Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I've had my pic in since December and have had 5 chemo and 7 herceptin with no problems apart from skin irritation from dressings. It didn't hurt when it went in and I too wear a tubigrip during the day. I change the dressing once a week and have it flushed by the practice nurse once a week. Best thing I ever had after multiple attempts at cannulation for my first chemo session last November. ... View more

Hello, Just to clarify... it is my understanding that Potacaths are usually in the chest and require sedation to be inserted where as PICC lines are in the arm (like mine). Easily inserted and I forget its there ! ... View more

Diagnosed Sept, multifocal, invasive, HER2 +++, oestrogen +, intramammary and 1 node +ive(micro). Had mast/axillary clearance/abcess/ 6 chemo and now on 12th rad and 5th herceptin tomorrow. I thought with them throwing everything at me despite the "agressive" word I'd be ok........... ... View more

eek, that's made me very scared 😞 ... View more

Hi There,I was positively encouraged to have PICC. They took one look and shook thir heads !! I''ve had all my bloods through it 5 chemo and 1 herceptin, another due tomorow. Doesn't cause much hassle apart from covering it for bath/shower, I hope it lasts until Feb 2013 when last herceptin due! Any one know how long they can stay in for ??? ... View more

And so the debate continues !!! I have 3 rads left and will start Tamoxifen then. Thanks for all your post. ... View more

Thanks. I am oest +ive aswell and pre menopausal (well chemopaused now!)so that is why I have to start on Tamoxifen. There is some research on an American credible site debating the pros and cons of when to start tamoxifen unfortunately chemo brain has prevented me from posting a link to it. It does seem that the jury is out as some say the cells should be "active" for rads to have maximum effect but drugs such as tamoxifen may affect this so it is best to wait. I've waited since surgery October so what's another 3 weeks in the bigger scheme of things and besides how will I know whether it's rads, tamoxifen, herceptin or even the back end of chemo if I get any side effects surely one thing at a time is best ?????? ... View more

Thanks everyone.....doesn't seem to be any research papers on this, unless you know different? ... View more

Hello Ladies, I am half way through my treatment, Mastectomy October, Axillary clearance November, and had my last chemo (of 6 ) 15th March. I will start rads 10th April. I am still on herceptin (target therapy)until next year and then tamoxifen. My point is that it's all "do able" yeah there are dark moments which we are allowed and if crying helps go with it but at the end of the day you are still the same person as you were the day before diagnosis. The hardest part is waiting for a plan and the worry of spread but with that said I think it has made me more positive and aware of what really is important - "don't sweat the small stuff" in the bigger scheme of things do they really matter?? Party like you've never done before!!! Hugs xx ... View more

Thank you all for your king thoughts and advice. It has been quite uplifting. Today the sun is shining and I shall have a walk to look at the lambs in the field down the road....after ASDA.com have been! There is a lot of good stuff out there and it's nice to know that I am not the only person with a troublesome teen! ... View more

..and there was me trying to control things!! On a serious note my GP prescribed APERCAP peppermint gastro tablets usually for irritable bowel and although they don't stop the wind it does seem to collect it so "The Force" is with me and I don't get the gripes like I did with the first TAX !! ... View more

Thank you so much Laurie. I have my thoughts back in order now. I feel really selfish that there are already people like yourself already living my "what if" but it does prove the point to me that life is for living. What was I thinking???? My other daughter is 18 tomorow and I guess I was just frustrated that I wasn't well enough to arrange a party for her although she has arranged to go out with her mates. I have just planned a "belated birthday" party and booked the room for her in early summer.By then this should mostly be over apart from the ongoing herceptin, my hair should have grown back and hopefully I'll be feeling stronger 😄 The call from school this morning regarding other daughter was regarding confiscating mobile as text in class!! - not really a great crime in the bigger picture but chemo brain runs away with me!! Take care xx ... View more

Hello, I had mastectomy followed by axillary clearance and have had 5th chemo last week. I will be having radiotherapy 4 weeks after my last chemo so I've waited a while. I suppose they have to wait for you to heal a bit before zapping you. Might be worth checking with your BC nurse? ... View more

Hello, I got a nice hat/scarf attached from http://www.annabandana.co.uk it's really comfy and cool when I'm having chemo and looks really trendy. I have a wig on the NHS for free and tend to wear it where people don't know me as it is a lot thicker than my normal hair. It also gets very itchy when I get hot! I have just had my 5th chemo and have some sort of fuzz growing back so there you go then !!!! ... View more