Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you all so much. Christine passed away on Friday 12th Feb with me sleeping by her side. I'm utterly broken but hoping I did the best for her in her last few weeks. ... View more

Hi all I'm absolutely heartbroken to tell that Christine passed away Friday 12th February with me sleeping right by her side. Thank you all for your chats and support 😊 I wish you all the best in your journeys and that you keep as well as you can for as long as you can.   Ella ... View more

Thanks Pam for the breathing tip. Christine is now home and unfortunately no more treatment for her. She is now requiring a lot of care and me as a full-time carer. It breaks my heart it honestly does to see my love slowly disappear before my eyes. It's really a difficult time.  I hope I havent brought anybody down in this message. I'm not sure I qualify for the plasma chat anymore but I wanted to reply and thank you for your support. Take care Ella ... View more

Hi Pam and others on this thread, What a bleak January it has been. I've really appreciated the snow and the warmth and comfort of my home. How is everybody doing? Christine after a 17-day in hospital came out for 5 days only to go back in last Tuesday. Now its Sunday and shes still in hospital. So very tough and an absolute test of my resilience.  Her fluid was drained and then she had sterile talc to make sure more fluid doesnt build up. Shes also been struggling to eat, sickness and anxiety. Her body has taken a lot. Now she has a chest infection and oral thrush, plus a little more fluid. Shes been very poorly but not eating has not helped. Fortunately she has a lovely room in a lovely ward and is being well looked after to get her stronger and eating again. Palliative care are fab and she will see a dietician. So it's a case of seeing what's next when she hopefully gets out next week. Discussions with oncology for treatments and seeing how palliative care can support. Shes due to have her Covid jab so probably need to get that and get stronger before treatment.  I have to say Pam, you seem to be keeping a sense of humour and that's what we need. I hope you are all ok. We may not have control over certain things but we can tackle it with humour, love and dignity. Ella   ... View more

Hi Pam Hoping you are ok. Christine is following a similar path to you. She too has some progression. Her liver lesion has grown and a new lesion has appeared in her chest. So she is off the trial I wondered what treatments you had available to you. How are you doing? Ella ... View more

Hi Pam, I'm sorry to hear you aren't able to carry on with the trial. We did hear not long ago that it's the case if you no longer respond. We have a scan this week so fingers crossed things are ok. I get how gutting this must feel. I know that already the number of treatments available to Christine has increased since her diagnosis in March so I'm hoping this is the same for you too.  Thanks for updating us all. I hope you hear about your next steps quickly and that you are keeping well for a peaceful and safe Christmas season.   Ella       ... View more

Hi there! Great news. Makes a change really. Christine got her first scan results and all tumours are shrinking. The one in her liver is half the size it was. It was small in the first place but we really thought we weren't going to get this news. It makes the off days worth it. She's also going to get some bone strengthening medication. I hope today finds you all well!   Ella ... View more

Hi! Thanks for your update. So that's good stable news. We will get results this week. Christine's foot pain does get a little better after walking thanks for the advice. Shes also trying taking AZD at night instead of the morning which means she naturally sleeps through the worst and is better during the day. Take care! ... View more

I forgot to ask. Has anybody had foot pain, particularly the ball of the foot? Thanks, Ella ... View more

Hi! Thanks for the update. That's great news about your step-mum. We should always celebrate the wins. Christine is due to have her first scan next Wednesday. It's be great to see either no change or some improvement. Let's see. She's felt quite low since being on the trial and had occasional days where she's just been so upset. It's very out if character for her. But we've tried to turn the corner. She's trying to get out more rather than sleeping/staying in bed and is starting some counselling sessions with Maggie's. I've also joined a Maggie's friends and family group which seems to be just the ticket. Take care everybody! Ella   ... View more

Hi Pam, Thanks for the lovely message. Good to feel as if we are in company if you know what I mean. Christine is the same. She has liver and lung mets but so tiny. It seems the AZD week might knock her out the most. Let me know about your scan after 2nd cycle. Fingers crossed eh?   Ella   ... View more

