Starting chemo October 14

[Junash]

Hi all, hi Bexter

Hope the anti b's are kicking in and you're feeling better - these wobbles and worries are awful!!

Please keep us posted and welcome to the posse xx

[Linzz]

Hi Bexter77, nice to meet you, and sorry you find yourself having a wobble.

Good luck for your scan next week - hopefully the antibiotics will have kicked in and begun to resolve things before then in any case xx

I wonder how many others are out there following the Posse's escapades? Lurkers - make yourselves known!!! We're a friendly bunch - as you must know by now!

[AMDriver]

My goodness me - someone who started chemo in October 14 and hasn't been in hospital - a rare person indeed! Welcome Bexter77 -  nice to get to know you.

Hopefully you will get some reassurance next and go off to have a fab holiday in the sun - I am not at all jealous

I hope everyone else is doing ok...

xxxx

[Peta]

Hi Bexter

It's lovely to meet you after all this time, welcome to the group.  🙂

I had a lumpectomy too.  Since then I've had five infections that all seem to have started from the dissolving stitches that are inside my boob, not outside.  Two of them have resolved themselves by turning into an obvious absess - both times I went to the doctors and got antibiotics and dressings and they cleared up very well.  Another three times I've had the same sort of thing but it just became sore and inflamed (the last was about 2 months ago, so that's 9 months after surgery) but then settled down on it's own.   When the area has been swollen and inflamed it did make the pores on my skin look really big.   I was surprised that the allegedly 'dissolving' stitches hadn't dissolved, but the doc said they can take up to a year and my body was just getting irritated by them.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things, I hope this sets your mind at rest and you get it all sorted soon.   Have a great holiday and come back and have a chat with us soon.   xxx

Peta

[bettypoppit]

Hi Bexter77, that's great news you have been squeezed in for a scan next week. I'm one of the 'lucky ones' on this thread....no mastectomy, cancers found really early, clear margins - but had micromets in the SLN biopsy...hence chemo. Despite this positive I've still had an emotional rollercoaster ride....we've ALL got that 'monkey on the back' now! You are sounding more positive.... well done you. 😀. x

[bexter77]

Morning everyone, 

Yes, this thread certainly has legendary status.  Whenever I was feeling low or hard done to, I'd have a read and give myself a slap as i was quite fortunate with side effects and never ended up in hospital!  In fact, i was pretty fortunate overall.  I found the lump very quickly, there was no spread, I had clear margins and no lymph node involvement, i didn't have to have a mastectomy etc etc ....it all could have been so so different....I think this is why i'm super vigilant now, so that if it happens again, i find it quickly!!

So - update - after speaking to my consultants secretary and my doctors again this morning, i've gotten through to a BCN who, in lightning speed, has got me an appointment for next Wednesday....it's the earliest one they have.  I'm happy with that and can manage for a week (I think!).  I am usually the most positive person there is.  I was the one comforting others when i was sharing my news (which i'm sure you all did to). Positive mental attitude, a smile and a "let's do this" focus goes a long way and helped me massively.  I just think that i believed i was all done and could move on, but actually i've just turned into a paranoid wreck! I'm trying my best not to worry and I did always say that i would be much happier after a follow up scan (which wasn't due til September) so i should be grateful i'm getting it earlier i suppose.  At least i will be able to enjoy my holiday and relax.  Fingers crossed it all goes well!  

