Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Mobil, I'll be having a recon at some point- have got to have a Mx after my chemo and it's the thought that I will have a recon that is helpng me come to terms with a Mx. I'm a size similar to you and it's just really not on is it to expect us to not have a recon? I do get fed up with thoughtless comments, I think family say things without thinking about just how sensitive we are, my mum (bless her and I do love her to bits) asked me if I was pleased with my look after shaving my hair off. No, I wasn't pleased with it (although I can live with it), I wished it wasn't falling out so that I had to shave it off, I wished I still had long blonde hair..... Here's one of my least favourite comments, from a cab driver dropping me off at The Royal Marsden Hospital 'Doesn't it make you feel lucky when you come to these hospice type places?' Boy, did he get a mouthful! Good luck with your recon-you go for it girl! Lisa x ... View more

Hi Susie, Just a quick reply- I went along to 'headstrong'- you should be able to find them on this site as they are a BCC service or if not, phone the BCC helpline. The ladies I saw at 'Headstrong' were brillaint. I tried on loads of different styles and found what suited me best. I found a couple of sites- Annabandana.co.uk (lots of choice and really cheap) and Theindiashop.co.uk (for traditional tie scarves made of cotton which are really comfortable. My hair started to fall out about 16 days after FEC 1. I noticed a pony tail headache a few days before and my BCN said this was normal and a sign that my hair would start to fall out. I held on to it for another 5 days but then got so fed up with it, I shaved it off (a number 1 with hair clippers). I felt quite liberated when I shaved it off and felt like I had gained a bit of control. Lisa x ... View more

My son liking my new bald look ... View more

Hellooooo? I'm over here in the swamp with Wandy, Peachez and Margaret. Have only done FEC 1 and had number 2 delayed due to low WBC and like Margaret have been in hospital on IV anti biotics. BC is a bitch! and I'm scared that the WBC will drop again. Refusing to google and get paraniod about it! Have read through some of your lovely thread and would really like to travel through these woods with you all, if that's ok. I actually had to google 'merkin' and was amazed even more to find there are edible ones (looks gross, like mini shredded wheat)lol and you can get matching merkins and pasties (nipple tassles)on e-bay. Think I went a bit too far! Pasties- Why on esrth would they be called that? I've laughed so much. I hope you all enjoy the weekend as much as possible, Lisa xxxx ... View more

Hey Lesley, am so with you on this! I had my first FEC on 23rd Feb, tyough I was doing marvellously well and then like you, my temperature went up, felt like I had bad flu and ended up with low WBC and on IV anti biotics for 4 days. I have also had my chemo delayed by a week. I'm just hoping that the infection has gone (am still on oral anti b's) and that WBC stays up for the next chemo. I just want to get on with it and get it over with asap. My hair started to come out while I was in hospital, came home on Tuesday and shaved it off on Wednesday. The anticipation really was much worse for me and I don't feel too bad being bald. Just wearing a lot more eye make up to feel more feminine. My son, who though he'd be upset seeing me with no hair is so cool about it. I'm also cool about it, his mates came round and they've seen me bald and said it suits me, bless them! I've got a lovely wig- my mum said it looks better than my real hair, thanks mum! I wore my wig to work yesterday and one of my colleagues said oh you've had your hair done again. I had to spoil it and say no, it's my wig and then proceeded to show her my bald head. Why did I do that???? I guess I find it hard to take compliments, I'm the type that if someone says, oh that's nice top, I'll say thanks,it was only £5 from Primark! Lisa xxxx ... View more

Shar- please try not to be frightened. Easier said than done I know. I was in pieces too! I feel really bad saying I've got a rash and a headache and hope I haven't made you worry more. It's only a tiny rash on my hands that comes and goes and it doesn't hurt. I feel that I'm doing really well and these are minimal side effects that I can deal with. I honestly feel 95% ok, still working, out for lunch on Friday and out with the girls last night. It really is not as bad as you think it's going to be. So sorry if I added to your woes. Lisa ... View more

Hi Angel, I haven't had a reconstuction; I had therapeutic mammoplasty when my lump was removed, like a reduction (they took 600gms- my boobs are naturally a G cup). I had my nipple replaced and was warned that I might lose sensation but I didn't. In fact, I'd say I have heightened sensation and it looks good, just smaller. I did have bit of necrosis but this wasn't on the nipple, but that cleared up with regular dressing changes with iodine. I have a vertical scar from the nipple downwards which is fading nicely and I can't see the scar around the nipple at all. My surgery was on 10TH Jan. Best Wishes, Lisa ... View more

