Breast Cancer Now Forum

Good luck Scotty and Esther. And everyone else who's got stuff going on. Day after chemo and I feel fine. A slightly muzzy head, but no nausea or aches. Ali x ... View more

Thanks, Alison x ... View more

Thanks Strudel and Emily, Ok booze. So if you have been drinking within recommended limits, I understand the best estimate is that it increases your risk by up to c 25% compared with a teetotaller. That sounds a lot, but if 8 women in 100 get breast cancer it's putting the risk at maybe 9 in 100 for 'drinkers' cf maybe 7 in 100 for non-drinkers. Still bad luck really. I'm posting this because I'm an academic and I worry about how stats savvy people are. (I promise I'm not judging people who aren't just don't want them to over worry). Also because I think all of us who like a drink will feel some residual guilt. I'll add in being overweight. Though I offsetted with years of breastfeeding! Of course drinking more than 14 units a week raises the risk further, but I know plenty of near alcoholics who haven't got BC. We have been unlucky. Sorry to sound serious. And of course everyone should do what they feel comfortable. I'm going to cut back myself, but not stop completely. After all daily champagne is good for you according to recent research! Ali xx ... View more

Thanks, Slowski Ali x ... View more

Ha, obviously I'd normally be delighted to be a member of an exclusive club. I almost joined Soho House, but came to my senses when I remembered how expensive it is and how not cool I am. Anyway, glad I got it right, Ali ... View more

Of course you can, Zena. PM me anytime if that's easier. Xx ... View more

Hi Alex and Zena, Completely agree about this place providing space for the down times. I decided to FB check in at the hospital today as a way of telling people I don't know well enough to speak so. 80% of the replies are about how strong I am, which does miss the point. Best comment was from my sister-in -law who sent an email two weeks after I told the family. Dear Ali Sorry to hear about your health issues. I'm sure you're in good hands. Thank you for my Christmas presents, always so lovely and luxurious. I'm praying that 2017 wil be a calmer year. Love etc Well excuse me for being the cause of drama! Take care all Ali x ... View more

Into the room, not 'too'     ... View more

So I'm home. Was back by 2.15 and I'm fine.    It was difficult to get a cannula in, took two goes and hurt more than usual. But I'm having a PICC line done before the next one, so not a problem. Interestingly they didn't offer this. But I said I wanted one and they agreed straight away though, so definitely worth asking.   The rest was drama free. I had EC and I'm not cold-capping, so I was out in less than two hours. I have a bit of a headache but not so bad that I'd take a paracetamol. I came home on the tube, my husband came to bag carry but I didn't want him around for the actual chemo.   One tip-which I've posted over in the January chemo thread.  I was a bit worried because I fainted when they injected me for the MRI. No idea why, I'm not squeamish at all, although again she had to have two goes at getting it in. Anyway I know that if I'm feeling lightheaded a cold flannel helps. So this morning I put a clean wet flannel in a plastic bag with half a dozen ice cubes and sealed it. This was great as it stayed cold. I didn't feel faint but it was nice to know it was there and I held the bag against my forehead when the headache kicked in. Didn't need to take it out of the bag, it was just nice to have something cold to hand. Might be something to take when you have your PICC line done, Scotty. I'm definitely going to take that each time.   Didn't really need all the chemo bag contents there, but all good for now I'm home. The nurses were with me for all but 25 minutes so they chatted all the time. I am lying on the sofa trying to look pale and interesting.    Good luck with everything, all of you.    Ali   xx   PS when they say be careful about infection, I'm assuming that the cat shouldn't be drinking from my glass of water. I wouldn't have known, if I hadn't caught him when I came back into the too .     ... View more

Hi all.    Alison you're right that there's lots of variation. I think it's partly because even those of us who are HER+ will be either ER+ (you, I think if I've remembered right) or ER- (me, and I think Scotty too). That makes a difference.    Anyway I thought I'd let you know I've had Chemo 1 and I'm back home.    Mostly fine. When we got there it was a bit of a mess. They'd cancelled my appointment, even though they only made it on Thursday, when they cancelled my Friday appointment. I wasn't very impressed and had to talk to a manager. After a slightly worrying 40 minutes they confirmed they could do it today. It was difficult to get a cannula in, took two goes and hurt more than usual. But I'm having a PICC line done before the next one, so not a problem. Interestingly, given previous posts, they didn't offer this. I said I wanted one and they agreed straight away though, so definitely worth asking.    The rest was drama free. I had EC and I'm not cold-capping, so I was out in less than two hours. I have a bit of a headache but not so bad that I'd take a paracetamol. I came home on the tube, my husband came to bag carry but I didn't want him around for the actual chemo.    One tip. I was a bit worried because I fainted when they injected me for the MRI. No idea why, I'm not squeamish at all, although again she had to have two goes at getting it in. Anyway I know that if I'm feeling lightheaded a cold flannel helps. So this morning I put a clean wet flannel in a plastic bag with half a dozen ice cubes and sealed it. This was great as it stayed cold. I didn't feel faint but it was nice to know it was there and I held the bag against my forehead when the headache kicked in. Didn't need to take it out of the plastic bag, it was just nice to have something cold to hand.    Hope everyone else's treatments go well. Sorry, no name checks for who/ when as I'm practicing lying on the sofa looking delicate, so doing this on my phone which makes looking back a bit awkward.   Takes care everyone   Ali   ... View more

