary from being diagnoised. So much has happened this last year & so glad its all over so can look forward to the future.

Hair growing loads - probably about inch & half, but spike it up so it resembles some type of style!! Eyebrows/lashes still taking there time to come back, but hope they do at some point!

I've got 2nd appointment mid April with Miss Ali & have decided on a LD flap & implant, hoping opp will be Aug/Sept time. If you haven't been to the Keeping A Breast sessions up at the N&N i would suggest going, as you are able to look at ladies who have had reconstruction which i found really helpful. The next meeting is mid March & they are every 2 months.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Love Suz xx

[Guest user]

Hi Girls
God I havent been on here for ages!! Have been busy getting back to normal but thought I would stop by and say hi. Have a very fuzzy head of inch long hair - not funny- and a decision to make about recon too - I have Mr Hussein - Suz have you decided yet?
Hope you are all doing ok
Denise

[Guest user]

Hi Liz,
Good luck with starting chemo - i had 3 fec & 3 tax so know what you're about to go through, but sure you'll be fine. Once you start chemo its surprising how quickly it will go for you.
As for the wigs mine is brilliant, I still wear it as it so cold outside at the moment without it!! I found i wore mine throughout all my treatment & hardly used the scarves i bought as felt more concieous with them on than my wig, but you'll find out whats best for you.

Suz xx

[Guest user]

Hi Liz, will be with you all the way! I did the scarf thing - it was useful but I only ever tied them in one way but at least I found out a nice way to wear them! I think you will be surprised at the wigs - they were surprisingly good and everyone in the big C are really really nice. As before, if you have any questions re chemo please ask away , lots a love debbie x

[Guest user]

Hi Debbie,

Well the chemo is going ahead - i start FEC on the 22 Feb, arranged a wig fitting before that and am going to go to the scarf tying sessions, which i a sure will be hilarious with me, i am such a clumsy clot with things like that.
Hope everything is ok your end.

Love Liz xxx

[Guest user]

Hi ladies,

Sorry to butt in, but although I live in London, I was living in Wymondham when I was diagnosed and had my mastectomy and DIEP recon done by Simon Pain (mx), Elaine Sassoon and Richard Haywood (recon).

A year ago I also had a preventative mx and recon, this time the IGAP - ie the bottom one done by the same people.

I just wanted to say that the recovery from the IGAP was much quicker and less painful than the DIEP and I would recommend it if it is feasible for you. The scar is well hidden under your bottom, well a little bit shows on the side of my thigh but not very noticeable a year on.

I think Elaine is absolutely fab and she has become a friend - I had my second recon done privately so I was able to have it done quite quickly once I'd made the decision to go ahead. I haven't heard of Miss Ali, but I would think if she's part of the team she would be good.

Just one more thing - I really miss Norfolk!!!

All the best to you all,

Love,

Sally xx

[Guest user]

All the best for tomorrow Liz, let us know what you decide to go for - I work in a special needs schools so know what you mean. By the way, not one child spotted my wig last year - even the Aspergers who would have had to have asked me outright LOL! If you do go down the chemo road just ask away if you have any further queries and will try and help in any way. Best wishes, Debbie x

[Guest user]

Thanks Debbie and Suz,

It is a great help to come on this site and let off a bit of steam to people who know what you are going through. Oncologist appointment is tomorrow and I think i have decided to have the chemo treatment - i need to know that i have done everything possible to get rid of this - i need to be able to nag my husband for at least another 23 years, he needn't think hes going to get away with marrying me lightly!!! My daughters are being a huge help even offering to shave off their hair to support me - as if i would let them.
Not sure yet whether i will be going to work, still off after having DIEP op, boobs are fine its the tummy thats still slightly tender and i am still not sleeping well - i work in a junior school and children do not understand if you are a bit snappy with tiredness or that your mind is elsewhere. I am sure that i will as others before me have - that chemo is doable.

