Breast Cancer Now Forum

Oops sorry, overkill now - it wouldn't post now it's done it twice!  ... View more

Morning Ladies,  Sorry I've not been on here for a while, just had no internet in the bedroom and also needed a break from bathing in cancer chat! My surgery was 24th May for 2.5 lump (with clear 3mm surround) and 2 affected nodes (nearest breast) - 8 taken so 6 were clear. Having physio for cording but good recovery really. Still hard lump in boob needs massaging now. My 1st chemo was 24th June so 4 weeks after surgery. I'm having 3x FEC. Joss, FEC is 3 chemicals and the treatment lasts 3 weeks. It's a strong chemo. The 1st 2 sessions I more or less sailed through, but this 3rd has been tougher as have mouth ulcers and was fighting a urine infection. I've been out and about as much as possible but fatigue does cramp my style.  Joss - I have not been sick, nor have I opened the extra nausea tablets they gave me.. 😀 There is a nasty taste that comes but eases after a while... The injections are for  7 days just after your dose and they are white blood cells to build your immunity. My husband does it and they are ok - it's doable! I wasn't told about those til I turned up for my 1st chemo and the nurse said "There's a nice surprise for you in the fridge!" - I thought it was something to eat like a treat!!!!!!!!!!   My hair fell out around day 17 of 1st round. I was ready for it and fortunately my wig arrived same time. Lady fitted and trimmed a few times since to get best look. It's pretty good! But I do feel the bald look is a sign of a WARRIOR - and we have battle scars to prove it!!    Im so sorry for how overwhelmingly gripped you've been with shock and fear. My heart goes out to you... It's SO good your underarm was clear Joss, that is such good news. I have surprised myself with not crying, but also not being fearful. It's a case of - "Ok then, let's do battle - and I will WIN!! I didn't invite you IN - so you are being kicked OUT - for good!"    Its a a whole new world isn't it - and a whole new language. People also think they know about breast cancer, because they 'know' someone, but really they can't know because we are all different.      Much love Ladies - hope you have a good weekend and feel encouraged and empowered. X   ... View more

Morning Ladies,  Sorryvnot been on here for a while, just had no internet in the bedroom and also needed a break from bathing in cancer chat! My surgery was 24th May for 2.5 lump (with clear 3mm surround) and 2 affected nodes (nearest breast) - 8 taken so 6 were clear. Having physio for cording but good recovery really. Still hard lump in boob needs massaging now. my 1st chemo was 24th June so 4 weeks after surgery. I'm having 3x FEC. Joss, FEC is 3 chemicals and the treatment lasts 3 weeks. It's a strong chemo. The 1st 2 sessions I more or less sailed through, but this 3rd has been tougher as was fighting a urine infection. I've been out and about as much as possible but fatigue does cramp my style.  Joss - I have not been sick, nor have I opened the extra nausea tablets they gave me.. 😀 There is a nasty taste that comes but eases after a while... The injections last 7 days just after your dose and they are white blood cells to build your immunity. My husband does it and they are ok - it's doable! i wasn't told about those til ai turned up for my 1st chemo and the nurse said "There's a nice surprise for you in the fridge!" - I thought it was something to eat like a treat!!!!!!!!!!   My hair fell out around day 17 of 1st round. I was ready for it and fortunately my wig arrived same time. Lady fitted and trimmed a few times since to get best look. It s pretty good! But I do feel the bald look is a sign of a WARRIOR - and we have battle scars to prove it!!    Im so sorry for how overwhelmingly gripped you've been with shock and fear. My heart goes out to you... It's SO good your underarm was clear Joss, that is such good news. I have surprised myself with not crying, but also not being fearful. It's a case of - "Ok then, let's do battle - and I will WIN!! I didn't invite you IN - so you are being kicked OUT - for good!"    Its a a whole new world isn't it - and a whole new language. People also think they know about breast cancer, because they 'know' someone, but really they can't know because we are all different.      Much love Ladies - hope you have a good weekend and feel encouraged and empowered. X   ... View more

Apologies if I seem a bit crazy, but realise Ivr been hugging and replying to posts from about 10 days ago. When I click on our group it sends me to page 5 etc instead of the latest postings! 🤓 ... View more

That's interesting RosieFlower about the stages of loss and growth.  Mt loss was last weekend days 15 (night) and next day so got my Tuppenny All Off on Sunsay (day 17). I have 2nd FEC on Friday too. X ... View more

