Breast Cancer Now Forum

hello all, I'm hoping for some advice. i had a skin-sparing mastectomy in 2016,with an implant fitted at the time. I was told that the implant wouldn't last for ever so that making the decision to have the skin sparing mastectomy meant I would have to have reconstruction later. I've now had a consultation with the plastic surgeon, who has said that I don't have enough belly fat for symmetry so I'm going to be lopsided after the operation. He suggests that he would then do a second operation to reduce the healthy breast. I'm worried that i would then look like a patchwork quilt, plus he would have to move the nipple and surely that would lead to a Loss of sensation there. Are there any alternatives? Oh and if I try and put on weight, it all goes on my hips and thighs so gaining enough fat in my tummy area would be difficult. very conflicted about this.     mastectomyin September 2016 ... View more

Hello maryminder I'm on Anastrozole and although I do have joint pains, my side effects seem to be more manageable than what you're describing.  My oncologist said Anastrozole was the most recent and a better version of the hormone therapy than Letrozole.  Just thought I'd share that with you. All the best Anita ... View more

Hi everyone To those who replied to my recent post about intrusive strangers asking about treatment - thank you! I didn't think it could be just me that that has happened to! I finish radiotherapy treatment next Wednesday and am also feleing very apprehensive about 'life after treatment.' Is anyone thinking about reconstruction yet? I went to a meeting last night at the local hospital where a reconstructive surgeon asnswered questions and some women who had already had the operation showed us the results.  It's much better than seeing photos - somehow doesn't look so bad in the flesh! Having had a skin sparing mastectomy and a prosthesis inserted at the time, I think the DIEP flap seems to be the best option, although I wouldn't be having that done for at least a year.  Any thoughts? ... View more

Hello all I was upset today by an encounter I had in a shopthat I had never been in before.  I was wearing my headscarfand the shop assistant, a woman in hner forties, asked me, "You going through something? "  I batted the comment away and shook my head to show that I did not want to talk about it.  I was looking for the correct money in my purse when she had another go, " You on chemo, darling?"  I mumbled something and got out of there as quickly as I could.  But what I saw in her eyes wasn't sympathy, it was just nosiness.  I've never come across anything quite as crass before, although the taxi driver who asked me whether I'd got the mild sort of cancer comes a close second. I've only been wearing the headscarf for a few days as the wig is uncomfortable and hot, but if I keep getting these sorts of comments I may have to rethink! Anyone else had to put up with this sort of thing? ... View more

At the moement it seems unimaginable to go back to teaching, apart from the emotional strain there's the sheer physicality of it.  Have you talked about a phased return, snail888?  But actually I'm thinking of stopping completely if we can afford it - I'm certain that the stress contributed to the cancer, that and plain old bad luck. I'm frankly not missing it at the moment, although I worry that when I'm better I might start missing it.  It's impossible to say really ...  My current thinking is that I'll go back at the end of treatment, at least for a couple of months and then, if I'm not enjoying it (and we can afford it), I'll hand my notice in.  I'll be 59 this year and there aren't many primary school teachers around who are over 60 anyway. ... View more

Thank you Sue, I know you're right, and I take some comfort from the fact that some of you are starting to feel human again! There's hope round the corner. ... View more

I'm rather envious of you ladies who have finished the chemo as I still have 7 of the weekly paclitaxel before I've finished.  I was thinking that I'd coped well with the side effects but when I read some of your lists I realised that I have quite a few of those as well.   Blurry vision, achy joints, constipation,  horrible blemishes/blotches on my face, fatigue and - oh yes, ny hair is now falling out in handfuls.   I went for a reflexology session today and embarrassed myself by bursting into tears.  And not once either - we had to stop the session becaseu I couldn't stop.  Actually it was weird, becaseu I went into the session feeling pretty positive, the sun was shining this morning and I'd been out in the garden, alwasy a plus.  I had no idea where the tears came from.  I think it was from being forced to stop and try to relax, not something that comes naturally to me. The emotional toll of all this is pretty high and I suppose however well you think you're coping, it will catch you out somewhere along the line. I hope most of you are managing to climb out of the pit now.  I'm sure I will in time! ... View more

Ohmigod Angwyd, how awful for you. it's just dreadful what you have gone through. I was lucky enough to have portacath fitted so have avoided all that. it makes me so angry that patients are put through that kind of hell when the solution is relative ly easy; yes, a portacath costs more initially but must save hundreds in staff time, let alone in the suffering it avoids. I have just had my 4 th of 12 weekly paclitaxel, and have some side effects now, the worst thing is the insomnia, for which the hospital has prescribed me 3 days' worth of temazepam each week. so i get 3 days a week when i can count on 4 or 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep which is something. Otherwise it's no more than 2 hours at a time. A strange thing to have when I'm also feeling very fatigued during the day, plus dry mouth and constipation. And it's all such a long haul, 8 more weeks of this, then radiotherapy them hormone therapy. a very long timeline at the moment.  Lots of hugs Angwyd, it should start getting better soon.   ... View more

