Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you. I Will have a look in that thread ... View more

That is really promising, really what I hope will be the case for me too. I hope it will look ok, since there is no other. Ready to match it too. Bit surely that should be easier. ... View more

I really hope all goes well for you! And try to be comfortable with being looked after. I only had the lumpectomy and than mx on the one side but I have always thought I should have take it bit more eAsy and slowly. It's really difficult to do that. ... View more

Thank you so much for your replies. I am very sorry to hear that Jillybee had such a bad experience, of course that is what I am going be worried about. But I do think it is promising to hear that if all goes well I could go back to what I am doing now. This is what the surgeon says he thinks will happen (of course).   I will get the beef strattice probably and the surgeon is putting the final implant in straight away and I should stay the some cupsize (which is small B). I am on some sort of waitinglist now.   Asked him all the appropriate and inappropriate questions I could think of, but I guess those doctors are used to this. (I hope) Yes same standard implant as in private sector, yes he will be able to close the wound properly, and under the muscle was the standard etc. I have seen some pictures of the diep and that looks very realistic, unfortunately I wasnt suitable for a breast with my own body tissue.    I hope that in the end I will get used to the implant like I have with the prostisis in my bra. That sort of warms of and after 7 years or so some feeling resumed in the skin. I can sometimes even feel my breast and nipple! Maybe I am just a bit imaginative.   thank you for being so honest. xxx ... View more

I have not really been on this site since 2006-2007. But since last thursday I am feeling anxious because of the advise to stop tamoxifen and zoladex. So I think everyone has the same fairs then. I have been on tamoxifen for 5 years. (and zoladex injection every three months) I was 36 when diagnosed and was told 2 and a half years tamoxifen and two and a half aromatase inhibitor. Unfortunately these didnt suit me at all. I tried arimidex and exomastane (probably spelled wrong). I am so impressed whoever managed with all the aches and pains !!! I also got a bit depressed on those. I feel a bit of a wimp. Although tamoxifen is not a easy ride either. My oncologist would keep me on arimidex (and then I guess zoladex) but since it didn't suit me would then stop the treatment. I am sure it is different for all different types and stages of breatcancer, in my case he thinks he would be overtreating is I was to continue. With all the negative sideeffects taken in consideration he would stop medication. If I wanted to I could continue. When I asked about ovarioectomy, he said he wouldn't but again if I would feel better then it would be arranged. Because my bone densitiy scan was -1 and I am also very aware of all the positive things estrogen does i now think i will go with his advise. Very stressfull and scary. I wish there was a black and white path to follow. I do appreaciate my oncologist being so open and honest. But I am left with all these questions. I don't want the cancer to come back. help. ... View more

My onc suggested to me aswell to change from Tamoxifen to Arimidex because of the hot flushes. (I still hsave those after almost a year of tamoxifen. I am really anxious to change becuse the tamoxifen had given me al lot of pain in the muscles and joints. Since I changed to Nolvadex these have cone!! BUt I've heard that Arimidex is known for its pains etc. So femara has less sideeffects?????? I also mentioned to my onc that at the end of the three months with Zoladex I can feel some activity in my abdomen , uterus/ovaries? He suggsted to have some bloods taken (lh fsh) in that month to check if I am really in a chemical menopause. Because I was also a bit worried about being propely menopausal and not having enough protection of Ariidex (or femara for that matter|) ... View more

Hi I am getting it three monthly. With a local anaesthetic cream!!! Do ask for that if you want. I had the first inj without that and it was painful. I know some people get it every month My doctor though in my case that would be to much because I am a relatively low risk. And it is not a pleasant injection to have every month for all those years. I do think the effect wears of after about 10-11 weeks. But then I am still on the Tamoxifen as well./ good luck ... View more

I could even add something else What about estrogen's in the water? Do they not think that is the cause of the decline in sperm vitality in man and the cause of girls getting their periods earlier. I mean there is so much you could mention to blame for the illness. (because of all the women on the Pill and hormone levels in their urine) Yes cows milk is full of estrogen's, or it has to do with it being milk from the breast of a cow and us getting cancer in the breast. I don't know. I am pleased to read that other people are not sure whether Mrs Plant has lost it. I think that it helps to feel in control and I think that is her way possibly to feel in control? Do I make sense? It certainly doesn't work for me like that. So I opted for milk products in moderation (used to crazy on cheese, I am Dutch after all) and no soya products (if they are on their own in a burger etc) If anything I've started eating a bit more chocolate and stuff. I think the chemo medication or maybe the hormonal treatment has changed my taste. Once in a while I get a bit nervous about it all and I wonder if I am doing enough to keep the BC away. Then I think .Yes I do. I try to live healthy. I will start exercise (now that I feel better after chemo)and I am trying to de stress. And I am trying to live a normal life with my family. Dutchy ... View more

