Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi - I’ve been ok on tamoxifen which is good. Hope you are doing ok. Mel x ... View more

Hi Vic,   Really good to hear you’re not sore yet and let’s hope it stays that way:)  xxxx ... View more

Hi all,   Just thought I'd see how everyone is getting on? I had a great holiday, a bit odd staying out the sun and swimming pool but it was really relaxing and just what I needed.  Everything was healing up nicely and I was feeling good but in the last week my skin has broke out under my breast. Think it could be because I've went back to wearing my normal bras? Anyway hope everyone is getting on well and for those who have gone back to work I hope your coping ok  xx ... View more

Hi , So sorry not to have replied sooner ! I don't seem to get notifications to say someone has replied to me !  I didn't have chemo just three lots of  surgery and then the radiotherapy! Radiotherapy finished on the 23rd July so now just trying to get on with things ! Very hard some days and still get emotional ! Counselling going to happen at some stage !  Hope all ok with you and recovery going well xx  ... View more

glad you're feeling a bit better! I think I need to be measured up again for a bra, Ive been using cotton but still had problems and these are  bras I bought for post surgery... @TW142 wrote: Thanks AJAY,   Pleased to report things are a little less swollen this morning due to a long self massage session with bio oil last night. This seems to have dispersed a lot of the fluid where I had a seroma and which seems different every day, and also under my arm where, horror or horrors, I discovered 2 thin strings of cording which I thought had been absorbed several weeks ago. Anyway, the upshot of all that is that I think the armpit discomfort is the result of the boob massage in that the fluid had to go somewhere and as I had 2  lymph nodes removed it's trying to find another route. I actually felt and heard the cords snap last night which was a bit of alarming and now there is general tenderness in the whole area which is not surprising!  I'll keep an eye on things and ring the nurse again in a few days if it's not settled.   Sorry to hear about your rash which is not helped by the recent heat no doubt. Have you tried cotton bras? Miss Mary has some good ones.   Early days indeed! Another nurse wasn't the least bit surprised at my discomfort and just said that radiotherapy is the gift that keeps on giving, often for 6 months or so. So more crap to look forward to!!   Enjoy the rest of the weekend,   Deborah   ... View more

Hi Jackie. Hope you are doing ok. 😊 . Really pleased you got a pay out. I have my letters from surgery that say invasive so am going to send copies of those too. I’m already stressing about going on to half pay so would certainly help if claim upheld. Mines with Scottish Widows. will keep you informed 😊 Mel xx ... View more

Thank you for posting your update.  I am due for surgery next week and its the GA I'm most worried about but you've put my mind at rest a little.   ... View more

Hi Emmylou Firstly, you have been dealt with a shocking blow and there isn't one of us on here who can't relate to the devastation and confusion you are feeling. Your mind will be working overtime working through different scenarios and 'what ifs'. You need to concentrate on you and getting through one day at a time at the moment. I personally decided not to work whilst I am going through treatment and I do not regret it. I had to think of the people I work with and their safety. I have found I forget things - chemo brain I think it's called, what if I forgot to give someone their medication or gave it to the wrong person, the consequences in my job of making mistakes or forgetting can have major implications on others and I am so glad I made the decision not to work. I don't know what job you do and maybe if you made a mistake it would be no great deal but the attitude from your employer does not lead me to think he will be supportive of you; the decision is yours and don't let him pressure you. As for fit notes, I think it says GP's can give a maximum of 3 months at a time, if you will be off for longer they must see you and then they can give you another one, many GP's like to see their patients every month to review their progress and ensure they are getting everything they need. Breast care nurses can also provide fit notes as can chemo nurses at your reviews, my chemo nurse says they can give fit notes for longer than 3 months as they know how long your treatments are going to take - I'll be testing that one at my review next week 😊 . It is right that having cancer is classed as a disability, so your employer must make sure they are acting within the act and can't penalise you for it.   Good luck with your journey and there is always someone on here who can give you the support or advice you need. Don't suffer in silence, talk to us it will help 😊   Joemic x  ... View more