Hi Swampy Yes, unless you are too ill to move, you must be all right really - perhaps, secretly, you're putting it on a bit!  I know how you feel - I don't want to keep bleating on to people about picking up infections etc but some can be astoundingly indifferent to the risks we take.  And actually, at the end of treatment, you are likely to have a particularly low white blood cell count, and so be more susceptible.  I haven't suffered with peripheral neuropathy yet (although there's still time), I'm just struggling with the fatigue.  Dishwasher gave up last night and half an hour washing up completely did me in! I do hope your symptoms will improve. ... View more

Does anyone else suffer from insomnia?  The hot flushes wake me up at night two or three times, and then it can take me hours to get back to sleep.  I'm starting to dread going to bed.  I'm so tired that I get off to sleep instantly and then at 1 am I'm lying awake, knowing that it will be at least an hour, usually two before I go off again.  Then the same thing happens again at about 4.  It's driving me mad.  And when you're lying awake, everything goes round and round in your head  -  aargh! Last chemo I persuaded the nurse to prescribe two nights of Temazepam - bliss!  the first good night's sleep for weeks. ... View more

hi all, I haven't posted for a few weeks but have been faithfully following you all. I'm feeling a little low because you are all coming to the end of your chemo regimes and i have another 9 weeks of paclitaxel to go. But the side effects are not anything like as bad as with the EC so I'm managing. I too am a teacher (!), and was interested in what you said, Aine, about statutory sick pay. I'm coming to the end of my 6 months full pay at the end of this month and will then just get the 6 months half pay. Can you get the sick pay even if you're still being paid? And all the other posters are absolutely right about our pay  - it's definitely 100 days, (or six months), full pay then 100 days half pay. Perhaps it's a compensation for being more likely to get cancer than many other professions! ... View more

hi all, I had my last EC yesterday and spent a predictably sleepless night last night despite reducing the steroids dose. So now I'm both tired and nauseous - great. I asked for a couple of sleeping pills at the chemo unit yesterday, but no, of course not. But no steroids during the Taxol cycles apparently so at least that's something.  The cold cap seemed even more excruciating than usual yesterday and I really don't think I can bear it for 12 lots of Taxol. But I do still have my hair. Anyb ody else in this situation? ... View more

hi Angwyd, it may be that i am having the T weekly because my treatment is private through husband's company. I have been told that the weekly treatments are easier to handle but the only reason that i can think of that the nhs doesn't do it weekly is because of staffing costs. This is speculation though. To be honest, it's quite difficult to admit to going privately as i feel rather guilty about it. However, this is the only difference that i have noticed, everything else seems to be exactly the same. If it is true that weekly treatments are easier then I should think there is a strong case to make that you should have them when you get very adverse reactions. Apart from anything else, there's the cost of treating the side effects. But as I said, I don't really know. I start the T in three weeks so will keep you posted. xx ... View more

Hi oldDawn, I think mine are different, I haven't started the T yet, have my last EC tomorrow. Also my blotches don't seem to be like an irritation, more like age spots, but ones that have appeared over the last week. So I look even older than my 58 years. It is getting harder to really believe that my body will ever return to normal, I really hate the prosthesis that I have, it feels so weird, like a lump stuck on my chest. I had the skin sparing mastectomy so they put a silicon, or possibly saline, prosthesis in. I can feel the edges of it under my skin. Plus I have three new scars, two from the mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy and one from where the portacath was inserted.  Angwyd, you are really being put through the wringer, I am sending lots of hugs and sympathy your way. I just hope it gets better for you, or at least less bad. I know I have been very fortunate so far, though have yet to experience the T part of the treatment. My treatment will be weekly, I don't know whether that will be more or less difficult than the three weekly cycle most of you seem to be having, but will let you know.  So, the start of a crap week tomorrow, just have to bear it.  ... View more

Managed a good Christmas but am now desperate for the family to leave! It's hard work keeping it all together for days on end.  Has anyone else developed Brown blotchy patches on their face? Just to make me feel that little bit better about how i look... ... View more

hi Angie, I hope the T today is not as bad as you fear, I'm thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way (wherever that is).  All things pass. xx ... View more

Hi Gracie, that must have been horrible for you, there's the fear of embarrassing yourself in public, isn't there. I went to meet some friends for coffee cos the cafe is right next to the car park so I thought I could manage it. I was virtually hanging onto each table as i passed it to get through the room to my friends. Worth it to get out of the house and away from antique road trip though! The nausea passed after about day 5, but this weak feeling seems to go on and on for me.  I know what people mean about taking the joy out - I am so bored with myself obsessing about my symptoms constantly, it must be awful for my family having to listen to me!   nyhow I hope that you start feeling better very soon ... View more