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debscoops
Member
since
06-06-2016
23
Posts
5
Hugs
03-03-2017
06:53
Hi I am on Adcal D3 twice daily since September last year and i understand you only get checked with another bone density scan in a year after, i will have to check my next appt with BCN's later this month. I wonder is it cheaper to have one tablet prescribed just a thought? deb
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01-03-2017
06:30
Hi just thought I could add a little comment I have been taking Anastrozole and Adcal since September last year, after finishing rads and did have some symptoms hot flushes and waking in night feeling a bit queasy at times like menopause, but when I picked up my last prescription the pharmacist asked how I was getting on with them and they have a little room in the chemist and she went through the medication and how the medication reacts if you take any other tablets and went through side effects how best to take them to alleviate any side effects, I had been taking Anastrozole in the morning so suggested moving to evening. If you have a good pharmacist try talking to them. D
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16-11-2016
03:22
Hi Sue,Janey & Kari I am glad you have completed the rads, I am now two weeks post end of rads and just a word of precaution, at the end of the rads, I had only a small discomfort, soreness under boob, but within 3 days my whole boob erupted with what can only be described as massive burns which got bigger, red raw, and at times bled all around the boob, especially under and in the arm pit area, I was given hydrogel and covers for the area which were padded, but last week was back to my practice nurse 3 times until we found that gel dressings were the most amazing thing on the planet, they worked like magic, along with padded dressings on top. I have found it difficult to move my arm or lift anything too heavy, but am now feeling so much better and not having to nurse my boob to take the pressure off the sores, I have worked but did have to admit defeat a couple of days last week. Please don't let any sores get too big, as the radiation is still working its magic in the body, there is also a very peculiar tingly sensation especially if you sneeze, but over all I am doing well, hair is growing back, albeit looking like the colour of a skunk - I now have to get myself back fit and have appointment with my consultant on 22 December, so hopefully I will get the news that he doesnt want to see me for a while Deb xx
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04-11-2016
02:35
Thank you there is light at the end of the tunnel then ! - its a bit like a burning old steam train at the moment, but I am grinning and bearing it. Good luck now you are getting back to normal, I will count the days ! thank you x
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03-11-2016
07:17
Just an update after my post the other day, I take it all back, the pain does get worse after rads ! - I thought after finishing them Tuesday, it wasnt too bad, a bit delicate but I thought that would be all it would be they they said it would get a little worse over the next two weeks and they were right, I am walking around nursing my boob like a babe in arms! , I have cream and dressings and padded wadding, as they are peeling like a bad case of being what I can only think of as being scalded ! I am gritting my teeth taking paracetamol and have called upon a glass or two of red wine! It only hurts when I move, I had to admit defeat this morning and go home from work, and I will see how it goes. But I know this will get better, hope everyone else is getting on OK with their rads ! Deb x
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01-11-2016
03:06
Hi, I have just finished today hurray ! - 20 radiotherapy sessions, and yes the first few were strange, and yes I kept my wig on, and yes I had mostly male radiographers, the funny thing was, you undress in the tiniest of cubicles and walk across about 5 steps to the table, I was offered a piece of blue paper, but I thought what, I will have to lie down when I reach there, and I thought that this was stupid, so you do have to brazen it out, and it is Ok, the radiologists were great they chat about everything and anything whilst getting you in the right positiion on the bed, it is a bit weird but the worst part for me was getting off the bed LOL, I am suffering with soreness and skin breakdown, but have been given hydro cream and dressings now which are easing the pain, but dont worry about wearing your wig, I wore mine and was never asked to remove it, I had 15 days of full breast rads then 5 days of targetting the tumour base, it was the last 5 days which kicked my skin into melt down, I have been told to be prepared for a further 2 weeks as the rads continue to work their magic, then the skin will return to normal. Hope you all get on well, and it is amazing how quick the days go Good luck Deb
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29-10-2016
04:12
