Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Dawn, Hope your conference went well today.  I started zoledronic acid injections at the end of Jan.  Once every 6 months for next 3-5 years.  They sound scary, but my onc reckons the pros far outweigh the cons.  I didn’t feel any adverse effects after my 1st treatment, apart from the aches and pains I was getting, but to be honest everyone seems to have had some aches etc, so not sure if that was par for the course anyway & maybe still because of the vitamin d deficiency.  Sometimes still find it all a bit daunting & to some extent just trying to go with it in hope that it’ll all be ok in the end. Have a great weekend. Sending a big hug your way 😘     ... View more

Hi Lisa, I mentioned aches & pains to bc nurse when I was having my 3 monthly check up, so she organised blood tests.  I had previously told my gp about all aches n pains, but he just said it was to be expected - when blood test results came back he prescribed vitamin d3 500mcg. Still have lot stiffness in my hands when I wake each day, but most of the others have eased hugely. Definitely worth asking to get all vitamin levels checked, then hopefully you can find right solution.  Good luck with the decluttering. Drains removed today - such a relief. I’ve got another appointment in 2 weeks to have more fluid put into my expander, then it has to be left for 3 months until the skin is fully stretched before they’ll do last operation - it’s looking like it will be end September, after my holiday.  😘     ... View more

Hi Everyone, Aley - good luck for Thursday & well done on starting your exercise class.  I can’t seem to get back into fitness & now need to give it more time till surgery scars are healed.  Gaby - I bet Wednesday can’t come soon enough.  I was suffering from aching joints, muscles & bones until recently.  Blood tests showed a vitamin d deficiency so after a prescription for some really strong vit d tablets i’m already feeling much better after 2 weeks.  I had been taking daily vit d from chemists, but was prescribed one a little stronger that I only take twice a week.   Well Tuesday is day to have drain removed & I can’t wait.  Hoping I can then get out & about a little more again.   Love to you all xx ... View more

So nice to hear what everyone is up to. Lisa - your holiday pic looks fab as does your hair.  With that kilowatt smile, you can totally rock the short hair!  A day at the races sounds great.  Only did it once & it was a superb day out.  Have fun.   Hey Dawn - again loving the pics.  I admit I have not had any pictures taken since chemo started. Will have to remedy that soon.  Yes am feeling much better thanks.  Had check up yesterday at hospital as i’d Had quite lot pain over weekend, but all was ok & it’s subsided now so feeling much brighter.  Bruises are colourful and still have drain in until Tuesday but otherwise good.  I haven’t yet planned outfit for graduation, but did buy new pair shoes as a start.  I need to get boob pumped up a little so they look a bit more balanced before I start trying anything on & i’m dreading how chunky i’ve got. I hope you enjoy your course. It is still early days getting over everything that’s happened & not surprising your having down days.  Sending you a massive hug xxx Paula - roll on Friday.  Will be listening out for that bell 🔔 🔔 🔔   It was 12 months on Monday since I got my diagnosis & what a year it’s been.  I just hope for each & every one of us on here that the next 12 months are positive and that we muster the courage to start ignoring those little jabbing pains that appear and start living again.  Sending you all love & hugs xxx   ... View more

None of us want to be on here & we’re all facing our own issues, but I promise you it does get easier.  You’ll get used to having drains in & it gets so much easier to manage them.  I originally had surgery last June & have just had another op on 24th May like you.  I’ve got 1 drain this time, but last year I had 2 & getting them taken out was easy and pain free.  If you turn your head the other way, you probably won’t even realise what’s happening.   Dealing with the unknown is one of the worst parts of it.  I would recommend staying away from google but carry on talking on here as we’re all in similar positions and are there to support each other.  You could also try some meditation to keep you calm. Its tough waiting on the results - will be thinking of you & sending positive thoughts your way. Till then, you need lots of rest so look after yourself and take it easy xx ... View more

Hi Everyone, Hope you don’t mind me joining your thread as I have just had an op to put a breast expander in.  I originally had a double mastectomy at the end of June last year with recon.  Unfortunately I had 2 bad infections & lost the left implant.  Then had to wait till after chemo to put it right.  Unfortunately skin had started to stick to my chest wall, hence expander.  Does anyone have any experience of these - have to have saline solution pumped in every 2 weeks to stretch skin.  It’s very sore now and have heard they can be uncomfortable whole time - in this case 3 months before he attempts recon again. Also had fat taken from my tummy to boost other implant so very tender all round. hoping your all having relaxing weekend.   ... View more

