Breast Cancer Now Forum

Lines Hi Mounties I have similar problems - getting bloods from my right arm is a nightmare. Had two lots of Epi into my veins in my hand but the vein in my arm started to harden and get very sore. In the end I had a Hickman line put in. It is fab! All my chemo goes in and blood come out through it no more needles. There was some reluctance to give me one because there is a small risk of infection but I felt compared to the misery I enduring it was worth it. It is bit strange having it inserted - it is done under local in the radiography department and was a bit sore for a week. Now I don't even feel it, I just tuck the line inside my bra and no one is the wiser. I hope your domestic life has settled - although I haven't 'spoken' before I have read your posts and think of you. Hope this info helps - good luck Swanie ... View more

getting to grips hi Alison I really feel for you having to give up your bees. I am licensed with the British Trust for Ornithologists to capture, ring/tag and generally work with swans. I worked really hard for this and have been told I will have to stop - the risks of infection from the birds and from working chest deep in rivers, ponds and lakes is too great. even when the chemo is done unfortuately can get pretty nasty scratches down my arms from them so there is the lymphodema risk It is my left arm and I'm left handed so really cannot afford to lose function. It hit me last week - I should be out finding all my family groups, mapping nests etc. I had a big cry, it is the first time I have done this. It is hard to take in. I guess it is a kind of bereavement your life will not 'go back to normal' and it is hard for people to understand this. However - we have a good chance of life and being able to do loads of other stuff, but it is damn hard sometimes. Take care - love and cyber hugs Swanie ... View more

bloods and scans hi Gingersmurf as the others say scans are not very accurate and will only locate already developed tumours. Each time you have chemo you should have blood tests done. These will check your cell counts and platlets (clotting) in addition you will have tests for kidney, liver and bone chemistry - these are very accurate and will usually alert the oncologist to any problems long before a scan will. I remember have the same concern as you re: scans. RE: chemo survival - my daughter bought me some ice-lolly moulds. Great for sore/dry mouths and you make a flavour to suit your taste buds at the moment. I have had lots of fun creating different flavours. Think you would enjoy them. Love Swanie. ... View more

Just be careful I think that BBQ and take-a-ways do leave you with a greater risk of food poisoning. I would just be careful. If you cook the food yourself you know how well it is thawed and cooked, whether hands have been wash etc. If you trust your take-a-way fine. I went into a sandwich bar yesterday and looked at all the fillings covered in mayo with a dry crust forming on top and walked out. Wasn't too sure about the staff either. Just trust your commonsense. Shell fish may be worth avoiding - I had scallops in a very reliable restaurant and was a sick as a dog after and had to whizz up to A&E. do keep enjoying life as others say this disease takes enough away from you - love Swanie. ... View more

WLE Hi - I had a WLE my tumour was just over 2cm and I am an 'E' cup so as my surgeon said they had a bit to play with! It went really well - a smashing radiologist marked me up using ultrasound the day before (my tumour did not show on a mammogram). The whole lot came out with good margins. My lymph nodes had 50% chance of being affected so I elected to have them removed as well (the right decision as it turned out). I was keen to have a masectomy as I didn't want more surgery and really just wanted to get shot of the tumour. My surgeon talked it through with me apparently she has an 80% success rate of clearing the tumour in one go. I decided to trust her judgement and take a chance. She did a brilliant job fortunately the tumour was in my bigger breast so I look pretty even. She also squidged things around a bit so there is not too big a dent. I really think you have to follow your heart and do what feels right for you. Good luck what ever your choice hope this helps Swanie ... View more

Howdie I really enjoyed your post - great man, great attitude. You'll get through this OK. My spouse did similar - I think getting them involved with dressings, back washing etc at and early stage is a good move even for oldies like me!! Shame you have more surgery to go - I had all my nodes out when the surgery was done, my sugeon reckoned the chance of substantial spread was about 50:50 so I told her to go for it. It was the right decision. 'All Ways look on the good side ' is one of my favs too, it always makes me smile. Take care - keep that gung ho attitude going. Love Swanie ... View more

You're right You make a really valid point. I do not know if I have a job to go to when I am done in January. I teach at an agricultural college and they employ you on yearly contracts, as I am not going to be able to start back in Sept. someone else will get my classes. They cannot promise me a new contract in Jan. and of course they do not have to pay me from the end of August. I realise I am lucky as I do have a husband in work and with a good bit of belt tightening we will get through. Fortunately our daughter finishes university this year. I have read posts by others and genuinely wonder how they are going to cope. Perhaps Breast Cancer Care could include a benefits advisory service and help people with forms etc. in their support services. It would be possible to do over the phone. Goodluck with your spouse, treatment etc. there are a brave bunch of ladies on this forum Love Swanie ... View more

