Breast Cancer Now Forum

Ali, good to hear all is going well with your chemo. You seem to be dealing with it all well. I have my first EC on Monday so hoping my experience isn't too bad. I'm just wanting to get started now! I have my wig and everything 😂 ... View more

Helena, it's great to see you on such good form. You should go for that spa break. A girly night away will be great and you can have a treatment or two and be spoilt. I'm really enjoying having time to myself and time to be a mum. I'm usually so busy and although I wouldn't have chosen this route to get time off, I am getting a few positives. Jo xx ... View more

Hi Rach, as others have said, it is perfectly normal to feel like you do. The waiting game is the worst. Things will get better even if it doesn't feel like it now. It's ok to have bad days. Be kind to yourself. What I really wanted to say is, please don't feel like you are letting your children down. I felt that way a few weeks ago but it really is not the case. You aren't letting anyone down. You didn't choose this and you will fight this and come out the other side. You are strong, even if you don't feel like it and will become stronger. Your children will be proud of you so don't feel bad about those bad days. Big, big hugs, Jo xx ... View more

Hi Alex, I love the name ROLF! It's the anxiety of waiting and uncertainty that gets to us...if we don't know the answer we make it up and make it a hundred times worse than it probably is. When I was waiting for results the nurse said she might be able to ring me after the MDT but the consultant probably wouldn't let her as I was seeing him the next day. She didn't ring, I panicked and was terrified of going to my appointment. I sat shaking like a jelly so much that the consultant came and put his arm round me and was completely reassuring. Once you know the results and what surgery you will be having you will be able to get some control back and move forwards. It's that whole wanting rid of ROLF and needing confirmation that it will all go ahead as planned. Big hugs. Jo xx ... View more

Susan, so funny! My friend said that she went in for an op and had 3 pregnancy tests in one day. She said something similar to you! Helena, great that you have no fatigue. Be as mischievous as you like...you deserve it! I had a lovely day at the local hospice. Pleasantly surprised. I got a manicure, nails painted and I painted a silk picture. Lovely lunch followed by an afternoon of mindfulness. Met some lovely people as well. I really wasn't sure that it was for me before I went but it felt good to have a 'me' day. Jo xx ... View more

Hi Maria, Jules, Jojo and I will be just a bit ahead of you with chemo so might be able to give you info on SEs. We're all different and have different plans so I guess until you've got the first one out of the way you won't know exactly how it will affect you. It's helped me hearing from others who have been through it before me. Some of my friends had very few side effects and others have said that the first cycle is the worst. After that the nurses can change your meds to suit what you need. I have that to look forward to next week 🙄 I will try and post a photo of my wig but can't do it from my phone. I thought I'd try it ou and very embarrassingly, I got lots of compliments. I daren't take it off now in case people realise it was a wig!! I'm not good with scarves (not very girly) but will give it a go. My mum got me a Handy Band from Seasalt www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk. They are multi-purpose, headband, scarf, bandana, balaclava... Lovely and soft too. Jo xx ... View more

Hi Jules, welcome seems like the wrong thing to say but welcome anyway. Please let us know how things go for you tomorrow. I have been asking people I that I know about their chemo experience and it varies. Most have said that the day itself is ok and the SEs don't kick in straight away. Hospital (as a patient) is new to me, although I did work in one for 20 years and have 5 kids...I didn't make a habit of staying in! Good luck for tomorrow and keep coming on here to chat. Jo xx ... View more

Zena, I went wig shopping on Monday with a friend. I got it cut and styled and had a giggle. Loved it so much I left the salon with it on! I got so many compliments doing the school run that I haven't dared go out without it...and I've not started chemo yet!! On the plus side, it has been my choice to wear it and not a necessity as a result of hair loss. Hopefully by the time I need it I (and everyone else) will be used to the new look. Jo xx ... View more

Susan, good luck today with your scan (not that you'll need it). I still haven't got an appointment for mine but onc is happy to start chemo without and I can have the scan after the first session. Big relief as I was worried my treatment would be delayed. Let us know all about it later. I'm off for my first day at the local hospice. It feels a bit strange but I have a good friend who goes regularly for something that is not cancer related. I'll let you know how it goes. I've heard so many good things about it but I'm not sure I would have had the courage to sign up for it if I didn't know of others who have recommended it. I've been signed up for mindfulness, alternative therapies, counselling, financial advice... Strudel, I know you have a bone scan coming up, not sure whether it's today or tomorrow but sending you hugs. I'm a bit rubbish at keeeoung tabs of where everyone is up to! Hope you all have a good day. Jo xx ... View more

