Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi All Thank you for all your help and comments. My absence as you may have guessed means that I am now a Mummy... I had a little boy 10 weeks ago, called Ethan. He is just adoreable!! As for feeding. Sadly he is soley bottle fed now, but not through lack of trying. The hospital put me under immense pressure. First off Ethan would not latch, the hospital helped me, or should I say forced my baby to latch, so after the first 24 hours I was sore as you like with obviously no other breast to work with. One nurse even asked if I tried him on the other side!!! Not impressed!!! Ethan was starving, I was not offered a bottle, they would not send me home until he had latched. Eventually he did enough to send me home. It was always my intention to breastfeed and bottle feed, to give myself a break more than anything. He still would not latch at home, so I expressed. He did not get much, but something was better than nothing, until I gave myself a blood blister and had to stop. I then produced even less and then I gave up. The bra situation made it virtually impossible to feed in public so this was an impractical option for me, could not wear a nursing bra as my prosthesis would fall out (as it did in hospital - but I had a curtain there), or I would have to wear a normal bra and have to strip from the waste up... like I did at home. I was too late in adapting bras to suit me. I think its disgusting that they haven't thought that people with mastectomy's, despite what doctors may say, CAN actually have babies, and should be given the dignity to do what every other woman should be able to do. (sorry slight rant there). xxx ... View more

Thanks for your help. I like the idea of getting a Nursing bra and putting an underwire on my prosthesis side or removing wire from a normal bra and making it so it comes open... not that I'm planning on feeding in pubic for obvious reasons, but i'd hate for my prosthesis to fall on the floor in a cafe. Never heared of Rigby and Peller, but will certainly have a look in to that option too... Just frustrates me that shops a) do not cater for large busted women who are younger who do not want to wear just Black white or beige and B) no one has considered that people who have had Mastectomy's can actually get pregnant. I have thought about having a go at prototyping something while I'm on mat leave and earn a fortune!! Seeing as though the shops haven't thought about it yet!! Thanks again for your help. Mandy ... View more

Hi Ladies Long time no speak... How are you all doing. Can't believe its a year this weekend since I found my lump! For that reason I thought Id see what everyone has been up to. I havnt had my genetic test done as yet, I had the conversation, but I need someone to say, right we are going to do it today, leave me to make choices and it won't happen! Its probably not the right attitude, but for now, I'm just enjoying life again. Got a check up on Weds and my first Mammo (since the dreaded last time) in November. Re booked my holiday to Oz - 5 weeks over Xmas and New Year. How have you all been doing since? Mandy xxx ... View more

Hya I had 3x FEC and 3x Docetaxel. I cold capped for 4 out of the 6 sessions. The first few was bareable, but as my hair got thinner it hurt more. At no 4, I felt sick before the chemo went in, then I decided enough was enough. Saying that I did not loose much more hair follwing cycles 5 and 6. I always maintained a covering, and ended up giving myself a blade 4. Ultimately the choice is yours, but to give you some hope, I finished treatment in March and 3 months ago I stopped wearing my wig in public. So it didn't take long to come back. Mandy xx ... View more

My fingers felt sore after the first stint of Tax and got worse with each one. I had my last chemo 4 weeks ago (3x Fec 3 x Tax) and the pain is easing a bit but my two forefinger and middle nails look like I have traped them in a drawer. Is this a sign that they are going to drop off???? Also I'm confused what is the dark nail polish about - is daylight not a good thing??? Cheers Mands ... View more

My young Neice and Nephew were a factor when I agreed to have the test done with not having kids of my own, however my brother has decided he doesn't wish to know the results as he wants to live for the moment. He is happy that he and his wife check themselves and they will educate the children when they are older.... I understand his motives, I almost decided not to have the test done for that reason... part of me thinks "lucky him!!!" This cloud will be over my head for the rest of my life... whats more bad news I thought... it can't get any worse than actually getting Cancer.... But then I thought, but what about the Kids, when they are older they may wish to know the results of my test - if he ever tells them anything about me. Its very difficult as I'm not exactly close to my brother, he lives abroad and we havn't seen him for over 3 years and he won't talk to our Dad (he's my half brother). But I would hate for something to happen to he kids later in life because HE wanted to live for today. Its so easy for something bad to get missed. Families hey!!!! ... View more

Oh Vicky... sounds like you've had it rough just lately, and so sorry your line is giving you grief.... I met the lady who was in the next bed to when I had my mast, really didn't want to see her in chemo as she had other problems as well.. anyway she told me something similar to what you have just been through with her line then getting an infection and a reaction to the antibiotics.... and here's me telling everyone its ok... I guess I was just lucky. In anser to your question, my Onc said theye had been quite severe with the chemo goven the fact that all cancer was removed in surgery and my CT scan and Bone scan were also clear, that she didn't see it was necessary for me to have Radiotherapy, and I won't be having hormone treatment as I am triple negative and it wouldn't benefit me in any way. District Nurse is taking my stitch out on Monday, just in time for my hols, its so nice to have a worry free bath... oh bliss!!!! I think my hair is growing back slowly.... the back of my neck is all soft like a baby. I never lost it completely as I cold capped for the first 4 chemo's. Got my Genetic test on Tuesday... just when you think its all over, there's always another test results lurking around the corner... I'll let you know how that goes. Take care everyone.... M xx ... View more