Hi all. So literally in the chair with cannula in and waiting for the EC. Scotty -the PICC line is definitely the way to go. I won't go into details but I'm a bit pin-cushiony right now, so I'm getting one for next time. Susan, sorry to hear about your dog, he sounds lovely. I'll be thinking about him. Thanks for all the good wishes. Only drama was that I got here and they'd cancelled the appointment. Cue one v tight lipped discussion, with me pointing out that is already been bumped and had to chase them for timings etc. Anyway I got an apology and they found me a slot. Though my blood pressure is up quite high. Ok enough from me for now. I have books to read and a gin and tonic to finish. (One of those statements is a lie). Ali x ... View more

Ha, I see what you mean. That's made me laugh, a lot. Unfortunately since I've been drinking litres of water to plump my veins it's also made me come dangerously close to wetting myself.    Ali ... View more

Thanks, Charlo and welcome. I'm a bit nervous, partly because my pre-chemo chat is immediately before. At this they will 'tell me how to prepare'!. Anyway sure it'll be fine. Main thing is zapping the bugger (stolen phrase from Scotty). Also I have the best chemo bag ever. You'll have to look back to Friday's posts to find out about it.    It's amazing that you and Strudel are real life friends. Obviously also a bit **bleep** (are we allowed to say **bleep** here? Sorry, if not). But good too.    Ali x ... View more

A big week for lots of us then.   Emily and Jo, thinking of you both. And of everyone waiting for test results. I swear it's the worst bit, impossible not to imagine the worst at times.    Emily, your OH sounds a bit like mine. He's so keen not to google that I have had to go through the possible side effects line by line. Before that he thought I was being dramatic when I suggested getting a thermometer. It's probably better than having one that reads too much, but really sometimes I'd welcome a happy medium.    Zena, glad you found the upbeat thread x   Strudel, you're right. Chemo for me first thing tomorrow. And a CT scan on Wednesday. I'm almost looking forward to the chemo, at least we will be doing something active to treat this. Albeit my active participation will mostly be spent on my backside!    I'm currently playing the cancer card: being brought endless cups of tea, have a cashmere blanket with two cats on it and getting to choose what's on the telly. (Football if you're interested). All these are sources of pleasure. Irritatingly it's exactly how I spent Sunday afternoons before I knew I had cancer. So not as much of an upside as I'd hoped.     Ali x ... View more

Hi, Zena. Just wanted to say hi. I've been stuck in the system too, though I got my treatment plan just before Christmas. Chemo starts tomorrow, I'm HER positive so I get that before surgery.    As Strudel said it's probably going to move fast now. I've found these forums very good, though it's worth remembering very few people have exactly the same diagnosis. So many different types of BC, plus hormone stays, stage etc. There are some good booklets here that you can download as PDFs. They give some of the facts which can help keep the panic under control. It's also worth hanging on to the huge increases in survival rates that have happened since your mum died. It means that history doesn't have to repeat itself.   Take care, and don't feel bad about stressing, This is a place you can find real understanding of what you're going through.   Ali  ... View more

Morning all, let's hope for a better 2017. I can't be the only one reeling still (and I don't mean I saw the new year in Scottish dancing). Jo, I'm probably can't say much to help, but I'm thinking of you. One thing I'm finding useful now is to try to get as much pleasure as possible from each actual day. It's quite hard work, but reminding myself of that aim is helping hold back the tide of panic when it rolls in. Ali x ... View more

Omg that's a great site, though I now need a bigger bag, Strudel.   Emma aka Scotty, I really do believe this is the 'best' thread. I literally lurked for two weeks trying to decide where to jump in. When I realised I was laughing out loud over and over at a cancer forum, I knew it was the right place. Of course there will be others tugging at our heartstrings, but your first love thread is the one that sets you up for ever. (I may have been on 'different' forums to learn that lesson).    Catch you all later. We aren't going out because I've got cancer. That's a lie, we aren't going out because I hate New Year's Eve parties, and so always say no. I find two bottles of champagne and a large plate of profiteroles essentially are all you need for a perfect night in. Company optional, Jools Holland compulsory. Although I'm still slightly heartbroken from the discovery that it's not live and all those celebrities aren't giving up NYE for our entertainment.    Ali x   ... View more

Morning everyone and Happy New Year's Eve (if that is an actual thing). Thanks for all the anniversary wishes, we had a lovely evening and I showed off with home made ravioli and mushroom risotto. (No wonder I need the fatbusters).      Emma, I really do get the needle phobia, even though I don't share it. It must make things much harder. Anyway,your brilliant expression 'zapping the bugger to kingdom come' is now firmly in my cancer phrasebook. There don't seem to be many people around who are ER-/HER+, so we should definitely compare notes as we go through the zapping.    Em, you're right of course about being better to know. It's just feeling a bit like a giant helter shelter right now, round every bend there's another drop. Anyway it really doesn't matter what I feel, I'm definitely going for that scan on Wednesday.   Silverlady, a chemo bag is a made-up expression for the bag I'm putting everything in. Once you start looking around for advice you find that chemo seems to involve collating a huge number of items. In fact the last time I gathered so many things together it was for giving birth! I only had to buy a bag because I didn't have anything that's both light enough to carry and big enough to get everything in. I may be being a bit ott (I hate not being prepared), but this is my list to date:   slippers/socks/thermos (for ice)/ sparkling water/ ginger sweets/ book 1 (serious)/ book 2 (lightweight in case I can't concentrate on book 1/ magazine (in case I really can't read)/ iPad/ charger/ mini fan (in case I'm hot) / cashmere wrap (in case I'm cold) / journal to write down side effects etc/ notebook for brilliant thoughts (they may be few)/ hoodie (for when I'm bald). Told you it was ott.   Hope everyone's day goes well, I'll be glad to see off 2016.   Ali x ... View more