Breast Cancer Now Forum

@donkeywoman Thank you for your lovely, support words! I hope you managed a more productive day than me today! Slept the whole day through! I felt like superwoman yesterday with extra steroids and stronger anti sickness meds but have definitely crashed and burned today. Lovely to see some sunshine up north though - long may it continue! Sending love and get well wishes to everyone finding it hard today! Cancer is hard enough without battling it during a pandemic! One day soon we’ll be enjoying those glasses of wine with our friends again and all this will be over! Xx ... View more

@Belinda_F  Thanks again for your lovely, supportive messages! You lovely, brave ladies offering such comfort to others at such a difficult time personally - I think you are wonderful! I seem to have resorted to hermit style coping mechanisms!  After an initially great day yesterday after round 2 of FEC on Friday I have crashed and burned today. Slept the day through until after 3 but managed to rally myself for an hour in the sunshine in the garden with a fluffy blanket this afternoon, which has definitely lifted my spirits!  Starting jabs tonight though 😔 hate them!  I’m exactly the same on the phone! I hate it! Put off answering and calling back as long as I can. Definitely more for whatsapp or messenger! Xx ... View more

@Shi Thank you for your lovely message. Some funny wigs sounds like a good plan! She did sit behind me singing ‘Mummy has a baldy head’ while my husband shaved my head! 😂   On the bright side - showers are quick at the moment with no hair washing or shaving to do! Xx ... View more

@Fruitcake Thank you so much for your message! I came across this charity and Gracie’s little dolly actually arrived yesterday morning! They are a lovely charity offering all sorts of free products ladies - get on and have a look! I got some lovely hand balm and another headcap with the doll for my little girl, all for free!  The lovely ladies at my chemo centre have given me a book to read with her too called Mummy’s Lump but it goes into a lot of detail for a three year old.  She’s dealt amazingly well all things considered - she just doesn’t like to see my bald head, which I definitely understand! I still remember my great auntie losing her hair to cancer when I was about 8 and it was scary! Just hope she’s too young to remember any of it! Xx   ... View more

@Gelbel I’m with you there lovely! 😔 the last of mine was all shaved off last weekend after a shower took masses of it and this is the first time I’ve even been able to face coming on here in a week! Not because everyone wouldn’t be amazingly supportive, I’m just devastated! I bought a lovely human hair wig which I really do like but my head is so sore I can’t wear it all the time like I’d planned. So far it’s made it to my Covid jab and round 2 chemo then I’ve just been living it comfy hats. My little girl is only 3 and is terrified to see my bald head. I don’t blame her really - I can’t look at it either!  I know what you mean about friends - I just want a hug from them! They’ve been so lovely and sent lots of flowers and beautiful gifts, but it isn’t the same as a good old rant and a few glasses of wine!  Hope you’re doing ok ladies! Sorry for being so distant - this is bloody hard isn’t it!  Love to you all Xx ... View more

Finally found I felt more human today! Still a bit tired and a shower took a nap to build up to it but I even managed a bit of housework. My little girl spent a few hours at her Nana’s house today which has really helped!  I was all geared up for cold cap but they made the decision not to offer it the week before my chemo started. Honestly, the hair loss is my biggest fear. I have really long hair that I love 😢 I’ve ordered a real hair wig, which I’m hoping will arrive in the next couple of days - as long as it looks ok I think I’m going to take the plunge and chop it off.  Been feeling quite dizzy and my back is aching which I’m assuming is the injections. The fun really is never ending isn’t it!! I’m so glad to hear others talking about how hungry you are! It’s so weird to feel so nauseous but still wanted to eat! My husband keeps looking at me like I’m mad!  Sending hugs to you all ladies! Xx ... View more

