Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jude, we’re staying in a Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side. Where did you stay?   Tarnia x   ... View more

Hello ladies, sue, good to hear you’re back at work with a return to work plan in place. Definitely need time to settle into your normal routine.   Jo, sounds like you’re having a lovely break in Devon - just what the doctor ordered 👍🏼 I went wig free during my radiotherapy treatment as I had to travel quite a distance and no one knew me! It felt great so enjoy the freedom of being wig free ☺️   Jude, when I got diagnosed and was told I needed chemotherapy it suddenly became all about my hair! Hated the thought of losing it I guess like most ladies 😏 so glad we’ve come through it all and it’s all positive now ....hair growing instead of falling out (albeit wild 😂 ) !   I’m off to Mexico tomorrow for a week for a well earned rest and a bit of sunshine on my bones ☀️   So Adios for now! I will try and bring the sun back for you all.   Take Care, Tarnia x     ... View more

Jo your hair looks great! Coming along nicely. Nice and thick too!   Jude my hair is very curly at the back. When it first starting growing the waves looked very 1920’s!! My body hair is also back to normal! Can’t believe I’ve got to pay to be waxed next week before my holidays 🙄 . My eyebrows are back and bottom lashes. Top lashes are short and still a bit gappy 🤨 but getting there!   I was also very anxious about going out and about with short hair but after the first couple of times it became  very normal and I stopped even thinking about it! I even explain to people about my diagnosis who comment on it! I feel that now I’ve come through it I can talk about it easier!    Take care Tarnia xx     ... View more

Hello ladies, Cat you will definitely feel better about your hair when it’s been coloured I know I did and I’m sure you will soon get used to Your new style and just keep telling yourself it will soon grow and be long again - I remind myself everyday 🤗 I’ve also heard it might go straight again too 🤞🏼 🤞🏼 🤞🏼   Jude your hair looks great! Looks nice and thick already and lovely colour too.   Tarnia xx ... View more

Hello ladies Sue just reading your comments about Yoga made me giggle! I would be absolutely hopeless 😂 😂   Good luck everyone returning to work, hope it all goes well.   Good news for me is that my hair is growing well, colour held well but roots are showing so going to get them done day before I go on holiday. Problem I have though is that it’s growing really curly which is bizarre as I’ve always had dead straight hair!! I’ve no idea what to do with it!!! Suppose I should just be grateful it’s hair!  Sue I also had the problem of my wig moving about as my hair got thicker and longer 🤨 I did find using a hair net underneath helped a little bit.   Take care Tarnia x ... View more

Hi Jude How was skin whilst in Mexico? Do you think it was more sensitive than normal and what factor Sun cream did you use?  I’m glad you feel well rested, I’m hoping it has that affect on me (off in just under 2 weeks, not that I’m counting or anything)!  Tarnia x ... View more

Hi Sue My daughter is a 5th year medical student (qualifying as a doctor this year) and I’ve been speaking to her about this as I’m also suffering from joint pain. She says according to the Nice guidelines they don’t  recommend Black Cohosh for women who have had breast cancer. I will attach the screen shots she’s sent me.    She’s told me to try taking a Glucosamine and Chondritin supplements to see if this helps with my joint pain but I haven’t started taking them yet so can’t comment if it works or not!  For me I’m fine when I’m resting and fine when I’m moving but it’s going from resting to moving that’s the issue I’m like someone who’s 90 and it’s driving me mad!!    Take care Tarnia ... View more

Hi I have no idea what to suggest for your nails. I lost a couple of toe nails but thankfully my finger nails have been ok....well up to now anyway. It might be worth asking your chemo nurse for advice as I bet she will have seen this kind of thing before!   Hope everyone is doing ok.   Tarnia   ... View more

Thanks everyone. It sounds like we just need to be sensible and extra careful in the sun!  Hope that everyone going on holiday has a lovely time! We certainly deserve it!   Take care all   Tarnia x ... View more

Hi Ladies just wondering what you are doing when away on holiday with regards to your skin that was treated with radiotherapy. Do you plan on keeping covered or wearing a high factor sunscreen? I’ve read to to wear factor 50 for a least a year but I mentioned to the radiologist that I was going away in April and she insisted it needed to be covered 😫   Tarnia ... View more

Thank you Jo. Because I used the cold cap I didn’t lose all my hair. I went very thin and at the end of chemo had it cut really short. So now although stil Short it’s a decent length and thickening up nicely. I’m still amazed at how curly it’s growing as I’m normally dead straight and my fringe is almost Afro!! But my hair dresser yesterday was explaining how it always affects the hairline and crown the worst 🤨  it’s very hard to ditch the wigs and hat because people who know me are going to see such a difference and I haven’t really told that many people about me 🤨 but I hate my wig now it’s gone a bit like dolls hair at the ends so it’s kind of forced my hand. I’m sure you look lovely Jo whatever the length of your hair and the positive thing here is that it’s growing and once it starts it doesn’t take long!!    Take care Tarnia ... View more

