Breast Cancer Now Forum

Fingers crossed for your sister Janet. i always think it’s great that we are all so much more aware and treatment is available but it doesn’t take away the enormity of it.  Hope all goes well for your sister and for you looking out for her  ... View more

Dear Sam What a lovely message you wrote. I can feel your positivity and that will be of huge help. Good luck with preparing yourself - nights are always the hardest but I guess we have to allow ourselves this processing time. Keep that positivity going and wishing you all the very best ... View more

Hi Same here. i live in Switzerland and my two tumors were found as a result of screening.  Thank goodness for screening. i gad lumpectomy in both breasts followed by radiotherapy.  I also work in a school but took time off to focus on myself. i found the radiotherapy mentally quite difficult as I felt I didn’t belong in that department.  I used my free time to relax, did lots of walking and yoga.  Mind you I live in a busy household with three children and it was  during the pandemic so a little different. good luck with everything  ... View more

Oh yes the waiting is hard.  I had to have three different types of biopsy and the wait was unbearable but it’s best to try to be patient in order that you get the best most suitable treatment for you. I also never Google.  I use only trusted responsible websites like this one. I did lots of yoga during this waiting time and watched more Netflix.  All the very best to you. ... View more

Oh goodness - rant away! I think you definately need to escalate this.  You should be given a proper explanation and have the right to have the right to have this. You deserve better so demand it.  Appreciate NHS is overstretched and people overworked but you need to make sure you are looked after properly.  Maybe get a friend or partner to support you in this process as you need your energy for your health. Good luck!   ... View more

Hello Sam yes that was me two years ago so totally understand how you are feeling.  Life suddenly changes and I remember doing all I could to stop my head from spinning.  There’s a whole mash of emotions. I suggest take it step by step, stay positive and look after yourself.  Get out walking to clear your head a little and start yoga. Wishing you all the very best for speedy treatment and a quick recovery.  I’m just back from a beautiful ski break - such a lovely feeling to do all the things I did before. ... View more

A walk outside is definately a good idea along with a few treats. take care  ... View more

Onward and upward is such a good one. all the best for your recovery ... View more

Keep in touch Liz and all the very best Eglis ... View more

Thinking about you - how are you doing? ... View more

Hi Being outside does really help me to stay grounded.  It doesn’t matter how far you walk - even if you sit on every wall and bench you see.  Just even sitting outside, closing your eyes and feeling that fresh air in your face can be good. My sports bra fastened at the front.  I’d suggest front fastening.  I had to wear this initially.   i also had padding (little bits of graze) to cover scars areas as found lymph node scar in particular kept getting rubbed.  The ‘untire’ app is also good as it has relaxation exercises and you can follow it daily - this helped give me a focus. Adriene - you tube also has good yoga routines & meditation.  You’ll obviously need to take it easy with your spine. Take good care of yourself x ... View more

I had lumpectomy in both breasts.  One breast had two tumors. My preparation was mainly yoga based - exercises to keep me calm, yoga for anxiety or stress. i bought a really comfy sports bra with no rough seams, etc.  Soft pillows in bed to rest your arms on  i made sure I went for a walk every day pre and post op.  This helped me enormously  Otherwise a few treats, book to read, something new to try whilst you are recovering.  Be kind to yourself, Wishing you all the best  ... View more

Just read your message. Big hugs!  Not sure what to say other than hang on in there  ... View more

I‘m so glad I‘ve read these posts. I too eat a healthy vegetarian diet, am very active, do lots of sport and have an increasing mid section…….small price to pay to be cancer free but still extremely annoying!   ... View more

Ahh bless you ….. tricky times but try to focus on facts rather than letting your mind run away with.  Wishing you all the very best! ... View more

Thank you @landgirl  I’ve worked really hard on myself to stay grounded - the cancer diagnosis has already stolen enough things from me and now it’s time for it not to steal more!   I often think of my brain as being playdo or putty ……. The negativity tries to take over so I have to get the other part of the putty to push it back down so there’s more room for positive thoughts. The best of luck to you. ... View more

@landgirl Hello - I’ve not read all the posts yet but yours caught my eye. The guilt is terrible isn’t it but it really isn’t our fault that we got ill.  I’m also a mum and felt so awful and guilty for inflicting my breast cancer diagnosis & treatment on everyone.  I want to be there for my kids and protect them not expose them to the fall out of a cancer diagnosis.  However, there’s not much we can do - it is how it is.  The main thing is making the most of each day, being thankful for small mercies & remaining positive (or meddling with our brains that we can be optimistic of no reoccurrence).     it all takes time…… time to digest, time to think over, time to get better, time to mend physically & mentally and time to just enjoy being once again. Wishing you all the very best in this journey. ... View more

Hello Liz very much the same for me but I‘m a little further ahead from you.  I finished my treatment a year ago.  It really takes time.  My experience was once treatment was finished, my family no longer needed to think about the cancer diagnosis but I was still recovering physically and mentally.  Am also taking tamoxifen.  I felt it remained by my side for some time …… it’s still a part of me but no longer so prominent.  It all takes time and should be given time.   I‘ve worked really hard on my mental approach as I don’t want to be a survivor, I want to return to embracing life and living it. Wishing you all the very best with your onward journey. X ... View more

@helen39  Can totally relate to that. i sometimes feel the same but try to think I‘ll finally make it to the lucky group of people who don’t get it again.  Two tumors were enough! Good luck everyone! ... View more

@adoptedmanc @EttaMagath  me again! You made a great point that people tend to talk about the negatives not the positives. Like you am I look at my diet (chocolate & alcohol can bring on flushes for me) exercise, yoga to zone out, fresh air, etc.   I still sometimes drink alcohol & still sometimes eat chocolate.  Life’s too short! Sometimes joints might get be bit painful/achey but I choose to ignore this & carry on. Wishing you both all the best.   ... View more