Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi All Glad you laid the ostrich egg Louise! It is early days for you yet Louise and i didn't start cooking till day 7, I had made the burgers before and frozen them. The two buses sound awful, a pity no one can drive you. Take care Ann, I know what you mean about overdoing it but your body soon stops you, and I know what you mean about wind too! Hope it goes ok next week why are yours every two weeks I have not heard of that before. I have just been out to meet a work colleague armed with wipes and hand gel!!!! We had coffee, then I tackled a supermarket, isn't 2.30- 3.30 wonderful when everyone is fetching children from work or working, I have never experienced this as I have always worked full time. How is Gill? Hasn't this week gone fast? Enjoy the weekend. Love Sarah x ... View more

Hi All Glad yours went ok Louise, are you feeling ok now a few days later? Yes mine are every three weeks, so next due 5th March all being well, I have been told that Home Care will come and do the blood test at home and if it is ok will ring me to see the next day to tell me they are coming or not as the case may be. Are you still reclining in bed? Hope you are doing ok at work Ann? Know what you mean about work Gill I have been signed off since Dec and felt as if I could go in some days, but like you they are not flexible enough to be able to sign me off/on, however I am fortunate as I am on full pay for 6 months. Tips on constipation well I have IBS so I suppose it comes with the territory, I had it a little this time but I suppose it was the least of my worries I felt on Mon and Tues as if I had been garrotted at the knees and kicked in the stomach, so I had to have 2 more days of resting, I am a really active person normally and I am even OH NO getting to like day time TV save ME!!!!! Ok tips for the toilet I am sure you have tried all of these already but here goes I had natural yogurt with fruit and seeds pumpkin, sesame and sunflower and oven roasted oats, I also made a home made veg soup and put mixed beans, pulses and more beans in it, just had the urge to make a soup don't know why! Have you tried chick peas? or lentils? I also made tuna and chick pea burgers, they are great to freeze and re heat. Obviously all brown bread, etc baked beans, and I have eaten loads of pineapple found it helps with sore mouth as others have said here, oatcakes, I drink loads of water, and low sugar squashes, and I mean loads, once I felt like eating and got that lot in me well....... I am not vegetarian by the way it just looks like it from here. It also reads like a cookery lesson Hey Ho! Love to all Let me know if any of you lay the ostrich egg!!! Sarah x ... View more

HI Louise The hospital I go to offers home care, so I jumped at the chance, I went from one hospital which is nearer to me to go back to this one, where I had the op originally. I am just one of these people who freaks out at hospitals! So I will let you know if it is any better having it at home. Hope yours goes ok Tuesday Louise, will be thinking about you. No Ann you do not sound pompous, I have been practicising visualiation, positive images of where you want to be and how you are going to get there, lots of self talking, I can do this, I deserve the best, etc. It was in this month's Natural Health Mag. Good Luck with work, you are lucky they are being like that with you. Best Wishes Sarah x ... View more

Thanks Sharon and Louise for your comments, will see how I progress, I have been signed off now since DEC 17th so the days are mounting up. Started my first FEC Wed, I mix with loads of people some of them children who like Sue says are full of bugs!!! Schools are a breeding ground for germs, so are offices sometimes. I stayed in bed all day yesterday but went to the supermarket today and someone sneezed, I felt like a tortoise as my head disappered in side my fleece LOL, I sent my 81 year old mother on all the other errands, she didn't mind. I did love it when the emergency Dr wanted me to drive to the surgery at 5am after having been sick 4 times I just about manged to lift my head out of the toilet to say NO!, I am single and there is only me and Mum!!!! Take Care Sarah x ... View more

