Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone - sorry to hear you are being messed around Beatrice. I have to admit I am so down and fed up. I saw my oncologist this evening. She inspected the sores and split skin under my breast. Despite the daily dressings and extra care I have taken she said it is only going to get worse. I have another 10 sessions to go. Today was day 13. She wants to see me again next week. They may decide to stop treatment. This is because the area of skin that is being impacted may get infected. She saw how low I was feeling. I have kind of cold sores on my face which I get when I am run down or low. Really really trying to keep on top of this but it is hard xxx ... View more

Hi ladies, I was shocked to come across this thread and read that there was a possible problem with having massages. I am currently half way through 23 sessions of radiotherapy at a clinic in Harley Street, London. I too, am entitled to 4 complimentary treatments via the Macmillan cancer unit that has an office at the clinic where I have my radiotherapy treatment. I really don't think that they would be offering me aromatherapy massages as part of my treatment it there was any cause for concern. The massage I have received is a gentle aromatherapy one on my back, shoulders, arms and legs. I'm seeing my one of the oncologist consultants I am under tomorrow evening so I will be interested to get her view or opinion on the subject. Mands xxx ... View more

Hi ladies, I haven't posted for a while as I have been suffering quite a bit. I had a total meltdown on Wednesday at the clinic and couldn't stop myself from crying. I had just about had enough of it all. The skin under my busy has got a lot worse and the skin is so thin it looks like it is going to split as the BC nurse said it would. It's agony now even with a couple of days rest. Also, spots on breast have got a lot worse and spreading further down the breast. It is like prickly heat. I must get some Piriton as I remember magical moon saying she used that. Nally - how are you doing today. It is awful when it suddenly just comes at you like that with no warning. I hope you managed to pick up and had a brighter day today. Lots of love to you sweetie. I am day 13 tomorrow with then ten more to go. I am having the normal 15 sessions and then 8 further booster sessions so looks like I'll be finishing after most of you. I just hope my skin holds out. Anyone else having the 23 sessions? I hope you all had lovely weekend. It was my eldest son's 24th birthday today so we went out to celebrate. I think it's the first time out this year lol. I really must plan a few more things to look forward to, especially to celebrate the end or treatment. Love to all of you . Mands xxx ... View more

Well done oaktreesea - I'm day 10 today and I have to say last night I couldn't sleep. My boob felt like it was on fire. Like really bad sun burn and stinging like hell. I think I'm going to try the hankerchiefs in the fridge method and put one of them over me as soon as I get in this afternoon. I heard about it on another thread and think I will try it. I may even resort to the cabbage leaf if it gets too bad lol. Have a good day everyone. Mands xxx ... View more

Thanks Kipper, I would be interested to know. Hey Fimbo - I cried today too! I have no idea why. It just came over me from nowhere. I was on the machine and I had these tears falling down the side of my face welling up in my ears! I thought - I've got to stop this otherwise I'm going to be deaf by time I get up from the treatment. I managed to hide it well from the radiographers as I didn't want them asking me what was wrong. I wouldn't have been able to tell them what was wrong and I would have only cried more - what am I like hey?! The thing is that I hadn't shed a tear since I had a bit of a downer over NY. I just became overwhelmed with it all for some reason. I think we're allowed to do this some times so I just wanted to share with you that you weren't alone today sweetie xxx ... View more

Hi Jacqui - I got it wrong! I am day 9 today! Wishful thinking lol. I even was thinking that I only had one more day after next full week and I've got that wrong too. I really must start using my brain more lol. I've got another 14 days to do yet. I am already getting fed up with going up to London each day and a 3 mile round walk. Although, I know, I shouldn't complain as other people have horrendous journeys each day. The soreness started last week under my breast. It is just really red and raw. The BC nurse said it will get worse but it's holding out at the moment - just very uncomfortable. Kipper - I am interested in what you say re the surgery. I too need to have further surgery after radiotherapy. I was a 36D before all this started. Unfortunately, the breast that I had cancer was the smallest of the breasts which has left me lopsided too and I hate it! The surgeon took 5cms during lumpectomy and at the same time did a bit of reconstructive surgery by pushing the breast tissue up. This has left me with one nipple looking up to the sky and the other one near enough down by my ankles lol. My surgeon said that after radiotherapy I would have the surgery straight away. He said nothing about 6 weeks of stopping the tamoxifen. I wouldn't have started taking it if I had known this and perhaps delayed it. My surgery will be a lift from the base of my good breast and then move the nipple etc further up the breast. I'm like you are feeling - I want to get over radiotherapy, have the further surgery and then get on wih getting back to as normal as can be. I don't have my appointment with the surgeon until the end of May. I may ask for an earlier appointment as we agreed this date when he said that I needed both chemo and radiotherapy. I am also private healthcare. Sending you hugs ladies and thinking of you as we go through this part of the journey together. Mands xxx ... View more

