Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi kitKat, Yes lost underarm hair, leg hair and most pubic hair. Forgot about arm hair until you mentioned it! Still have some of that plus eyebrows and lashes but they’re starting to go now.  Showering in morning is definitely much quicker! ... View more

Thanks both.  Good to know.  Treated myself to a new wig yesterday as not looking forward to the long period of fuzzy regrowth, especially as most of it is white now 🙄   best wishes x ... View more

Good news on the critical illness.  I'm in the exact same treatment plan, followed by radiotherapy. It’s not been too bad so far, just lots of naps required but I also get lots of good days where I feel totally fine.  x ... View more

Regards telling friends and family, I was happy to let people know as I don’t like hiding things and tbh I don’t see the need to. I didn’t, however, put anything on Facebook until recently and that was only because my husband is doing the CRUK cycling 300 miles in September thing.  With a few friends I text them first to see if they were free for a call and then text back to say “I’ve got some bad news”. I wasn’t worried about ruining their day as such but I think someone needs a little warning.  It got a bit hard to keep telling people and going through it all so I let them pass it on to other friends for me which helped a lot.  I now have a private Instagram account where I can keep everyone posted on what’s going on. Everyone would keep texting to ringing to see how I was, which is obviously lovely, but it got difficult to keep going over everything.  Regards work, I have a friend from chemo who’s managed to work throughout (at home). I think she does 6 hours a day 4 days a week . She’s struggled though some days. I unfortunately/fortunately left teaching in December before ALL this happened so haven’t been able to get another job. I’m kinda glad. Still waiting for my critical Illness pay out though. Have you checked whether you got that when you got your life insurance with your mortgage?   take care, emma x   ... View more

I had a genetic test. Took about 5 weeks to get results so I just tried to just forget about it. I’m learning to try not to worry about things I can’t control, especially where the worrying won’t make any difference to the outcome. It’s hard though.  So many things to worry about 😬 ... View more

Hi, I have also recently been diagnosed with tnbc and I have a very active 4 year old. My lump was about 30mm and 3 nodes involved.  When the doctor first gave me the diagnosis he didn’t dwell on the triple negative bit and it wasn’t until later that I read what you’ve probably read online.  However, my oncologists have always spoken to me like this is going to be treated aggressively and we’ll beat it. My chemo has so far shrunk the tumour so much that I can no longer feel it (it was close to the skin). I am also on a clinical trial so I’m getting an additional chemo drug too.  Tbh, I am still fearful of the tnbc, I am managing to put it to the side for now and just focus on all that’s being done to get rid of it.  It is super hard with a young child. Luckily the first 4-5 weeks of chemo were surprisingly easy and it’s only now that I’m struggling a bit. Take all the help that’s available with your 1yo, we even decided to send our son to nursery, despite Covid, so I can rest as much as possible.  If you have any more questions please feel free to get in touch.  Sending hugs, Emma ... View more

Hi Helen, I have had the same dilemma. I’m also in the middle of chemo Having been diagnosed in June. We had decided to keep our son at nursery up until now, having decided the risk was low and it was more important for all of us that he was at nursery, especially after lockdown.  I’ve been torn about school since there are a LOT more people involved. Since my son isn’t 5 until January, both nursery and school said that I could keep him at nursery if I chose. My oncologist felt that since case rate is low in my area the benefits of school outweighed the risk.  I’ve only recently decided that I will send him to school although that’s partly due to pressure from my husband. My fears have been slightly eased due to recent research that suggests young children are less likely to transmit the virus. It’s just going to be a case of washing hands as soon as he’s home and washing uniform everyday.  Unfortunately I’m also not going to be able to go in with him for his first day which is a “stay and play” which is heartbreaking.  It’s a really tough decision. I just have to hope for the best.  Best wishes, Emma ... View more

Hi Susie, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope you’re Still recovering well. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. I am certainly getting the impression that it’s a long road, whatever happens, especially with Covid.  emma x ... View more

Thanks Stefi for your response, it really helps to hear other people’s experiences.  There is a bit inside my head that would like to ask for augmentation but it’s a lot of extra to put myself through but like your friend said, it could be a well deserved “silver lining.” To be honest, the idea of any surgery is really frightening me. Thanks again x ... View more

Hi Lucky1, Thanks so much for getting back to me and all the detail. I was wondering if lipomodelling would be the best approach. I hope the radiotherapy allows that.  Best wishes for your continued recovery x ... View more