Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sparkle54  Yes, annual mammogram usually one year after surgery. May be worth phoning your team if don’t hear anything soon.  Jowels - so happy to see your positive news!! Does this mean you are still planning to do the GNR? Let us know if we can sponsor you?  For those of you on Facebook really recommend joining BRiC private group (Building Resilience in Cancer). It is a brilliant, supportive group of women who have all experienced breast cancer - the focus is support, help and building emotional and mental resilience. Check it out (there is also a public page with lots of helpful info). They are currently organising get togethers across the country to build a supportive network of women... I’ve booked the Nottingham one for next weekend but there are lots of others being planned across the UK.  Best wishes to all xx    ... View more

Hi everyone! Hope you are all keeping safe and well? Would be lovely to hear from you ... crazy to think that it will be nearly a year since the end of chemo!  I finally finished my Herceptin injections in April and now wait to see when my reconstruction will be. Not likely to be any time soon due to the covid back log however...was told they have only just started reconstruction clinics again after they were put on hold for 12 months.  After many months of deliberating, I have finally given in my notice and will be taking early retirement from September. Not an easy decision but I am sure the right one for me moving forward. How have you all got on with returning to work etc? And getting over covid anxiety? I only started doing my own shopping about a month ago and haven’t eaten out in a restaurant yet.... hard to switch your mindset after being told to shield for a year.  Love to all xx      ... View more

Hi Gem oh exciting that your hair is growing back! I bought a wig but never wore it in the end because of lockdown and not going anywhere other than the hospital.  Mine is also growing back slowly, although a completely different texture (chemo curl) and very very grey! I really don’t look like me 🙄   I am also thinking of colouring but wondered if you had any tips about which brand to use etc? I’ve coloured it in the past but feeling anxious about damaging it given it’s taken so long to grow!  Thanks so much xx  ... View more

Best of luck with the new job Gem. Will keep everything crossed for you x  Had my first AZ jab last week in my thigh because of lymphodema risk - very sore for a few days afterwards and a few flu like symptoms but delighted to have had it.  Has everyone else had an opportunity to have the vaccine yet?  Hope all doing well xx  ... View more

Hi Gem and Jowels and thanks so much for your lovely messages and support. It means a lot 😘 Your new job sounds really interesting Gem... hope that it is everything you hope for and more x  Hope all is good with you too Jowels and doing ok balancing work and home schooling.  I am excited to get my first cv19 vaccine jab next week ... hopefully the start of a return to “normality” at some later point this year.  Take care and keep safe.  Lots of love xx    ... View more

Hey everyone! What wonderful news Jowels!  So happy for you!  😍  How are you doing?  Are you managing with work and home schooling etc?  Can't imagine how hard that is to juggle!  And congratulations Gem on your new job - brilliant to have secured a new post in this economic climate and whilst you've been dealing with so much. What's your new role involve? Well as you may recall I also got the all clear from my mammogram back in December although things have not gone completely smoothly! 1 week before the mammogram was due I realised that I had an inverted nipple on the "bad" breast.  I called BCN who advised going to mammogram anyway and get the results.  As you can imagine I was thinking the worse! The radiologist was fantastic and she got me an appointment to see a Consultant the following week.  Long story short....found out on Friday that the nipple inversion is due to radiotherapy effects and the fat necrosis issue I had after surgery.  Sadly, the reconstruction I had done at the same time that the cancer was removed has failed. To my astonishment, the breast surgeon believes it is fixable by injecting fat into the breast from my stomach etc - liposuction!  They won't do anything at the moment as the effects of radiotherapy can take a year to settle down, and obviously because of covid restrictions - but hopefully later in the year.   I obviously am not relishing further surgery but happy that they think it is fixable as to be honest it doesn't look great!   This has left me with a bit of a dilemma about work and whether to start back knowing I will have to be off again later in the year or whether to look at early retirement options.  They want to refer me to Occupational Health so I guess I will see how that goes. Anyway - thanks for listening; not many places I feel able to share like this Lots of love to everyone xx  ... View more

On a more positive note - great that your mammogram was clear Tracy 🙂 ... View more