Hi there! My partner Christine started the trial yesterday. It would be great to share progress/tips. She has TNBC. Today she's feeling quite tired but so far so good. Thanks! Ella ... View more

Hi Gina, Good to hear from you 😊 Who do you have to support you? It's great that you have the option of Skype sessions with a psychologist. Not everything is for everybody. My partner is not the kind of person who likes talking therapies but for me it works. My partner focuses on dog walking or playing computer games when she is in a funk. We've been feeling it this week too. The thing we know from experience is the pit of your stomach feeling passes. It will probably come back but it will go again. Allow yourself to go through these emotions. Be kind to yourself. If the psychologist isn't working maybe turn it on its head. Possibly make a list of what you might want to get out of it (feeling more able to cope, mechanisms to cope). Present it to your psychologist. What simple things do you enjoy doing? I'd suggest maybe checking out mental health foundation podcasts. They have some really great mini exercises. At first you might think blimey this is tricky but give it a go. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/podcasts-and-videos/podcasts-for-your-wellbeing Also if you have a Maggies Centre nearby I'd strongly recommend picking up the phone and asking what support they offer. I find them invaluable. They run many different online sessions; relaxation, living with cancer group, benefits advice and for me Kitchen Table. I get to chat online to a small group of people who have cancer or know someone with cancer about every day things...our dogs, recipes, you know the chatty kind of stuff. https://www.maggies.org/our-centres/centre-search-results/?location=uk Big virtual hug, Ella     ... View more

Keep us posted if you'd like 😀 ... View more

Hi minniem, I totally understand how lost you might feel. Everything is so fresh as well. But you are doing the right thing seeking support/information. It's hard to hear information you get from different sources as everything is coming from a good place but not necessarily accurate. The great thing is you have the friends and family there for you. It could well be that chemo tablets are on an option. I'd say to have a good balance of researching on sites such as Breast Cancer Now or Cancer Research and trusting in the recommendations from the team looking after you. Dont feel afraid to question anything, for example, ask about the chemo tablets. You'll soon understand why it may or may not be the best option for you. Take care, Ella ... View more

Hi there, My partner received a secondary diagnosis in March and nothing can take away the daily feeling of living with breast cancer. Know that you are not alone with this in any shape or form. I personally find focussing on small achievable goals help both my and my partner. Is there that box set or movie binge youd like to get through? Are there regular video/phone chats you can have with friends/family? Is there a nice walk you can do nearby? Do you enjoy baking or making nice meals? Have you tried your hand at anything creative? Of course it's easier said than done. Personally I find writing down my feelings in a journal helps. It lifts the weight off.  I also found that whenever I'm caught up in my thoughts I try to do a senses exercise.  What can I see, smell, touch, taste and hear? Maggie's are also fabulous. They have regular video groups for chats, support and activities such as singing or meditation. They are also at the end of the phone for 121 support. I'm thinking of you. Let us know how you are keeping. Ella ... View more

Hi there Tah65, I've not long joined this forum and I've my partner in a similar situation to you but a little behind you in timeline. She has recently been diagnosed with secondary TNBC of the liver (March) and had just had an ablation. She's due another full body scan this month and then treatment options following. I'd be interested to hear how you are doing with the tablets as we've often wondered about IV vs tablets. Your messages have been very helpful for me to read as we've landed into this secondary diagnosis. Take care! Ella                                     ... View more

Hi there, I appreciate I'm a bit late to the party with this thread but I found all your comments helpful. Sorry to hear about all your stories and frustrations. My partner has secondary breast cancer of the liver and this is triple-negative. She is currently in bed recovering from an ablation procedure, where she had a 3mm tumour 'blasted' (it was 1.6 but in the 3 months since her scan it had grown). It was a success and I guess you could consider her no evidence of disease for the time being.  I wanted to reply as I know that you've mentioned ablation. I know it's not an option suitable for everyone but until you question it you never know. In my experience always ask the question! Had my partner not suggested it, we would not have been offered it. Virtual hugs,   Ella ... View more