Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jan, nice to hear from you. it does seem amazing that we are now at the time of year when we can say 'this time last year...' It sometimes seems that 2016 was one of the longest years ever! I am starting to go back to work (nursing) part time but I do get very tired. I am struggling with my weight but hope to gradually get it under control! Like you my hair is grey and very curly! Having never had curly hair before (apart from the obligatory perm in the 80's!) I am not quite sure how to manage it - it still surprises me when I see it. I have had a few problems coping emotionally but things seem to be settling down. I have been told to be kind to myself, as I have been through so much, which I think is good advice for us all!! As you said the support everyone gave during those months (particularly chemo) really helped to come through and out the other side. Take care of yourself and I hope you soon get back to your kayak! love and hugs to all and don't forget to be kind to yourselves, we have come a very long way! Helen xx ... View more

Hi All, it has been a long time since I have been on this site! Hope you are all gradually coming to the other side? It's hard to believe it's nearly been a year since diagnosis! I am starting to feel better although I still get tired at times and also emotional. I think once all the main treatment has finished it gives you more time to realise the enormity of the thing we have all been through. My GP doesn't want me returning to work until after Christmas and then I will try to start part time. That's not always easy as I work in a boarding school and it is VERY full on during term time! I shall have to do my best to pace myself though. It will be nice to hear how you are all getting on so that we can celebrate together our up and coming anniversary and getting through it!! love to all Helen xx ... View more

Hi All, how are you all doing? I have now started radiotherapy, only had two so far. Hair is starting to grow back - even had to shave my legs the other week which was a novelty!! I am really hoping for some curls although it is definitely very grey! Hope you are all well and reaching the end of this ordeal. Still having times when I feel really tired and weepy but I suppose that's to be expected after all that has happened this year? Be good to hear how you are all doing. Best wishes to all. Helen xxx ... View more

Hi Sue, I too am now recovering from surgery (18th July) and waiting for radiotherapy. Luckily they managed to remove everything with a clear margin around but, like you, of the lymph nodes they removed (14) 3 were affected. I am finding the nerve pain/ super sensitivity of the skin of my arm really painful. Am taking Gabapentin but not sure it is doing any good. My wound is healing but there is still one small area that needs dressing, I am still on antibiotics for infection. I was allowed my first shower on Friday which was bliss! Hair is starting to grow but very grey & white! Looking forward to a few weeks without hospital visits but need to get this wound healed first!  Hope you are starting to pick up and enjoy the sunshine (when we have it!). take care, Helen xx     ... View more

Hi Sue, I am having Herceptin every three weeks but I haven't had any problems. I was worried that I might have as the nurse warned me but it has been fine. Just getting over wide local excision, breast reconstruction and axillary clearance. Swelling, soreness and nerve pain but at least I don't feel ill as I did during chemo. hope you aren't suffering too much with the Herceptin?   xxx Helen  ... View more

Dear Sue, What a dreadful, shocking thing to happen. I feel so sorry for you. You must all feel devastated. Life is so unfair, as you said, but at least you have good memories and were very lucky to have such a wonderful friend. Pleased to hear your surgery went well. Take care of yourself. Sending many hugs. Helen xx ... View more

Hi Ali, I am sorry you are feeling so down at the moment. I had my last lot of chemo 4 & 1/2 weeks ago and I am really starting to feel more positive. I can remember having several days after the last one when I felt really down and weepy for no apparent reason! We are all human and have been through a major thing in our lives. You are allowed to feel scared and miserable. I am sure some counselling will help and maybe getting back to work too. Try to be gentle with yourself and not do too much too fast! Big hugs!! Helen xxx ... View more

Hi a Sue, it has gone a bit quiet on here hasn't it? I was warned that I might have SE after the Herceptin on its own but so far they have been minimal. I felt a bit wobbly on Sunday and Monday but improving today. Went to have my post surgery bra fitted today and actually drove myself which was great. Since I stared chemo I haven't driven as have been feeling vaguely drunk! Hubby is ex police so you can imagine what he said to my suggestion that I drive !! I have pre op assessment on Monday and then op on 15th July. Just looking to buy some front buttoning pyjamas for easy access. I have been told that Cyberjammies do some nice ones. Fingers and toes still a bit tingly and still feeling tired. Was told by the breast care nurse this morning to be kind to myself and listen to my body. I think that is good advice for all of us! Hope you are all coming to the end of the nightmare called chemo? I am told that anything else that we have to go through is a breeze in comparison! Take care Sue and all you ladies. Xxx ... View more

Hi Ali, Don't worry the depressed feeling will go. I couldn't understand why I was feeling so weepy when my last chemo was over. I think you feel that you should be swinging from the rafters but you just feel rubbish instead! I am now now two weeks past last chemo and things are really starting to pick up. Hang in there, you will get through it and be out the other side before you know it. We have all been through such a lot and all deserve gold medals!! Hugs to all xxx ... View more