Hi I thought I would drop back in - just to say I had Day 18 of 20 yesterday, so like others Saturday (today) is my potter do nothing day, I sailed through the first 10, I have felt tired but nothing out of the ordinary, and I have worked throughout (albeit office based) and driven myself for my appointments at 8am in the morning then to work, over the last 8 days the tenderness and now the soreness and redness has reared its head, but I have used Diprobase, Aveeno and the Radio Nurse has also given me some cream which kind of puts a film over the soreness, please ask, it does work Ditched the underwired bra, because that felt like cheese wire. Yes it is like sunburn, and I have soreness all round the book under the arm and underneath and now moving its way around the top. I have been advised it will get worse even after the treatment finishes on Tuesday but after two weeks it will be a lot better. We are all different and the targetting of the radiotherapy is slightly different, I had 15 days of all the breast and then am now on target tumour base where it was removed from. I am so looking forward to the last one, as I know I will probably cry, open a bottle of champagne, as they do say you dont realise how stressing this is, and the relief will be overwhelming. Keep smiling, I am hopefully at the end of the line now, and get the all clear after seeing Consultant on 22 December XX
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01-10-2016
03:45
Hi, I have been and out of threads over the past few months, now planned radiotherapy to start on Wednesday, I am ready I have all the creams and soft bras after my lumpectormy in June, (then a dose of chemo) I am quite aprehensive, but it is really the unknown, how are you expected to feel, I have in my head to go to work after being zapped, as my radiotherapy appointments are 8/8.15am for 4 weeks. I hope I can check in here now for some chats. Deb
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10-09-2016
08:00
Hi, thought I would just add my situation to this conversation, I had 18mm mixed grade carcinoma, lumpectomy clear surgical margins, two nodes removed negative and HER2 negative. Part of my biopsy was then sent off for the Oncotype DX test (which is now available if you are node negative) and came back at 24 which was intermediate risk of recurrence over next 5/10 years I think, so having course of chemo upped your percentage of cancer no recurring to 92% from 88% in my case using the NHS predict etc, for life expectancy including getting run over by a bus or anything else happening. So it was a massive decision my consultant could not advise me either way because I was in the middle, the MDT couldnt advise either which was not the best, so I decided to go for chemo, I had one session on 13 August, which knocked me sideways, I caught virus, high temperature, and to cap it all started to lose my hair within 10 days. I decided enough was enough and stopped chemo, and having spoken to two consultants, and pharmacy consultant they happy with decision, and that having one session will have helped eradicate if there is anything else lurking, I am now awaiting having radiotherapy, but I am now worried about this having read the books and googled, I thought this was what everyone should have, I am going to have 20 sessions, and then be on Anastrozole hormone replacement for the next 5 or may be 10 years, it is interesting that we do get varied advice across the country I will definitely do some more research, but I must put my faith in the consultants, or should I ? I do want what is best for me. D
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04-09-2016
07:44
1 Hug
Hi I have just been looking around the forum, I had the oncotype DX test and came back at 24, low intermediate, my consultant could not advise either way, but I chose to have the chemo, but after one session, I have decided to stop, I had horrible time with chemo, getting a cough & cold 5 days back into hospital with high temperature on antibiotics, which now 3 weeks later I am still suffeirng with as my immune system is down. the decision to stop was not easy, but with the support of my family, and now my consultant who is supportive of my decision, but I am happy with my decision, I believe I have thrown everything at it, and the pharmacist said that even the one chemo would have done some good, on the down side I have lost my hair, which I had not expected to go in the first session. It is a tough decision, but the % gain of recurrence is very low, and as I had lumpectomy and two lympth nodes removed and these were all clear, this test was only licensed by NICE last September, so this time last year we would not have had the test so would just be radiotherapy. I am now 3 weeks after 1st chemo and still recovering, but feeling a whole lot better, except losing hair is so hard to come to terms with. I will now have course of radiotherapy in about 3/4 weeks time, Good luck with your decision making. D
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27-08-2016
12:42
2 Hugs
Well Day 14, and that was a bit of a hairy week, I caught a cough last weekend, no idea where from, hadnt left the house, , had high temperature, went into hospital, all the usual tests done, but luckily didnt need to stay was put on antibiotics, can only take paracetamol, and throat lozengers which is good, but the cold errupted, felt like death, me and my bed became joined at the hip, but over the past two days I am starting to feel human again, then wham dam itchy head and hair failing out like a moulting dog, I have my fingers crossed it doesnt all come out, (does it with everyone) ???? I have it cut short and spikey so hopefully it will go gracefully. Other than that I feel OK, bit knackered, sleep pattern all over the shop but out of the past 7 days slept for 5 hours solid on one of them ! so all is not lost. Deb x
