Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi Debi,    Wishing you a speedy recovery after surgery tomorrow.  I had node clearance in January and you have to look carefully to find the scar now!   3 more rads sessions to go now, then it's time to plan my return to work in November. Anyone else doing the Moving Forward course? I'm starting one next week so I hope it'll help me to be realistic as I try to return to a more normal life as I know I'll need to pace myself, which I've never been good at!  ... View more

Hi MrsJ13   I've also developed swelling and my tean say its not unusual.    My shoulder is also stiffening, so I am continuing the exercises and massage my physio has showed me (I also had cording after surgery)   Liz ... View more

Well done on finishing, the time will pass quicker than you think.    I'm already halfway through rads, don't know where the days go!  ... View more

Evening ladies,    I've not been getting the alerts for posts so am now in catch up.    Hope everyone is recovering well from chemo, I've got way more energy and being able to taste again means I've been eating everything in sight! Got most of my feeling back in my fingers which is good.    Had session 7 of 20 rads today, does anyone else have breast swelling?  Its like going back to post surgery! They've done another planning scan today due to the level of swelling, as it's increased each day since no 4. They were concerned about a possible infection but there's no evidence of that fortunately.    Started Anastrazole today as well. Oncologist will see me again in October then I'll be put on an open access system where I have to go through the breast care nurses to be seen.    Looking forward to my short break in late September, consultant suggested it would do me good before I go back to work. Just waiting to see occupational health to work out how my return will be managed.    Heard someone ring the bell today, we didn't have this in my chemo unit, I got very tearful as I don't feel it's the end of anything, when looking at ten years of pills and three of injections and infusions. Couldn't even wipe my eyes as I was all lined up 😭 on the rads table.    Trying lots of new things at Maggies during rads, liked tai chi and the choir, but I've confirmed I'm not artistic at all in the art classes!!!        ... View more

Hope everyone is getting on OK with their rads.    I've had to have another planning session after session 7 due to the swelling I'm getting, as they need to redo all the settings on the machine. The level of swelling is similar to post surgery, but is an inflammatory response that happens apparently.    Who said rads were straightforward!  ... View more

Hi Highlandmum3,   Sounds like a horrible experience, I've been given a sheet of exam couch paper to cover myself, likewise am well endowed, but I was told I could have a gown if I wanted that I can bring every day.   I've felt very exposed in the rads room as there are three cameras.. I've asked not to have male staff if at all possible. However I've found the staff in radiology so much more friendly and helpful than the chemo unit. They all apologise for their cold hands and room but with the hot flushes I really don't mind!    It's a shame you have a delay in starting and how distressing this is (I've had this earlier in my treatment plan) , but it sounds like they just want to be safe, a week in my skin is already pink, hot and swollen so I can understand why they want you checked out.   I spent my 50th birthday in hospital unexpectedly during chemo and it is upsetting, but getting the right treatment is essential to reduce the risk of recurrence.   They didn't take my photo, but I'm starting to feel like a parrot with my date of birth and Address.   I haven't had tattoos, I refused so they are using permanent markers and clear dressings to protect them.    Good luck  Liz ... View more

Evening ladies,    I've had my planning scan, look like I could be be used as target 🎯 practice with **bleep** crosses across my chest!! I'm not having permanent tattoos by choice.   I start 20 sessions in the morning. I've also booked into some art and yoga sessions at Maggies during radiotherapy as my family are away. I've never really been any good at art, but thought it sounded fun. If I don't progress from stick figures, then that's OK as well (it was good enough for Lowry)!!!   Good luck on this part of the journey ... View more

Hi,   I've started Zolodex three months ago and I haven't had any side effects at all. I am prescribed EMLA cream as a local anaesthetic which I put on four hours before, so I haven't felt anything. You might also to ask for film dressings to put over the EMLA cream as they aren't in the box anymore!   My child was 11 at diagnosis, just started secondary school and she has coped brilliantly with surgery, chemo and rads about to start. Her only worry with chemo was seeing me with no hair, but I've kept about 40% with cold calling, and she chooses if I wear a wig or scarf when we go out together!   I was 49 at diagnosis, but I'm also considering having my ovaries removed, this means I would stop the Zolodex. I had two grade 2 and one grade one tumours, and tw'o positive nodes.I wasn't offered oncotype as it isnt available  with positive nodes. I was offered a trial (Optima), but refused, it uses a similar test to oncotype, but I chose to throw everything available at it. ... View more

  Hi,   Just to let you know there is an August 2019 thread if anyone starting in August wants to pop over and join in   Xx     ... View more

Hi Christine   I continued to cold cap despite my hair thinning a lot. The second one definitely does more damage.    I'm hoping the hairdresser will be able to blend it when it has grown a bit more.   Liz ... View more

Hair is growing, but its very white! It wasn't white before, just a little bit of grey scattered through looks like it's been growing for a while as some is about an inch long in places! .More on top than anywhere, it'd been cut to  hin length but there are still thin  patches round the back   Roll on 6 months for the hair dye!  ... View more

