Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi @louby_lou69  I'm on Phesgo injections (Herceptin/Perjeta) and have had a troublesome cough for several weeks now, had my 8th injection 3 days ago. I was in hospital with a nasty pneumonia 3 weeks after my first injection and no one thought Phesgo was the cause ???  I have asthma too and have recommenced Symbicort plus take Salbutamol more frequently - helps a little but not enough! It really is bothersome when you have to speak and it feels like there is something stuck in/irritating your throat! Sucking on boiled sweets, Polo-mints or similar helps me a little but I guess you may not be allowed that in the classroom?  I am not on anastrozole, tried Tamoxifen but I too severe reaction to it. Take care, Kaisa ... View more

Hi @mel1989  I used a nail cream from here: https://polybalm.com/  Found it in a blog and researched about it - bought from Amazon.  Pricy but it did work.  I don't paint my nails so nail polish was not an option for me and I was also told not wear it by a nurse.  I applied the cream 2-3 times a day and it has helped - not lost any nails, the chemo tracks (white or dark curves that show up on your nails - see the pics on the link above) are hardly noticeable.  I am now only on Phesgo but am still using the cream. Take care, Kaisa ... View more

Hi @bookish  Before I started my chemo last July I applied a nail bed cream called Polybalm.  Someone suggested it in a blog, can't remember where, but I researched it and bought it then on Amazon. It's pricy (£37 for two bottles - about the size of lipstick applicators) but has certainly helped my nails, applied it 2 -3 times a day. I can still see pale white curves after each chemo session and there are ridges but my nails aren't as brittle or flaky as I was warned they would be.  Read about Polybalm here:  https://polybalm.com/ Take care, Kaisa ... View more

Hi @Guest user  - I hope you don't think I meant YOU were were jealous/envious - it was a personal statement that I am not jealous or envious 🙂   ... View more

That's an interesting question.  Could possibly be that the celebs have money and can afford insurance that will pay for all these PET scans etc.  I asked my consultant about a PET scan but got a big no, asked about CT or even a chest X-ray to look for mets etc.  Nope, only when I have symptoms of these will they even think of an xray or even a CT.   I am in a social-media group (my cancer type - metaplastic) and the girls (most in USA) there talk of their 3-6 monthly CT's, PET-scans and genomic testing's with better targeted therapy etc and it does cause me to think how unfair it all really is.  In the end money has a lot to do with it, more money = more resources.  But instead of being jealous/envious of their resources I am at thankful that despite covid I've received my chemo without delay, had my mastectomy without cancellations and a wonderful phone contact with my BCN's.  ... View more

Hi @YorkshireJ ,  I had a right simple mastectomy Oct 12th.  For sleep support I bought a large maternity U-shaped pillow filled with shredded memory foam (Byre support pillow from amazon). Best investment!  It prevented me from rolling on to my sides and I felt well supported - lay a memory foam pillow on top and then a softer pillow, the "legs" of the pillow alongside my body, felt snuggled in!  I have fibromyalgia, arthritis and bilateral sciatica so did occasionally wake up with more leg pain as it did prevent me moving about but I still felt comfortable.  I still use it when I sit up in bed to read, knit, watch telly etc. I lie on the right side of the bed and can easily slip the right leg off the bed so I can get in/out of bed.  I did not got home with any drains. For travelling in a car some find a small pillow comfortable under the seatbelt but it depends what side your mastectomy is on. I just pulled the seatbelt away from my right side with my left hand a little. You may need help to fasten the seatbelt. A friend told me I would be exempt from wearing a seatbelt but I did google about it and no, mastectomy not an excuse - so a seatbelt must be worn. Do the exercises! It's really important to prevent any tightness that may develop. Don't overreach - I made that mistake a few times in the beginning and it was very sore but things have improved now. You may find a bra sore to wear to begin with, I only wore one when leaving the house. I still haven't found a good bra but hopefully, once my seroma has settled I'll get the silicon prothesis and take it from there.  Remember your body has gone through major surgery and you will be tired - rest when you can and make sure your friends and family understand - it will take time for your ex-boob area to heal underneath. Eat good healthy food and drink plenty fluids and take painkillers regularly - they do help. Take care x ... View more

