Welcome to everyone starting chemo in January.. we are now the "" January Jems""

[Curleychris]

Hi Caroline,

So glad your result's came back clear.

Sorry you have lost confidence in your Local Hospital.

Hope all goes well with your reconstruction.

I forgot to even mention recon at my last appt but will ask for it as soon as I have finished Herceptin in March next year.

[rhondacat]

EXCELLENT news Sarah & Caroline, so happy we all have good results. Woohooo

[Windysarah]

Been to the oncologist this morning. Mammogram on remaining side was fine, thank goodness. Slightly low calcium levels which is a worry with the herceptin as can bring on osteoporosis so have to take supplements. Also as I had a period last month, and my cancer was oestrogen receptive, I am having to start monthly injections to suppress the periods. All good fun! Could have been worse I suppose. Hope all is well with you all.

[Caroline60]

Hi Curleychris, I have just received my results of mamo. They were all clear. I did not have my mastectomy/implant side scanned. I was told they would scan this every two years. I am still having herceptin and seeing private breast surgeon in Central London next week. I have lost confiudence in my local hospital in terms of care. So have advised my surgeon at local hospital - that i would like him to tandem with the private surgeon. 

I hope all is well with you all. 

[Curleychris]

Hope the onc can tell you your results, the waiting is awful.
I agree Rhonda I felt as if I was nearly a goner with the chemo so the C better be gone wouldn't want to start that again.

[rhondacat]

Sarah they didn't check my implant side either, and just said come back for another Mammo on the real one in 1 yr, think I'd like it checked 6 monthly but maybe I'm just paranoid. I had my implant side ultrasounded last month as I felt a lump which turned out to be fat necrosis like scar tissue. We just have yo stop worrying get on with life & enjoy & pray the evil disease is a distance memory never yo return. Keep in touch & let us know how your results go, I'm sure they will be fine, how could anything grow after the crap they put into us 🙂 cheers hugs Rhonda

[Windysarah]

Oh I like the first option too Rhonda!! Thanks, mammogram results could take 3 weeks but seeing oncologist Monday so she may have news. They didn't mammogram my implant side is this normal? Thought they would still want to check behind the implant... Bit worrying.

[rhondacat]

Haha Sarah I put crossed for you lol came up as gorgeous you, which I liked much better anyway 🙂

[rhondacat]

Sarah will be keeping everything crossed gorgeous you, hope your news is good. Thanks Irenee yes very happy I am getting near the end of this shocking year we've all been through. I am so pleased I've had my reconstruction & Lift, I got yo wear a v neck dress to the races this week & my Boobs looked the best they have in years lol. Nice & perky. Welcome Curleychris so happy everything is going good for you, my story is also similar to yours. Cheers everyone, Take Care Rhonda xoxo

[Curleychris]

Hope all went well with your checks.

I was pleased all was well following  my checks Mammogram and u/s all clear.

[Windysarah]

Hi CurlyChris, welcome to the group. My tale is very similar to yours except I had no nodes affected. Right mx, chemo and half way through Herceptin. I'm also on Tamoxifen. I have all my checks this week so fingers crossed for me. X

[Curleychris]

Thankyou Irenee hope all is going well for you and all the other ladies.

[Irenee]

Hi Everyone

Glad all is going well for you CurlyChris, I was grade 3 with 1 node affected.  Rhonda, you must be well pleased, you have had reconstruction etc, and mammograms are clear,, great news.  Morwenna, Glad you are doing so well. We have all come quite a way since this time last year.   I might have reconstruction if all is well after mammogram. Hope everyone else is ok. Irenee xx

[Curleychris]

Hi there i was a January jem too but it is only now that I am looking on Breast cancer care.

I completed chemo the end of May and am now just over half way through herceptin.
Not having radiotherapy Was grade 3 and had 1 of 16 nodes positive Right Mx and total clearance of nodes.

