Breast Cancer Now Forum

hello to poppet and carol particularly as you are still on chemo. Im getting better now but feet are still sore after last cycle, which i completed this week!!!!!!!!!!! Can't believe iv done it. what an ordeal. Iv joined a slim club that im not very good at attending to loose my chemo weight and get into better shape for rads which start in a month. I feel i have a bit of respite now so intend to make most of it. I went to the young womens forum which was a lovely opportunity to meet others in our position. At times it was a bit lecturey, which was difficult as my concentration isn't what it was - to say the least. But i met some superstars! I found a talk given by a female onco-plastic surgeon about recon options particuarly valuable. She was so approachable and knowledgeable. The forum was worth it even just for her. All might go a bit quiet on here i guess as we get to the end so I must try and come on to encourage you two for the last bit!!!! not long now xx carmel ... View more

hang in there carol!!! Im going to the younger womens forum tomorrow so really looking forward to that. Night away and hopefully a chance to get some info on reconstuction. let you know how i get on. xx to all carmel ... View more

I find the whole 'brave' discussion most interesting. I probably would have chosen courage and dignity in describing Jade... but then they are my words and reflect my understanding of them and my impression of what i observe in Jades attitude and behaviour regarding her cancer. I suppose its easy to be offended, frustrated or what ever when other peoples views jar with our own. I think Brave is a fine way of describing people and not because some arn't brave. People have said it to me.. and i have been ok with it. I think they have used it mainly because i have a positive outlook. I do remind people that you don't change your personality just because you have cancer. ie cheerful glass half full person may well continue to be like that despite others' ideas about how cancer 'should' affect you. I feel fortunate with the disposition i have (though not always) as it has been such a source of strength to me through difficult times. But i totally recognise that others do not have my upbeatness ... but they didn't have it before cancer either so why should they suddenly be all positive now.. especially faced with the shit statistics i keep reading about!!! Im positive because I am.. not as a result of cancer or in any way connected to cancer.. I just am. Having said that I think its a shame to get stuck on word choices. They mean such different things to different people. Even if i wasn't feeling brave and found the word patronising, I hope i could acccept the good intentions of the person descibing me in this way. I feel touched and blessed by kindness, thoughtfulness and well wishes of others. It makes me feel more connected to my community. I try not to scrutinise what they say and would rather draw on the positive sentiment. Of course like so many on this site i have encountered less favourable comments/reactions but if im up to it, I give as good as i get.. otherwise, life's too short... Thanks for letting me ponder. Iv appreciated this discussion... it has been thought provoking xcarmel ... View more

hi rachie, I will be there! have a look at a thread i started called younger womens forums should i go... and a few of us that are going have chatted a bit. Weve also shared some of our back stories so have a read. see you there! x carmel ... View more

lilly your posts are always so encouraging. Thanks for that. its late now so im off to bed. Just wanted to pop in and say hi. I live up north in yorkshire. xx carmel ... View more

Havent had a chance to loook at all the responses here since Iv had a busy half term with kids and holiday just before. Really interested to hear about your experiences and get some good advice. Onc graded my foot thing at 2 so im trying to be really careful. Im on the last cycle so no long walks for me- which is a shame but they seem to have agravated the soreness in my feet. HAnds dry but not too bad. The tiredness has started hitting me tho.. which must be the drug.. Overall tho im amazed at how human i feel in comparison to being on EPi which i wouldn't wish on my worst enemy! Yuk. Glad thats behind me for now. x carmel ... View more

Hi all A very busy few weeks for me with a holiday and then very busy half term looking after the kids on my own. Not that we did too much but still there is a backdrop of tiredness if im honest!! Its hit me again this week but as im on my last cycle (!!) I know its not long till the end now. Onto rads soon i suspect. I went on my ski trip... despite the anxious concerns of my research nurse. So glad I did. I surprised myself by skiing every day and taking little napsbefore dinner. I think that is the life, chemo or no chemo! Im so glad to hear such good news from you all about the progress you have made and the final stages of treatment- WOW! Poppet I know you still have a bit to do but as Lilly says it will be over before you know it and you WILL feel better. Do many of you have aches and pains? I could feel a bit paranoid because i seem to have alot but don't want to read too much into them. Im hoping they are a chemo side effect rather than something more worrying... take care all x carmel ps I have a very decent skin head these days that Im mighty happy with. Less of those kindly 'looks' ... View more