Thank you for all your positive thoughts and hugs xx

[Debtex]

Hi bexter . We didn't realise Oct 14 posse had become a thread legend ! Hope you are ok , you sound a bit stronger in your latest post . Sending positive thoughts out to you xx

[LainieG]

Hi Bexter77. So glad our wee group has been a support for you. We are a happy posse despite all the ups and downs and it's always good to welcome a new member. Re your swollen boob. I have a similar problem just now tho my situation is slightly different. I had a double mastectomy last July and I have tissue expanders. Recently my boob has swollen and I've been told its a seroma, a pocket of fluid. I've been on abs like you in case of infection and I'm having an ultrasound next week to check and then drain it. It's not serious and some of the others have had them and they reassured me. I don't know if it's the same as you have but good luck and I hope you have your scan soon and have your mind put at rest. Sending hugs xx

[jingo_x]

Hi Bex and nice to meet you. I haven't had the same as you but I did find a lump after chemo and went via the BCN to get me seen quickly for an ultrasound. To be honest it never entered my head to go to the GP, so not sure how much longer that might have taken! The heat and the swelling sound like an infection but if ABs don't help then maybe try contacting your BCN to see if they can fit you in quickly and before your holiday.
Fingers crossed it resolves itself anyway and you can put your own mind at rest very soon!

[bexter77]

Hi both! Thank you so much for being so welcoming! 😊 I called the Breast Clinic today and was told they needed the letter from my GP so called the GP and had them fax it over...then called the clinic again and apparently my appointment has been sorted but they couldn't tell me when it was. I need to call back in the morning so fingers crossed it's soon. I got myself all in a tiswas this morning and ended up crying all over a colleague...turns out my expensive Maybelline mascara is not as waterproof as advertised!! 🙈🙈🙈

Feeling more positive this evening and will be doing my best to remain that way!! X

[bettypoppit]

Hi Bexter77 and welcome....it's good to hear that you have found our postings useful and amusing.  The October Posse rocks 😀😀😀. 

I'm sorry to hear that you are having extra problems at this stage. I agree with Murphy, it sounds like an infection so fingers crossed the ab's will soon start to sort it out. I too had wle's in August and healed well. However since rads in Feb/march, my boob is more tender, a bit weird looking around my nipple area and a bit lumpy. I've been told by my onc that this is normal and will settle in time - but it will never be how it was or feel the same as my other boob 😕.

Anyway, I hope your scan appointment comes through quickly. Let us know how you go on. X

[Murphy1963]

Hi Bex, welcome to our group. I'm glad we have helped you get through your treatment and given you a giggle along the way. I'm biased but I think this group is fantastic, and we've certainly had more than our fair share of ups and downs over the months.

I'm sorry you are having another worry and you are doing the right thing getting it checked. I have vowed I'm not going to be shy about anything at all I am worried about - I'll be on the phone, however big or small.

I don't have the swollen boob like you, but my boob is still very tender and just feels different to my other one. I had my WLE is August and finished Rads end of January, and I think it takes a while for it all to settle down. It certainly sounds like some sort of infection, given that the area is hot. Hopefully after another couple of days the antibiotics will kick in and you'll get some relieve.

I hope your scan appointment comes through quickly so that you can get peace of mind before you go on holiday. I'm away to Turkey in two weeks time and I really can't wait. It's a big family holiday that was booked just after I had my op (when everyone was feeling sorry for me!!). I think we're more than entitled to a good holiday after all we've been through.

Sorry I've not really been any help, hopefully another member of our posse know something more. Keep posting though and let us know how you get on.

<<hugs>>

[June_BCC]

Hi Bexter77

Hope you can see the post ok now.

Bestv wishes

June

[bexter77]

Hi June, thank you for this - My post appears to have disappeared! haha - I did edit it slightly. Is that why?
Thanks! Bex

[June_BCC]

Hello Bexter77

Welcome to the forums, I’m so pleased that you are finding them helpful.

Whilst waiting for replies to your post maybe you would like to give our free helpline a call where the staff can offer practical information as well as emotional support.  The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

Best wishes

June, moderator

[bexter77]

Hi everyone!  This is my first post on a forum, even though I’ve finished treatment (for now at least), albeit i have another 9 years and 9 months of Tamoxifen to take!  I need advice, reassurance, and some straight talking and I thought this would be a good place to go…I've always followed this thread as i started my treatment in October, although i didn't post anything - i did get support, some cries and some giggles from reading everyone's posts.  What a group this is!!  The other threads even speak of this group and they can't believe some of the traumas that have been faced!!

