Breast Cancer Now Forum

Happy birthday Rachel- hope you kept some of your cake for yourself and are having sometning sparkly to go with it! Marie- your holiday sounds so good! it's been one of the most disappointing things not being able to go away- can't wait to plan a load of holidays for next year- hoping to go to US next summer/fall. I should also be dosed again this week- no 3 on Friday if blood tests ok on Thursday- feel pretty wiped out so have some doubts. Chemobrain has kicked in too- forgetting things all the time. Karen your wig looks really glam- like Jo I feel mine is not me- my hair was not very groomed and my wig looks so- well artificial! I hope all doing well- particularly those we haven't heard from for a while- there was Deborah too on her first round early in the month... best to all Barbara ... View more

Oh and has anyone lost eyebrow/lashes yet? Is it possible we might hold on to these? ... View more

Aly my hair started coming out heavily in the third week following FEC one- I had to have it shaved just before 2nd dose as it was drivng me mad. I don't mind the look of it at all now and find it much easier to go without any cover at home but have not had the courage to go bald and proud outside the house- wish I could- has anyone else done this? I feel I shouldn't be embarassed because I have cancer but then the other day saw two good friends ahead of me in the local park and 'hid' until I thought they would not see me!!And was wearing a scarf! Enjoy your days moonies- sunshine, festivals, foals etc. ... View more

Penny- my Onc also emphasised that the most likely sources of infection would be not from outside but from dramatic pause- WITHIN- hadn't thought this could go back so far- 60 yrs you say! it's like be afraid- be very afraid of yourself and what you can't see in yourself. I think you're right about the medics not being sure about the immune system. Still- do you put the hula hoops on each finger and eat them off one by one? Went to see a friend this evening with scarf on - her husband asked if I was sailing on the high seas hoho- first I said no I am auditionning for Pirates then said this is what cancer looks like- felt like I'm losing my sense of humour but do feel sensitive about going out with headgear still. ... View more

It would be really good to hear of positive experiences on tamoxifen as it seems a lot of us could be on it for a very long time! It is worrying that so many women stop taking it (Womans Hour)- perhaps I'll search this website for some. I had expected to get the menopausal stuff- hot flushes etc on chemo but so far this hasn't happened so perhaps this will be later with the tamoxifen? Isn't the problem wanting to a) see the light at the end of the tunnel and b) want to be who/how you were before BC? That's why I've got a bit worked up about tamoxifen I think- still can't let go of the pre-BC me despite the very visible evidence!! Namaste- I also have my chemo treatment at the Sussex Cancer Centre- have you found it ok there? ... View more

Dodo/Jo I wasn't offered a choice because of where my cancer was (behind the nipple) and not having big breasts would have had a dug out volcano with no nipple! But as it turned out more than the one cancer in there and pre-cancer too so mx was inevitable. I did feel relieved to have the whole breast off because I thought it would mean no recurrence and no radio but in fact not the case- still have to have radio to recon breat, axilla and chest wall(?). So it's difficult to say whether advantage or not in your case- I generally tend to go with the docs- not just because they see so much but also stress of choosing.... ... View more

Hi everyone- hope the new arrival is doing well Ann and welcome back to Karen- sounds like a really long haul in hospital. teresa- I am sure we all feel nervous at different times about different things- does anyone else find themselves getting unhelpfully obsessed with the side-efffects or potential problems of the next stages- raiotherapy, drugs etc as if those of chemo weren't enough to be going on with? In connection with this Aly I listened to Woman's Hour and of course got anxious about the SE's of tamoxifen and the possibility of having to live with them for 10 yers now! It feels like tamoxifen will turn me into something else again that I don't want to be. Yet again it is impossible to predict if you will be one of the poor folk who have trouble with it. I also wind forward to further breast surgery altho that's a way off too. Has anyone else had a reconstructrion? I had LD flap not anticipating rads or chemo so hope the recon survives the rads. But it will definately need work as it is not the right size/shape- Do others shift from one worry to the next or have a way of dealing with it? On the other hand- beautiful June day here and I def. prefer being able to wear a sunhat on my nearly bald head. Can't face my wig somehow and scarves make me feel much more 'cancer patient' so keep the sun shining! Love to all Barbara ... View more

Well done Ann- what a relief once the first is done! Hope you're ok Rachel- love to all undergoing this. ... View more

Thanks moonbeams- think I will cancel dentist. Had hoped to try to get in to work this cycle but that is starting to look less likely- just have to plan a day at a time I think. ... View more

Hi Aly- like Dodo am trying not to take more antisickness but my onc said the metoclopramide is the'paracetamol' of antisickness so I can top up with that whenever I want. I do still feel nauseous (day 6 cycle 2) but still feel inclined to avoid further tabs altho not sure any logic here and may just be a form of emotional resisitance! Those on cycle 2- I am certainly worse this time- are you? Still manageable but sooooo tired, flattened with queasiness and indigestion. Have booked dentist appt but now worried as can hardly pop in a toothbrush without gagging at the moment- anyone done the dentist on chemo? ... View more

