Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi May buddies Blast - have just managed to delete my post but maybe a good idea as it was getting increasingly silly - I blame the steroids. Got safely through FEC6 yesterday - yay! - so looking forward to a bit of celebration soon. So jealous of the wine and G&T etc - I must go to Stagluft hospital as they have v strict recommendations re no alcohol, takeaways, etc. Have been so dutiful that am sure that when I have a drink it'll knock me for six - should be interesting!! Glad things are better with the Emend, Wandy, and Rachel that you got to visit your dad. Had a big smile imagining you feeling the prostheses and confess I had a bit of a fantasy about having different sizes for different occasions - as a pretty flat-chested girl before would been have been a bit of a shock, and even more as I have only had one side done! Trish - meant to say before that your earlier post about your trip away made me laugh out loud - could imagine us doing exactly the same, but sounded like you had a good time all the same. Love to all, hope you have a good weekend any may all SEs be small. ... View more

Rachel - like the others have said am hoping for a good outcome for your dad, but really feel for your family - and no, it isn't fair at all. Ninja - I think I will also be on this thread for a good while yet, there's plenty more we can support each other through. I went out with some lovely friends yesterday who have been so supportive through this, but there's still a bit others don't get who haven't been through it all. As one of those nearly at FEC6, really hope it didn't feel like gloating and I know lots of people have Herceptin, rads and/or surgery to come. Just wanted to say we will get to the end of all this - and a Spring get-together sounds great! Have FEC6 tomorrow - nerves haven't set in yet, probably because I'm really excited about seeing eldest daughter on Sat - she works abroad so it's been 4 months since she was here (came with me to first chemo so it does seem to sort of round it off) Lots of love and hugs to all, Jude ... View more

Dear all Thinking especially of those who are currently having all these extra things chucked at them - Rachel and Angielav I hope everything is going ok with those in your family who need ops and that you start to feel a bit better yourselves too. PP - can only agree with what others have said, it must be so hard to cope with all this as well as a baby (my daughter's little girl is the same age so has brought back to me how exhausting they can be!). Hope you are getting help and know how fantastically you are coping. Hugs to everyone else especially those feeling grotty this week. May be a bit late to ask for, but I had different indigestion med last cycle - Lansoprazole 30mg - which I take for 21 days and really reduced the heartburn, etc. Was feeling v anxious this morning before blood tests and onc appt today, but she was so positive OH and I both came out really cheerful - talked about rads, going back to work in phased way, and really encouraging about having a few days away before rads start. Best part was as we were leaving she said 'I forgot the most important bit'. Me - immediately thinks something unpleasant coming. She - 'Make sure you get your PICC line out before you go on hols - don't want it spoiling your image if you're swanning round Paris!' So it felt like a glimpse of life after treatment, as CM put it so well. Hope everyone gets to feel a bit of that soon. Jude xxx ... View more

Hi all Hope everyone's got a bit of the sunshine this morning. Just wanted to say to anyone up for FEC5 mine hasn't been as bad SE-wise as I'd feared, after a grotty first week, so hope others find the same. (I now have picture in my head of us all hauling each other towards the finishing line over a bumpy obstacle course - though apologies to those whose course is going on longer - or they keep adding new bits to it!) Ninja - hope you have a great weekend away but do feel for you. Like Wandy said maybe a nice weekend away somewhere hot?? - went to Rome for anniversary a few years ago and it was fantastic (though not beach hol) Or perhaps a few days somewhere like Center Parcs where you get a warm climate in the pool etc? (then again you might not be able to swim - sorry I'm not being very useful here!) Have had slightly surreal series of conversations with friend telling me about awful stress of getting ready for 2-week hols in South of France - kept waiting for the penny to drop but no ...! We will get through all this! And Wandy can I reserve a piece of fudge cake - missed your last batch? Jude ... View more

Afternoon all Good to hear energy levels seem to be rising a bit for lots of us. Am looking forward (! - you know what I mean) to FEC6 next week, though half of me can't imagine not being on chemo for the next century or so. Rachel - just wanted to say I hope all goes well with your meeting with surgeon today and you get a plan you are happy with. I am 5 months post mx and anc today, and scar, arm movement etc are all fine. I am not going for recon either. My friend had double mx 3 years ago and is doing great at nearly 70 - puts me to shame doing regular 15mile rambles and pilates classes, but it makes me feel really positive about the future to see her. ... View more

