Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Maureen Now that is strange as I was told that Tamoxifen reduces the risk of  osteoporosis in post menopausal women ...so it's one of the benefits..however aramatose inhibitors such as Arimidex definitely increase the risk.   ... View more

Hi Lovely Ladies I have been reading through your posts and I thought that I would give you some reassurance and positive thoughts. As has been said you mostly hear about bad experiences or problems ... so here is mine.   My treatment plan was 15 rads and 4 boosts.. at the moment I have only 3 boosts left to go next week ..the boosts treat a much smaller area. So far, I have had very little side effects - no fatigue at all and still walking miles every day. My boob has sometimes looked slightly pink but I've never felt it hot or burning ..I've had worse sunburn sitting out in the garden for half an hour with no suncream. No pains in it either. The hospital gave me Zerobase cream to put on morning and night and also Betnovate (hydrocortisone) to put on once in the evening. and I've done this without fail. Also I have been drinking more water but I've not been obsessive about it !   As for Tamoxifen, I've also been on that for 8 weeks now, also no side effects and the hospital told me that if there were to be any they show up early on.   Actually I am feeling really well and it might be because I am better hydrated ..so I think I will try to continue with that anyway.   I hope that my story has made you all a little less nervous about the process.. yes, it's a pain going every day, but then so is travelling to work every day !   Hope this has helped ..good luck to you all with your treatment  xx   ... View more

Hi NHS It all makes sense now as I think Mr Barber is one of the few who will have a 4th attempt as most others give up at 3 ..that's why you couldn't find anyone else who had the same experience. It also explains why we both were pain free and felt the surgery was not too bad, even after 4 in such a short space of time, as he's a great surgeon. I was also told that I was very unusual ..and there's you going through the same only a couple of weeks after me !! Remember he told me ..we always get there eventually ..so take heart in that. I also told him last time not to take it personally  but I was glad I wasn't going to see him for a while ..and he said "me too". It's rubbish that you're having to wait so long for the results ..it was only 12 days at St John's ..I would have thought they all used the same Pathology ? I'm in Pitlochry for a couple of nights ..just a wee break before all the radiotherapy starts full on.  You take care I hink about you a lot just now..positive vibes !! Xx ... View more

Hi NJS This is so weird !! Was it Mr Barber who did your surgery at the Western ?  He did 3 of my ops at St Johns in Livingston and I had 1 in Edinburgh.  AND if so, that should give you even more hope as he was successful with me !  Also my radiotherapy will be at the Western !   Had to laugh at the **ittytittybang bang ...that song is going around in my head now using these words ... 👯‍ ♀️ X   ... View more

Hi NJS   I certainly felt very very stressed out when I was told the 3rd op hadn't worked and they would try a 4th and it would be the last attempt. I went straight to my GP that day, burst into tears in his office (my husband had to come in to explain as I could hardly talk through all the sobbing !!) ... I couldn't recognise myself ... I kept thinking ..who is this anxious emotional wreck ? .. thought I was stonger. Anyway, my GP said counselling would be a long wait, so sent me off with Diazepam .. I only ended up taking 6 in total ...but boy,  they helped me sleep that night (and the night before the 4th result) !   However, I don't need them any more or counselling, and I feel much more like myself (I've even started laughing again ..as my face also felt stuck in cry mode !)  and although radiotherapy will be no walk in the park, it's a physical thing to endure and I can cope with that.  I just want to get it all over and done with now.   My planning appt is on the 19th and the daily routine starts on the 28th ..all finished by 27 March. I've also been given Tamoxofin, so far felt no different on them but I suppose it's early days ..though my BC nurse said some women have side effects after the first tablet !   Being at work will keep you busy and help distract your mind hopefully ..as I know you will be counting off the days. One part of you will want the 25th to come quickly, whilst another part will be dreading it  ... yeah we can certainly kick-ass on this cancery cell sh*te ..how dare it interfere with our lives !!   Take care ..positive thoughts your way ..as always  xxx   ... View more

Hi NJS   I hope that I didn't upset you too much ! we are in a very emotional state just now... I think I have shed more tears these last 3 months than I have my whole previous life !  It's not the physical side, as I have always felt quite well, it's the strain on us mentally... I don't think anybody can truly understand ( though those closest to us try their hardest) ..you have to walk a mile in my shoes and that's why I can empathise with you because I have done that walk and have just reached the finish line of this stage a wee bit sooner than you and I'm looking over my shoulder waiting for you to catch up !! ...and you WILL !   Keep going my dear and just think, this time next year, while we may not be millionaires ( as Del boy used to say 🙂 ), it will all be behind us and one way or another we will be back to our normal lives  ... this is just a blip in the road !!   You take care now and I am sending a million positive thoughts and wishes your way !! xxxx     ... View more

Hi NJS Reading your posts is like reading my own story ! I also asked the surgeon to take as much as he possibly could the 4th time and he took 2 shavings and both were clear. I never thought it would ever be succesful, so like you, I started to ask questions about mastectomy and reconstruction so that I was prepared. My boob still looks ok and the scar doesn't look like it's been opened 4 times so I'm happy with the final result. I felt that I was on a hamster wheel and continually running through the nightmare of waiting for surgery, having surgery and then waiting on results so I REALLY know what you are going through and how anxious you must be feeling. I found the only way that I could steel myself to go for that last appointment was to think that no matter the outcome at least I be getting off that damned wheel and would be moving on whether it was mastectomy or radiotherapy.  I didn't expect to get a good result and I did and I dont think that the hospital has seen anyone so happy to be told they are having radiotherapy .. I have my dates for 15 treatments and 4 boosts ..basically all of March. Afterwards the surgeon said to me "we always get there in the end" of course they never say that beforehand, but they wouldn't put you through all this again if they didn't think that there was a good chance of success. I hope with every ounce of my being that you get a good result, please let me know as I will be thinking about you on the 25th ... my heart goes out to you ...you are not alone xxxx      ... View more

Had 4 re-excisions and the last one was successful ..glad that I persevered ! ... View more

Hi NJS I don't know if you have made a decision yet, but just to let you know that I had a 4th re-excision recently and it was successful . ..I'm glad that I persevered as like you I always recovered quickly  If you have any questions I'm here xx ... View more

I'm going in for the 4th re-excision on Friday. Just can't seem to get these clear margins at all...very very nervous now and feeling really down  ... View more

Hi Alb40   Yes ..I feel the same...just wish I could sleep and wake up after it's all over..and life feels normal again. I am the same today ...in fact just thinking about you and me and what we're going through is making me want to start crying again ...never knew I had so much tears in me !  You are not alone ... X     ... View more

Hi Alb40   I seem to be in a constant state of anxiety too. At the moment, It seems to be constantly waiting for more results and just worrying all the time that it is going to be the worst. I'm sure oce we know everything and what the treatment is after the op ..the anxiety should lessen and we will start to feel ..lets get this done and finished  ! ...that's what I'm hoping for anyway .  ... View more

I know how you feel Serenity.. I was given my results on the 18 October (my 43rd wedding anniversary) and I have been having good and bad days all last week. Now have my operation planned for 9 November..can't wait to get this thing cut out off me. A bit down today ..as I was told that it is hormonal and Have to wait for HER2 result which may mean chemotherapy ..when I was thinking I would only need op and radiotherapy. Hoping that it's negative for HER2. ... View more