Had my Annual checks recently and all good so far. Hope

you are all doing well we have survived a year.

To those due to start in January take heart it ids douable.

[rhondacat]

Hi Morwenna, I have been helping a young Mum who is going through Chemo now, she enjoys chatting to someone who knows how she feels & understands what she is going through. I haven't got time anyway working 6 days a week, soon to be 7 days a week over our busy tourist season, so don't get much time off, keeps my mind off things 🙂 lucky you going to Hawaii , have fun. It's on my bucket list lol

[Morwenna]

Hi Rhonda,

It's a shame there is nothing in your area. I'll bet there's a need for it ..... You could start something up! 🙂

[rhondacat]

Hi Morwenna, pleased to hear you have found some new friends & getting support. glad to see Sarah, Joyce ,Yvonne Irenee still checking into this site. Hoping your Mammo is perfect Irenee. I got my results yesterday from surgeon and all is good he doesn't need to see me now for 12 months, I see the Oncologist in May, so it's just get on with it now! Still suffer from cording issues & sore joints but loving life. Sounds like you are all getting some support, there is nothing in my area, so just have to battle it out & keep smiling. Hugs to you all. Rhonda xoxo

[Jo_BCC]

Thanks for letting us know this Morwenna, it will help with the technies who are looking at your problem.

Jo, Moderator

[Morwenna]

Using the mobile version on my HTC android.

Ah, I can edit if I open the "full site".

[Morwenna]

There is no button shows up on my posts, except "Add Comment".

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Morwenna,

Sorry you can't edit your posts, you should be able to, so I have passed this on to our techies for them to have a look at your account.

Kind regards,

Jo, Moderator

[Morwenna]

Ps. I see this site hasn't got any better. There are typos in my above post, and I can't go back to edit it.
Sigh.
Maybe they should go back to have another look at breastcancer.org to see how it should be done!

Any of you can join btw, it has members from all over the world. My name is Morwenna there too! 🙂

[Morwenna]

Hi everyone,

Just popping in from Canada. I am attending a recovery group program at a place called the Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation here in Calgary.
You can Google it if interested.
It is purely for breast cancer patients, "survivors", or what you will, staffed by doctors and nurses and advisors who have full access to our medical notes, so tale an overview of the whole situation including physical and emotional recovery and return to work etc.

We have a coursebook called "Picking up the Pieces - moving forward after surviving cancer" by Sherri Magee and Kathy Scalzo, and I can thoroughly recommend this book as an aid to emotional recovery, even if you don't have a support group as such.

I have also found, via Breastcancer.org, the north American site, three other ladies who live in Calgary, one of whom is in the same group, and as we are all in healthcare, we found that we have quite a few friends and acquaintances in common. So, I chat regularly on that site, and I'm taking one of my "New friends" to have a biopsy on her second breast, which is a bit scary for all of us really.

Besides all the cancer stuff, I'm doing really well, exercising daily, eating healthy and losing weight. The only thing is my shoulder and pecs se to be getting tighter, despite my best efforts! I'm planning return to work toward the end of November, and will meet a plastic surgeon in January to hopefully plan reconstruction.

I'm still singing and leave on Saturday to take part in a competition in Hawaii with my group! I'm looking forward to it as winter arrived here with a bang yesterday, and 15 cm of snow!!!

Sorry to hear some of you are struggling still. I do feel very blessed to be in my situation, although I still have my ups and downs! It's a year since my diagnosis, and though emotional at times, I feel like I am winning!

I'm sending all the healing thoughts I can summon across the pond to you all. Keep on keeping on .... We'll get there!!

[Caroline60]

Hi Joyce, unfortunately I have already attended this course in a hospital in Central London. However, I met some lovely people there from or near my area. I have since met up with them twice for coffee and meeting up again next Friday You will meet like minded people at this course and do not be afraid to discuss meeting up. DM me with your mobile number or contact number if you would like to meet up sometime. 