Liz xx

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Hi Kelley,
Yes Miss Ali told me i would need to put on weight before i could have it taken from my tummy & as i have just lost all my chemo weight i don't really want to have to put it all back on again! Have been told i could have it from my bum, but that just sounds so painful & recovery takes even longer than a tummy one.

At the moment still think the LD flap is the best idea for me, but that could change once i've done some more research. Its such a big & hard decission to make.

Debbie - my husband said exactly the same thing as you!!
Suz x

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Suz,
I had a diep. Have you been told you haven't enough tummy? If you haven't, you can have it taken from your buttock or thigh. I don't know how many of the N & N surgeons do this but some of them certainly do. I really wanted one which didn't mean losing any muscle. N & N are also the only place I've heard of where they use 2 consultant plastic surgeons at the same time which can halve the time taken. My diep took less than 5 hours.
Kelley

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Suz - I have plenty of tummy flab to spare if you are in need! I could probably help at least 10 ladies out LOL - take care x

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Liz, like Debbie i had chemo throught the summer & didn't suffer to badly with it. I was lucky & wasn't sick but had really bad ulces in my mouth which made it difficult to eat at the time.
Reading your post Debbie brings it all back, but Chemo now seems such a long time ago doesn't it - surpring how quickly you forget what we went through & how quickly afterwards everything grows back & feel "normal" again!
Suz xx

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Hi Debbie,
I'm okay thanks, hair coming back a treat, going to have the ends taken off tonight to try & stimulate it to grow a bit quicker! Have been out without my wig, but its so damm cold!! Eyelash/brows now growing back & have also managed to loose all my chemo weight from the steriods so am well chuffed.
Thanks Kelley for your comments, i have heard that Elain Sassoon is meant to be the best but her waiting list is so long i probably wouldn't have it done with her this year & would really like to have this done this year so not to drag into another year. I'll get in touch with Keeping Abreast - may i ask what type of reconstruction you had? as i'm thinking about having an LD flap - can't have the tummy one unless i put weight on as don't have enough flab there?

[Guest user]

Hello Liz, I had 6 lots of FEC chemo - once every 3 weeks. Side effects are generally nausea (give you pills for this)and tiredness but I managed to work throughout it all - would feel rough only for a couple of days and as my treatment was always a Thursday it was generally over a weekend! Towards the end of the regime I experienced a bit of dizziness (this was due I was told to low neutrophils - linked to the blood I believe? )I tried the cold cap to prevent hair loss but sadly it didnt work for me and lost it very rapidly from day 17 following the first chemo. I must say that I found the hair loss the hardest. (My 10 year old was terrified his friends might see me bald) AS IF!! N&N give you a free wig and it was absolutely fine - Its all arranged through the Big C Centre. My sister and I trimmed the fringe up a bit (some hairdressers will cut and style them for you)I also wore scarves especially on hot days because the wig was rather hot at times and my treatement was all through last summer.Be prepared for ALL body hair going - thats rather strange too! It returned really quickly tho after the last chemo in August, albeit white/grey and curly (on my head lol) and although the onc recommends not dyeing it for 6 months I was desperate and found a natural veggie dye on line called "Naturtint". When I was wearing my wig I had loads of nice comments at how natural it looked but all in all I was very pleased to get rid of it in the end! As to your decision Liz, its a very personal choice whether you have chemo or not. Some see it as a large sledgehammer to crack a small nut but personally I would prefer that - all I can say is its very do-able and life returns to normal pretty quickly x wishing you all the best with your decision - there are plenty of threads on here re chemo which I found useful x regards Debbie x

[Guest user]

Hi Debonair, just read your post about the chemo, I thought when i had by mastectomy and recon that that would be it, then they found an invasive bit, not in lymph node, have got an appt on 27th Jan to discuss chemo, am really unsure, one minute think blast the body and make sure there is nothing there, then the next i just want to get my life back on track, get back to work. Am finding my breast care nurse a little too nice, if you know what i mean. My husband is of the opinion just have the chemo, i don't like feeling ill and have been fairly upbeat until the last few days, not sleeping and worrying, overtired and very very emotional. I know that everyone at the hospital will be wonderful, but i do think the hair loss is going to be the worse thing. Did you go and have a wig fitted or did you wear a scarf? Sorry a bit of a ramble here, feeling a little lost at the moment. Liz x

[Guest user]

Hi,

I had Mr Figus as my consultant, but Miss Ali was there as well, had a DIEP reconstruction and a reduction on the other breast. They are all very good and the nursing staff are lovely.
Hope everything goes well for you.

