Breast Cancer Now Forum

That's great news Vicky. Pleased for you on both counts.   just wanted to drop a note too about sun and sun cream. I've just come back from 2 weeks in Majorca and was a little anxious as we all will be. But I've used factor 50 on my rad boob and had no issue at all while lazing in the sun. Just thought I'd put any other anxious minds at rest  kerry X x ... View more

It is an emotional time. I was the same the first couple of times. For me I think it was the hospital and it being dedicated to cancer. I'd gone past that hospital so many times from being a little girl and never did I think I would be a patient there. Strange how our minds work. I shall certainly pop on June thread from time to time and help where I can. Kerry x x ... View more

Just nipping in from May rads thread to wish you ladies starting this month all the best. It's an apprehensive time (fear of the Unknown) but once those first couple are out the way that fear will go and I am more than sure you will breeze through the treatment.  Hugs  Kerry x x  ... View more

Ooo I seem to have missed a few days on here!  Firstly thought I'd share that I peaked on Friday (9 days after finishing) and started with a bit of itching but bought some 1% hydrocortisone cream and settled down within 24 hours. Skin is settling well, not really red or burnt, no broken skin just dry and mostly dry on my nipple. Still moisturising 3 times a day and will continue to do so for a good few weeks. Certainly hasn't got as hot as I expected. Saw my BCN yesterday for a going forward chat and she's told me I am OK to go back in my beloved hot tub from the weekend. I can't wait!!    Red: well done on getting to the end. I had my follow up appointment send a few days after finishing. Go back 2nd September which seems a long time from finishing!    Charys: good luck with the start of your rads. I have a good friend of mine starting today too and if you are a thing like her you will be a little apprehensive. Once that first one is out the way it's all fine.   Tandy: I was also told was ok to moisturise before rads and I think it's helped my skin if I'm honest to do so!    I do find it so strange how different the info and rads depts seem to be from hospital to hospital. Mine have been fab on advice, even got cream on prescription from the hospital. I really can not fault any of my care from the initial mammo call back through to the end of this treatment journey. I have a full top shelve in a kitchen cupboard of info I have been given. I was given another folder on info for going forward yesterday including courses, managing SEs, continued breast awareness, SE , work.....you name it!    I presume you ladies still having rads will be posting on the June thread now so I will nip on there to see how you are all doing. You are nearly that the end. hugs kerry x x  ... View more

Hi Pat, well done on the good results, it's a huge relief isn't it? I was the same as you and felt a little bit uneasy about posting good results but ladies on here really do need to hear the new goods stories as it gives them a boost. Hope your continuing treatment goes well. kerry xx ... View more

Glad the first one is out the way for you. Moisturise loads!! I was only drawn on once for the ct scan, the tattoo were then used to line up. Guess it depends on what is needed and different hospital policy. ... View more

I mositurised 3 times a day and went braless from about zap 5 and still braless 6 days from finishing.    I had abit of a freak out yesterday as my nipples are different colours but after flashing to my other half he assures me my dark zapped nipple is the same colour as they both go when I'm on holiday (I a topless sunbather as a rule) so guessing it's just got a tan and will not be a permanent darker colour!! Can't even them out this year as got to keep covered up. Be the first lots of holidays I've been on that I've had to take fake tan with me to blend white boob bits. Small price to pay I guess in the grand scheme of things    good luck with your last few days ladies. You are sooooo nearly there xxx ... View more

Hi Kim, I was told I could use the diprobase before my zap session so I did. You'd be best off asking them at your first zap session as I guess it depends what you are going to be using. Kerry x x ... View more

I've used the Diprobase before my zaps (I asked) and I think it's really helped my skin. Today it's gone down in redness so I think I peaked at 4 days after finishing which I'm very chuffed at. I bought a roll on unpurfumed deodorant and used it under the affected side without issue.    I think it really does depend on skin type. My skin is sensitive but not to sun (as in I dont burn) and I'm guessing this is similar to sun sensitivity.  ... View more

I have only used Diprobase cream and it's been fantastic so far. I got it on prescription from the hospital so didn't pay a penny for it but you can buy it over the counter. Boots have it http://www.boots.com/en/Diprobase-Cream-500g_1554002/   I started it a week before and still using now I've finish 2 to 3 times a day. I've also got aloe Vera gel and E45 on standby but not had to use anything else.  ... View more

Fab news Tina........I will see you there 👍👍👍 ... View more

I found out this info from a Facebook group I'm on. Lots of the ladies there had medical braclets and I purchased one a month back. I pop it on like I do my watch when I go out to highlight no IV/BP in my affected arm in case I have an accident of some kind and I'm unable to tell paramedics/doctors.    ... View more

