Breast Cancer Now Forum

Happy New Year to you all. 🥳 🎉   Love CactusQueen xx ... View more

Hi Tabs and everyone  Thanks for your reply, you’ve given me lots to think about which is good. Reconstruction is such a big decision. I’ve looked at before and after photos on Google images, some are much better than others. I’m definitely going to need to talk to someone who’s already been through it. There’s a local charity here who offer this. My breast cancer nurse told me about the drip option for the bone strengthening. She said it may be useful when I go back to work when time in the mornings might be more of an issue. It’s amazing to think they can offer a treatment you only need every six months instead of every day.  How are you after your treatment? Not too many side effects I hope. Take care everyone. Love CactusQueen x ... View more

Hi ladies I hope the last chemo went well Tabs 🔔 and that you’re not feeling too bad. Hopefully by Christmas you’ll feel much better. It’s so good to hear that we’re all getting to the end of chemo and radiotherapy. I got my prosthesis on Monday after having a softie since the middle of May. The fitter didn’t think much of my mastectomy bras so I’m going to have to find a shop that’s doing fittings. M & S have some mastectomy bras but the choice is very limited. I have bought bras online but it’s not the same as trying them on. Every style seems to be a different size. I can’t remember who else has had a mastectomy. I’ve got an appointment in nine months to discuss reconstruction. At the moment I don’t know if I want it or not. It’s such a long operation and I can’t face the recovery. I may feel differently in a few months. Has anyone else got any thoughts on this?  Have a good day everyone, Tara take some time to get some rest! 😊 Love CactusQueen xx ... View more

Hi ladies Good to hear from you. I didn’t expect men at my radiotherapy so I was a bit surprised. I expect they’ve seen it all before, and as my sister said I’ll never see them again. Does anyone know why some departments say you can use E45 as a moisturiser and others don’t recommend it? I’ve had no side effects from the radiotherapy, it’s almost like it didn’t happen. I’m pleased to hear you’re all coping with it too. Two weeks ago I started taking my hormone tablet, one a day for the next five years. It makes me feel a bit sick and gives me hot flushes. It’s going to be like going through the menopause again- what a joy!🤪. I’ve just taken my first ibandronic (bone strengthening) tablet this morning! I’ve been putting it off as it’s a bit of a pain. You have to take it first thing in the morning, you have to stay sitting up or standing for an hour afterwards and you can’t eat or drink for an hour. I’m trying not to think about a cup of tea. My son has just made himself some toast which smells delicious. I’m on this tablet for three years so I’ll get used to it. I have been getting aches and pains so I expect I need it. It has been a bit frustrating that recovery takes a long time. I hoped that once the chemo had finished I’d go back to normal immediately, how unrealistic!  Tara I sorry to hear about your troubles, your life is never dull. You and your boys were lucky not to get the virus. I hope that when things settle down I hope you will get time to rest and recover.  We are going to put our Christmas decorations up soon which will cheer me up. Breast cancer is certainly challenging but during a global pandemic it takes to another level! But we are beating it! 😊 Have a great day everyone. Love CactusQueen xx   ... View more

Hi ladies Although it’s been months since I last posted anything I’ve been reading everything and following your advice. Thanks everyone so much for getting me through the treatment. xxx Ive finally finished treatment but I’ve never seen a bell at the two hospitals I go to so I’ll ring a bell with you 🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔 🔔 . I can’t quite believe we’ve got this far. Good luck to any June starters who haven’t finished chemo yet. Hopefully the end is in sight for you.  As people have been saying it’s been a strange time. I’ve felt quite lonely during my treatments. I had three sessions of EC which was okay. Then I had 3 sessions of docataxel, which was a challenge! My last treatment was six weeks ago but I know it’s still lurking in my system. Sometimes I think I smell of chemo drugs but my husband and son say they can’t smell anything. I’ve had swollen feet and ankles which the nurses have said is water retention. I’m trying to move about more, drink much more and when I sit I put up feet up higher than my bottom. When it was really bad I slept with my feet on a pillow to keep them raised. My feet tingle and the skin is peeling even though I moisturise them every day. My fingers feel numb although not as bad as they did. I managed to do some sewing last week which I couldn’t have done during chemo. My finger nails look like I’ve trapped them in a door, particularly my thumbs, index and middle fingers. I’m wondering if the nails will come off. Still no hair re-growth 😐 , how is everyone else’s?  I had five sessions of radiotherapy last week which was okay. I’ve followed the advice about moisturising and so far all is well. I start my tablets later this week, an anti-oestrogen one and a bone strengthening one.  I’ll need to decide in the future about reconstruction, they are not doing that operation at the moment so I don’t need to think about it. I have found that I can only think about one part of the treatment at a time.  I hope everyone is feeling well today, keep safe. Love CactusQueen xx ... View more

