Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies,   I haven’t checked in for a while but thought I’d see how you all are. Good to see some of you getting on with life and fun things.    Im getting giddy at the thought of finishing rads on Friday and ringing that bell. I’ve found rads more tiring than expected and it’s not the travelling as I’m only 3 miles from my hospital. Not too sore though but do have some stabbing pains now and again in the breast being treated. And soreness along my scar line.    Still waiting for some proper hair growth but I’ve ditched the wig for a cap as it was too hot - and I don’t care if my skinhead shocks people 🙂 do those products to encourage hair growth really work? Might need to try one if anyone can recommend.              ... View more

Hi ladies.    Just thought I’d say a quick hello before bed. Still got one more chemo to go as my platelets count was too low to go ahead last week. So back on tues for bloods again. In some ways I don’t mind as my kids have been off for Easter hols so it’s nice not to be having treatment. Need to go ahead soon though so I feel well for centerparcs in 4 weeks time! Plus I want my picc out too.    Gaby - fingers crossed for your biopsy results.    I havent completely lost my hair but I have got a receding fringe so not much hair at the front but some at the sides! I did venture out without a wig when I just looked like I’d had a GI Jane cut, but not any more. I was lucky to have a wig gifted on a Facebook group last month and I love it although it does get uncomfortable after a few hours.    Alittlepixie - enjoy your papier-mâché tomorrow!   Better go to bed. Night night ladies.      ... View more

Sorry not sure how my autocorrect got to “scrubs” - that should have said “active” lol  ... View more

Hi ladies    I’ve not checked in for a while as I was a bit down that a lot of you had finished scrubs treatment and I’ve still a way to go. At least now I feel like I’m getting there..,   Helen - congrats on Hawaii and wedding x   Gaby- I am due to have my final chemo on 4 April and didn’t realise I’d need to keep my picc wound dry after removal. I’m off to centerparcs on 3 May and want to swim. Any advice on when I need the line out to be recovered. They like to keep it in for 3 weeks after chemo but that might be tight for swimming?   My rads should then start in May so I should be finished by June!!! Not the few months I thought it would be when I was diagnosed on 8 Aug.... ... View more

Hi Ladies,   I've been pretty quiet on the forums, as I'm a bit deflated about my extended treatment.   My last surgery (10 Jan) was very short and went well and I even managed a night out on the 11th!. It was a school reunion so I hadn't seen most of the people for 28 years! I don't have a wig and went with my head fluff. Got lots of compliments for being brave etc etc.   I'm booked in to start 4 cycles of T on Thursday, which will take me through to the end of March/early April. Then I'll have rads after that. Hopefully I'll have the results from my last surgery this week too, if there is any remaining DCIS they're talking about a mastectomy after chemo, or losing the nipple...fingers crossed for the all-clear. ... View more

Congratulations Beckett that’s great news! I got my results on Wednesday. A bit complicated. They found some previously undetected pre-cancerous cells (DCIS) in the margins so I was back in yesterday for a cavity shave and to remove tissue from behind my nipple to test - nipple will need removing later if necessary as I wasn’t ready to lose it now. The tumour they removed was about 10cm (reduced from 30cm after FEC chemo) so I have to start chemo again next week or the week after and then rads. The other option was chemo now and mx after but as my recon is pretty good it seems a shame. My surgeon didn’t want to sway my decision but afterwards said it was what he would have recommended so that was reassuring. So although I’m probably cancer free (no node involvement, tumour out) they are being safe by removing the dcis and doing more chemo. ... View more

Well, I wasn't expecting the results I got today! And not in a good way....Turns out I also have pre-cancerous cells (DCIS) which didn't show up on scans previously. So I am booked in for more surgery this Friday. Hopefully I can keep my nipple but I might loose it depending how widespread the cells are...I was also very happy with the cosmetic results from my surgery on 21 Dec so it's disappointing. Oh well, another scar to add to my collection. I'm also now a bit worried that these things can avoid detection - apparently it's because my breast tissue is very dense...   And I am also back with my oncologist next Friday to start chemo again - 4 x T cycles this time, so that takes me through to early April. And then I'll have a course of rads too :-(. Feeling sorry for myself - can you tell... ... View more

Hello ladies. I’ve not been on for a while but thought I’d pop in to see how everyone is. Cat - I think a pregnancy test is in order as it could be possible and you need to know one way or the other. Lack of hair growth is bothering me now. My last FEC chemo was 22 Nov and whilst there are definitely more hairs on my head it’s taking forever to grow. Might look at some of those suggestions. I had my surgery on 21 Dec so just 4 weeks from chemo finishing. I ended up having a LICAP flap where the lump was removed with margins and fat from under my arm used to fill the gap. It did leave me with a long scar back under my arm towards my back but it’s healing well. I went back yesterday to get my results but they’re not back from the lab. Really hoping I don’t need more chemo as it will be T if I do. I’ve felt great these last few days now my scar is healing and I’ve had energy again I guess as the chemo drugs are out of my system. ... View more

