Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone It's nice to hear how everyone is getting on. I finished my chemo in December and my radiotherapy in January, so started Letrozole and Natecal D3 in February. Oncology wanted me to have Herceptin, but my echocardiogram showed a slight problem, which hasn't improved, so I decided against it. Because of the potential bone problems I have also been advised to have Zoledronate as an infusion every six months. I had my first one 10 days ago and was so ill afterwards it was horrible. And last week the pain in my knee was unbearable, so I was wondering if I would have to swap Letrozolel, but the pain has improved now (thank goodness) so hopefully things will settle down now.  On a positive my hair is starting to grow back, although there's a long way to go yet. But overall I feel like I'm heading in the right direction. And I'm grateful that I'm retired, so I don't have to get up for work every day.  Anyway, good luck everyone. Stay positive and soon we'll be enjoying Easter and sunshine! Love Tizzy x  ... View more

Hi Jane and everyone I just read your post and really agree with you about the fatigue, getting out of breath and generally being so unfit - and I wasn't that good to start off with. I've always had a weight problem too and with lockdown and then all the cancer drugs it's ridiculous. I completed my chemo in Dec and then finished my radiotherapy last week and started on Letrozole and NateCal D3 this week. It's one excitement after another! I hope there are no major side effects I'm just hoping that with the Spring I will find the energy to start doing a bit more, getting out for regular walks and starting to socialize again. I wish you all good luck on your journeys going forward. Take care of yourselves. You've all been amazing, and thank you for your company. Tizzy xx ... View more

Hi Sue, like you I haven't posted in a while, but I read all the updates. Also like you, my last dose of chemo really hit me and virtually wiped me out. I've been on Docetaxel and Carboplatin on three weekly cycles. I'm finding walking difficult as my legs and back ache and I've become very breathless. I told the oncologist and she said she would reduce the amount today, which is my last one. Normally I've been ok for the first few days, so I'm desperately hoping I'll be alright for Christmas Day as I hope to spend it with my family. My husband has been brilliant too, as have all my friends and family, but I can't wait to spend time with the grandchildren, I've been virtually isolating so I've missed them so much. So as part of my festivities next week I have my pre-planning CT scan for my radiotherapy due in Jan and an echocardiogram, because they want to give me Herceptin as I'm HER2 positive, but they found a minor problem with my heart which they are trying to sort out and the oncologist is keen to get it sorted, but I'm really not convinced. Has anyone any views on Herceptin? This cancer journey certainly tests us. I know I'm getting off lightly compared to lots of people, but it's still a struggle. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone and I hope 2022 is a much better year for all of us. Love Tizzy x ... View more

Hi Ladies It's good to read how you are all getting on. As has been said, it's nice to know we are not alone. Can someone give me a link for the look good feel better site? I can't seem to find it and it's something I would like to try.  Like you @mbElizabeth I am lucky enough to have family close at hand, but I am really struggling with not getting the cuddles I really want. My oncology nurse implied I have to be really careful of avoid picking up any infections, not just covid, and it has made me really wary of seeing my family, even though it's the one thing I want to do. I know it's not forever, but having waited so long during lockdown to spend time with them, I was really looking forward to spending summer time with them, and then because of my diagnosis in June, everything went to pot. I really feel I'm missing out on some 'special time' especially with the younger grandchildren. Anyway, every day is a step in the right direction, so keep up the fight ladies - we've got this  Hugs Tizzy x ... View more

Hi @louby_lou69  Yes I found the waiting difficult. I had an additional delay of two weeks, whilst waiting for cardio to get in touch re my echocardiogram, but seeing them next week now, and the oncologist said we'd go ahead without the Trastuzumab. We can add that later if they sort heart/blood pressure issues out - I will need a lot of convincing. Anyway, I was just so relieved to start the actual chemo on Tues. At the moment I am feeling fine, and so I'm trying to just feel positive and focus on other things. A friend gave me some flower crafting kits to keep me occupied, as a change from puzzles, reading and tv. I've even done a bit of exercise today too, so feeling virtuous. It must feel strange not going into work. I'm lucky I'm retired, and have a lovely husband who's looking after me, but I'm really missing seeing my grandchildren. After all the lock down I was planning to do so much with them and then this all kicked off in June with my lumpectomy on 2 July and although I've seen them a bit, with Covid and everything it's so hard. I just want my cuddles, with my daughter and sons-in-law too. They live so close to me, it's so frustrating. As you say, so many cancelled trips, and I'm not really sure how much socialising we can do due to the increased risk of infection.  I'm sorry you still have a bit of a wait before your appointment, but at least you're getting prepared - it's all you can do. And then as you say, the sooner we start, the sooner we finish. Well I better get back to flower making, I promised to send her photos of how I'm getting on! Take care, Tizzy x ... View more