Hi ladies! Oh my, I definitely underestimated the effects of all this! It’s only round one - how have you ladies found recovery between cycles? I was very sick on Friday night but have got meds sorted, I think. I’ve literally slept all weekend! Not ideal with a 3 yr old - my poor husband hasn’t had a minute to himself! I honestly can’t seem to keep my eyes open! Even getting up to the loo seems too tiring!  My local authority have stopped cold cap treatment (cheers Covid!) and already my scalp feels strange. I’m terrified to touch it.  I definitely feel better reading that we all seem to be having a chilled day! When have you noticed the fatigue being better in the cycle? Thanks ladies - sending virtual hugs to you all! Xx ... View more

Hope everyone is ok! It’s FEC today. I’m ok just feel really wiped out so had a chilled day. Has anyone else noticed their stomach feeling very bloated and hard? I feel really uncomfortable tonight.  sending love to everyone else who had treatment today - we’re all one day closer to it being over! 🤞 Xx ... View more

Thank you @Mumboo  and @donkeywoman I’m feeling a bit better today. To be honest, the chemo came as a real shock. My breast consultant was very much sure that it would just be operation followed by radiotherapy but my Oncotype result came back very high (74). I just haven’t really processed it yet and hearing the nurse say yesterday that I would lose my hair was hard. My Dad has just finished chemo and he hardly lost any, so I was hopeful I would be the same but I don’t think there’s any chance. @Mumboo how have you been feeling after your first round? Have you had much hair loss so far? It’s so hard with kids isn’t it? I’m more worried for her than for me. Xx ... View more

Great news @tennisgirl - hope you’re doing ok!! I have my first FEC-T on Friday. I think it hit me properly for the first time yesterday. I had my bloods done and met the nurses at the unit. They were lovely! She talked me through all the delightful side effects of the treatment but when I got home I just sobbed about my hair! I have really long, dark hair and the thought of losing it is terrifying me! I collect my wig tomorrow but even the nicest ones aren’t ‘my’ hair. I’m not a vain person honestly, I’m just worried about my little girl. She’s too little to understand and I’m scared.  How have you all coped with the hair loss?! I know there are worse things... it just doesn’t feel like it right now. Sorry ladies - on a bit of a downer. Hope you’re all doing well!! Xx ... View more

@Lewy2803  I’m with you on the ‘me time’! I have a 3 year old and don’t even get to go for a wee in peace so sitting with a book for a few hours will be blissful! (The lengths we go to, eh!?) 😂 ... View more

@Belinda_F thanks so much for your lovely reply! I’m so sorry I’m so slow getting back to you - I’ve switched off from all things cancer related this week! Does anyone else find it’s all you can think about?!  I’m doing ok thanks - just anxious to get started with the chemo now. I’m anxious about what is to come but the advice and kindness from all you lovely ladies is a real comfort!  How is everyone else coping?  Xx ... View more

Hi ladies, finally got my start date... next Friday. Hope those of you who have already started are doing ok! Any advice gratefully received!  I’m 35 and have a 3 year old. She’s too young to understand but I’m terrified that she’ll be frightened if I do lose my hair. Have any of you had cold cap therapy? How have you found it?  Xx ... View more

Thanks ladies! Thankfully it’s much better now! Starting chemo next week - any advice?! I’m so scared! Xx ... View more

I am so sorry to read this Rena! I can’t imagine how you must’ve feeling about more surgery, especially so close to Christmas! This year is honestly unbelievable!  I wish I could offer you some helpful advice, but I just want to say that I’m thinking of you! Xx ... View more

Hi ladies! Did you have any luck with this?! I’m 2 weeks post op and it’s so painful! I’ve ended up putting another dressing on because I couldn’t cope with the feeling at all!  ... View more

Hi Emma, I hope you’re feeling a bit better? My operation was on the 19th and I’m having the exact same issue! I saw the consultant yesterday and they said they’d be more concerned if I didn’t have any pain in my arm and that it’s a good thing?! Apparently it can sometimes take a few months (or longer) for it to feel normal again.  For me, the worst pain has been my nipple area. Since the dressing has come off it’s so sensitive and feels like I’m being poked with needles constantly. Has anyone experienced this? I ended up putting another dressing on as I could cope with the feeling at all.  I was diagnosed on my 35th birthday in October - are there any other thirty something ladies? Xx ... View more