Liz x

[Guest user]

N & N have one of the best reconstruction team in the country. Mine was done by Elaine Sassoon who is brilliant. I think the whole team are good. I've spoken to one person who had Miss Ali and she had nothing but praise.
Have you contacted "Keeping Abreast"? They are a really good reconstruction support group and will be a great source of information. They will show you their reconstructions and share information about the surgeons who did them. If you google it you will find their website.
Kelley

[Guest user]

Hi Suz, good to hear from you - I didnt have an mx so thats one road I havent got to go down - sorry I cant help. How is the return of your hair going - this is quite a recent photo of me - fuzzy on top and curly at the back ! What's a girl to do eh? Just happy to have some back I suppose. Let us know how you get on with the recon - try googling the surgeon and see what u come up with?? Take care, xDebbiex

[Guest user]

Hi girls,
Hope you are all okay?
Have any of you thought yet about reconstruction? I had an appoinment the other day with one of the plastic surgeons at the N&N to give me my options, but was wondering if you had heard of the surgeon Miss Ali & how good she is?
Thanks
Suz

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Hi Tracey, glad you are recovering well from your surgery. I too was grade 3 and had 6 lots of FEC chemo, during chemo they found secondaries to the bones so I didnt have rads as the onc wants to keep that back in case he has to zap them! The chemo was hard but as Sue says, do-able - personally I was rough for about 4 days after then was able to go back to work. The 5 or so months of treatment passed surprisingly quickly but I found the hairloss difficult. My hair is returning well now and have ditched the wigs and scarves. It is a very personal decision but I felt if the chemo is a sledgehammer to crack a nut so be it - if any other treatments were to surface that might help I would be first in the queue! I found my breast care nurse brilliant to chat to - more on "my level" - it may help to write all your questions down and dont rush your decision. Do what is right for you tho and let us know how you get on. Hope this helps a little and let me know if there is anything else I can do - loads of love to you x Debbie x

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hiya norther bird. i was grade 3 with clear lymph but as i am 32 chemo was advised incase of straggler cells. So i had 5 FEC as I was a bit too poorly for 6th. Its doable and it gives you piece of mind nothing nasty should be alive after it all!

S
x

[Guest user]

Hi girls..
Sorry not been on line since my op, due to moving and no internet!!
My op went well 24th nov, i am recovering very well. Have been to onc today, he has given me the option to have chemo, FEC, although they have removed the cancer, along with both breasts, he thinks I should have some chemo, incase a cell has travelled into my body, my lymph nodes were all clear, because I had grade 3, he thinks it would be a good ldea, I am unsure what to do, would appreciate any advise please.. Tracey.. x

[Guest user]

Happy new year to your lovely norfolk ladies too!!!

2010 got to be better??!

S
X

[Guest user]

Hello girls, just a quickie to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. 2010 will be onwards and upwards for us all I am sure Loads of love xDebbiex

[Guest user]

Hi girls,
Have'nt been on here for a while, but wanted to wish you all a wonderful Christmas & Happy & Healthy New Year.

Who would have thought at the start of this year we would all have been through what we have, but also how great that we have come through it all the other end & can now hopefully look forward to getting fully better & healthy again.

Thanks to your support this year girls - you have certainly made it easier to deal with knowing i haven't been alone.

Love Suz xx

[Guest user]

Hi girls, hang on in there Sue - this is your last week of rads eh? Sounds very sore though but get this out of the way and you will blossom.

Denise, you must be getting through those chemo's now - will you be done before xmas??

