Breast Cancer Now Forum

York-75 I definitely feel and look aged, I don’t think the pale look helps. Funny thing regarding how I see myself, on my birthday in September I had some photos taken while we were out and at the time thought I looked rough, the other day while looking through my photos I thought those photos are nice and I looked healthy, I guess now I know what looking rough really looks like 😂 ... View more

Hi Carmen  I have to have radiotherapy, that’s starts in March. Not sure about nipple surgery yet, I guess my consultant will be in touch after the radiotherapy.  They have talked about using my other nipple as it’s a good size apparently 😂   ... View more

Big day today, last chemo session, picc line taken out and I got to #ringthebell I had an audience of all the A6 staff which I wasn’t expecting and it was more emotional than I expected it to be.  Whilst on my journey I have designed some merchandise, 25% of all sales is going to @breastcancernow and 25% to @maplescancercare which is a local cancer support charity.  If anyone would like to share the importance of checking your breasts and help raise funds for these amazing cancer groups, please click the link:    https://www.richardedmond.co.uk/collections/coming-soon-dick-ed%c2%ae-clothing-collection Over £300 has been raised so far 😀 #kickingcancersbutt #cancersucks #breastcanceraware #bepositive       ... View more

Big day today, last chemo session, picc line taken out and I got to #ringthebell I had an audience of all the A6 staff which I wasn’t expecting and it was more emotional than I expected it to be.  Whilst on my journey I have designed some merchandise, 25% of all sales is going to @breastcancernow and 25% to @maplescancercare which is a local cancer support charity.  If anyone would like to share the importance of checking your breasts and help raise funds for these amazing cancer groups, please click the link:    https://www.richardedmond.co.uk/collections/coming-soon-dick-ed%c2%ae-clothing-collection Over £300 has been raised so far 😀 #kickingcancersbutt #cancersucks #breastcanceraware #bepositive           ... View more

Hi Jo22 if I had known my short visit would have ended up with Covid, I wouldn’t have bothered.  I knew most of the shops I wanted to got to and what I wanted so was in and out most quickly, I wore my mask and tried to keep a safe distance but there were a couple of stores where others weren’t as considerate!  Also used contactless in most stores but had use key pads in a couple because they were over the contactless limit. Meadowhall is definitely where I picked it up as my pre chemo covid test the day before was negative and I hadn’t been anywhere else. Take care SU xx ... View more

Hi NAJ The dementia patients are great are they.  Luckily for me, due to testing covid positive, I had my own room and toilet. I hope you feel better soon, sending big hugs SU xx ... View more

Hi ladies, I’ve not posted for a while Chemo 2 really took it out on me and I was so fatigued. I had my antiemetics changed again for chemo 3 last Friday and they have really helped, still had nausea but no vomiting which is much better. However, just when you think things can’t get any worse!!! However, on Sunday day I had a temperature so had to go to a&e. I was admitted with sepsis and on Monday I was told this was caused due to testing positive for Covid. I am home now and feeling ok, just my usual post chemo side effects which are pretty much the same as Covid symptoms. It’s been 4 days since I tested positive and I am now starting with the Covid cough.  It just shows how long a normal person could be carrying it without any symptoms.  I think if it wasn’t for the chemo and have to be aware of the effects this can cause, I would have been oblivious to it. I am a bit annoyed with myself because, it’s me that has brought it in to our home. On Thursday my last good day before chemo, I decided to go and do my Christmas shopping, I was at Meadowhall for 1.5 hours and went in 9 shops, I wore my mask, tried to keep a safe distance etc but managed to pick the virus up from somewhere. So far I have been lucky but want to say, be careful ladies and maybe stick to online shopping 🛍 xx ... View more

Hi Carmen and Karen19 I have seen my oncologist this morning and it seems I was given the wrong antiemetics after my last chemo so he is prescribing me something beginning with Z which you take 3 times a day no break between treatment so hopefully I won’t feel as bad tomorrow. I had my picc line fitted this Monday, the procedure was straightforward with no pain just a strange feeling in my armpit at one point but nothing to worry about.  After the local had worn off, my arm hurt where the line goes in so I have taken paracetamol for a couple of days but it feels much better today. Thanks xx ... View more

Hi everyone  I had my Picc line fitted this morning, I was a bit anxious but all went well and I know it will be better than being poked at to try and find a vein o. Thursday for chemo round 2. I have been ok through the process so far but the last few days, I have stated to feel a bit down and anxious.  I’m not looking forward to Thursday as it means I will feel ill again and I have enjoyed feeling normalish this last week.  I even thought about not having any further treatment because this cycle of feeling ok and rubbish it what I get for the next few months.  I know that’s a silly thought and I will carry on.  But how do you get through it? It’s just so hard at the minute.   ... View more

