Breast Cancer Now Forum

That's where I'm from originally too but I've been in ThatLondon for several years now.   Cherry, don't worry too much about getting the brows sorted immediately. They were the last thing to go with me. I was way over half way before they started to disappear.    Ruth xx ... View more

Very glad to hear this news Kazz. xx ... View more

Hi there,   It's so good that the Oncotest came back with such a positive outcome for you. They don't do this in my health authority so I just had to go along with the chemo recommendation. To be honest I didn't hesitate to go with what they suggested.    As for recovery time, well, I think I knew all along that coming to the end of treatment would be a potential crisis point for me. We are in a bit of a bubble of diagnosis and treatment for so long aren't we that we don't have that much time to think about the future while we are going through it all. Once it comes to an end and we have fewer appointments I think we all feel a bit less protected and the bad throughts start to come in. I had a bit of a wobble at the end of treatment but the counselling really helped. I too take a mild antidepresant which has worked wonders. Don't be afraid to ask for help as it's out there.   What you are going through now is totally normal. I'd liken it to post-traumatic stress disorder. I've said this several times recently on here but honestly I am a much happier person now I've got through it all. I no longer sweat the small stuff. This will be you before too long I am sure.    Ruth xx   ... View more

Hi Rachy,   You are obviously worried about the size issue but if you had clear margins and no node involvement then that's hugely positive. I had a 4cm lobular with one node affected so it was chemo for me. Despite my 4cm tumor they decided I didn't need radiotherapy which I too worried about for a while (I had a mx with recon) but you have to put your faith in the medics. They have so much experience to draw on when devising a treatment plan for you but would not want to give you unnecessary treatment if it's not warranted.    As others have said, it will get better over time. This time two years ago I was just home from hospital after the worst August bank holiday weekend of my life. Now, as the others say, I seldom think about it.    Do you live near a Maggie's centre of a branch of The Haven? Both offer counselling which I found really helpful when I finished treatment. Or your BCN might be able to recommend someone.    Hang on in there.    Ruth xx ... View more

Hi Midna,   I'm not so familiar with your health system but doesn't Planned Parenthood do breast exams as well as other sexual health matters? A quick google suggests it does for reduced fees if you don't have any insurance. Any chance you could get to one of these centres?    As the others have said, it's very unlikely to be cancer at your age and having had the lump for so long without any growth but I do understand it's hard not to let your mind keep wandering is it? As someone has already mentioned, try not to poke and prod it because it does make it sore and you'll only start worrying more. Easier said than done I know.    Sorry you are having to go through all this anxiety. Stick around and keep talking to us.   Ruth xx ... View more

I've started using Green People cleansers and moisturisers and some of their make up too. There are a couple of products I've just not found a decent alternative for, most notably foundation and mascara. I reckon if I've considerably reduced the amount of potential nasty chemicals then that's better than nothing.    Green People products are lovely and it's free delivery. They often chuck in little free samples with your order too.   Ruth xx ... View more

Hi Paula,   Not sure if you have seen this thread but there are some very positive recent comments about recovery from a DEIP by one of the community champions Claire: https://forum.breastcancercare.org.uk/t5/Surgery/Gaining-weight-for-DIEP-op/m-p/1131357#M51429   Give yourself time to get over this first lot of surgery. I'm sure you will feel more up for it once you've got over this period when you are not only recovering from surgery but the shock of initial diagnosis as well.   Ruth xx ... View more

I fully expect that some of you newbies will be joining us in the not too distant future to share your wisdom with the next generation of the just diagnosed. That's what's so great about this community.   Ruth xx ... View more

Hi Sue,   I was in your shoes roughly this time two years ago. Consultant was convinced there was no spread to nodes after several biopsies and ultrasound seemed to indicate clear. I was gobsmacked when I found out at my results meeting that one node had a large macromet and my tumour was 4cm instead of 2cm and that it was now chemo instead of just going straight to hormone therapy as I'd been lead to believe. Never thought I'd get to the other side and enjoy life again but I did and I am. And so will you. None of it was as horrible as I imagined.    Your team will make sure you get the best treatment plan for your particular needs and there is loads of support here from those who have been through it all and those who are going through it at the same time as you.   Indulge yourself this evening.    Ruth xx ... View more