Hi Angielav (fellow May lady!) I have had mx and anc, with 1 positive lymph node out of 11 (though as it had only 'isolated tumour cells' my onc says I am technically node-negative (confusing or what?) I am ER + (8/8) and HER -ve. Due to have 18 rads after last chemo (6 FEC) this month, plus Tamoxifen. Have been looking this up and my understanding is that rads given after mx if you meet criteria meaning you are at higher risk of recurrence, eg in my case I think because I had 2 large tumours and near chest wall, so it was difficult to get clear margins. Due to see onc on Monday so will be asking her lots about this, happy to report back! I do understand the mixed feelings about being glad not to have another treatment v wanting to have everything available, the uncertainty is hard to deal with ... Jude xxx ... View more

Hi all, good to hear of upbeat weekends. Feeling much more human last 2 days - hurrah! Had leisurely wander up North Norfolk coast yesterday with OH and told ourselves we were on-trend and having a staycation (they don't call it Kensington-on-Sea for nothing!!) Just wish the sun would come out here ... Just to add to what others have said, this thread has been such a life-saver over the last few months, don't know what I would have done without it. A meet-up sounds great - happy to travel wherever. Have a great Sunday ladies. Ninja - York, North Yorkshire Supertrouper - Preston - Lancashire Angielav - Guiseley, West Yorkshire Smiles - Dilton Marsh, Wiltshire Wandy - Limousin - France and Woking - Surrey Harp-Bridgnorth, Shropshire Cherryorchard - Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire Noanie, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Una12 - Thetford, Norfolk ... View more

Ha Jane, know exactly what you mean! Course I am going to be super-fit athlete when this is all over so will be jumping all over the place!! ... View more

Morning all Thought I'd add the wet fish - it's a humpback whale so should have a nice slapping action ... Good to hear people coming out of SE hell a bit (and apologies to those who aren't). I misread the bit about star jumps and thought everyone was doing them this morning so felt just a bit inadequate! Jude ... View more

Dear all So sorry lots of people having a tough time the last couple of weeks. I had FEC5 last Fri and been feeling pretty rubbish since, more sickness and tiredness and a few more - erm -digestive symptoms ... Main difference has been wanting to stuff my face this week with all the worst stuff I can get hold of, after managing to be a bit of a gooody-two shoes with the fruit, veg and general wholesomeness. Do you think you can put on that 20lb chemo weight in 3 weeks?? Anyway, day 8 tomorrow so hoping things will improve - and for all of you too. Ninja - I have had transfusions in past and yes, you feel so much better really quickly, so hope that is the case. ps I have good friend coming to visit next week, who always 'can't keep up with' where I am, but said it was 'great that chemo was just rushing past' (!) - anyone got a big wet fish I can wallop her over the head with? love to all, Jude ... View more

Hi Nora, sorry you have to join us here but as the others have said you can get lots of support from the helpline, publications and reading/posting on here. Have you met your oncologist yet and got a treatment plan for chemo, or a start date? I had mx and node clearance in March, and now have 2 more chemo sessions to go, followed by rads, and if it's any help, I found the waiting bits (for results or for treatment to start) much worse than anything else. The thought of chemo was scarey but like people say it is 'do-able' and the staff are brilliant and keep a close eye on how you are getting on. You might find joining one of the threads like 'Starting chemo in August' (or Sept) really helpful as you'll be with others at the same stage as you - I think lots of us have found it a real lifeline, where you can talk about worries, have a moan or even a laugh with those who know exactly what you're going through. Thinking of you and a big cyber hug. ... View more

Hello PP, glad to hear things going well with you - the wedding sounds great!! And would agree with all that the LGFB session is really good, I went last month (luckily not too much of a wait round here in the East). Had thought I was going to be lucky and hang onto the brows and lashes, but are rapidly thinnning out this week ... Been feeling good last couple of days, so making the most of it before FEC5 on Fri. Finally got some post-mx bras I'd ordered and am really pleased with them, a real confidence boost. Strange what makes us happy these days?! Re check-ups/bloods, I get blood test and have appt with onc specialist nurse 3 days before each chemo. Will see onc 22nd August which is first time since inital appt in April, and told we will do rads planning. Interesting how it varies locally. ... View more

Just driven 15 miles with windows open and cooling breeze on my bald and hot-flushey head - lovely! (And never in a million years would have thought I'd be writing that!) ... View more