OUCH !!!! Poor you - having painful feet is rotten. It just makes doing anythin really painful. Could be that having ytour immune system kicked by the chemo and steroids plus the heat has made you vulnerable to a fungal infection, or a possible reaction to a dye/chemical in you new shoes???? Let the nurses have a look tomorrow. I've broken out in cold sores which is a bit depressing. Bald I can deal with but scabbiness is just plain nasty!! I'll be thinking of you starting CMF - I have my last Epi on Friday. Feel rather nervous about moving on. I just keep thinking every dose is one less to go roll on October. Take care - love Swanie ... View more

It will get better I had the same op as you. After 2 weeks it was still very painful, I felt like it would never be right. It really took about 4 weeks of doing exercises 3 times a day to get full movement back, 6 weeks to feel really comfy. Some nerve damage still continues (op 2/3/07) so I have couple of numb patches which occassionally twinge, but not really a problem apparently it takes about 3 months to settle. It is essential you carry on with the exercises - I found taking some painkillers an hour before helped for the first couple of weeks. It is also worth experimenting with propping your shoulder up on a pillow at night to take the strain off. I found having a pillow longwise down the bad side supporting my shoulder and arm was best for me. I hope this helps - it is a long haul. I felt desperate not being able to sleep curled on my left side, but I can now! goodluck with your pathology results, they must be coming soon if not already Take care - love Swanie ... View more

A treat for sore mouths!! Hi - thought I would share this. My lovely daughter bought me a set of Ice-lolly moulds that you can pop in the freezer and make your own. These have been brilliant for my 'sore mouth' days and I can make up flavours to suit my jaded palate. My favs are: Strawberry smoothie: Blend some apple juice, banana and strawbs then pour into the mould and freeze - Yum apple juice and ginger ale. Also found it is rather nice to suck on a lolly when I wake up all hot and flushed during the night - it cools me down and helps me get back to sleep. Look out for these - and have fun, share exciting flavours Good luck to you all Love Swanie ... View more

Phew!!! Hi susie Phew --- going to the gym, I admire your energy!!! I am on my 3rd cycle of Epi the E in the FEC if you get my drift. I find that I ache all over from it especially my arms and legs. This seems to have got a little worse each cycle. Last week i walked to my local shops and back (about 2mile round trip) and felt absolutely wrecked for the the rest of the day and was snappy at my poor spouse. Maybe you just need to accept you need to ease up a bit. I have found this very difficult as I am very physically active so can appreciate how much you may want to get going after each treatment. I am finding short bursts of activity with short rests the best way to get the maximum out of each day. Take care of yourself Love Swanie. ... View more

Hello Hi sorry you have had to join this elite group however you will find this forum very informative and supportive. I was diagnosed 2/2/07 with invasive grade 3 nodes and surrounding tissues affected. That said my treat ment is going really well had my 3rd shot of chemo last Friday. None of it has been as bad as i expected. Fortunately I was good excellent health until this cropped up so I have had a good base to start from. I'm sure your medical team will work together to make the treatment go well for you. Like you I am so lucky in having a really supportive husband who continues to make feel attractive and loved even when I was moulting all over the carpets and I now have natty little tube sticking out of my chest. It must be very hard having you man laid up in hospital - I hope all goes well with his op and he is home soon so that you can be there for each other. Take care and both of you keep strong - or hopefully take turns at holding each other up. Let us know how things go - Swanie ... View more

Nice treat I have aromatherapy massages as a treat since I cannot drink alcohol - it makes me sick. They are a bit pricey but hell you got to have some fun. Even if they do not do any medical good - I just feel so relaxed and happy after it is worth it. some people say avoid certain oils - but my Onc. reckoned it was OK to go ahead the ammount of chemicals you are going to absorb are very small. I think you have to bath in them neat on a daily basis to do any harm. Fortunately my aromatherapist has worked with other women with breastcancer so has a good idea of what the side effects etc. are. Love Swanie ... View more