Hi - I got that too.  My oncologist said it's got to do with the muscles in the eyes and it will get better. I had 3 cycles of EC in July/August and noticed a change within the first week. Had to stop driving and find it difficult to read subtitles on the telly, I only got my new glasses in January.  I am now on Phesgo injections which causes watery eyes (and sniffles) and my vision has only improved slightly - getting an appt with my optician in January to see what he says.  ... View more

Hi @HighlandGirl, Raigmore worked well for me apart from the travelling distance. My surgeon was Mr Abbott, Doc Barratt is the oncologist.  The ward was busy but bring stuff to keep you occupied. I had my laptop with me and even if I couldn't concentrate very well it did help pass the time. MY surgery was scheduled for the morning but due to previous patients I didn't go to theatre until 3pm. I was in 4B. I was up walking to toilet about an hour after I returned to the ward. I peed loads that evening! Went home the next day, Do the exercises every day - they do help with your arm mobility. I am still fluey and coughing loads, lateral flows have all been negative, son is bad with the cough too and husband has recovered. Temp been up and down, getting bloods done tomorrow for Phesgo on weds if I am fit for it. I'm guessing it's a winter flu thing. I hope your diarrhoea settles before the op! Take care, Kaisa ... View more

Hi - you are right - I have picked up an infection! On Wednesday I was at the main hospital for an ECHO and saw the BCN as well. I wasn't too bad then but on the journey home I felt much worse (the hospital is 110miles away). My temp went up but never passed 38°c. Phoned GP yesterday morning, no appointments but once I mentioned chemo I was seen within the hour!  Chest infection (by this time I was really wheezy and chesty) so antibiotics and steroids. I've had umpteen chest infections and pneumonia twice so should have recognised the initial symptoms but with chemo I just wasn't sure.  Covid tests negative. Hopefully I'll feel loads better when it's time for the 2nd Phesgo. Take care, Kaisa   ... View more

Hi all July 2021 starters, I've had the results of my mastectomy - all tumour removed, margins clear and none in the 3 lymph nodes the surgeon removed. BUT - there was no evidence that the chemo had effect on the tumour/cyst! I am obviously very upset about this (hairless, vision changes and digestive problems for nothing). I know there is no guarantee with chemo but it could have at least done something to it, but then again, I only did 3 cycles and felt the tumour grow (from 5cm at start to 6,5cm) so that's why I refused the next 3 cycles with a different drug plus my body had that gut feeling that removal was the best option. My scar is now about 38cm long, a bit lumpy but has healed well. I am though bothered by seroma. Four drainages so far = 1500mls. I am going for another drainage today - gone from a flat chest to an A/B cup and it's really sore and annoying.  Unfortunately there is only one BCN that can drain it where I live (far north of Scotland) so once I had to go to A&E and the surgical consultant had to do it (hadn't done one for years) and left a bruise.   Tomorrow I start Phesgo injections.  Anyone else had/have these? I am worried about it but think the options of getting nothing and risking more cancer elsewhere outweighs the side-effects? I am not sure. Also starting on Tamoxifen - now I sailed trouble-free through my menopause so hoping this will not cause too much of a problem with me.  I am also feeling low but I think this is the norm considering all the trauma my body and mind has gone through. Not getting all the support/help at home my son and husband promised me hasn't helped and I am frustrated and disappointed with them and also with me for thinking they would understand. People think I am now clear of cancer and will revert back to normal asap - I wish I could share my tummy/bowel upsets and seroma pain with them! My BCN has given me good advice and told me not to expect to heal as fast as I wish, my body needs time to repair but maybe come Spring I'll feel OK. Great, just in time for the start of our lambing - busiest time of the year! Anyways, I wish you all well on this unwanted journey we are all on. Kaisa ... View more

Hi @SeaGlass  I had a right simple mastectomy 2 weeks ago and was hoping to be flat-ish but very difficult to say now how the final result will look like. My incision is about 36cm long going from between my breasts, about a 3-4cm curved line down and then following my bra line but cutting up a bit on my side. I am big, bra size 48 so thus the length of the incision. I have had a seroma drained 3 times so far (375, 300, 275mls) and my chest area and armpit plus a bit of my side is still swollen. Also my incision is still a bit lumpy (surgeon used glue plus internal stiches to chest wall muscles - why moving and lifting restrictions are needed to begin with so these stiches don't get damaged/torn) plus being fat I am not expecting being aesthetically flat, I only had the tegaderm and steristrips dressing removed on Wednesday. Before my surgery I googled photos of mastectomies to prepare myself but none looked like mine!  In fact, I was surprised at the length of the incision but glad that my surgeon (lovely man btw) followed my natural creases rather than cut straight across my breast. Maybe ask your surgeon where your incision might be? Take care x ... View more