Hi ladies, I hope you're all doing well. Day 11 for me today. The BC nurse saw me yesterday and she has given me some dressings to put under my breast where it is getting very sore. She said it is likely to get worse. It is an area where big busted women suffer! Also, she gave me some Aloe Vera gel which is very soothing to use after treatment as it does cool the hot breast. Does anyone else feel, apart from the swelling, that their breast is getting hard? I was told this may happen. Apart from that it is all doable. The nausea is still there which is weird because I'm not actually sick but feel I want to be! Looking forward to the weekend again. I think you really need the two days grace from it all. I feel like I'm wishing my days away to get to the end of treatment lol. Off to get zapped. Have a good day everyone. Love Mand xxx ... View more

Hi to the new Jems. I haven't felt too good since my 7th zap. Had a nausea feeling all weekend. Should be ok tomorrow as I have chilled all weekend. I can't wait for take next couple of weeks to go quickly! Mands xxx ... View more

Hi H, pleased to hear you are more up beat today. It always helps to have a get together with someone to try and take your mind off the cancer thoughts. Tamoxifen - try not to think too far ahead sweetie. My treatment plan changed so many times so try to deal with the now. Break it down in stages, it really does help. Your stage at the mo is recovery from surgery. Your next stage will be results and what happens next. I know it's hard but thinking too far ahead won't do you any good sweetheart. We can't always stop our minds thinking too far but I really think dealing with this journey in stages, breaking it down, really does help. It has me. Thinking of you sweetie. Love Mand xxx ... View more

Hi H, how frustrating for you. All us ladies will agree that the waiting for results and knowing what the next stage in our journeys is the most worrying time. Try to focus on the now and concentrate on getting your strength back following the surgery. It definitely takes a good few weeks. Try to occupy your mind with other things - I know easier said than done but if you set yourself a small little target each day this will help. Even if it is a short walk up to the shops or writing that list of things to be done around the house when you a stronger ie cleaning out the cutlery draw - I still need to do mine lol. As to whether you should keep posting here or somewhere else? You are part of us ladies now so please do carry on posting here if it helps you. I'm sure the ladies here are giving you some of the support you need in your journey. When is your next consultants appointment? For me, day 6 today of treatment. I have continues to do the 3 mile walk each day and I am so chuffed with myself for that. Although yesterday, would you believe it, I fell over quite badly. Some tourists helped me up which was very kind of them but I wanted to scream at the man "hey, watch my bad tit"! Lol. It was a really bad fall and I was lucky I didn't break anything. Before treatment started, they did confirm that the skin under my breast is becoming sore and damaged. I thought it was looking and feeling red and sore. I am quite big busted and I had heard that this is an area prone to damage. I'm continuing to slap on the cream. They did say to buy a piece of silk and lay over the breast as this can stop the friction of clothes rubbing. I have discarded the bra wearing for now as I have found them uncomfortable to wear since surgery. I will buy some silk at the weekend if I get the chance and see if it works. Also, yesterday I started one of the SE from tamoxifen - hot flushes. I was dreading these as I did suffer terribly before taking HRT. I wish they would come up with something that stops the hot flushes as these are awful and often disturb sleep which is all I need with being an insomniac!!! Her endith my moan for today lol. Have a lovely day everyone. Love Mands xxx ... View more

It's about time we got some perks out of this journey lol. I'm glad it was beneficial for you. Whilst I was having my massage today I was thinking this is the first time throughout this journey I actually feel like I am getting something back. We need to treat ourselves more lol. Hope tomorrows treatment goes well. Sleep well. I'm hoping I'll sleep better after 6 miles of walking over the last two days 🙂 xxx ... View more

Kipper, I'm booked on one of those sessions. I can't wait. I understand it is a great workshop. Xxx ... View more

Hi Jacqui - you've finally caught up with me sweetie lol. Good luck for tomorrow. I've sent you a PM which might help you. Take care. Much love. Mands xxx ... View more

Evening all you gorgeous ladies. We are growing in numbers! Day 4 today and I walked the 3 miles again. Walking in the sunshine definitely lifts your spirits. It's a very positive influence I have to say. Just wish it helped the insomnia! I had a lovely aromatherapy massage after my treatment today and it was the first time since diagnosis that I truly felt relaxed. I was a bit worried about lying on my front but I had a pillow below my chest line and it was very comfortable. I had the neck, back, arms and legs massaged and I have to say I felt completely relaxed I thought I was going to do a "pop" at one time - wouldn't that have been embarrassing lol. Last week I requested an image of my breast that I had seen on the monitor when I went in for treatment and I got it today. I think this will help me think of my breast as cancer free. Well I hope so as I can still vividly remember the white mass where my lump was on the mammagram screen before diagnosis. I knew at that stage I had cancer. So positive thoughts now that I am cancer free. Again today they couldn't position me correctly but they were so nice about it and continually apologising. It's only happened twice now but I can really understand ladies getting upset by being pushed and pulled in different directions. Re the fatigue and the side effects etc. We are all different and will be affected in different ways. Physically and mentally we have all had a difficult journey to get where we are now. Personally for me I have gained great support on this forum. It has been my only support really as I don't have anyone close by. At the beginning I thought as most of us thought - how the hell am I going to get through this! But, I am getting through it and I now see a light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, I have to have more surgery in May/June but I am so proud of myself that I have got to NOW! People tell me that I am a strong woman and I have at times doubted that but I now believe I am a strong woman! As all you lovely ladies are. I'm eager to get to the end and start to readjust back to my life which I know won't be as before but I so now know that I will be more enriched by this journey and won't take my life for granted. I do count myself lucky! Sorry ladies, I've gone on a bit here but I just wanted to share with you how I am feeling. Watch this space - I'll be bloody crying this time next week lol. Have a lovely evening ladies and if you get the chance to or someone ones to treat you - do try an aromatherapy massage. It has really helped me today. Love Mand xxx ... View more