Hello ladies, Well today couldn’t come quick enough! I’ve dyed my hair and have to say it’s covered really well and I’ve had no problems at all! Was a bit worried as I know they advise to wait 6 months but I really wanted to Ditch my wig! It’s been just over 3 months since I finished chemo. Thought I’d share incase others are thinking about it but may also be a bit worried!   Have a good weekend all. Tarnia  ... View more

Hi Jude I’ve had no issues with my finger nails but I’ve had a toe nail go black just a couple of weeks ago 😕 unfortunately I think the side effects of chemo are going to be with us for a while yet 🙄   I’m still having problems with my joints /muscles after resting. It’s driving me mad 😠   I have 3 radiotherapy sessions left and I’m suffering with a prickly heat rash which is also driving me mad, but just keep thinking I’m almost at the finish line.   Having my hair coloured on Saturday which l’m really looking forward to and will hopefully be able to ditch the wig and hat 😊 If all goes well I will try and post a picture.   Hope everyone is doing well. Take care all, Tarnia ... View more

Hi Ladies  I had 2 toe nails fall off during chemo but have since grown back but then last week out of the blue another one turned black so I’m guessing that will fall off too! I’ve also read that sometimes your eyelashes fall out again after they’ve grown back and can do that several times over a couple of years 🤨 I’m hoping mine don’t i hate not having  eyelashes - mine are growing back but not enough to wear mascara yet!    Im planing to ditch my wig and hats once I’ve dyed my hair - booked in for 9/3....I can’t wait! Really fed up with my wig atm and this last week has been a bit too mild for a woolly hat 🙄   Enjoy your weekend ladies 🕶 ☀️   Tarnia   ... View more

Hi Cat Glad to hear you’ve finished radiotherapy with very few side effects. I’ve had 9 of my 23 so far so getting there and up to now no side effects 🤞🏼 Using cream 3 times a day. My leg hair has returned in fact everything seems to be slowly returning to normal ( although wish the hair on my head would grow quicker)!   Im getting really bad joint pain currently and im not on any other medication so i’m assuming it’s a late side effect of chemotherapy. I’m ok if I keep moving but after I rest then move again I’m like an old woman of 90 which is really annoying. Up to now I’ve continued with my running but I think it’s time I stopped for a while to let my joints heel which again is annoying as it’s the one thing I love to do and it’s kept things “normal” through treatment so far ☹️   Take care ladies   Tarnia  ... View more

Hi Jude, I didn’t lose all my hair because of cold capping but all of it has started growing really curly which for me is really strange as I’ve always had dead straight hair! Not quite sure what to do with it but I’m just thankful it’s hair and growing 😂 I finish radiotherapy on 8/3 so I’m going to book myself in to get it dyed on 9/3 something to look forward to!  My eyebrows are growing back too and top eyelashes on one eye but no signs on the other eye just yet...oh and my lady garden is growing well too 😂 😂 not that I’ve missed that!!   sue glad your nasal hair is growing, no more runny noses for you 👍🏽   Take care all Tarnia xx   ... View more

Hi Sue Glad the acupuncture is working for you. I’ve also heard that massaging the scalp helps the hair to grow. I’ve also heard that black Jamaican castor oil is also very good for hair growth so I’ve been massaging that into my scalp and leaving it overnight to see if it speeds things up! Only time will tell!   Have a good weekend all    Tarnia xx ... View more

Hi all,  I just wanted to ask you all if any of you are thirsty all the time? I finished chemo 10 weeks ago but I find I’m constantly thirsty! Not sure if this is normal or something I should be worried about 🤔   On a positive note my first radiotherapy all went to plan today. 1 done just 22 to go.   Jude - well done on going back to work. A bit of normality back in your life. It’s good to be getting back to normal.   Tarnia xx      ... View more

Hi All I finally start radiotherapy tomorrow! I’m having 4 and a half weeks. Glad to be on the last leg of this journey but have to admit I’m not looking forward to the 25 mile round trip everyday 🤨    Jude today I’ve also booked a holiday to Mexico going in April! It’s always good to have something to look forward to and boy do we all deserve it!    Hope everyone is doing well.   Tarnia x ... View more

Found this link regarding Asprin and cancer https://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/03/21/aspirin-and-cancer-the-picture-becomes-clearer/ ... View more