Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi to you all and wishing you a very happy healthy! 2012!! It sounds as if you have all had very busy times which is great sorry to hear Lily you had the dreaded winter tummy my poor old mum got it christmas night and felt awful all Boxing Day so we blobbed out in front of the TV and had a Jane Austen day which I thoroughly enjoyed although it was a shame we had to cancel seeing folk just in case it was contagious. Slenda take it carefully I returned to work in the January after my rads finished in December but luckily I only worked three days and didn't offer to do any overtime but it is surprising although you feel very apprehensive once you get back with work colleagues normal life begins to return. You just have to give in to the days when you feel tired early to bed!! Nicky well done on remembering it is our son's wedding this year we are really excited about it and I am sure July will come around very quickly just need to lose the weight! which it sounds as if most of us want to do. I read a mag over christmas that had details of a two day a week diet that a Doctor (involved with Breast Cancer) has devised that not only helps lose weight but reduces something called Leptins in the body which reduces the susceptibility of breast cancer. The Doctor is called Michelle Harvie but I am having trouble sourcing a book which explains the diet along with recipies so if any of you have heard of it I would be greatful to learn more about it. The idea of two days a week appealed to me far my manageable! or is it just wishful thinking. Carole glad to hear you are in your home again after all this time it must feel great. Lisa you sound as if you have been burning the candle at both ends good for you. Hi to Val. Have a great night all tomorrow evening whatever you are all up to and again wishing you all the very best for the New Year!! love Bev xx ... View more

Hi to you all and wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Happy Healthty New Year!! I have had a quick wizz through the latest posts and glad to hear you are all bearing up well and coping with the extra pressure of Christmas there is never enough time is there? Slenda well done nearl there just be paitent with yourself you have come a long way. So sorry girls I have been off the radar but life has been so full on since we started this business but I have often thought of you all and am still so grateful for all the support you all gave me over the past few years. We are getting into a better pattern with the work situation now and after many agonising months I am getting my head around the Book Keeping and the VAT returns thank goodness. Anyway I will endeavour to pop in more often again but really wanted to wish you all a Peaceful time at Christmas and my good wishes to you all for the New Year. love Bev xx ... View more

Hi girls, Nicky sounds as if the party went really well so well done you and now you can relax a bit. It is really tough trying to find another job as we get older and your hub is younger than mine but my brother who is in his fifties really struggled too it is as if once over 50 no one values you anymore very shortsighted I hope he finds something soon. That is reason we decided to start our own business as at 61 yrs it would have been too difficult to find employment in the field he wanted. Lily isn't it such a nusiance enjoying food so much! I am the same I just can't refuse it and then feel annoyed with myself for not being more disciplined. I do feel that I have more of an appetite now though after the chemo/steriods etc than I use to or maybe that is my imagination. Glad your feet have become useful again! Lisa good on you for having the discipline that Lily and myself seem to be lacking at the present time! keep up the good work. Peacock hope you are having fun and maybe give up on the chickens and keep bees instead! they are in dire needs of homes we would like to keep bees but our garden isn't big enough. Slenda hope you have a date for the last blast and then you can say to yourself I did it! and then gradually begin to regain yourself back again but be gentle with yourself you have taken a huge hammering and need time to come to terms with that fact. Love to you all and keep well. Bev xx ... View more

Well done Lisa on the weight loss what is the secret? are you doing weightwatcher? and good luck with the coming week and all the jewellery you are churning out for your party. Nicky hope the party was fun what are you doing for your Hubs actual birthday? Peacock you sound as if you are having a full on time fab hope you have had lots of fun. I read somewhere porridge oats (dried) are good for egg production with chickens so maybe your henny pennys would like it. Lily yep once upset never forget it! you know what the saying is a women scorned never forgets o.k. so it was only a few bean plants but it is the principle of the matter. Glad your mum's birthday bash went well and yes I too have troublesome feet now really annoying. Hope all is going well for you Slenda keep the chin up you are nearly there and have done sooooo well to get to this point. Well off to the office (ha ha up the stairs!) have a good week all. love Bev x ... View more