Hi Colleen Sorry you are in this position, like you I had a week to decide I was petrified I had a choice I had been DX in DEC had WLE, SNB, then when results came back 1 lymph involved so I saw the ONC offered CHEMO not on the original menu just RADS, as every one else says only you can decide if its what you want. I made a list did pros/cons, read the stuff they gave me about chemo and freaked out cried for days, then I thought ok, two choices Don't have it it doesn't come back hey ho, it comes back (maybe worse?) I might think then IF ONLY.... Ok have it I have given it my best shot it comes back ok I know i did all i could? Do you want to increase your % of living cancer free, mine was adding 6% but 6% is 6% I started my first one on Wed I am also hospital phobic, but it was doable like everyone says, they also don't offer these things lightly, they have meetings and look at you and the cost?! Don't know if this will help, but let us know, what you decide. Best Wishes Sarah ... View more

Thanks Jane I am going to talk to my ONC about the anti sickness drugs she did prescribe me 3 including an injectable one, so maybe I need something stonger. I know what you mean about Casualty, and I was surprised by the response on here, and I know in reality people die all the time from all sorts of things but I still think it was a little too dramatic, see if you can see it, because we are all rabbiting on about it! Best Wishes Sarah ... View more

Another tip I had a really bad headache after my first FEC, I bought some cooling Gel pads from Pounland lay in bed in the dark and quiet and found this helped a bit. Sarah ... View more

Hi All Well it happened I am back in the land of the living. Unfortunately I was one of the unlucky ones and was sick all night, I stayed in bed all day Thurs and slept! I was petrified at the thought and freaked out totally at my pre assessment the day before especially when I had to choose a wig I wasnt expecting that at that time. However after crying for a few more hours I calmed down and faced Wed calmly, I am hospital phobic, so I was very lucky they whisked me into a side room and my drugs arrived in 10 mins after a tricky canula insertion I was off, so that was better than your experience Ann of waiting hours poor you, I am having my next 2 at home too. I have taken all my drugs Gill and drunk loads, I read alll the advice on here too, unfortunately the ginger did not work for me I took some and was sick the mere though now its food association isn't it?! Hope yours went ok Louise it was Wed same as me are you feeling normal yet?, I went out briefly today and felt fine but kept my head down and sent my 81 year old mother on all the errands!! She didn't complain! You are brave going back to Work Ann, I have been signed off since being DX in DEC. Any way I hope we all keep in touch, not too many horror stories, lets hope its "positive" yuk I hate that word lets say "refreshing" instead you know what I mean!!!! Hope yours goes ok next week Louise I will be thinking about you its Tues isn't it? Love Sarah x ... View more

Hi Ladies and Jim Thanks for all your comments I am glad that it was not just me. I did not get back any earlier as I started my first FEC on Wed so have had other things on my mind!! Unfortunately Jane RA I too am a vomit phobic, I am also hospital phobic, although I wasn't actually puking in a bucket like Ceilia portrays, I was very sick all night, so any advice you have Jane for not being sick next time would be gratefully received. I am going to get onto the case now I feel better and e mail the BBC thanks for the link I am a starter and finisher, a bit of an activist too but also a reflector at times. I agree with what many of you have said that "Soaps" high light things and reach Millions of people, bringing some things into people's lives beyond their wildest imaginations, any one remember "Kathy Come Home" how it shocked people, or the first gay kiss in "Brookside", now some people don't turn an eye, but there is entertainment, and education and I think we must be aware of this, sometimes the two have to marry up in a sensitive way. Shock/horror tactics do not always work especially if it is you in shock or in that place at the time, or it is affecting your family. Like some of you said it was not the breast cancer story it was the speed at which she deteriorated that was the shocking bit, so I am on the case and thanks for all the responses. Sarah x ... View more

Hi Ann I am starting chemo on Wed, 3 FEC and 3 TAX. I have been looking at the top tips for chemo and there are some really good ones, been and bought my stuff. I have also had my hair cut really short. I feel scared too, but strangely also calm at the moment. I have not been sleeping very well sinc being DX in DEC, and I was exhausted. I have just started taking valerian root, and it seems to help me sleep. I also take Siberian Ginseng, (until they tell me I can't on Wed), I find these help with energy and stress. Good Luck let me know how you get on, and you too Louise Sarah x ... View more