hello there ladies. I havent been on for ages.. a bit like you ness, i find the new layout a bit of a brick wall. Also on a more positive note, I too have become incredibly busy since feeling lots better. I suppose just resuming normal childcare and domestic chores takes up enough time and then the socialising!! LIke your life depends on it!! I can relate very well to your busy schedule ness! Mine is much the same. Just wanted to let you know that the ski trip went o so well. NO hiccups whatsoever. Im so glad i flaunted medical advice and went because i had so much fun and so much rest with no kids to look after, I surprised mysefl by skiing all day every day and partaking in evening jollies ( went to bed early unlike my die hard mates) It was lovely to get away. looking forward to meeting you lot - not long now. My hair is a skin head now which everyone seems to like-especialy my husband so thats been good for my confidence. ta ta for now. see you soon xx carmel ps my real name is lucy ... View more

hi all, only just found you. new site is very confusing tho im sure ill get the hang of it soon. Im doing very well on my tablet chemo still. Im a little more tired now but most of the other side effects are manageable and nothing like as all consuming as EPI. Im excercing everyday now though not weight shifted yet because im a greedy guts. Enjoying a spot of normality. Hope you are all well. xx carmel ... View more

hi everyone... hair regrowth! me too. I have fuzzy felt which is great but as some of you have said.. the colour or shall we say lack of it is a tad disappointing. Looking in the mirror i just look a bit less like an alien, which has to be a good thing. Thanks for all the tips lilly, I too am going to make a mental not regarding the hormone treatment. Im on my second cycle of Xeloda now and so far so good. I seem to be getting sore feet now which is a known side effect but manageable. Overall i just feel a bit more normal.. at last. This regime is so different to epi!!! take care all xxx carmel ... View more

hi all, Glad to hear Popet all went ok.. Hope your se are manageable. Lilly it does sound a bit daunting the whole return to work thing. Im sure you will manage. I wish you lots of luck and strength in coping with the transition. Carol, hope you are ok now, possibly enjoying a few good days. Im still doing well fortunately. Even my veins are starting to feel a bit better now that im on the tablets. sending lots of cyber hugs to anyone who is gloomy or struggling with se's xx carmel ... View more

Hi girlies.. I am in awe of you erin.. swimming with your baldy head. Im a keen swimmer so as soon as treatment is up that will be me.. Will i be confident enough.. one boob, no hair, fat tummy, aha..I hope so. At least i haven't got to worry about my bikini line showing me up for a while. I don't miss waxing thats for sure.. Don't imagine for a minute tho that im a high maintainace girl cos im not... but there comes a point when a wax can't be avoided!!! Im feeling great on my new regime... tablet chemo so going from strength to strength at the mo. Trying to eat less move more, or what ever the govt campaign is saying.. Iv sat on my arse for long enough! see y'all carmel ... View more

Faith, I don't do this because im lazy but iv seen it suggested elsewhere on the site, if your computer is playing up.. type your post on a word document and then cut and paste it on.. that way if you lose it you don't lose it ... if you know what i mean.. carmel ... View more

Hi faith, I just want to add my support and agreement to most of the comments here. I hope you find our views reassuring and be confident that you were in NO way getting the wrong end of the stick regarding your GP's comments. I agree with sparkler ( i think) who said it was really important to find a therapist/counsellor/psychologist who you relate well to. They are trained to work with the whole of you... and focus on YOUR experience . What was so difficult in your consultation with the GP, it seems to me, was that he had made his own mind up .. based on HIS experience or training about what was a correct pathway through your particular diagnosis or treatment. And then IMPOSED that on you. Of course your experience is unique, because its your experience. It is valid and right and correct because its yours! Get it... Its really hard when others tell us how to feel/ react/ cope. It gets right on my tit(s).. (LOL) Good luck in finding someone to talk to .. if that's what you think will help... and I wish you well in getting a more sympathetic ear from your doctor in the future, even if it means you have to change. happy birthday too. xx carmel Ps I think having young children (too) makes my head spin faster about the future and the wider cancer implications so from that point of view at least, I understand the messy head feeling... ... View more

