Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you everyone for your kind messages. I have re-written this message a thousand times but I think all I need to say is thank you. X ... View more

Hi Claire What kind words, thank you.  Me and my sister have set up a gofundme for money for Breast Cancer Now as it has helped me and my mum so much. We set it up 2 days ago and already raised £1230! Xx ... View more

My mum sadly passed away on 03.02.2020 at home with her family by her side. I have been with her from the start and have seen the courage she hold on to for so long, which I have also soon throughout this group.   i wish everyone all the best to a healthy and happy future and thank you everyone for your amazing support throughout. Xx ... View more

Hi all   hope everyone is powering through.  Not so great news from me in regards to my mum. She suffered from a large seizure on nye whilst in a&e after I took her there after a few days of feeling dizzy. Ct confirmed it has spread to brain. My mums cancer is particularly aggressive and it is quite rare for this type of spread in the short amount of time since diagnosis. She had 5 rounds of radiotherapy and was about to start chemo again but unfortunately she has deteriorated too much and prognosis is very poor.   I was hesitant to post on here as I do not want to scare people, but it is not to scare people but to update everyone and just shows the harsh reality of what destruction cancer can cause.  It’s so nice to hear of everyone who is getting through treatment and seeing an end at this dark tunnel. Hope everyone stays well and thank you for your support amidst the dark clouds.  xx ... View more

This is really good to hear Kath and I wish you all the best x ... View more

Claire it’s strange you say that my mum has developed an allergy with plasters too.. she suffers from diarrhoea towards the start and end of cycle with bad cramps but no more than 3 times a day   I’m sorry to hear you’re in hospital purpletrunks but like you say the best place to be for you now, and hopefully you’ll be feeling good for Christmas Day !  my mum is waiting for the results from her bone scan (she had it last Thursday) after they picked up something on her spine (confirmed) next chemo is on weds and I am taking her to the garden centre to see the Christmas decs!  my brother coming back from uni for Christmas too so she is looking forward to that x ... View more

Purple trunks, saying that her leg hair fell out but is growing back too as well! She hasn’t lost all hair just thinned. She has fair eyebrows and they’re still intact, not sure about eyelashes as she has straight short ones which have been passed down to me :)!. They’re are some great tutorials on eyebrows. I have bought my mum a hat with a built in wig so will update, she was worried it would be uncomfortable but the hair is like a halo so hopefully soft on the head. X ... View more

Hi all,   my mums side effects below midway through round 3, docetaxol, herceptin and pertuzumab: hair loss - started coming out end of cycle one  periods stopped - she hasn’t had a period, she had pms but it just passed (she is 45, but I have seen periods stopping temporarily is a side effect)  Achy legs and joints around day 3  dry, flaky skin diarrhoea for a few days at the start and end of cycle  weird taste changes second to third day, loss of taste but this returns    I hope this helps, and is not like the horror stories we see! We prepared for everything and I even got her some quesey drop sweets for nausea and she hasn’t had to have them yet!  ... View more

I can’t give any advice as I haven’t been through the treatment however I go with my mum each time, and she says please don’t be scared. It’s actually natural to feel anxious as her heart rate is so high she has lorazepam now to calm her heart rate down (as they know it’s due to anxiety). The worst side effect she has had is achy joints, so it does effect everyone differently and we did read many horror stories so prepared for the worst!  I’m so pleased you will finish chemo next month, and I wish you and everyone all the best with treatment.  Xx ... View more

Hi Emzlew   my mum is currently going through  Docetaxel,  Herceptin and Pertuzumab. She has just finished her 3rd round with minimal side effects. They give her the pertuzumab first on the first day, followed by herceptin and then Docetaxol the day after (this is sometimes done separate days too, but we did have a 4 hour monitoring period after treatment to watch for any side effects, but this is only for the first round). I’m not sure if this is what you meant by if you’ll get docetaxol first but my mum takes frozen ice lollies and frozen fruit to keep the mouth ulcers at bay! Not sure if it’s working but she hasn’t had any so far. I believe docetaxol has to be given subsequent to the targeted therapies but not sure of the reason. Please let me know if you have any questions as she would be more than happy to answer.  X ... View more