Yes , all the best for tomorrow. I hope you see your consultant too!!! love Lenneke ... View more

Happy b'day for today. I have been diagnosed almost a year now so I've had one birthday. It just went like no other day. And I didn't mind. I was feeling unwell from chemo then still though. But no, I don't see it as such a big deal. Every day is special, especially when you've had a diagnosis. Actually, special because; yes I am still here. And I would like to be make a fuss of more then once a year!!! . But also special because every day brings his own struggles. Why is it a special day on your birth days (unless you are under 25). Or am I turing in an old grump? Anyway. I do hope you get a bit of that special feeling. And then the people you love will make you feel special for all the days of the year!!! Because you are!!!!! (((((((((((((((((((((((HAZEL))))))))))))))))))))))))) ... View more

Hi Muddy, Please discuss your worried with your onc or bc nurse. That might help you put your mind at rest. I am 6 months after fec chemo. And I have been sore for a long time. Not really my pelvis but sort of all over. My onc said it can take up to 6 months for all your muscle cells to recover from the chemo. Every time when I was neutropenic I had very sore bones, because of the bonemarrow working hard to get back to normal. ALso the tamoxifen and zoladex in my case might make me more sore. Hope this is of any help. take care. Dutchy NB my brain is not yet back to normal though. I hope that will come with time! ... View more

Hi there Have not read the other replies, because have to pick up son from nursery soon, but I feel I want to say something to you too. I've had a mastectomy in jan 2007. I am happy as it is and I would not want a reconstruction. It might be different if I had to loose the other breast aswell. Even is you have a reconstruction (on one breast) it might be worth while waiting because of all the treatment your remaining breast could change conciderally in shape and size. As mine did. Maybe also because at the time of the diagnosis I was still breastfeeding.# I am small chested. (was always 34B now a 34 A) The scar looks neat and clean. And with a prostesis no-one would know. After the operation I was very down about it all, but now this (not)breast is more a minor problem for me (and I am not only wearing tracksuitbottoms and loose shirts.) Good luck with your decision. ... View more

Hi Cherub. So sorry to hear about your former employer. So not on, and surely a reference is about the time you worked for them then. It is up to the new employer to decide if they think this is still relevant. Oh there are some people around. Try not to let it get to you (sound good coming from me, but it is true). I am a bit surprised here, do you have to declare that you've had breastcancer?? (I mean, is that anyones business) Love Lenneke do not give up. ... View more

Hi Kelly. Have been on Tamoxifen for about 5 months now. Only the last 3 weeks changed to Nolvadex. Since the Tamoxifen seems to give me terrible joint and muscle aches. Also plenty of hot flushes. I hope the Novadex will make a diff but have not noticed anything yet. It could be the combo with Zoladex with me ( I am 37 now). That suppresses ovary activity. So aches and pains, flushes,Dry top and bottom, some weightgain. The onc suggested that is the sideeffects are decreasing the quality of life some people would consider not taking them. This is the point I want to make. For me the side effects, I guess, are moderate. But every time I take my tablet I think it is GOOD. I would take a double dose if I needed too. The side effects are a bit less now then they were in the beginning so maybe they will reduce even more over a longer time. I hope I have made sense. Do not be affraid please. The tablets will help you with beating the cancer and keeping it at bay. take care. Dutchy ... View more

Hi jaykay I have just been reading this and I really hope you have seen the doctor and got your appointment. How ignorant for that nurse to say 'is nothing because you can move it'. Any lump in a womans (and mans) breast is suspiscious untill proven otherwise!!! Oh this can make me soooooo angry. Not about you, because you are a worried lay person, but about the nurse SHE SHOULD KNOW BETTER. Anyway I really hope your lump turned out to be something benigne. I hope your mind is at peace by now. love Dutchy ... View more

Hi J, I am on 20 mg once daily. This is also the dose this it says on the info sheet that is in the box with the tamoxifen. I also had a mastectomy (had dcis and tumour). Hope this is of any help. love Dutchy ... View more

Thanks. That has been helpfull. ... View more