Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sarah. Check out this post....some really good tips. Helen xx https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Chemotherapy/Tips-on-a-successful-cold-capping-experience/m-p/990200/highlight/true#M130899 ... View more

Hi Sarah. Sorry to heat your oncology appt didn't go well. I'm definitely trying the cold cap despite all the horror stories I've read. The thought of losing my hair is freaking me out more than the chemo itself so I have to give it a try. Will be getting a wig just in case though. Have already bought Nioxin shampoo and a silk pillowcase as recommended by someone on here. I usually colour my hair and it's due for one now but it been advised to leave well alone now. My friend went through chemo 2 years ago so I'm prepared for the side effects. I think we just have to accept that we have no choice and it has to be done to be cancer free. Stay strong. We are all here with you. Take care. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Ali-B. MY friend suffered badly with mouth ulcers during her chemo and she was told that eat pineapple or drink pure pineapple juice. Apparently the enzymes in it work wonders for mouth sores. She swore by it and I be stocking up before my chemo starts. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Susie. I was diagnosed grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma and DCIS plus HER2+ on 21st Jan. Had WLE and SNB on 17th Feb and go back on Monday for results. Hoping for clear margins and lymph nodes all clear. I will then start chemo followed by rads and herceptin like you. Will be good to be able to chat to someone who's at a similar stage in the journey to me (if that's OK with you). Helen xx ... View more

Hi Sarah and Lou. Have been out for a short drive today. It was good to feel independent again. Noticed some cording under my arm today. Have had a weird stretching sensation in top of my arm for a few days and have been doing exercises (maybe not as often as I should). I've read some posts on here and they all suggest massage. Can I use cream or a heat rub? On a positive note my critical illness insurance have accepted my claim today so no more worrying about money while I'm off on sick (only getting ssp after 1st 3 months). Hope you've all had a good day. Helen x ... View more

Evening ladies. Well I've just taken the plunge and removed my dressings after two weeks. Steristrips still on so can't really see scars but not as bad as I was expecting. Thankfully i still have my nipple. Glad they warned about it being blue though!!! Fingers crossed for positive results on Monday and then I can start to prepare myself for chemo. Hope you've all had a good day. Helen xx ... View more

My results day is 7th March and I've had appt letter since before my actual surgery. I will definitely be having chemo and herceptin as I am HER2+. Radiotherapy and tamoxifen were also mentioned so I guess I'm getting the "belt and braces approach" due to my age too. Dreading the hair loss which I know sounds very vain but I can't imagine myself bald!!!! ... View more

Not sure if I am nippleless or not. The surgeon said he would try and save nipple if he could but margins were tight in relation to size of lump. I'm only a B cup so can already see a difference in size. Ironically my left was already smaller than my right one!!!! I am going to ring my breast care nurse about dressings as they are starting to itch. Hope you enjoy your evening ladies xx ... View more

Hi LMB212. I had WLE and SNB with mammoplasty on 17th Feb. They told me not to touch dressings till i go back on 7th March. I just feel very alone and like you say if you haven't had BC you can't possibly understand how it feels. I had two lumps 13mm and 8mm very close together so one large lump removed but I also have 2 patches of DCIS which is still there so I keep freaking out about what it's doing and is it spreading etc. I went into my 2nd appt wanting a mastectomy but surgeon told my WLE was best way to go. I keep praying that he knows what he's doing!!!!! Enjoy your cuppa. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Sarah. Thanks for replying. I'm 44, no kids and been with my partner for 20 years. I went off on sick from work the day before my surgery and I feel very alone at the moment. My partner has gone back to work as he is self employed and all my friends work so I get no visitors during the day. Just me and the dogs. I guess it's true when they say "life goes on". I'm dreading my results on 7th March as don't want any more surgery. No idea what my left boob looks like as dressings still on. Feeling very frustrated that I can't do simply things like wash my own hair. I'm also very angry that this is happening to me. I know that normal but I keep getting weepy for no reason. I assume I too will start chemo in April and will definitely be trying the cold cap as I am totally freaking out about losing my hair. Helen xx ... View more

Thanks for your advice ladies. I will keep an eye on for a few days. It's a week since my op tomorrow so still early days I guess. X ... View more

Silly question but would it be obvious if I had fluid build up? ... View more

I go back on 7th March. Pretty much left to my own devices till then. Just taken dressing off and looks Ok. Trying an ice pack as suggested on another post. X ... View more

Hope all goes well today LMB212 and Kmk66. The waiting around is the hardest but just think positive. Today is the first step to being cancer free. Hugs xx ... View more

Nurse has just taken my drain out and I'm so glad it's gone. Pain now bearable. Tried tramadol but made me feel sick. I too have swelling under my arm which is very uncomfortable but nurse assured me that all Ok. Feeling very weepy today too. Long wait until my follow up on 7th March now xx ... View more