Hi All Thanks for the good wishes about starting chemo, I feel ok about it at the moment, but I expect by Tue/Wed I shall be my usual nervous self. Yes Mel if you are there pop your head round but be prepared for what you find!!! I had my RADS planning on Thurs, I was very nervous but I have to say it was not as bad as I had imagined. I am really envious that some of you are watching Lost, guess I will just have to read about it until it comes out on DVD, how I hate SKY!!!!, for buying it off CH4. Went out today and bought a buff, I simply DO NOT DO HATS!!! So here goes put it on, saw mother at top of stairs and said what do you think? well I had a look and a well..I don't know really.... so that knocked my confidence, I mean I was not expecting to win a pize for the best hat or whatever BUT, so I said well you could have been a bit more positive, she said well I wasn't expecting you to come out wearing that, so I said well what did you expect Mickey Mouse Ears!!!! Kelly- I am thinking of getting Broad band too, but its just all the hassle Mel Good luck on Wed Ali at least you are half way through your RADS, good luck with the rest, I'm sure the counselling will have done you good and the cry. I had counselling a few years ago, and I used to sit and cry, but its a way of letting things out of yourself. I think the emotions we feel about BC are a bit like those you feel when you experience a bereavement, its seems to me you work through the different stages, shock, anger, guilt, why me, loss, these are certainly some of the emotions I have felt since being DX. Thanks for the good wishes Julie, and yes I am a LOST fan too so talk away, On another did anyone watch Casualty on Sat? I was appalled at the way they handled the BC story there, what does anyone else think? Well this is certainly not the way I usually spend half term, so hey ho (usually abroad now! perhaps someone will beam me up soon?) Take care Sarah x ... View more

GillMC and Nicola71, I'm glad it's helped you in some way, and made you smile, I know people try to help us, but sometimes it doesn't help does it and until it's you, I suppose you really have no idea what it feels like, I've had a "don't envy you that one" this week! So will have to work that in my new verse somewhere!! Take Care ... View more

Hi Everyone Thanks for making me feel welcome as the "new girl" I feel like I need/want to get to know you all better. Have made my mind up about Chemo, which starts next week, stomach sank when I had the phone call on Mon. Not how I want to be spending Half Term (usually go abroad). Got RADS planning on Thurs too so a busy week, don't know how I had time to work! Been to vets today with my two new adopted boys (kittens), stressed they and me both we miowed all the way there, they had their injections knew how they felt!!! I don't think they liked travelling, they are going to be V upset as I have a caravan in Wales which I go to frequently so a two hour journey will be on the cards inevitably, didn't like to tell them this yet (used to take 3 cats at one time). Vet suggested Feliway but at 27.50 I declined it (thought I might use whole bottle myself before next week!!!) Mel I am very jealous I love Sawyer and cannot watch him now as I declined Sky so will have to wait again for series 4 only just seen series 3 any more Lostie fans out there? Take care all Sarah x ... View more

Hi Louise I was interested to see that you were trying to return to work in week three, in order to not use your sick leave up. I was wondering how this worked? Do you have to get signed on and off again? When I was first DX I wanted to work 2 more days and was told that as I had been signed off, I was not insured so could not. I am in a job where I get 6 months full pay, but wondered if any one knew if you can "bank" days if you worked at home or if you can get signed on and off? I have been doing some work at home which my manager knows about but I am sure no one else does! I am about to start chemo soon, but like others here feel it would be good to "keep in the loop", and also to help with the boredom and concentration thing, I don't think I could do my job and have chemo, but I suppose you never know do you? I'd be interested to hear others thoughts on this. Good luck with your treatment Louise and your work days, I suppose you need to keep away from people, children in particular, who often don't tell people they are ill until it is too late. I have bought, that gel stuff and wipes and all sorts of stuff, for when I decide to go out, feel a bit paranoid I know!! You could always have a stick and a white flag and shout unclean that might keep them at bay, (only joking LOL) I saw someone wearing one of those masks at breakfast in a hotel I was staying in at Christmas!!! He had to take it off to eat!!! Take Care Sarah ... View more

