Breast Cancer Now Forum

Dear Eeyore, Just so sorry to hear that you've just lost your lovely mum.  Sending you a big hug.  Will be thinking of you, especially for when your mri results come through next week. Take care. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi Nickik, Just bumping your post up as no replies so far from others who have or have had similar difficulties as you.  This section of the forum seems a bit quiet atm. Take care Sandpiper x         ... View more

Hi Nickik, I didn't have the same diagnosis or intensive treatment and surgery as you have had to go through. I do remember being very fatigued (more than just being tired) for several months after radiotherapy.  I hope that someone else who's been through the same or similar to you and can help you more, will respond to your post. Are you able to reduce your hours again to give yourself more recovery time? It sounds like you're doing too much at the moment - everyone is different in how long they take to recover - both emotionally and physically and you've been through a lot. Because you've had cancer you're covered by the Equality Act work wise. Might be worthwhile also to get in touch with your Breast Care Nurse at the hospital to discuss your exhaustion and worries about recovery time. Look after yourself Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hello Mrs Nelly, I sympathise with you - I was on letrozole before surgery to shrink two tumours before surgery. I remember feeling on my own as I wasn't told when follow up appointments would be scheduled and I didn't know what would happen next or when. I did get an ultrasound to check whether the tumours were shrinking. I was told that it takes about three months for these changes to show up on ultrasound, as it is a gradual process. If you have an ultrasound too quickly the changes that are happening won't be visible.  It depends on how your quickly your tumour responds, it's very individual, and some people are on it longer than three months before successful surgery. I would get in touch with your Breast Care Nurse for reassurance and to check out what happens next. Wishing you well. Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi Gaby, I don't know what the answer is either. I'm around the same time post diagnosis as you are. I'm more a quiet worrier, I don't have meltdowns, but night time is my worry time, although it's not out of control. Other times, like you, I don't think too much about recurrences. I remind myself that most breast cancers don't come back and try not to let my fears run away with me. I'd like someone to tell me the cancer is never coming back, as well. Hope someone else can help you more than I can - but thinking of you as it sounds very distressing. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi Sculptor1, Glad to have helped and glad you're doing okay on letrozole now that you've taken the plunge - accord is the brand I have the majority of the time. Hope you continue to do well.  Did you have your hair cut and coloured as you said in your reply to me? Sounds amazing. I'm impressed, as well, that you're able to get back to your sculpture work in your studio.  I'm doing well physically but lacking in inspiration and drive still. Take care Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hello Frances, Sorry you're worried over this palpable but invisible lump. It's hard not to worry once you've had breast cancer treatment isn't it? Hope you get more definite results through soon. It might be worth you ringing one of the nurses on here, in the meantime, to talk it through. I find it hard to know what is normal and what is not, now.  Even after ultrasounds and benign biopsies earlier this year and annual mammograms - have not long had my second year follow up - I still worry, especially at night.  Look after yourself Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi Sculptor1, Your diagnosis and treatment sounds similar to mine - am a couple of years plus further down the road than you are now. I was very thankful not to need chemo, am not sure how I would have coped with that. Just to say, I haven't had any side effects to letrozole at all - no joint pains etc.  I need to take a bone strengthening tablet weekly (alendrotnic acid) and daily calcium/vit d supplement. This is because I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia (low bone density) a few months after starting the letrozole. Bone density scans are recommended at the beginning of taking letrozole and every two years after when on  letrozole. My bones are getting stronger now and no side effects to that medication either. My GP referred me as the hospital hadn't mentioned it. Bone density scans are not scary at all, so don't worry about that either. It's all a lot to take in - going from being healthy and then having to get through all this longer term treatment. Hoping your radiotherapy goes well. I had 15 sessions, which seemed never-ending, but you will get through them. I think that a lot of centres have condensed the number to 5.  I had a mild skin reaction (Aveeno cream was good) and fatigue which lasted a couple of months, so rest and don't overdo it. I did find it all quite weird and surreal. Then all of a sudden, the heavy duty treatment is finished and it can leave you feeling at a bit of loss. Do continue to take good care of yourself if you feel like this - it takes a while to recover both physically and emotionally. Sandiper x       ... View more

Hi, Have been on Letrozole for two and half years and haven't had any problems with bone or joint pain. Bone density scans (which aren't at all scary) are recommended around the beginning of treatment, for a base line reading, and every two years after, while you're on it. This is because letrozole can make bones weaker because it lowers oestrogen. My bone density was low, osteopenia and osteoporosis, ((I had no idea) so I have needed to take Alendronic Acid tablet weekly and daily Calcium/vit D supplement to counteract it. This had helped and my last scan showed an improvement. My GP originally referred me for my first bone density scan as the hospital hadn't mentioned it - it was only that I had read up about it. Anyway, I wish you well with your journey and hope that letrozole suits you. Sandpiper x ... View more

