Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Debi  Don't worry about the breath hold.  I had to do this and at most you have to hold your breath for 20 seconds.  It does sound hard and you will be asked to practice for a few days before you start 😉 I had a meeting with the rads team a few days before I was due to start so had about 5 days to practice.  If you can't manage 20 seconds just let them know because they can do it in shorter bursts 👍🏻 I think of the 5 of us from Oct 18 I was the only breath hold. It purely depends on where the tumour was, and is a precautionary measure to protect the heart from any damage by raising the chest wall away from the heart. Please don't worry about it, you may not need to do the breath hold. Just focus on your surgery first, and recovering from that 🤗 Feel free to ask more questions as and when. 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Sending you big hugs lisaloo 🤗 🤗 We've all been there and had those exact same thoughts I'm afraid. I wish there was a guarantee so instead you have to make that guarantee for yourself, that your team will do everything they can and you WILL get through this 💪 💪 Be strong and be beautiful 😚 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Lisaloo, what everyone has said here is right - once you know your treatment plan and have a start date, you'll feel a lot better emotionally (daft as that sounds) because you know then that you and your team are fighting this disease.  Just take it one day at a time and use the forum as much as you can.  Nobody wants to find themselves in the situation that we are in, and triple negative is rubbish.  But just look to the success stories  - Shi, for instance, has been an inspiration for the Oct 18 chemo ladies and myself in particular as I was TN too and am now in remission.   No-one will deny that it is a hard journey, but just deal with one day at a time and try to stay positive.   My husband came to every appointment with me and he took notes so I would advise you to take someone with you to every appointment with the oncologist, consultant, etc whenever possible.  I couldn't always concentrate so having him there helped me mentally because I knew he could take in the information while I became a pile of jelly 😉 I know how you feel, this waiting is pants and your mind can't think of anything else other than BC and the what ifs. Have faith in yourself and in your team.  Positivity really is the key.  And a strong support team too, family and friends. I was in a daze for weeks, just going from scan to scan to consultant until I got into the first round of chemo, then it all becomes routine and safe. Oh, I'd also advise you to take note of your reactions to the chemo so that you know what to expect the next time, even if it's something simple as a headache, runny nose, watery eyes. I got through chemo by having post-it notes on my fridge and crossed off every day and every week - it helped me to look forward.  And a jar of joy, where I'd put a note on a piece of paper of something that made me happy or smile that day. You will find your own little ways of getting through, but you will get through, a lot stronger emotionally, and we'll be there waiting for you to celebrate the end of treatment. We're all with you, Lisaloo, holding your hand. FiMIllan xx ... View more

lisaloo I'm so sorry that you find yourself on this forum but please believe me you really are among friends here, and the best sort you can find.  We've all been there or are going through it so can fully understand what you're feeling. My husband found my lump on 31 August last year, my birthday - some birthday present, eh?  I had to get through the weekend before I could go to the GP then waiting for the referral and all the tests.  The waiting is always the hardest part but trust me, you need to do all the scans and tests so that your team can work out the best course of treatment for you.  It was almost 2 months before I started chemo and I was terrified about how much it would grow in the meantime.  My team were excellent and yours will be too.  Trust in them.  I had neo-adjuvant chemo, in order to try to shrink it, then surgery then radiotherapy.  I finished my treatment on 20 June this year.  When I saw the oncologist before chemo no 2 they asked me if I thought the chemo had done anything and when I said I thought it had shrunk they wouldn't believe me.  So they measured it.  And yes, it had shrunk    And by the end of 6 sessions of chemo, the lump in my breast had gone and 3 out of the 6 affected lymph nodes had been "cured" too.  So please look on the positive side, talk to us as much as you want.  I too am in remission, like Shi.  Positive attitude, trust in your team and support from us and your family and friends are so important. We're here for you, Lisaloo xx Fixxx       ... View more

