Breast Cancer Now Forum

Many thanks for your reply. Thats very reassuring  yes the spring cleaning list is growing! you’re so right not to sweat the small stuff Good idea to follow the exercise plan, I’ll be sure to do that   Take care x     ... View more

Thank you so much for your reply thats really encouraging, I didn’t imagine the tummy cut to heal so quick. I heal well from surgery too I have bought some large pyjamas Tops with pockets for drain, hadn’t thought of that. Hoped drains came out before allowed to come home? how many days were you in hospital? I know everyone is different. I am 58 & before all these shinanigans was pretty fit. Take care x ... View more

I have a diep coming up in a few weeks too. I agree its the diet and constipation that worries me. I really do not want to risk any rupture of the tummy stiches so will be taking it very easy when I'm home. Its a mad rush now to leave the house tidy & clean & fill the freezer with meals. I bought 3 pairs of big pyjamas in the sale yesterday with a button up front & baggy pull up trousers! Good luck x ... View more

Hello  I lost my hair through chemo last Feb. When it started to come through I used 2 cans of Regain! I know lots of people go anti anything chemical but having been poisoned with chemo I couldn't see this would do me any long term harm! It certainly gave it a growth spurt! After that I have used a shampoo bar from Lush a girlfriend gave me, lots of good quality conditioner and a argon oil hair serum. My hairdresser has been amazed at the growth. At 58 I'd say my hair is thicker now than before treatment. It did go really really curly at first but seems to be straightening out now. I tried to rock the grey but it wasn't for me.    I found the regrowth more upsetting than loosing it. For a long time I looked like I have an old lady perm - and no offence to old ladies! Good luck x ... View more

Hello so great to hear from you we made it into the next year? How about that? I eventually had genetic testing taking into account my family cancer history & no obvious link to my brother (pancreatic) or father (prostrate). At leadt I can tell my sons they are not at any greater risk. I so wanted a reason. Not why me? But how can I reduce my chances of it coming back. I have a 1:4 chance of it coming back even after treatment. I had lumpectomy last Dec, 4 cycles of EC chemo which wiped me then 15 days of radiotherapy which was a breeze for me. The fatigue was & is so hard to live with. Lost my hair in Feb but it’s pretty good now. Last year was such a whirlwind just can’t believe it all happened. i gave up my job & am trying to put my mental & physical health back together  How are you?   Happy New Year! Theres 51 weeks left to make wonderful memories. Best thing I did was join a cancer support group. We meet for walks & activities Tomorrow we are doing a painting class Something I have never done! Sending warm hugs to you xx ... View more

Oooh good idea. I really like cottage cheese, will get some in. I’m taking a good quality vitamin supplement & have spirulina its a bit bright green but said to be a super food! The most comfortable head covering I have bought is a satin lined turban from Etsy thry have them on Amazon too.  It is harder for my husband I think, I don’t really have to look at my bald head much! The hairdresser/wig technician used clippers to take my hair off. It was not too traumatic & he kindly chatted to me about TV shows (usually hairdressers talk about holidays but not much of that with Covid-19). My 2nd cycle of EC chemo was yesterday & I don’t feel so bad as last time. I had a short walk in the sunshine today & slept afterwards. sounds like you are taking control of your treatment plan .We must be our own advocates with our own health.   Take care its great to chat & share things with you  Rose x ... View more

Hello Winda great to hear from you. I had been thinking about you too! I have had a great week, my brother wife & their dogs came to see my hubbie & I last Saturday it was so nice to eat together & chat around the table. They are a 2.5 hour drive away. I know better what to expect as my second EC chemotherapy is tomorrow. Now I know to rest more in the first week. I thought I was superwoman & started out walking on the second day & maybe should have reserved my energy as by day 6 I was totally wiped out which was scary.  but if this is the only way at present to eradicate any random cancer cells that might be floating about in my body I have to do it. I lost my hair this week, the hairdresser I have ordered a wig through kindly cut it off yesterday. It has affected my hubbie more than me. And oh boy is my head cold!  I was mystified the person who messaged both of us about the testing deleted all their messages? I found that really strange. Ive put that aside for now and am concentrating on resting, eating good healthy food, lots of water and staying positive. How are you doing?  Take care of YOURSELF xx ... View more