I was first diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast in August 2014. My lump was 18mm and a Grade 3. I had a lumpectomy and 4 lymph nodes removed, all of which were clear and I had clear margins.  6 rounds of chemo (3 x FEC and 3 x TAX) as well as 15 rounds of radiotherapy later I finished my treatment on the 2 April and rang that bell like no bell has even been rung before!! 

Now, a couple of months on, I found myself at the docs with a swollen breast (same breast as cancer site).  I had noticed it was heavier and larger than the other and felt like a water balloon.  It was also a bit hot. The doc has given me antibiotics as he believes it is an infection, however he has referred me back to the breast clinic to be absolutely sure.  I’m due to go on holiday very soon so am desperate to get this scan done as soon as possible so I can either be relieved or prepare for another fight.

At the moment, after 2 days of antibiotics, there is no improvement.  I feel a burning where my scar is through to the nipple area, the area around the nipple looks quite large but flat, if that makes sense, and either I have very large pores or there is some dimpling going on.  I’m petrified it is inflammatory breast cancer (stupid bloody Google).  Is that even possible so soon after the treatment finishing?

I just wondered if anyone out there had experienced something similar?  All good news stories and bad news stories welcome!!  I don’t want to burden my friends/family with this if turns out to be nothing, so I’m reaching out to people that will understand like no other people can.

Thank you, 

Bex

[LainieG]

I saw the plastic surgeon yesterday and found out that not only has my right breast swollen but my left implant is leaking lol! You couldn't make it up. Had to have it inflated and now both are roughly the same size. I'll be lopsided again when they drain the seroma on the right one. Have to laugh. It really is quite funny to see. She also told me I can't have the fat transfer reconstruction now either. I'm more prone to blood clots now that I've had them so ops are more risky and the fat transfer involves several ops so it's permanent implants for me. I'm a bit disappointed because I liked the idea of having only my own tissue but I can't say I'm sad about having only one op. Hope everyone is ok. Thinking about you all xxx

[Peta]

Linzz that's absolutely great news.  🙂

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the nicer, warmer weather!  xx

[nicnac15]

Linnz that's fab news what a relief so pleased for you xx
Junash I've asked for my results when I have my followup appointment with onc on 30th June I'm going on holiday tue and didn't want the results till I get back !
Lainie so pleased for you too that it's a seroma I had one of those after my surgery like Junash says painless and relief is instant. Xx

[bettypoppit]

Linzz that's really great news, a worry gone xx

[jingo_x]

Thanks Murphy, I heard about the Femara thing but I have been given Accord so will see how I get on with those! I have been lucky on Tamoxifen so hoping for more luck with letrozole as well. Would hate to have sore feet as walking everywhere is my main source of exercise these days. Better enjoy the next 3 weeks before I start!

[Murphy1963]

Yay, Great news lainie and linzz, phew!!!!

Jingo, I started on a generic letrozole but I was having all over joint pain. My oncologist had said to give it 6 months and if I was still suffering I was to be put on another AI. My thinking was letrozole is the best so asked my GP if he would prescribe a brand called Femera. I didn't think he would go for it because of the difference in price (pharmacist confirmed generic is less than £5 per month and Femera is £90 per month) but he did and I've been taking them for 4 weeks now and have noticed some improvement. My biggest se is really painful feet, especially around the edges. The more I keep on the go the better it is, although too much walking really hurts my feet, so it's just trying to get a happy medium. My mum has been on letrozole nearly 2 years and although she is stiff she doesn't have the joint pain, so hopefully you will be lucky too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you xxxxx

[Linzz]

Yes jingo, a slice of good news for everyone is what's needed

Thanks eveveryone for your good wishes and positive thoughts. It makes such a difference.

