Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi AliBongoWaffle,   Sorry to hear that you need to return for a biopsy, and then wait on results again. It's not an easy time for you. Will be thinking of you on Thursday.   Take care xx ... View more

Hi AliBongoWaffle (great name!),   My appointment at the breast clinic was at 5.30pm. I had no idea until I got there that it was a 'One Stop Clinic' where they aim to do as many tests as necessary at that time. This approach does seem to be fairly common, so maybe you could check prior to your appointment. I was at the clinic for 2 hours, had mammogram, consultant review, ultrasound, core biopsies then back to the consultant. I was given an appointment then for the following week to get my results.   I went alone to this appointment as I wasn't expecting any of the above. I would recommend taking someone along with you for moral support, if you can.   Best wishes to you xx ... View more

Hi Discopanda,   Phew, that's a huge relief for you!   Best wishes xx ... View more

Hi Discopanda,   Hope you are okay. How did you get on at your appointment yesterday? xx ... View more

Hi Discopanda,   Sorry to hear that you are going through this. I understand how scared and worried you just be feeling. I just wanted to say that I'll be thinking of you today. Have you got someone to come to your appointment with you? I wonder if the pain you are experiencing is as a result of the Drs prodding and poking?   Best wishes xxx ... View more

Hi Bikerbloke, I was thinking of you both yesterday. At least you have a plan of treatment now which makes things a little easier. I hope that you are all as ok as you can be. Orlando will still be there a few months down the line and will be something to look forward to. Best wishes to you all. You'll be really well supported here xx ... View more

 Hi Crocrazy,   I'm a few weeks ahead of you in terms of all of this, having finished radiotherapy before christmas. What you describe about not knowing how you feel summed up exactly how I felt at the start of the year. I wanted someone to tell me what I should do and how I should feel. I kind of just muddled along really! I went back to work 3 weeks after rads and was incredibly anxious about this. I'm a nurse and my job is stressful and physically demanding. Initially, I found things difficult in that I felt I could only cope with being one part of 'me' at a time, because I was so tired. If I 'd worked for example, that felt like my priority role for that day, but I still needed to be Mum. The multitude of household tasks weren't going to do themselves either! I did feel pretty overwhelmed at times. Fast forward a few weeks and everything is so much better! Work is, and always will be, tiring. It's a different tiredness now though, not the post-radiotherapy exhaustion, that definitely gets better. I  recognise the psychological benefits to me of being around people and doing my job. I'm so lucky to have fantastic colleagues who have been so lovely and supportive. I feel much more like ME again. It is still such early days for you. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body and take your time. You will get there. It certainly doesn't help when you're feeling poorly either, and it's so cold outside.  Very best wishes to you xx ... View more

Bikerbloke,   Just wanted to say hi also. I think it"s great that you have posted - my husband has been really supportive but he wouldn't have thought to look for a site such as this. I'm glad that you are finding support here already. Like Helena, I didn't start posting on here until I was a few weeks post surgery, but I was very glad that I did. I finished active treatment at the end of last year. I have a daughter aged 13 and a son aged 11. There are information booklets here that you can download or order regarding talking to your children about cancer, if you need to. There's also one for school. The waiting for results will seem like an eternity and the best thing is to try and carry on with things as 'normal' if you can, which it sounds as though you are. Not easy all of the time I know.    Thinking of you and your wife. Best wishes xx ... View more

Hi Leeanne,   Hope that you managed to have a comfortable night and get some sleep. It's a huge feeling of relief to have the surgery over and done with. Make sure that you have plenty of rest and keep up with the painkillers now. Listen to your body and sleep when you need to, the anaesthetic can take its toll as well as the surgery.  Are you in hospital still?   Best wishes for your recovery. Be sure to take things easy. Fingers crossed too for your results. Let us know how you get on. Sending you a gentle hug xx ... View more

riversidedawn,   That sounds EXACTLY the same as life in my house!! I empathise with you too! I'm working my full hours now, but as shorter shifts. It's a lot easier than it was to start with but I do get very tired. My husband often asks me why I'm so tired!!   Best wishes xx ... View more

E45 worked well for me too. Keep it in the fridge so it's nice and cool to apply. Good luck with rads xx ... View more

Hi Ms Henderson,   I've just read your post from yesterday so you must have had your last radiotherapy session now. Congratulations, are you doing anything nice to celebrate? I finished radiotherapy 6 weeks ago and am pretty much getting on with life as usual. I didn't suffer particularly with side effects although my skin remains dry and itchy. I had a review with my oncologist last week and he advised to continue moisturizing 2-3 months post treatment. I also make sure that I drink plenty of water. I remember feeling especially tired at the end of treatment and for the next couple of weeks. Just listen to your body and if you need to take it easy, then do. It sounds as though you are doing this. I just feel tired on the days I go to work now, which I did before anyway as I'm a nurse so it's physically demanding!   Best wishes to you and take things easy for a while xx ... View more

Hi Rosie,   Good to hear that you are doing well post diagnosis and treatment. This is a lovely idea and I wish you all the best xx ... View more

Hi,   I was interested to read the article.  I returned to work a couple of weeks ago, having surgery in September and October, and completing radiotherapy mid December. I work as a Sister on a very busy acute paediatric unit. I did attempt to return to work between surgery and radiotherapy but Occ Health said not to. One of the reasons for this (that I am struggling with now) is that it is policy at the NHS trust where I work to use annual leave for a phased return. I feel that I'm trying to do the right thing in moving forward and resume 'normality', but I'm exhausted, my breast which was moderately painful is now very painful, and next week I'll be back to my normal hours as my leave is used up! The only saving grace is that I work part-time or this would be impossible. I usually work a 12.5 hour shift but there is just no way I'm ready yet. My manager has been very supportive and I can work shorter shifts for as long as I need. This is great, but then I have to do more shifts and therefore more trips to and from work (40 min drive each way). It's always crazily busy too, you can't take things easy.  I have lovely, supportive colleagues thank goodness. Add the demands of family life into the equation (2 children, 13 and 11) and it's becoming a little stressful. On the days I work, I've learned very quickly that that's all I can do that day (don"t pop to Tesco on the way home then put the Hoover round and do the washing, I learned the hard way!) I really feel as though I need a clone right now as I'm struggling to make everything work. I'm sure it will get easier in time. I hope.    Ceebee, I hope you sort something re your shifts. Best wishes xx ... View more

Hi Nix,   My story started with a total duct excision last September. My symptoms were different to yours, I had a significant and spontaneous amount of bleeding from the right nipple, with an "area of concern ' on ultra sound. I assumed that this surgery would sort the problem but pathology showed DCIS. I then had a WLE to achieve clear margins, then radiotherapy which I finished in December.   It's understandable that you are not feeling your usual self at the moment. You are still only a few days post-op and you are waiting for your results which is an additional stress. I was pretty sore after this operation. Don't be too hard on yourself and don't expect too much of yourself either. Take it as easy as you can.   Best wishes and a hug xx ... View more

Mrs D,   Glad to hear that it sounds positive. Hope you hear soon.   Take care xx ... View more

Hi Mrs D,   I was thinking of you yesterday. Sorry to hear that you had to have biopsies taken, but this is the best way to get a definite answer as to whats 's going on. Now you have to wait for your results which is undoubtedly the hardest part, and I can sympathise with you. Have you got a date for your appointment? I tried to carry on as much as normal while I waited for my results (and drank a lot of wine too!) It's not easy though and I hope you don't have to wait too long. You'll get lots of support from this site too.   Best wishes and another hug xx ... View more