Hello Ladies, Thank you all for your kind wishes.  Hello again Kip & thanks to you too. I’m home again after 3 nights in casa NHS.  Food hasn’t improved & I had the ward entirely to myself as all the other ladies were discharged the same day.  I had to stay because they put me on a heavy duty antibiotic by drip as a precaution.  I’m now on oral antibiotics for a further week.   I didn’t have a new implant.  Had to have an expander put in because the skin needs to be stretched before they can put in implant.  They’ll pump in saline solution every 2 weeks until it’s there, then hopefully next op in about 3 months will be final one. Back to having a drain in for 2 weeks and i had some liposuction from my tummy to put some fat into both boobs to stabilise them, so also have very sore & swollen tummy as well as discomfort around boobs. It feels like i’ve gone full circle because it all started with double mastectomy at the end of June last year but at least no chemo now & hopefully a quicker recovery. How are the rads going Gaby - do you many sessions left? Lisa, & Little Pixiie & Aley How are you all? i have booked onto a Moving Forward course starting in July.  I’m hoping it will give a little closure. Well I’ve got hubby home for a week & Harriet is home till tomorrow then she’s off back to Nottingham to celebrate the end of her finals, then it’s graduation in July.  Wow - last 4 years has gone in a flash.   Hope you’ve all had lovely relaxing weekend - shame it’s not been little brighter weather. love to you all xxx   ... View more

Hi All, hope everyone is preparing for a lovely bank holiday weekend.   Lisa - I hope you’ve had a lovely holiday.  Well I am in hospital waiting my operation.  My echo scan didn’t show any major concerns - something about rate of blood being pumped being ever so slightly low but not major.  Will have to have couple follow up appointments at later date, but for now boob op happening. surgeon is not sure if it’ll be straight forward reconstruction or if i’ll Have to have expander put in, then another op in 2/3 months time.  Will find out later today. i’ll be Spending bank holiday weekend here.  CAn’t say i’m Looking forward to it, especially the food, but am keeping my fingers crossed it’s all nearly over. i am feeling much calmer at the moment.  Let’s hope that feeling continues. Xxx ... View more

Hello Ladies, Must be something in the air at the moment with everyone feeling a little down.  I got a date for my op of next Fri and had to go for a pre-op yesterday.  They’re still very concerned about my heart rate which doesn’t seem to be coming down and my liver count still not improving.  My heart scan has been brought forward to next Wed & results of this will decide if i’m allowed to have breast op or not. Had further blood tests to check out my liver too. Have to say I had a mini meltdown on getting back to the car.  And to top it all off, i’ve got horrific cold and sore throat which is now turning into chesty cough.  Will there ever be an end to this **bleep**.... I totally understand how you feel Gaby - it’s something that won’t ever go away completely. I received lots of birthday wishes with people asking if I was feeling better now.  Wish it was that simple! Well, I hope everyone has a good weekend & hopefully this phase of the blues will pass.   Sending lots of love to you all.  Xxx         ... View more

Hi All, Got appointments for cardiology dept.  13 June for 24 hour heart monitor, then 2 July for heart scan.  They did warn me it would be slow to get seen, but at least they are booked in.   No news on the breast op - not sure they’ll still do it if my heart rate stays high??  Gaby - good luck for next week. 15th is my birthday. Will be sending you positive thoughts x Hope everyone enjoyed bank holiday weekend.   Jacqs x ... View more

Lovely to hear from you too.  I think I must have posted at same time as you. - was at hospital for nearly 7 hours with suspected blood clot.  After ultrasound, blood tests, ecg etc, blood cloth was ruled out but I have to see. Cardiologist and have heart echo because my heart rate is too high and even after giving me beta blockers it took quite a while for it to start coming down again.  All ok on boob front though! French boyfriend was soooo quiet.  I think he was freaked out at idea of meeting Harriet’s dad who is tall & dark, but not in least bit intimidating. We’re seeing him again in July at graduation, so hoping he’s gotten over his initial shyness & we can get to know him a little better.   Sounds like great plan for your anniversary. Hope you have a fab time. our anniversary is in September & we’ll be in St Ives Cornwall - there’s an arts and music festival on when we’re there, so looking forward to it.  Just hoping to have op & all other stuff sorted by then. Also going to see mark knopfler at end of May in Manchester.   Enjoy working on your new footstool. It must be so satisfying doing that kind of thing.  I used to work for a leather furniture manufacturer & loved the upholstering and antiquing dept.  Maybe was smell of leather but loved it. Take care my lovely xx     ... View more