Thanks for that.. so it seems to me that the blanket advice may be unpicked a little after all. These are useful comments and Im going to discuss this issue with my doc. Im not sure i would have swum much on the EPI but now im on xeloda and feeling a ton better, swimming would be great for me... a gentle way back into exercise. Loo, I think its great that you are walking as and when you feel up to it. Some people on chemo can't manage any exercise at all because they feel so weak and sick but others, from what iv read, manage to run and climb throughout treatment. I guess we are all different. I, like you, walked throughout the EPI.. more than anything to help me manage horrid SEs. I found that even on my sickest days a half an hour stagger around the park (sometimes hanging onto someone) lifted my spirits and actually made me feel better. Each to their own though and I wouldn't presume to recomend or suggest to anybody... On my good weeks I would go for longer walks in the countryside with friends. Only by cycle 4 did i feel too depleted to get out and about in this way. Now im much stronger im exercising every day, either a walk or gentle pilates/ yoga type exercises. Because iv put on quite a bit of weight through the surgery and chemo, this is helping to feel a bit better about myself... like im going in the right direction now.. All personal i suspect, but good luck with the walks and i hope you manage to continue if its helping you. xx carmel ... View more

oooh, ness and Erin, way to go!! our thread is kicking!!! welcome to naz and helen so glad you are joining us. Hopefuly we can be of use through your treatment Helen. As youve probably read I completed epi just before christmas and am now on the tablet form eqivilant to CMF. I don't think its exactly the same but a similar regime. I hope you fair ok with Epit. I found it tough at times, especially, for me, when the effects of the steroids wore off on about day 5. But there were good weeks too and I tried to make the most of them. I was very touched by the support and kindness i encountered on here and in real life - particularly regarding help with the kids. My kids had a great time going here and there so i recomend you take up any offers. Ness your new year sounds great. So glad you had a good time. Know what you mean about living life to the full - we are starting salsa dancing classes on thursday. Good luck with the herceptin Erin glad you are healing ... Naz come along to the sheffield forum in march maybe? best wishes all xx carmel ... View more

Carol, so sorry that the CMF didn't get off to a good start.. hope things improve. Its such a lottery isn't it. Im now on the tablets and feeling fairly normal it has to be said. Iv been warned that the side effects are cumulative so Im making the most of getting over epi and not having the Xeloda side effects yet! hurray. Like you lily, i had lots of problems with teary eyes and needed the tear drops. glad im through that... well i hope. Good to catch up on all your news... Im getting back to doing a few jobs and being a stroppy mum again. Im sure that the kids prefer it!!. On their case about stuff that just gets passed on during the difficult weeks.. Im not superwoman, though id like to be, but i thought pilates was within my low energy capabilities and im right. You go at your own pace and don't get out of breath because its not a cardio workout. Id recommend to anyone on the mend. I haven't got a job to go back to.. so when im ready it means applying. Will def put that off as long as possible. Glad to hear progress is being made.. it is very encouraging for those of us with a bit to go. xx carmel ... View more

Hi there, Bahons, I was most interested in your suggestions which seem very sensible and very rational to me!. The alarmist discussion i described above really put me off but im going to give this some thought again. I really wanted to work out what posed the most risk.. the actual water born lergy even amoungst the chlorine! or the volume of people frequenting the pool. I feel we can address the later issue as you've described by swimming at a less crowded pool... any avid scientist out there that might be able to shed some light on the logic of water being more infectious than air...maybe it is to do with the heat of pools and pool side atmosphere?? .. Anyway info was all i was after in the first place from the 'experts'. I really miss my swims.. Elsie do let us know how you get on with the onc. b/w carmel ... View more

Hi mandy, I am still wearing the bra given to me by my BCN, which is very nice and fits well but is certainly getting some wear. I have a few other options that i am less satisfied with and am still on the hunt for new bras. I tried to order on-line from M&S but they didn't have anything in my size which is an A/B cup. So it seems the ladies in the middle may have more luck than those of us with small or big boobs. Good luck with what you are trying to do. x carmel ... View more