Breast Cancer Now Forum

Dear Alison, I am so sorry you feel so bad. I was told not to start the Tamoxifen til after my rads were finished, and even then I waited a week. Please go and see your GP, I promise you this is a temporary state. You are nearly at the end of active treatment, and then can try and settle down. Please please see your GP asap as your emotional state is not 'normal'. Best of luck and thinking of you. x ... View more

I have a very similar cancer to you, had clear nodes etc. 15 radio and then I started the Tamoxifen. After a month I saw the oncologist. I find the hot flushes bearable, and mostly it seems ok. I was also told it was up to me whether I took the Tamoxifen, but I looked at the stats and decided for the sake of my son (I am an unsupported single mum) I would do everything I could to prevent a recurrence. If you can't bear it, there are other options I think. I do hope you find a path you can follow and best of luck. ... View more

The gynae told me to wash with aqueous cream, so far so good. I also when slapping on the E45, slap it on down there as well. I have been on Tamoxifen for nearly two months, and so far so good. Actually feel rather well and stable on it. Was dreading it. ... View more

I kicked my violent, abusive, coercive husband of 23 years out 7 years ago. The relief when he had gone, and I could get things done instead of being continually obstructed, has been immense. I got BC this year, and went through the treatment alone, not too bad at all I know how lucky I am. Youngest has just sailed through his GCSEs, in spite of finding out about the BC in the middle, and I could not be more relieved that I never had to deal with all the neurotic nonsense ex imposed on us as well. He as always worse and more abusive if I was weakened in any way.   Yes, it was lonely trekking off to hospital alone, and I was very private about it with friends and other family too, but I am through the worst now and ready to get up and go, work and generally sort my life out. You will be fine on your own, life is for living, not dealing with a man who is taking out his own feelings of uselessness on you. Mine got into enormous debt and then sat and let me pay the interest via the mortgage for nine years. Coercive control that turns out to be! If only I had known! Good luck ladies.   Unconditional love is just a fantasy designed to keep us in our place. Love is an action not a word or a feeling. If you don't experience love in the form of action, it isn't there. ... View more

Yes, I just have a funny smaller brown freckly bosom with a blue nipple now to show for my adventures. ... View more

Thank you so much lovely ladybowler. I feel happy it is over, and so pleased with my bells.  ... View more

It's over. 15 sessions down and I feel I got off lightly. 2 more weeks while whatever it is works its way through. A life time of sun  block and being careful in the sun, which I am generally. I could not be more grateful for all the care and sweetness of the staff at the various hospitals. I usually research everything, but this time I couldn't be bothered. I figure they know what they are doing and just let them get one with it. Thank you all for everything, every message. And best of luck to anyone still going through rads. ... View more

So pleased it is over for you at last, Meri. ... View more

He is one of those narcissistic personality disorders, believes he is entitled to everything while doing nothing to deserve it! Anyway, I am better than all of this, and need to get past it all. Light at the end of the tunnel now I hope. Thank you for all your encouragement, you lovely ladies. ... View more

I so much appreciate the lovely hug. There is good news as far as the rads is concerned. As I have had no reaction so far, and had #12 last night, the nurse said it was unlikely I would have one now. I don't even feel tired although I am taking it easy today as my whirlwind of a 16 year old son comes home tomorrow, and he is pretty challenging! It is an immense relief, and I feel very much for the other ladies who have found it so tough. I finish on Tuesday, so perhaps should move over to July to receive those lovely ringing bells. I assume I will feel tired afterwards for a bit, but hope not for too long as we go on holiday mid July. Meanwhile the toxic ex thinks he can steal half the house I paid for ... while reserving the privilege of 'not working'. He really is the most peculiarly nasty man. ... View more

Thinking of you. That sounds so painful and difficult. I really feel for you. Are cold compresses any good? ... View more

Hello everyone, I have had number 9 and it all seems to be going quickly, unlike my bloody divorce which has slowed to snail's pace again, adding tremendous stress to the whole bitter cocktail. The BC seems the least of it right now, as if I don't have space in my head fully to think about it. I feel immensely sad and very lonely. My adult children prefer to listen to my reassurance than my requests for help. My son, 25, is positively hostile, reminding me sadly of his father's awful behaviour whenever I was sick. Sorry to have a moan, as in many ways it is going well, I just feel very sad just now. I worry about my poor 16 year old, the most empathetic of my children. He now knows as his GCSEs are over, and his attempts to comfort are so adorable that they make me cry too. He wants to give me a spa day, paid for out of his tiny allowance. The holidays are coming, and i have to put on a brave face for him, and can't just wallow like I do at the moment. Which would probably be a good thing. Anyway, if I didn't have here to expose my rawness, I think it would not be good. Thank you all. ... View more

Thank you for confirming. Read that too although i do wash it off before going in. Itchiness i think was a midge bite as it has gone and i had one on the other breast. Best of luck. I have just had 8 so over half way. Enjoy your weekends. ... View more

I will pop into Boots on the way home for Pitrock. Thanks guys. ... View more

It is odd about Pitrock as it is a mineral? I thought it was the minerals that were the problem for the machine. I just wash mine off before and hope for the best. Also there seems to be some thinking that it doesn't matter too much what you do? ... View more

So far so good. My 8th this afternoon. Some itching, but the E45 deals with that. Can I ask you ladies what the latest on deodorant is? Hot flushes and the weather.... you will understand. As usual the best possible care and consideration in hospital. Also I am lucky enough to have a Maggie's nearby, and booked myself in for counselling (did not work for me so I stopped - just bored myself) and yoga (worked much better, although I burst into tears when the teacher came up behind me unexpectedly and stroked my face with scented oil). Made me feel much better. I do love yoga's effect but was between teachers.  ... View more

Thank you so much. I am starting some counselling at a Maggie centre today, as it is conveniently close to the radiotherapy place. I do have a reasonable lawyer, but am also being advised by a lawyer friend, who described the other side's proposal as 'disgusting'. I do plunge sometimes, but then I float again, knowing that I have done nothing wrong and brought up my lovely kids in spite of him. So on we go, mostly I feel pretty lucky really. ... View more

My tattoo is in my cleavage and like a tiny biro mark, hardly visible. It is odd what makes us react. I had a few bad days last week, but once the radio started I felt I was in a routine and started to get used to it all again. I am dreading going on the tamoxifen afterwards though, as apparently it makes you emotional and I am battling an abusive ex in divorce. Keeping strong is such an effort! ... View more

Thank you so much for the advice. I went straight to a party after yesterday's session, so couldn't. But I will take your advice and do so from now on. Plus drinking more water (and probably less wine). ... View more