Breast Cancer Now Forum

I like the idea of a tattoo. Looking forward: perhaps to a new me,not back at who I once was. Xx ... View more

Hi girls, I feel the same. I managed with the hair loss initially, but my reconstructed boob changes frequently. Ive had a few infections in it needing antibiotics and at that time it swells and changes shape and colour. Then when I have steroids it shrinks and looks bumpy and odd. Add this to my legs and feet swelling, skin peeling like a snake and looking unwell around chemo days and it does take its toll. My hair then doesn't feel at all cool. This Friday is my neices wedding. I'm trying to stay positive but finding an outfit that I feel OK in is proving hard. I feel so ugly. I've tried finding a hat or embroidered skull cap to jazz up a simple jumpsuit or something but nothing suits thus me. My intention was to stand tall and be proud of my bald head, and not looking like a cancer patient. My family are so supportive, trying to find me something but they can't understand how we feel when seeing ourselves. They keep telling me it's temporary and I know this but where have I gone ? I was always wishing to be a little slimmer or nicer teeth etc before I was diagnosed. Now I'd be happy with the old me back. How ironic. But at the same time I know how far we've come, that beauty is skin deep and that you are all beautiful people, and that none of that is really important like having a loving family and being healthy. So heads held high and stay strong gorgeous ladies 👊 ... View more

Hi Bella, I had my op 3 months ago. All fine untill last week 2 weeks post chemo. I've had a weeks IV antibiotics and been on oral for 4 days so far but although the redness has improved a lot it is still very swollen and painful. I'm seeing the surgeon on Tuesday. Thanks for the reply xxx ... View more

Don't think I've got your email address Sarah, thanks for the support by the way xx ... View more

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will get it sorted. Has anyone had an infection in an immediate reconstructed implant and not had to have it removed ? I'm worried that the infection isn't responding quick enough to the antibiotics and it'll have to come out. I'm having a real downer today.   😔 Xxxx ... View more

Thanks for all kind messages. It's lovely just to hear from you. I now have thrush following all the antibiotics I have had. I don't want to contact a professional about this (I end up in hospital every time I ask advice 🙄 ) and I would normally try tea tree oil (although not had thrush before) for a lot of things like sore throats etc, but unsure if it's safe to use with all the other drug induced SE, eostrogen sensitive cancer etc. Although I do laugh sometimes at my hesitance to use a natural product or eat soya whilst at the same I'm allowing poison to be pumped directly into my veins and take a multitude of drug combinations. Oh girlies, so glad we are in this together I really don't think I'd get through this without you all. I wish none of you were going through it but hearing your different strategies and remedies etc does help. Bottyboo I too have tried to pm you several times but I think a normal email will be better as they don't seem to send. Sorry to hear about your additional issues down below. That has surprised me most, the amount of side effects caused by other side effects that I wasn't even aware of. I tried to prepare myself before starting chemo and thought I had, but I hadn't got a clue really. Who has until we start, but I suppose because we are so different there will be surprises along the way. My neighbour stopped me the other day to say 'everyone's getting breast cancer nowadays, you're nothing special you know' I think it was his way off telling me not to worry ! But all I was thinking was 'you haven't got a clue'. We are all special, and different, and the same, and brave, and scared, and vulnerable,and tough, and fragile but most of all I know without even seeing you all that you are beautiful. Really beautiful because inside of you all is soul. Amazing resilience, compassion, and love for each other . Sorry to be gushy mushy, it's just the way I am. Say it as it is! But I truly believe it, I just need to remind myself I'm one of you too. All I can see is my toad chin 😏 Xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi girlies, glad a lot of you are sounding upbeat. I've only just come out of hospital after nearly 3 weeks in and out for a few 'blips' following my first chemo. I've been ok psychologically trying to stay strong. Initially I had an infection so needed iv antibiotics. Then became neutropenic so couldn't come home. Then was discharged and then rushed back in with chest pain. Kept in as certain tests were suspicious. Then discharged again and read admitted with cellulitis in my reconstructed breast 🙃 Which is still hard a a rock. I was still relatively ok with this as others suffer a lot more with the yucky side effects. BUT, after losing my boob, then my hair, etc etc, my chin now looks like a 80yr olds and I've had enough !!! My skin is so saggy around my arms but my chin is horrid. Anyone else had any strange skin changes. Honestly it's like a toad and nobody warned me. I'm still ok really but do feel a tad miffed at yet another thing to make me feel ugly. I hope it is only temporary. Love to you all. Keeeeeeeep fighting xxxxxxxxx ... View more

hi there everyone another update; I feel good today but was only home for a couple of hours Monday.ended up calling 999 with severe chest pain. Still in but they are convinced it is not cardiac but more likely to be this Hickman that has been nothing but trouble since going in. Trying hard not to lose ithe line though. Feel well other than that. Wishing you all comfy days and sending love xx ... View more