I think, as ever, it depends where you are. When I asked at Derby they said 1 year after surgery, but Chesterfield say 1 year after the end of treatment. Why can't all hospital trusts adopt the same policy? It really can't be that difficult, can it? Oh well, I'll just carry on with the daily checks (hubby wants to join in that too, and seeing as he actually found Humphrey in the first place, I think k I might let go. 🤣 ). Ellies mum, hope you had a fantastic holiday and not too much jetlag. Sorry for being a moaning Minnie today, it's just one of those days. Being sick in the park this morning was the start of a 💩 day. Good news though, my fibroids don't appear to have grown 👍🏻 in fact she said if anything they look smaller than 6 months ago 😁 Love to you all 🤗 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

At last something positive for you then.  That sounds interesting about the armpit laser. I've not heard about that or been offered it. I spoke to the bcn and she said it's too early to worry about anything. Radiotherapy gives se' s for up to a year. She said to just keep moisturizing and massaging it but just keep an eye on it.  And I asked her about my next mammogram, she said it's a year after the end of treatment 😲 so not til next June. Oh joy 🤔 As for the flax seeds, I don't know if they help. I'm going to go without for a bit and see if the sickness disappears first and just cope with the flushes.  Stay 💪 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Oh Aneeebel, I'm sorry to hear that but good that it can be managed. You really have had every thing thrown at you haven't you 🤗 What will the laser treatment do for your scar? My armpit scar is still not right. It's inverted after those 2 humongous seromas I had. But it is improving 😉 .  I'm not sure if the change of brand of my ibandronic tablets is making me sick or the flaxseed I'm eating to help the flushes. I've been feeling sick most mornings but manageable. However today I went for my run but didn't make it back in time 🤢 so when I'm at the hospital later I'll see if I can make an appt with the bcn. Just when you think you're getting somewhere, cancer throws it back in your face 😢 Gosh, where has this month gone? I can't believe it's just s few days to go before we meet up 😁 🤗 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Morning Aneeebel, fingers crossed for your lymphodema clinic this week. I really hope it's not, you don't deserve that on top of everything else. I think i might see if I can get in to see the bcn. I'm a bit concerned about my armpit. I'm sure it's only scar tissue but it's hard and aches a bit. I've got an ultrasound today on my pelvis to check out my fibroids, woohoo 🙄 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

That was beautiful. I can't imagine what it feels like emotionally to lose such a part of yourself but that was just heart wrenching. 💔 😢 🎀 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

It was just a cheap one from eBay, Aneeebel 🤣 I gave it to my nieces for their dressing up box 👠 💍 👗 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

I had a similar experience at our works Christmas do, Badboob. The barmaid asked me if I was the designated driver as I was drinking water, so I replied yes but also because I was on chemo. She nearly fell through the floor. I did have my purple wig on though! Aneeebel, I have bad pains in my feet too but I can't blame letrozole. My ankles don't work when I get up out of bed or off the settee, and my heels hurt most of the time. I know I need to lose weight (I got side traced by the rads and holiday) but this is quite painful, a throbbing most of the time. My flushes weren't too bad before hols but now they're terrible. At least 3 a night. I'm trying all sorts to deal with them but it's a slow old process. Cotton sheets, fan, chill pillow, special mightier, flaxseed, water, etc etc. If anyone has the magic cure please let me know 🤞🏻 Glad to hear the lottie's doing well. I've eaten my raspberries and one lot of peas, the dean's are flowering so not too long for those 🤣 Hope you're all well, and enjoying your holidays (those of you still away). I'm off to work in a bit, back on the diet and exercise, having just done a run 🏃‍ ♀️ .  Have a great day, ladies, whatever you're up to 🤗 😍 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Now that I'd love to see Aneeebel! Do you ever sleep? I see you're still posting early in the morning 😴 My slèeping pattern is way off track this week. Is anyone else suffering with hot flushes and night sweats? Mine have been really bad this week. Mind you, my diet has relaxed quite a bit so if I cut down on the sugar and alcohol the flushes should lessen 🤞🏻 Good job we've had a hot tub this week for me to jump in 🤣 If anybody has the miracle cure for hot flushes can you let me know please 😍 Hope you're all well 🤗 🤗 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Hi ElliesMum, I know it's after the event but in future you could try Skin So Soft dry oil spray by Avon which is supposed to keep the insects away. You can get it through Amazon. My hubby uses it and my stepmum, who lives in Scotland (home of the midges).  💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