Its a hard one to call for you with when the op will be done. Not wanting to put you in a panic but when the medical team have told me a time scale for results or next stage it has been longer than they have said. For example I was told 2 weeks for biopsy results from surgery and it was 3. 6 weeks for rads to start and it was 9.     At at the very beginning of my treatment I delayed my surgery for 2 weeks as I had plans and I wanted to feel well which took me out of the NICE guidelines but it worked better for me. The team were happy for me to do this but I was grade 1 with a rare cancer that was slow growing. My lump was 15mm at biopsy stage and 7 weeks later at removable, it was 17mm so not grown much at all.    After my lumpectomy, I was began to feel more normal and able to drive at 3 weeks (got infection and seroma) and I wouldn't have wanted to have been on holiday. Do you have an option to delay your holiday slightly? Give yourself an extra 2 weeks? Or speak to your BCN again and look at delaying the surgery so you can do something nice before you are ruled by hospital appointments.    ... View more

That's awful. I'm really sorry you find yourself in this situation. The coming to terms and waiting is the hardest part believe me and once you get to your operation date, you will feel more in control. In the mean time, try and do some nice things that you enjoy and can fill your time a little. I'm a very social person, so spent a lot of time seeing friends and going for meals and I asked them not to talk to me about my cancer. It helped me. wishing you all the best with your op and journey x x  ... View more

Well 3 days after finishing and my boob is a lovely shade of mottled Crimson with a touch of the prickly heat look 😱😱😱. Only slightly itching and no broken skin so keeping my fingers crossed that remains the case. I'm still using the Diprobase cream and seems to be the right cream for me. But have got aloe Vera and E45 on standby and to take away with me.   regarding hard nipples......mine is rock hard and haven't had any recon (lumpectomy only) so I think it might be part of the zapping process. Very very sensitive too. Feels like I've been breast feeding for 24 hours non stop!! I took to watching TV topless last night to get some air to it lol    Vicky, I'm 10 years too old for that group (God damn it!!) so definitely wasn't me.    Tina, FB group I use is called UK BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP - FOR SUFFERERS AND SURVIVORS. If you can't find it and want to join I will ask admin how you do it. I was added by a friend already in the group. PM me.    Enjoy your rest from zapping ladies this weekend. The end is nearly there  Kerry  xxx ... View more

Yes it's a closed group. Full of lovely ladies just like us. I find it a great support. I'm currently doing daily positive posts for 100 days ( on day 28 today) and find it fab when you are having a down day and have to think of something positive. Kerry X X ... View more

Vicky: Glad you've got your tattoo issues more sorted and your mind can rest a little easier. None of us need the added stress through this. No I'm not on YBCN but I am part of the Uk Breast cancer support Facebook group and did pop a photo up on there .......did you see it there maybe?    Ann: well done to you too. Fab feeling to have this chapter over and done with 😀. And as you say just the tablets to content with now    Tina: good luck today as you start off. It is a nervous time as it's an unknown but it will go quick but I know you are having more than me. Give yourself a few treats during the time. I booked a few freebie alternative therapies from the cancer charity at the hospital and it really helped.    Although not too sore just yet I can see better the effected area so I'm going on bikini top hunt today to find some that will give a bit more coverage for my hols in 4 weeks. Most of mine are underwired and taking a guess they my rub. Fingers crossed I find something suitable 👍   Kerry xxx ... View more

I DID IT!! Last rads this morning and I rang the bell to signal my end so hard I nearly pulled it off the wall. Emotions are sky high right now and the tears keep coming....... But I did it. I chuffing DID IT!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀 ... View more

Just to throw something else into the mix. My BCN told me if I have any issues with hormone tablets ( decided and prescribed my oncologist) I am to speak to her not my GP and the hospital men's team look at changing them. I only go to my GP for repeat prescriptions and anything I may need for side effects. I'm on Letrozole as I had early menopause due to hysterectomy at 41.  Kerry x ... View more

Kathy, i wouldn't like to think I had to work an 8 hour shift as rads as gone on. I've worked 5 per day up to Thursday last week and now only doing 3. More from tiredness than anything else. I've 3 more zaps to go and will only work 3 hours on these days too. As for emotions.......I've been to opposite to how I normally am and I've shed more tears than I ever expected but I have a lot of other things going on in life that are stressful so for me I thing it's a combination. Everyone is different, and everyone reacts differently.   Charys, I haven't had lymphodeama in my boob but I had a seroma and I think it's just filling up again. I found a small pea sized lump in my armpit on Thursday night and my armpit is sore. Spoke to radiotherapists and they told me to speak to my consultant at my review on Tuesday. They didn't seem too concerned so I'm trying not to be.    Kerry xx ... View more