Tracy, I had to wait a week from my biopsies to get the results. Its's truelly a horrible time but I'm sure you are going to feel better once you get the results. Keep dragging your hubbie around, I'm sure he doesn't mind! Following the biopsy, I felt shooting pains in my boob and my arm pit was sore. I still don't know whether it was in my mind but I was sure it was hurting when I hadn't had any pain from the lump before. I felt very protective of my breast and very aware of the lump, I kept prodding and was sure it was bigger too. Best wishes for Wednesday. Oh and by the way, you look stunning in your wedding dress! Annette- my boob still looks tanned and I had my surgery on the 10th Jan. It also goes very red if I have a hot shower. I had days when it felt hot and swollen like it was going to explode but never had an infection. If you're worried, give your GP a call. It will put your mind at rest. Lisa xx ... View more

Hey ladies, Tess- I know it easy to say but please don't feel terrified. The anticipation really is much worse than the treatment. I freaked out the weekend before and went to pieces a bit, I thought I can't do this! but I can honestly found my having my first chemo painless and over so quickly. I was in and out in an hour. Yes, the first few days were grotty but you know what, that was last week and now I would say I'm feeling 95% back to normal with just a few SE's; a rash on my hands and a bit of a headache. I'm not suffering with tiredness and am managing to work full time. I am eating really healthy which is new for me, I used to grab a latte and a muffin on the way to work and call it breakfast! I'm trying to eat things that will help my immune system-Lizzy has suggested some of the good stuff! I hope everything goes ok for you on Monday, sending you lots of hugs xxx Eltiks- Sorry to hear about the row with your hubbie. I hope you've had a fab weekend with your best friend and the champers tasted good! Whereabouts in London are you? I'm in South London/Surrey but work in WC2. I've found a brillaint wig shop in Morden called Josephs! I woke up with a severe case of morning hair today and desperetely needed to dash to the supermarket. I put my wig on and looked so much bettter and the wind didn't take it off! Donna Bunny- Sorry to hear about the low WBC. I agree with Lizzy about trying to eat the right things. I'm also eating mamuka honey every day and have read on other threads that there are other ladies using this too. One of them said she was spooning it down her when her WBC was low. If you do get some, get a high factor, I got 22+. I'm feeling a bit rebellious and having one of those 'Oh Pi@& off cancer' days. Thinking of going to Portugal for a couple of days in week 3 after FEC2. I can't find an insurance company that will insure me, but thinking about going with my european health card as cover. Is anyone else thinking of going away whilst having treatment or am I just being silly and should forgot about a holiday until this cancer rubbish is all over and done with? what do you think? I guess if I'm ill when I'm away, it's only 2 hours home on a plane? Lots of hugs, Lisa xx ... View more

posted twice, sorry ... View more

Lizzy, I had grade 3 IDC and DCIS. Still some there as no clear margins so furthery surgery for me after chemo. I asked Onc about stage and she said probably the late 3's because of the size (IDC 76mm)but she'd need to look it up. They never mentioned the stage before I asked about it. I'm having 3 fec 3 t. I will have herceptin too for year which they intend to start with cycle 5. They still aren't sure if I'm HER2 positive as biopsy was positive but pathology on the excision was negative. They said there's technical problems at the lab and it's unlikley that the result was actually negative. The wonders of modern science! Try not to worry aboutyour treatment and the length of it. It seems different hospital have different strategies! Some of my scarring is still lumpy too and I'm sure I can see a bit of stitch under the skin. Lisa ... View more

Evening all, CM- glad you got the portacath, it will make things so much easier for you. My nurse at the hospital said that if she needed any treatment she would have one! Apparently they are given as standard in th US. Supposedly my veins look like they'll hold up (don't know how she decided that I'm happy to believe her for now and see what happens). Sal- hope you don't have too much more bother with your bloods and get underway with your number 2! Maybe the portacath will help you Hi eltiks and welcome! i hope you get underway with your treatment soon, I was DX 23 Dec and didn;t start until last week (I had surgery and had to wait 6 weeks to heal enough for treatment to start. It's a real bummer waiting isn't it? Well done everyone who's had their FEC 2. Hope the SE's are kind to you! I've had a stinking headache for 2 days now but managing to get to work. I must look a bit odd on the train; if anyone sits next to me and coughs or sneezes, I get up and stand away from them! Lots of hugs to you all, lisa xx ... View more

