Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Becky I had WLE and SNB Jan 7th, 15 sessions of radiotherapy and went back to work 1st April as I wanted some normality back in my life. I did a 6 week phased return as per my doctors instructions. Going back to work is very tiring, even during a phased return,  and everything has completely changed due to Covid and Social Distancing.  Don't stress about how long you have been off, take all the time you need physically and mentally. You have been through a lot and need to process things, you will have good and bad days with your emotions, hopefully more good than bad. I still don't think I have processed everything yet and have days at work when I feel I should have stayed off longer as the slightest thing iritates me. Just go with your true feelings and don't feel presurised into going back or guilty about staying off. You need some you time to heal properly Take care and stay safe xx ... View more

Hi Murphsmum Let all your feelings out, rant and rage as much as you need, it's good for you. You have been through so much and Covid has taken your celebrations away from you. Take care of yourself and if you want to cry just do it. It's a shame your trip was cancelled, I suppose you were looking at that as the start of a new chapter in your life. Well, hopefully we will be able to travel this country and stay in places again soon, it wont be the same as America, but if you can try and book somewhere over here to have a belated celebration for your 50th birthday and look forward from there.  Look after yourself and Happy Birthday for Wednesday 😀🎂 Stay safe xx ... View more

I had read that too (I'm 56). I forgot to say that I have just gone back to work also. There are lots of lovely ladies on this site who will give advice and tips where they can. Tamoxifen has varying side effects but doesn't affect everyone in the same way, so please ask on here if you have questions there are lots of ladies taking it. Also if you have questions about your surgery or other treatments 😀 Please stay off Dr Google, just follow what your consultants tell you to do. Take care x ... View more

Hi Nat I was diagnosed with mucinous carcinoma, 2cm last November, grade 1. I had lympectomy and SNB in January followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy. My lymph nodes came back clear and the margins came back clear. As I am post menopause I am on Letrozole for the next 5 years.   My consultant told me from the start that this was a slow growing cancer and it was treatable. The consultant radiologist I saw also said this.   Hope everything goes well for you Keep smiling and stay safe x ... View more

Hi Sam Exercises I was given are different to post surgery, these are more stretching and working the shoulder muscles. Skin colour is now very pale pink so hopefully will be back to normal soon 😀 I had lumpectomy so also had to wear bra 24/7 post surgery til rads started 6 weeks later, then just wore strappy summer cotton tops under my normal clothes. (I found vests too clingy)   Take care and keep smiling 😀   ... View more

Hi Sam I am now 5 weeks post rads, have still been applying cream as instructed and doing exercises ( they said continue for 6 weeks post rads). Skin had gone pink and warm at end of rads but now cool and only slightly discoloured.  Tiredness had eased off a bit but has come back since returning to work, so just take it easier and try not to over do it. Hope your sessions all go to plan with minimal reaction. Cream, Hydrate and braless as much as possible 😀 Stay safe and keep smiling everyone xx ... View more

Hi Yorkshire 50 Glad to hear you got through rads without too many side effects 😀   I returned to work on a 6 week phased return last week. Really strange though, as I work in admin in nhs we are being redeployed across the hospital sites so only 3 members of the team left in the office. Very unsettling knowing I am going to be put somewhere that I probably wont know anyone or what I'm doing, not sure if I will end up working in various teams either as needs require. It's not the best way to go back to work as nothing is normal at the moment, but at least I get out of the house and will see how I will cope with the hours. Feeling stressed at the moment though and not sure how my manager will keep track of how I'm coping with it, but heyho needs must.   Keep safe and keep smiling ladies x ... View more

Hi Purple lady Glad to hear you are doing well with rads 😀 I was also looking forward to going back to work but doctor signed me off for a further 2 weeks at the end of last week as she said I would be more susceptible to virus ( I had complications at start of treatment resulting in cardiac arrest caused by anaphalaxis to blue dye). I feel well and work in admin in nhs so I am going to ask them next week if I can go back but with special conditions like social distancing and working in non clinical. My manager said they will be governed by my doctor, already been off 4 months now climbing the walls 😂😂 Take care and keep smiling x   ... View more

Hi Delly Hope you are doing well Yes, I finished my rads 2 weeks ago today 😀. I got through them fine, very minor skin reaction and tiredness. Stay safe and keep smiling in these scary times xx ... View more

Hi Cabransa Thanks for the reply, I will have a look at them 😀 ... View more

Hi Yorkshire 50 Glad to hear the first one went well. If possible try to go braless as much as possible during treatment, I wore strappy cotton tops instead under my clothes instead for the whole of my treatment and the week after. They were nice and soft and didn't rub 😀. Keep well and I hope you get minimal side effects x ... View more

Thanks Narniagirl 😀 ... View more

Will do I get the odd stabbing pain too, still tender also but hey ho we will get there 😀 ... View more

Thanks Shablah, I'll try them. How are you doing now post rads? I bet it's strange seeing London so quiet during these scary times x ... View more

Hi Tili I checked with the breast cancer nurses yesterday and the reply Jaybro has posted is correct. If you have not had chemo they are saying to follow the government guidelines. If you have had chemo in the last 3 months you are more at risk.  Hope you are doing well. Keep smiling in these worrying times x ... View more

Thanks Tili 😀 Sending love and hugs to you and your family ❤❤ ... View more

Thanks Yorkshire 50 Ladies I hope all your rads treatment goes as smoothly as mine did   Tilli - glad your rads journey is also over and hope you rang that bell loudly 😀   Have a great weekend and keep smiling xx ... View more

Hi Yorkshire 50 Glad to hear you will be looking into all options for returning to work, hope you can ease yourself gently back in to it 😀 Yes, I do have plans for end of treatment. I am going to see We Will Rock You at the theatre in Oxford on Saturday with my husband and youngest son, really looking forward to it. Will have a nap in the afternoon to make sure I stay awake 😂😂 I hope all goes well with your treatment. Take care and keep smiling ❤ ... View more

Glad your planning session ended up going well. Hope you get on ok with rads.  I was told that the side effects of rads peak two weeks after the treament finishes so please keep this in mind when deciding when to go back to work. I am planning on taking 4 weeks off after treatment finishes then going back on a phased return.  As you said your job is physical it might be worth exploring the option of a return on lighter duties whilst you get back into it Keep smiling 😀   ... View more