Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Amanda, I bet you will be glad to get this part over and done with. Xxx I was the same as you regarding tablets. Was really worrying about the side efforts and coping long term. I started taking letrozole 3 weeks ago and joint aches are just starting to kick in. Can't make my mind up if night sweats are change in the weather or another side effect. Will carry on a bit longer before discussing with docs. Just had zap no 10 and I'm now a lovely shade of pink and feel very tired today. Currently waiting in my local cancer support centre for a reiki session. I'm bound to fall asleep lol. Kerry xx ... View more

Well today has been a very positive radiotherapy day. Firstly it's my hump day (on top of the hil half way through and all down hill to the end now) and secondly, I was the first ever ever person to be zapped in the new machine in the new suite at the hospital. Feeling quite chuffed with myself 😃👍   still no soreness thankfully and it's review day tomorrow so keeping my fingers crossed they are as pleased as I am so far. kerry xxx ... View more

They are tiny Red........less than a mm. I really can't see them! Nope had no dreams about the radiotherapy machine. Doesn't bother me so far in the slightest. Glad to see everyone has had a good weekend and chilled out. Back to zapping tomorrow xxx ... View more

I think you might find its the hysterectomy. I had one 8 years ago and put a lot of weight on over a 2 year period. I changed my diet as never had to watch my weight before and also started exercising more and it came back off. I'm been eating what he hell I like since diagnosis and but some back on but I know I'll shift it again. To be honest I think you will just have to accept you will put some weight on and if it bothers you, lime it does me, change your lifestyle a little to lose and maintain. Pain in the bum at times though  ... View more

I was really sore too after biopsy and swollen. The soreness wore off after around 10 days but the swelling of my lump and area remained until surgery. Area of biopsy was on side of bra cup line so I purchased my post surgery bras early and wore them or didn't bother and hung free so to speak.   regarding anaesthetic, it is scary when you haven't been under before but my lumpectomy was unfortunatly my 11th being put under (non related to breast cancer, most gynaelogical) but the team were still comforting and talked about all sorts to take my mind off it when I gor in the room. Before you know it you are having a lovely sleep. All I can say, is I've been under a fair few times and I wake up just fine to tell the tale.    If you feel that anguish, they can give you a pre med to help you relax  stay strong kerry  xx   ... View more

Flipping eck Red, they are much larger than mine no wonder you are upset!   well yesterday I braved sitting in the sun with factor 50 smothered on the area being cooked and a vest top on Took me a while to pluck up the courage as I was worried I might inflame it. With going on a sun holiday 4 weeks after I finish I'm determined to look after the area as much as possible now so I can enjoy my holiday to the max. I am pleased to report that my cooked area coped just fine and has not been affected in the slightest. As today is going to be another lovely day I shall put my brave cap on again!  ... View more

Forgot to mention.......tattoos! I can't even see mine as they are pin prick sizes and the ink is brown so if anything they are like a tiny freckle. Different hospitals must use different methods/inks ... View more

Red robin it's Kerry (I normally sign off with my name  )  I got cream for the hospital called Diprobase but I've seen it in boots too. Seems to be doing the job and keeping my skin well so far. I also bought some Aloe Vera Organic gel for if/when I get that hot feeling as it takes out the burn. Not used it yet as not needed it.    As as for vitamins, I'm not taking anything at the moment as I want to see how anything effects me (rads and tablets) and will make a decision if I need to. As I haven't asked the med team about them I can't say what we can and can't take.    Hope you are all having a restful weekend before the zapping starts again on Monday   Kerry xxx ... View more

Sissy I was exactly the same at mine. Really had to fight off the tears that day. Yet I didn't shed a tear or get an inclining of emotion for my surgery!! Glad it all went well for you. Kerry xxx ... View more

Hi red robin, I'm the main bread winner in the household too so I know how tough it is at times. I was on half wage last month and will be the same this pay month too. Just take it easy and becareful you don't over do it xxx   zap 7 this morning for me so nearly halfway through. I go to the appointments on my own but decided on my last one I may be a little emotional so going to take someone with me so I can have an instant hug. Xxx ... View more

Hi Vik, It seems you are on the same dates as myself and Ann but with the extra boost thrown in.   I'm with you 100% on the "you're lucky" as I get it too along "you look so well". Yes I am lucky it was caught early and that I was low grade so no chemo so I've got my hair but jeeeeez I coped for the damn thing in the first place...... So not that damn lucky eh?! My life is not going to be the same as it was, perminment adjustments due to tablets we have to take and the joint pains I am already suffering with, fearful of every tiny thing different with my body that the thing is back, head completely screwed for years. As for the "you look so well".........it's amazing what a bit of war paint can do and yes I do feel like I'm going to war most days. But I know this isn't just me, it's every single one of us that gets this rubbish thrown at us. Xxx ... View more