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17-08-2016
03:06
1 Hug
Hi everyone, I am now on day 5 after 1st chemo, yesterday was my worse as sick meds finished and felt so bad achey and then weepy etc etc, but then read through my med sheet and it said I could take one of them as and when, yeh, but I still had a terrible sleepless night, so hoping for better tonight, had one of them tired nothing days today feeling just a bit wiped out, everything is just too much effort, Am having so many negative thoughts, shall I throw in the towel, as having chemo is my choice as as my lumpectomy and lympth are clear, but my oncotype dx test puts me intermediate risk for recurrence, it is something I will have to give thought to, but I am hoping I will be able to percervere ! Deb
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11-08-2016
07:59
Hi, my day to start chemo is nearly here, Sat 13th ! - having PICC line put in tomorrow and bloods etc etc, I have been reading your stories, and I am quite anxious, I have been buying ginger stuff ready, mouth washes, toothpast, bongela. I only hope that I can cope, but I am trying to think of it as a means to an end, as having chemo is my choice, after my Oncotype DX results were intermediate risk. I hope I will be able to update in a few days on how I am, but I am really pleased this thread is here Thank you, this is one exceptional journey that is very hard to describe to other's not affected by cancer. Deb
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01-08-2016
07:23
Hi, I start my chemo on 13 August, I am 9 weeks post op because my oncotype DX result took a while to come back (the person who was meant to send it forgot to) anyway another story, I am still a little in the dark about what is to happen, and like you are gathering tips from the forums to help me through it, hope all goes well with you, and keep in touch on forum Deb
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01-08-2016
06:24
Hi - I am starting chemo on 13 August, and I am wondering if anyone has any good sites for headscarfs turbans etc, I have one and I have tried it on, but I look like terrible, I know I dont normally look gorgeous but I want to a least look a bit feminie , I think I may have to try a wig. Deb
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29-07-2016
05:09
Hi, I am due to start chemo on 13 August, I had the Oncotype DX test I had early detection of the cancer, and had a lumpectomy (partial removal of breast) and luckily my lymph nodes were clear, but my test came back at intermediate risk of recurrence, so this has been a roller coaster of a decision, but I have decided to have the chemo which makes gives me a 92% chance that it will not recur, this test is fairly new and the MDT could not advise me as my result was slap in the middle so its a 50/50 gamble but increasing my chances, so for 4 months I thought I would throw everything at it so that I dont regret if it comes back. I am loving all the chats, I know absolutely nothing only what I have been reading, I am having PICC line put in the day before, and today had my hair cut short, as I was advised that my hair would fall, (does it always) ? I have 6 sessions then 4 week radiotherapy at the end. D
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24-07-2016
11:01
Thank you, I had partial lumpectomy and lympth nodes clear, I think I have the case the jitters, its just scary the unknown and side effects etc,it was a hard decision, but my gut instinct was to go with chemo, thanks again deb
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24-07-2016
09:09
I am wondering if anyone had the oncotype DX results, mine have come back at 24 (intermediate risk of recurrence (18-31) , and the MDT team could not make a decision to whether I should have chemo, my consultant went through all % and if I have chemo I get a 4% extra chance of cancer not recurring, so from 88% to 92%, but he was unable to advise me, and said it was my decision, I made the mammoth decision, I have said yes, but I am in such a quandry now, as to whether I need to put myself through chemo for 4% gain, I am have had mini-meltdown yesterday and sleepless nights since saying yes (3 days ago), it is such a heard decision to make, as I feel good at the moment 7 weeks post op, healing well, clear lymph nodes, Any advice ? D
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12-07-2016
03:02
Hi, I am due to start radiotherapy in a few weeks time and have been given a list of suitable creams to start to use. The names I have are Epaderm, Diprobase, Aquamax, Cetraben. I have heard of others like Aveeno? and E45 - Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated. D
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09-07-2016
09:23
Hi I am 5 weeks post op with having 1.8mm lobular lump removed my breast is still quite lumpy/bumpy but is taking time to heal, as I had 2cm of breast tissue removed around the lump and also I had a lot of seroma, which didnt help, what you can feel is probably just the area where the lump has been removed and depending on how much of the surrounding tissue was removed, personally call your breast care nurses or I am sure at your two week post op check up your surgeon will reassure you. Take care D
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