Hi all Fingers crossed this time as managed to delete last post! Just wanted to say sorry to hear lots of people having a grotty time at the mo - and can certainly identify with loads of it! Would agree that some of it must be our poor bodies feeling kn******d and generally feeling bored/fed up/and struggling to take a friendly interest in everyone else's holiday plans when your legs and head feel fuzzy just leaning on the trolley round the supermarket ... I feel I have energy levels of a particularly lazy slug while friends are telling me of their jobs/decorating/exercise regimes, and can't imagine every being like that again. Rachel - hope you feel a bit better - thanks for being so honest, I've felt pretty fed up with even my nearest and dearest this week, mainly cos I've felt rough not anything they've done. Bev - glad you escaped from hosp and you feel fitter now. Did laugh at the 'walk of shame' ...! CO - congratulations on the grandchildren news! I became a granny in Jan (2 weeks before dx) and like you wasn't sure I felt ready for it - but like everyone tells you it is fantastic! When I have a cuddle with little Lizzy I really do forget all this bc stuff for a while, and I've even forgiven her for losing her first hair and already growing more than I have. Hipchick - hope your neuts ok for Fri. Should also be having FEC5 then - so that means we should be having last chemo THIS MONTH!! (Oops, sorry can't remember if you are having herceptin too, I'm not) Love to all I haven't mentioned. Off for appt with onc nurse tomorrow - am trying to harness my fighting spirit in case I get the snotty one I saw last time, so will report back. (Her advice for chemo-induced hot flushes was 'Well, you have to expect them at your age, don't you' - not too constructive, I thought!) Jude x ... View more

Hi CM Think our posts crossed! Thanks for that - as always you put it really clearly. Love the kitten under the steamroller picture (she says hastening to add I love cats and have no desire to see them squished!!) ... View more

Dear all Thanks for fellow-feeling with my whinge! Actually am feeling better this afternoon, so just goes to show how fantastic all the support on here is. Wandy - fingers crossed for your blood results - sorry can't remember if you have the jab(s) for neutrowotsits, I've found it works a treat. Ninja - hope you get to put your feet up in the new house soon! Rachel - I can imagine it's a bit of a balancing act with offloading on your girls. From all your posts I think they will know how lucky they are to have a fantastic mum like you. My youngest daughter was great when we had some difficult things to cope with a couple of years ago (my mum's Alzheimers) and I used to worry it wasn't fair on her, but at 21 I am so proud of how caring and mature she is (but can still have a good time and be very silly with her friends) If it's any consolation I still feel I want to shield my 3 girls (21, 26, and 28) from all the BC stuff. In fact they are far more mature about it than my 46 year old sister - but that's another story!! Have a good evening everyone, Jude ... View more

Hello all Have been doing a catch-up after a few days feeling really tired and sorry for myself - and not on the Tax truck so can't blame that! Just seems to have taken longer to feel ok, now 2 weeks post FEC-4 and gotta do it all again next Fri ... Sorry, feel better for letting it out, and am not in the middle of moving or got baby or kids on holiday to keep amused so honestly my hat(scarf/wig/beautifully shaped head) off to all of you who are juggling that at the moment. Ninja - hope house move goes fine! Rhona - sorry you are having such a bad time with SEs, pain, clots. Am no expert but there seems to be quite a lot around about 4 cycles being as effective as 6. A gin party sounds a brilliant idea. (For anyone who prefers beer, my OH is a brewer ...) Love to all and hope all recently poisoned/due this week are feeling ok, Jude ... View more

Hi Chris Just to say I also had blisters and redness after Picc line done and it was a reaction to plasters - been ok since with 'sensitive skin' type ones (purple label) - but yes it does freak you out a bit. Hope things go smoothly now. ... View more

Hello all Glad to hear the chemo SEs getting a bit better for some (sorry if not!) I am just in grey, grotty stage (FEC4 + 5days) when feel not terrible but yuck and as if chemo started about a century ago ... and the hot flushes have definitely come to stay ... (self-pity, moi?) Like others am starting to think a bit more about rads and life after chemo. But do have lovely daughter home and am (sadly) looking forward to going to work thing Fri morning if I can, so onwards and upwards .... love and hugs to all, xxx ... View more

Thanks Ninja, must admit that appointment really knocked my confidence as like to think I keep up with what's going on - will be more assertive next time I think!! ... View more