Hi Lisa, I’m not working full time yet. Hubby & I have our own business so have been able to just work as & when I feel like it although I did do near enough full time for 2 weeks before Easter.  Now that it’s quietened down, i’m back to doing odd days. My op is to replace the implant I lost last year due to an infection.  I originally had a double mastectomy last June with reconstruction but got infections in both.  They managed to save the right one, but left one had to be removed.   I saw the breast nurse today - most of aches and pains are normal but i’ve Just spent 7 hours in emergency dept.  Initially it was cause they suspected another blood cloth on my leg - I had a clot on my lungs mid way through chemo & just finished blood thinning injections about 5/6 weeks ago.  Have been getting severe cramp in one leg, so they wanted to check.  Turns out there are no signs of blood clots but they are concerned that my heart rate is too high still.  It has been a problem all way through treatment but it’s still. It come down.  They’ve done ecg etc today which was ok, but i’m now going to be referred for a heart echo?? & to see a cardiologist because they say that there must be an underlying reason & it’s feasible chemo has done some damage! It could be a month before I get that appointment though, so have to relax & take it easy again.   We’re near Chorley - in Croston.  My family are all in Hartlepool - not quite as nice as Northumberland, but it’s beautiful here.   Like you I do feel like i’ve Aged.  50 going on 90!   It’s got to start getting better soon. take care & have a great week xxx ... View more

Hello Ladies, I’ve just dropped back in to see how you’re all doing.  I’ve been working quite a lot over the last few weeks as we’ve been super busy making lots of Easter eggs.  My stepdaughter also came home over the Easter holidays & we got the chance to meet her French boyfriend for a few days.  It was so nice to enjoy the sunshine with family & friends.   I’m still waiting for a date to have my op - there are a lot of new cases of bc in my local hospital & i’m on the waiting list to be seen as and when.  It’s totally understandable as it’s almost 12 months since this whole nightmare started for me, so just have to be patient till they can fit me in. I have a check up with the bc team on Tuesday.  Still suffering from lots of aches and pains and ankles keep swelling, so will be good to hear if these things are normal & wondering how long it will all last? Lisa - love your hair pics.  You look fab & definitely rock that short crop.  I’ve also gone without wig for last 2 weeks.  Once the sun appeared it was just too hot to keep wearing it & I got lots of positive comments. Funny you said you were visiting family in Lancashire - I live in Lancashire but my family are in the north east.  It is tough when your family are not close by especially after what we’ve been through in the last 10 months or so.   A Little Pixie - sorry to hear about the osteopenia.  It’s tough trying to get your head around exercising again when your aching so much! Glad to hear your enjoying your time back at work - take it easy though.   Aley - what a lovely image of your cancer sitting in a jar somewhere.  Good luck for the rads. Gaby - fabulous to hear you are now cancer free and do hope the rads go well.  I’ve been using bio oil for a few weeks.  I didn’t like the feeling of massaging my scars to begin with but now do it daily & it’s helping.  Well that’s it for me for now. Love & hugs to you all xx ... View more

Hi Ladies,   Sorry i’ve been very quiet the last couple of weeks.  I reckon it was a shock to the system going back to work 🤪 Gaby I do hope everything went well yesterday & wish you a speedy recovery from surgery.  I’ve been thinking about you 😘   Aley I also hope you’re doing well although it’s still very early days.  Keep up with the exercises ladies because they definitely do help xx I’m still waiting for a date for my final op.  I hope it’s soon.   A Little Pixie & Lisa - you’re both looking great & I love the hair pics.  I’ve been out a few times now without wig but still not feeling confident about it.  Maybe that’s down to 2 little girls whose conversation I overheard - they were trying to decide if I was male or female.  1 decided I was a girl but the other one said I couldn’t be cause I had no hair 😂 😂 😂 .  Out of the mouths of babes & all that... I didn’t think I looked that bad!   My update is that i’ve booked in with a physio because i’ve been getting some severe aches n pains the last 2/3 weeks.  My GP says it’s all muscoskeletal & nothing to worry about.  I have seen other ladies on the forum mention similar issues - have any of you Sep ladies been affected by this.  I wondered if it was because of the bisphosphonate treatment or if it’s just remnants of chemo? Hubby seems to think i’ve developed an allergy to work - who knows, maybe he’s right!    On a more positive. It’s, we’ve just booked a holiday to St Ives Cornwall in September.  Something to look forward to.   Hope you’re all doing well.  Xxx     ... View more

Hi All,   Lisa - I wouldn’t worry too much about your hair at this stage - it’s still early days.  Someone said it’s good to brush it every day as it encourages growth ??? Maybe worth a try.  If not, there are serums you can buy to help stimulate growth.  I’ve got about 1/2 cm - not enough to go without the wig just yet especially as it’s turned so cold again 😬 I’ve just done my 2nd full day at work + 2 1/2 days this week - it’s been pretty tiring so next week only  going to do 2 or 3 1/2 days.     Gaby - as of tonight, I’ve only got 13 injections left to go.  Good luck for your MRI results this week.   Well tomorrow we’re off to Harrogate for an overnight stay.   Couple of hours around a trade show, then the rest of the afternoon to relax - maybe little bit of shopping followed by nice food.  Shame it’s so cold - will need to dig hats back out.     Have a good week everyone xxx ... View more