Good for you Lily! and yes you must write that book I really think it would be a best seller you certainly keep us all amused on here. Good luck with the party hope it all goes really well and your mum has a great time. Lisa well done you the jewellery business sounds great a fun thing to do aswell as hopefully developing into a potential money earner. Slenda hope you don't have to wait too long to get over the last hurdle re the chemo such a horrible place to be but you are nearly there and you will be able to put a lot of the experience behind you as you gain strength. Do you make the famous chicken stock soup? I think we nearly all did that and it really helped to build the system back up and strengthen the immune system. Wishing you lots of luck and I too would be steaming if my husband had dug all my plants up I remember he did something similar years ago when I was growing beans and our then next door neighbour offered us his old shed (did we really want it??) anyway hub took it but in the process of getting it into our back garden mangled all my bean plants it still makes me cross to this day and that was propably 25 yeras ago! so I can imagine just how you feel. Anyway thnks girls for the support re the talk this afternoon I will report back as to how it all went. Enjoy the weekend and the sunshine. Bev x ... View more

Hi Girls, I have had a good read and enjoyed checking what you have all been up to. New kitchens, special birthdays, good hospital results really pleased to learn all of you are o.k. and welcome to Slenda and wishing you good luck with all the treatment. The reason I haven't been able to post is I have literally been up to my eyes in trying to get to grips with filing my first VAT return and then coping with a VAT inspection Well amazingly all went very well and they were happy with my record keeping so yipee I must be getting there. Life has been a bit of struggle getting to grips with the new business and O/H being totally pre-occupied all the time (understandably as a new venture requires that input) but it has all been a bit of a learning curve for both of us. However we are getting there and slowly forming more of a routine to life. Another hurdle I have to jump this weekend is I have been asked to speak at a Breast Cancer Seminar by my Pilates teacher as she has just trained up in a Pink Ribbon Exercise Programme purely for BC patients to aid recovery. I found my mouth saying yes of course and my brain saying Aghhhhh! I am not a public speaker so that should be interesting but I feel daft if I backed out so it will be short and sweet to the point no fear of the audience becomming bored! Have a good weekend all. Bev x ... View more

Hi girlies, I have had a quick check up to see how you all are and what you are up to. Val glad to hear you are now at home but take it easy. Lily your poor little pup believing a soft toy was her pup and then witnessing you chucking it down the garden she is probably traumatised for life! glad to hear the kitchen is all coming along so well. Nicky so sorry to learn of your friend it is really tough isn't it when another person has to go through it all. We have just learnt that a neice of one of our friends has just been diagnosed and she is only in her thirties with two little ones so damn unfair. Peacock sorry to hear about your throat probs could it be acid reflux from a hiatus hernia as that is what my mum has it sounds very similar hope you get it sorted out soon. Lisa well done with the jewellery making hope it leads to bigger and better things for you and hope your mum feels well again soon. Our little enterprise is going o.k. but busy (a lot of that is due to the fact I am still on a steep learning curve) but I had the accountant in today and take a look at things and he has helped me a lot so hopefully the pieces of the jigsaw puzzel are slipping into place. The nice thing is that I can do things when I want to within reason and that feels good not to have to be answerable to anyone apart from the other half! but we are getting there. Wishing you all a lovely weekend and sending everyone a special hug as we are all very special women (even if I do say so myself!) love Bev xxx ... View more

Hi Girls, just had a quick wizz through posts and sounds as if all of you are busy with organising things - websites (well done Lisa) planning home births and new kitchens (I am jealous Lily or the baby more than the kitchen) sons visiting Peacock have a lovely time with him I know what it is like seeing so little of your kids the last time we saw our daughter was at the end of the spring. Nicky hope O/H second round with the interview goes well keeping fingers crossed and good luck Val with the op really hoping it sorts some of your problems out for you. Well sorry for the absence but as you can guess life has been pretty full on and the business has being fully emcompassing so we really haven't had any time to ourselves apart from a walk a the weekend to go blackberry picking. Still that is obviously a good thing apart from the fact we are both shattered hubby worse than me as he is doing the lion share of things but hey ho it keeps the wolves from the door! and just may work out for us. Lovely to read through all the news and I will attempt to drop in more regularly. love Bev xx look after yourselves girlies ... View more