Dear Kelli, Are you home safe and sound after your lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy today?  How did you get on? It has been a whirlwind for you - not enough time to take it all in. Have a good rest Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi Jenniferann, Thanks for the explanation - I was way out in my interpretation!  I'll check it out once I get my results - still waiting. Normal wait is around 2/3 weeks. Think I would have been contacted by now if a problem showed up, I tell myself. Is it 24th that you get your results? I can't scroll back to your earlier messages to check. Hope you're managing and keeping stress at bay. Sandpiper x     ... View more

Hi SammieT, Good that your mammogram was clear and hopefully your biopsy will come back clear as well. How are you feeling now about it all and another wait for results? I had a scare earlier this year and ended up having three biopsies after an ultrasound. I thought at least one of them was bound to be cancer again, but they all showed just benign changes. Fingers crossed for you. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi Poppy, Just asking how you are after that bad fall you had recently.  Such a horrible shock, and especially as you'd been planning a treat for yourself.  Are you still very sore? Sending you a hug or two, if that helps. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi again, Jenniferann, You're right, waiting for results is not easy.  A day seems a long time, let alone nearly 3 weeks in your case. Glad that reading through the different threads on here is helping you. I did that for months before I began to post and I learnt a lot from others' experience. Like a lot of other people, I thought there was only one type of breast cancer. It doesn't take long to learn what all the different abbreviations mean (although I haven't come across the term BIRADS 5). Is it to do with the shortened number of  radiotherapy sessions? I'm doing okay, thanks. I had lumpectomy and radiotherapy in 2019 and on letrozole now. Am waiting on the results of my second post treatment mammograms - so my fingers are firmly crossed and I'm trying not to let my worries run away with me. Take care and and let us know how you get on (if you want to). Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hello Jenniferann, Sorry you're having to deal with all this. I haven't had the same diagnosis as you, and can't advise on chemo as I didn't have that..  Hopefully, someone else whose had a similar diagnosis will see your message and respond soon. You could also ring the Nurse helpline on here, when it re-opens in the morning.  I do remember night times being the worst time - think most of us here have experienced the same. I would say just focus on getting through each day and looking after yourself. When you get your treatment plan you may find you feel better. You will get through this. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Dear Kelli, Am so sorry you're having to go through all this,  just replying to wish you and your dad well. You must be missing your mum so much. I didn't have the same diagnosis as you - mine was invasive grade 2 her- oestrogen +. I  had lumpectomy, radiotherapy and am on letrozole. Am more than two years on now and doing okay.  Once you get going with your treatment you may feel more in control. It's hard - you've gone from caring for your parents to needing care yourself. You've had too much to cope with. Hope others with same diagnosis as you tell you about their treatment. Sounds like you could do with some support, though. Have you been in touch with your Breast Care nurse, the nurses helpline on here, counselling or 'Someone like Me' service, bereavement counselling or Maggies?  Take things easy. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi SammieT, Wishing you well for your appointment tomorrow. Let us know how you get on, if you want to. Take care of yourself. Sandpiper x     ... View more

Dear Bookish, Sometimes it feels too much because it is too much. A hug from me as well. Take special care of yourself. Hope all our hugs are helping you. Sandpiper x       ... View more

Hello SammieT, Sorry to hear about your breast clinic referral and that you're feeling so worried about it but trying to pretend to other people that you're not. Sounds like that's making you feel even more alone. Sorry also that you've lost your dad so recently as well as you mum nine years ago and are missing them so much. Probably those you've told are just as worried as you are but everyone could be just pretending as well. It is hard waiting those two weeks for your first appointment, there's no two ways about it. Most of us on this forum will have done the two week wait. But, the days will go by and you'll get there. Old saying but, take each day at a time - concentrate on getting through tomorrow (Saturday) then through Sunday, and so on. Try to do something to soothe your worries or take your mind off them - walking, talking, music, sport, meditation, anything you would normally enjoy or can concentrate on. Get support from the people in your life who care about you. Remember that the majority of women referral to breast clinic don't have breast cancer and you could well be one of them. There is also a Nurse phone line you could ring, which I think is open on Saturday mornings, as well as on week days. Their phone number is on this website. Remember you're not alone and if, or when, you need support from this forum, someone will reply.  In the meantime, just take care of yourself as best you can.  Let us know how you get on. Sandpiper x     ... View more

Hi Poppy, How are you now?  I've been on weekly Alendronic Acid for two years now plus Adcal (calcium/vit D supplement). Discovered I had low bone density in hip and osteoporosis in spine after I was put on letrozole. I wasn't very keen but I didn't want broken hip in later on as that would be life changing. My latest bone density scan showed an improvement and I don't have the osteoporosis now, just low bone density in spine and improvements in hip as well so am very pleased. Letrozole side effect is bone thinning. For the first two doses felt headachy and fluey,  less so after the second one - after that, no problems or side effects - it's a bit of a pain as you have to take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, then nothing to eat or drink for half hour and stay upright to avoid reflux. I take mine on a Sunday morning when it's quieter and the half hour goes by quickly. I know it's one more thing after everything you've been through but you could just try it for a month or so and see how you feel. Sandpiper x   ... View more