Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jellybaby, Its really lovely of you to think of me. I have finished all my treatments now too, some soreness is still there but it’s nearly gone now. I’ve still been feeling shaken and down by the whole thing but slowly day by day I’m getting there. so so glad to see the back of last year. The dogs are great, they have really kept me going over the last year! I’ve had a lot of fun with the big one. No mammogram yet, they said from the date the cancer was removed so that will be June. glad to hear you are on the other side of it now too. thanks so much for posting at thinking of me xxx ... View more

I admire you going back so soon, you’ve done really well 🎊 ♥️ I’ve got a whippet…she’s great fun! Really lovely dog and we’ve got a great bond, I think from all the dog classes we do together. I missed quite a lot of the puppy classes due to the radiotherapy- but we are definitely catching up now and she was great last night! 🎊   I went for a facial yesterday - it was lovely but I have the complete inability to relax as well so you are not on your own there ♥️ I’m like a coiled spring inside sometimes and I can’t wait for all this to pass,   Em xxx  ... View more

Well done you for going back to work! I can imagine that’s been overwhelming for you, I think the fatigue is so up and down! It’s only this last week that I’ve started to feel something like normal. Have you had many hot sweats? Good luck with your follow up on the 26th. I wonder what is causing the leaking on the other breast? The good thing is that it’s been checked and you definitely know everything is ok ♥️ So that’s good piece of mind for you. Yes I’m doing ok, I’m definitely depressed but working my way through things and trying to avoid antidepressants if I can. I’ve been taking my new dog to show classes now I’m feeling better and that has been brilliant 😀 it’s really made me feel like I’m back in the normal world ♥️ Take care, Em xx  ... View more

Hey hun ☺️ It’s overwhelming isn’t it, especially when it’s so out of the blue and we are so young 😔 ive been so up and down with it all (like I imagine everyone is). I’ve finished my treatment now but my mental health isn’t great, and my memory is totally shot - it’s like the trauma of it all has clouded my brain and I struggle to remember things pre-diagnosis. Really strange. I’m still not working and thinking of going back after Xmas as I don’t want to jump in too soon. Love and hugs, here anytime if you’ve got any questions ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ Em xxx  ... View more

Hi Jellybaby 😀 Oncology we’re fine about me stopping the Tamoxifen. Apparently, it only gave me a 1.6% higer life expectancy by taking it 😳 literally no difference so I’m happy I’m not taking it. Still tired but had a few hopeful good days where I’ve almost felt back to my old self ♥️ I can’t wait to feel normal again, hope you are doing ok. Where are you up to in your treatment now? ♥️ Love and hugs, Em xx ... View more

Jellybaby I’ve stopped the Tamoxifen now 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 The side effects were to much and I’m sick of being messed around with. I did 8 weeks on it which I think is a good go. I’m nearly 3 weeks off it and starting to actually feel a bit like my old self now! I had days where I couldn’t stop crying and was having intrusive thoughts and manic episodes before my period - not good. So I’m going for it without it! Oncology are ringing me on Tuesday but no one is going to change my mind I don’t care what they say xx  ive just had a couple of pretty good days 6 weeks after my treatment now. Quite a lot of energy and back to normal until about 4pm which has been fab. Pain levels are decreasing too and I do feel like I’m finally getting back to normal ♥️ ♥️ Much love and thanks so much for the message xx  ... View more

Hey Jellybaby thanks for you message 😀   it’s so true, I’ve been drinking loads and I definitely think it’s helped. Every time I have had a metal taste in my mouth, I’ve been drinking until it goes away.  i can slowly feel myself improving, I have had a couple of really good days recently where I felt like my old self. I’m the same - still sleep for 2 hours during the day and 6 at night. I’m going quite well with the Tamoxifen, it’s the week before before my period that I’ve struggled on it. In between seems to be fine! My skin is all pretty much healed (yay!) and the swelling is slowly going down (my nipple is white now, and was so painful and itchy before the skin had come away). I wish I had done what you’ve done with the dressing. Keep me posted on how you get on when you start the Tamoxifen 👍🏻 I found it rough at the beginning with a foggy head, memory,concentration etc.  Always here for a chat ♥️ It does get better in time. speak soon and take care   Em xx   ... View more

Hi Jellybaby, yes I’ve done all mine too - It’s been just over a week since my last one. I’m resting at home as much as possible and I’m managing short walks with the dogs which is great. Sometimes the fatigue seems to hit me all at once. I’ve been drinking 5litres of water a day and I think that’s definitely helping with the side effects.  My skin became very irritated so I stopped using the Aveeno and changed to a different product - it has calmed down a lot now.  hope you are doing ok as well and great news that you have finished your sessions too much love, Em x  ... View more

