Breast Cancer Now Forum

Haha Charys......there was no way I was giving up my bedroom. Up and down too much in the night with bloody night sweats and need the ensuite to strip wash and cool down. On top of that my step son decorated the spare room as he was going to move in with us (and didn't....that's another story). he's a goth and in to death metal so you can imagine the colours/decor 😱😱😱. I'd be having nightmares if I work up in there and think I'd gone to hell lol  ... View more

Hi Lesley, I had a seroma and a heamatoma that got worse about 8 days after WLE. The pain was bad and could hardly move my arm and certainly couldn't do the exercises we are given. I eventually went to the hospital with it and they drained both. I'm not going to lie it did hurt having them drained but the pain relief was almost instant and my arm movement came on leaps and bounds over the next few days. I can feel it occasionally filling up again but nothing compared to what it was before draining. If yours is that uncomfortable speak to your medical team about getting it drained. Kerry xx ... View more

I work for a small company and told everyone via email. The main reason I did this is because I knew I wasn't  going to get in to the office as I am a commuter (80 mile round trip, approx 3 hours daily driving) so I didn't want people jumping to their own conclusions about where I was. I also told other companies that ring me regularly that I was available via email only for a number of months which has allowed me to continue my working relationship with them. Everyone is different and everyone's work situation is different so Its a very individual choice what to say and to whom.   I finished full time on the Friday 19th Feb, 5 weeks after diagnosis, and had my op on the Monday 22nd. apart from 3 days to recoup after surgery, I've worked part time (20-25 hours per week) at home since. As well as financial reasons, it's kept me sane continuing to work as a bit of normalily remained plus kept me in the loop.  ... View more

Hi Shona, i too was diagnosed with tubular in Jamaury this year and although I didn't have any other types I remember the information booklet  I was given about the tubular type said its often found along side other types of breast cancer. If you haven't had the info from you BCN, the booklet is produced by this site so you can easily find it on here xx ... View more

So pleased you got through it ok Charys. Knew you could do it but also understand that when that fear grips you it is hard. Well done you. Fab news that you are feeling ok. Kerry xx ... View more

Hi sonyacheet,  as others have said, sorry you find yourself here but you will find lots of support through the wobbles and remember no question is a silly question so don't be worried about asking it. I was diagnosed in January and delayed my surgery for 2 weeks after initial date given as I had somethings planned I didn't want to cancel. I worked full time from diagnosis until 3 days before planned surgery and it helped keep my mind focused and ensured I tighten up lose ends. I did have some wobbles at work and a couple of tears moments in the ladies loos!    These early  days are not easy as it is like being hit by a high speed train. Just take each day at a time and not read too much all at once and definitely don't google! Sending you hugs as you start your journey and we are all here to help you if you need us. Xx ... View more

I start my rads on Wednesday and had my WLE on 22nd Feb so been a 9 week wait for me which is about 3 weeks longer than I was told initially.  ... View more

Yeah sleeping can be a problem but I've found the perfect solution........ I've kicked my other half out the bed and sent him to the spare room. Starfishing every night seems to have worked for me. Doubt I'll ever let him back in and as I. About to start rads I've got the perfect excuse for a few more weeks 👍 ... View more

Haha these stories of washing traumas are making me lol!    I had used wipes and shallow baths and like you Jo I'd had enough and took the main dressing off after 5 days. But by day 3 post surgery I wanted to wash my hair, mum came round and I asked her to help me. There I was kneeing on the floor over the bath and explained to mum that the shower over the bath was a little fierce and when she was shampooing me to push the knob down on the bath tap so the water didn't come out the shower head. Firstly she only got the left side of my hair wet, and shampooed!! She then went on to completely wash the bathroom, me and her down as she didn't push the button down on the tap and the shower hose just snaked everywhere ........we were drenched!  with a soaking bathroom, soaking clothes and half a head shampooed, she dried my hair and I looked like flipping worzel!! At the offer to striaighten it, it was a quick NO!....... I didn't fancy "burnt" ears to add to my stress! Childhood traumas had come flooding back lol. Thank the Lord I no longer wear my hair in bunches as I dread to think 😱😱😱 ... View more