Hi Carmen I’m doing ok, had 11 rough days after 1st chemo.  I am trying to make yo most of these good days without over doing it!  Also starting to feel a bit low as round 2 is next Thursday and it’s all going to start again and have this to look forward to for the next few months to come. I still have all of my number 2 hair style and not lost any other body hair.  I have worn my wigs out and bought some head scarfs, headbands and bandanas to dress them up and give myself different looks.  At home I wear fluffy bandanas to keep my ears and neck warm. Thanks for checking in, really appreciated xx ... View more

I took control and braved the shave last Thursday before it starts to fall out (I am 11days post chemo) and I have donated it to The Little Princess Trust.  It was very liberating and empowering.  I have two wigs, one which is what I aspired my hair to look like and one similar to my own hair.  I have worn both and call them my going out hair and my work hair.  I have also bought, hats, scarfs and headbands and I generally wear them or nothing around the house but sometimes put a cap on as my ears get cold now 😂 .  See pic of me and my wigs 😃 xx Not sure why it has posted it upside down 🤣       ... View more

I have been ok doing the injections but not too keen on the sharp spike, my mum has sent me some cream to numb the area so I will be using that next time. I have had cold/flu like symptoms and have phone the hospital a couple of times as things have change but they have said they are part of the side effects.  Make sure you have some paracetamol in just in case xx ... View more

  Hi ladies today is one week since my first chemo and to celebrate, I went for it and braved the shave!!! It is so invigorating and I feel so empowered, I can’t believe a few weeks ago I was freaking out. To make the most out of a naff situation I have done something positive and will be donating my locks to the Little Princess Trust 😀   ... View more

Hi NAJ Might seem a daft question and the answer won’t make any difference but just trying to get my head around all the different types of chemo.  Is FEC different to EC, is the F another drug? I was originally told I would have 6 EC’s 3 weeks apart but when I went for my first chemo, I was told I would have 3 EC and then 3 something else (I didn’t take the new name in but will ask on my next round). Thanks xx ... View more

I have been reading everyone’s stories re: first chemo and now feel up to sharing mine.  Can I say firstly that I have so much respect for all of you ladies but especially the ones with younger children, I take my hat off to you.  Doing school runs (walks) etc.  I am glad my husband and son are able to do most of my usual jobs (and think they finally realise, how hard this full time working and then coming home cooking, cleaning, washing etc fairy actually does 🤣 ).  Anyway back to my journey:  1st chemo was Thursday and I was totally shocked to start feeling nauseous within 4 hours of treatment, this progressed to me throwing up every 30 mins to an hour so had Dr out for stronger anti sickness meds.  I now seem to be in a pattern which is manageable.  I feel nauseous between 4/5am so take meds, sleep is up and down all night, wake up 7/8am have breakfast then it’s an hours snooze time around noon.  Nausea mid afternoon and then a good spell between 8-11pm.  Also having loads of hot flushes and then feeling really cold.  I am living on cereal, tuna sandwiches, croissants and fruit as that’s all I can face. One thing that makes me happy is my new super soft pjs from Primarni.  Xx   ... View more

I did what I think is my first brave thing today (had the op, had first chemo, been ill etc) but today, I have given myself my first injection, phew!!! I think my next brave is going to be booking the shave and hopefully donating my hair to the #littleprincesstrust ... View more

Hi Carmen, I had a fab day wig shopping on Tuesday and bought one and have put one on hold for me while I get my nhs prescription.  The one I have bought is much longer than my hair but what I would like if mine would grow that long!  The other is more like my hair so that when I go back to work, the kids and parents might not notice (I work in a school). I hope you appointment is as successful as mine, take care xx ... View more

That looks fab ttyler, it doesn’t look like a wig and on the street I really don’t think anyone would notice.  I love how you have plaited it, I hadn’t thought about doing stuff like that, will definitely give it a go xx ... View more

Wow Kitkat23 that is a brave thing to do but I guess with no hairdressers you had little choice. I have bought a wig in preparation and getting another with my nhs voucher.  I actually enjoyed the wig shop experience and am actually excited to wear my new hair.   I have decided to keep my hair as it is quite thick so if I don’t loose it all I can do a stylish comb over.  If not I will wear my wig to go out and I have scarfs and hats for indoors. Thanks for sharing you pic.  An with or without a wig your are beautiful so just do what’s right for you and sod what other people think. Take care xx ... View more

Hi Sarah50 I start EC chemo on 22nd October and freaking out about loosing my hair.  I don’t know whether to leave it, go for a short cut or take the bull by the horns and just get it shaved.  I am booked in at the wig shop tomorrow but would appreciate any advice you may have being a month a head of me with your treatment.  Thanks SU ... View more