Breast Cancer Now Forum

Couldn't agree more. I have gone from being quite a passive person to constantly having to fight for one thing or another. Benefits, treatment and discrimination at work to name a few. June ... View more

Marina do as Val suggested and gather evidence but also get help to complete. CAB or Macmillan. I was recently awarded DLA and the forms were completed by me at Macmillan CAB and supportred with DS1500. As Julie says though start with asking for a reconsideration. I used to do some voluntary work at CAB and our benefits adviser always said you never ever appeal without help. Good luck with this. ... View more

I have asked for a second opinion. I just want an oncologist to actually look at my file. I have been told this will cause delays in my treatment. This is not acceptable. Seeing the breast surgeon this Friday. He has confirmed that oncology is short staffed. My breast is seriiously no longer a breast just a solid mis-shappen, hard lump. ... View more

I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer and then around a week later was sent for pre op and mri. A few days after that I had CT scan and ultrasound (internally) in my womb as I had a lot of bleeding also. Diagnosed with multiple bone mets, cervical mass and spread to one ovary. Mx cancelled as no longer 'curative'. If you need more accurate timescales I can get back to you later. I am popping out just now. ... View more

Thanks for sharing Belinda. ... View more

Marina I was just recently awarded DLA under special rules and it took around three weeks from applying. The first I knew it had been dealt with was when a backdated payment arrived in my bank account. The award letter arrived a few days later. June xx ... View more

Just prior to diagnosis last September I reached my 'goal' (four stone lost) weight after three years of weighing and tracking food on an online weight loss programme. My cousin who knows this said to me yesterday when I told her I had cancer "do you think that's how you lost all that weight?" Em no! It is, however, how I've managed to put half a stone back on via hormone treatment. ... View more

Historygirl I need a 'like' button. ... View more

Apologies if this has been said on here but I think I read it on breastcancer.org that someones response to 'I could get runover by a bus tomorrow' was yes but it wont them drag you round for five years. ... View more

Hi all, thought I would give you a quick update. Macmillan nurse came to see me today after her meeting with my GP this morning. The GP has spoken to the breast surgeon and it seems they all agree that the letrozole has more than likely started to fail. I have agreed to wait and see him in three weeks just to see if there are any improvements. I can phone and request an earlier appointment if anything changes before then. I have taken a couple of days off work and now feel much mote relaxed. I am going to stay off work next week and then decide from there if it is worthwhile continuing work. I work via an agency and don't get paid if not at work so no guilt there. Only got seven months out of the letrozole so that's not too good hopefully do better on the chemo. Over the last few weeks three different health professionals have advised me to stop work and spend the time with my family. So that's probably going to be my plan. I feel much better today. Probably the result of the chat and knowing I am being listened to allied to the hanging around the house not doing too much. Thanks again for all your support. ... View more

Hi Beam We cope because we have to. As Morwenna has said this first bit is usually the hardest. (Well Morwenna said it was the hardest for me this week has been the hardest but that's another story). I agree the loss of control is (for me anyway) one of the worst parts. Once you get past the weekend the next few days leading up to Friday will hopefully pass a little quicker for you. ... View more

Finty thanks for taking the time to share that. Looks like the way forward. ... View more

Angelfalls. She is fantastic. I not sure if she was alerted by the hospital that I was having a bit of a meltdown but she arrived at my door five minutes after phoning me. One good thing that I think will come out of this is that she will be more involved with my treatment again. When I was first diagnosed she coordinated with the hospital. She then had some time off work and I was allocated to another GP who promptly went on maternity leave. I live in a village and the medical centre has many excellent, caring GPs. Thaks for your thoughts. Hope you have a good day. June ... View more

Thanks Jen. I appreciate you have more than enough to deal with yourself and have taken the time to support and advise me. Take care. June ... View more

Hi I don't have an answer other than I agree with what you are saying if there is a valid reason that is one thing but you need to know the reasoning behind that decision. I hope you get an answer soon that you and your mum are happy with. June ... View more

Hi again all. Just thought I would update you on phone call. They want me to stay on Letrozole for another month and then review it. The breast surgeon is now the one I will see (not sure how that works but as I trust him I can go along with that). I found out today from my Macmillan nurse that tumour markers had went from 70 back up to 170 and I know not every onc puts a lot of faith in them but they have been a good indicator for me. Went down then levelled off before climbing again. My GP and macmillan nurse also believe that Letrozole has stopped working. Feeling so frustrated but I will start to organise a second opinion tomorrow. GP phoned me this afternoon and ended up coming round to see me. She is going to talk with the breast surgeon tomorrow and get more info on today's meeting and then phone me. When she phones I will speak to her about second opinion. Even if it is me who is in the wrong thinking Letrozole not working I have lost all faith and can't see a way of it being restored. Love to all and sorry not to mention you all by name but your support and advice is much appreciated. June ... View more

Thanks Jen. I think it was the fact that I had access to my notes already and knew more about my cancer than the new onc did that was so frustrating. There are a couple of letters I don't have so thanks for the reminder I will organise that tomorrow. I will take notes tomorrow when I get the call. I did ask for clear answers yesterday but just didn't get them. Just kept getting told the size and shape of my breast didn't matter it was the scans that counted. Thanks again. ... View more