how funny re the text messages on the landline made me laugh. lily my daughter too is animal (particularly dogs) mad and she has her dog totally trained (I couldn't do it as I am too soft with animals but I know it makes sense) when she would take her dog out in the french alps all the other local dogs would leave their gardens and go with her (pied piper with dogs) and then all return to their respective homes when she came back to the village. I would love to have seen it. Hope your daughters scan all went well and glad to hear the cold is improving. Nicky sounds true to form shopping with daughter and then paying for the privilage still as you say precious time together. I don't think I will get to see my daughter until later in the year but we skype often. Oh well better get back to it just thought I would drop in quickly. Hi Lisa, val, peacock. love Bev xx ... View more

Hi all, firstly good luck Val with the scan. Lily hope your cold is getting better that is so typical as soon as you stop being as busy the body relaxes and you end up getting a cold. Goodness how an earth to people manage taking 7 dogs out?? mind you they must earn a fortune as people pay £10 an hour for dog walking so that could mean earning £70 an hour not bad! although I really couldn't cope with carrying a bucket around with me as surely a carrier bag would be pretty useless with 7 dogs aghhhh what a thought. Nicky my kids too had a go at hairdressing it was my daughter who decided to cut my son's fringe fortunately being a boy it didn't matter that much that he looked scalped! I think it is something most kiddies seem to do. Lisa hope all is well with you and that you are not working too hard. Regarding superstitions I only believe in them if they are working in my favour! i think that is the best line to take. Well we are slowly getting to grips with the business and I am very slowly getting to grips with the book keeping side of things (aghhh still don't like it but refuse to admit defeat!) but it is still early days as we have only been operating for about 2 months so I must be patient (not very good at that) Have a good week all and will touch base soon. love Bev xx ... View more

Your weekend away to woodbridge sounded lovely did you visit soutwold? there is a lovely pier there. Not long to go now and you can be a lady of leisure of a while enjoy it while it lasts! Lisa so glad to hear you are obviously making a very speedy recover but take care not to over things. Like Lily I was surprised that you are on yearly checks now so soon after surgery but I guess that means all has gone according to plan so well done you. Nicky sounding as if you are being kept having fun having short breaks. I love doing that I think going away for a couple of days sometimes is easier and does me more good than a weeks holiday (I hate packing!) Thanks thinks are going o.k.here just a bit manic at times but I guess that is the nature of things for a while. Peacock hope you are well and enjoying some sunshine unlike us with all the rain! Val hoping you are o.k. and the scans are over with. I had my bloods taken today so hoping to learn sometime next week whether I have now crossed over into the post meno stage so I can switch drugs. It may be completely unfounded and I am just getting fatter! but I am really hoping once I come off the Tamoxifen I may be able to lose a bit of weight which just seems to be impossible at present however hard I try. Really frustrating as o/h keeps informing me of how much weight he has lost since doing more physical work aghhhh! am I interested??? We went to a mini festival (our friends organise) on Sat night really amazing as they now have a few hundred people attend and the groups mostly play for free as they raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and so far over the years they have raised over £40,000 just incredible as it all started from a few of us going to a fancy dress BBQ just shows how things can develop. Take care all. love Bev xx ... View more