Cheers. ... View more

My BCN, who was great in every othwr way, told me that chemo was brutal. My experience was not that at all and nowhere near as horrific as I feared. As well as less harsh regimes these days the drugs you are given to ease the SEs are better too. Ruth xx ... View more

Hi Sue,   Whereabouts do you have it? Is it all over? I had a a rash on my back when I started losing my hair - folliculitis. Not sure why I only had it on my back as I'd never considered that to be a particularly hairy part of my body! Anyway it was very annoying for about a week and two areas became infected. Antibiotics cleared it up. Hope you find the answer soon.   Ruth xx ... View more

Hi Jane,   Welcome and don't feel you can't rant about things here. We all do that from time to time.   I'd just like to back up what Jo said. I too am taking Venlafaxine. Started it about three months ago after my flushes got considerably worse and more frequent. Like Jo, I still do have some flushes but they are far fewer in number and much less intense. I feel so much better and wish I'd gone to see my GP earlier. She was very sympathetic. An added bonus is that my mood has also improved. Earlier this year I was having a stressful time dealing with my mum's Alzheimer's. On top of the BC treatment it was just the last straw and I became very anxious. The Venlafaxine has treated both.   I hope you get some relief. Don't be afraid to ask for help as there are options out there.   Ruth xx ... View more

I can imagine. xx ... View more

Hi Cherry,   Good luck with the research. You have probably already found the thread in Going Through Treatment - Chemotherapy section entitled "Cold Cap - Did it Help You Keep Your Hair" or similar. Quite a few success stories on that. Several of the Community Champions here had good success with it and several of the people I got to know on my chemo unit all kept a considerable amount of hair too. I believe it's all about getting a really good fit.   I don't think it's to do with cost so, on this occasion at least, we can't blame Mr Hunt. I think even if you go private the drugs cause hair loss.   Talking of Jeremy, when I had my first surgery, the last thing I remember was having a rant with the anesthetist about him. Good distraction tecnique as it stopped me being too scared.   Ruth xx ... View more

Don't let my cold cap experience put you off. There are plenty of people here who have had good success with it as you will no doubt find out as you explore these boards more. xx ... View more

Hi Cherry,   You are not shallow. The first thing I asked my surgeon when I was given my diagnosis was would I be able to have reconstruction if a mastectomy was needed. He didn't hesitate to say yes and I certainly didn't feel judged for asking. My experience is that the NHS considers this a very important part of the treatment for your mental as well as physical health.    I'm a curly haired gal as well. Tried the cold cap but I lost too much and looked like a monk so shaved it all off. And now I'm so glad I did. I love my new shorter hair which suits me far better than it did before treatment. I look at old pics of me now and wonder why I kept it in the old style for so long as it really aged me. I actually quite enjoyed the lovely headwear I bought during chemo and still wear some of them now when it's cold.    As for skin, mine improved through chemo! Even though I was 51 at diagnosis it was still pretty oily. The chemo dried it up quite a bit so it was a real bonus. I don't feel that it's had any long-term effects now I'm out the other side.   I won't pretend that it was all a barrel of laughs and there are a few lingering side effects that are irritating rather than really troublesome but what I will say is I am happier now than I was before because I no longer sweat the small stuff.   Sorry, I hope this post doesn't come across as all me me me but serves to illustrate that your concerns are totally normal and your fears about looking awful are not necessarily going to come to pass.    You sound like you have a good sense of humour (so you will fit in really well here  ) and that you have a smashing partner. You are going to be just fine.   Stick around and let us know how you get on.   Ruth xxxx   ... View more

Hi Claire, So nice to see you here again and with such fantastic news. What a difference from this time two years ago hey? Can't believe it myself.  Sending a virtual hug (but not too tight until you are totally mended  ) Ruth ... View more