Dodo= my computer has been out of action so i hope you are settled now- I do think I'd check in with them if I was you- but making your position and history very clear- I know they always go for the ultra careful option but you may well get a different opinion fom someone else- it's all so stressful having to take such action- best of luck. ... View more

Dodo- are you in the neotropenic period? I was told this was the most crucial time for temp- and to contact the ward if over 37.5 and also if you felt unwell/very different to how you had felt earlier- it is very hard to get a precise steer on this- I'd ring again for reassurance this eve but tell them this happened last time- we are all different and we are the ones in the best place to know our individual patterns - the tough part is having any confidence in our judgements isn't it- Do hope it works well for you tonight. Hope the rest of you have a good night too- I had v bad last night- steriod sleepless and nausea but no vomiting. Feeling positive tho'- sunshine today by the sea. x ... View more

Ann- my chemo was delayed for other reasons- wound problems, skin graft etc so gap between mx and 1chemo was outside the guidelins- however the oncologist said he was very relaxed about it and cited evidence that delays were not problematic. However, none of us are experts and all cancers are different so I'd suggest you talk it through to get their reasons. Good luck Well done `Aly and Penny and Jane for stylish wigging! Have got head shaving tomorrow before chemo 2. My friend has knitted me a chemo cap! ... View more

Dodo- I was given (well had to buy) a liner like a popsock for head to go under my wig- I assume this helps hold it- do you got one of these? Someone also mentioned wig tape ?I am also very unconfident and have not even tried wig at home yet. I didn't think the hair would matter to me but found myself weeping this morning as I tried to clear up the stuff- on clothes, pilllows, neck everywhere. I want to get it shaved off starightaway but hairdresser not answering his phone. Feeling quite low- probably because of chemo tomorrow but mostly because I don't want my life to be like this- still get those feelings of rage!!! Jane- you are right must target it at the cancer cells. Penny hope you pick up today- all of you be gentle on yourselves. ... View more

Marie- sorry you have to have rads but I think quite a few of us will so we can carry on supporting each other through that too. Thanks for tips on round 2- I have bloods tomorrow- hoping for a 'pass'. Good luck Penny. ... View more

Karen- yes I had a headache following chemo that hung around for a few days-felt like a bad hangover- check your temp but then take paracetamol and see if that helps. Well done on first one. Dodo- I had PICC inserted and also worried about it being knocked and having a tube that runs inside into my chest but it soon feels normal and made the admin of chemo so much easier. I am anxious that I won't get the next cocktail on Friday because I have a sore throat and glands up- no high temp tho but being vigilant. Hair coming away feeling brittle and head sore- trying not to touch it as hate seeing the hairs come away. well done Melrose- best of luck Penny and Marie congrats on grandchild! ... View more

Karen, Penny and Namaste- I so understand- I felt a sort of blind terror as I approached the first chemo and I can only say that the relief afterwards was terrific. Drink lots of water, take a partner; talk lots to the nurse; make sure you have smething for your mouth- icy, fruity or minty as they put it in. I do hope you will soon be feeling better! ... View more

Well done Karen! I did Race for Life for several years and always found it a moving and uplifting event. Hope to do it again- will aim for next summer! Littlescoot/Mandie- so sorry you've had such a bad reaction- sounds a nightmare do hope you start to feel better soon. Rachel I had 2 sessions with the counsellor at the Cancer clinic which were very helpful in making me relaise that the anger/ disbelief and grief I felt (feel) were in a way a healthy thing. Good luck with it. I lost the post I wrote yesterday- beginning to think I need a new netbook but the rest of you gave some great answers to the questions asked. Hope all goes well with Angela and others starting this week- I have 2nd FEC Friday. ... View more

Hi Moonies Aly I have just got off the phone to my mum and dad too- sometimes every conversation has potential for upset or misunderstanding on both sides. My mum also sounded very upset about my hair being short- as if I had any choice! Daren't show her the wig- actaully it's me- can't yet get it out of the box! Good to have an updated list- I'm two weeks post first FEC now and I am so tired!! Best wishes for a restful weekend- specially to thise who have had sickness, tonsilitis, stress etc and to those starting soon- please believe those of us who found the reality much better than the fear we'd built up. Barbara x ... View more

Hi Moonies Aly I have just got off the phone to my mum and dad too- sometimes every conversation has potential for upset or misunderstanding on both sides. My mum also sounded very upset about my hair being short- as if I had any choice! Daren't show her the wig- actaully it's me- can't yet get it out of the box! Good to have an updated list- I'm two weeks post first FEC now and I am so tired!! Best wishes for a restful weekend- specially to thise who have had sickness, tonsilitis, stress etc and to those starting soon- please believe those of us who found the reality much better than the fear we'd built up. Barbara x ... View more