Breast Cancer Now Forum

Am still taking the letrozole, almost 4 years now, and don’t have any side effects I can attribute to the medication that I wouldn’t  have anyway with the general ageing process.  Have just had my yearly check up and the mammogram showed micro calcifications of dcis.  I’d already had a lumpectomy and ancillary nodes removed 4 years ago.  The stereotactic core biopsy was one of the most horrible and traumatic tests I’ve had through all this, the local anaesthetic just didn’t cut it for me.  Anyhoo, seeing the surgeon next week about my options, I know another lumpectomy will be offered, but I can’t be bothered again …. Just take it this time.   ... View more

I’m sorry to hear this Helen, it must be very distressing for you. I was 46 at diagnosis with teenage step-children. Have you discussed your fear of recurrence with your oncologist? In the end it’s a bit of a lottery though. I had some counselling which helped.  Perhaps focus on creating and recording lots of memories with your children that they (and hopefully also you) can look back on in the future. Sending you my best wishes.  ... View more

I’ve had 2 lots of lipofilling by different surgeons.  One procedure was very successful, the other is still causing me endless problems (fat necrosis and scarring) and is not reversible.  Be warned - it is far from risk free and, in my view, is highly dependent on the surgeon’s “artistic” skill and some luck.  The surgeon who did the good op told me that fat from certain parts of the body is better quality for this procedure and produces a better result.  He told me that tummy fat was the least successful type, and the best type to use is from around the knees! We compromised and he took fat from my inner thighs, which has left a small dent.  But that fat definitely took better than the tummy fat injected by the other surgeon. It’s also better to do a small bit first and then add more later that try to output put in too much fat at once.  Be warned also you will get some truly dramatic bruising at both harvesting and injection sites! Good luck - hope you get the result you are looking for. ... View more

Hi Yorkshire Tyke - thank you for sharing this update, it’s so frustrating isn’t it. I started with Teva, they stopped making 20mg so I moved to Wockhardt and now that one is having problems. You might like to see the following thread that has started https://forum.breastcancernow.org/t5/Hormone-therapy/Swapping-Tamoxifen-brand-from-Wockhardt-to-Tillomed-I-ll-update/m-p/1344318#M45553 Best wishes Evie xx ... View more

Thank you Annie, I've just read your message on the dedications xx ... View more

I couldn't agree with you more Chirpy! In that if you think about how many women *do* eat dairy (my mother and late grandmother, for example) and DO NOT develop BC-it cannot possibly be that dairy is such an important predisposing factor. Studies would have to demonstrate that dairy is an important contributing factor (for certain women)-with other predisposing factors, before we can really take this "opinion" as fact.   Sorry to hear you had such a stressful year prior to your diagnosis. I have no doubt that stress plays a part, and am sure it did for me too. xxx ... View more

I was debating for ages if I should have the injections rather than have my overies out especially as I haven’t had children yet but decided just to go for it in the end along with a hysterectomy!! I have just had a bone density scan a couple of days ago so they can monitor my bones every couple of years and know from this starting scan if any deterioration. Lack o led eastrogen has many health complications I’m finding out now!!!!!! But a reoccurrence or new cancer would be worse so I have to keep reminding myself that it was a good thing to do!! ... View more

Just to say that i can strongly recommend laser hair removal - it isn’t cheap but it can be life changing.  But make sure you go somewhere reputable where they are fully trained and will do all necessary tests on your skin tan levels. You can buy at-home laser hair removal devices now (in Boots and other stores) but I haven’t tried these personally.   ... View more