Hi Nellie,  Oh bless - mine stared on day 15 at bedtime. Then heavy fallout next 2 days as was shortish ... So day 17 had the 'Tuppeny All Off'! I look like a kiwi fruit 🍈 It's itchy and still falling out - all the dark stubble seems to be going - but it's do much easier to clean up the  short hair! I have wig but bought a beany cap from the centre today as my head gets cold at home. yes it IS a relief and I just feel that's the worst visual sign done with now... x ... View more

Hi Sue, I do most of my reading and posting on my iPad lying in bed at night!  ... View more

Sue, those head styles look great on you!  I'm quite short so don't know how they will do... I did do a trying on in M&S 2 weeks ago - awful, lol!  But yesterday after turning into Sean the Sheep, I tried on my summer hats .. Which do you think .... ? ... View more

Well Girls,  After 36 hours if heavy moulting - totally transforming my good looks, and taking half an hour to clean up the debris in the bed and everywhere else again this morning, I took up Son #3's offer of a Buzz Cut!  I had a no 4 ALL over - (wig Lady had advised no shaving as our scalps aren't used to it and might be tender - very true!). I was dreading it, but what was worse was letting my friend and daughter seeing my sad state yesterday and my son and his wife today when I took the wig off.  In 10 minutes, my sad pathetic comb-over was transformed into a Feisty Fighter look!  I feel totally LIBERATED - which was not how I thought I'd feel... I wear with pride my Chemo 'Crown' of honour with my PICC-line badge of bravery to be part of an amazing army!      ... View more

Well girls, after 36 hours and losing half my head of hair, son #3 offered me a Buzz Cut!  (The wig lady advised not to shave as scalp is not used to it and may be tender - true!) So I had a no4 ALL over... I was dreading it - but what was worse was yesterday and today them seeing my sad 'comb-over'. The minute my hair was done I felt totally LIBERATED and transformed from feeling sad and pathetic into a Feisty Fighter!!!  It's a Crown of honour with a badge (PICC - line) of bravery and I belong to your amazing army!!!! In 10 minutes I was transformed inside and out! I felt proud and honoured!  ... View more

I'm 68 and live with my husband, but we do have family and grandchildren. I wasn't told anything about the injections, Alex, they just presented them as a 'Oh by the way, there is a surprise in the fridge for you!" As I was sat having my 1st chemo. The didn't mention steroids either... It all just happened .. ... View more

Haha Nellie, you made me laugh about blaming the dog or hubby!!! I might need to get a dog - lol 🐶 Hi AJ, I only found out how to upload pictures by playing! If you look at the icons on the task bar above here - there is a rectangular box with a mountain and sun pic on it. Click on that and it gives you the option to upload your picture.  Previously I found that if the image is too LARGE or close, it can't cope and posts horizontally - SO annoying! . Took me a while to find a good sized one and edit for the profile pic to be 'portrait'!  ... View more

Hi Emma, my daughter is a marathon runner, but pregnant and frustrated not yo run as much as she'd like! Yes, I am able to carry on as normal - most days - just have tired periods at the mo.  FEC #2 is on 15th Jly same as you 😬 . Those cramps were horrible - in both thighs and severe - would have been dangerous if driving.  V mild symptoms except The Great Shedding has been happening these past 2 days - day 17 today!  I'll  post in June and July groups. It was all overwhelming to begin with and taken a while to get used to who is who!  ... View more

Hi Girls, Well The 'Great Shedding' has begun in earnest with me too, day 16 after FEC 1 🙄 Fortunately I had a wig appointment to go and fetch my NBF - must give it a name!  It is weird seeing 'your hair' brought out of a box and held in hand like a sleeping Guinea pig ... but boy am I glad if it! What timing - eh!  My wig lady had taken photos of me 10days ago and ordered accordingly. It still needs fitting and shaping to my head but also more trimming. But it seems as though I left  my house with a head of hair and returned with half a head! The wig (still unfinished)  gave me confidence to have tea out at the Chinese restaurant with husband and family.  ... View more

