Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Well results are in. What a shock, cancer in 3 areas one being 1"in size, 2 near original site and one behind nipple. Nobody felt a lump in my breast nothing on the mamo, I'm just so glad my surgeon acted on instinct, what a star she is.Waiting for an appointment to see onc now, but it seems no chemo for now. Think champagne is in order. Best wishes to all Ann ... View more

Hi Ann Thanks for asking. Glad to hear your good news, rads are a doddle compared to chemo, it will soon all be over and what a relief for you. Latest for me is onc. has decided the lump needs to come out, but need an mri scan first, to make sure it is still contained. So am awaiting an appointment and hopefully then surgery. Which is not what he said last time. I think it is psychological warfare, also there is no point in rads or chemo at the moment as it possibly will come back in the future. As I pointed out I will worry about the future when I get there, but for now would love to get rid of this blasted lump. The annoying thing is it could have been removed a few months ago when it shrunk. Always seems the door is shut after the horse etc; Never mind life is for living now, thanks again for asking, and good luck Ann ... View more

I'd been on Arimidex for more than 2 years after a recurrence when (back in January) I asked my GP if he would check my cholesterol level (never had it done before and I'm 62!) It came back as 5.6, but as the ratio of high-density lipoprotein to low-density was a healthy 1:3 he was perfectly happy with the result. I'd read that oats and some other foods can help to reduce lipid levels in the blood and we'd been having porridge for breakfast every day for some time, so I'm hoping that is continuing to help. After almost 3 years on Arimidex I'm still getting the odd hot flush, but nothing like I was at the beginning. The worst thing is that my joints are starting to be much stiffer and often ache, a side-effect I'd thought I was going to escape :-(( ... View more

Great news that the biopsy came back all clear. So glad that you were able to have a good holiday. I think for all of us learning to live with a niggling doubt in our minds is a difficult part of the "after treatment has finished" stage of this whole thing. Sometimes it's going to be worse than others (especially when we go for follow ups or read about people who get recurrences). The way I cope with it is to accept what I know to be true - it is more likely than not that the cancer has been treated and won't be back, and I try to live life that way. What I do know is that now at least I am fit and healthy and well and on that basis am making the most of each day, making plans, and enjoying life. If every I have to deal with cancer again I will, but it's had enough of my time over the past seven months and I don't want it dominating my life now! I think everyone gets fed up and grumpy sometimes - thank goodness to be able to let it all out here! All I would say is that if the really frightened feelings are dominating your life and affecting your relationships and you in a bad way then it might be worth talking to your doctor about that. Very best of luck. Sarah x ... View more

Hi So far changed to Femara as still oestrogen pos, not herpos tho. They are waiting for biopsy results to see if cancer has changed. Having MRI on Thursday to see if op, is possible on lump, but not quite sure what structures are involved as in axilla, but fixed. They said on Wednesday, that they were saving the chemo for later, when it is needed, as I now have a chronic condition, which is controllable not curable, but he thinks!!! it will be localized. Did ask about late diagnosis, and he said, this may sound protective but even if we had looked at it 2 years ago it wouldn't have made any difference to the treatment. So still waiting. Will be going on a cruise in 11/2 weeks, so will enjoy that and wait for the end strategies. It eventually just becomes another day really. Husband had prostate cancer 3 years ago and his psa is rising. as long as we can keep going till the boys are old enough that's all we ask. At the moment feel perfectly fit and well apart from the golf ball under the armpit. So keep smiling and get on with it. Jane I hope your chest etc is behaving and you are enjoying yourself. It is sh**t isn't it, the more I find out the less I believe in a cure. Annn ... View more

Hi Peacocck I think that the steroids are to help prevent sickness it is these that caused me to take insulin. The annoying thing is that when they took me off them I felt no different from before , they are just part of the package. I also remember reading that some chemo can make your nails light sensitive and so you varnish them to create a barrier, but ,I haven't experienced this. My Chemo was different. I am sure if you search for fingernails you will get more infromation. I have now finished my chemo but am still in denial. I can't face the whole thing yet. Sometimes it hits me and I cry and cry, but most of the time I sort of amble along and only tackle what faces me immediately. Please don't worry about being in denial perhaps this is a coping mechanism for us. I wish you well and do hope that yout treatment runs smoothly. It is all do able even though it doesn't feel like that at the moment. Margaret ... View more

Magsi, thanks so much for your support. i still have the pain in my rib, elbow, hip, etc. etc. but guess its just he Tamoxifen and total lack of oestrogen causing the old bod to feel really, well, old!!! Onc friend just advised to keep an eye on it all. Can't believe how down i was last week with worry and now feel lots better but still depressed!! Will I never be satisfied.:( Am dealing with that by extra intake of red wine. hugs, Grace ... View more