Have now been without wig for 5 days and was feeling good until a little autistic boy asked me if I was a man now! Love him ! Seriously, its great to be wig free, it is washed dried and put in a drawer forever, I hope!

Better get back to work, dentist this afternoon, teeth are still a bit crumbly and nails are awful, all ridged still but never mind. Love to all, Debbie x

[Guest user]

hey ladies
Rads truly blows! I hate it. The fatigue is similar to chemo and my poor nipple has split open and everything is sore and red. Thank god only 5 more! grrrrrr
Debs hair looks like mine! In fact you have more than me! I havesome bald spots still but its thick on top and its so much better than being bald!
Suz hows herceptin going?
Denise hows work? Not sure i could work on chemo!

I am the only leach up at the moment. hubbie taken to sick bed again..god men and girls napping as they were miserable old moo moos.

Went to an adoption day yesterday as think that would be a totally worthwhile thing to do as id love more kids. Fab day. Met some crazy people with crazy ideas about babies! mmmmm

anyway, gonna do some surfin

S

[Guest user]

Hi everyone - Debs hair looks great - my leg hair is starting to grow which I think is taking the wotsit as head is not!! Suz glad you are ok - chemo is a drag isnt it but your right - the end is in sight. back at work on Weds after last blast so not too bad but starting to feel well and truly knackered now.
Sue hows the rads going - bet the kids are getting excited for Christmas - its sooo lovely when they are little - but not great when you are being blasted and have to do all the shopping!
D x

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Hi all, glad everyone is chugging along with their treatment. I am no longer a demented badger - had the veggie dye put on this afternoon. Gotta get used to it but think its better than the grey. May even go to work wigless tomorrow ! Wish you could tug the hair and make it longer ! Patience eh? Love to all xDebx

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Hi Girls,
Glad Rads going okay Sue, it will soon wiz by, just a pain having to go up there every day. I saw different people everyday but was in the same treatment room throughout - have you found the same? I found that after i'd finished my skin got a lot redder & quite itchy too & skin under my armpit turned black which has now fallen off & is like new skin underneath. All very strange but not sore now - i'm still putting on the Aequeous cream as find it soothes the skin & area.
Denise - Two left for you - you must be well chuffed - we told you they went quickly!! Hope you're not feeling too bad?
Debbie - hope all's well with you?

I had my 7th Herceptin yesterday & its such a doddel compared to chemo, i'm in & out in 30 mins which is great. Tamoxifen still giving me night sweats so will speak to doc.

We've off to Bath for 3 nights at start of Dec so can't wait - will just be nice to get away for a few days & not think about everything thats happened this year.

Christmas shopping - bring it on!!

love Suz xx

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Denise mine are all at 0935 so you can get some organised life~! Not started tamoxifen as cons wants me to " have a break" whatever that means! I think they are suspicious i had a blood clot and thats what caused the nodule in my lung..who knows!

Poor you. Was never sick myself just felt it..not nice

S

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What time do you get you rads Sue - are they all over the place or do you get a time? I'm guessing all over but live in hope that I may be able to organise a life too!!!!!!!! Have you started the Tamoxifen yet I was told I had that three weeks after the last chemo.
Incidently felt really rough last night which was only made better by a huge technicolour yawn - nice - just thought I would share. Ok today but absolutely knackered - ass is stuck to the sofa!!!!
Thanks Debs - am chalking them off on the board!
D x

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Denise i had palpatations a lot after 4 and 5 and chest pains. They did all the tests and nothing came up so guess it was low neuts and chemo at work. I felty very breathless and shakey at times too..marvellous memories i dont think!!

S

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Good on yer Denise, thats another one ticked off. Havent even thought about christmas shopping yet. My birthday is first week in december and I always wait til that is over before I get into xmas mode! Sue n Suz are getting thru those rads, well done, nearly over xx

[Guest user]

Oh they did the deed - had to have another heart scan just to liven things up as had palpitations but they think it could be the low neutrophils as that can cause it apparently.
4 down 2 to go - then rads - cant wait for Xmas (have started shopping!!)just want this finished.
Hope everyone is ok
Going to sleep off the nasties now!!!
D x

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Helloe ladies
Denise did they do the deed?