Hi all, had a catch up and wow Lisa you must be so hacked off with the differing advice really horrible but take Peacock's advice she has been through it all and still says it is worth doing. Gook luck with the decision making and hoping this time you get the care you should have already received. Lily just think not long and then you can spend as much time as you like with your grandchildren (I can't wait to be in that position and hoping it will happen in the next couple of years) and you can spend time on organising your new kitchen. What lovely kids you have organising a surprise trip what a great idea and have fun! Nicky you sound as if you have been very busy with the socializing 3 a.m.? I really can't do nights as late as that anymore about 1 a.m. is my limit as after a few glasses of wine I fall asleep as you can imagine not great company! Peacock my garden is beginning to look a bit better as I have been able to get out there and do some tidying up I went to Hampton Court Flower show and it spurred me on! Egarding your daughter I always use to suffer terribly from period problems to the point of being sick and wishing to pass out and later on I was told it can be eased by magnesium supplements so may be worth investigating. Also the other week in the news here there was an article about a new product that could be bought over the counter to ease the problem and it appeared to have really good results sorry I can't recall the name but again a bit of internet searching may come up with it. I feel for her it is just horrible and effects so may areas life. We had a swarm of bees descend upon us on Sunday fascinating to watch they formed a huge hanging basket from our cherry tree. We had a bee keeper around to collect them as they wouldn't have survived where they had landed and he was really pleased as apparently it is a good sign that things are on the up for bees! so glad to hear something is doing well. Val hope the Onc visit went well. The business is coming along but we are still manically busy so difficulty in pacing ourselves but I guess it will be like that for a few months yet. At least it is better to be busy than sitting twiddling our thumbs! love to all Bev x ... View more

Hi all, just a quick drop in and catch up. We are a bit like a productin line here at present and I am still working elsewhere which finishes on Friday thankfully as it has been too much trying to keep everyone happy. However we are getting there. So glad your results were good Lisa and hoping that you are recovering well. Sounds as if you are still managing to have a bit of fun which is amazing well done you. Lily sorry to hear you are still waiting for the BABY! I was sure I would come on here and learn all about your latest addition to the family it must be one laid back little person which should be a good thing. Nicky hope your hubby finds something without too much hassle and then you can have your computer back! it is so irritating isn't it when they hog it mine does the same. Val welcome home and good to hear you had such a lovely time. I will look in again at the weekend when I hope I will have more time to have a proper catch up. All the best Bev xx ... View more

Lily what a marvelous story about the dog pants! just amazing but I guess it is practical. Typical of kids he will never let you forget that now and always be inspecting the dogs behind. Lisa hope you are feeling more comfortable and things are improving each day but as Lily and Nicky advise take it carefully be gentle with yourself. Nicky you are good going with hubs to motor racing I have been a few times as it seemed like a good idea at the time but not really my thing. We live very close to Brands Hatch so if any of you are visiting that area give me a shout. Peacock hope all is well with you and the house is coming along and Val hope you are well and relaxed from your hols. Well busy busy here but I guess that is better than not being busy life is either all or nothing isn't it. Back to the grindstone! Lily keep us posted re the cake ophs I mean baby! love Bev x ... View more

morning girls just a quick note as I am off to work (yep have handed in my notice but don't finish until end of June dont' know whether I am coming or going half the time) Nicky sorry to hear about your o/h but thought this info may be of use my husband didn't claim job seekers allowance as we have started up a company. However he was deducted weeks of it from his redundancy (which is now capped so doesn't matter if you have worked 30 years at a place) and he cannot have the amount returned to him as it is deemed his fault for not claiming! makes me mad so I thought it maybe of use to you both. Hi to all and hope you are having a good day today Lisa! Bev x ... View more

So good to hear you are doing really well Lisa well done! but what a mess up thankfully you sound very confident with the surgeon and her advise so that is great and really well done for being able to keep us posted. Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery from the process you have had so far. Lily not long to go now I so soooooo jealous goodness knows how long I will have to wait for grandchildren mind you the way we are at present being so busy is probably just as well. The wedding plans are still coming along but thankfully not until next year so I can worry about it after christmas (the weight issue!) although hopefully if I am off the tamoxifen and have been switched to the AI that may make a difference that is what I am pinning my hopes on anyway. Val sounds wonderful relaxing in the sunshine with the odd dip in the pool and a glass of vino what more could a girl want (well I could think of a few things but it's a start) enjoy it! Peacock the courgettes sound wonderful I didn't get around to growing any this year infact sadly I haven't got many veggies on the go at present due to lack of time but I have some pots of potatoes, toms and lettuces. Nicky how wonderful having free time to get on with things in a more relaxed manner. I am hoping eventually our business will allow me more time hubby keeps telling me that will be the case and it is just the initial setting up process hope he is right. Although it is nice to be together which I am happy about as I was a bit worried whether we would get on each others nerves thankfully not the case (well at the present time!) love to all Bev x ... View more

