Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi two steps forward    yes i I decided to stop taking it. I really could not face taking it with the way it made me feel. It took a few weeks for the side effects to to stop but feel so much better. Thank you for your interest x ... View more

Hi Helena   probably not as don’t even have time for lunch at work. Trouble is at this time of year I can’t drink water unless it’s hot and has had a teabag in it 😕. Will give it a go!     ... View more

Hi Jill   yes the commute alone is crippling never mind doing an 8 hour plus day on top.  Back to Occ Health I go and thanks x ... View more

Thanks Jill   thats the problem. As the service is so short staffed they won’t class it as a reasonable adjustment.  I will request an Occ Health referral again on Monday as I have an appraisal and take it from there. Ideally I would like to move to a base which is 5 minutes from where I live not 45 minutes and that’s on a good day! ... View more

Hi ladies   alreay been to Occ Health and there was a recommendation that I move to a nearer base but within the constraints of service requirements! Also told “well you just need to get work fit!” Helpful!! Looking at other jobs but at the moment feel that this might not be a good move. They cannot recruit in our area and have been told they may look at it again if they get more recruits. Bit stuck. Been off sick again this week as felt so drained and ill so that will go down like a sack of spuds.    Suppose just gotta keep going and plan my diary to be kinder to myself ... View more

Anything lose, cotton and front fastening is a god send. Take a pillow for the journey home to put between you and the seat belt and get whoever is driving you to try and avoid potholes as they hurt like hell. Make sure you get sent home with pain relief as I wasn’t and had to go to my GP the day after surgery to get some. Good luck love. Hope all goes well xx ... View more

Hi Lynne71   yes it is a shock! You have certainly been through the mill as a family. Good job you have a warped sense of humour as it will certainly help.   Keep using the forum as I found it invaluable. I am 5 months post surgery and back at work this week which was a huge shock to the system.    Once you you have had your surgery then the next part of the plan kicks in. You will feel a bit better once you have a plan and know what you are dealing with. You sound like you are doing well but at times it can be bravado!   Good luck with the rest of your journey. The lovely ladies on here are very supportive    Hugs x ... View more

Welcome to this group and sorry that you find yourself here.    There are varied side effects and not everyone gets them and it’s affects people differently. Indigestion is common.   On another note, what does it matter what others think? You have had a Breast cancer diagnosis and it can tak some getting used to. Anxiety is also a common side effect of some of the drugs. Might be worth looking at alternative methods of relaxation such as meditation, mindfulness etc. Talk about how you are feeling with others as this can help. I wish you well on the rest of your journey. Use the forum as it is a valuable source of information and support. You can also contact the Someone Like Me team and speak to a volunteer.    Good luck x ... View more

Hi  I had my mammogram in February which picked up the beastie. With tests, scans etc I finally had surgery on 1st May. Felt like a very long process. Like you I had a stage 2. Very treatable and surgery will get rid of it. They will discuss a treatment plan with you and it will most likely be radiotherapy followed by hormone treatment. They will hav the full facts when they have tested it after removal.   You will see your wee boy grow up. By the sound of it, it’s been caught early. The BCN are brill and they will not give you false hope. You will be stressed and that is totally normal. It does take some sinking in!    I am am pleased that you have found the forum as it is valuable. There is a facility to be able to talk to volunteers as well ho have been through the process. Sometimes it’s good to talk to someone who is not emotionally involved with you.    Good lcuk and and huge hugs with the rest of your journey xx ... View more

Hi All   personally, and I may get shot down in flames, but life is short and yes we have all had the dreaded C but having to be so particular about diet as well as the treatments etc.  I think it’s all about balance and trying to look after yourself but why be miserable and deny yourself something you enjoy. I do know that grapefruit reacts with a number of medicines but enjoy the chocolate, the wine and live. I am not saying that we should all be rolling around drunk but a nice glass of wine (or whatever your tipple is) won’t hurt.    My GP said that Breast cancer is very common and there are a lot of factors to take into account and whilst there may be lifestyle or genetic factors, one will truly never know the catalyst.    Best wishes x ... View more

Hi Helena   am willing to give anything a go and am due to pick up the prescription today. Can’t believe the price difference, just a mere £88! A box of Letrozole costs £2:30 whereas the Femara is £90! Have told my GP that if there is no difference then I will take the generic to make sure they are not forking out too much. However the GP did say if I need it then I need it.    Wish me luck x ... View more

My GP has just agreed to prescribe me Femara despite not being convinced it will make a difference. However having spoken to others they have had less side effects on the Femara than the generics.  Wasnt going to take them at all but saw on a hospital letter sent to GP only that I had multiple lesions and not just one like they told me. I will be having words at my next appointment next week.  So I am now taking the tablets with this new knowledge  ... View more

Hi Wendy, yes at times very tearful. Listened to a song the other day and one line in it had me blubbing. Devils drug this! ... View more

My GP has just agreed to prescribe me Femara despite being unconvinced there will be a difference. However having spoken to others they have reported less side effects on Femara as opposed to the generics. I am willing to give it a try as the side effects are pants but not everyone gets the same side effects and some are unaffected  In relation to the others AI,s I think it may depend on the consultant. Been told that the NHS is trying to stop the prescription of Femara due to cost. Think it all boils down to how much it is.    Good luck ... View more

Hi Marla13   i would definitely advise surgery for any thyroid condition over the radioactive iodine. I didn’t have a choice as it was cancer. The surgery was a breeze to be honest.  Stress certainly doesn’t help anything.  Good luck with the rest of your journey x ... View more

Hi Marla13   I was so pleased to see your reply to this thread. I also had radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer and this was completely dismissed by the surgeon who did my breast op. I distinctly remember the oncology team when I had my iodine treatment saying that it could cause a cancer elsewhere. I have also read that there may be a link between the two cancers also and that it may be genetic. Personally I think no matter what you do in terms of keeping as healthy as possible will stop this rotten disease as there are people out there that do all the “wrong” things and live long and disease free lives. So yes it’s not clear cut   Hugs x ... View more

I would echo the post from SueC. I can’t advise you as in a quandary myself. I had a grade 2 cancer with no node involvement and radiotherapy. The surgeon said he had done all that he could to stop anybecurrance in my right breast but the drugs would stop recurrence in the left. Still debating another drug.  ... View more