Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello ladies So have had my first 2 sessions, on Thursday and Friday. The team are lovely, efficient and professional, makes it easier to bear. I sense the 80 mile round trip will fast become a bore however needs must. No side effects although I understand they are more common towards the end of treatment. Have been given an emollient called Zerobase by the radiotherapy team to moisturise my breast before bed and after showering in the morning. 21 treatments left including 8 boosters to the tumour bed. Otherwise I seem to be spending a lot of my time reading, Pinterest-ing and watching Netflix, getting outside when the notion takes me. Is anyone else not working at the moment? Nicola xx ... View more

Hello ladies So have had my first 2 sessions, on Thursday and Friday. The team are lovely, efficient and professional, makes it easier to bear. I sense the 80 mile round trip will fast become a bore however needs must. No side effects although I understand they are more common towards the end of treatment. Have been given an emollient called Zerobase by the radiotherapy team to moisturise my breast before bed and after showering in the morning. 21 treatments left including 8 boosters to the tumour bed. Otherwise I seem to be spending a lot of my time reading, Pinterest-ing and watching Netflix, getting outside when the notion takes me. Is anyone else not working at the moment? Nicola xx ... View more

Thanks Helena 😊 ... View more

Hello ladies My radiotherapy starts on 8th November and have 23 sessions in all, finishing 10th December. Relieved that this next stage of treatment is just around the corner as surgery (WLE & SNB) was 28th August. Got my 3 tattoos at my planning session a week and a half ago and all the “bumf” so am good to go 😊 . The journey to the hospital is the only bit that’s daunting to be honest as it’s it’s an 80 mile round trip. But hey-ho, not much I can do about it! Good luck to you all, may our rads go quickly and uneventfully 😊 . ... View more

Hello ladies I have my first clinical oncology appointment on 4 October when I’ll find out my start date. Should be some time in October though. Just waiting, waiting, waiting, all the time waiting...it’s exhausting 😉 . Nicola xx ... View more

Oh Quaggie, it is really, really s***. I hope you manage to get your head around everything and get the advice you need, Nicola xx ... View more

Hi Linda, thank you ☺️, I managed out again yesterday but it totally knackered me! I suppose it’s like folk have been saying, we’re all unique therefore our recovery will be so too. Hope you managed your walk 😊 ... View more

Hi Thanks for the replies ladies. I ended up going out but was quite nervous, couldn’t believe it. Last Monday was the day before my surgery and I swam 40 lengths, cleaned the house, picked up my mum from the train station 17 miles away and went out for lunch. A week later and I’m worried about going to a couple of local shops 😂 . I wouldn’t have managed walking to them all so drove instead. By the time I got back to the house I was sweating and took your advice Quaggie, I had to go for a wee rest, but I did feel accomplished. Isn’t it strange how much cancer changes things, and so quickly too? Got the guy in the supermarket to pack my bag for me, felt embarrassed doing so though so explained I’d had surgery and had to be careful. I was so aware of anyone coming near me in case of a collision too.   Quaggie, got my appointment through today for my pathology results, it’s Monday 10th September. Been faithfully doing my arm exercises too, I feel they make a difference to my range of movement. I’m sorry to hear you’ve had to have a second surgery, I hope you’re doing okay recovery-wise.   Wombatwoo, it’s great to hear your experience a couple of weeks further along, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think what you said about listening to your body is vital - I have always moved at a million miles an hour but getting cancer has made me slow down and listen to my body. In the early days after diagnosis it meant allowing myself to be sad and cry and having a jammie day if I needed to, and not scold myself about it.   And it’s equally applicable now when I need rest and recuperation.   ElliesMum, I like your idea of easing into things, very much my style at the moment 😊 . I have a history of rushing into doing too much too soon and then suffering the consequences  (after childbirth and previous BBR) but I think getting back into it slowly is defo the order of the day. I hope you enjoy a steady recovery too.   Thanks again for your wisdom ladies, lovely to chat although under sucky circumstances, Nic xx ... View more

Hello ladies I should introduce myself. I’m Nicola, am 42 and I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 20 July through regular screening with the family history clinic. Shock has subsided but disbelief still lingering, can’t believe I’m only 42 and have BC. I know there are loads of women get it younger, but women in my family who have gotten BC have always been older. Anyway, had a WLE and SNB on last Tuesday 28 August, discharged on the same day. In a lot of pain at first, mostly from the SNB site and then from the ‘space’ left where they removed the tumour from. Was on codeine & paracetamol which took the edge off, now just on paracetamol. Haven’t been out of the house yet, was thinking about venturing out today. What’s anyone else’s experience of recovery post op? I know everyone’s different but I feel I need some perspective. I’ve dabbled in some light housework but don’t want to do too much and injure myself. Husband has been awesome doing the majority of chores and my 2 boys (11 and 14) have helped out too. Am I maybe being a bit precious? Thanks in advance Nicola ... View more