[LainieG]

I really hope so jingo xxx

[jingo_x]

Great to see some snippets of good news on here...hope some of it rubs off on the rest of us! xx

[LainieG]

Linzz that's fantastic news!!! What a relief for you. The back trouble will be easier to bear now you know it's nothing sinister. So pleased for you xxxx
Thanks ladies for the reassurance about the seroma. I'm so relieved it's nothing serious that I'm not even worrying about having it drained. (That from the needle phobic lol) xxx

[Junash]

Linzz that's brilliant news as well - phew. Sorry that you've got back pain but knowing that it's nothing sinister hopefully will make it easier to control.

Nicnac any news on your MRI?

Xx

[Linzz]

Oh heck Lainie! Glad its "just" a seroma though. Nasty things to have, but as Junash says the relief on draining is immediate. Mine refilled to an extent then eventually went away on its own without further draining.

I got my CT scan results today - all clear of anything cancer-y. To say I am relieved is such an understatement. They did find that my lower spine is degraded and some discs are bulging, so some of my pain is probably from that. I was offered an MRI but I am so sick of hospitals at the moment that I declined.  The onc is going to write to my GP to advise that they refer me at a later date should I wish, if the pain persists/gets worse. I've had lower back trouble before, so I don't think what they're seeing is anything new. It's just that taking the oestrogen out of the equation is making my body rebel. So, first official wobble out of the way. Moving on...

[Junash]

Brilliant news Lainie - as someone that's had her fair share of implants/boobs being drained - its simple, painless and quick procedure. Remrnber way back during early chemo they took off nearly a litre of fluid - saw my boob deflating before my eyes but oh the relief !! Sleep well xx

[LainieG]

It's a seroma, a pocket of liquid that builds up around the implant. They can drain it but sometimes leave it to drain itself. I saw a breast surgeon but he said he wouldn't like to make the decision so I'm going back on Friday to see my surgeon. So relieved!!! Had a rotten weekend worrying about it. Not much sleep. I'll def make up for it tonight xxx

[bettypoppit]

Oh no LainieG.... Keeping my fingers crossed xx

[LainieG]

Hi ladies. I went to see my GP this morning as my breast swelled more. He thinks it's a leaked implant or an infection so I'm sitting in plastic surgery outpatients right now. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't need surgery xxxx

[jingo_x]

Hi Murphy the plan was always to have letrozole at some point as it has better outcomes for lobular breast cancer, I wanted to go on it straight away but at the time my onc wanted me to do 1yr of tamoxifen first as it was easier on the body after chemo. Since they found another lobular cancer after my mastectomy tho she is keen to switch me as soon as poss. I haven't found tamoxifen too bad but letrozole sounds a bit daunting! My onc gives out very good advice about avoiding SEs and she has advised I get moving....Pilates, yoga, swimming, anything to keep my joints flexible. All that sounds quite daunting too! How have you been coping?

[Murphy1963]

Huge hugs to you jingo for your up and coming scans xxxxx. Can I ask why they are changing you from tamoxifen to letrozole? I also changed from tamoxifen to letrozole due to having a PE. I have the zoladex injection once a month too. I've not experienced any se that I'm aware of, hopefully you will be the same. Se's on the letrozole is a different matter!!!

I had a right laugh at all the chemo brain stories. What a bunch we are!!!

[jingo_x]

My chemo brain is ridiculous...I still hardly ever say the word hospital without first saying 'hotel' first (why?!), left my watch at the hospital yesterday....and didnt notice until they rang me in the evening.   Was taking someone else's child to footie with my son this morning and had to write it on my arm I was so petrified of forgetting to pick him up or leaving him behind!