Morning All, GOOD NEWS!! I had a check scan and mammogram yesterday and the tumour has gone!  Can't quite believe it! At least it shows that all those traumatic weeks of Chemo were worth it. Saw the surgeon and my op will be on 15th July with rads once all is healed so still a little way to go but I feel that the worst us behind me. Just waiting for my energy levels and taste buds to come back to normal. Swear they gave me extra Docetaxol in the last dose!! Spent most of last week in bed, but that is over now and things can only improve.   Hope you are all well and coming to the final doses. Hugs to all xx ... View more

Dear All, I am still hanging in there! Had my last T yesterday and now waiting for the SEs to kick in, usually tomorrow afternoon, then I shall take to my bed for a few days! Will have to continue with three weekly Herceptin until about mid March. Due to have surgery next then rads but haven't had an appointment yet, will have to ring my BC nurse if I haven't heard soon. As you have all said we will still need everyone's support to get through to the end! Take care of yourselves. Xxx ... View more

Hi All, Excellent news Sue, it makes it all feel worthwhile going through all this! Sorry I haven't been posting recently, T knocked me for 6 again! At least there is only one more. To cap it all I then developed a wee infection and had to have antibiotics. I now have a stinker of a cold!! I am becoming paranoid about my temp as we are supposed to be going away for a few days on Saturday and I am worried that I will end up in hospital instead!? Can't wait to get to the end of all this. At least with surgery it doesn't make you feel so ill. Hope you are all coping well? Xxx ... View more

Afternoon ladies, just had a lovely lunch sitting in the sun before TH number 2 tomorrow. Trying not to think of the SE that will inevitably arrive in the next few days. On the wall of the Ladies was this wonderful poster that I felt I must share with you all! Thinking of you all xxx ... View more

Hi All, my SE after the first TH lasted about 10days. Aches and pains like severe flu and not fancying anything much to eat. I had a few temps but none above 38 so didn't have to contact the hospital. Whist battling through I really felt that I couldn't do it again but now that I am feeling so much better (even though tired with tingling finger tips and toes) I am sure I can. I took paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine (from my GP). A hot bath helped when my temperature wasn't up. Hang in there, it does get better! Only two more to go! Xxx ... View more

Hi All, Oh dear, we all seem to be having down days at the moment! I seem to be on the verge of tears most of the time, silly really as I am definitely starting to feel a little better after my first TH. It's been a long 10days!! I can't say that the 'why me' scenario has been on my mind, quite the opposite - I just feel guilty. I feel I should have found it earlier, should have done more exercise, lost weight, drunk less etc etc.these things just buzz round and round my brain particularly when I am feeling rubbish.  Sorry to rant on but it is nice to have an outlet that doesn't mind/ understands. Thats it, enough moaning! The sun is now out and the blossom is coming and we all have the summer to look forward to when all this awful chemo will be over. A friend who has been through it all says that this is definitely the worse part and we are nearly out the other side! Take care all xxxx ... View more

Hi Sue, had my first TH on Friday. Ok until Sunday afternoon and then the aching kicked in. Feel like I have been run over by a bus! Xx ... View more

Hi All, Not sure that I would agree that FEC is worse than T! You definitely don't feel as sick, which is a bonus, but I have really been struggling with the aching and flu symptoms. Have spent the last two days in bed and am not sure that today is going to be much better! GP prescribed Codeine which has helped with the pain but I still feel pants!! I had Herceptin with the T so perhaps that has made the SE worse? Really don't relish the idea of having to go through this again - twice! Luckily my hubby has been really good as a nurse. Just looking forward to feeling vaguely normal.  Hope you are all managing and sorry about the rant and feeling sorry for myself! Xxx ... View more

Hi All, I haven't been in print for a while but I hope you are all coping well? I am starting the second three cycles on Friday. I am having at TH which is Taxotere (Docetaxol) and Herceptin. Anyone else having Herceptin? I have had to have an Echocardiogram to check my heart and will have another one in three months to see if everything is ok - Herceptin can cause heart problems I gather! I am abut nervous about this new regime but it has to be done! We have just booked 4 nights away in Sidmonth at the end of May so that is something to look forward to. Take care everyone xxxx ... View more

Evening Ladies, I have not been in print for a while due to Easter etc. Third FEC on Friday (good luck with your treatment tomorrow Daisy) and then I am half way there! Had a PICC line put in yesterday due to rubbish veins so no more needles. I also had a check mammogram and ultrasound which showed it has shrunk by half so all the feeling grotty is worth it!! Now have a clip in situ as a guide during surgery. Looking forward (?) to water ++ tomorrow but as I say it now feels that I am getting somewhere. Hugs to all xx ... View more

Hi Colista, my scalp was really tender and the thing that helped me was to get it cut really short - a number 1 or 2!!! It was amazing how it calmed my scalp down and made it feel so much better. I am now due FEC3 on the 1st April and most of my hair has gone! What with that and eating too much I reckon I shall look like Mr Blobby by the end of this - bald and round !!  Keep strong, we will all get through this. Xxx ... View more