Hi everyone  Its so good to hear that we have finally finished or nearly finished our chemo treatments. Way back in June it felt like we’d never get here. I had my last dose yesterday. I’m waiting for the side effects to start tomorrow when I start the injections. Thanks Tabs for mentioning the moles. I seem to have a few mainly round my middle and also more skin tags than I’ve ever had. I think I also need a dentist appointment as my jaw aches and front teeth at the bottom. Tara, how was the radiotherapy planning? What happened exactly? Was it scary, I’m such a wimp, is it like a CAT scan which I’ve only seen on TV. They look a bit claustrophobic. I’m having radiotherapy but haven’t had the appointments sent out yet. Hopefully I’ll be able to have the five sessions of treatment. This awful Covid virus shows no sign of going away. I live in a area where there has been lockdown rules, so no visits from family and friends which is very lonely. I haven’t even been in a shop since before Easter! Only hospital visits and dog walks for me! Take care everyone  Love CactusQueen 💐 💕 ... View more

Dear everyone  Reading all these posts always reassures me, thanks everyone. I had my second EC on the 15th and am only just getting over it. I also found Tara, that I couldn’t manage water. I thought I was going crazy. I also went off tea. I’m trying to drink squash and fruit juice, I also like flat Diet Coke. My husband got some sparkling water yesterday so I’ll try that. Not drinking enough has made me feel more sick, and given me headaches and constipation. Hopefully this week will be better. Take care everyone. love CactusQueen x ... View more