Hi Jackie, sorry you find yourself here but welcome!   Just been reading your post about work and my advice to you is wait and see. I think I have a similar work situation to you (high demanding job and I commute an 80 mile round trip normally on a daily basis) and when I was first diagnosed I planned to work as much as I could from home. I have not had chemo, had lumpectomy end of Feb and worked 30 hours a week from home through March. But I found I wasn't at the same capacity work level wise and it was causing problems both for work understanding and for me mentally. I also wasn't  giving myself enough "me" time to do nice things to make me feel good about myself. So I made the decision to slow down on the work and through April I've worked 20 hours over 4 days in the mornings from home and it's the best decision I made. I've decided the new bed and bedroom furniture I wanted can bloody wait and instead I will top my monthly wage up from that money I'm losing out on. All I'm Saying is as you go through your journey your perspective on what you thought was important before becomes less important and YOU become the important factor in your life. Just see how you feel as you start your treatment plan and don't beat yourself up about work and career if it needs to take a back burner for a while. Kerry xx ... View more

Hi Charys,   so so pleased you've got through the surgery ok and yes the blue wee and green poo is such a delight (not!!). I've still got my blue nipple 10 weeks post surgery and it doesn't look like it's fading eek! May have to start thinking about a permanent tattoo if it doesn't go 😁 Kerry xx ... View more

I had a wire in and it's fine. No more painful than biopsy. They simply taped over it and I was in theatre 2 hours later. You will be fine xx ... View more

That is fantastic news Jo. Chuffed to bits for you 👍👍😃😃. And yes I hope the coincidences continue too xxx ... View more

I was day case so came out that night. Was a bit spaced out but was better being in my own bed. It's sore I'm not going to pretend it's not but I had an infection and got a seroma and heamatoma so didn't help. But once they were drained, recovery went smoothly and I could stop eating the painkillers. It's important to do the exercises too.   Don't get yourself too far ahead Libby, which I know is easier said than done but you will drive yourself insane! Just concentrate on results day and once you have them you can think of the next bit. It is hard I know and when I was where you are now I was trying to plan and think too much and it was making me ill with worry and stress. Get the results and remember we are all here to help you through the next bits. Kerry xxx ... View more

Snap!! Try for 3 a year too.......I'm beginning to think we were separated at birth as you are seriously my "holiday twin" ✈️☀️👙☀️👙🍹🍹🍹 ... View more

Boy oh boy Jo our BC journeys are so similar with the exception of being a year apart. Can't wait to fly off for 2 weeks of sunshine ☀️☀️☀️.  I also get to see my daughter who flew out to Majorca to work as part of the entertainment team in a posh hotel (hoping the hotel isn't too posh for me!!). Missing her like mad through this and she had a wobble about not going but I was determined it wasn't going to spoil her dreams so off she went.  ... View more

Hi Libby,  No not finished my treatment as yet. Had lumpectomy on 22nd Feb and got good results so now waiting for 3 weeks radiotherapy to start at the end of this month hopefully...........this wait seems to be going on forever. Not started on the tablets as yet but will be prescribed on the 20th as they needed to do blood tests to see if I am post menopause (hard for me to know as I had hysterectomy 8 years ago but kept ovaries so have menopause systems). Physically, I'm healed ok but I am struggling a bit mentally but I am sure that will improve  after main treatments have come to an end. It is all doable, you just have to dig a little deeper at times.    Good on luck with your results Thursday. Xxx ... View more

Hi Pat, I am scheduled for 15 over 3 weeks same as Jo had. I have a well deserved 2 week holiday booked in the middle of June to mark the end of main treatment and something to look forward x x ... View more

Hi Libby, waiting for results is the hardest part of the process and full of emotions. Just try and keep busy and do some of the things you enjoy to try and take your mind off your results day. It's not easy I know. You sound like you have good support from your family but we do try and shield them to protect them so yes it does feel lonely. You've done the right thing coming on here as there are people that totally understand and have been through the same emotional roller coaster. Keeping everything crossed for you that you get good results. Kerry x x ... View more

That's fab news Lou! So pleased for you. Hope you enjoyed the Prosecco 🍸🍸. Kerry x x  ... View more