So sorry to read this Tracy! Wishing your hubby a speedy recovery and that you keep safe and well.  2020 - what a 💩 year!! Take care xxx  ... View more

Hi Tracy Keeping everything crossed for you and Witchazel for your mammogram results 🤞 🤞 Scanxiety is such a real thing! I had my mammogram last week...the radiographer was lovely as I explained my cancer journey over the last 3 years. I had some concerns about changes in the breast and she was wonderful and arranged for me to see the consultant this week.  To cut a long story short, I had an ultrasound and a thorough examination and coupled with the mammo was given the all clear!  I have scar tissue damage and mild lymphedema in the breast. The BCN has shown my how to massage the boob to try and help with swelling and tissue damage. Just so relieved that no cancer was found and I am finally looking forward to Christmas.  Thinking of you all and hope your forthcoming mammograms are straight forward and you don’t have to wait too long for results.  Take care everyone xx  ... View more

Belated birthday greetings to Nat and Gem 🍰 🥂 Your local beach looks stunning Gem! I am in Derbyshire so land locked and very jealous of those of you close to the sea!  Totally get your emotions around your cancerversary Jowels. I have my mammogram next week and am bricking it as this is how my tumour was picked up last year! On the other hand, I know it is always better to know! Got various lumps and bumps since surgery, rads and fat necrosis issue which I will be glad to get checked out.  We are also in level 3 so not a lot happening (feels like it has since March) although it’s my hubby’s birthday tomorrow and I have ordered a special afternoon tea for him to celebrate! Extremely grateful to have had him and my daughters at home this year as would have gone a bit stir crazy without them 🤪 Thinking of you all  Lots of love xx    ... View more

Great news Jowels - so pleased for you 👏 👏 🥳 Hope you are ok Nat and have been able to get checked over?  I was back at hospital yesterday for my 10th Herceptin injection- only 8 more to go! Ward very busy with 60 minute wait- I believe there are around 600 staff off sick at the Trust currently - no doubt fatigue and stress from the last covid wave and the current one. My nurse usually works in theatres but had come on the chemo ward to help out. So grateful to have received treatment during such a difficult time for all NHS staff.  Thinking of those of you who have returned to work - take it steady and make sure you put yourself first. It’s amazing how quickly colleagues forget what you’ve been off with and just expect you to carry on as normal. So be kind to yourself in the weeks and months ahead.  I am making no decision about returning to work until the New Year. Will keep you posted!  Take care everyone xx ... View more

Hi Jowels, lovely to hear from you. Hope that your phased return to work goes smoothly.  Also good luck with your scan - sure your bc nurse is right and it will be scar tissue/damage from surgery and rads but always good to get checked out.  I too was recently experiencing pain in treatment side and got the oncologist to look at it for peace of mind. Again, she said it was probably rads damage. I do think that the higher dose of rads over the 5 sessions may be a factor.  All going steady here; I am signed off work until after Christmas and will review after that. I am weighing up my options as after having bc twice in 2 years my priorities have changed... I have Herceptin injections until next April so will see what develops.  Would be interested to know what has happened with everyone’s mammogram appointments? My annual check up is due but heard nothing. Didn’t know if it was because I am stilled classed as in treatment because of Herceptin?  Hope everyone is doing well?  All good wishes 😘 💕   ... View more

Congratulations Nat 👏 👏 👏 🎉 🥳 Such a great feeling to have finished! Rest up now and keep moisturising as can take a couple of weeks for rads to settle down.  How is everyone else doing?  The sun is shining here today so plan to get some fresh air later. Looks like a long winter ahead with more local lockdowns so trying to get out when I can.  lots of love to all xx   ... View more