Hi lovelies, I'm back home after a nightmare of a week in hospital !!! I have tried many times Belle to reply to your lovely message but I cannot send them. I thought it was because I was in hospital but I've just sent another and it still won't go.    Im not going to enlighten you all about my total trauma, as you have enough to contend with. But I will send you all a big hug and start afresh tomorrow. Thank God I'm out.   sorry to hear M,smummy your news. I agree though with Charisse that you will get more peace of mind. I had a skin sparing mastectomy in March with immediate recon and although I love the results, I have now found out that leaving the skin even though the margin was good increases your chance if recurrence, this wasn't mentioned to me before. Also, I do have weird throbbing sometimes in the area where the tumour was and do worry that there is some left behind. Love and hugs to you all Buster1   ... View more

My son who has what seems to have studied his whole life around human nutrition, sent me this text earlier when I asked him his opinion on a particular study. "Remember though, she's based in the US and they can give their cows hormones whereas they are banned in the EU. So this milk/ dairy we have will be different. I wish I had all the answers mum but the research just isn't there yet to prove anything conclusively like that. From the studies Iv seen there was no epidemiological evidence to link dairy with breast cancer. In fact one study Iv just seen showed a Trend between dairy and decreased risk of colorectal cancer so it's very difficult to point at one particular food group as cancer causing. Particularly when there are so many other variables. He does have a masters in human nutrition and practices what he preaches but I trust his knowledge and holistic research and I wanted to share his response to me.(I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him" 😊 ) xx just as a thought though I did bring him up on the mantra "everything in moderation" but as we all know it's not always easy. Big hugs Buster1 xx ... View more

Hi Sonya, the ladies on this thread are fab and are a great support. I'm in hospital at the moment hopefully going home tomorrow but am really struggling to reply to messages. You will hear from them tomorrow and ask anything you need to. I just wanted to reply so you know you're very welcome. Xx also B I have replied to you several times today but having problems sending so will sort it out tomorrow when I get home 👌 xx thanks lovely ladies for kind wishes ... View more

Thanks Julie and B, I need a hug this morning. The supervisor did come to see me on Tues with an array of menus promising allsorts but then chicken arrives or something different from what I order. Depending who's in its a take it or leave it. Some are lovely and try to find something. My family do offer to bring anything I fancy, my89 yr old mum would love to send me veggies if I let her 😃 . It all got a bit much yesterday with the chicken comment and everything seemed to be going wrong. I feel a bit calmer today, just waiting for a scan but they cant get a vein again. Never mind I have you lovelies sending me hugs. I'll perhaps give my hubby a list of treats id like, maybe !! xx lol ... View more

Hi everyone, just an update. I came in hospital on Mon (had chemo on Fri 3rd) with suspected infection of the Hickman line I had put in on the 2nd 😞 really shivery but temp no higher than 37.7 (this centre not too worried if under 38). I felt weird but as just had chemo, what weird is expected? Anyway been on IV antibiotics since. Moved to solitary today as white cells dropped. Had a nightmare with food. As a vegetarian and a tad nauseous i was basically offered cheese and biscuits for each meal, some kind lady yesterday though managed to get me an omelette off the children's menu. I find some staff do really try to be kind. But after being offered chicken stew by someone else because"some people think of chicken as vegetarian as its not a mammal" I lost it a bit and almost cried. Getting frustrated not getting back to normal as id hoped, then low and behold they now suspect a clot on the lung and the Hickman is blocked after just a week 😞 . I keep trying to pick myself up and be strong for the family but I'm getting increasingly scared. Having the Hickman line in in the first place was bad enough with having to try several times and now I dont know what they'll do. On a good note the SE of the fec were minimal in comparison. Similar to you after the initial few hours of nausea needing an antisickness injection, things settled well. I just hope they can save the line and get on with the next session without any more drama. Thanks for letting me vent, I feel because the staff see this every day some if them think you're a diva if you ask for anything different. But woman cannot live on cheese and biscuits alone not if I'm to fight this off. I'm glad you all seem to be comfortable and being the warriors you are. Big hugs Buster 1 ... View more