Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Girls, Having a rotten time!! Started yesterday! After the Heartburn, I started to suffer really bad trapped wind! Felt like I had sledgehammer between shoulder blades and sternum, then as the evening went on I developed flu like symptoms. I'm aching all over and can hardly stand up. Been onto Beatson and I have to go to docs to have bloods done this afternoon. Temperature ok at the mo! Thank goodness. Thought I was doing so well. Just wish it would hurry and pass. I hope it's not an infection. Huggs Fiona xxx ... View more

Hi Girls, I'm hangin in there!! Doing fine.. Bit Exhausted, it's such a weird feeling.. Went to silverburn for an hour with my sister in law.. had a coffee then went home.. Haven't had any real bad Se's appart from Heartburn.. but I suffer from that easily anyway.. Oh horrible taste in mouth!! Thankx For the info on Passport Helen.. Mine ran out last winter and I wasn't planning on renewing till I went to Florida in July(which has now been cancelled!!)Never mind there's next year.. I might just get photo's done now, always handy to have anyway.. Glad to hear you're having a better sleep Sharon. Amazing what a good night sleep does!! Think The Hercepin and Tax together is going to be a pest.. one and half hours for each and that's not including the flushes... I have to see Onc before next one so they've delayed treatment till 3.30pm nxt time to allow clinic appointment, so It'll be a whole day affair next time too!! Can't believe Annie that you haven't been told about Herceptin? but yes you'll definately get it after all your other treatment has finished. I'm only Getting it now as I'm on a trial.. I'm on the Majool dates too.. very nice! Hope You had Lovely Lunch Pauline.. Great That you can Do some serious Detoxing.. Get all that crap out of your system.. Sorry Girls I've lost track with lunch dates!! If I say Wed/Thur 22nd,23rd.. Does this help? I think that clashes with Helen..? or this Friday 17th??Or Sat 18th.. Trying to avoid (Tues, wed, Thurs... Helen, Me and Sharon) have stuff on.. xxx Well off to Eat Roast Beef!! hopefully with no repetitions!!! or Heartburn!! Love to All Fiona xxx ... View more

Hi Everyone, Had My first Tax yesterday..was supposed to be Tuesday but Pharmacy didn't make it up so I had to come home!! They fitted me in yesterday and it took 8hrs as had it alongside Herceptin.. Had to be monitored for 6hrs, It was a very long day!! I feel fine.. Heartburn and hot red face from the steroids this morning, left foot is tender underneath and a bit woozy(spaced out just after antisickness pills)!! minor really, lets hope it stays that way!! Sorry To hear Melissa that you have been having a rough time. I'm not sure whether to eat lots of fibre in case of constipation, which I normally get with even co-codamol, And I hate with a passon!!! (who doesn't)? or go easy with the fibre in case I end up with the runs???? oh decicions, decicions!!! Great PP that you have finally finished Chemo.. massive hurdle for you to accompilshed.. Hope all you other girls are doing fine.. It will take me a while to catch up with everyone.. Happy Easter Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi Peeps, One weary person back from Chemo!! very long day, wasn't told it would take 8 hours (last one out of chemo suit!!) but everyone was lovely.. had wee slight reaction to herceptin, but paracetamol solved it. I feel fine. bit spaced out and my hand is swollen and hurts..(can't type for Toffee!!!) Thanks for all you kind support everybody, I was worried in case something else went wrong today. looking forward to meeting you Helen on the 20th, i'm sure it'll be a good day!! I drive to Maggie's centre so not too sure how the trains work Helen.. any of you other girls know about trains to Maggie's? Sharon, I had what sounds like what you've experienced about 9 years ago.. They thought it was a clot then pleaurisy then they decided it was inflammation of the lining of the lung maybe caused by a small infection. They gave me pain killers, anti-inflamatry and antibiotics.. they were very vague about it??? weren't very sure.. anyway it was so sore to breathe, it was horrible.. hope it eases for you soon..xxx Tracy - No bone scan for me, I only had MUGA scan for heart which I'll get every 3 months.. x Hi Sheila, Hope you're doing fine. Computers are a real pain when they don't work.. couldn't get mine to work when I turned it on, but then it could've been Me!!!x Jo, Pauline, How are you both doing? Hope you have nice weekend and chill for Easter.xx Annie, Hope you're doing good after chemo today? Hope you don't have any problems this time.. My Brains are fried!!.. had lots of paper work to sift through, will try organise trip to wig woman next week!! knowing the thinness of my hair already, It'll be a race against time!!!xxx Hope I haven't missed anyone.. I can't concentrate anymore.. All Have a Lovely Easter... Get stuck into those Eggs!!! Love n Hugs Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi Peeps.. Havin a nice Day, My Dad is enjoying his birthday.. Didn't sleep too well last night, wasn't sure if it was the steroids or all the carry on with the chemo!! Lunch is fine with me, Maybe the following week? looks like it suits everybody better. I'll fit in with whatever day suits. Next Wed (15th) is my youngest's Birthday so not good for me that day.. Helen, did you book in for the talking heads session on the 20th? it's on straight after the LGFB.. Be good to meet up with you. I'm with you on the Benefit's thing Annie, count me in!! I can't believe all the questions for £60 a week... now they want all my balance sheets for last years business and considering the financial year only finished at the weekend, I don't have them made up yet and I'm supposed to send it all in to them by 5th May!!!! pain in the ****!!! (sorry)!! Hope your Chemo went ok Today..xxx Hope you are doing well Sheila..Glad you had a good time at your Daughters birthday.x Sharon, hope your shoulder gets better soon, sounds really painful. How did you get on at the Docs today? x Pauline, Tracy and Jo... hope you gals are doin fine and chillin out..xx I'm taking kids and Dad to Kelvin Grove tomorrow,(maybe Dr Who?) I'm taking them into Maggie's for a look, so they can see where I'm talking about.. They've all heard me say so much about it.. Anyway...off to cause an inferno with a birthday Cake!!! Love and Hugs Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hiya Gals!! Well as you can see I'm not in getting chemo right now!! Saw My onc about lump(which is fine) at 9am this morning and he told me that although he had consented and sent the order to the pharmacy, somehow it never got made up!! aw I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!! I now go on Friday.. I'll keep to my Tuesdays after that but it has set all my dates back.. works in better for my birthday in may, and it's my Dad's 70th tomorrow so now I can take him out for a nice meal, so I suppose it's not all bad. Glad you're feeling a bit better today Jo, hope the worst is by..Not sure about lunch next week, but if everybody makes an arrangement I'll try my best to make it..xx Hi Tracy, glad you're doing ok.. can't see the link.. has BCC removed it? x Hope you're doing good Sharon xx Love and hugs Fiona xxx ... View more

