Breast Cancer Now Forum

YES!!!! Although I already had the numbness and pain in my left arm a year before I found my cancer. I sort of wondered (after a google search) signs and symptoms of cancer and I met quite a few of them. But at 38 and no family history didn’t think it was. I am being referred to a lymphodemea clinic for my “swollen” arm. I don’t have a swollen arm. Just the pain and numbness and swollen fingers and pain in them. Painkillers don’t seem to work. Weirdly after the surgery- before chemo and radiotherapy I stopped having any pain!? X ... View more

Thank you. It was my first week back at work as well and I was so tired after just one full day and two half days. I chatted to my oncologist and I’m due to see him in clinic in a few weeks. I will take my mum as she actually is supporting my decision to come off the Tamoxifen or at least take a break and see how I feel. I also have been given two different brands and I know some are worse than others. Just don’t know which! I’m kinda joking about my cat. She’s very intuitive and the night before my results she climbed on my lap (a rare thing) and purred. She hates that I spend my days of laying in bed so she jumps on me. Particularly the breast that is affected so it gets me up. My depression has only really been last two years, caused by major events, losing my Nan, a nasty violent relationship, the death of two young friends. I wanted to trade places with them and became morbid as I didn’t understand how a healthy 35 year old lady (on her hen night) went to bed and never woke up. Her young children found her cold. Totally off topic but just trying to explain how I’ve come to view life. It’s cruel, it’s hard, it’s overwhelming. Made a little easier when you have a partner but being single and horribly lonely I am desperate to just have a few healthy happy years. My oncologist knows my medical history-I felt brushed off- that I should be grateful for all that has been done. He said he had to fight with the “board” to get me chemo so I felt rude complaining -I had a couple of moments where I said I wanted to stop. But he is very tunnel visioned. As for breast care nurses. I was not assigned anyone specific and in my area it’s difficult to get to speak to them. Hadn’t known about the breast cancer nurses on here. I’ll give them a call. Thank you for your advice. I feel happy deciding to stop as the pain in my hands is affecting my work and I love my job as I meet people all day and it lifts my mood. Currently living on cystitis sachets, wearing compression gloves and unable to stay awake past 8pm. To think I was an insomniac before all of this!!! Peace and love to all you ladies xx ... View more

Thank you Appletree. I get confused with all the numbers. I might try this calculator thing! But my results were ER8/PR7/HER negative LVI negative oncotype score 23. So I am well aware I need a endocrine therapy. I’m permanently in agony going for a wee. Plus all the symptoms listed below and I’ve only been on them 6 weeks. If anyone knows the way to look at stats to see if I could just come off it. Again I don’t have children and no dependents. Just an12 yr old cat who hates me! So I’d happily take a chance. Can you take breaks? My oncologist is lovely but he just sees me as young and wants to do the best he can which I understand but he doesn’t understand how depressed I am and that I never cared about having cancer (sorry ladies) as I was already severely depressed and saw it as a way out. I still do. Any suggestions? ... View more

Hi I’m new to this forum as I think when I got diagnosed back on 11th April 2018 i went into denial as I didn’t speak to anyone really about the outcome. I was 40 and had been feeling very unwell for a year and was down to 6 stone. I’d had a neck problem and had a little lump on left side of my neck that would swell up and down. Was scanned and told a sebaceous cyst. I only found the lump as it was painful. Was assured nothing much there by doctor but would send me for a biopsy. 2 weeks late I had Stage 1 Grade 3 invasive breast cancer. I didn’t care. I almost felt I had know for a while. Lump on neck was a swollen. Lymph node. In a daze, swept up in the rollercoaster, my mum pretty much talking to the doctors as I just didn’t understand. I had a lumpectomy, 4 weeks of TC chemo regime and I just finished radiotherapy 10 days ago. Been given Tamoxifen. I suddenly feel like I’m 80. I’m so tired I can’t even go back to my career as a dental Hygienist full time. Joint pain, muscle pain, uncontrollable crying, numbness and swelling in left arm as I had a SND which were clear but been told I have lymphodemea-another life long condition, I’m depressed. I am trying counselling. Against my morals I’ve started a very low dose anti-depressant. My cancer is extremely hormone receptive so was made to feel Tamoxifen would be my saviour. Didn’t read side effects. I’m blistering from the radiotherapy so my holiday to centre parcs is looking like I won’t be swimming. I turned 41 on the day of my last radiotherapy. I live alone. I rent. I have no partner. Not many friends. I don’t get out much. I have anxiety. This was not me 3 years. I don’t recognise myself. I now get cysytisis despite drinking 3 litres of water a day. I have problems with my bowels. Today I have not taken my Tamoxifen. I still ache but had more energy. I don’t have a life to fight for. So I am taking my chances as just maybe I’ll get a few years of feeling like pre cancer me -I’d happily trade another :40 odd years just for a few pain free and happy few years. Sorry not very positive but I wish I’d asked so much more. I would have possibly bypassed some of the treatment. I feel ungrateful and I’m sure I’ll get a backlash for my comments but I just wanted to say or at least write out my feelings. Maybe I’m not alone ... View more