Breast Cancer Now Forum

Helena and Jac - sounds like you both had good appointments today. I know what you mean about work Jaq - it's so difficult to explain the fatigue.  I'm sure Helena posted a link to a really interesting article about moving forward after cancer.  I printed it off and have taken it into work because I felt it explained really well how we feel.   I've had a physically tough day today - Physio this morning, who checked out a thickening I'd been concerned about in my armpit - it feels really sore to touch.  She got the BCN to have a look and they think it's deeper cording - the cording below my breast I can feel, but this just feels like a hard lump.  I'm seeing the oncologist next week so the BCN is going to get him to check it out.  The Physio then spent ages massaging the two areas and it was so sore I actually felt sick - it was like a nerve pain running through to my shoulder.  I did laugh though - had 3 people examining my breast today - the student nurse had never seen a breast with the blue dye on before, so she was really interested, and so excited to feel the cording!!!    I then drove an hour home via our local hospital where I queued for an hour for an X-ray and 40 minutes for a blood test!!  All in all I was out of the house from 9.30 till 3.00!!   Hoping that tomorrow is more restful! Jane ... View more

Hug gratefully received Helena 🙋🏼.  GP appointment was ok and for the first time I managed to keep my tears at bay when talking about how I'm feeling. I've have to go for blood tests and a chest X-ray as I've been really breathless for the last week or so and when the dr checked my oxygen levels were definitely low, which apparently could be a side effect of the radiotherapy.  I must admit I will be very surprised if it is, as I did the breath holding which should have helped to protect my lung.  The blood tests are to check there is no other cause for the fatigue - having it done at the hospital as they always find it hard taking blood as I apparently have tiny veins, and the only good one is in my left arm where they need to avoid!!  If all comes back normal then the GP will refer me to a 'Coping with fatigue' workshop at our local hospice where I will be able to access some complimentary therapies to see if they will help.  I'm also having a steroid injection into a bursitis I've developed in my hip! And I forgot to mention the headaches and heartburn!!! He tried to give me a sick note for 3 months, but I was horrified so we compromised and I've agreed not to go back until after the Easter holidays, but promised I will be honest if I'm still struggling physically.     Will be interested to know how your appointments go with your oncologists, Helena and Jac.   Jane      ... View more

Just catching up on how the 'winter warmers' are doing post rads.  Helena and Jak - what a coincidence your appointments are the same day - mine is the 16th, so only a week after.  Was interested to read about the fatigue hitting you again Jak. I'm really struggling at the moment, not sure if it's post rads, anastrozole or just the emotional impact of the cancer,  back at the gp's today as my sick note is up on Wednesday.  Really don't think I'm up to dealing with the emotional needs of others yet, but will see what he says.  Still waiting for my skin to fully heal too - I've had some swabs taken but there's no sign of infection so it's just playing a waiting game!  Jane ... View more

Thank you all for your replies - I'm not on any bisphosphonates, nor any of the other medicines on the leaflet.  I'm trying hard to  not take them with cereals, but the timing is difficult.  Think when I'm back at work and having an early breakfast will have to take my Adcal mid morning at work!!   I'm seeing my oncologist mid March so will chat to him then.  I had my treatment privately but the insurance didn't cover the bone density scan so will need to check the GP has sent the results to the oncologist otherwise he will have no idea!  In fact I've had no GP contact me with the results, the adcal just appeared with my monthly repeat prescription!  I did ring the surgery and the receptionist checked my records for me! jane ... View more

Do you know what, there is always a smile on here! 😂 Jane xx ... View more

Hello Lisad - I drove myself most days to my radiotherapy, but did find towards the end I was too tired - it was between 40 mins and an hour each way and I'm not used to driving those distances. I realised I had done too much the day I couldn't remember driving home for part of the journey! I finished 20 sessions on Friday and the fatigue has kicked in along with the soreness, but the four weeks went so quickly. Jane ... View more

Not my birthday!  But will happily accept your birthday wishes in advance of my next birthday!!  Jane xx ... View more

I've always been a bit slow!!! Have sent you a PM Susan!!! Xx ... View more

Happy Saturday to you all!     Emily - I'm here - slept all afternoon after my last radiotherapy yesterday - so have a headache after too much sleep!!  I did do the breath holding - my radiotherapy centre used a technique called deep inspiration breath hold, and it done via a computerised program, where they worked out 80% of my maximum breath hold.  I had to wear goggles in which I could see when I needed to hold my breath and a device like a snorkel moutpiece and a clip on my nose.  It sounds complicated but was fine - I quite liked the fact that I had a job to do.  If for any reason I was unable to hold my breath the machine would pause until I was in the correct hold again.  At the planning ct scan, apparently they can see if your heart or lungs will be affected by the radiotherapy.   re. Facebook - I'm like Scotty on this as have never been on Facebook due to working in a school - I sneak on my husbands if I ever need to access it.  Will have to investigate how to do it - can I use a pseudonym!!! Unfortunately I no longer have any children at home to guide me through it!   wI'll have to have a deeper read of all I missed yesterday, and will touch base later.  Have my first counselling appt today so feeling a bit apprehensive at the moment.   jane X  ... View more