Hi futuretwo, the waiting does seem unbearable. I had mx within a week of diagnosis which was fantastic but I have waited almost 9 weeks to start chemo. There have been times that I felt I really couldn't cope with all the waiting and got myself into a real anxious state. Sometimes though it does give you time to come to terms with things. As Sarah has said, it is important to make sure you have a treatment plan that is best for you so that waiting, no matter how bad, is worth it. Hang in in there and keep coming here to chat. Jo xx ... View more

Big hugs to you jj. The waiting is the pits and the anxiety of results day really got me too. In fact, every appointment at the beginning turned me into a jibbering wreck. I had DCIS (7cm) and sections of this had become invasive (3cm in total but different areas). I also have nodal involvement. I was terrified and struggling to hold it together. Once I had my treatment plan in place I felt much better. I start chemo on Monday and am strangely looking forward to it although I will be anxious on the day. You have so much else going on but try to concentrate on you for now and be kind to yourself. Good luck with your results and do keep coming here to chat, rant, scream.., Jo xx ... View more

Hi Zena, good to see you in here. I was going to message you and see where you were up to. I've felt a bit in limbo and haven't been on the newly diagnosed for a bit. Glad you've got your plan sorted and that your on here with me. Sparkydee, FEC and Tax are two different regimes using different drugs. Off the top of my head I can't remember. FEC is is a combination of 3 and Taxol is given as a single drug. Different SEs. I'm on EC (FEC without the F) and Taxol. I'll let you know how EC is next week! Jo xx ... View more

Strudel, thank you so much for posting the story about your friend. It really has lifted me. I've been quite upbeat and positive over the last couple of weeks but still have moments. I think sometimes we just need to hear something inspirational. ... View more

Hi Sparkydee,, good news that you've had a successful op and clear nodes. I'm apprehensive about chemo too but have accepted that it has to be done. My first one is scheduled for Monday and in a strange way I'm looking forward to it. I think it's been a while since my mx and I feel like I need to get on with my treatment plan. I've had friends who have been through similar and have reassured BMW that chemo is doable. I'm sure your dogs will be great company through your journey. I have 5 kids, 3 cats and 1 dog (a naughty Beagle!). Come back and let us know how you are doing. I'm sure we will get a few more February starters soon. Jo xx ... View more

Ali Dylan is just gorgeous. Congratulations! xx ... View more

Helena, it sound like you've had a lovely day. I've spent more time with my brother since my diagnosis and it's been really good. Not the best circumstances but great to have his support and sense of humour. Good that you enjoy bowling so much too. Sallyann, good to hear that your looking forward to work. That normal feeling is great. I get it briefly and then remember...but we are normal really just that things sometimes feel a little bizarre. Ali, sounds like a very positive meeting with your oncologist. Onwards and upwards. I went wig shopping with a friend today. It was actually quite fun. I like my wig so much I've kept it on, despite not having started chemo yet. One of the mums at school complimented me on my hair so I feel like I darent take it off now. Gone for short and straight instead of my usual curly but similar colour to my natural hair (without the grey!!). Jo xx ... View more

Hi Emma, big hug from me. Hope you're feeling a little bit better. I felt just the same and was anxious about every little thing. Completely irrational but all part and parcel of the anxiety. I even panicked every time the phone rang. I hadn't had a general since I had teeth out in my teens so was worried about the anaesthetic, being in my own in hospital, seeing the consultant, being wheeled down the corridor...I was so relieved that they let me walk down the corridor. It was the small stuff that got me. You will be fine but it is very normal to feel the way you do. Jo xxx ... View more

Hi Alex, If it's a breast MRI they will just scan your breasts and not the whole of your body. It sounds like they are just doing it for confirmation and to make sure you get the right treatment...better to know whether you need a mx now rather than after lumpectomy. Try not to worry too much as it doesn't sound like they're looking for anything else. MR is noisy and you might have to have a small injection but it isn't too bad. Hope all goes well. Jo xx ... View more

Ive but the board up Susan and am about to Get busy. Lexxi, my head is still in one piece so off to a good start!! ... View more

My OH sometimes will do it. He's military trained so does a very good job! One of my older girls does the school uniform. It still leaves a mountain and it drives me mad. I like it all done but have taken to hiding the basket in the wardrobe so I can't see it. That seems quite effective! ... View more