One of my appointments last week was back with the lovely Integrative Medicine doctor who really helps me with my worries and mind and keeps me posted on all the latest research in Mind-Body things.  I find it very useful and am learning to train my focus so that I can learn to ignore the 'threats' that preoccupy me.  You may find it reassuring to hear that we are biologically programmed to focus on these threats as it is part of our survival mechanism, so it is natural for us all to have our head filled with it, but there are ways to re-focus your mind and switch it off.  Not sure if links work - will post on FB if this fails, but have a look at www.stressfree.org and sign up to the 7 day happiness challenge.  This week I have been getting a daily e-mail and theidea is that you focus on one positive emotion every day eg Monday is gratitude day, today is the senses.  It calms the busy mind and has helped me get through the week so I intend to keep the 7 day cycle going and now try and think of 5 things I am grateful for every morning before I get out of bed (I have time as getting out of bed takes a while :))

[LainieG]

Nicnac enjoy your night at the theatre. Loving the chemo brain stories lol xxx

[LainieG]

Hugs to everyone. You'd have thought now that most of us are on that podium that we'd feel happier but what a lot of problems!! To Jingo and the others facing scans and results, I'm praying so hard that the results go your way. Thinking of you all. 💖 💖 💖
Well my boob has got even bigger! I'll have to wear a bigger bra today and stuff one side! I don't know if I can wait a week to see the surgeon. I think I'll be carrying it in a wheelbarrow by then lol. Don't really know what else to do though. Thinking I'll see my GP on Monday. He might know who I should see. He is very good xxx

[Linzz]

Enjoy your Dirty Dancing night out tonight nicnac15, and remember - No-one puts a member of the October Posse in a corner!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[Debtex]

Oh god chemo brain . I called a day spa to book a visit for myself and my best friend of 14 years standing . The girl on reception asked me my friends surname for the booking ........ Long long long pause before I could recall it . I blushed even tho I was on the phone .

[nicnac15]

Morning ladies - oh wow reading these posts i can also relate to many. I had my mri scan tue and everyone keeps telling me it will be fine wish my head would tell me that too !!!
Ive had niggly pains around my neck and shoulders for last few weeks and constantly feeling for any changes my under arm is also painful on my left side where surgery was hoping its just scar tissue.
Im hoping these fears will fade in time but its bloomin hard going at the minute ! Weve definately been thrown alot at us but hopefully we will all cope were all strong women. X

My best friend is taking me to see Dirty Dancing on stage tonight in Nottingham we booked it last year around the time i got diagnosed and was apprehensive so far in advance but cant believe how quick its come round.
Will be thinking about you monday Linzz good luck. Xx
MM Ive had my insurance through insure pink for just myself as my normal bank insurance wont cover me at the minute also used staysure for america later in the year.
Hope everyone has a good weekend and the sun shines so we can hopefully relax. Xxxx

[MysteryMouse]

All the best for Monday and your results Linzz.  Sending a hug and try not to worry (I know it's easier said than done)! 🙂  Try and enjoy the w/e 🙂 

MM

xx

[Linzz]

Wow ladies, so many of us struggling with so many scary things. Hugs to all of you!!! This is definately the side of it that is hardest, coping with new pains, coping with The Fear. I hate it. I get my CT results on Monday and in my head I can picture two scenarios, me skipping out of there SO happy and reassured as the onc told me I probably would, or like jingo_x says they've taken a good look and they're bound to find something they want to look further at. I am terrified that they won't find anything relating to the problems I was having when the scan was ordered but that something else is about to blind-side me. Add to that I'm choked with a head cold and indulging in feeling sorry for myself. Oh, and I had to go back to the prosthesis clinic and swap down to a smaller foob as all this weight loss has made my good side deflate so much. I now need an AA cup but M&S don't even do AA in my band size. #feelinglikeabitofafreak

Hope everyone can put stuff to the back of their minds as much as poss this weekend. I think I'm going to go to see an inane comedy at the cinema and then eat lots of comfort food

[MysteryMouse]

Thinking of you Jingo and sending a hug x 🙂

Junash my burns went from under my chin, my whole right side where the breast was and then a few weeks after that the burn continued out the other side through my back.  My rads finished in March and burn on back only just healed. Gor infected as well.  Can still see burns but not painful now 🙂  I did have a bad reaction but apparently some people with fair skin do and this is what happens so is not completely un-normal although I wasn't preapred for it.

