Breast Cancer Now Forum

I joined the October Lardies new thread when we all got to radiotherapy and Cat was so supportive. I have been exchanging messages with her since. A wonderful, vibrant and talented woman whom I will miss greatly. Au revoir, Cat. xx ... View more

Sounds like we were last buying wool at more or less the same time, Alison! I knitted a lot of Icelandic stuff years ago but haven't done any for ages. That book sounds very tempting though, Sarah. And thanks for the thread. These days I'm mainly doing patchwork, braiding and tablet weaving but I could get back into knitting ... Eliza xx ... View more

Hear, hear,sallieann! ... View more

Yes, I think it does mean that in absolute terms a site like bcpals is also "unsafe". What it does offer is some protection against someone stumbling across information. For example a genuinely concerned friend or family member who googles something for information, is signposted to this Forum and finds you, your posts and your profile. But it is not possible to prevent someone giving false information in order to join (for whatever reason) a site that has membership criteria. Someone who is determined will get access. ... View more

I too feel that there is a need for both the very public forum here, which can be found easily by absolutely anyone and a place like bcpals (or a fb closed group) for more private conversations. For that reason I have used both and CM's point shows the need for both types. Had this Forum not been so easily accessible I wouldn't have found it in the very early days before confirmed dx but when I really needed the information and support. I do have some concerns about the new site here and although it is true that BCC stress the privacy issue as Mike says, at the same time it looked as if there was going to be a sort of encouragement to share more profile info - which can lead us to share more identifying information than we might otherwise. There is another point that applies to the more closed sites as much as it does here, and that is that someone determined to get in, will do so. This might be for curiosity, stalking/general unpleasantness, or advertising purposes. When I first started using email/messaging (many, many years ago!) we were taught that we should never put in an email anything that we wouldn't be happy to put on a postcard. Perhaps today we should think of an open Forum as being like the village noticeboard ... Eliza ... View more

I had one just after starting Aromasin and was told every 2 to 3 years! ... View more

Hi, I don't have lymphoedema, but I did have a lot of trouble regaining full movement of my arm and shoulder. I saw one of the local lymphoedema nurses who had trained as a Lebed instructor when she came to our support group and she thought it might help. I then went to the class running at the Haven and it helped a lot in regaining range of movement, plus the classes were great fun. So much so, that I have kept up doing it for myself and then last November I trained as an instructor (there were 6 of us on the training course at the time). I do the basic exercises at least every other day and a longer sequence once a week. I also use the basic sequence as a warm up for other exercise or doing slightly iffy things like using hot tub or sauna! I think it helps with the stiffness from the Aromasin too. If you can get to a class then I'd certainly recommend it. It is easy to learn and the method has an inbuilt check to stop you from overdoing it (you never exercise to the point of pain and you build up gradually). Eliza xx ... View more

Hi Val (and Helen, of course!), Glad that things are happening and you won't have too long a wait if anything has to be done. The switch to the bone juice sounds good too as it will mean you can take the painkillers first thing. That wait must have been very difficult. I do think it is a bit rotten you not loaning out your husband though! Love, Eliza xx ... View more

Many congratulations, Dawn. You have been a support and inspiration to many of us on here and long may you continue to be! Eliza xx ... View more

I have just found this thread - what a delight. I know what you mean. CM, sometimes I'm just compelled to keep reading things I'd have put down in the shop if only they weren't free on iBooks! Seriously though, ebooks give me the opportunity to take far more books away on holiday or business trips than is practical with restricted luggage weights for whatever reason. On holiday, I just take real ones for reading on the beach. They will never take the place of 'real' books but have a different use. At the moment I am particularly enjoying the real book that my sister gave me for my birthday. It is 'Cousins Divided' by Ann Morrow and is the story of George V of Great Britain and Nicholas II of Russia in the time leading up to the Russian Revolution. It is easy to read and has some lovely lines in it. Eliza ... View more

Thanks, all. Val (sl) it can get a bit hot and I wouldn't go in August. If you want to go but also want to avoid the heat I can recommend October time. The sea is still warm enough for swimming and the temperature is very comfortable without needing to use aircon at all. Hope the Northern Lasses enjoy a Manchester meet. Party sounds wonderful, Clare. Love to all, Eliza xx ... View more

Hi Val, Good to hear that you had a great holiday. I'm now looking forward to mine - will be off to Malta in just under a fortnight. xx ... View more

It may depend on your area. I work in the disability sector in Luton and you can get one here. Eliza ... View more

Hope all goes smoothly, OAL. Very pleased that the combination of Lulu, the article finty found and your son has given you the information. Sorry (but sadly not surprised) to hear that the helpline made you feel bad at the time. Your son's research sounds very interesting. And although some individuals might not want to know, it could be useful. Hope you are reaching for the corkscrew soon! Eliza xx ... View more

Many congratulations to Leah. ... View more

Hope you have had a good last day at work, Clare. Enjoy the party and retirement! Eliza xx ... View more

I had 2 weeks off after the op as they gave me a 2 week cert before I left hospital. I was in hospital overnight (walked up to theatre at 3.30 and was in bed on the ward at 5.30, out at about 3pm next day after seeing bcn and physio). In actual fact I was doing odd bits of paperwork in the second week, but I had gone to stay with a friend so we also did a lot of chatting and lunching! I did get tired during rads, not helped by the drive being down the M1 and round the M25 then back round M25 and A1M in rush hour. Sometimes after rads I went to the hospital restaurant for my evening meal so I didn't have to cook and clear up and it gave the traffic a bit of time to ease off. Juggling clinic appointments looked like it wasn't going to be easy, but they usually forgot to ask me to go in early so then they had to fit around me! It isn't pleasant and it is a real nuisance, but it is doable. No worries about the questions - feel free to pm me if you want some more further and better particulars! Eliza xx ... View more

Hi eowens, Don't be sorry - we each have to do this in the way that works best for us. I worked through rads and the radiographers were great at arranging times for me so that I could go to work and then drive down to the hospital for an end of day appointment. It was tiring but easily doable and in many ways getting on with my very absorbing job was just what I needed. It worked for me anyway! Good luck, Eliza ... View more

Hope you have a good final week at work, Clare. Looking forward to seeing the London SRs plus Theresa and Helen tomorrow... Eliza xx ... View more

Hi Manny, There is a UK site called bresdex that has been set up with the intent of helping women to think through the WLE or mastectomy choice. It isn't perfect, a bit simplistic in fact, not least because although you can do some rudimentary weighing up of the facts you can't weight them if one is more important to you than another. There are also photos of different surgery options (although I think none of the WLEs are youngish women) if you want to look at them. The site is endorsed by respectable clinicians and also has video clips of women talking about making their decisions. My personal experience was a WLE for a fairly small tumour and the scar is now very neat plus a bit of a dent. It was my larger side anyway so that helps counter the loss on that side. Good luck with your choice. Eliza ... View more