Regards

Caroline 

[Airlinelady]

That sounds good Caroline - maybe we could arrange to meet up there?  Are you going to the 'Look good, feel great' workshop in November?  I live in West London.  Joyce

[Caroline60]

Airline Lady I am also going to the Haven in Fulham. I live in South London. 

[Airlinelady]

Thanks Yvonne, I appreciate your reply.  One of the down sides of being treated at a private hospital was that I didn't meet any other patients.  I had my chemo in my own bedroom with my 'guest' and that was it.  They offered counselling and massage but that was it.  So I have to find people myself - I know that they are out there.... and hopefully I will meet some at The Haven in Fulham.. glad life is treating you well...  Joyce x

[chicita]

Hi Joyce,

It's hard when you feel isolated during treatment. Living on the boat meant I couldn't go to any of the support groups etc at the hospital, so I was really thankful to find this forum. I transferred to the February group though when my treatment kept being delayed. The February Valentines saved my life - literally. We now have a private FB group where we can post non BC stuff and some of us are meeting in London on Monday.

Could your BCN put you in touch with another lady with BC in your area, it's so common there must be someone who lives near you.

best wishes

Yvonne

[Airlinelady]

I started Letrozole, which increased menopause symptoms.  I feel I have developed mood swings which are awful, sometimes as I can hear myself being so irrational.  I do apologise afterwards and am aware of my behaviour, but it makes me sad as I wasn't like that before.  I recently visited the Haven in Fulham, London as I wanted to find a place where I 'belong' and to meet others like me - I have not met one person with breast cancer throughout my treatment.  It's a centre for those who have, or have had breast cancer and their families.  They offer many diverse services and all aimed at improving our lives physically and mentally.  I feel I need something.  I can't just go back to my normal life as it doesn't seem to exist anymore as I have changed myself.  I hope I don't sound to negative because I don't mean to.  I am, by default, a very positive person but I do recognise that I need some help and hopefully the Haven can help me do that.  Hugs, Jxx

[Windysarah]

Hi all. I've not posted for a while but always check in. I've just not had much to say! Fortunately I'm not suffering too much which actually worries me a little because does it mean the Tamoxifen isn't working?? I'm still doing 3 weekly herceptin infusions although this may be an injection soon. Mammogram booked for 5/11. Actually can't wait for that, want some confirmation that I'm free of disease!
Keep well everyone x

[Caroline60]

Hi Ladies, I havent been on here either. I attended a Health Retreat in Cornwall called The Raw Retreat. It was amazing and informative. 

[Irenee]

Haven't been on here for ages but glad to see some of you ladies are still posting. I am not on any tablets and I am due for a mammogram in December. Wishing you Jems all the best and hope the aches and pains ease up. Love and hugs Irenee

[rhondacat]

Hi jenny & Joyce Joyce & all other Jems that still come on here, I have been taking letrozole now for 6 months saw my GP today for a new script, I feel like a old person body aches pains from it & he said that's normal any bad side effects as if that's not bad enough & I'm a little brain dead lol still have underarm cording pain & re construction breast is still not comfortable at all, I had ultrasound & Mammogram last week on remaining breast get results when I see surgeon next week, I can't sleep either Joyce, I really don't think we will ever fully recover from this,but otherwise coping Ok , I am keeping very busy with work. Glad Jenny you have found a group to give you some support, I felt a bit sad to see us all just disappear from this site, but I always check back to see if anyone has checked in. Girls you are in my thoughts always. Love Rhonda. Xoxo

[jenny5931]

Hi joyce im not bad like you i cant sleep i too use zopiclone 3.75mgs but it dont help much. Have you had appointment for mammogram yet? It seems a shame as other groups still going strong and i still need support so have joined another group. Glad you are ok x

[Airlinelady]

Hi Jenny, I'm still here, currently one third thru my radiotherapy and have been taking Letrozole for a few weeks now.  Feel very tired in the afternoons (meds/menopause or rads?) but don't nap.  Tired but can't sleep at night and wake up in the middle of the night.  Occasionally use low dose Zopliclone, which helps, but don't want to take it every night.  Other than that I am fine!  How about you?  I guess many people from our group have returned to the big wide world now.  I plan to get back to work late December or early Jan in a phased process.  Hope you are doing okay...  Joyce x

[jenny5931]

hi
has this thread finished now if not how is everyone xx

[The]

Found this in another thread. It has 520 signatures, but think we can do better than that!