Projectwoman Sue, so pleased to hear your scans were clear! I made it to work today! ... View more

Hi Ladies, Hope you all had a nice weekend. Another heart burner here, but it seems to be getting better on it's own, luckily. I'm pleased to report that the nasty sickness I had has gone(phew, it was awful!) I woke up yesterday feeling good with lots of energy and went back to work today. Feeling pretty much back to normal, just not quite myself (a slightly detached feeling) Lots of hugs to you all, Lisa (Shoo-ing all the side effects away from us all) ... View more

this is agreat thread Finty, thanks! Judy- It's really enncouraging to hear how your diet change has impacted on your asthma. Fab! Just thought I'd add that I too have adopted a dairy free diet after reading Jane Plant's book. I haven't adopted all of her suggestions but am getting there. Thinking I might get selenium and brewers yeast. Cheked this with my Onc. who said as long as there no plant phot-oestrogens (is that how you how spell it?) then supplements are ok. Although I wasn't able to manage much during the first few days after my first chemo, I did manage to cook a wonderful soup from her book 'The Plant Progamme' yesterday. It was so tasty 'Sweet Potato and coconut' yum! I really want to work on keeping my immune system in as good state through diet as I can and have also started using manuka honey. The health benefits of this are well documented. I'm sold on the manuka! Choocie Muffin- Argos have a fab juicer, by Philips I think. It's £75 and has rave reviews, also comes with a book by Jason Cardell, Ithin his name is. I'm going to invest in one this week. So pleased to hear that there is more research being done into IGF-1. I personally do not think there is just a casual link. Lisa ... View more

My son coming home from an 18th Birthday party last night. Me handing him a sick bowl and him sying 'Shouldn't this be the other way round mum? He He, bless him! ... View more

Hi Luggy, I would like to wish you the best of luck for your presentation. I had very limited expeience of giving presentations but had to give one as part of my interview a few years ago. I practised in front of my best friend and my son (he was 14 at the time) and they gave me brilliant feedback. I haven't had much contact with my breast cancer nurse. She only seems to be there when I get bad news (mind you there isn't much good is there?). Saying that, when I felt that I had been bombarded with too much information on my diagnosis, I wrote a list of questions and she was happy to see me again and go through them with me. I agree with many of the ladies about being treated as an individual. For me, I found that I was given just too much information at my initial diagnosis. I just couldn't take it all in and was horrified when she wanted to show me the prosthesis. I just didn't want to see them and needed to get out of the hospital as quickly as possible. It was way too much for me, surgery, chemo, poss Mx and delayed reconstruction,radio, hormone treatment, herceptin and then the prostheses. All this when an hour before I was well with a holiday planned. When I had my surgery the nurses were generally good; one nurse was so lovely and when I couldn't sleep and was hungry at around midnight, she made me a lovely cup of tea with toast and marmite(It's just a little thing but it was so kind of her). But on the other side of the coin; One day I was bleeding and leaking, feeling very uncomfortable and my nurse kept saying 'I'll be with you soon'. By the time she got to me about 3 hours after coming on her shift, she called a doctor immediately. She then couldn't answer his questions when he asked how long I had been like this, because she had no idea. She did however apologise to me after and said she felt very guilty but was so busy. All she needed to do was have a quick peek at my wound. Best of luck with your presentation Luggy, Lisa ... View more

Louise- Thanks for your comments, I think my problem was that I had my chemo and anti sickness at 12 noon and my nurse said take the tablets the next day. I think the effects of the initial anti sickness wore off over night and I should have taken a dose before I went to bed. Oh well, we live and learn and I will try this for the next cycle. I'm on the same cocktail as you and actually feel so much better today, no sickness just a little nausea, yippee! Donna- I was advised by A&E that there ar many anti sickness drugs and they often have to see what works best for an individual. They tried cyclozine on me but no effect, but it seems to work for you? Another one to have up your sleevE could be ondansetron, the leaflet says this is prescibed for those undergoing chemo or radio. Best Wishes to all, Lisa xxxx ... View more

Morning ladies and thanks so much for your support. I really appreciate it. Just thought I'd let you all know that I woke up this morning feeling much much better! slightly nauseaous but nothing more! Yippee! Going to go shopping for a 2 year old's birthday pressie(not mine, my baby is 17) and then off to her party this afternoon xx Thanks and Best Wishes to you all x x ... View more