Thank you @Jennet x First week has passed and today I had my first seroma drainage - 370mls! Nurse happy with my wound and next week she's going to remove the dressing and drain more seroma if required.  I get the histology results on Nov 5th.  Take care x ... View more

Hi @kelly1956  I had a general anaesthetic on Tuesday, the anaesthetist and her helper were both lovely and made me feel at ease. I am 61, obese and have arthritis, asthma and fibromyalgia so not the easiest patient to put to sleep but the last thing I remember is sitting up (back rest on bed up) breathing in through a mask (oxygen), some slight dizzyness/spinning from what they gave intravenously and then 3 hours later I woke up in recovery feeling a bit woozy but guy with me was adorable (like a teddy bear!). After about 30 minutes (I think) I was wheeled up to the ward and managed to slide over to my bed. An hour later I walked to the loo for a pee (nurse with me to the loo but left me for privacy). Later on and overnight I slept on and off, body did feel strange but I was drugged up on codeine and whatever they gave me in my veins. I had a lovely cup of tea at 1am along with my co-patient who also had a mastectomy. Staff on ward were all angels. I went home on Wednesday. I was anxious and scared too, but today I am glad it's done and the breast with it's nasty contents removed. Now recuperation and tackle the next course of treatment they have planned for me. Take care xx ... View more

Hi @SeaUrchin , not sure what he meant by squishy, my brain was really not in gear when he spoke to me after the op yesterday and today I forgot to ask. Will ask the BCN when she phones next week. I am home now and shattered, 2.5hr drive from hospital. Too tired to sleep but I'm in bed. Painkillers working, bruising showing more and more.  I took cocodamol for my pain after the filgrastin inj - awful bone pain!  Take care x   ... View more

Don't know how to start a new post on this so replying to my own thread. I've had my simple mastectomy today - surgery took longer than expected but the swelling from my biopsies had grown quite a bit and my arm kept knocking in to it and it was getting really sore. Not seen scar in a mirror yet - no mirror in the bathroom here (!) but I can feel it extends from behind armpit to up middle of chest. One sentinel node was "squishy" my lovely surgeon said but all else looked fine. Fingers crossed! Thankfully no sickness but had fasted since the night before and only came out of theatre at 6pm so I was hungry! Drain is in the way but easy to carry when I pop to the loo.  Feels odd not having my boob there, tender and a bit tight but will start exercises once they show me what to do and also load up on painkillers. It's past 11pm now and hopefully I'll  be able to sleep but they're doing 2hrly obs on me so ... I'll zonk out when I get home, hopefully tomorrow. Take care everyone, my travel companions on our unwanted and unexpected journey xx ... View more

Hi Its been quiet amongst us July starters. Just wondering how everyone is getting on? I've had 3 rounds of EC (last one on sept 1st), refused the the next 3 with another drug (I had valid reasons) and am now booked in for a simple mastectomy on the 12th October. I wanted a mastectomy before chemo but the protocol here seems to be chemo first to shrink the tumour, I felt I had no choice in the matter. The chemo side-effects have waned a bit but I still have stingy eyes (use gel eyedrops), zitty inflamed face and am tired. Fed up of shielding, long to do the weekly shop and meet up with friends at the café but then again I don't want to pick up a bug before my op. Take care and thinking of my fellow travellers on this unwanted journey. ... View more

Hi @Jaynie23 , Yes, waiting is awful and we feel like time is running away from us. I am now waiting for a mastectomy that I wish could happen today (booked for 12/10), my tumour is growing, it's tender to touch and in the way too, I also am scared of it spreading whilst I'm waiting. The BCN knows about this but I still have to wait. I wanted the mastectomy first but was told chemo first, so had 3 rounds until I said no the next 3 with a different drug. WAIT is a four-letter word! I hope you will get your results as soon as possible and that your treatment can start. Take care x ... View more