Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Emma, I currently have 2/2 lymph nodes affected which were discovered at mx (ultrasound looked normal). I am having ANC after chemo and have similar worries about residual disease. I'm trying to stay positive though. I can't change what I've got but I do have a good treatment plan in place and my nodes will be removed. I guess my worry will then move on to lymphoedema. One step at a time... Jo xx ... View more

Hi Helena, it was my birthday but I'm still plodding on with chemo 🙄 Not sure about rads yet but perhaps after axillary clearance. I've had a lovely birthday anyway 😊 ... View more

Susan, do come and join us on the Feb chemo thread.  I can't keep up either - I am totally rubbish! There is a FB page that is associated with it though which is lovely.  There are lots of pictures and general chat and it's really upbeat.  Do what I do and just dip in and out and if you can't keep up you can blame chemo brain 😉 xxx   ... View more

Big hugs Zena. You really have had a raw deal (I was going to say bum deal but I thought that might be insensitive and make you laugh!). Hope you're ok and they get something sorted for you. Jo xx ... View more

Ali, I almost had stress incontinece reading that. So bloody funny. I had tears rolling down my face and had to explain to my OH why I was laughing. He said he didn't realise that could happen but thought that she should have noticed the bath water reducing 😂 which made me wonder about his limited knowledge of female anatomy!! Susan, I was told that I looked like I had won the lottery when I got Emend. I waited for the nurse to leave the room and was almost jumping up and down. I couldn't believe I got so excited about an anti-emetic. Oh how my life has changed 🙄 Sounds like you're all prepared now xx Strudel, I feel very wrong saying it, but so glad you got zapped. You seem to have had more than your share of frustration! Lexxy, sorry you haven't had a good day. It will get better and we're all here for you as are the Fab Feb Girls 😊 Ali, you are a superstar working through chemo the way you are doing. You have also given my brows and lashes hope...not that any of my hair has dropped yet...I'm thinking of plaiting my arm pit hair 😂 My boss was happy for me to work but HR were arsey and said that I was either git to go back to work to my original duties or not and that I couldn't work a bit and then ho off sick again. Crick of **bleep** springs to mind but I decided to enjoy being a full-time mum for a few month since they're paying me! Hello to all you other lovely ladies. It always takes me a while to catch up at the end of the day but I do love reading through all the posts. Big hugs, Jo xx ... View more

Well done Maria. One down is a big step. The next few days will feel strange but stick with it. I had a dreadful headache the first night and was desperately tired. I was also desperately thirsty and couldn't drink enough water for the first week. If you feel like eating, try snacking little and often for nausea. Take all the drugs you can for anti-sickness. I was given metackoorimide to take if needed. I didn't wait until I needed it but used it for the first few days before meals. Day 2 I was exhausted but managed nausea quite well. Day 3 I felt lots better and went out for the day. I felt a bit out of it but ok. Couldn't wait to get to bed though and sleep. Day 4 I felt human again and have got less tired as the days have passed. Jojo, I injected Filgrastim for 7 days and was feeling quite smug about not aching. It hit me yesterday and my hips and back were so achy and shooting pains in my spine. It's the first day since chemo that I put my feet up on the sofa and slept after dropping the kids at school. I really had to take it easy. Back to normal today though, thankfully. ... View more

Just popping on to say good night ladies. Emily I am laughing so much at those boobs!! I think the New boob you have found is the one that I've lost 😂 Anyway, I'm off to bed. I've felt a bit tired and achy today after 7days of Gcsf injections. I can almost feel my bone marrow being boosted and all those extra white cells flying round my body! Night night all xxx ... View more

Lexxy, I'm 3x EC and then 9 weekly T (effectively the same as 3x 3 weekly T). You are not alone 😊 xx ... View more

You ladies have been busy today and there's a lot for me to catch up on...again! I have met quite a few of you over on the FB page. Isn't it fab? So great to be able to see people and share photos. There's quite a lot of humour on there. Alex and Sarah, I know the thought of chemo is scary but it is doable (I'm starting to hate that word!). I'd had a few weeks from mx to starting chemo and some days I almost completely forgot the whole cancer thing. Starting chemo made it feel very real again but I wasn't as anxious as in those early days. I've found great support at my local hospice. I never ever thought I'd say that but I had my arm twisted by a couple of friends. I go there on Wednesdays and am really looking forward to it tomorrow. Somehow it's given me my perspective back and allowed me to 'live in the moment' as they say. Snotty noses! Mine has started running every time I sit down to eat! It's a real nuisance 🙄 No hair loss yet but I'm only day 9 so I wouldn't be expecting it quite so soon. I'm sporting a buzz cut which I have found really liberating (but mortified by the amount of white!!). I am using my wig when I'm out or when my youngest two children are around but I ditched it today when home alone. I have a very naughty Beagle who took great delight in stealing it and running round the room worrying it. I got a good deodorant that contains hemp from Holland and Barrett. I got a bit hemp obsessed because I read it was good for BC. Anyway, I'm off to bed but just wanted to pop on and catch up with all you Fab Feb Girls xxx ... View more