HFK - I've sent you a private message H. Mand xxx ... View more

Hi ladies Welcome to HFK and all you new ladies that have joined us here. I am so glad to hear that this thread has been beneficial to some of you and really pleased that I started the thread in December. Personally, I felt that the monthly chemotherapy thread was so useful and I know a lot of ladies gain support from others that are going through the same together. Magical moon - lovely to hear from you again. Sending you a big hug sweetie. I am day 3 today and only another 20 zapping sessions to go! I too am suffering from the hot breast but then I have done since surgery because of my seroma. I'm not sure whether it is the seroma getting bigger or just swelling from the radiotherapy treatment but already I am changing shape again! Today was a longer session because they couldn't size me up properly to the machine but I didn't panic as I had read here that it often happens. Also, I had walked just over 1.5 miles from London charing cross to Harley street and was just thankful for the longer lie down lol. I was very proud as I walked the return journey too which meant I had walked a total of 3 miles. I can't promise I'll do it every day but the exercise certainly made me feel good. I am very upbeat at the moment and long may it continue. I think it had something to do with sleeping most of the weekend and catching up on some very bad insomnia nights I have had since NY. Sending you a big hug and for those that are struggling at present, keep posting and letting us know how you are doing. You're not alone. Love Mand xxx ... View more

Nally - that so made me laugh. I have to say it - you're a right tit!!! Lol. Kipper - agree, I've only had two days but glad I've got two days break before I start the next 5 days. SE for me - my boob has remained hot since surgery because of seroma so it is hot hot now! Today when I got home I noticed that it is already red unless it was the light. I'll need to check tomorrow to compare again but I didn't think you had signs this early? Hope everyone has a restful weekend and look after yourselves. Just remembered, I didn't give everyone an update after my first day yesterday. I was a little down as I had had my coil out and not been sleeping too well. I arrived very early in the hope that I could sit down and relax with a coffee before going down to be zapped. They called me straight away ahead of my appointment time so I had no time to think. As I went in to the room I saw an image of my boob on the monitor. A kind of 3D image which seemed to look in to where my lump used to be. For me, it brought back the vivid memory of seeing the white mass where my lump was on the monitor when I was having my mammogram. I knew at that point that I did have cancer so it was all a bit overwhelming for me. However, I managed to control my emotions and thought I'd have a good cry when I got out of there. It became all too much when they were sizing me up on the machine. We had to stop a couple of times for me to dry my eyes, otherwise my ears would have filled up with tears by time they were finished. I have to say that today was so much better and I knew it would be once I got through the first session. There really is nothing to worry about but it doesn't stop your mind working overtime! I also got to book some complimentary therapy treatments today which I'll have through my treatment. Also, some counselling sessions which I think will help me talk through how I am feeling. Take care everyone. Mand xxx ... View more

PS - I feel hard done by? Only having two tatoos lol. I wonder why that is. Perhaps those that have 3 had all LN removed? Those with 3 possibly have a bigger area to be zapped? Good luck with whatever day number treatment you are at tomorrow. Mands xxx ... View more

Hi to all the new Gems that have joined us and thank you for sharing. Still awaiting my first session on Thursday but tomorrow I pick up my tamoxifen and start taking. Was delayed unfortunately or perhaps more fortunate! I also have to have my contraceptive coil removed tomorrow due to my cancer being hormone receptive. More not looking forward to that one as in the past it has been excruciating to fit and remove, mainly due to me being very petite and not having had two natural child births! I haven't heard of anyone else having to have a contraceptive coil removed - anyone here? Mands xxx ... View more

Hi Elma here is what I posted in response to your question on the other thread. I hope it helps you ........... Hi Elma I had my surgery on 21st November. I start 23 days of radiotherapy on Thursday. I have had a seroma in the breast since surgery and like you they are loathed to drain or interfere with it due to possible infection and as it is so close to the surgery area. I had 5mm lumpectomy so at the same time as surgery I had some reconstruction on the breast too. I had my CT scan and planning appointment on NYE. The tatoo markings are absolutely minute and you can hardly see them. There are normally two tatoos - one in the middle of your breasts and one at the side of your rib cage, not at all on the breast at all. It depends where your seroma is but if it is in the breast or under the armpit I can't see it interfering with their measuring and realignment. I hope this helps but perhaps also ask the radiotherapists at your planning meeting. Good luck - love Mands xxx ... View more