Helen, I'm on the one on the 20th.. see if you can get on that one. Maggie's is shut fri and mon this week.. I've also booked into the talking heads which is on straight after which is for the head scarfs. be great if you could make that one.. xx Fiona xxx ... View more

Hi Helen, Are you coming to The LGFB seminar at the maggie's...? I'm under the impression it was on today.. I think it's only on a monday..(hope I'm Wrong!) they were setting up for it when I was leaving this afternoon. There is a car park across the road in front of the transport museum which is alongside the river. Go right into the car park, don't park on the road!! it's 10p for first 1/2hr then 10p every 10mins up to 3hrs, the car park is a flat £1 for 4hrs, which is really good if you're going to be there a while. you will enjoy Maggie's centre it's really good and the people are lovely..xx I went to the relaxation class today for an hour and it was really good.. Sorry Jo you're feeling so bad, it's awful that you're having such a bad time.. sending you hugs through cyber space. xx Hugs Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi Girls, Hope you are all doing well and had a nice weekend.. bit colder today, wish the sun would come back. I went out for a nice meal and some vino last night...feeling ok today, went to docs for sickline and some meds this morning..found out at there that they have me down for the wrong size lump 30mm instead of 13mm.. got a wee fright with that. phoned onc secretary, she'll ammend it and it has no bearing on my treatment!! will see onc in morning so will just double check..I'm heading down to maggies for drop in relaxation (think I'll be needing it!!) just spent an hour on the phone claiming incapacity benefit.. my ear is red hot!! Helen- hope you enjoy LGFB day, speaking as a hairdresser, the way you treat your hair and scalp will have no bearing on when/if it all comes out.. the damage is done deep within the hair folicle at a cellular level, that's why the cap sometimes doesn't work. just treat it normally..xx Sharon- hope you had a good night out. I'd love to try reihki too.xx Hi Pauline, hope you're still hanging in there!! how's the sleeping?xx Jo- hope you're ok too, did you kick chemo butt!!!!xx Sheila, Angela and Annie.. best wishes to you all, hope things are ok with you.. xxx well girls wish me luck for tomorrow!!!.....speak to you soon. Love Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hello Everybody, Been reading your messages for the last couple of days. I'm starting Tax with herceptin (3 cycles) on Tuesday and this will be my first chemo. I will then have 3 cycles of FEC.. Very aprehensive as you can imagine, I think it's because everybody has diferent side effects so I'll be waiting to see what I get. Also I'm having trouble finding people who have had Tax with Herceptin as I'm taking part in a Trial. I think it is usually administered to advanced cancer but not early. Sadly I've been randomised to the long arm of the trial, after chemo and rads I then do a year of herceptin.. The short arm only have herceptin at the start with chemo.. I'm worried about having an allergic reaction as I have asthma, excema and hayfever in summer, so feel there may be a chance I'll take one.. Hope all you girls are doing ok and If anyone has any tips I'd be gratefull. Regards Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi girls, Happy Birthday Sharon, hope you have a lovely day today. X That's my last day at work although it could have gone a little better than it did!!! I found another lump in my other breast last night, and well to put it mildly, I was having the screamin ab dabs!!! Phoned BCN this morning and garbled away to the answering machine!! Poor woman must have wondered what hit her when she heard it. She phoned me as soon as she got in and was able to put my panicing mind at ease very quickly. Apparently I have quite a few cysts in that breast so she thinks it's just one of them. I've to try and see Dr Alhasso at Beatson on Tues as surgeon on hols. If need be an ultrasound can be arranged for