Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sunflower, I've been on weekly Alendronic Acid for over two years as osteopenia (neck of femur) and osteoporosis (spine) showed up on bone density scan I had a few months after I started on letrozole.  I was also prescribed calcium/vit d daily tablets. After the first dose I felt quite unwell, headachy and tired for a day or so. After the second dose I felt a little bit under the weather for a day. Since then no problems at all, just a bit of a nuisance having to take them first thing and on an empty stomach and having to stay upright for half hour without eating but you get used to it. It's been worth taking it as my follow up bone density scan showed an improvement. I no longer have osteoporosis as it's moved into the osteopenia category and the hip with osteopenia has strengthened as well. So for me definitely worth taking. Still carrying on with the treatment and repeat scan again in two years. Hope it goes well for you too. Sandpiper ... View more

Hi Poppy, Sorry you've been having to manage your bpd and then are having had to deal with breast cancer treatment treatment alongside it, and on your own during covid restrictions as well. An extra layer on top of an extra layer to deal with. No wonder you're vulnerable to sudden black moods. Hope this one has passed and that you felt well enough to get on with your crafts afterwards.  Do you think you'll search out some support for yourself again? Sounds like it could be a help, rather than coping on your own like you've got used to doing. Sending you a hug and look after yourself. Sandpiper x         ... View more

Dear Cumbrian Lady. Hoping your black mood has lifted again by now. Just to say I'm sorry you're going through this - I find it hard when I feel down all of a sudden without much of a reason.  Can you get any support especially as you've gone through all this on your own? The 'someone like me' service on here, Maggies, Macmillan, Penny Brohn Centre helplines or help via your Breast Care Nurse team - if you feel that could help a bit and it's your 'cup of tea'.  Be kind to yourself. Sandpiper x       ... View more

Hello Lbythesea, Welcome to the forum. I had the same diagnosis as you over two years ago now - except had clear margins so only one lot of surgery. I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy over three weeks as this was before they changed over to 5.  I did have a lot of fatigue in the weeks after and it gradually got better without me realising. The radiotherapy goes on working after the sessions have finished and you had a very concentrated course over a week so could be why you the fatigue didn't have time to show up straightaway - if that makes sense. Plus it's all been so drawn out with three lots of surgery with all the stress and worry of that - it's been a long haul for you. Be patient with yourself, don't pressurise yourself, you're doing all the right things - you will get through this ok. Take care of yourself Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi PJB43, I'm sorry you're feeling really low. This cancer treatment business is a marathon even without side effects and recovery from surgery and treatments to add to it all. Probably the travel to and from the radiotherapy sessions are adding to your tiredness as well as the emotional side of it and fatigue being another side effect of rads. It can all add up to being too much, I think.  Hope that the citalopram begins to help lift your mood over the next couple of weeks.  Just don't put any pressure on yourself - you're doing the best you can in the difficult times you are living through. Maybe not looking too far ahead might help a bit  - there's a Reiki saying that I learned from a Macmillan stress and relaxation workshop that helped me - it was 'Take things by the hour'. I have a sticker of that inside the cover of a notebook I use regularly as a reminder. Even now, over two years past diagnosis, it helps.  Aside from your GP is there anyone else who can support you through this? Your breast care nurse, the nurse helpline on here, the 'Someone like me' service here, Maggies? Penny Brohn Cancer Centre have a website with lots of good stuff on it too.  Look after yourself. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi Michelle, Glad you're feeling better now you've got your plan - it's funny isn't it how much better it feels? You've got plenty of time to get yourself organised before surgery - get the kids sorted, fill the freezer, get the home straight, organise practical help and support for yourself post op, shop for new bras, front buttoning pyjamas etc. Check out or post on the surgery section here to see what else would be of help to you. Will you be having surgery as a day case or staying in overnight?  You may have some down times again but you know now that they won't last. Sandpiper x ... View more

Dear Louisa, Sending you a virtual hug and sorry that you are feeling so low. If you read the first paragraph of your message again as if you were speaking about someone else you'd see what a really rough, tough, long and frightening experience you've gone through (if that makes sense). And it's been all through lockdown as well. If I'd had half as tough a time of it as you have had, I'd feel the same. My treatment was pretty straightforward and went smoothly and yet I didn't feel great at the end of it - felt more like a old battered boat left adrift in the sea. It's still early days in your recovery, only February that you finished active treatment which isn't very long seeing as the trauma you've been through . You're may be being hard on yourself by expecting to be feeling grateful.  Give yourself time to rest and to begin to recover. Do you feel able to talk to your fiancé, family or friends about how you are feeling or ring the nurse helplines here, your breast care nurse or places such as Maggies Centres for support or counselling? Don't suffer alone. I've found Maggies Centres very supportive - they really understand. Others here will reply with their suggestions of what has helped them get through this time. This forum is open 24/7 as well. You will get your spark back but you can't rush yourself. Be kind and caring towards yourself and ditch those high expectations. There is a good, but long article that's often recommended on this forum called 'After the treatment's finished - then what? by Dr Peter Harvey (Consultant Clinical Psychologist). I still read my copy from time to time.   Look after yourself Sandpiper x     ... View more

Hi Sarah, I remember I had the same after my lumpectomy in 2019 and it did gradually return to normal after a long time, many months I think.  It was still there when I had radiotherapy and that didn't make it any worse or better. Just left with the scar now and still faint blue left from the dye. Good idea to check it all out with nurses on this website and/or your own breast care nurse for reassurance/advice.  Hope radiotherapy goes well for you. Sandpiper x     ... View more