Hi red robin,   think we we all worry and have a fear of the unknown and I was the same. The day I had my scan and plan sat in the radiotherapy suite, I was fighting back the tears constantly, not only for myself but the amount of people that were really poorly being brought down from the wards waiting for their zaps. In a way feeling like that and seeing these cancer patients has done my fear good. I can honestly say that so far there is nothing to worry about. I am in and out the hospital in 15 mins. My appts are 9:30am as a rule but got late ones today and tomorrow (6pm!!) so I'm currently working around 5 hours this morning but from home and still sat in fluffy dressing gown (OK skiving 10 mins while I write this haha). With my morning appts I'm not working as many hours as I don't leave enough time for me to do nice things. I know work keeps us sane and gives a bit of normality but just go with the flow and it it feels too much then get rid of the work part and concentrate on you and family. Your partner will be around to look after the kids and remember at the end of the day it's not for ever, it's a few weeks disturbance and the sign of the end. Kerry xxx ... View more

Yeah me too Ann!  How are you doing with the rads so far? My nipple is very tingly/sensitive  from this mornings zap. Only way I can describe it is like breast feeding for an hour solid!!! Long time since I did that but somethings you never forget lol  ... View more

Kacey, I've got my bone scan tomorrow! Rads in the morning at one hospital, then a trip across town in the afternoon to another hospital for the bone scan.    Ann, mine was a routine screening find too. Seems to make a difference to the treatment you have. kerry xx ... View more

Age is just a number Cat and I've always said my birth certificate lies lol. Yep I've certainly felt about 90 some days since diagnosis but then I remember I said I wanted to grow old disgracefully........I'm not going to allow BC to stop me doing just that!! 😜 Xx ... View more

Hi ladies, I started my rads last Wednesday so had 3 zaps so far and remaining ones are all in May (last one the 18th) so I will join you on this board :). I had WLE on 22nd Feb and no chemo. Started Letrozole 2 weeks ago. I'm a young 50 lol.  So far so good with rads....... A little bit of nipple sensitivity and my scar looks a little more red but that's it. No other soreness to report. Slapping cream on all the time though as wanting to keep any rash at bay as I fly off to sunny climes for a well deserved fortnight holiday 4 weeks after its all finished.   I've been working part time from home (20-25 hpw) since surgery and looking to do the same through rads but will see how tired I feel. My appointment times are 9:30am so have to battle peak time traffic to get to the hospital and get parked up!! I've also booked lots of alternative therapies (eg massage, reiki,reflexology)  for after my zapping with the cancer support centre attached to the hospital to give myself some "me" time away from traveling to and from hospital and working.      As I am slightly ahead of you all  I will report as much as I can but please throw up a question if you have one and I will do my best to answer. Hugs Kerry xxx ... View more

I've had lumpectomy and just started rads so no chemo. I am taking hormone tablets BUT I have been told that due to low grade of my tumour and no lymph node activity if I don't get on with them I can come off them even though my cancer was hormone fed. The tablets are a preventative therapy from reoccurrence and give me better odds (but only by around 2% I think) of it not coming back. Early days on them at the mo so can't make a call on whether I continue or not. Hope that helps xx ... View more

I'm under an oncologist for radiotherapy so it's not just chemo. Once my rads it over and I've been checked by the oncology consultant, I am discharged back to the surgeon who's care I remain under for the next 5 years while taking Letrozole. I presume this is normal practice xx ... View more

Hi Haz, I think pain is individual. Some ladies get very little and some get more. I had quite a bit of pain and ate painkillers like smarties for 3 weeks after surgery which perplexed me as I've had several ops in the past including incision abdominal hysterectomy and taken virtually  no pain killers. Reason I'm telling you this is because if you need to take them......take them and don't suffer. I would say however the pain was more from SNB than the op site.  I was given codine and also took ibuprofen and paracetamol. I was given codine when I was discharged as a day patient but watch the constipation with it if you take it and get something to help (some hospitals give you a laxative when they give you codine).    Re driving - due to insurance purposes, I was told by the med team not to drive until I went back for my results and to check my wound which was 2 1/2 weeks later. I think different hospital trusts say different things from reading posts on driving. But due to the pain I was feeling from SNB it was another week before I felt comfortable enough to drive.   I am left side poorly boob so obviously gear changes etc were not easy. I'm a confident driver and drive a lot as I commute an 80 mile round trip to work and back in normal life. You are right, speak to your med team about driving and do a test drive before. All the best to you on your journey. Kerry xxx ... View more