Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sharon, you will start to feel better in a day or two. If you are on a three weekly cycle you will be able to make plans as normal for the latter half. Don’t suffer the nausea, especially if you are being sick. Give your helpline a ring and get them to tweet your meds. Kx ... View more

Kip your hair looks fab!  Mine is so curly. I hadn’t realised it until the hairdresser showed me the back!  She took a photo.    The roses SEs are just from Lidl or Aldi. Only about £3!!  Just chuck em in a vase!   ... View more

My first haircut!!!   ... View more

Hi Lanejac. Join the March chemo thread. Lots of lovely ladies in the same boat as you!! irk xx ... View more

Hi Kip. The Hope course sounds good. Might see if there is one locally.    It’s been a year since I found my lump, and I had my follow up appointment with the surgical department. All is ok. Not sure how they would know if it wasn’t!!!   Anyway, the doctor confirmed that I would now have yearly mammograms, oncology consult and surgical consult. However, as of the first of April, they surgical team would only see you for one follow up appointment, so no more after the first year!   love to all Kxx ... View more

Hi everyone!  Long time no post, sorry!  I am also struggling to lose the two stone that I put on during treatment. My local cancer charity (Force in Exeter) has put me on a Pulse course at the local sports centre. After an initial assessment I go to the gym twice a week for a group session specifically for people recovering from various illnesses. I also attend a Pulse Pilates session. The best thing is that it includes three months free membership of the local sports centres, so I have been going to Zumba too. I am very slowly beginning to manage to do some exercise and feel so much better!   In addition I have started a low carb diet. Both OH and I have lost over half a stone so far 😁 .    Love to all. Karen XX  ... View more

I put on about two and a half stone during treatment and have just started to lose it!  I am exercising (Zumba, Pilates and gym) and eating a low carb diet. My local cancer support referred me to my local sports centre so I have three months free membership, a support programme and free classes. It has really helped me to gain confidence in starting to exercise again. Maybe your cancer centre does something similar?  Kx ... View more

I lost both my thumbnails as you have described, but the rest of my fingernails just about survived by keeping them cut really short! Kx ... View more

Hi Po,  When were you diagnosed?  It is a year since my diagnosis and I finished treatment (surgery, chemo, rads) in November although I will still have bisphosphonate infusions too. I only began to feel able to start exercising and back to any kind of normality at the end of January. I am due to return to work after Easter, but not full time. I have looked into I’ll health retirement but it would restrict what you could do in the future if you feel well enough. Another alternative might be to ask your employer for a settlement, which is based on your salary and years of service. It allows you to leave with an agreed reference for future employment. Kx ... View more

Love the bridesmaid dress and shoes RedRose 🥰. It is difficult to decide about the hair. You will have plenty more by June, but it will still be quite short. You look great in the wig, but will it always remind you of bc?  Whatever you decide will be the right decision and you will and do look beautiful. Lots of love Kxx ... View more

Red Rose you look magnificent. Love the one with your short hair too. It must be so exciting planning the wedding, and loads better than work!!  I’m not back yet. Still enjoying the lack of stress. I’ll probably have to go back after Easter. Keep posting the photos 👰 Kxxx ... View more

I was given codeine phosphate too for when the Filgrastim pain was really bad. It was worse first cycle then not so bad. Codeine doesn’t suit everyone though. X ... View more

That is reassuring to know Kip. Glad you enjoyed the wedding. What wonderful weather!  Kxx ... View more

Nightmare trying to get on the forum for the last couple of days!!  Wales was fantastic. Did lots of nice flat walks but ache like mad too!!  Am eating and drinking for England this weekend as I want to start diet on Monday. Love to all x ... View more

Re bowel issues!!  I had it both ways, constipated at first, due to steroids, then it he opposite a few days later.  This only happened in the first cycle. I was also prescribed Maxigol/Laxido which keeps you regular!  If you do get diarrhoea make sure you keep an eye on your temp as it could be an infection. Kxx ... View more

Hi Sandraindurham, I’m from June!!  I found FEC pretty predictable. I felt a bit rough for a few days but could guarantee that I would be fine for the second two weeks so could make plans. I expected it to be the same on Docetaxol   Although I didn’t feel sick it did leave me feeling rough and was cumulative. Kxx ... View more

Georgie Gee, lovely to hear your news. My eyebrows are still patchy, not really up to shaping yet!!  Don’t forget that the fashion seems to be for heavy brows, or was that last year and has changed when we weren’t paying attention!!! 🤣 I’ve been for a lovely walk this afternoon along the Ystwyth, about 7.5km. Started at 10 min per km, finished at over 12 on my knees. Still I did it!!  Waiting in the Moho for OH and son to come back from orienteering comp. chucked some chicken and veg in the Remoska with a load of wine. Will be great when they get back. Would love to see your outfit. You will defo have hair by June xxx ... View more

Hi everyone!  I too have developed a hairy face!!  It is fine and fair, so not too noticeable. I do hope it goes, as Shi reports!  Had my legs waxed for the first time in nearly a year last week as we went to a party last weekend. But if a shock as they seem hairier than before!     Ive just started a ‘Pulse’ course for cancer/heart etc rehab. It is great to be getting back into exercise again. We are away next week in our Moho, but I have warned OH that we will be on a low carb diet after that. As he lives on bread he will find it hard 🤣 . I want to lose some weight and regain some stamina before I can face work again.    Love to all xxx ... View more

Ask your gp or cancer centre for Difflam mouthwash. Some people have found salt water or bicarbonate mouthwash is soothing. I also used Igloo gel on the ulcers. I found that my mouth was worst after the first round. I didn’t get ulcers after that although I still suffered taste changes. Kx ... View more

The Picc line won’t interfere with your ability to use your arm as normal I found. I got some very pretty Picc line covers which people thought I was wearing just for fashion, they had no idea it was covering a line!!  However, if you are already suffering with lymphodema should you be doing heavy lifting? Kx ... View more