Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks so much and you're very welcome Smartie, I hope it has put your mind at ease. Don't imagine that you will become a zombie or be unable to function if it is just a low dose you've been given. That was my worry, but they definitely don't do that to me. Chilled is probably the best way to describe it. Lots of love and wishing you peace and calmness during the scan, Tiger xx ... View more

Hi Blanna, just wanted to let you know you are still in my thoughts. Stay strong lovey, Tiger xx ... View more

Hi Smartie hope you don't mind me joining in here but I'm a newbie and this might be the first time I can actually help with someone's questions. You've asked about diazepam. My GP has prescribed this for me too. I have some 5mg tablets that I've been taking when I start to get really stressy or before tests/scans. I don't drink alcohol very often but the effect they have on me is similar to if I have a glass of wine- just a calm, relaxed feeling. I understand what you mean about the scanner. I had an MR scan a couple of days ago and I took a couple of half tablets-one about an hour before the scan, then another tablet just before I went in. They really did help stop the racing heart and I just felt quite relaxed, despite having a little claustrophobia. Having a mirror in the scanner was the best thing for me though, so I could see out of the end of the scanner. The diazepam can make you feel a bit woozy if you have more, and I guess everyone reacts differently, so just be careful if you are out and about and please don't drive whilst taking them. Sending you love. I hope you start to see positive results from your treatment very soon. As I said, I'm a newbie and I haven't started any chemo yet but if you don't mind, I'd like to follow your story. Tiger xx ... View more

Hi Debbie, Thanks for your message. I hope you've not been too troubled by the headache today. I don't know if it's significant but I always had shocking headaches that coincided with my period and would last a few days. I always took co-codamol and sometimes they worked but other times it was just a question of riding it out and it went when it wanted to. I was always told to be careful with the co-codamol though because if you take it all the time it's supposed to cause headaches too. Hopefully things will settle down for you once your body gets used to the meds. And if you can decorate your kitchen after a diagnosis of SBC then I'm in absolute awe of you. Sounds like you have a lovely hubby who knows that you just need a good cry every now and then. It's such a massive diagnosis, I have the same moments when the enormity of it just hits you and takes your breath away. My partner is being so supportive too and I forget sometimes that it's such a strain on him. It's a bit cliche but he is my rock right now. He doesn't always want to talk about it and my negativity really tests him sometimes but he's there for hugs and nose wiping whenever words can't help!  I'm just back from the MR scan. I wasn't looking forward to it as I had one twenty years ago when I hurt my back and it was so claustrophobic but this time was okay thanks to a handily-placed mirror that let me look out of the end of the tunnel. Whichever bright spark came up with that gets a massive thanks from me because it made all the difference. Now I just have to wait for the results and try to keep the negative thoughts away for another week. Sending lots of love and positivity to you and Skippy and all the other brave ladies. I can't see a private message yet but I'll keep checking. Love Tiger xxx ... View more

Hi Skippy, If you don't mind a misery guts tagging along too I'd love to keep in touch. Believe me, my couple of weeks reading through this forum has taught me that we aren't alone. Love to you, keep strong xxx ... View more

Hi daisy Jane (and all!), I was hoping I'd find a recent post from you. You were so kind to message me a few weeks ago to let me know that you were a newbie too and share your story. I tried to work out how to send you a private message but I don't think I have that privilege yet!! I hope everything is going well for you (and for all). I'll update everyone with my progress (which seems so slow but probably isn't): I'm having a top to toe MRI scan tomorrow then I should be back to see the consultant on the 30th for the results of that and the bone biopsy I had a fortnight ago and hopefully I'll get a treatment plan, which consultant said was like to be chemo then bone strengtheners. I'd been given tamoxifen and seemed to have a flare up of pain for the first two or three weeks but this seems to have settled down now (still some flushes though, which I can manage because I know that means they are doing the job of reducing my oestrogen levels) Hurray for an early menopause!😞 Unfortunately the hoarse voice has continued and I've now developed some irritation in my chest which makes me cough. I'm not breathless but there just seems to be some tightness there (like I'd imagine asthma would feel like).I'm trying to convince myself this doesn't mean lung mets and might be a tamoxifen side effect (the CT scan I had early May was clear for soft tissue- 'just' bone mets) but I'm not doing a great job of believing that. I'm still going to work and acting as though nothing is wrong there but the morning wake-up time and evenings at home are so tough, trying not to fear the worst and what is to come, and just trying to keep going for my family's sake and for my own sanity. I've an appointment next week with a psychologist who specialises in oncology-I'm trying everything that's being offered to me- but she's going to have her work cut out convincing me that there are ways of keeping yourself sane whilst having this condition.My partner has been so supportive but I'm leaving him to watch the footie in peace most evenings so it's a lonely and scary time when it's just you and your thoughts.How I wish I could be one of you optimistic ladies. I guess it's time to pull my socks up and live for the moment, but just now there's still a lot of worry and woe in me. So sorry everyone; this has turned into a miserable post so feel free to give me a virtual slap across the legs for my negativity😭. I hope everyone is doing well and if not, that things soon start to improve for you. I'm still looking through everyone's posts but I'm not posting much because I think it would be all too negative right now and not helpful to any of you lovely ladies. Daisy Jane -would love to keep in touch as it seems that our stories might be quite similar so far and boy, do I need a dose of your positivity!  Lots of love to everyone. Tiger (Grrrh!!! Hear me roar -Ha! As If!) xxx   ... View more

You ladies are amazing! That's all I have to say! If I can channel an ounce of your positivity I know I will cope with this 🐯 ... View more

Dear Blanna, I've just been reading this thread. I'm new to all this and I can't offer you any real words of advice or experience but I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and I am sending you positivity and strength for your meeting tomorrow. Don't give up. Love to you xx ... View more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say thanks to you all for your words of support. I'm still struggling to accept my diagnosis and I'm still in denial so I can go a few days without looking at the forums before I feel brave enough to look, but I am reading your posts and they are helping - so a massive thanks for them. I'm sure that I'll find my voice over the next few weeks. Love to you all xx ... View more

Hi,just wanted to say thanks for starting this thread. I know it's a few months since the post but wanted to put forward my thoughts. I've never really I had a faith. I say 'never really' because I wasn't a non-believer; more an agnostic who thought there might be something going on that we just couldn't see or prove. Since being diagnosed recently with breast cancer then bone mets two weeks later I knew I had to try everything I could to find a way of coping. I hope this doesn't sound disrespectful to those of you with a faith-only believing when you needed a BIG favour! I've been to my local Pentecostal church for the last couple of Sundays and have met with their Pastor. I can't claim to be a true believer just yet but when I'm in the church I do feel a little stronger. I can't help but ask the question -if there is a God why does he let all the horrible things in the world happen, but perhaps I just have to trust that there IS a reason - I'm just not in on the secret yet. The pastor told me to imagine a lifeline being thrown to me when I'm lost at sea and drowning. I seem to be able to grab hold if it every so often, but then another big wave comes along and I let go. I'm going to keep reaching though. Even if there's nothing at the end of all this, I think having a faith will keep me going just that bit longer.  ... View more