Wed. So I was late for work hair half blowdried!!! Poor clients!! Kids off for 2 weeks!! Oh boy!! Hope you're still hanging in there Helen, you sound very good. X Hope everything went ok today Pauline with the Hickman. X Jo- chin up babes for the chemo!! Hope all went well. X Great about the job Angela. Easy does it. But you'll get there. Your work have been really great with you. X Hope everyone has a nice weekend. Hugs. Fiona xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Girls, Happy Birhday Helen... hope you're being wonderfully spoiled and having a nice chilled out evening.. I'll be 39 in May too, 2 days after chemo!!.. You asked what chemo I'm on, I'm doing 3 Herceptin and Taxotere and 3 FEC. followed by rads and then a year of herceptin.. Went to the Maggie's centre today and it was very good, got good financial help. applied for a macmillan grant and incapacity benefit. I get 28 weeks grace for tax credits, so i'll be back on the horse by then hopefully!! I've also booked into the look good feel better on 20th April and a head strong for scarfs on the same day, so I'm really looking forward to that.. Sorry Jo you're feeling really fed up, your body is just hitting a low point and it's dragging you down.. You will have your life back before you know it and all this will be a memory. My friend is 5 years post now and is amazing!! Pauline will vouch for me on this one. just keep thinking of all those nasty cells being obliterated!!! so you can enjoy a long and happy life. xxx Sharon, Hope you have a really good Birthday tomorrow, go out and have a great time. good news about the surgery, after putting up with all the chemo the surgery will be a doddle!! at least you know when you're sore you can get loads of painkillers!!!! the more the better!! Pauline, how are you doing? you sound up beat? How did yesterday go? any news of the complimentry therapy? also can you tell me when I take my steroids? and how many? Dr Alhasso said 8mg the night before and same in the morning before I go for chemo but my brain is a pile of mince right now, with the memory of a slug!!! P.S got lovely bandanas(cotton) from bohemia fashions(google it)and soft caps and a lovely soft lined tie scarf..no fancy tieing involved all, elasticated!! If anyone is interested..xx Hope everyone else is well.. Huggggs Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi Gang, Pauline, was really good to meet up with you today!! Had thought that 4hrs to get 24 Dex and a pregnancy test was a bit steep by anyone's standards but you gave me lots of helpful information that I wouldn't have had, so it was worth it. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow, be thinking of you. X I have mixed feelings about being put on the long trial, every 3 weeks to the beatson for the next 18 months is making my toes curl. Feels like such a long time. Oh well at least I won't have to worry about being short changed on herceptin. Hi Helen, hope everything went ok for you today, and hope you take it easy and get plenty of rest over the next few days. X Sharon, good luck for tomorrow also. Hope you get a decent sleep tonight. Don't forget to ask lots of questions. X Jo, hang in there. Hope you're in and out quick with bloods tomorrow. Get all the rest you can for Friday. X Annie and Sheila, hope you're both hanging in there too X Big hugs for now Fiona xxxxxxxxx Annie and Sheila, hope you're both hanging on in there too. X ... View more

Hi Girls, Just posted a comment and it dissapeared!!! Loved the poem Annie.... Got the old chuckle muscle goin!!! Helen, Lots of luck for tomorrow!! will be thinking of you.. I know how scared you are feeling.. we will get through this. Stay positive and strong. I'll be going through it next Tuesday too. xxxx Pauline- will be looking out for you tomorrow, I'll be wearing white short Jacket, Jeans and Big silvery metallic bag.. Sharon, Hope you have been sleeping better, Good luck for Wednesday.. xxxx Jo - How are you? hope you are over the worst of it for the mo. xxx Hope everyone else is doing ok...xxx Love Fiona xxxxx ... View more