Sorry that image is on its side - 🤓   ... View more

Hi Bevvers! No - not alone - I too find it hard to keep up with the chat!  Lim have a PICC line - it's brilliant - went in lie a dream - easier than going to the the dentist!  It sounds and looks horrendous. The only inconvenience is I don't wear sleeveless or v short sleeves when out and about as its a bit ugly - but with the weather we've had that's not been a bother! I'm also on similar treatment - 3x FEC (3 wk each) and 9 paclitaxel (weekly).1st FEC was 24th June Im drinking plenty of fluids and eating like a horse! I've not suffered too badly from side effects - tiredness, taste and cramps from the injection. Im also a little Welsh girl (old woman!)!!!! I come from LLANDUDNO ❤️ 💚   Well, the 'Great Shedding' started today girls, in earnest! Day 16 .... It actually stated last night as I ran my hands through my hair and got a handful!  Its been raining hair all day!   🙄 Fortunately I had a wig appointment to meet my NBF - (must give it a name) 🤔 Live come home with my wig (what TIMING eh!). But it still needs more trimming and fitting and shaping to my head! But it's still so good I had the confidence to go out for tea at the Chinese restaurant with hubby and family.  Sorry it's on its side ..... !    ... View more

Haha! Glad you do 'small talk' Sue - that should keep us going on here! 😀 I have a wonderful Germsn friend who I've known for 40 odd years living in this she's had 7 beautiful children!   This morning a new corner suite and snuggle chair arrived! We needed one but this was bought with the money from cancelling our holiday with friends to Menorca. Must of had chemo brain before the chemo - it's cream and we have 6 grandchildren (no 7 on the way!) 😀 After lunch I nipped to IKEA (5 mins away) for some cushion covers.  It's mid afternoon and I've just come up to make the bed as was busy getting ready for new stuff this morning. But instead I've got IN it! I've brought a coffee up and am having a tired (not fatigued) day today - think those cramps did it! ive just looked and seen 5 hairs - there were only 3 the other day! 😳 It's day 14  @Sue H-S wrote: Hi Bookworm48.   Yes, I am of German origin and have been here for a very long time. British citizen for a long time too - very assimilated, lol. My mother lives still in Germany and we now skype every couple of days - so it is keeping up my German - and it is a phrase she recently used for me - I found it so appropriate, although, sadly it does not translate into anything similar over here, lol. As with so many things phrases - such as - the Germans do not have a word for 'small talk' - they actually do not know what it is - and certainly do not indulge in it either. Unlike me!    Hugs Sue xx @Sue H-S wrote: Hi Bookworm48.   Yes, I am of German origin and have been here for a very long time. British citizen for a long time too - very assimilated, lol. My mother lives still in Germany and we now skype every couple of days - so it is keeping up my German - and it is a phrase she recently used for me - I found it so appropriate, although, sadly it does not translate into anything similar over here, lol. As with so many things phrases - such as - the Germans do not have a word for 'small talk' - they actually do not know what it is - and certainly do not indulge in it either. Unlike me!    Hugs Sue xx @Sue H-S wrote: Hi Bookworm48.   Yes, I am of German origin and have been here for a very long time. British citizen for a long time too - very assimilated, lol. My mother lives still in Germany and we now skype every couple of days - so it is keeping up my German - and it is a phrase she recently used for me - I found it so appropriate, although, sadly it does not translate into anything similar over here, lol. As with so many things phrases - such as - the Germans do not have a word for 'small talk' - they actually do not know what it is - and certainly do not indulge in it either. Unlike me!    Hugs Sue xx ... View more

I had one day like your fatigue day - day 6 of 1st FEC - you described it perfectly - pole-axed from brain to toes and fit for nothing not even lying watching telly. It wasn't particularly pleasant either! Anyone had thigh cramps - my poor little legs got it yesterday - my only real se this week! Side effect of the 💉 apparently...  Have a good night, everyone  💤 💤 💤 ... View more

Girls you look AMAZING!! We are just drawn to your beautiful smiles and lovely eyes!! I do like the fringe and wondered how it would look!  Ive done 13 days of FEC #1 and at the moment feel great apart from evil cramps in my thighs yesterday, which apparently were side effects of the 💉 which I finished last Saturday.  Anon - your boss is out of order and that is bullying - he is putting guilt on you NONE of this is your fault!    ... View more

Hi Emma, Im doing not so bad at all really, thank you for asking!  Myvside effects have been mild and I'm doing ok. Everyone says I look well. iI had wicked crippling though cramps yesterday - sudden and scary - so I phoned the hotline - they said it was a side effect of the jabs which finished last Saturday!  So we are 1/2 way through our 1st dose - how have you been? aAre you in the June or July threads? ... View more