I had to laugh though Junash about you wearing your cardi inside out as I have lost count of how many times I am doing that with clothes 😛  Did anyone else when they didn't have eyebrows and were pencilling them in ever go out having forgotten they had only done one brow like me?  I did this a lot as would get distracted and then forget only remembering several hours later or on going to bed! 😮  

Hope everyone has a good w/e without too many worries. 🙂

MM

XX

[Junash]

Hello all

Sorry we're struggling - isn't this so tiring!

LainieG my mastectomy site is definitely bigger since rads - I'm like you - skin & expander and I can feel and see a real change - the expander is rock solid, I can feel the corners and edge of it poking through - it's not twice as big but definitely bigger - I know it was put in to take the brunt of the rads b4 swapping after summer but wasn't earned of shape change - think I may get it checked out.

Talking of rads - I have an awful burn from under my chin (s) down my neck, I was warned as they've zapped the node area but jeez Louise it's sore & weepy. Got some flamadine for it but it hasn't helped yet. Can't wear a scarf as that keeps taking the top layer off. Ouch 😞

Jingo hope that insect bite goes down on its own accord

Chemo brain in full force today - referred to a lamp as a plant, lost car keys while out shopping - retraced steps to bakers, chemist and grocers and found them on top of a large sack of carrots in the grocers and noticed was wearing cardi inside out when I got home from shopping - no hair to hide label so all could see.

Right time to take my tamoxifen and put on my burn cream - oh the joys....

Love to all - hoping additional or new aches, swellings and constant worries subside.

[jingo_x]

MM Eurotunnel don't even want to know if you are taking medication! I spoke to so many companies before I called them who wouldnt cover me as I was 2 weeks post-rads and had new lymphoedema.

I am sitting here staring at my lymph arm this evening.  I somehow managed to get an insect bite on my arm and it has gone red and hot so I am armed with antibiotics waiting to see if I need to take them to stop cellulitis. Hard to decide if I hate cancer or lymphoedema more!

Saw my onc yesterday to discuss my cancer found accidentally during my prophylactic mastectomy.  The plan is not to give me more rads or chemo - they don't know if the cancers were new or old.  So I am now coming off tamoxiden and will go on to letrozole in 4 weeks.  Started my injections yesterday to shut my ovaries down and if I get on ok without them I can have them 'popped out'. Onc didnt seem quite so confident about my 'bone thing' anymore though.  I have an MRI booked in July but am now going to have a PET scan to check everywhere else as well.  I have managed to get myself a bit worked up about the fact that the PET scan wasnt mentioned until after I had been examined which was about 45mins in to the appointment.  I too have sore ribs and lumps and bumps everywhere.  She warned me that the scan would undoubtedly find something that needed looking at or biopsying and I needed to mentally prepare myself for that.  Have to say I always assume I will get bad news these days anyway!

Getting ready for the school fair next week and everything I do reminds me of a year ago - I find myself thinking 'this time last year I didn't know' and remembering how happy and well I was feeling when I went for my mammo.  Can't beleive a year later I am still waiting for scans and results all the time!

have lovely weekends posse! xx

[Debtex]

I've also had some pain in my lumpectomy boob . It mainly comes when I've had an underwired bra on for a few hours . I think it is just trauma to the tissue . I understand 'the fear ' I have delayed my smear test for too long now as I'm scared of setting another load of hares running . I'm mostly v v happy and positive now particularly as I have been able to quit my job which means I can move on and focus on myself for a change . However this has made me more fearful of 'it' coming back to spoil the party as it were . I hope we all get over 'the fear ' . We have all done fantastic so far , we must try as hard now as we did during our treatment to handle this fear . I hope we all succeed . Love to all xx

[MysteryMouse]

Hi Murphy thanks for your reply.  I am off to Turkey as well! 🙂 Will have a look at that insurance company thanks.  Several of them seem to be saying that as I am taking Tamoxifen they regard it as still in active treatment which doesn't seem right.