Free dental checkups and sight tests for cancer patients

Responsible department: Department of Health
All cancer patients should receive free dental check-ups and free sight tests for five years, i.e. during all treatment, as per the prescription exemption certificate received. Especially as chemotherapy is known to cause dental problems, and tamoxifen is known to cause sight problems.

Copy and paste the link below into your address bar:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/53515

Pass it on!!!

[jenny5931]

I too have taken anastrozole since june and a few problems but am coping mostly joint pain

jenny xx

[rhondacat]

Hi Joyce, I have been taking Letrozole (Femara) for 4 months now, all seems very tolerable on it, I was worried at first as there are a few horror stories out there about it, I do have a bit of joint pain, but it's not too bad. Take care HUGS Rhonda x

[Airlinelady]

Thanks Girls - I have a planning session on Monday for my radiotherapy and starting Letrozole.   That's about it really... feeling low today, but then I always try and think about others that are so much worse off..  Take care all... Joyce xx

[rhondacat]

Hi Girls, just a quick hello, thanks for all the well wishes with this damn cording. Welcome back JOYCE sorry your surgery went so bad for you, this whole thing has been as you say effing painful, I may say the real word lol... I hope your eye tic gets better that must be so annoying. Love hugs strength to us all. Rhonda xoxo

[chicita]

Hi Joyce, nice to hear from you again.

Have you tried claiming Employment Support Allowance?  Cancer patients can claim it for 12 months providing you have paid enough NI contributions. It's about £75 for the first 12 weeks and then £106 a week until 12 months. It's not much I agree but better than nothing.

X Yvonne

[Airlinelady]

Hello Ladies - I have not been here since my op at the end of July.  It was a nightmare!  I wish I had had surgery first and then chemo, it would have made a huge difference to my recovery.  I ended up in Theatre twice and it was effing painful.  Still waiting for an appointment to start 4 weeks radiotherapy.  I have a horrible eye tic under my eye and my knee joints feel knackered and painful.  But you know, apart from that - I am fine!  I had alot of trouble finding this forum again, but I am glad to be back.  We are all emerging from this in our own ways.  I know this Christmas will be a special time for me and my family - albeit a tighter one.  I have not been paid for months now and am not eligible for one penny from state benefits.  So, I do feel penalised financially for having cancer, but I can't go back to work until I am fit enough.  Hugs to everyone - especially Sandra who has been the backbone of this forum since we all started, stay strong girlie... Joyce x

[chicita]

Hi Jan,

I do lots of stretching and it does seem to help.

My hands and feet are really bad, especially in the morning. I had a bit of arthritis before chemo but it's much worse now. I've got an appointment with the onc on Thursday so I'm going to mention it to him. I'm hoping he'll sign me off for 6 months, it'll be so nice not to have to think about going back to the hospital till next year.

X Yvonne

[Janan8]

Hi !   I really do not like this Forum either Yvonne, it's taken me forever to log on and then after replying and previewing my reply I lost it and here I am starting all over again! Ugh!!!! Now I've no idea if this will end up in the right place. I'm sure others may have given up trying to post!

Thank you for your reassuring messages, it is sad how the  people  you care about react sometimes.  I will definitely be doing a certain amount of culling friendships as I also no longer have the energy to keep it up. 