Hiya, I finished rads (x15) on 5th Sept last year and flew to Greece the following day. Not ideal but it was already booked and we were meeting other family members out there and to be honest, I was just desperate to try and draw a line under it all, treatment - holiday - life back to new normal.  Would I recommend it? No, as everyone's treatment and healing are individual and you have to take your own circumstances into account.  Would I personally do it again?  Hell yeah!  Had a brilliant time and if I felt a bit tired, I had a snooze (don't go down the water flume without a rubber ring though, if you hit the water too hard it makes your boob ache. Lesson learned  lol).  My care team gave advice regarding sun & sand etc so factor 50 to the area at all times plus I got some uv proof surf tops to wear over my swim suit. I did swim and was ok with it but I rinsed off after and kept well moisturised.  I kept a careful watch on my skin and if there had been any breaks at all swimming would have been a no no.   BUT, because I was within 12 weeks of surgery (node biopsy), holiday insurance excluded anything BC related. I went armed with a pile of dressings and creams just in case and we knew where the local clinic was if we needed it though we knew we'd have to pay so you must take this into consideration.  So yes, wouldn't recommend you do it, but for me, it was fine.   Whenever you decide to go though, have a fabulous time.  You've earned it. xx    ... View more

Hi Julie,  Looks like Im about a year ahead of you. Had my surgery for lumpectomy and lymph nodes on the 3rd May last year and started rads on the 13th June.  As well as my onc appointment at my local hospital were the procedure was done, I also went to Mt Vernon in Watford for a 2 hour induction session where heaps was explained to a group of 5 of us. I had to travel there every day, just over an hour each way. In the end it all went really well, not too much skin damage, possibly due to the fact I used heaps of AV gel.  In truth I found the whole process fascinating and slightly unreal!  A year down the line I've had my first mammo and there was nothing of concern thank gawd. So from here on in its a case of getting on with living and moving on.  Im the biggest stresshead/drama llama I know, but I got there xxxxx ... View more

Yes I agree it should roll over as you shouldn't be disadvantages by being sick you should also query any bank holiday days that feel during your absence as these should be also be added to your untaken leave  ... View more

👭 👭 use the forum as much as you need 😘 😘 you’ll never be alone 👭 👭 💕 💕 ✨ ✨ Shi xx ... View more

Big hugs sent to you. I’m know all the super chemo ladies on here will be gearing up to support you. I haven’t had chemo myself so I can’t speak from experience but I was fingers crossed for you today and I will be thinking of you as you go through your treatment and come out on top at the other end. ... View more

😘 😘 take all the pain meds and rest up 😘 😘 bit of crazy Amazon shopping helped me through the 🤯🤯🤯Along with my amazing 👭 👭 👭 on here, we’ve got hold of your kylie gold hotpant 👭 👭 👭 😘 😘 💕 💕 ✨ ✨ Shi xx ... View more

Hi Katee   I know how you are feeling. I was the same . Still feel same sometimes but it does get easier. I try keep busy . But do have times when I think why ? But we will get better . Just going to take time . Lots love Jackie 💕 ... View more

Hi Jackie Hope all has gone well today 🥰 Mel xx   ... View more

Hi Choops,  Oh goodness, I think we can all relate to what your saying! Getting the head around it feels surreal at the least.  But, most importantly, the vast majority of us do get through it, get back to life as normal & there’s every reason to be positive.  Outcomes for bc are some of the best around & getting better all the time. Don’t listen to the doom mongers offering uninformed opinions, they really don’t know what they’re talking about 😠 Anyway, welcome to this lovely & supportive gang who between us have been there & done it all, even if we never thought we’d join! ann x         ... View more

Thanks jj , yes it’s pretty hard decision, I’m just trying to weigh it all up. Aintree was just what I needed . Made me feel normal even if it was just one day , paying for it today haha xxc ... View more

It's so worrying isn't it. I too have several chronic illnesses, fibro, arthritis, proplapsed discs x 3, diabetes, and tendonitis in both elbows. Also had heart attacks x2 few years ago. I take so many meds to keep going. I simply don't need the added complication of cancer. ... View more