Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks, queen of retail therapy! For some reason I got myself in a flap thinking it was a silly idea but you are right I should just do it! (I've got 4yrs to go too xx) ... View more

Speaking of cards I wonder if I could ask people's opinion...does anyone think this would be weird? My husband's cousin was diagnosed a few years before me and she has just finished her 5 years of tamox. I wanted to send her a little card to say congratulations (or something) do you think that is a weird thing to be congratulated on??? I feel like it is a milestone that I would like to acknowledge in some way (and perhaps that non-BC folks might not realise what a milestone it is). We are not that close, we don't live near them and only see them once a year or so at odd family gatherings. I just thought it'd be nice, but then again I don't want her thinking what an odd thing to send a card for!(I am totally overthinking this I know!) ... View more

Tina, like Wandy I am a primary girl and don't post much. But I just wanted to say I am thinking of you and wanted to wish you all the best for your scan tomorrow. Much love xxx ... View more

I am reading The Emperor of All Maladies on my kindle at the moment too. I think it is absolutely fascinating and I find Mukherjee's writing style very pleasant and engaging. Sometimes I even forget it is specifically about cancer, it definitely has wider ramifications. At times it reads like a fascinating general exploration of society, attitudes, history and medicine. I have not finished it yet but so far I would definitely recommend it. ... View more

Oh Lynnferg, my jaw is on the floor too at your sister's comment! Nothing to do with BC but it sort of reminded me of a brilliant exchange I heard on TV after the hurricane caused New Orleans to flood. Interviewer: do you think the flood is God's way of punishing New Orleans for all the sin and debauchery that has gone on there? Interviewee: I think it's God's way of saying don't build a city that's below sea level and surrounded on three sides by water and then be surprised when it floods I thought it was great. I really disagree with people who think bad things happening are some kind of punishment....we all know sadly too well that bad things, including BC, are pretty indiscriminate and happen to good and bad people alike. Oh wouldn't life be simpler if only bad things happened to bad people, and good things to good people! El K, I would have been sorely tempted to give a reply along the line of well my hair will grow longer but you will still be (..insert insult of your choice..) ... View more

dancing, she sounds like a great woman xxx ... View more

Lulu I love the bouncer analogy! Good luck for your results angelfish. Glad the surgery went well and hope you manage to have a nice birthday despite everything xxx ... View more

alanaa so sorry you have this worry. I'm not sure what a coned mammogram is, I'm afraid that is not a term I've come across. It may just be that they want to double check something to be on the safe side. But if it is the worst case scenario we will be here for you. Good luck xx ... View more

YAY!!! Brilliant news Doz! I am thinking of you and your son too, that must be so difficult for you xxx Good luck rossco and nymeria xxx mythos, don't let other people's ignorant comments put you of doing what feels right for you. Everyone is different and you have every right to do what is best for you. And I bet your future patients will appreciate your compassion and empathy, I wish all nurses were as considerate as you xxx ... View more

SCACO that is one of the best posts I have ever read. Like so many of us I am terrified of it returning but what you say about wasting time is so true. Thank you so much for posting this, I will try and remember your wise words whenever my brain starts with the "what ifs". ... View more

Hey Doz, I was just coming on here to report back! Thank you so much for your kind words after my last post, and mimsy too. I got my letter today - hooray it only took 2 weeks not 4, and double hooray there was "nothing that gave cause for concern"! So a huge relief, obviously 🙂 Good luck for yours, hope you don't have to wait too long for your results and of course that the results are fine. I recommend arranging some nice treats - lunch out with partner/friend, shopping, booking a holiday...! Whatever to take your mind off the horrible waiting! Best wishes and let us know how you get on xxxx ... View more

Oh Lbx157, I'm sure many, many of us can sympathise with your feelings. As katytc says, being diagnosed with BC is so shocking, often as it can come out of the blue (I was 32 and felt perfectly well) that you just can't help doing what psychologists call "awfulizing" (i.e. imagining the worst case scenario and projecting the most terrible outcome even if it hasn't happened yet) After all, getting the BC diagnosis proved that sometimes the worst case scenario is unfortunately true. It is completely and utterly natural and understandable that you will be terrified of being in a similar situation again. Congratulations on being brave enough to go to the doctors, I hope very very much that it is nothing and she/he can put your mind at rest. Please continue to post on here, your husband may not be able to understand (you are right, it is hard for people who have not been there to understand the terror) but we on here certainly do, and you will always find a sympathetic ear. Best wishes to you and good luck for your appointment. Much love xxx ... View more

Congratulations SCACO! Brilliant news and well done for getting through the past year. Onwards and upwards now 🙂 ... View more

I write the days on the back of the strips too. I take mine at 7pm and have an alarm set on my phone. Even so, five minutes later I can sometimes think "did I take it, or just think about it?!" So I would be in trouble if I didn't mark the strips! Good luck Jo! Hope you have minimal SEs xx ... View more

Me too, AlexD! Thanks for sharing this Elinda, it is always brilliant and encouraging to hear new drugs are being developed. What miserable comments on the Daily Express article though! ... View more

How absolutely wonderful, Lemongrove! Best wishes to you for an amazing Christmas and beyond xxxx ... View more

Thanks everyone for your messages. I had my mammo this morning. I was absolutely fine in the waiting room, then I walked into the room and promptly burst into tears! Silly sod! Anyway once I had collected myself it was okay and over very quickly. I didn't see any staff other than the radiographer, who just scanned me and then sent me on my way. I will get my results by letter in up to 4 weeks. 4 weeks!! I was a bit annoyed to be honest, I think they could have at least had a BCN around to have a bit of a chat with you, it is such a scary and vulnerable time. It really brought back the feelings of my original dx. And I wish they could get you the results quicker, surely they must understand there is a world of difference between a routine scan and one given to us BC ladies after treatment. Anyway there is nothing I can do now but try and put it out of my mind (and hope I get some nice clear results sooner that 4 weeks!) Good luck to everyone and yes, do please keep reporting positive results! Much love xxxx ... View more

I have got my 1yr mammo tomorrow. I feel a bit sick thinking about it. Logically I have no reason to think there will be anything wrong, but then I think, well, before my diagnosis I didn't think there was anything wrong either! Can anyone tell me what happens? Do you see a doctor/nurse/someone who has been around for your treatment and have a consultation or does just a radiographer type person take the mammo and then you go home? If it makes a difference it's a one-stop clinic at my hospital, when I was diagnosed I saw technicians, nurses and the surgeon, I was scanned, biopsied and diagnosed all in the same day. Might I get the results tomorrow, or do they just send you away to wait for a letter? (Sorry if these are unanswerable questions, it probably varies from hospital to hospital I guess) One more thing....does it hurt??? I haven't had a mammo since my recon, my new boob is pretty firm and I just can't imagine it getting squeezed in between those plates 😞 Sorry for all the questions, I am just having a bit of a flap... ... View more

Elinda I hope you are recovering from your treatment. I can't beleive you've had it done 5 times you poor thing! In answer to your question, my normal dentist referred me to the teaching hospital, it was really simple. He just wrote them a short letter outlining my case and within a few weeks I had an appointment with them and they started treating me. sky2sea I completely agree that we should get free dental treatment as cancer treatments can be implicated in teeth, gum and mouth problems. ... View more