Rhonda good luck with the cording and keep up the stretching, you will get there eventually.  My physio did alot of stretching along the cord itself and I spent many an evening with my arm above my head.  It seemed to work, but she said to me to listen to my body and do what I felt it needed because as you know everyone tells you something different. When radiographers were telling me to do certain exercises x times a day, she said not to but do what I felt was right and sometimes I made the most progress with my arm after doing nothing for a few days but just resting it!

I'm now experiencing alot of joint pain and stiffness especially hands and feet so am hoping it's still ongoing side effects and nothing else, will check it out if it carries on.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Lots of hugs

Janxx

[Janan8]

Hi !   I really do not like this Forum either Yvonne, it's taken me forever to log on and then after replying and previewing my reply I lost it and here I am starting all over again! Ugh!!!! Now I've no idea if this will end up in the right place. I'm sure others may have given up trying to post!

Thank you for your reassuring messages, it is sad how the  people  you care about react sometimes.  I will definitely be doing a certain amount of culling friendships as I also no longer have the energy to keep it up. 

Rhonda good luck with the cording and keep up the stretching, you will get there eventually.  My physio did alot of stretching along the cord itself and I spent many an evening with my arm above my head.  It seemed to work, but she said to me to listen to my body and do what I felt it needed because as you know everyone tells you something different. When radiographers were telling me to do certain exercises x times a day, she said not to but do what I felt was right and sometimes I made the most progress with my arm after doing nothing for a few days but just resting it!

I'm now experiencing alot of joint pain and stiffness especially hands and feet so am hoping it's still ongoing side effects and nothing else, will check it out if it carries on.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Lots of hugs

Janxx

[Irenee]

Hi Jems,  Hope the cording issue improves soon Rhonda, and  it's great to hear that the physio worked so well Jan.   I have also found out who my real  friends are after going through this.....and the one thing  that got me down was at the beginning some friends and members of the family just said how shocked they were I had cancer and I found it was me comforting them and not the other way round.  😞   My husband and daughters have  been my real support. I also have a mammogram coming up shortly...can't believe its nearly a year since that awful visit to the doctors.

Hope the rest of you Jems are moving forward.  Irenee

[rhondacat]

Hi Jems, so glad that a few of us are still checking in, it is so nice to know how everyone is going. JAN it's great your cording is a lot better, I live to far away from city to go to phsio, so I'm back to just stretching it as much as possible & wish the damn thing would just snap or something LOL have ultrasound & mammogram in a couple of weeks to check out supposedly good breast. Yes amazing how some friends you think will be there for you arn't and others can be very supportive, one of my best friends said some very hurtful things while I was going through treatment, said it didn't matter what my boobs looked like as I was married, & said I was a drama queen one day because I said I was so over wearing a wig, I felt like holding her down & shaving her head, see how she liked being bald. Lmao wish I had haha. Hate taking these tabs for 5 yrs I have to set alarm on phone to remind me, even then my chemo brain can't remember if I took it or not. Love & hugs to everyone still here. Xoxo Rhonda

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Chicita

I have passed your comments on to our managers.

Kind regards,

Jo, Moderator

[chicita]

Hi Jan nice to hear from you again, glad you got your arm sorted.

My mother hasn't bothered with me since I was DX, I found people who I'd thought good friends just sank into the background but more casual acquaintances and even total strangers proved to be the biggest help and the kindest.

Before they changed the forum I used to come on regularly and try to help the newbies but I really don't like this new layout as I c ant find anything anymore so I don't bother. I think that a real shame as when I was first dx and all through chemo I had lots of advice and support from women who had come t hrough it themselves.

I hope the moderators read these posts and realise what a big mistake they have made. The forum might now be much more modern but they should realise that the women who need to use it are usually a bit less techie and also coping with chemo brain.

Hope you continue to improve. I'm also TN and have just been put on 6 month review. I'm also really glad I don't have to take tablets for the next 5 of 10 years.

X Yvonne