Breast Cancer Now Forum

I am so glad you got your treatment regardless of the covid.  The rads is normally the easiest bit. It is rare to get really serious side effects or they pass in a year or 2. I was told the s effects would appear after treatment and it was true: had rib pain in the area for almost 3 years but nothing I had to take pain relief for. (common according to this site) On the other hand I had itching starting in the middle of it. I had had a mastectomy so there is sometimes a flap of skin after the surgery: a bit like when your have a tight bra and the skin bulges. I was given a cream and I spent most of the time on my bed with the patio door open (September) getting it in the fresh air as much as possible. Strappy top pulled down covered in cream! The thing is NOT to itch or scratch it as it can turn nasty Follow their instructions exactly and ask ask ask It passed after a couple of weeks I have just been left with a dry patch where the boob was which I cream as often as possible so not that bad really considering what could have happened to me ... View more

Here I am After 4 years But I still query as my chemo went really well. Last year we met another patient in waiting room who had been told the same by the same specialist. She went for a second opinion and guess what got surgery elsewhere! Still alive 5 years later ... View more

I have just seen your post. Hope I am not too late. I had the same type of Bc as you. Triple neg, stage 3 and grade 3. Also chemo, surgery, rads. That was nearly 4 years ago. All went well. You might it better to post on another section eg treatment one as you will get more replies. It sounds like you have been very ill Really sorry to hear that X ... View more

I have been going braless too. It's great but apparently it is not good for your back . When your boobs are supported it helps your spine/back ... View more

Good post. I found out too late that my provider covered miscellaneous expenses such as bus fares . Considering I had about 70 appointments in all this would have been worth claiming ... View more

I was advised to use a zero aluminium one . Got one from Sanex. You can get in Holland and Barrett but soooo pricey ... View more

According to my chiropodist this is very common. My big toe nails darkened and became loose a year later. It was 2 years before she agreed to treat me. In the meantime if you are afraid of making your nails worse use a large emery board rather than scissors to get them trim ... View more

I only saw one after mastectomy. It is impossible to get through to them on the phone. One has left for the EU and the replacement is part-time. The system for anything than the actual surgery, chemo etc does not seem to exist unless you live in an area with a large breast clinic so a city. In a smaller town I was sent to a specialist with rib pain resulting in a scan -not good for health. Also very costly. However in a large town nearby there is a special breast clinic and they have vast experience of these things. I know because I started off there but had to leave as there was a train strike. Next time I would wait to see a nurse there. It may take a while but worth it. ... View more

Actually that sounds ideal. Which one is it? Thanks x ... View more

Thanks. I will have a look . The thing is it is not good for your back to go without a bra over the longer term. But being lopsided is not much better. ... View more

Thanks so much I will have a look. Your nurse sounds very helpful. ... View more

Yes it came on a year or so after the rads ended. It was mild but not often. More recently it is much less often but the pain can be greater and takes my breath away at times but it passes. I think it is going away finally . Depends on the individual ... View more

They will give you anti sickness treatment before you start each chemo session and then to take at home during the time you are "recovering" from the session. If they do not work ask to see your onocologist immediately / I did and got prescribed some other anti sickness tabs. ... View more

I only saw A BC nurse before chemo treatment she explained what was going to happen and then no nurse at all until the surgery It was impossible to get through on the phone to BC nurses and I got help from family and friends only ... View more

Hi Becca I posted a year ago. I am about to go for my second onocology follow up and follow up mammogram . Also my final surgical review. Back at work but only parttime Thank you NHS ... View more

Most not all but most rad patients seem to have the worst side effects at the end of or after their treatment so many people find it possible to work during their rads depending on how long it takes to get to and fro to the place of treatment. The actual treatment takes may be only half an hour including undressing and dressing ... View more

I found very cold and sweet things eg frozen yogurt helped Also mouth wash ... View more

I went to the GP and asked for a Second opinion. I was sent for a PET scan which showed the cancer had spread to lymph glands but was slow growing so continuing with treatment was enough to contain the spread ... View more