Breast Cancer Now Forum

Kar235 if you feel unwell go to your GP or call your breast cancer nurse.  I tended to drink a lot of stilled water with lemon especially if I was in the company of people who were coughing.  If you feel at all unwell speak to medical staff who will give you treatment if you need it. Regards   ... View more

Hi Princessbear, I did  not achive clear margins but was described as inferior.  So three weeks after results was admitted to hospital and clear margins were achieved.  I think all in all the medics have clear guidelines and timescales so dont worry too much.  My lump had not grown within the six weeks of diagnosis to excision although very aggressive cancer.  What I did ask at the re excision was that I did not have to wait until I saw surgeon for results before oncology referral.  So I actually saw surgeon one day followed next day by oncology about three weeks after re excision.  I have also met other ladies who had started their target treatment and were called back for further surgey.  Everyone is different so dont get caught up in other ladies situation as yours will be very different.  Good luck and try not to worry too much.  There are good treatments availalble.   ... View more

Hi stedie, I had chemo last year.  Children even teenagers cope better than adults with hair loss.  I always wore my wig when in public but in house never wore anything unless cold, so then used small cap which are cheap to buy.  The worst thing about chemo for me was losing all my body hair but in particular my eyelashes as I initially found it hard to resolve.  However I started to use the cheapest false eyelashes, not too long with no mascara.  No one seemed to notice.  I was fine with fec apart from the initial dose which made me feel quite sick, however medics were on the ball and prescribed me medication to deal with it.  It worked wonders.  The tac was pretty bad in that my taste buds were terrible and I found it hard to eat or drink but forced myself. Tended to east chicken soup and orange flavoured drinks but not fizzy.  The pains in my legs were painful but after I got used to it I used pain relief to deal with side affects.  Just keep telling yourself that you need to do this.  You will get through it.  Good luck. ... View more

Some people say things without giving any real thought to what they are actually saying.  You are right it is easy to say no funding for treatments when you do not need them but people quickly change their mind when they end up needing treatment which is not available.  My own view is that the NHS north and south need to look at the waste in the establishment.  Maybe then they would have money.  Also I feel that as a country we need to start looking at increasing our nat insurance contributions to ensure that there is money for the expensive treatments which are coming on board.  If we dont put it in we cant take it out.  Hope that makes sense. ... View more

I 3network3 I am agreeing with you.  What I was meaning was there is a medical body who approves drugs for use within the NHS.  With all the latest talk of appealing to us females I am saying that maybe just maybe they will identify more money for breat cancer care treatment.  I think there is more scope in England for better access to treatments. ... View more

Hi Fisha I have a similar story to you.  My younger sister died of breast cancer three years ago and on the same day my best friend died of breast cancer.  Both had different types once considered very aggressive and other more moderate if that makes sense.  I honestly never thought for one moment that I would become a victim of this disease however last year it did.  I found it very hard talk about it as I thought I could see morbid sympathy in people's eyes when I told them.  Basically it made me become quite reclusive for a good period however I have moved on from this.  I now take each day as it comes and focus on my treatment which I am old has positive outcomes. There is nothing I can do.  My sister died twenty years after her initial dx my friend fourteen years.  They both had recurrence in the same year and as I said died on the same day.  | think of them everyday and miss them.  Take all the support you can get as I know that my sister and friend would have been a great support to me but unfortunately they cant.  Good luck. ... View more

3\network3 hi to you.  I totally agree with you and also that although the SNP leadership go on about free prescriptions I always ask at what cost.  The money used for the referendum could as you suggest be used more positively by people needing treatments to save their life rather than being spent on political activities.  Devolution is I feel another waste of public money.  The body in Scotland who agree funding for expensive drugs are meeting very soon I read to discuss whether this new drug will be made available in Scotland.  We might be lucky in that the need to please females may encourage the SNP government to aprove its use.  I wont hold my breath.   ... View more

lucylulu I am more than half way through my Herceptin treatment.  From what I have read and from speaking to long term survivors of this treatment it seems that you need to stay on the treatment long term or until the Herceptin stops working for you. I am in awe of woman like you who have been under the strain of dealing with breast cancer for so long.  Thank goodness for Herceptin and the other treatments which are avalable.  | think that you should talk to your oncologist as I am sure you would be off it if they thought it best to do so.  Anyway good luck for the future keep on doing what needs to be done to keep you free from this horrible disease. Cheers. ... View more