Thank you all - I slept so deeply until 6.00 pm, woke up for a couple hours then was off again!  Think my body has given in after 4 months of sleepless nights.  I even went back to sleep after the anastrozole induced hot flushes in the night.  Now awake with a 'too much sleep' hangover!  Have my first counselling session today - feeling a bit apprehensive to say the least. Hoping the roads are clear too as the snow is now coming down. jane X  ... View more

Well that's me done and dusted with radiotherapy. Mixed feelings today really - had a little weep on my way there this morning but held it together with the lovely staff at the radiotherapy centre - took them some chocs too as everyone has all been so good. Now lying on the sofa with a cup of tea, little dog and hot water bottle and think I might have a nap as my eyes feel very heavy! Hope you are all ok. Jane x ... View more

I know exactly where you're coming from. Just got in after my 20th rads session and Im feeling tired, sore and tearful! My husband has just said I need to be positive now it's all over and I bit his poor head off! He did then explain himself a bit better, but I think it's so difficult for anyone who hasn't had cancer to completely understand our feelings of vulnerability. I have an oncology appointment in March. Jane ... View more

Ali - so funny - wonder how many of us on here are going to have a bath to relax in!!! ... View more

Thanks Helena - thought of you this morning as I called in at a garden centre a little bit in the opposite direction from home after my rads and a sign said Birmingham 10 miles!! Not too far away! jane X ... View more

I think I must be the only one, over 2 months after the surgery, not to be comfortable in a bra! I've had troublesome cording below my breast and the bra is just too uncomfortable and since my rads even my secret support vest is uncomfortable, so just wearing a loose cotton vest. Problem is the dressing I have for my blisters needs to be held on with something - can't be taped because the skin is too fragile - I'm ok if I don't move, but keep finding squares of polymem around the house! Only 2 more sessions - never before has my breast had so much attention paid to it - had 2 of the radiologists closely examining my blistered nipple today - unfortunately my boosters are over the nipple too. Polly - my BCN suggested some counselling sessions as I'm struggling emotionally a bit, not sure how much is the emotional trauma of a cancer diagnosis and how much is a side effect of the anastrozole. Now the rads are coming to an end, the fact there was a query over the other breast is growing in my mind - I'm having an MRI in May so they can compare it to the one in November - feels at the moment like its a never ending stress. Have my first session on Saturday. Jane ... View more

Can I ask if a toasted tea cake counts as one of my five a day. There was lots of fruit in it - I stopped on the way home from rads and before I knew it i ordered a toasted tea cake to go with my coffee - I only used half of the butter though! I did make a healthy curry for tea - used coconut oil to fry the Chicken and onions, added curry powder, garlic, tinned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, Apple and raisins - and froze half for another day before we had seconds! ... View more

Can I join in too please! Rubycat I went to weightwatchers and achieved my target March 15 and seem to have also found 2 stone from somewhere! Getting the weeble look I think! My appetite has been terrible since my diagnosis, forced down little bits of food for a month and only lost 3 pounds - how does that work. My metabolism is so slow so tips on how to help would be appreciated please. Still not got a good appetite for healthy food but craving carbs, so need to reduce these and hide the rest of the Christmas biscuits! Jane ... View more

Well I read this thread backwards this morning and thought for a moment we had a topless photo Em!!!  The funny thing is they look at bit like mine at the moment - different sizes and different colours!! 🤗.   Helena - hope your working Thursday is ok.    Stru - I had terrible headaches when I started on the anastrozole - for about two weeks I was taking pain killers before i got out of bed in the morning.  They are much better now though, but I have started with pain in my hips and ankles which is a really odd ache that comes on out of nowhere, seems to be mainly at night at the moment.   I've never been one for taking pills but paracetamol and ibuprofen seem to be on the shopping list weekly at the moment.  I take mine at night and have hot flushes from about 2.00 am - I was thinking of trying to take it in the morning but the last week I've had flushes during the day too so don't think it will make any difference.  I'm still getting pain in my breast, and unfortunately it does get worse for a while with rads - apparently it disrupts the nerve endings that are still healing after surgery.   More Physio news for you Stru too - yesterday the Physio didn't give me more exercises but she massaged the cording to try to stretch it that was, and she also massaged the parts of my breast that have tightened up during radiotherapy, and then manually stretched my shoulder out.  It was really sore, but felt better afterwards if that makes sense - if anyone had told me 4 months ago that is be lying on a couch with a Physio massaging my chest I'd never have believed them!   My skin seemed to be holding up really well but I now have a sore blistered nipple and another blister coming at one end of my scar - was given some dressings yesterday, so will see how it goes.   Susan, Lexxy and Sarah - hope you are all ok today.   Jo and Ali - well done both of you.  Your positivity shines through all your posts.   Emma - hope you had a better day yesterday - sending a big hug.   Alex - how are you feeling now?   Elizabeth - hope you have a positive appointment with your oncologist - don't worry about being looked after for a few days, I'm sure it's what your Mum will want to do.   will check in later - just realised I need to get a wriggle on - 3 more days to go!   Jane x         ... View more