I know what you mean Aneeebel. It's almost as if we've been abandoned as we have nothing too serious to whinge about or dread 🤔   So just to cheer you all up I'm sat out in the shade with my sarong on, hat, glasses, factor 50 while sipping on a pink gin 🍹 🤣 👒 Enjoy your lottie Aneeebel 🌽 🍓 🍒 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Hi Ladies   I'm pleased to see you're all doing well.   We're on our way up to Scotland to help my sister move house so Elliesmum our paths will cross momentarily as I think you're on your way home from Edinburgh, if my memory serves me correctly 🚄 . I bet you've missed your little 🐥   Aneeebel, I'm so pleased you had a fantastic holiday 👒 🕶 🌞 Hopefully, you've come back fully recharged and ready to take on the world. I hope the lottie isn't overgrown 🍓 🍅 🥕   Sar_ah, I'm sure you're doing fine. I find I have good and bad days with what I can comprehend or do but I just muddle on. I guess I was fairly lucky in having flexible work hours and an understanding boss (hubby) so it was only Jan and Feb I didn't work too much. Did you phone the unit about the swelling? 🤞🏻   Badboob, hope all is well with you. Have you been out golfing at all recently? 🏌️‍ ♀️   I'm pleased to say that I'm doing ok, a couple of slightly red areas, one small area on my collar bone and the other under my boob. I'm moisturizing 3 times a day and sudacrem on the collar bone. I see what you meant Badboob about the nipple being the colour of liver 🤣 . No pain though 😁 . I do tire a lot more easily now 😴 . Just 1 more week and we'll be off on our jollies to gran canaria 😎 . I can't wait to relax, and spend some time messing about with my nieces. I wasn't too chuffed about the clothes though - tee shirts so I don't get burned 😣     Well ladies, next stop Melrose for me today. I'm not sure why I roped me and hubby into doing this 🤔 Families eh? 😉 😁 😍 💜 Fiona xxx    ... View more

I hope you heard that bell ringing 🛎 🛎 🛎 🛎 and we're all through it now 👍🏻 🥂 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Thank you Ladies, you're all fabulous and I'm so grateful to have got to know you despite the terrible circumstances we found ourselves in. Yep, my skin is holding up really well so far, it's only very slightly pink but it is a bit tender. No vice like feel on the nipple either 👍🏻 . I moisturise 3 times a day and shall continue to do so for a few weeks. I've got a review afterwards so no doubt they'll say the same and reiterate that the peak happens 2 weeks after the end of treatment. I've been given a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers so far at work which made me cry 😢 soppy cow!  Just 2 more hours at work before we head off. Hopefully that bell will be ringing about 3pm so keep your ears open 😂 🛎 🛎 🛎 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more

Thank you Ladies. I'm a bit anxious (understatement) in case it gets postponed due to a machine breakdown 😞 And thank you all for being there for me 🤗 I'm a bit teary today 😢 Hope you're having a fantastic holiday Aneeebel and your knitted knocker is withstanding all that swimming and lounging about 😉 🤗 💕 🎀 💜 Fiona xxx    ... View more

Shi, good luck to you and all the otber fabulous ladies for your Pink Ribbon walk tomorrow 🚶‍ ♀️ 🚶‍ ♀️ 🚶‍ ♀️ . I hope the weather holds out for you, local forecast says sunshine & showers. If I get chance I might pop across as it's only 10 minutes away 😉 💜 Fiona xxx  ... View more