Hi Gadgetgirl, You an get really good wigs.  The one I had was brilliant in fact itwas better than my own hair.  Some women like scarves but I could never get them to sit right. Make sure you order before you start your chemo or soon after.  You will probably need it before the second infusion.  Anyway good luck you have a tough year ahead but you will get through it.    ... View more

Hi Climbingrose, I had chemotherapy last year and lost all my body hair.  I dont think there is any shampoo you can use which will prevent this.  Make sure you get your wig ordered so that you have it on hand when you hair starts to fall out.  Mine fell out one week after the first chemo session.  When my eyebrows disappeared I used eyebrow pencil which was okay.  Losing my lashes was the worst for me as I felt it left my face very bare.  However I started to you false eyelashes, the fine short ones.  I did not use mascara on them but did use eye shaddow.  You can be very creative.  You do get used to it but its great when you feel your hair growing back in.  This generally starts once the fec session is over.  It does take time.  I used fast shampoo and conditioner which I found help to encourage growth and I know others have used the shampoo too.  Your daughters will get used to seeing you without hair and when in the family home you will feel comfortable.  Some women I know used scarves but I preferred my wig which I thought look quite good really.  I have three grandchildren and they accepted my bald head without any reservation.  Its going to be a tough year for you but you will get through it.  Look after yourself and keep away from infection, you know people with coughs and sniffles.  Cheers. x ... View more

Hi just wondered why you needed scans.  I asked my oncologist if I would get scans when I finished treatment but was told no.  Like you I am on Herceptin so wondered why the treatment had not stopped spread to bones. ... View more

I think its only natural to feel the way you do.  I think we tend to put ourselves in others shoes when we hear bad news like you have just posted.  You can only focus on your treatment and hope that the family you speak about have the support they need to cope with their loss.  Good luck for the future. ... View more

Hi folks, I always find it very sad when I hear of very young woman suffering from BC.. I was diagnosed last year and am Her2 pos,  I have had chemo, radiation and still on Herceptin.  The posiive thing is that Herceptin is very successful and I find this is something to hang on to.  I lost my younger sister three years ago and my best friend on the same day both had BC but different types,  Both had been diagnosed a long time ago but it is still hard when you lose a very close relative and friend.  I wish you well for the future. ... View more

Hi, I had 35 radiotherapy treatments.  I have on and off pain in the area where it was radiated.  Oncologist said that happens at times.  You need to keep moving your arm to keep your range.  I found swimming helps but now cannot go into deep water as arm on left side can suddenly seize up.   ... View more

Hi,  having chemo is not the most pleasant thing to happen to you but it is doable.  It really is.  I had chemo last year.  When I suffered side affects the medical team were straight on to it.  Try not to be too anxious as you are not alone in this journey.  It needs to be done and as long as you stay away from people who may have an infection you will get through it.  You will also find other women having treatment and they will give your moral support.  Eat and sleep well and spoil yourself.  Good luck ... View more

Hi, I lost all body hair including eye lashes.  I found that the hardest to cope with.  I used to feel that people were staring at me but of course they weren't.  I started to wear false eye lashes the fine quite short ones.  I never put mascara on them and to be honest they looked good.  My  treatment was in 2013 with chemo about summer time.  My eye lashes started to grow back at the end of January this year.  Overall my hair has taken time to grow back in.  Good luck.   ... View more

I had a seroma after my operation last year.  I had to have it drained at least four times.  On one occasion fluid dripped continuously for a full day which just happened to be over the weekend.  I attend the breast nurse a few days later and she drained it for me.  I did not feel unwell but I would say a bit sore.  Thankfully the wound stopped filling up after a few weeks.  Check in with the breast care team.  I found them very helpful. Goodling ... View more

Sarah you know what you need to do.  Do it now and have treatment if you need to.  If you don't need treatment because its nothing to worry about well you will feel great.  Please do it now. ... View more