Hello Winda i am so pleased you have found answers to your questions. Out of interest what did you find out? Has this confirmed or changed your treatment direction? I realise its all very personal. I’m not sure I would refer to it as a ‘journey’, some people have said that to me, that suggests its out of choice but I suppose the decisions we make after diagnosis are our own personal pathway? I had my 1st EC chemotherapy last Friday & have had a variety of anticipated side effects. The fatigue later in the week has been hard going. But I have definitely turned a corner today & feeling more like myself. Good luck with all you do keep in touch  Rose x ... View more

I have requested genomic testing via my surgeon of the cancer & have been referred on 4th Jan for genetic testing for BRAC1 2 which I was told goes to Great Ormond Street hospital & they contact me. Nothing so far. when I saw my oncologist on 21Jan I asked again for information on the pathology report & details of the cancer but felt I was given the same information that it is not hormone related & TNBC. I feel this  tells me what it isn’t rather than what it is? I am a layman & feel I am fobbed off. I had 1st of 4 EC chemotherapy last fri4th Feb. And intend to request my pathology report from initial lumpectomy on 2 Dec & repeat for clearer margins on 22 December 2021. My vision is a bit blurry following the treatment, so my apologies! All the staff I have come into contact with have been fantastic. I guess we all sing from a hymn sheet at work in the end without realising & cease to hear the question asked? Many thanks ... View more

Thank you very much, I would really appreciate this referral. I had read about the hormone trial but realised it did not apply to me as TNBC do this would be so very interesting. Many thanks again  Rose ... View more

Hi julian there are online companies in uk & usa I can’t recommend any. I have to chance mine up on our state service  good luck! ... View more

Hello Winda lovely to hear from you. All went very well at the hospital yesterday for my first of 4 EC chemotherapy cycles. Staff were all fantastic. Felt very nauseous last night & very tired which is to be expected.  Take care xx   ... View more

Hello  Julian I would be very interested to learn more about this. I live in Essex so not far to travel to Charing Cross hospital. Thank you very much. Kind of regards Rose ... View more

Good for you for taking charge of your treatment plan. it does move fast here but I have been grateful of that as I want the process over with. Not always the best practice though. My surgeon is on instagram as Drtashag she also has a number of interesting podcasts . Again this week I was asked by a health professional if I had any questions & wanted to know about the type of cancer, but got the same monologue about triple negative. I know what its not but what is it? I have to park that for now & revisit at a later date. ultimately no one has all the answers & it’s up to us as individuals & patients to navigate through. I have my first of 4 EC chemotherapy cycles tomorrow. It seems a barbaric way to eradicate any microcells that could be circulating but I don’t want fear to be my alternative. looking to the future, its monitoring reoccurrence that I want to know about. We are offered annual (instead of every 3 years) mammogram. life is good at throwing curve balls at us. Good luck to you & keep in touch. ... View more

Hello Hang on in there. The really good news is it has been detected & you will be treated. Its a hell of a lot to process. I am triple negative. Had surgery before xmas (some have surgery first, depends on different factors) & am starting chemotherapy this Friday.  Try to take it one step at a time, try not to loose yourself down a Google rabbit hole, everyone’s experience, treatment plan etc seems slightly or majorly different. I gave up on any comparison.  Have a few friends & family that are rooting for you.   Good luck xx ... View more

Hello Winda Thank you for your message. I have found it very frustrating. I persuaded my surgeon to refer me for genetic testing on 4th Jan when I had feedback on my 2nd lumpectomy operation but haven’t heard anything yet. I saw the oncologist on 21st Jan I asked him some questions but got the same speal about triple negative not being hormone receptive etc etc. I want to know what it IS not what it isn’t. I felt he didn’t want to discuss it further & I didn’t want to come across as an old bag asking too many questions. So off I trot! This Friday I start 4 cycles of EC chemotherapy as they say an ‘insurance policy to mop up and random cells that could be circulating’. I have read there may be a connection between prostrate, pancreatic & triple negative breast cancer if you have the BRAC1 mutation.  All the appointments & staff have really been fantastic. How have you found this process? wishing you all the best x ... View more

Hi I’m diagnosed with 3negative breast cancer. Have had 2 surgeries in dec & most probably chemo to come. Like you Im back to walking which is great. I’m logging it on the Strava app to see my progress from a shuffle to a walk & improving my time! Like you I was a gym bunny & its shocking how quickly my stamina has dropped (I’m 57) There are a lot of online exercise classes & Les Mills does them too.  good luck & happy New Year Rose3N ... View more