Driving Hi - I felt quite off my head for a couple of hours after my first chemo - about 2 pints of cheap scrumpy in a pewter pot (you can see how I mis-spent my youth!)- taste and sensation. I think some of it was the steroids and antinausea drugs kicking in. It may be best to have someone at least for the first one or two until you know how you are going to react. You could drive in and they could drive back if needed. If you did have and accident you would feel awful, and I'm not sure where you would stand insurance wise. I find I cannot drive safely for a week after chemo but that is me and you could be completely different. You'll get a good idea of how you are going to react and take it from there. Good luck with the chemo - it seems like a long haul but it does go by surprisingly quickly. Love Swanie ... View more

Thank you Hi I wanted to thank you for posting on the 'undergoing treatment' forum. It was great that you took the time considering what you have to deal with. Your words of encouragement are much appreciated. Had my 3rd epi today - the line is great so feel so much more positive again. Can't be any help with your query except to say I will be thinking of you and hope they halt/stabilise the spread in your bones. Keep us posted. Love Swanie ... View more

close on your heels! Hi - I've just had my 3rd Epi today, and bless them they have fitted a Hickman line. It is great, my arm was getting really painful so it is no more being stabbed with needles. It is worth thinking about if they will do it. anyway let us know how you get on with the CMF - I'm interested. Like you I think the injections on the accelerate Epi have spared a lot of the side effects - my WBC seems to be going up! Take care - good luck with the rest of the treament Love Swanie ... View more

Hello Irene You really have gone throught the mill. I remember my Mum having a rodent ulcer on her nose about 5 years ago so I have an inkling of what you are going through with it. It seems so unfair having to deal with that on top of BC. You are fully entitled to feel fed-up, angry and tired of the whole business. To be frank I feel in a similar frame of mind and I do not have half the problems you have. I had a Hickman line fitted yesterday. I know it will make things easier and save me a lot of pain but for some reason having a piece of piping sticking out of my chest has really got to me. Didn't sleep last night either because of the pain in my neck. The treatment for BC just seems to go on for so long it is sometimes hard to see the end of it. This is the first time I have really felt down so I guess after goodnights sleep and few more painkillers I'll pick up. anyway - thanks for letting me have a moan back. I just feel i have to stay upbeat for my husband - he copes pretty well with all the practical stuff but seems to find the emotional stuff really difficult. Is this a man thing??? Please take care - hope the nose heals well. My mum's looked fine after a couple of months, You had to look really closely to see the patch. Love Swanie ... View more

Red vixen Hi - It is hell waiting for the op and then results. I remember it well. Firstly you will probably classed as pre-menopausal. I am a 'young one' at 50 and at a similar stage to you so have been treated as such. Re: the worry, I know it is easier said than done but try to avoid dwelling too much on what could be. You just will not know until the results come 2 weeks after the op. On the advice of another lady on this site I have always tried to focus on what is just ahead and not look too far - it can get really scary and may never happen. If possible try to fill your time with other stuff, plan some nice days out, go shopping, eat drink and be merry what ever turns you on. I went to Brussels with my daughter for a shop, choc and beer fest (I decided stuff putting money in an ISA for my dottage this year) It really helped. After the op focus on getting healed. Return to the net and treatments etc. just before the post-op results appointment so that you can discuss options (also take someone wit you) Keep posting and use this site - I have found it brilliant for support. It is a hard old road to travel. hope the op goes nice and smoothly for you cyber hug Swanie ... View more

don't panic Hi - you must be swinging between blind panic and total relief. don't feel bad about being frightened any operation is scary. I understand that papiloma can cause problems in the future so better out than in as they say! Do check out benign conditions and/or ring the helpline for clarification. I had a lumpectomy and nodes removed on the 2/3/07. Honestly all my pain came from the lymp node removal, which you will not have. My surgeon advised wearing a good, supportive soft cup bra day and night for 14days post-op (M&S do a good range of post-op bras). This will prevent pulling on the wound and assist healing. also if you are advised to do physio start straight away. You may not need to do this as you are not having nodes out. Also take all the painkillers they give you - it is easier to prevent pain than stop it, don't be noble!! Don't worry about being sick - tell the aneathetist (sorry about the spelling) about your fears. They are very sympathetic and can put in some stuff to stop you being sick when they knock you out. It works a treat, honest., I used to be as sick as a dog after ops! Try to keep busy while you are waiting to go in and do keep posting 'til you are mended. The other ladies here are incredibly supportive. Good luck, have a hug Swanie ... View more