Hi All, It’s lovely to hear how everyone is doing. Lisa - I hope this week is going ok for you back at work.  I’ve just done a full day but have come home with terrible backache & aching feet ( i’m on feet all day at work ).   Keeno - congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  So good to hear positive news.  I think the aches and pains both you & Lisa mentioned are a common complaint.  I’ve had exact same thing and breast care nurse has reassured me that it’s normal - we need to keep moving and eventually it’ll ease.  Our bodies have endured so much and now just need a lot of tlc. Gaby - glad you’re healing after picc line issues.  Isn’t it bliss to be able to have a soak in the shower after getting them removed.  Simple pleasures 🤪 Aley & Gaby - I had surgery before chemo.  Double mastectomy & recon.  I did take arnica tablets before and after surgery - I was informed it was perfectly safe.  I now use the cream for my bruises - both on my tummy where I have bruising from daily injections & where I had my central line removed as that also bruised badly.   On bra front, I went for crop top / sports bras that I could step / wriggle into as I couldn’t lift my arms above my head.   A Little Pixie - good to hear from you again and so pleased your rads are all finished.  I think we’ve all got similar issues with regards our level of fitness.  I too am trying to get back to cooking real food and I ‘ve started walking a little more, but it’s going to be a slow slog getting back to my pre-chemo fitness level.  Main thing is we’re all headed in the right direction after a very tough 8/9 months. Take care lovely ladies 😘   ... View more

Hi All, It’s lovely to hear how everyone is doing. Lisa - I hope this week is going ok for you back at work.  I’ve just done a full day but have come home with terrible backache & aching feet ( i’m on feet all day at work ).   Keeno - congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  So good to hear positive news.  I think the aches and pains both you & Lisa mentioned are a common complaint.  I’ve had exact same thing and breast care nurse has reassured me that it’s normal - we need to keep moving and eventually it’ll ease.  Our bodies have endured so much and now just need a lot of tlc. Gaby - glad you’re healing after picc line issues.  Isn’t it bliss to be able to have a soak in the shower after getting them removed.  Simple pleasures 🤪 Aley & Gaby - I had surgery before chemo.  Double mastectomy & recon.  I did take arnica tablets before and after surgery - I was informed it was perfectly safe.  I now use the cream for my bruises - both on my tummy where I have bruising from daily injections & where I had my central line removed as that also bruised badly.   On bra front, I went for crop top / sports bras that I could step / wriggle into as I couldn’t lift my arms above my head.   A Little Pixie - good to hear from you again and so pleased your rads are all finished.  I think we’ve all got similar issues with regards our level of fitness.  I too am trying to get back to cooking real food and I ‘ve started walking a little more, but it’s going to be a slow slog getting back to my pre-chemo fitness level.  Main thing is we’re all headed in the right direction after a very tough 8/9 months. Take care lovely ladies 😘   ... View more

Hi Ladies,   Hope you are all all doing well & have made the most of the lovely weather - it was so nice.  I’ve been on a few long walks, but unfortunately it looks like it’s going to turn cold again, so it’ll be back to the woolly hats.   I had my central line removed yesterday.  It’s a little sore & badly bruised but thankfully it’s out & I can now look forward to a couple of months without weekly hospital trips.   Gaby - sorry to hear you had a bad experience getting your picc line removed.  I’m also on blood thinning injections - hope you’re managing ok with them.  It’s not great having to inject every night but only 25 more days to go for me.  Can’t wait - the bruising on my tummy is severe.   Lisa - i’m also planning on going back to work next week.  Part time hours to see how I feel.  It will be nice to have that sense of normality back.  The next couple of months will be busy for us with Easter coming up, so hope I can keep up.   Take care all xxx ... View more

Fantastic news Gaby.  It is a really emotional thing - I had a good cry the day I finished. Hope you recover well from this round.  Get plenty of rest then when you’re feeling a little stronger make sure you have a little celebration to mark the end of it. Enjoy those little kittens & take care. Jacqs xxx ... View more

Hi Lisa, So glad to hear you’re finished with rads.  Hope it doesn’t get too sore.  You do keep thinking that as each area of treatment is over that it’s all finished, but unfortunately it’s never that simple.  I’m 8 weeks past chemo & almost 3 weeks past my bisphosphonate treatment, but still have my central line in.  Have been ringing different depts each day this week to chase up appointment to have it removed, but still nothing.  Very frustrating 😬 As the weather was so lovely yesterday, I went for a 2 hour walk but am suffering for it today.  Everything aches! I think it’s going to take a long while getting back to a better level of fitness. Haven’t psyched myself up to dance fitness classes just yet.  I’m going to spend the weekend with my sister in Cambridge so maybe will just have another weekend relaxing before getting my fat butt in gear. Have a lovely weekend all. xx   ... View more