Debbie hows things going?
Suz- hows the rads burn going? I am on number 6 and starting to pink up. Am tired too but think its because baby not sleeping well! They do pick their moments!!

Anyway life is dull because of daily rads. Roll on December.
anyone started xmas shopping?

S

[Guest user]

Hi Denise, hope you are ok for the blast tomorrow - your neutrophils can come back up really quickly so fingers crossed there are no delays!

Hope everyone else doing ok - love to all Debs x

[Guest user]

Hello everyone - NB sorry you have had to join us - cant really add much to Debbie and Sue's posts other than to take it one step at a time - if only I could follow my own advice!

Well girls number 4 on Thurs - but neuts are very low so they have said they may delay it by a week - not happy about that but no temp although feela bit breathless and had the odd palpitation sowill see what they say on Thurs.
Hope the rads are not too bad booked in for mine and for a 'taster session' errr might give that a miss and deal with it when absolutely necessary!
Suz and Debs hope you are both doing ok
D xx

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NB I echo debs. Its hard at the beginning but everything, gradually, step by step becomes clearer. Once a plan is in place it starts to wizz by and this site does help. dont read too far ahead and certainly dont read the secondaries stuff as it will give you the heebie jeebies!!
I had a 2.0cm grade 3 tumour, no spread but had chemo- only had 5 as body seriously didnt like it at the end and i am now on rads for 3 weeks.

The big C is good. Ask any questions on here as we are all at different stages!

Debs hows tamoxifen gouing?
Suz u hope my boob doesnt go black!! its itchy at the mo but no big deal.
Denise- hows grotty chemo going? Back at work?

S
S
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[Guest user]

Hi Northern Bird, sorry you have had to join us but everyone on here is very supportive. This Norfolk thread just has a couple of us on it and we are all at various stages but we have all been through ops and chemo, radiotherapy etc. I had my op at the beginning of the year. My tumor was small (1.7mm) but grade 3 which is considered aggressive. I lost some lymph nodes under the arm and then had six sessions of chemo - I finished in August. I managed to work through most of the chemo and found that suited me but everyone is different and you have to do what is right for you. I also have secondary breast cancer in a few hot spots in the bones and take medication for that. Now all my treatment is over I just take that tablet and tamoxifen daily - the medication can depend on the analysis of the tumor - mine was eostrogen positive which is why I am on Tamoxifen. My advice is take it one day at a time - I found the hospital treatment fine, keep in touch with your breast care nurse - they are wonderful and can provide a link between you and surgeons/oncologists etc. and just ask away if you have any questions. We are all here to support each other. It feels so scary at the beginning but we are all getting through it and surviving. I have saw my onc last week and I didnt have any tumor markers in my blood which is what they aim for so I am very happy with that. So deep breath and good luck - you will be fine - dont forget to use the facilities at the Big C as well - I found them really helpful. Lots of love to you and let us know how you progress, bye for now Debbie xx

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I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, having my op on 24th
Nov, at the norfolk and norwich, I am with Simon Pain. Would love to meet anyone in or around Norwich for coffee and a chat, I am
very frightened of all what lies ahead of me.

[Guest user]

Hi ladies,
Debs,brilliant news for you, hope it remains that way too. HOpe you're getting on ok with the Tamoxifen?
Denise - good luck for number 4 next week - you're getting through them!
Sue - Hope you get on okay with Rads, the three weeks do wizz by.

I've finished radiotherapy & it was all fine - my skin has since gone black & bit sore - much like sunburn, so willing it to fade. Hair slowly growing back, but no sign that eyelashes/brows are at the moment. Herceptin number 6 Monday week & tamoxifen okay apart from the hot flushes whilst i'm in bed.

Started slimming world on Monday as desepate to loose the weight put on with the steriods & chemo and am well chuffed as the scales say 5lb lighter today so must be working!!

Enjoy the weekend. Suzanne x