Here anytime if you want to chat ♥️ good luck with your next radiotherapy sessions ♥️ How many did you say you were having in total?  Em xx  ... View more

Hey JellyBaby 😀 thanks for the message 🙂   you are absolutely right - everyone deals with things in different ways and each person’s journey is totally individual. Don’t worry about being tearful at your first session it’s totally normal ♥️ If you feel upset, give yourself time and allow yourself to feel that way ♥️ I’ve learnt that from my old councillors.  I’ve finished the 19 sessions now, and for me the hardest part was starting both the radiotherapy and tamoxifen at the same time, after about a week - the Tamoxifen side effects lifted and I was pretty ok again.  now I’ve finished I’m quite sore but I’m managing it ok with the cream - and touch wood I seem to be ok on the Tamoxifen! Which I’m really pleased about. I did persevere through some really horrid side effects though.  Honestly, I’m here any time if you want to chat, we could do a FaceTime if you are feeling up to it, it’s totally up to you.  lots of love, thinking of you,  Em xx  ... View more

Hey there Trouble74 ♥️ I replied to you this morning but for some reason it didn’t come through! It’s so so tough and the beginning, and bless you for getting yourself away in holiday whilst all that is going on - you are a very strong woman! It doesn’t seem like it now, but as things sink in it does get slightly easier. I’ve accepted it now and accepted that my life path has changed a bit.  at the time I was confused, angry upset and all those things - telling my daughter was so hard but she’s understood it fully which is great.  I had a real tough time on the Tamoxifen at first! I’m 10 days in now and each day it seems to settle down a bit more - I’m wiped out by the radiotherapy so it will be interesting to see how I am once the RT has finished.   take care and here to chat anytime    em xx  ... View more

Hey JellyBaby ☺️ Ok so here’s my Tamoxifen update - I spoke to the doctor and they’ve prescribed me 5mg diazepam 3 x per day. It’s helped immensely and my brain has stopped flying at 100 miles per hour which is a huge relief! I will take them all, come off them and then see how I am 👍🏻 Otherwise I’ve told them - I’ve will not take it so they are being very helpful over it.   Radiotherapy is all back to normal - I’ve done 12 sessions now and it’s just started to make me feel really tired (but it’s up and down, it seems to just hit me all at once at times) but apart from that all good. I’m looking after my skin really well and the radiographers are impressed with how it’s looking 👍🏻   mum still has my daughter so that’s brilliant, worried about her coming back but I will definitely reach out to social services if it gets to that point. Good luck for your radiotherapy on the 4th - you will smash it it’s so quick and then you are out of there ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ em xx ... View more

Hi JellyBaby, I managed to get over a situation I had the other day with my breath hold - I’ve increased my inhalers and that seems to have done the trick so that’s a big weight off my mind. Normal service there has resumed. Tamoxifen - basically it’s turned me into an angry teenager. That’s the only way I can describe it. And floods of tears every day too over the slightest of things or over nothing. I’m going to ring the doctors on Monday but to be honest I don’t think I’m going to continue with it - my mental health has been a problem for me for as long as I can remember. At 15 I was put onto antidepressants and they kept me on them for 8 years - that’s not something I want to go back too. I’m sick of being messed around with now and want to finish the radiotherapy and move on from this.  my daughter will have to come back here once my treatment has finished and as a single parent I won’t be able to cope - and because of her Autism she will end up in care. Absolute nightmare. Feeling absolutely rubbish. Mum suggested leaving it and then maybe having another go with it once I’m ready after the radiotherapy has finished.  Have you had a start date for your radiotherapy?   em xx    ... View more

That’s a really good idea about the cooking packs - I actually have some good ones that I used for my knees when they were bad.  yes the Aveeno cream is good - I’ve used it on my skin before and it works well for dryness. Omg absolutely melting doing these car journeys with no air con! I think the weather is going cooler soon though 👍🏻 👍🏻   I have 2 dogs and they sleep in bed with me - it’s those little buggers waking me up at times too I’m not sure why though 😂 sometimes the little one is just standing over me 🤣     glad your planning scan went well - do you have to hold your breath for your radiotherapy? I have asthma and have to hold my breath for 30 seconds x 2 for my session. It was a problem yesterday as the hot weather is giving me a tight chest. I’ve put my inhaler doses up and I’m praying it doesn’t happen again today! Xx  ... View more

