Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi ladies  Thanks for your kind words kip.. Its does feel a life time away but I'm sure it will go fast.. And I hope my hair grows back quick because this wig feels like a wooly hat 😂 I'm not comfortable sitting without my wig or scarf.. And I hate that about myself 😩 my next chemo is 5 August but I feel better about it all now I haven't reacted as bad.. So thumbs up and positive thoughts 😁   Hugs  San xxx ... View more

Hi Claire.. Hope your doing OK.. I've been sleeping OK 🤞 so far.. As you know they took me off my first lot od chemo because of all the side effects.. I started on my second lot ( ce chemo or is it ec chemo?) on Wednesday.. Which so far is OK because the side effects are coming one at a time so I'm handling it much better 😁 today I'm extremely dizzy and tired but I have no appetite so I'm guessing that's adding to those symptoms.. I loved my steroids they made me feel near normal it's my 1st day without them 😩 .. But yeah this time round it's been better so they are leaving 3 weeks between each chemo session so I can recover a bit which makes me feel hopeful   Are you experiencing many side effects claire? What is the worse thing for you or what helps you cope with them!?   It's good to hear from you 😘 it's been a big roller-coaster emotional ride for me the last 3/4 weeks hence my silence.. I wasn't feeling very positive to be honest   Hugs  San xxx ... View more

Hi Claire.. Hope they sort your pain out in your legs and the spots.. I had joint pain in my wrist and leg.. The pain was dreadful it only lasted a day with me but my heart goes out to you 😢 it's hard isn't it hope your feeling better very soon  Hugs San x ... View more

Thanks kip 😊 I've still got a lot of mouth ulcers but I now have medicine for it so hopefully in a few days they will get better.. I've been unable to eat and lost 7 pounds in weight this week but to be fair I'm a size 14/16 so I can afford to lose a bit of weight 👌 I'm feeling a bit more positive but last weekend when they admitted me to hospital I signed myself out which I know was stupid but I was so low I couldn't cope with the thought of beening so alone in hospital (because of covid) I just wanted to be with my husband at home... I've learnt such a lot about myself through this journey and there is a lot I don't like about me that I need to work on and change Hugs San x ... View more

Hi all  They have stopped my chemo for now because I have reacted so badly to it... I've experienced all side effects 😢 atm I'm battling mouth ulcers but I'm have ulcers in my privates as well.. I could list them but I think that's too depressing.. Each side effect lasted a couple of days.. Anyway long story short at least my high temperature wasn't sepsis it was a water infection.. I should of have my 2nd chemo yesterday but now I wait for my doctor to get in touch... I've been told they may refer me to the new Clatterbridge hospital that opened a couple of days ago here in Liverpool because they can deal better with ppl like me apparently.. Sorry about the doom and gloom I am now beginning to improve and feel better.. I'm actually not surprised this have happened to me I'm allergic to penicillin and few other medicines not to mention different foods and drinks I react to as well.. On a positive note at least now they will tweek my chemo and observe me more closely next time which will be in a couple of weeks Hugs San xx ... View more

Hi exonian Mine and Claire diagnosis are virtually the same though I haven't an mastectomy I did lose my nipple and half my breast but nothing a 'chicken fillet' won't fix for future nights out 👍   I'm 6 weeks post op I was so scared of the operation but the reality was a very positive experience I would never be that scared to go under the knife again.. The reality is you close your eyes for 2 seconds then they wake you up.. And for the first time since your diagnosis you feel free and the cancer gone!! Honestly I never felt so good and so hopeful 😊 they took 12 lymph nodes (some ppl have as little as 4 and some ppl have as many as 18) I had 12 and like Claire 2 of mine were cancerous which went from grade 2 to 3 because it reach our lymph nodes which means  they offer you chemo and radiotherapy to protect your future self 👍   I had my first chemo session today and like the operation I feared it.. Well if I'm honest I fear the hair loss but I will take that in hand as soon as I can by making an appointment with a wig specialist and taking control of that situation.. All I know fear always come with the unknown they go hand in hand.. And looking back the fear of the operation and the fear of the chemo is actually worse then the actual experience and both experiences have been surprisingly pleasant certainly not scary at all.. I just have to conquer this fear of the hair loss now   It's a journey no one asks to be on yet we find ourselves here anyway... They say you have breast cancer and we automatically think death.. But it isn't and honestly if you were made to pick a cancer we would look up the statistics of all different cancers and we would all pick this one because the odds are so good and in our favour   This is a wonderful forum and as I first wrote this thread 'diagnosed 2 days ago.. Scared' I have found comfort... Support.. And lots of important information and most importantly lots of wonderful ppl travelling along the same road as me.. And I appreciate ech and everyone of them 😍 😍   Hugs San xxx ... View more

Hi girls.. Had my first chemo.. I was nervous but it was fine.. Very relaxing tbh.. So far and its only 8 hrs but no side effects 🤞 fingers crossed it stays that way.. I'm feeling great compared to this morning   Hugs San xxx ... View more

Thanks Claire 😘 I've woken up this morning feeling more positive... Good lick for today 👍 I will be thinking of you  Hugs San xx ... View more

Had the worse day today.. Went for my chemo assignment this morning and ct scan.. I've cried on and off all day.. Don't know why really I just feel overwhelmed and terribly sad 😢 I hate getting upset it makes me feel weak.. I need to get my head around this because I start chemo on Wednesday   San xxx ... View more