Hi ladies. I had my surgery yesterday and don’t feel too bad really - just a bit battered and bruised! Only had a general twice (now and for a SNB in sept) but still find it nerve-wracking when they put you under and you wonder if you’ll wake up again!). Was home by 6pm - WLE and flap. No drains, just a dressing to keep on for a week. Not a great nights sleep as my mind was racing and I couldn’t get comfy as I usually sleep on my front or my left side which were just not possible. But at least I can rest up today as hubby can manage the house and kids. All my Christmas shopping done and presents wrapped as I wanted to be sorted before my op. ... View more

Hi all,   So I finally decided today on what surgery I'm having on Friday! Decided on a WLE with reconstruction on advice of surgeon (and BCN). Should just be in for the day and no drain 🙂 Find out the results on 7 Jan - really hope I don't need more chemo - i'm on a trial and it is a possibility!!!   Hope everyone who's had surgery is recovering well and not in too much discomfort.   ... View more

Hi all, it's been a bit quiet on here lately - hope it just means you're busy getting ready for christmas, and are coping OK with your side effects.   I finally decided today what surgery I am going to have on Friday - WLE with reconstruction. I'll find out the pathology results on 7 January and really hope I don't need to have more chemo...It's been nearly 4 weeks since my last cycle and I don't miss it one bit! I've still got my PICC line in, just incase...Just wish my hair would start to grow back as I didn't get a wig and I'm getting fed up of wearing hats and scarves.         ... View more

Thanks jane. I think I will have mx and recon as it just feels like I’m reducing the risk of recurrence. It will be a longer recovery but I work for myself from home so I can hopefully work when I feel ok and rest when I don’t. ... View more

Gaby - so pleased to hear your genetic test came back negative. Lisa-T, unless you’re triple negative, I don’t think they offer genetic testing unless you are very young and/or have a history of BC in the family. My cysts were aspirated yesterday so no further treatment needed. That’s 3 I’ve had aspirated since diagnosis. I have a feeling I’ll be back there again and again every time I find another lump as I’m always checking now! And I am very cysty.... I finally slept like a log last night. So much so I was woken by my 9 year old at 8:58. He should have been at school by 8:50!!! I quickly got dressed and delivered him. Oops! ... View more

Hi ladies, I thought I should come and join you. Here’s my journey so far: I found a lump in July and was diagnosed in August with triple negative IDC measuring about 30mm. Had a SNB in Sept (nodes tested negative) and started FEC chemo 2 weeks later. Had my last chemo on 22 Nov and mri last Friday. Just been for my results today. Although my tumour could no longer be felt it still is about 24mm in length. My surgeon said I could choose between lumpectomy or nipple sparing mastectomy with implant. My surgery is booked for 21 Dec and I go back on Monday to discuss and decide with my BCN. Im thinking mx at the moment, as I worry about recurrence as I’m triple negative. Now I really need to get organised with buying and wrapping presents, food shopping etc as I’ll be out of action from 21st!! ... View more

Hi all. Just an update from today. Feel so relieved that the lumps I found in my good breast were cysts. Phew. I’m a bit disappointed that the chemo hadn’t shrunk my tumour as much as I and my oncologist thought as it can’t be felt anymore. It was about 30-35mm before and was still 24mm in length (although in 2 bits and flatter than before). I have the option of breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy) or skin and nipple sparing mx with reconstruction. I’m thinking the latter as I’m triple neg and worried about recurrence. But recovery is longer. Surgery booked for 21 Dec so I need to get organised about xmas!!! ... View more

Thanks Lisa-T, I hope it is something similar - I’m feeling a bit better about it now. Maybe some retail therapy tomorrow will help. Need to get organised for Christmas anyway. Hope you get to see wicked on Saturday x ... View more

Hi Gaby, I think someone on this group had something similar with a new lump in other breast and it turned out to be a cyst (I’ll have a read back shortly). I think I’ll call my BCN tomorrow just to make her aware and see if my MRI results are back yet. I am relieved about the genetic test result. Whilst it would have given a reason why, it’s good to know as I have a 13 year old daughter. I had the test done on 10 Oct and they tried to ring me last week but sent a letter instead so that was 7 weeks? ... View more

Hi kath - hope you can get your molar fixed and that it’s not causing too much pain. Sorry to hear some of you are not sleeping well. I tend to sleep ok once I’ve drifted off but sometimes find the drifting off bit hard. Alittlepixie- hope you enjoy your family time. My mum was upset about my hair at first but soon got used to it. Bit of a mixed day for me. I had my post chemo mri on fri and get the results weds so I’m all geared up for the surgery discussion. As my lump had shrunk I was feeling good. But I’ve just had a shower and found a new lump in the other breast! Trying not to worry and at least we’ll have the scan results on weds so will know what’s going on. But it was a shock to find it! Trying to convince myself it’s a cyst or hormonal response to having my mirena coil removed on Friday. On a positive note, my genetic testing results came today - they were negative so that is a big relief in terms of worrying about my 13 year old daughter and my sister. ... View more

I’m very disappointed I still have hairy legs! ... View more