Hello Michelle, Just saw your message about your diagnosis and feeling low. It's especially hard I think when you're feeling low and it's late at night. Nothing to distract you from your fears and with your little one (ones?) asleep.  I remember when I was first diagnosed over two years ago, how my fears came out in a big way night time and I couldn't sleep. I could almost feel the lump growing but they do grow only very slowly, not enough to feel any difference in three weeks. I'm not a single parent but I am on my own. I remember worrying that I wouldn't be around for my grandchildren for much longer.  Fears just balloon especially in that time before you have your treatment plan. When you have your appointment on 14th you'll know more about what treatment you need to tackle the type of breast cancer that you might have. Often women feel better once they have their treatment plan. Write down questions you want to ask. it might help you to ring the Nurses tomorrow on this website for support in the meantime.  Try to keep away from googling random websites. This website is very good and up to date.  Just sending you a virtual hug. I'm sure you'll get more replies from the morning, more helpful than mine. Hoping you are able to get some sleep tonight, though. Look after yourself, try not to put any pressure on yourself and let us know, if you want to, how you get on. Sandpiper x       ... View more

Hi Sally, Yes I had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which started about two months after surgery and got through it all okay, no major side effects though, but tiredness and a mild skin reaction.  Hope the time passes quickly for you to get your results and they are good.  Rest up and take care of yourself. Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi Smudge15, Yes, the letrozole did work - slowly at first and I was a bit disheartened but speeded it up towards the time my surgery was due. Surgery went fine and will be on letrozole for five years. Radiologist said it was hard to measure change accurately initially on ultrasound as changes small but easier to measure as time went on as there is more shrinkage. The reason I said about women over 70 and above with breast cancer is that some may have health problems similar to your own and may be able to advise as they would be further along in their treatment  than you are now.   Hope your MUGA scan on Thursdayshows good results. Take care Sandpiper x ... View more

Hello Eglis, Just wondered if you had checked out the Radiotherapy thread on Going through breast cancer treatment. The Top tips and practical support thread you posted on is quite quiet. I know you've nearly finished your rads but there are some posts on the Radiotherapy thread that you could connect with. I had radiotherapy late 2019 and I do remember feeling quite emotional during it and found it all a bit surreal.  Sandpiper x ... View more

Hi Smudge15,  I had letrozole for 6 months before surgery to shrink two idc tumours then radiotherapy afterwards. I didn't need chemo or perception though. I didn't have breast pain as a side effect but the letrozole treatment sheet in the packet lists tumour pain as an uncommon side effect (1 in 100). It would be good to contact your breast care nurse/treatment team to talk it over with them and also the Nurse Telephone Helpline on the website would help, especially as you're feeling down because you can't have the chemo/herceptin. It's good that your Body and Bone scan are clear and you're fit enough for surgery as well.  You can't be the only one than is faced with the situation you are in, given that breast cancer is more common in women over 70s so I hope others here can reply as well and support you.  Look after yourself and take each day at a time. Sandpiper x             ... View more

Hi Mish, Fingers crossed for you for Friday - there are lots of benign conditions that are picked up on mammograms as well more suspicious ones. All this waiting is tough, though, and as KitKat says, after breast cancer we know how to worry. Try not to let your worries run away with you - if you are very unlucky and it is a reoccurrence you have been able to get through it all before and can do again if you have to. Hopefully you won't have to. Take care of yourself. Sandpiper x     Look after yourself and ... View more

Dear Billybell, Very good news that the cancer has responded so quickly to letrozole. Good luck for Wednesday surgery - hope all goes well for you after all the worry you've had. Look after yourself and rest up afterwards. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Dear Bcrsally, Just saw your message saying you were having surgery today and not 27th. Wishing you well and have a smooth recovery after all the delays. Take it easy afterwards and don't do too much. Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi Ali, Good to hear back from you. I understand what you mean when you say you feel bit like you've been thrown to the wolves. I felt a bit like that when I finished my active treatment, support all seems to come to a sudden stop. There is a very helpful article that's been recommended on this forum - it's called 'After the Treatment Finishes - Then What?' by Dr Peter Harvey a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. I don't know how to do links but you could look it up on line. He's very supportive and understanding - I have read it lots of time and still find it helpful. You might find it helps you too. You should still able to contact your BCN in the future if you need reassurance. Look after yourself Sandpiper x   ... View more

Hi there, I was on letrozole for six months to shrink two tumours before lumpectomy eighteen months ago to avoid mastectomy. All went well. Tumours shrunk and lymph nodes were still clear too. Follow up mammogram last year fine too. Hope all goes well when you do get your surgery. Take care.  Sandpiper x x               ... View more

Hi Birdyintheuk, Thinking of you - waiting for results is very hard, there's no hurrying up these things. Fingers crossed you will get good news next week. In the meantime take good care of yourself. love Sandpiper x     ... View more

Dear Ali, I had lumpectomy in July 2019 for invasive breast cancer and I did have a hard area under the operation site. It was there for a long time, months and months but it's gone now. Went gradually. I had the scheduled follow up mammogram last July 2020 and it was clear. I also had a lump under where the sentinel node was taken out I also had a hard lump which is still there - I assume it's scar tissue. I had radiotherapy as well which probably added to the. I remember the bruising also lasted a long time and slowly faded. Gone now. Sorry you're feeling so worried and are struggling - it's you that's bruised as well with all of this and having unexpected change of treatment to cope with too. Could you give your breast care nurse a ring to talk it over? love Sandpiper x   ... View more