Good luck with your planning scan today JellyBaby 🌟 💫 I’ll be thinking of you ❤️ No I’m not allowed to have the second vaccine, and I have asthma so that’s a bit of a worry in itself. Apart from going to the hospital I’m not going anywhere else at all.  The radiotherapy is still going ok 👍🏻 my boob is pretty sore but it was before so it’s increased the pain a bit. I have to be a bit careful how I lie at night. I’m using the Aveeno cream at least 2 x per day as I have very sun damaged sensitised skin so I’m keeping a really close eye on it.  Also I’m wearing one of those factor 50 tshirts (it’s making me really hot but worth it to know the sun can’t get through). It’s a Roxy one. Em xx  ... View more

Our stories are really similar ❤️ I have problems with fluid retention too and I drink lots of water to stop myself being dehydrated, that helps ☺️ Also, lying down with legs raised.  Yes I had the Astrazenica as well - I’ve only had one dose as they won’t let me have another one as it caused lymphodema. I’m still very tender even after 10 weeks and I think that’s normal too. Yes I have the copper coil without hormones and I’ve had it in for 3 years so that’s good! Yes I use a hot water bottle every day - I will be doing even more so with travelling to the hospital every day.   my first radiotherapy session went really well - once you’ve had your planning scan under the CT machine…the actual radiotherapy session is shorter and easier than the planning scan.  I was in and out quite quickly so please don’t worry about it, you will be absolutely fine ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ It’s an 80 mile round trip for me and I’m driving myself there 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 So as you can imagine I was totally fine ❤️ Did you say you’ve had your planning scan? If you have any questions about it please  ... View more

Hi Lou,  im sorry to hear you are having a bad time during the night, broken sleep is the last thing you need at the moment! my mum was on HRT (she’s stopped it since my cancer) and she had so many benefits from it. Also my dr (who has had exactly the same cancer as me) had had a hard time going onto a drug similar to Tamoxifen and coming off HRT - I think that’s a bit of a double whammy you’ve got there.  i have no idea how my body will react so I’m keeping my fingers crossed - I do know at ER+ 7 it’s very important for me to get going with it.  I don’t sleep too well at the moment anyway, and I do go back to sleep in the afternoons most days   thinking of you    em xx    ... View more

Morning JellyBaby, It’s funny you should say that you’ve had swelling of the arm - I’ve got lymphadenitis and lymphoedema in my left arm…not because of the cancer but because of the vaccine (well I don’t think it was because of the cancer but our stories are very similar!) I’ve only had my first jab - they won’t let me have another one. On both sides my lymph nodes were extremely reactive - so much so that they couldn’t do a biopsy on the left side where I’d had the jab - so I had to have a sentinel node biopsy during surgery.   its been 10 week for me now - I also have the smurf boob and pain too so I think that must be normal. I know the blue can stay for quite a while. I have a copper coil that makes my periods quite heavy anyway so pray for me that hopefully they won’t be too bad ❤️   I had been on antidepressants for a long time from the age of 15 so I didn’t want to take anything for the pmt, I’ve just tried to manage it myself as best I can.  today is my first day of radiotherapy so I’ll let you know how I get on, I’m not worried about it just very glad to get started 👍🏻 I have to start the Tamoxifen today too - it’s in the draw ready to go for tonight! 😬 😬 Yes you’ll have a CT scan first - it’s really easy and everyone at the hospital was lovely ❤️ Em x ... View more

Hi Lou, it definitely is very surreal at first I totally understand where you are coming from ❤️ It’s a whole bag of different emotions and they seem to change from day to day as you go along. I found mine in March and one thing I didn’t realise is how much of a long time any of the treatments go on for. I have a 17 year old daughter who has autism and I’m on my own here - we struggled before but things are even harder now…the hospital have suggested maybe putting her in to respite but I’m not sure if I a can do that. It’s so hard when you tell them - I’ll never forget telling my mum I could hardly bare to make the phone call but I’m so lucky that they are giving me a lot of support. I’m here anytime if you want to chat ❤️ Em xx  ... View more

Hey JellyBaby, I hope you are doing ok…it’s a big shock isn’t it? At the time I hardly had any breast tissue as I was so thin (my back pain was so bad that I wasn’t eating much) and that’s how I found it so early. Just out of interest - had you had the covid jab before you found it? I’m in exactly the same position as you - it’s been 9 weeks since my surgery and I start radiotherapy and tamoxifen on Thursday. Hoping tamoxifen actually helps me as I suffer really badly with pmt symptoms half way through my cycle and just before my period.  Have you had any surgery yet? love and hugs,   emily xx ... View more