Thanks Kelyn, glad you are getting your life back Thanks Mel, glad it made you smile, Suppose I need to do the next instalment now as I'm about to start Chemo, I will wait for the inspiration to hit me! I'm "positive" it's there somewhere! Sarah ... View more

Hi Sarcath My BC was DX in Dec 07, after being called for my first Mammogram (initially called July but was on holiday wasn't 50 until Oct, no lump etc, could not get back into the screening system, despite several phone calls, eventually got an appt for end Nov) was recalled and was told there was microscopic tumour, but they had caught it early, was extremely shocked, (I have always wondered if I had gone in July would it have been caught even earlier or would it have been even there will never know that answer so have to live with that), I had scan and biopsy when I went in for localisation on day of op, DR said there was a lump, had not been one prior to biopsy, I had WLE, SNB, tumour was 15mm, and I had 10 lymphs out 1 was infected. (They originally told me that because it was so microscopic it would not have spread.) I had the operation moved forward a week because I was so stressed. Originally I was told I would only need RADS, now I have been offered CHEMO which after a long hard think I have taken. I know I am lucky that they found it early, I was also told by BC nurse "that some women don't get their first Mammograms until they are 53, by then it would have been too late for me" Like you I constantly torture myself with questions, my biggest worry once I knew I had it was what was it doing? I have also come to the conclusion that sometimes they don't "hit" you with everything, because emotionally we would not cope, I think they give it to you in little "Bite Size" stages when we can handle it, this is just my opinion. It's a bit like climbing a mountain when you have got to what you think is the peak, there is another peak in the distance. Good Luck with your treatment Take Care ... View more

Hi Thanks for all the tips, I found this useful, being one who loves a bargain, I will share this with you all. I followed Kelly's tips about thermometer and wrist bands, from Boots, I then went into Poundland after making above purchase and yes you have guessed it they had them for a £1, I cannot see that they looked any different, so thought I would share this with those of you who like a bargain. ... View more

Hi Mel Sorry to hear your news, and there's you offering to hold my hand, think it might be me holding yours, but I hate needles so much! I hope you have had a good cry and feel better? I was thinking about you all day today. I went to Bridgnorth and met a friend, we walked up the huge hill and she was out of breath and had to stop, so I thought well here's me 10 years older than her and had an op, it can't be bad!!!! Hi Julie and Ali thanks for welcoming me to the site, it was much appreciated. Just to share a little about me. I met Mel in hospital on New Year's Eve, we were both high on Morphine and celebrated New Year with me throwing up!!! Think I was competition for the fireworks!! On New Year's Day we got chatting and she really is great, we have stayed in touch. I was DX on Dec 12th after attending a routine Mammogram and was recalled, had WLE and Sentinel Biopsy, 10 lymphs removed 1 positive, just been offered Chemo, spent a week deciding and have said YES, am single no kids, live with Mum, just adopted 2 cats (3 weeks ago) to cheer me up. Just so you know who this is. Any way Mel take care x Sarah ... View more

Hi Mel Thanks for those lovely words they were very kind, a few more tears, yes I have popped on here, and yes I said yes, (this was after the onc had gone through my 2 sides of A4 questions!!!! Feel like I am doing a degree in Chemo, she had a student in with her think he learned a few things too!!! Good luck for tomorrow I will be thinking about you, Just had a thought wouldn't it be embarrassing if it wasn't me you were talking about!!! How presumptious! Keep smilin, cus you too are a lovely person. Take Care x Sorry that I don't know any of you other ladies but you all sound lovely too. Sarah x ... View more