Good morning/ Afternoon? (I hate when the clocks change!) Down at my Dad's in Ayr. Sun is shining but it's bitterly cold. Got all my hair cut off yesterday (about 10inches) so it's a nice little bob now! Maria who trained me was very upset when I told her and I got pretty emotional myself. Being a hairdresser I know the importance of hair and although I know it'll all grow back I feel completely exposed!! She had offered to style my wig when I get it. I have really fine hair anyway and would look daft with too much hair. Pauline - will look out for you on Tues. Just look for lost person with short blonde bob!! I'll be with a friend called Tina. X Jo- hope you're feeling a bit better today. How did the party go? X Sharon - make sure you get plenty of rest and don't overdo it. At least you've not lost your sense of humour. Just think, when all this is over you can go out and find youself a bit hunk of a guy to cuddle up to!!! Lot of time to make up for!!! LOL X Well hope everybody else is keeping ok. X Hugs xxxxxxxx F xxxx ... View more

Hi Everyone, Hi Annie, Glad to hear about your tumor.. long may it continue to shrink!!! Not good about feeling rough, but just think, everything is heading in the right direction. I had a lovely time at the Maggie centre Yesterday, what a really nice place... I could see me visiting there often..I spoke to Joan..who was so helpful and informative. I'm popping there next week to get some financial advice. Pauline - got my letter in from beatson today, I'm seeing Dr Alhasso in his outpatient clinic at 10.15am Tuesday. Don't know if that is anywhere near area 2? And my chemo is scheduled for the following Tuseday (7th) area 1...I'm so gonna get lost!!! Gosh Jo, you certainly had a full on week, hope everything went ok today with cmf..xx Sorry to hear Helen your wee one isn't well at the mo... there's a few colds flying round here and I must admit I'm getting a bit paranoid about illness.. What Maggie centre are you going to? Hope you're feeling a bit better Sharon, you've been doing so well, keep thinking positive thoughts, Big hugs xxxx Hope everybody else is doing good, Peckers up girls!!!! LoL 'N' (((((Hugs))))) Fiona xxxx ... View more

Hi Cammie, Sorry I never noticed your post when I put up mine, don't know what happened there.. welcome to the thread, You have been through so much..I'm sure you'll be able to give some usefull advice and it is nice to chat to people from the same area.. Sorry Angela for forgetting to say Hi and hope you're well... brain is puddled !!! Pauline, would love to meet up.. just waiting for appointment through post. will let you know when it is... Also, can anyone tell me how I get a wig? Toodles... Fiona xxx ... View more

Hi Girls, Sorry haven't been on for a while, been quite a mad week.. Been to Onc today and that is me signed up for the trial. I go to the Beatson on Tues to get put into randomized group and then chemo starts the following week, haven't been told actual date yet. Good thing is I get Herceptin same time as Docetaxel so only one vist to hospital.. I'm off tomorrow so I was thinking of going to the Maggie centre tomorrow to have a wee look. Had To get BCN to check armpit wound as well today, it still wasn't healing.. turns out to be a wee stitch neither in nor out so skin wouldn't knit.. god if I'd have known that I wouldn't have percievered so long. anyway I hope thats the end of it. Sharon - sorry to hear your appointments are all over the place.. hope things all get resolved on Wed..Hope I can make lunch when you all arrange it.. I'll be glad to get first chemo out the way, to be honest I'm dreading it!!! Helen - hope your arm is doing ok, mine is taking a while but the exercises are working and it does take ages. I have an over tight cord, so stretching is a horrible feeling in my inner arm, nurse says it will ease off.. keep going with exercises...Did you have your assesment today? how did it go? Pauline - hope your managing to stay chilled.. I fancy getting some relaxation stuff organized, hope you enjoy the stuff at the hospice. I know you have a big decision on surgery to make and I hope all goes well with that... Jo, Annie and Tracy Hope you are all doing well... Take care everyone Luv n hugggs Fiona xxxxxx ... View more

Dear Christine, Once again Thankyou for this. I have found it very informative. Regards Fiona xx ... View more

Hi Lisa, So sorry you are having a very difficult time at the moment. I have been very lucky to have a very good BCN and surgery nurse. I am 3 weeks post surgery and have had lots of pain and tightness, I was at the surgery nurse yesterday to have her look at a small piece of my scar which isn't healing, she gave me inadine and dressings. Also after surgery I was given exercises to do every day which were gentle to start with but helps get the arm mobile again, which will feel better but it does take a few weeks, it's a slow process. Do you have a nurse in your doctor's surgery or a district nurse? If you feel the BCN is not able to help you. Try your doctor. you should be getting your wound checked and if you are experiencing pain and discomfort please get someone to look at it. Also ask lots of questions to whoever does come to see your wound. They will give you hints or tips. This is a great site for information and the support is wonderful, But don't suffer in silence... I hope all goes well for you and remember to take it very easy for the next few weeks.. Lots of Hugs Fiona(38yrs) xxx ... View more