Brilliant news Gem! So pleased for you 😘 👏 👏 😍 ... View more

Hi Jowels. Great to hear from you! Very pleased that you are going out a bit more and slowly building back your confidence. Great too that you are out running. Diagnosis and treatment really does knock self esteem doesn’t it and we just don’t look the same either!  I too have been out a little more including some alfresco meals. And had a friend over for a garden visit. Lovely to feel a bit more normal!  My hair is slowly returning but it still isn’t long enough to go out without a hat or scarf. I got myself a bucket hat which my daughter is eyeing up! Never thought I’d be wearing something she is coveting 🤣 🤣 I have just finished 5 weeks of complimentary therapy which was fantastic and has really helped with anxiety and overall mood. I found reiki healing particularly beneficial and had the best nights sleep - 9 hours straight! Sleep generally is not great; either awake because of night sweats or head spinning...fortunately not planning to go back to work for a while but it would be nice not to see 5am each morning!  Anyway, hope everyone is taking it easy and easing yourself back into the new “normal” after such an intense period of appointments and treatment. We should all be so proud of ourselves 😘 👏 👏 but also cut ourselves a bit of slack ❤️ ❤️ Breast cancer is traumatic and it is really hard to just pick up from where we left off.  Take care everyone x  ... View more

Hi Posden I was 51 when diagnosed with Er+ and then 53 when diagnosed with new primary in other breast which was Er- I am still classed as peri menopausal All the best x  ... View more

 p.s We managed to grow a sunflower for the first time ever!  ... View more

Hi Gem333 Well done on taking those small steps back to “normality”. I haven’t been in a shop since lockdown and probably won’t for a bit. I did go and see my sister the other day which was great... again not seen her since lockdown started as she is an hour away and a key worker. It was great to be able to talk in person rather than via a video call.  I have been feeling quite anxious about going out or having people in my garden but know I need to and last week was a good start.  I know what you mean about hating the lack of hair. I think because my chemo started in February I could wear lots of hats and it not be an issue. Now it is warmer I do feel more conscious about being bald and maybe this is also part of my reticence about going out. I can’t hide the fact that I am a cancer patient- and my appearance announces it to the whole world- whether I want people to know or not! I do have a wig but not dared wear it out yet...another milestone to cross!  Jowels- sorry to hear you are struggling with lack of sleep and rads pains. Good on you for asking for help .. it is not easy but has to be done! My boob is quite red and sore and I get stabbing pains which the radiologist said is damage to nerve endings. I can’t wear a bra as scar line is very red due to rads so yes it is uncomfortable and a bit limiting. But like everything... it will eventually settle down. At least the skin has not broken open again which is a massive relief!  I was lucky enough to have a head, neck and shoulder massage last week via my hospital...it was fab! And I had the best night sleep probably since diagnosis! Hope to have reflexology before my next Herceptin injection on Weds.  Thinking of everyone and how well we have done to get this far during such a difficult time. Take care everyone and stay safe ❤️ ❤️ ... View more

Hi Jowels Sorry to hear about your disturbed sleep... not helped by the heat either!  I have been on Tamoxifen for over 2 years now and found it was a good few months for symptoms to settle. When do you take the pill? I only ask because at the start I was having lots of night sweats and nurse suggested taking tablet last thing at night rather than each morning... definitely worked for me. I know that other women swear by a cool/chill pillow which I think you can buy on line.  I also had joint pain, particularly in the knees and found exercise the best way to tackle this.  Oh the joys of cancer eh! Hope you find something to help!  My skin is also pink from rads and can’t wear anything apart from vest tops at the moment. Just grateful that rads could go ahead in the end.  I am trying to pace myself and keep reminding myself that I have just completed 8 months of treatment and I don’t need to push myself to do things! I appreciate however that it is very difficult when you have a young child.... hope you are able to get some help and support. I have learnt that sometimes you need to spell out to those closest to you what you need from them rather than hoping they’ll offer!  I am feeling really grateful at the moment...been offered some complimentary therapy through my hospital- 4 sessions in total. It’s a long story but really down to a wonderful nurse who supported me when I had my wobble during CT scan. The sessions are only just starting up again due to cv19 and she has got me included on the list...what a star 🌟   I am sticking to staying at home at the moment although a day trip to see my sister is on the cards as we haven’t seen one another since February. I am also thinking about having people visit in the garden for the first time since lockdown...think it will help me find a new sense of “normal” although it does scare me a bit.  What is everyone else up to?  Hope you are all keeping safe and well xx    ... View more