Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you very much for your reply. The radiotherapist told me similar stuff, but its more encouraging to her from someone who has experienced it. I was thinking about asking to change anastrozole, but the coronavirus was preventing me from bothering care staff. But after reading your response, I will hang on in there with Letrozole, at least till lockdown is over, and care staff have less to cope with, by which time I should know whether I will become more tolerant to it. You are right about dehydration, and I find myself drinking lots of tea on a daily basis. Other types of side affects with Letrozole, particularly aching bones and joints have been mentioned a lot, both on this forum and the internet, but I haven't yet experienced any physical problems.  thank you very much and I hope you are now much better. ... View more

Having just been through similar experience and now at the stage of awaiting chemotherapy or radiotherapy and not knowing which it will be, I have a little advice. Aside from where children are concerned, allow yourself to be completely selfish for the next few weeks and give in to whatever mood or desire takes you without trying to behave in the way other people want you to. This takes away the pressure and allows the mind to process what is happening. While you are going through this you have no responsibility to anyone except your children. Partners can and do bear up to whatever you put them through and you will do the same for themshould the need arise. If you totally put your own needs first, it's an easier journey and the mind goes back to being normal of it's own accord ... View more

Stop worrying about your emotions and do not try to control them, except maybe for the kids. Everyone else should know or needs to know that cancer is one of the most frightening things to occur in adult life. Also, suppressing those emotions will not help your mental health and you need to realise that you need to think about your mental health while cancer is ongoing. Cry when you need to, do not force yourself to pretend to feel okay, and talk about it to anyone you feel comfortable talking with and take as many duvet days as you can. Opt out of responsibility if you can or want to, and do not socialise if you don't feel like it. As much as possible, go with your moodYflows. Eat, sleep, watch tv, walk, work, read, whenever you feel like doing these things and don't press yourself to act normally or routinely.Do not feel guilty ... View more

I had surgery in November 19. Now I need more. ... View more

I have breast cancer and diagnosed in November, surgery in late November, more surgery and chemo to come. But I want to tell you about my mother. Many years ago she had a blot clot in the brain and was put on medication for life, later she had deep vein thrombosis and was put on further medication for life, then she had a pace maker installed. She is a walking chemist, six or so different types of tablets a day. In 2017 she had breast cancer. Unlike my case, her cancer had not spread. I am not sure how they did her lumpectomy with her pace maker and all the other medications but: she is now 82 and still bossy, active and opinionated. What I am trying to say is there is always hope and you never know the outcome. Shelton ... View more

Hello I am 57 and five years ago my partner had prostate cancer. His surgery and treatment left him completely impotent and no longer interested in any physical intimacy. I have lost all sense of womanhood and femininity after five years in a celibate relationship. Now I have breast cancer and I will never feel like a woman again. My message to you is: you are only 35 - have the reconstructive breast saving surgery, cling to your womanhood and femininity while you are still so young. You never know what is round the corner and being so young, there may be many times when you will want to feel as feminine as possible. And, listen to many opinions, including your other half's, and your mother's and female friends - and then take time to think to make up your mind yourself and do what you feel is best for you. We are all different people on this journey in many different ways. good luck - see you on the other side. Shelton  ... View more

Hello Azura, I was diagnosed this autumn after just getting a winter work contract that I had been after for years, and starting a Phd at a late stage in life and was all set with all systems go to prove myself to deserve a permanent contract with the University of Portsmouth. When I was recalled  for further screening after a routine screening I was not annoyed, I was enraged. And right until the diagnosis and beyond, I was fuming: 'Why now! of all the ****ing times in my life, why now? And yes, other emotions will follow. In my case not fear, but depression.  My father died two days before my lumpectomy, and I am trying not to tell my mother, as it turned out that my lymph nodes were not clear and I now need to have them removed. And chemo, and radiotherapy. How do you tell a woman after losing her husband of sixty two years that her daughter has cancer? On top of all this,it is my partner's 'big Christmas' as his son is home from abroad for the first time in five years, and its all a big get together with his daughter, her new partner, the ex-wife and her third husband, cos the precious son lives in Japan and they don't see the grandchildren. I am seeing my mother for the whole of Christmas eve and tempted to stay and not come back for  Christmas day. Coping? I don't know how to do this. good luck, and whether you are still annoyed or your emotion has moved on remember we are all in a state of annoyed, or angry, or scared, or depressed, or desperate, or finally acceptance. Any emotion is acceptable.  I wish you any easy journey through this. ... View more

Thank you for  sharing your experience, particularly about the  cording, which, although not the most threatening aspect of this, really makes me feel unable to touch the  affected parts as I really cringe and want to cry when I do. But you say massage, my surgeon said massage. I will ask my bc nurse how to next time I see her. Have a good Christmas   Shelton ... View more

Aha! Finally made contact with another woman!  ... View more

You are not alone. I was diagnosed on the 5th of Nov, and have had a lumpectomy, but now need more nymph lodes removed and Chemo. Desperate to know that I, too, am not alone ... View more