Hi Melba I had good news my swelling is inflamatory due to an infection but they are not sure what kind so they are doing more tests on the tissue but assure me there is no cancer and are keeping an eye on it, my rads finished on Tues so only got Herceptin every 3 weeks now so hopefully can get back on track with my life, thankyou for asking Hi Phardy How did your biopsy go i hope you had good news, how many pups did she have, ive got a 13yr old collie x and he has helped me so much i would'nt be without him.. Love Mizzy xxxx ... View more

I have just read all your posts and just want to send you all a hug and say thanks - your words have really helped me as I worry constantly about a recurrence and get that deep down sick feeling everytime I feel the slightest bump on my reconstructed breast. Your words have helped me so much x ... View more

Hi Val thanks for that but we are ok. The new PSA test is amazing at detecting prostate cancer in the early stages, according to the RSH if you are going to get a cancer this is the one to get, it is so slow growing that you can choose to live with it. maybe they will be able to detect possible BC that way one day. keep up the good work chris ... View more

Quick update, girls. Saw consultant in breast clinic and had ALL the tests done in one day - mammo (on remaining breast), ultrasound and needle biopsy. All normal - phew.......... All my lymph nodes are enlarged and I've got lymphoedema, but nothing sinister of any type has shown up. I do have Hashimoto disease (an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid) and they think it is very likely that this is the cause of all the swelling in my lymph nodes - they even tested lymph nodes in my groin! I am on medication for this, but it's not working very well at the moment, but once they get the dosage right, hopefully everything will fall into place. In the meantime I've been referred to the specialist lymphoedeam centre for massage treatrment on my neck and chest area. Thank you all for your kind replies, and Jane I am sorry you are having such a rough time at the moment with all the chemo - hopefully it will ward of any further spread. Birgit ... View more

Golly, Birgit, your experience mirrors mine very closely. 6 years from end of treatment to recurrence, only 2 years of Tamoxifen because of eye problems, recurrence more aggressive than primary. It just shows that we can't predict or control what will happen, but just do the best we can and pick ourselves up again when sh*t happens. Hope your surgery has gone or will go well, Deni. Kathy ... View more

Privately in Oxford. An excellent woman oncologist, recommended to me by the Marsden. ... View more

I only started going on this site and the other one once my cancer came back (was initially diagnosed in 1995). I am what many people term as a naturally optimistic person but, like Jane, I am also realistic and know that I won't make old bones no matter what courses of action I take and the reason I know this is because back in 2006 my liver was seriously compromised to the extent that I was given 3 months to live and I knew that I was failing and didn't having anything within me to stop the progression. What turned me around then was the chemo (which I'm still on). I don't knock anyone's belief as we all have beliefs of one type or another but it also annoys me when people say I have to stay positive, etc etc because I've been right to the edge and know that it was totally out of my control. The support I've had on this and the other site has been invaluable and that means a lot to me. A lot of the ladies I correspond with I've never met and we probably never will but we all share one thing; the knowledge of what it's like to live with advanced breast cancer. Pinkdove ... View more

Olivia can I ask did you have radio the first time like me or radio the second...I know I could wait and find out from the hospital but it is worrying. ... View more

I would check with you or onc or rads cons but it might be different strengths of rads was used for different areas. Just a guess though. Good luck Kate ... View more

Hi Lesley and Lillibet, Hope both of you have had good results from your bone scans. I'm now waiting to be referred for a bone scan after going to my GP with two areas of tenderness, one in the ribs above my mastectomy scar and one in my back between my shoulder blades. I had one when I had my recurrence 2 and a half years ago, but can't help worrying again about this one. It never seems to stop, does it? Kathy ... View more

No Arimidex/Tamoxifen, etc. I took Tamoxifen and then was put onto Arimidex as post meno, I had bad side effects that really affected my quality of life. My Onc finally told me last Friday that I was not to have any hormone treatment, so no tablets for me. Apparently they would only make such a small, if any, difference in prognosis (I am only very mildly ER+), that it was not worth destroying my life for another 4 and a bit years! So I will have to take a chance, but I would not have made this decision without consulting with my Onc team first. Good luck with whatever decision you make. Lynn ... View more

Thanks everyone Thank you to everyone who replied. My consultant still thinks that it is the reactive lymph node thing and nothing to worry about at this stage although he wants to see me again in 3 months. I hope it is also good news for those of you who have had similar lumps. Please let me know how you get on........... Pat ... View more