Breast Cancer Now Forum

My hair is about three quarters of an inch. I developed hair envy at rads yesterday as a lady came in with hair about same length as mine but it was naturally sticking up which made it look thicker. Mine is flat and definitely lacking oomph! Chipper is definitely Enid Blyton - Famous Five and all that. I bumped into someone who I hadn't seen for years at the hospital the other day, she is 34 and had just been told she had breast cancer and would be starting chemo ASAP. It seems to be hitting people younger and younger. Anyway on a different note not that its of any interest but my plan for today is to do some house work (boring), get some food shopping (boring) and then hopefully do something less boring but don't know what! But I will be avoiding my remaining Boosts and won't be buying anymore - famous last words. Xx ... View more

Two more boosts to go. That's a funny observation about the grey - 20 shades?! I too am worried about doing my hair myself as I have had some disasters in the past so will be happier if the hairdresser does it. I was also wondering whether to get a fake tan but then again I dont want to look orange! Xx ... View more

Hello everyone.  Sal, the trial sounds interesting and as you say the advantage of them monitoring you is well worth it.  Tracy, I heard that news story today too.  Sam, you sound like you have been having fun! I am going to have my hair dyed next week at the hairdressers so now wondering what colour to put in. Pink sounds tempting or maybe purple (but knowing me I will stick to something safe, not as brave as you).   Rads finish on Tuesday so can't wait.  I have a very sore patch for which they have given me gel for but it's not too bad considering.  I was given a lecture by the nurse about keeping out of the sun but since I am not a sun worshiper it's not too much of a problem for me.   I have been trying to do the garden and have purchased a huge pair of gauntlet gloves as that was another thing I got a lecture on - not fighting with the roses!!!  So, what with my sun hat, scarf to protect my sore patch round my collar bone and my gauntlet gloves I look like a right weirdo!   Just about to pop the kettle on and sit down and watch a bit of Wimbledon.  Trouble is I have a pkt of 4 Boosts in the cupboard - can i resist?  xxx  ... View more

My moustache is coming on a treat! I found some really dark hairs growing wildly on the back of my hands the other day - deeply disturbing! Got to laugh. Xx ... View more

Yes! So pleased for you Sal, what a relief. Now you can enjoy your summer and relax.  I don't know how I am wearing my wig either! I am soooooo grey its shocking and this is what I am going to do something about before I go out without my wig. I have heard that Daniel Field (who has a salon in North London - tempted to go) do chemo hair dyes which you can buy online so will try that. Have you seen a picture of Vivienne Westwood with short hair?  MIne is exactly the same (although I don't look like her or have her money).   Sam, I failed last night, I had a MacDonalds! Whoops!   Tracey, how is work?    xx ... View more

Good to hear from you Tara. Walking the dogs is great therapy I find (not if they see a pheasant or squirrel and then it gets stressful) and it helps clear my head! Still wearing the wig? I am but I am going to get it coloured next week when rads have finished so maybe I will go alfresco then!! Xx ... View more

Good luck Sal. Hope it all goes well. Big hugs Xx ... View more

I think the clue for me might be to alarm the fridge door (tend to graze when bored) and to resist buying chocolate when I go to petrol stations.  That would be a start.   I am starting to get excited about the end of rads as I am fed up with the journey every morning and my boob is starting to cook!  Sam, having 100 people round would fill me with horror, not because I wouldn't love the social side but because I would have to cater for them all.  I admire you for doing this as I am not sure I would have the engery. xx ... View more

Your poor bank account but im sure it's worth every penny as booking your holiday must have given you a boost and something to look forward to. Tracy, 3 weeks away sound fabulous. I bet you can't wait. Sam, I could do with some of your will power as I am definitely over eating at the moment. Keep posting about your weight loss and it will inspire me to get going on a more healthy diet. Tara, hope you are ok. I don't know about you, but walking the dogs in the sunshine is great and makes me feel more positive about things. Xx ... View more

Good morning everyone, what a lovely sunny day. Just read your post Sal and I think you are right about feeling there must be more to life than this. I suppose it our minds churning over what we have been through and not quite resolving where we are today. It will get better I'm sure but in the time being I feel a bit displaced from where I was a year ago. I am officially bored of Rads now. Only 7 to go though so not long really. On a more trivial note I'm thinking I really must dye my hair as the grey is draining. I have pale skin and that with the grey makes me look about 1000 years old.Not sure whether to go back to my "natural" brown (haha who am I kidding - it's grey!!! Still in denial) or go blonder. Hope you all have a lovely weekend Xx ... View more

Hi Sal, I haven't noticed anything with bruising since taking Tamoxifen but I don't bruise easily anyway and quite often when I do I haven't a clue how it happened. Rad 23 today, it's starting to get a bit sore but not too bad. Hope sun comes out today. Xx ... View more

Good for you Sal. It will be interesting to hear how that meeting goes and lets hope there is some reflection by the GP I too am suffering with hot flushes at night. Last night kept waking up and just couldn't cool down. Like you not too bad when weather is cooler. I wonder if it will settle down or we will just acclimatise to it? Rads was 3 hr delay yesterday. Hope they have their act sorted today! Love to all. Xx ... View more

So glad you are not overly anxious. Don't get me started on GP's - mine didn't even bother to examine me properly and wasn't keen to refer. When I said I would go privately then as I was concerned she turned round and said "oh good that will save the NHS some money". I think they are under so much pressure not to refer but it is no excuse for shoddy interpersonal skills. I think we should complain about these things more otherwise nothing will change. Xx ... View more

I am not sure if this helps Sal but I had to have a lump in my other breast checked out during chemo which wasn't anything.  It frightened me but my consultant said that they have to check everything to be on the safe side and as I am full of lumps and bumps they wouldn't take a chance but I was told to try not to overly worry.    Jx ... View more

Thinking of you today Sal. Sending big hugs. J xxxxx ... View more

Sal, it's not abnormal to be anxious as I know I am the same so you are not alone - we are thinking of you. Hope you get some sleep tonight. Big hug. Jx ... View more

Yes thank you Sam the Rads are going ok.  Number 18 today and just starting to get a little bit sore but nothing too bad. Hope your dad continues to improve after his hospitalisation, he must appreciate having you around to help him as Parkinsons can be tricky as I remember with my dad.   I have just looked at my windows and with the sun shining I have realised that I can't see through some of them - cobwebs and general dirt - so might try to tackle them later (but maybe not). I have never been a domestic goddess and this whole episode has made me even less of a goddess so I need to give myself a good talking to!   Tara - I am still wearing my wig out are you? I need to dye it first as I think I can cope with the length but the grey is too shocking for me so I am going to find a hairdresser as I don't trust myself to dye it properly.   Hope everyone is ok.   x ... View more

Hi folks, Hope you are all ok. Tara, I take Tamoxifen made by Relon Chem - it seems ok except the hot flushes. I had no idea that there could be so many makers of one drug and there appears to be subtle differences in side effects too.  Is Teva the most popular brand?  I had heard that Tamoxifen is in short supply since they decided to keep more people on it for 10 years rather than 5 - supply and demand. xx  ... View more

Just watched it too. Nearly as exciting as Homes under the Hammer!!! ... View more

Hi Sam, Lazy days are good for the soul. Just tell me you won't get hooked on Dickinson's Real Deal!!! Xx ... View more