Kath, I’m so pleased your operation went well and the turnaround has been very quick! I bet you’re glad it’s over and you’ve done it now. Hope you get discharged in time to chill at the weekend with your pup x x ... View more

Kath - Such a cute puppy and great distraction from all the rubbish!! Hope she’s settling well x ... View more

Kath,    I am sorry to hear about the lung cancer but so relieved it is curable! I am happy for you, and also on the fact your breast lump has shrunk so much! We always worry the worst outcomes of situations and it can take you to a bad place.. I am glad you finally know what you’re dealing with and wish you all the best for your forthcoming treatment x  ... View more

Hi Lath,   thank you for your kind words.   I am, but trying to keep it together for her and everyone else. She has only just started her original treatment so I’m unsure whether they will stick with this or change? They started the treatment with the thought in mind that it had spread, so I’m unsure.  thank you for the recommendation of the Macmillan line. It’s nice to be able to talk to someone.   i really do hope nothing comes of your lung biopsy, but we have been assured it is still treatable, and with going through treatment who knows how well you will respond! I found it hard to find info on cancer mets from original diagnosis rather than reoccurrence etc.  wish you all the best. X ... View more

Hi everyone,   just a quick update. My mum has got her blood test today to check all ok to go ahead for second chemo tomorrow.  unfortunately on Friday, we got the news that the cancer has spread to her liver and bones. She was only diagnosed with breast cancer on the 20th sept 19 so this is quite a bit hit for us.  Trying to keep positive, hope everyone has a good week x  ... View more

Annie,   my mum is due her 2nd round of chemo on Wednesday and her hair has started to come out, so she asked me to shave it last night. My mum didn’t want to go to a hairdresser but I think the best thing would have been a mobile hairdresser, as it was actually harder than we thought as her hair was thick! So took a lot longer than anticipated but there was some cries and laughs. She had that hair pulling pain but is now gone this morn. X I think either 2 headwear are suitable, if you google sleep cap they are quite cheap. I’ve heard a silk pillowcase is also a recommendation x   my mum had the injections for 7 days, she only got some bone pain but paracetamol worked x ... View more

Hi Kath,   ive just seen your post regarding being investigated for possible lung mets, I’m terribly sorry - you think the worst words you hear are “you have breast cancer” but I think as time goes on there’s a lot more to it... how did your biopsy go? I hope whatever the outcome you are given the best plan and there are so many more treatments becoming available now so who knows what the future will hold in regards to treatments! I go with my mum to every appointment. she, like you say, is feeling horrendous waiting and not knowing.  thank you for your kind words and please be assured you are surrounded by lots of support x ... View more

Ruby blue,  im sorry to hear how bad you felt on your first round of FEC! Like others have said, please be assured that they are now aware of your side effects so will try everything to get these under control for next time! I am also glad you’re feeling some relief now. Please rest up x   a small update as my mum is now 14 days post chemo cycle (herceptin/docetaxol/pertuzemab) and side effects have been minimal! After struggling with Lymphedema due to cancer in the nodes, the swelling has started to go down after getting progressively worse for 8 weeks! And some not so good news.. after something showed on her ct scan in liver, after an mri she was told ‘theres something there’ but it cannot be confirmed until a specialist has confirmed and then a possible PET scan. This is quite a shock as she only initially got diagnosed on 16th September.  we’re all keeping positive and have a lovely Wednesday x x ... View more

Leaw, must be a relief about the MRI results and that lymph nodes are clear. You can now focus on starting treatment 🥊 🥊 ! Good luck for Friday x ... View more

Well done Claire 2 down now!  rest up xx ... View more