Breast Cancer Now Forum

I am on Arimidex and experience the same weight issues, but have tried to be more healthy in my eating and excercise more. It is not making much difference, but at least I am not putting on any more weight and I continue to feel an increase in fitness.  I remind myself that 3 years ago I started a rigid excercise and diet routine and lost 3 stone - then found out I had cancer. I lost more weight on chemo and I suppose I now mentally equate losing weight with being ill. As I am retired I suppose the looks no longer matter quite as much for work etc and I am just glad to be alive and try not to let the excess pounds worry me. ... View more

I was diagnosed with a 5cm Grade 3 tumour and 2 tumours in my lymph nodes in Nov 2010. In January 2011 I was told I also had 2 tumours on my liver, my surgery was cancelled and I was told my only future  was to "stay on chemo as long as my body could take it" to stay alive. Without going over all the details, my liver tumours apparently "changed", my surgery and rads were rescheduled 6 months later and now 3 years on from the most terrible diagnosis I am fit and well and enjoying life. I am aware the disease could return, but as one lovely friend told me "Cancer cannot kill you - until you are dead!"  We all will die of something one day, but until then I intend to continue living life to the full, enjoying my family and going away on every holiday I can fit in. Most of the time the BigC is just a part of my history.  Life, here I come!!! ... View more

It seems we all cope in our own different way - and no one can say what is "right" or "wrong". I wanted to leave all my cancer experience at the hospital and ignore it when I was at home, whilst my husband felt he needed to talk to anyone and everyone about what what happening to us. If it makes you feel better to talk about it, then go ahead. At best you are giving people the opportunity to learn all about chemo and the treatment, and if they are not interested you are giving them the opportunity to learn a little bit about empathy! ... View more

I mentally "survived" by only being a patient when I was at the hospital, rest of the time I was just "me". Now I do not attend the hospital I remain just "me", well done for articulating what so many people feel. ... View more

Thanks everyone for your comments. Feet unchanged and more of a nuisance than anything.  I have found some of the leg cramps have been helped by drinking tonic  water ( small amounts of quinine)  My wrist and arm are actually getting worse and my GP is certain it is due to nerve and muscle damage from chemo. I am currently paying privately to be treated by an osteopath to see if I can get any improvement. I will keep you updated ... View more

Hi sika I had similar problems during chemo also  and even had to inject myself on a daily basis to promote my bone marriow to produce blood cells. After two years I am just beginning to feel that my immune system is returning to normal.  Unfortunately I assumed that after the chemo, rads and surgery were over I  would just return to normal but it takes more time than I expected and I spent  a long time with chest infections and throat problems. I still keep feeling better each week and with more energy so I realise I am still improving. Perhaps we could do with more info on the long term side effects of the chemo ... View more

Hi, I only wished someone had told me about this as I was in the same place at about the same time as yourself.  My breast was much larger than before surgery and I opted for excerce to help it get better, which it  eventually did after several months. ( I felt I had attended way too many hospital appointments!)  The discomfort was not my main concern, I was just worried the cancer was returning as it was only via the internet that I learned about lymphodema in the breast. Mine is just about back to normal now ... View more

My consulatation took a few hours.  I was able to choose the colour, size and shape, though I followed the therapist recommendations in how she traces the line of the brow above the eye to give a natural shape.  The session consisted of measuring, mixing the exact colours, applying anasthetic gel and then the actual eyebrow tracing.  It was a tad  painful, similar to a tattoo, and my skin was a little red for a few hours. The colour was slightly darker for a few days but then toned down to the selected shade.  I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the  help of my friend.  My hair has still not returned properly after  3 years and it is so  good to know that at least one part of me looks natural.   I am 63, so my eyebrows were previously getting a bit thin anyway.   The treatment is normaly quite expensive, but I would have gladly paid for the excellent result.  Your local beauty salon may be able to point you in the right direction, or the " Looking Good, Feeling Great charity  who offer make overs to cancer patients. Hope you manage to locate someone. ... View more

I have been on arimidex for over 2 years now and regularly take the anti histamine Piriton in tablet form. I had this checked out with my oncologist who said it was OK. I only take one or two tablets per week as needed and the main benefit is not just the hay fever - it actually helps me sleep all night without the terrible aches and pains in my joints caused by the arimidex.  I would ask your GP if you are still concerned. ... View more

I am pretty sure this will depend on individual surgeons, health situation etc.  I finished chemo at the end of April and had my surgery on 4th June.  I think that was just about the right time span to allow my bone marrow to start functioning again properly. If it helps, to have the chemo first was exactly the right choice for me, as my large (5cm) tumour had shrunk off scan and I only needed a smaller amount of surgery. ... View more

My hair is certainly not coming back hardly at all.  It seemed to be growing a little after I finished chemo and before surgery and radiotherapy, but then I started taking anastrazole(2 years ago), and one of the side effects is thining hair, so I am expecting it to be no good for the next 3 years. I don't bother with NHS for wigs, as there are some good wig shops with prices from £15 where I live. ... View more

Hi I had chemo Dec 2010 - May 2011.  The nail problem was a big surprise to me, nails  turning black, peeling off and worse of all, painful abcesses in the nail beds needing strong antibiotics.  My nails are not quite back to normal but are growing back slowly.  I find using a clear "Hard as Nails" nail varnish helps a little. Regards Janet ... View more