Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone. Campo - Doc thinks the lump is scar tissue but am waiting for a CT scan npw. Otherwise I'm OK! Pixie - congrats on reaching £8k but take care. All of you goin on holiday - have a great time and rest! Hugs to all. Christine xxx ... View more

Thank you all for good wishes. I phoned BCN yesterday and she contacted me with an appointment to see the onc tomorrow. I'm hoping it's just some scar tissue as it's very near where I had my lumpectomy earlier in the year. What next? Hugs to everyone. Take care and keep safe. Christine xx ... View more

Hi Wendy, To be perfectly honest there are many times I wish I hadn't bothered with a recon and just continued to use the prosthesis. The muscle from my back wasn't big enough to match my right boob. So they reduced my right one and left a bit of scar tissue which is basically a lump. It annoys me intensely and is incredibly itchy all the time. Then they took fat cells from my tummy (they call it lipomodelling but is basically a miniliposuction) and it hurt like hell. I refused to go back for more so one boob is smaller than the other after all that and I only have one nipple. If it's what you want though, go for it but make sure you get all the info. I'm sure you'll make the right choice. I'm not sure if I have another lump on my neck so will phone the bcn to ask to be seen sooner. Feeling a bit anxious to say the least. Hugs to all Christine xxx ... View more

Hi Everyone. Have been busy this week and then flat for a few days. Just when you think you're getting back to your old self the tiredness comes up and thumps you in the face! Gadgetgal - yes I am a fellow knitter! There are times when the needles are hardly out of my hands. I'm making a jersey for OH for Xmas but he thinks it's for my dad! I love the idea of pound coins in your softy. Not many people can say they carry a money chest around with them! Little Chick - I've had peripheral neuropathy too and also that feeling of something crawling over my head! I keep feeling like slapping my head in case there is something there but people would think I'd lost the plot completely! pepihorse - I had a recon 6 years ago. They used the muscle from my back to make my boob. Strange thing is that because all the nerves are still there, if OH touches my back I can feel it in my boob! Watched a programme on TV the other night. Woman was getting implants in and then nipple construction. Looking back I think I would have preferred that. Vanns - I've been trying to contact MacMillan about benefits. What I found was that they do satellite sessions in the local hospitals. So I hope you find something that's not too far from you. Margietee - hope you have agreat time in France. It sounds idyllic. Campo - hope you get your strength back soon. I feel like that as well just now. Always tired. Always lying down for a nap. pixie - you defo have got your Mojo back. I don't know how you keep going. You've done so well with the fun draising and you seem to come up with new ideas too. I've lost a stone in weight thro chemo and I think the Exemestane has helped too as it seems to have reduced my appetite. I'm now fitting into size 10 trousers but still need a 12 - 14 for the top. Some shape I am! Am having night sweats so that fan has come in handy Campo. March/April is ok for me except 26 - 27 April as will be in London. Must rush. Dog going to vet for boosters. Love to everyone. Christine xxx ... View more

Pixie - thanks for my bags and card which I received on Saturday. I want to say something like it's been a pleasure to go through this journey, but that's not really what I mean!But I think all of us have received so much support from this thread. Campo - thanks for my fan! I was in my hammock yesterday when I was having my reflexology! I'd be up for meeting in March/April. I wouldn't be able to do the walk but I'll go with whatever the majority decide. Have had a quick look at the posts but can't take them all in or remember them. So regards to everyone, especially those who are feeling down or afraid. Great news on being a stable mabel pixie. I'm attached to my knitting just now to get things done for Xmas. Love Christine xx ... View more

Thanks for good wishes everyone. Just can't seem to get out of this at all. Everything is such a struggle. I was commenced on Exemestane (Aromasin) recently and I read on another thread that some ladies felt the way I do and had to come off it. I'm going to phone my BCN tomorrow to ask advice. Regards to all. Christine x ... View more

Hi everyone, Been feeling really down recently. Emotions are all over the place. Off on sick leave again and will probably be off now till I retire next month. Feel like I missed out on so much not getting to BF. Sick of myself. Hope those who are feeling down will be on the up soon. Hope those who have been on holiday have a wonderful time and that those who are waiting to go have a relaxing time. Regards to all. Christine xxx ... View more

I feel sorry for celebrities in some ways who have bc because they are always in the limelight and don't seem to get the privacy that all of us need while coming to terms with diagnosis, surgery, altered body image, chemo, etc. When I hear that Kylie and Martina Navratilova have beat it, I think to myself - for how long? I don't think there will ever be words which make it easier for us to accept but we do have to be aware of the truth. I'm sad for Bernie to be diagnosed with such extensive mets but as others have said, it may raise awareness of the disease. ... View more

Glad that you all enjoyed bunnyfest. Your posts have made me feel that I really missed out. Hope we manage to have another one some time. Regards to all. Christine xxx ... View more

Hi All. I'm type 1 and my blood glucose levels rose whilst on steroids for 3 days every month. I was on Taxotere chemo. Being type 1 I was able to adjust my insulin a bit though I didn't manage to achieve normal levels until the steroids were finished.I spoke to my GP about it but he wasn't bothered and said that the chemo stresses your body and that also affects your levels. Now that treatment is finished everything is back to normal. Christine x ... View more

Thanks Penny. I've been so set on everything returning to normal after all this stuff this year. Up until this month I wouldn't have considered stopping work but I'm too physically and mentally exhausted now. Now that I have taken off the brave face I was wearing for everyone else I'm beginning to look at myself as I am and deciding for myself what I can and can't do. I had to cancel my visit to bunnyfest so I'll be online at some point. pixie - slow down! Regards. Christine x ... View more

Vanns - have just read about your terrier. I'm so sorry. It's the worst thing ever when your pet's time comes. I had to put my little X whippet down last year and I was so distraught I think the vet didn't know what to do or how she was going to get rid of me! Regards to those attending bunnyfest. I also have pins & needles in my hands and fingers especially during the night. Haven't been too good this week although cancerwise everything is OK. I think the emotions of the whole thing have caught up with me now and knocked me down. Having taken the decision to retire at the end of the year, I'm really looking forward to it and I never thought I'd hear myself say that! I don't even care anymore how skint I might be. Haven't read all the posts so regards to all of you. Hope the weekend is good for you. Christine xxx ... View more

Hi everyone, I've had lymphoedema for about 11 years now and have been hospitalised with cellulitis twice in that time. Recently since another recurrence of bc and gruelling chemo, my lymphoedema has become worse and is painful all the time. I'm due to attend a course soon on how to manage it so it might ne worth checking if there is an awareness course in your area. I wear a combined compression sleeve and glove. Can be a bit of a nuisance at times but you get used to it. I live in East Kilbride, Scotland and we get new sleeves every 4 months. It's all a bit of a pest but the least of my worries really. Regards to all. Christine x ... View more

Little Chick - congrats on your great news! Wonderful! Vanns - glad to see you're back. That pup will keep you busy. Mine is 14 months old and keeps me going! Sorry I won't be able to join you all at Bunnyfest. Hope you all have a great time! Christine x ... View more