Hugs to you too Helena. I'm doing my best to keep up with everyone too but I have to keep re-reading and then have forgotten by the time I start typing! xx ... View more

There seems to be so much happening for so many people on this thread. Emma, I'm sorry you feel low at the moment but you aren't in your own. I was so anxious after my mx. I panicked even thinking about any of it and worked myself up into a real state. When I was in hospital the lady (I use the term loosely) in the next bed broadcast her exoerience of BC to the whole ward. I was beside myself. My usually very calm OH politely told her to shut up! I completely get where you're coming from but it will get better and you will deal with it. You will also get back to your glamorous self. I am giggling at Susan's description of her post surgery look. Jane your treatment has nearly finished! Such good news. Strudel hope your rads go ok today. It seems to have happened all of a sudden after all that waiting and anxiety. So glad you're moving forward again. Susan glad you've got you're appointment at last. Sarah don't be scared. You now have the best ever treatment plan just for you. You will get there. Jo xx ... View more

Great idea Scotty. Thanks for sharing xx ... View more

Yealand well done on having such a positive attitude. You have a treatment plan so take each stage a step at a time. You will get there. Big hugs, Jo xx ... View more

Brilliant news Emily. How strange to offer mx now but I guess it's a reasonable option for anyone not wanting rads. Did they offer mx originally? Anyway, great news that you're not joining us Feb starters xx ... View more

Sarah, I did get my wig on the NHS. I got a voucher that covered a wig from a certain range. If I wanted anything from a more expensive range I had to make up the difference. The one I liked best was the one I tried on first and was from the NHS range. I can't post a photo from my phone and I'm ticked up in bed at the minute. It looks good though and friends kept in commenting on my new hairdo. It's short and straight as a pose to my natural curly mop. One of the dad's at school asked me this morning what had happened to my hair, had it all fallen out!! I was stuck for words because I didn't want to embarrass him by telling him the truth. He will be mortified when he realises, bless him. I went wig shopping with a friend and made a day of it. I was given a list of salons but one in particular was recommended in Mancheater. We got coffee and biscuits and were well looked after. It was really professional and I got my wig cut and styled. We had a bloody good giggle as well! Ask your BCN for advice on what is available. I also got one off the internet and was mortified that it was being made and sent from China. I had visions of something resembling a dead cat arriving by post. I haven't worn it yet but it is actually ok and was fairly cheap. ... View more

I decided not to cold cap. I had my hair cut short before New Year and my roots needed doing so badly that I decided to let it fall out and then start again. I got my wig a couple of weeks ago and started wearing it so I am used to it now and so is everyone else. I'm day 8 and my hair has been growing (I know that will change) so today I got my OH to give me a buzz cut. I love it, so liberating. What I don't love quite so much is that I am no longer dark but predominantly grey!! Greater than my parents 😳 I have always changed hairstyles frequently so am determined to embrace my new look and see it as an opportunity to try something new when my hair comes back...perhaps a blue rinse at this rate!! Ali, it's strange but I'm treating this like maternity leave. I don't feel guilty sitting on the sofa with my feet up, I've been knitting, reading and all the things I enjoy. Jo xx ... View more

Sarah and Lexxy, sorry you are both having to have chemo. I am a couple of weeks ahead of you ladies so please ask away or PM me if you like. I had my first EC on 30 Jan and will have second on 20 Feb. The side effects have been manageable and I've kept myself busy but rested when I needed to. I was lucky enough to be prescribed Emend as an anti emetic. I've was speaking to a friend who didn't have this for the first cycle but was prescribed it for the next cycle and was a lot better. The best way I can describe it, for me at least, was those tired, nauseous days of early pregnancy. Feb thread is good and there is now a spin off FB group that I have just been added to so am going to mosy over there for a peek. Jo xx ... View more

Hi all, I've been absent for a few days so hope everyone is well. I haven't quite caught up yet. I've had a busy few days with one daughter home for the weekend from uni and my 17 year olds birthday today. Feeling more like my old self day 8 after chemo. Braved the shave today and I now have a very greying buzz cut which I actually quite like (would rather it wasn't quite so grey!). Julie, I seem to be having problems friend requesting you but I've tried again. Do you need to add me to the group or can I search and find it? Ann, sorry you're not feeling on good form. Do keep coming on and chatting if you feel up to it. Looking forward to meeting you all on FB if I ever get there. Jo xx ... View more

Happy birthday 🎉 Emily. Welcome home Emma. Strudel, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend but so pleased for you. Great that you can now move forwards and things are back to being positive. Elizabeth, make the most of this weekend and good luck for next week. Ali, you have to be THE most glamorous grandma. You look absolutely stunning. I know I haven't mentioned you all but haven't deliberately missed anyone, just find my little brain can't quite keep up. Love and hugs and hope we all have a lovely sunny weekend. Jo xx ... View more

Oh you are all far too busy for me to keep up with! Lovely to read through your posts and try and catch up. It's making me feel so positive seeing how far through treatment people are getting and makes me realise how far we've all come in the last few months. I'm feeling a bit emotional! You are such a fantastic bunch xxx ... View more