I had an unsuccessful lumpectomy follwed by a mastectomy and finished chemo today So I am on to of the world right now!!!- radiotherapy is not necessary as the Cancer was all taken in surgery and chemo was just a back up plan. My last trauma on this journey will be the results of this test. My onc did say that many women think that its genetic, however most are a freak of nature, and trust me I am hanging on to that. Saying that if I am positive, I would rather have a 2nd Mastectomy then go through chemo again. Have to say I know we are all different but your message has made me feel a bit more hopeful about it all... thank you. Mands ... View more

Mairead, You are not moaning and I can totally understand where you are comming from. I was 29 when I was diagnosed. Just finished chemo and had a mastectomy. Myself and my boyfriend are ok with that and he has been brilliant, however when I first started chemo, my dad wouldn't accept that I was ill with it.... he tol dme to get some fresh air and I'll be fine... bearing in mindI could barely get out of bed!!! Then at Xmas we had said we would go round my parents, but the way my chemo dates worked out I had chemo in 19th Dec, and was still feeling ill Xmas day and was almost admitted to hospital. I think alot of that was the pressure I was under to go to my parents. I said to him why don't you bring the food to my house so I dont have to go out, he said your Mum can but I will stay here your house is too small. So not to upset Mum we went there. I thought how selfish is that. On the other side people have said to me that I am his little girl and he doesn't want to see me ill that why he's been the way he was, but it did wind me up. That may be the case for you. Whether you have chemo or not, having Cancer is a horrible thing and whether its a mild from or an aggressive form, its still Cancer and you are entitled to be upset about it. All the best Msndy ... View more

I've had a lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemo, gave myself whiplash being sick which lasted 4 weeks, had constipation that I have never experienced before to that degree, have a mouth like an old pair of socks, I have lost my hair..... yet I have coped really well, I am an inspiration, I have been so brave, positive and strong about it all..... actually I have been a blithering wreck at times. I know people don't know what to say... and on my good weeks I am happy and cheery, if I wasn't they wouldn't get an opportunity to tell me how well I look... when actually I look like poo!!!!!! ... View more

Thank you everyone for your comments, very helpful information. I watched the thing about the couple trying to adopt but the man was overweight, and went on some of the websites they mentioned. I sent an email to one of them telling them everything bout me, and they said it shouldn't be a problem, obviously they would have to obtain medical records but I may have to wait 5 years after treatment (which I have to mention yet again was today!!!!), which is absolutely fine with me as I will still be fairly young at 35, and we will hopefully have got out lives back to normal and moved into a bigger house by then and better able to accomodoate a family. ... View more

From my experience my cancer showed up as a big black hole on the ultra sound, so its good that yours showed nothing. Let us kno how you get on. ... View more

Thats it... all done... just had my last chemo, and as a brucie bonus I had my Hick line removed aswell.... apart from a bit of fumbling it was absolutley fine. They gave me loads of local anesthetic and once the cuff was out within 2 seconds it was out! Then I made a pratt of myself and blubbed at the hospital. Although its horrible to have chemo, I will miss the staff and I have made some good friends there, so I'm all emotional right now but in a good way. No more chemo, no more poking, no medictaion... the hard bit really is all over apart from a few follow up appointments. Within half and hour of getting back home I booked a cottage break away for the 27th March for a week.... can't wait, then I can think about going to work full time. Work have been great, they are going to refer me to Occy Health to assess my working hours so I can start gradually. I hope the end is in sight for you guys.... and that its being kind to you. Speak soon Mandy x ... View more

I'm interested in either if anyone changes their mind. I don't know how to PM either though.... ... View more

Hi there, I can tell you my first FEC was also horrible, I was voilently sick, terrible nausea, couldn't eat anything, or keep water down. The feeling lasted a good week. I had 3x FEC and each time I was sick. Although on the last one I was probably sick the most however it only lasted 3 days rather than the week. I almost spent Xmas day in hospital, however Miraculously the sickness stopped and I was able to keep fluids down. Try and get stronger anti-sickness coz the ones I had didn't work at all. I'm on Docetaxel now - just one more to go and for me its been a walk in the park by comparison. I do hope things improve for you. Mandy x ... View more

Blondebird - glad you got your teeth sorted, sounds like you too have been asking yourself - is there anything else!? I think like you said they want me to have the genetic test because I'm triple neg and because I was 29 when I was diagnosed. I am really hoping I am a freak of nature, I keep telling everyone that the surgery was easier than the chemo, but given the choice I would rather not do any of it again! I think if you are worried about it, you can request the test, its just a blood test so I'm told, I think you have the right to know so I would mention it to your Onc. snottrags - I had a Hickman line put in after the first lost of FEC. I havn't had any probs with it apart from not being able to get blood out of it, so I have to have blood taken in the normal way. I was sedated but awake, there was a pushing and sugging sensation but didn't feel pain during the procedure. My shoulder ached for about a week, but once I got over that having chemo has been a breeze and unlike when it goes in your arm you can't feel a thing. Hope it al goes well for you when you have yours put in. Let us know how you get on. Mands x ... View more

I don't know whether to be worried now.... I have one more Tax to go, after having 3x FEC and 2 Tax. I have lost a stone and a half! this could be a lot of things... I was severely sick on FEC and it all happened soon after surgery when I also lost some weight. Maybe it will catch up with me after, but I will do my best to keep it off now. I don't think the steroids help and my appetite is all over the place, with the taste thing I am living off soup even though I could eat much more, it just can't bear the taste. I did eat alot before, so maybe with me its just the change in diet thats making me lose it... I don't know. ... View more