Hi Ladies   I've started a monthly radiotherapy thread for Augusy starters, I know some of you have already found it.   I've bounbced back well from the 50% dose of Docetaxol, got so much more energy. Ive managed to get home and am enjoying the coast walks and seaside fun with my child and old school friends. Fingers and toes almosat back to normal now from the neuropathy. Got my planning scan on tuesday.   Christine18 - I work permanent nights, and I'll be returning to the same post. My manager suggested some days to start with, but the distance is too far to make it worthwhile. I've never really got back into the swing of sleeping at night anyway. I did ask about the best time to take the daily AI's and my consultant said it was up to me. Ill; be starting them soon so I can see what end of the day gives more side effects   Bramley - in answer to your questions, there are two drugs out there that may be offered, Zolodex and Zoldronic Acid. In the NICE guidance for treating BC it says that:   Discuss the benefits and risks of ovarian function suppression in addition to endocrine therapy with premenopausal women with ER‑positive invasive breast cancer. Explain to women that ovarian function suppression may be most beneficial for those women who are at sufficient risk of disease recurrence to have been offered chemotherapy. (This is the Zolodex injuections every 28 days). I was already having hot flushes for a couple of years, so I've been put on it to send me into full menopause, but my new consultant has agreed I can have my ovaries removed if I wish, which I will be agreeing to as I want to remove the food source for the future!! Havoing the Zolodex also gives them more drug options as there is only one drug for pre-menopausal (Tamoxifen) and four for post (Tamoxifen and the three AI's)!   Zoldronic Acid: guidance says this should be offered as adjuvant therapy to postmenopausal women with node‑positive invasive breast cancer. It should also be offered as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with node‑negative invasive breast cancer and a high risk[1] of recurrence. I've had the first one and had no obvious side effects, but the Docetaxol would probably have masked them anyway! I'm also taking a daily supplement after discussion with my consultant as my Vit D levels were extremely low and had to be treated during chemo.   Hope this helps   Liz ... View more

Hi ladies,    Hope your planning scans went well, I'd be grateful to know how long they took so I can plan how much money to put in the parking machine!   My scan is on the 6th, my family are away for almost three weeks of my four rads so it gives me lots of time to rest and not worry about entertaining a child through the summer holidays. I'll probably nip to maggies each time for a cuppa and company as most of my friends are on holidays as well then! I've already asked the chemo unit when I can start eating all the goats cheese, pate and things they banned during chemo and its in my diary to have a visit to M&S food Hall for a few treats on the 16th!!    I haven't got an exact start date yet, but the consultant did say it would only be a couple of days as I'm having temporary marking not permanent tattoos (my choice which the consultant was supportive of) which I'm grateful for.    I'm stocked up on Aveeno from the GP as well as my skins very dry from chemo and I want to get it as good as it can be before rads start.    Good luck for the next few weeks   Liz x     ... View more

Hi Ladies,    We are now seven days on from last Docetaxol and first Zoldronic Acid. Looking forward to radiotherapy now.    Never noriced any side effects from Zoldronic fortunately. Joint pain much less on 50% dose, just managed with simple analgesia, fatigue has kicked in again hugely this week, but I don't think the heat is helping either! Still getting some neuropathy but it's more manageable this time and is starting to lessen earlier. Main problem is the nerve pain from node clearance and I've less range of movement for radio than I had when I saw consultant, but physio has been working on that this week, again only happened since docetaxol came into the mix!    Still hoping to get home t the North West on Sunday to see my family, they haven't seen me since I was diagnosed in December as my dad's not well enough to travel. Be the furthest I've driven in months, but I know where every cafe is on the way for regular breaks. I'd think nothing of driving 250miles non stop before all this. It'll do my daughter good to see her grandparents as well and the sea is only a few minutes away so I can hopefully start to get out walking again and build up stamina again. There's also lots of nice cafes in n the village so I can have a few treats🍰   Keep wel hydrated in this heat today    Liz     ... View more

Hi Bramley,    Just wanted to wish you good luck for your upcoming surgery   Xx ... View more

Evening ladies   Have seen the oncologist yesterday and they are going ahead with cycle 6 on Friday, but they are lowering the dose further to 50%. Happy about this as I didn't want to have to make a decision to stop chemo so far along.    Im also starting the Zoldronic Acid infusion Friday as well, as she thinks three zolodex is enough to put me into menopause.. I finally got an answer as to how long I will need Zolodex (3 years) but I have the option of ovary removal if I'd prefer, but I don't want to make that decision yet as I want to finish radiotherapy and have some time back at work first.   Hope you are all having a nice week  Xx ... View more

Hi Bramley,    I get copies of all hospital letters as these contain all my diagnostic information, post op results and treatment plans.   It might be worth a call to your breast care nurse to ask for copies of prior appointments and ask for future ones, you are entitled to them x   Liz xx ... View more

Hi Kelly73,   You must be feeling very disheartened after the heart results.  I'm originally from the North West and know Clatterbridge is an excellent centre, so they will give you the best care they can. I considered getting my treatment transferred there for radiotherapy so I could stay with my parents, but it was too disruptive for my family. My friend has also had her breast cancer care there and was very complimentary.    As a healthcare professional I know these decisions are hard to make, but they will want you to have the care that will give you the best outcome in the circumstances with quality of life.   We all worry about stragglers lurking in our bodies no matter what treatment we have had, so you are not alone.    Well done on the wirral walk, my sister is doing the Shine Walk next month in Liverpool for Cancer research, I'm hoping to be there to see her off and get back   Xx ... View more