Dear Cecilia I’m sorry to hear that you’re not so good. My advice would be to get in touch with your chemo nurse team. I presume yours is like mine where they are available 24 hours a day, no problem too small. I have phoned a number of times and they are always friendly and welcoming. Where are you in your chemo cycle? If chemo wasn’t recent you may have a tummy bug. But I’m not a doctor so definitely get advice. Take care. Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Dear Horseylass, Tara and everyone  I’m also having my bloods done tomorrow, I really hope they are fine. I’ll also have a Covid test because all the cancer treatment around here is being done at a private hospital, as our local hospital is a Covid hotspot. They won’t do any treatments or operations with a clear test. So this will be test number five! I know what you mean about dreading the chemo, Tara. I woke up with a really bad headache this morning and then started to feel sick. I even had to have one of my anti sickness tablets which I haven’t needed for well over a week. But as my sister says once I’ve had this second treatment I’ll be a third of the way through.  Yesterday I tried the wigs on and hated them! They just looked too hairy 😂 😂 , I’m going to send for a couple more. If they are no good I’ll just wear hats. Tara I thought you looked young in the photos you’ve posted. I now realise I’m old enough to be your mum! You are very young to get breast cancer. Sorry to hear about your friend. Have a happy birthday tomorrow. Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Dear Anna, Horseylass, anyone else who had their first treatment on 23rd June, and everyone  I haven’t had any hair loss yet but it’s just a waiting game really. Maybe the cold cap just delays the inevitable. I’ve got a couple of wigs to try but so far haven’t been able to put them on. I’m terrible with the new things, I cried so much I first time I put a softie in my post surgery bra and tried that on! Later on this week my sister is going to come round while I try the wigs on. Has anyone else noticed that their clean clothes smell funny?! 🤣 This morning I got a clean top out of my wardrobe, it was one I have worn since chemo. It had a really strong smell, a bit like olbas oil. I sniffed a couple of other tops, one them smelt. Other clothes I haven’t worn since chemo don’t smell. Now I’m wondering if I smell!! My husband and son say I don’t but  good job I’m not going anywhere. Finally a sunny day here. Take care everyone  Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Good morning everyone  I’ve been awake since four o’clock listening to the crazy stormy weather. I’ve just read all the posts from yesterday, all so very thought provoking. I also have found myself thinking in a positive way about relatives who are now longer around. I thought I was going a bit crazy, now I know it’s normal. I’m definitely going to think about my grandma when I have my next chemo on the 15th. Cecilia, I wonder why they want you to have a PICC line now so far into your treatment. I had mine at the beginning with very little information as to what it was. I was just told I was having it. When I went to have it fitted the doctor took time to explain it to me, and then asked if I wanted it. It felt good to be in control. It is useful to have for blood tests and to administer chemo. I bought a Limbo protector to wear in the shower as it can’t get wet. I’ve lost track who is using a cold cap for their treatment. If you are how was your hair loss after the chemo session?  Have a good day everyone.  Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Dear ladies A very belated Happy Birthday to Horseylass and welcome to anyone new. Ive been reading all the posts since my first round on the 23rd, thanks for keeping me going. I survived the cold cap, the first 10 minutes was the worst. I kept my eyes closed for half an hour and concentrated on breathing. I had EC injected through a PICC which took about half an hour. Then another 90 minutes of cold cap. Next time I will take pain killers when I get home as I had a headache and was a bit sick. The nurse told me that anti sickness tablet she gave should last for three days so I suffered through the first day feeling awful before I rang the helpline who said take them three times a day. The weather has been crazy this week, first it was absolutely boiling which I can’t cope with, then we had torrential rain. I haven’t had much fresh air so need a walk. The highlight of the week was the district nurse visit who came yesterday to check the PICC line! Lol. I was so looking forward to seeing someone different. She brought a student with her so I got to talk to two people-yay! I ordered a wig yesterday as I know I will loose my hair even with the cold cap. I thought it would take up to 14 days but it’s coming today! I know it’s going to look like cheap shiny dolls hair. Tara your wig is beautiful. Take care CactusQueen x ... View more

Dear Plum I am so pleased for you, you seem to be coping fine. Thanks for being so inspirational. Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Good morning everyone  It’s quite nice here too. I’m going to supervise my son cutting the grass and potter about in the garden. Anything to take my mind of tomorrow afternoon! Thank you so much Cubot for the link about cold caps and your advice. I found it really useful. You seem so positive about hair loss, hopefully I’ll be like that in a couple of weeks. I have found that it takes me a while to get used to the new things I have experienced during my treatment.  Enjoy your day everyone  Love CactusQueen  ... View more

Thanks for the welcome everyone  I am having 3 sessions of EC then 3 of something else! I had my pre-chemo appointment on the phone sitting in the hospital car park whilst waiting for my PICC line appointment. I don’t really like phone consultations, I find I zone out when they tell me something negative and don’t really get back on track. I understand why they are necessary though. The nurse might have mentioned injections but I really don’t remember.  Love CactusQueen ... View more

Hello everyone  I am completely new to forums or any sort of social media so I am feeling a bit apprehensive. I hope I do things right! What a crazy year it’s been for all of us. I first went to the doctors at the beginning of April, two operations later I’m due to start chemo on Tuesday. Thank you so much everyone for the advice you’ve given. I’ve been reading the posts for two weeks wondering whether to join in. I am very scared about Tuesday and the days after, hopefully it won’t be as bad as I think... I am going to try a cold cap so would love to know any advice/ successes people have had with one. And what’s this about injections?! No-one has mentioned that joy to me. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. CactusQueen         ... View more