Hi Claire... Well just after my operation I hardly had any hot flushes for about a week but then they had gradually came back and it's unbeatable at times I basically have about 3 flushes every hour all day long and through the night.. I've not suffered from ache tbh... I haven't been offered a MRI scan and I've only been offered a ct scan because of my back/pelvis pain so I'm assuming any ct scan they offer you they check all you're bones?? I've had a chest xray before my operation to see if my chest was clear.. Whatever that means.. Clear of infection or clear of cancer I wouldn't know because they didn't state why and I was probably to scared to ask   Maybe the different procedures are that post code lottery we mentioned before but why it isn't the same for everyone I don't know?   I'm from Liverpool and we do have a couple of good hospitals here.. I'm being looked after at Aintree hospital the have a macmillan centre which is fairly new so has all the latest equipment etc which is reassuring    I'm not looking forward to next week but at the same time I know I have to go through this before I can get back to my old life    We just have to put our trust in these ppl all I know is that they have a duty of care and if you ask them any question they have to give us a honest no bullsh#t (sorry for the swear word) answer.. In other words whatever they have said to you is the truth of it    Hugs San xx     ... View more

Hi Claire.. We have exactly the same type of breast cancer I'm also  ER 8/8 HER2 Negative.. I have suffered a lot of hot flushes since the start of my menopause I have about 30 to 50 everyday.. I know it sound crazy but because I know this linked to my breast cancer each I had a hot flush I felt it was like it was feeding the cancer.. Making it bigger? I know that sound mad but what I don't understand is if the hormone therapy is so affective for our type of cancer why aren't I getting it now? Instead I'm getting it after the chemo and radio treatment? Makes no sense to me.. On a positive note my back pain has improved a lot today which makes me worry less I'm not so stressed to the ct scan on Monday now xx   Hugs San xx ... View more

Hi Claire.. That's is exactly my thoughts because my cancer went from grade 2 to 3 and I keep thinking if any cells have escaped it will be growing somewhere else.. It seems we are experiencing the same worry and concerns.. My scan is on Monday 🤞 like I said before its just another thing to worry about.. My chemo starts on Wednesday 😕 Hugs San xx ... View more

Hi Claire  I would say that was very normal I often feel like that.. I do atm because this last week I've had a lot of lower back/pelvis (and backs of my legs).. The hospital physio rang me yesterday asking how I'm doing with my arm exercises? I mentioned my back pain.. I also went on to say how active I was before my diagnosis (I would reach 10,000 steps by 2pm and I worked to 9pm) doing a very active job to literally doing nothing.. She agreed with me saying it did sound like a movement problem.. She said she would have to upday my surgeon which I of cause agreed.. 24 hrs later he has arranged a CT bone scan for me for Monday morning 😖 obviously I'm now entertaining the thought of bone cancer!?!?! Just another hurdle I now have to jump By the way my first chemo appointment is next Wednesday.. I feel like I'm just winging all these appointments 👍 😂   Hugs San xxx ... View more

Thanks Shi... What are chemo curls? When it grows back I think I will embrace my gray.. I wanted to do that for a long time now 😊 San xx ... View more

Thanks shi ❤️ I'm thinking I will probably shave it at the beginning once I find a nice 'realistic' looking wig that suits me.. Being a hairdresser by trade I do have a critical eye but once I find one perfect for me (I'm sorry I'm not a head scarf type of person maybe because I was a hairdresser I don't know? ) I will shave it all off and yes it's a control thing definitely.. I will decide when I lose my hair not a drug 👌 once I've done that I know I will be able to face the rest of it.. Sadly for me my hair or the loss of it is my biggest challenge which I'm ashamed to admit San xx ... View more

Claire.. I meant to say I'm about 3 and a half weeks post op.. And I'm getting pins and needles and more discomfort as the numbness improves.. I'm also getting pain in my nipple which isn't there 😂 I'm probably in more pain or discomfort compared to first having my operation I'm guessing it's because my nerves are repairing hence the pain? San xx ... View more

Also... I've had a few bad days because I've been told that during the covid crisis my hospital won't be offering the cold capping treatment which if I'm honest left me devastated and so upset... I just have to deal with it I suppose  San xx ... View more

Hi ladies... Here is my update.. 30 mm grade 3 (was 2) ductal carcinoma... nodes 11 removed 2 cancerous ER 8/8 HER2 Negative ((btw I have no idea what that means?))  I'm having two types of chemo... First lot will be once a week for nine weeks then the second lot.. Once a fortnight for 2 months.. Then radiotherapy and hormonal therapy (a tablet I think) also they said they will give me something for my bones every 6 months for 3 years... I know I sound vague but since I've been diagnosed with breast cancer I haven't read anything about it... I discovered I was a 'dont want to know type person* probably because I'm scared to read something I'd rather not know if that makes sense   San xx ... View more

Thank you Shi & Claire... I know my next 6 months will probably be my most hardest but I've decided to approach with as much positivity as possible .. If I have to go through it I may as well smash it 😊 👍 bring it on so I can back to my normal life 👌 Ladies take care and stay safe San xx ... View more

Hi shi When I first put this post up "diagnosed 2 days ago" I was in such a scary dark place.. It was a cry for help 😥 I found myself in a 'club' that I never imagined I'd be apart of but I reach out and found you all.. I feel everyone who have answered or responded to my original post has walk along side me every step of the way ❤️ encouraging me to keep moving forward... Honestly I don't think I could of done this alone so thank you to everyone.. I still have things to face and deal with but I know I will... One day I will be where you are standing shi 😍 and I promise I will always be part of this group so I can give back to someone else who may need some support like you have shown me... Thank you so much 😍 San xx ... View more