hi girlies, just a quick catch up. So glad you liked my flower Lisa and hope it cheered you sorry to hear things haven't gone quite according to plan but hoping you are feeling o.k. with everything if not as Lily said kick up a fuss! Lily hope your daughter is o.k. and what a horrible experience I hope the police can track the nutcase down. Your kitchen sounds wonderful as I said before far to elegant to cook in! Val and Peacock how lovely that you got together and shared experiences and a few glasses! cheers have a lovely holiday Val. Nicky at at the present time I am very jealous of your retirement I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day hence my absence on here but I am still trying to get a bit of gardening in particularly as the weather is so good. Have a good weekend all and sening special hugs to Lisa. Bev xx ... View more

really glad you had such a fab evening at the TT concert I have seen them years ago as daughter was a huge fan and they really put on a good show but I think Robbie is the real entertainer. Will be thinking of you tomorrow and this week but just think it will all be over with soon and that hurdle will be be cleared. The best of luck with it all and hope you are very very pleased with the new you! Lily the kitchen is sounding very impressive far too impressive to cook in! just swan around sipping wine and chatting sounds far more fun. Val have a great holiday and like the others said give Peacock a group hug. Nicky you are obviously into your veggies very commendable I like growing veg but am a real sucker for flowers that smell nice, roses, daphne, lillies etc thankfully I only have a tiny garden so it is not too much of a job keeping it under control. I have a family of toads living in the compost so that is causing me a huge dilema can I just throw bits on top still? or do I have to wait until they vacate? any advice would be welcome. Have a good bank holiday monday and we will all be thinking of you Lisa and sending you the best vibes ever. Bev xx ... View more

good to see everyone in such bloody good spirits! keep it up. Result day today and great news all clear so mammo booked for next may! only now need to have bloods taken in the summer and see onc at the end of the year. Very relieved I can once again resume normal activities whatever they are?? Val so sorry to hear about your daughters sad news hope she copes o.k. and can support her friend. But great news that you are off to sunny France and visiting Mrs P how lovely don't forget to raise the glasses to the gang on here. Mrs P glad to hear the house is all coming along keep us updated. Nicky have you been enjoying watching chelsea flower show? I love it I went a couple of years ago and stalked Chris Beardsley (not sure of his surname now but know the cute face) poor man relented and had a nice chat with me how sad am I. Lily you are so good at keeping people's spirits up teaching was definetly the right career for you. Lisa you are nearly there and then there will be a new you! a well balanced you (well not too balanced! you have to have fun after all!) My daughter got back last night and it has been lovely today as I didn't do any work at all and spent time with her and her boyfriend we had a lovely lunch together which was great. She is out catching up with her mates tonight and probably will be tomorrow too knowing her but it is lovely to have her home. Take care love Bev xx ... View more

lots of talk of grotty weather we are very lucky as it is still very sunny here in the south although there is quite a wind today. Thanks girls I will take on board the point to make sure I have some me time too. I think it is just the setting up process is pretty full on but once we are up and running life should fall into more of a pattern (well that's the plan anyway!) Lily the result is of the mammo I had the other week and to have my yearly appointment with the clinic to give me the once over. Fingers crossed all is as it should be. Yes great news daughter is going to be back for a few days but such a shame we are so occupied with matters at present. I have booked for her to have another blood test done while she is here so hopefully she too will be o.k. she has been taking VitB12 supplements for the past 7 months so really hoping it has sorted that matter for her. Val I do hope you can get away somewhere but make it soon as mentioned the ash cloud is on it's way again I just hope my daughter makes it here o.k. tomorrow evening. I didn't mention it to her she freaks out about flying anyway so I thought it best to keep quiet on that one and hope she hasn't read the news. Lily the christening sounded such a lovely day thanks for sharing that with us. Lisa you can do it! it is horrible having to have surgery again but it will make such a difference to you and you are a young woman with plenty of life in front of you. We will all be thinking of you. Green fingers Nicky will you be watching Chelsea Flower show? I will if I get a chance I am sure they will be showing it every evening this week. Love Bev xx ... View more