Hello - the chemo drugs can give you terrible depression and anxiety.  It’s just another physical side effect they can cause, but I don’t think this is properly explained - at least it wasn’t to me.  Please do let your breast care nurse, consultant, chemo unit or GP know as they can prescribe something to improve your mood.  I found my mood suddenly lifted about 3 or 4 weeks after i stopped chemo.  I also know the frustration of people telling you to “be positive” or similar.  They have no clue.  Unfortunately you can’t really understand this until you have been through it yourself.  Does your hospital have a support unit (e.g. Maggies) where you could access a support group, counselling or complementary therapies?  Or could you get to a branch of The Haven?  They offer free therapies such as reflexology, aromatherapy massage, acupuncture etc which some people find helps them to cope better with treatment.  I was advised to take up yoga which i thought was a mad suggestion - but it really works!  When i was awake all night and anxious after chemo infusions (it’s the steroids ...), I sat up watching comedy box sets on All4 and iPlayer which distracted me a little from worrying. Or listening to audio books or podcasts can help send you off to sleep.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  No need to worry about the future today.  You will have plenty of time to plan the next stage of your life once you have finished all your treatment.  For now, just focus on coping with today. That’s enough. You are on benefits at the moment because you need to be and you are entitled to be. No need to feel bad about that at all.  It is what the benefits system is there for.  Call the BCC helpline or Macmillan if you need to speak to someone who understands.  Take care of yourself.  Xx ... View more

I think they will only do an oncotype test if you are node negative.  Conversely, if you are node positive chemo is normally recommended.  Interesting that your onc thinks you are borderline - maybe the tumour in your sentinal node was very small and/or your tumour is low grade?  I think this is a decision you will need to take in consultation with your oncologist.  Ask for some statistics on what extra survival benefit chemo might give in your case.  I just wanted to say - as someone who has had chemo - that there is no need to be terrified.  It isn’t something to volunteer for obviously, but it isn’t that bad either.  They have a lot of medications now to relieve side effects.  It just made me feel jet lagged/hungover which is not great but you can cope with it. I carried on doing most things throughout, including using busy public transport, shopping, theatre, dining out etc.  I worked part-time.  My hair fell out, but has grown back quickly.  So ladies, if chemo is recommended for you please don’t worry too much - you will be fine.    ... View more

I had SNB on 5th March. I had pain, tightness in that arm and it felt sort of sore. I also had a little piece of cording in my armpit. I did my exercises and massaged it, and the cording, and it went and felt fine by the time I had my DMX and DIEP reconstruction on 29th April.   As more nodes were removed during the op, I have exactly the same sensations in that arm. I'm going to do the sane things as before and trust that things will return to normal like before. Because I had the double mastectomy, I have strange "sore" sensations on the other side as well, but not those relating to the lymphatic system as nothing was removed on that side.   Having done a lot of research before this (and my experience with the SNB), I know things will get better as long as we keep up the exercises etc., it's just going to take time and we've got to be patient.  xxx ... View more

Hi again Pauline, flower   Oooooo, I'm so glad your daughters doing well. Am also pleased you got your cording sorted and are also now letting your own hair down! or show without wig. How lovely for you to be so recognised, regarded on your sons 30th. You must have felt so touched and chuffed. One of my arms, the underside of the upper form armpit, has remained permanently numb from 1st mast and ANC 2006, but only slightly, just a bit weird. Thumb and two next fingers to, have reduced touch sensation, but not much of a prob though. Awww, your poor friend. Stll she's nearly there, and is lucky to have you supporting and cheering her on. Glad you've had support elsewhere. Didn't know if you'd tried a few other threads on here. Good luck on the viewing tomorrow   Lotsa love Pauly xxxx Love to everyone else too xxxx   ... View more

Thank you very much for the feedback and apologises for the issues with the survey.   I've now added a 'None of the above' option to that question so I hope the problem is now resolved.    Best wishes, Georgia ... View more

Thank you, Sunflower. I hadn't heard that. Most people on here seem to be treated in some form or other quite quickly after diagnosis, though it took them nearly 2 months to decide how many areas I had (multi focal). They started me on Letrozole when I went back for my lymph node results. I thought I was doing OK the first two weeks and may get away quite lightly. This is the third week though and side effects are kicking in now!!   Just over 3weeks to go to the op. How are you doing? Have I imagined it or read that your op is on 16th. I remember the date because I have a preop appointment with the surgeon whose doing the reconstruction on that date. Feeling quite weary now and brain fog becoming a bit if a problem, so I could be wrong re you dates/situation. Xxx ... View more