I too have a lot of pain where my boob was (deep inside) and also the rib hurts and through to my back.  I also had a lump. I saw oncologist last week about it as was really stressing and they are confident that it is caused by the radio-theraphy (I did suffer bad burns).  They wouldn't scan me as said there are risks in doing so unless they really believe there is a problem despite me really begging for one.  The lump they are happy is scar tissue.  Of course, I am now back to worrying again in case they have got it wrong. But I suppose it's a case of trying not to panic?  Although I feel slightly hysterical sometimes! 😮 Not sure really.  I think I wouldn't be so worried if I didn't have any pain.  I must say I am sorry you other ladies have pain but it is a comfort to me knowing that you have the same thing.  I am going to see a psychologist to help me with ways to move forward and cope so I hope that helps.  Maybe that could also be an option for you?

MM

xx

[bettypoppit]

Wise, wise words Murphy. I'm really sorry to read that some are having yet more worries and niggles. I do so hope that investigations and appointments are quick to happen and bring good news and relief from all the extra worry xx

I've had a few odd days in the last couple of months when I could have strangled OH and/or crumpled in a miserable heap....weirdly though, not actually aware that I'm codging on any particular worry. I put it down to general weariness and feeling old, fat and very ugly at times....all positives thoughts - not - lolol, so I keep taking the citalopram 😉.... then, I just seem to bounce back!  I would think Murphy, that as you are working and looking after your family.... perhaps utter exhaustion is to blame?!!?!  As you say, a holiday is required! Xx 🍹🏄🎋🌞🏄🍸🍹

Madam, I hope you are doing ok now following your recent recon surgery.  xx

[Murphy1963]

Hi lainie, I've just seen your post. I'm glad you are getting it looked at and fairly quickly. I'm sure we can all appreciate how worried you will be, and that worry won't go away until it's been checked. Our minds play havoc with any symptom, sore bit, lump or bump we have. If I am worried about something I will have no hesitation in getting it checked, that's all we can do really. I'm sure Linzz's recent MRI was to offer reassurance, and I have the pain in my rib cage that I've convinced myself is something (I can't even say what I'm worried it is but you'll know). In days gone by I would've said to someone in our position, I'm sure everything will be ok, but I can't say that to anyone anymore. You've done good getting it checked xxxxx

[Murphy1963]

Hi MM, I got hol insurance for 1 week for £37.84 from a company called Travel Insurance 4Medical.co.uk. This included my bc, my pulmonary embolism (that some places refused to insure) and the fact I'm taking anti depressants. I was really pleased with the price as some other places I was getting quoted £160 odd. We're going to Turkey in 4 weeks time and it can't come quick enough. I've had to invest in some bathing costumes this year instead of my bikinis because my tummy is in some state with my daily heparin injections and my monthly zoladex injections. It's covered in bruises of various colours 😞

I was really sorry to hear all the horror stories about unsympathetic nursing staff. It really is a vocation becoming a nurse, and if you don't have the empathy you really shouldn't be doing that job. I cannot complain at all about the care I have had during all this. The only other time I've ever had anything to do with hospitals etc was when I had my 4 kids and I also had 4 miscarriages. I remember after one miscarriage getting taken up to the postnatal ward where the mums were with their babies. That was very insensitive but it was a long time ago and I had hoped things would've moved on from then, but obviously not!!!

Is Madam the last one of us to finish treatment?

For the past 3 weeks I've had a lot of pain just under my bad boob, at the top of my rib cage and moving down towards my stomach. I phoned my BCN last week to ask about it and she said it would need to be checked out. She phoned back today to say the oncologist would like to examine me first before they do anything else, so waiting for an appointment to go and see him. Waiting for my bowel screening results to come back, but on a good note, the biopsy from my mouth has come back clear so yippee for that 🙂

Don't know about anyone else but I've been a bit crabbit recently. I've no patience with my husband or my son, the littlest thing is winding me up so much. It's not like me and I don't like it. Think I need a holiday.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Fingers crossed for good weather xxxxxxxx