Breast Cancer Care Forum

I will admit the emotional side of everything I'd been through hit about two months after all my intensive treatment finished and I was planning my return to work. Its still difficult to think about everything I've been through, even with psychology support and medication. I know its going to take a long time, but I've made some good friends in the local support groups. I worked throughout testing for secondaries in my bone, I had just returned to work the first time, fortunately this was ruled out. Then lymphoedema hit with a related cellulitis that is being very stubborn to leave! There never seems to be an end and I feel so unfit physically now as everything hurts! I returned to work for the second time after a final surgery in March, returning this time was much easier, I was offered a phased return but as I had already reduced my hours, I didn't feel I needed it. I worked one week then put into shielding as identified as extremely vulnerable. But its given me more time to rest and I'm not getting as much fatigue or pain as I am less active with not being allowed out for anything! In some ways its been a positive to help my recovery, as it has given me more time I needed emotionally, and I feel so much more like myself now and have reduced medications to a minimum. I had been worried to take more time due to finances as I'd already had a year off, and I've had some decent time with my family at home. I love my job and my friends there, but I know its not the best role for me physically now, so I am looking around, but I want to know whatever I choose to move too is the right decision made looking at all the pro's and cons. I do feel guilty I am not helping out on our frontline, but I dread to think how my family would have coped with it if I'd become ill due to work or worse. ... View more

I'm also a nurse, my manager didn't send me a card or make contact with me while I was having treatment. Emails weren't acknowledged or replied to. I had to involve union rep to get back to work. A few colleagues kept in touch.  Just had more time off to complete some treatment and same has happened again. I'm looking for a new job! I don't talk about my treatment with colleagues, apart from the couple who are friends. I felt so isolated during treatment and my local support group was a lifeline. ... View more

Morning ladies   It feels as though I'm back on the appointment treadmill again.    Have been xrayed as having constant hip pain on one side, then physio (No muscular cause), back to BCN (mine has left unfortunately, and they forgot to tell me an xray had been ordered, until I rang to chase 10 days later), now having urgent skeletal scan next week. Living in hope it's just the anastrazole and Zometa, but I've never really been the lucky one in life! Can't help worrying, especially as I was never scanned despite having lymph involvement, but feel flat more than anything.   Awaitng lymphoedema assessment next week as well.   Just counting down the weeks until I get back to full sickness entitlements! Worked out it all goes back to normal mid September!!!   Just waiting for a date for ovary removal next month will be delighted to have no more zolodex jabs!   Liz ... View more

Hi Sue   Sorry I can't help, I have anastrazole.  Have you had a look at the side effects on the leaflet inside the box   Lxx ... View more

Hi Debi   I dyed mine last week with no problems as I couldn't stand the grey!   I recently met a hairdresser who said you can dye at anytime, she recommended dyes without ammonia, I found one in boots   Liz ... View more

Hi everyone   Had informal report from xray, oncology registrar couldn't see anything nasty on it. But I've still no idea why it is so painful, can't lie on my left side at all. I'm seeing onc mid January, so hopefully she'll have some ideas.    I've also had the go ahead to have my ovaries removed, instead of monthly zolodex, should be in February (they offered me a cancellation on Christmas eve,  I politely declined!)        ... View more

Hi Everyone   Haven't been on for quite a while, had a few problems with logging in but all sorted now.    Sorry to be hear about your current situation Sue. I've just had an xray of my pelvis as I've constant pain on one side, hopefully get results today. Can't help but fear the worst, but balancing that with its probably just nothing. I also lost weight during treatment but it's stabilised now.    Have had a lot of problems with my mood, emotions and anxiety since the intensive treatment finished, GP finally took charge and insisted I have some medication, which is helping. My onc said this part is the hardest, didn't want to agree with her but now I do!   I've just returned to work, I'm finding it hard as I feel under confident, there was an email sent to tell people I was coming back and not to ask about how I am as I was concerned that this would open the floodgates!   Anastrazole has been a challenge, but now I'm in Teva brand it's great, the cheaper ones gave me horrendous side effects   I hope everyone has a nice Christmas, I've got mixed feelings about it as the last year is so fresh in my mind and I find it a  struggle as I feel guilty I'm OK, when some of my new friends have just been told they have spread and are palliative.   Thank you for all the support this year    ... View more

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