Hi Louby_Lou69 I was due to start the same regime as you last month, but my echocardiogram caused some concern and they put my chemo back. We've decided to go ahead without the Herceptin, that can be added if the cardio team sort me out (although they don't seem to be moving as quickly as I had hoped, which is adding to my stress levels). They want to change my blood pressure tablets, but how they will know what are chemo side effects and what a blood pressure side effects? Anyway, yesterday I had my first of 6 cycles. It took longer than planned as despite feeling that I'm doing really well and have everything under control my blood pressure said different. It was so high they had to give me extra meds to bring it down before I could even start the chemo. However everyone was really nice and the rest of the actual chemo went well, So far I am feeling good, so long may it last. I hope everyone on here is coping as well as they can and getting all the support they need. I'm going to have a look at the 'Look good, feel better' now. Hugs, Tizzy Good luck eveyone ... View more

Hi everyone Hope you're all coping. I had my pre-chemo appointment with my oncology consultant this morning, only to be told that there is a slight problem with my echocardiogram I had on Tues.  I'm supposed to be getting Herceptin with the other drugs, so now I have to go for more tests to find out whether I can have Herceptin or not and the consultant has put back my chemo for a couple of weeks. I'm glad they are being thorough, but now I'm worrying about my heart as well as breast cancer.  I'm feeling very emotional. I was building up to the chemo on Monday and now that's not happening, I'm all over the place. Plus I suppose I'll have to change to the Sep chemo starters group now!  I know in the scheme of things I'm better off than a lot of people, but today feels rubbish.  Sorry to off load on you all, but I know you will understand, and I just needed to vent. Take care everyone xx  ... View more

Hi girls I'm reading your messages, thanks Justine1970, and glad that you seem to be doing ok. I'm in that waiting stage, but it will start to change next week with my pre-chemo appointments, echocardiogram etc, so no doubt I'll be joining in with more detailed posts later in the month.  I just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you all and sending you lots of positive thoughts and hugs. We can do this  Love Tizzy xx ... View more

Hi ladies Well I've come to join the group as I start chemo this month. I had my excision on 2 July and the operation went well and my lymph nodes were clear, which is great, but as I'm Her2 Positive I have to have chemo before radiotherapy. I've had a phone oncology appointment and now I'm going in for my pre-chemo appointment on 19 Aug, then bloods and covid swab and then an appointment on 23 Aug (my wedding anniversary!), which I think is the actual start. I'm having TCarboH (Docetaxel-Carboplatin-Trastuzumab). The Her2 Positive means I have to have the Trastuzumab, which is the one I'm most worried about. Is anyone else on here having similar. I know we will all have our own journeys, but I just wonder if anyone else is having the works like me?  No doubt I'll be on this group a lot. Good luck everyone Tizzy x ... View more

ZippyZoo, I'm so pleased your op went well. It's so good to be able to tell others not to be overwhelmed by everything. We are going through very scary times, but there are lots of ladies here to offer support and advice. Here's to the next part of our journey. Good luck everyone xx ... View more

Hi ZippyZoo and ladies, it's me again. I know everyone will have different experiences, but I just wanted you to know that I had my operation (dual wire guided excision and sentinel node biopsy) on Friday and it went well and the staff were wonderful. It was much less scary than I was expecting and a lot less painful than I thought it would be. I know there is a long way to go, but I feel much more positive about the help I am going to receive. I slept most of Saturday and am obviously taking it easy and doing the exercises as prescribed, but I just wanted to offer some reassurance if I could. Good luck everyone - we can definitely beat this xx   ... View more

Hi again ZippoZoo and ladies, well a couple of weeks on and I'm still a bit 'this can't be happening to me'. But my operation is on Friday, so it is happening. I find I'm talking about things in a matter of fact way, but the minute people start to be nice to me I end up in tears. I've also been told I'm Her2 positive, so now I have to have chemo before radiotherapy, so that's daunting, but I see there's thread on this site for ladies starting chemo on a given month, so I'll join that when the time comes, as I'm finding this site really helpful, just knowing there are ladies going through this too. I've started doing some Mindfulness which is helping. Someone recommended the Calm app and I've used that too.  So it's time to pull up my big girl pants and get on with it. Good luck everyone x ... View more

Hi Zippyzoo, I know what you mean about getting nervous. I'm trying to be very matter of fact about it all, but as it's getting closer (and all the paperwork arrived this morning) I find the nerves are starting to kick in. I must admit though that I'm saying the word 'cancer' and 'breast cancer' because I refuse to be scared of a word. This is a very common disease and for me, I just need to acknowledge it and know I am getting the best treatment possible to get rid of it. (I know this might be more of a struggle as my treatment takes place, but it's helping me right now).  Good luck x ... View more

Hi there, I'm in the same boat. Just been diagnosed and I'm having surgery on 2 July. Being positive and reading the information the hospital and breast care team have given me, but it's all a bit surreal at the moment. I've signed on here, as some of the literature I've been given has come directly from Breastcancercare so I thought it was the best place to go for information and support. I think I'll be visiting these pages quite a bit now. ... View more