Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you all for your lovely comments. I am so happy as when I stopped the Tamoxifen to try I didn't get my hopes up too much and if it had gone on too long I would have had to consider the consequences and would probably have gone back on the Tamoxifen at some point thinking it wasn't going to happen. I didn't have a mastectomy I had a lumpectomy. My scar is about 2.5 inches long from the edge of my nipple out towards my armpit. I was concerned because the scar is quite tight and I wondered if as my Breast grows it may cause issues and not sure if there is any damage to the nipple? The effected breast doesn't seem to act the same as my other one. As in when my period was due the unaffected one was always tender but the effected one not at all. So it makes me wonder if there may be some long term nerve damage? I am 6 weeks atm with my due date roughly Jan 3rd. I have an appointment with a midwife and have been told I will have early scans to keep a close check on things and will be seen regularly by a hospital consultant, which is all very reassuring knowing that we will both be taken good care off. ... View more

I agree it was a fab weekend, I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time, just what I needed, a bit of light relief. It was lovely to meet so many, strong, inspirational women. Thank you to all the team and volunteers for giving your time and sharing your stories. And I too would highly recommend the forums, be prepared for a weekend of fun, laughter and learning. Emma xx ... View more

Hi there Chris I have just started on this trial. When first asked to take part I took a long time to think about it and read all the info they gave me to make sure i totally understood the purpose of the trial. In the end i decided to go head with it, they 'randomised' me on the computer and it came out with the 6 months of treatment. Before she told me the result she said was there one that you were really hoping for? I said that both options has it's benefits and drawbacks bit that I'd be happy to take whatever it came out with. I have a sister who is 28, I am 31 and I thought to myself when i decided to go on the trial that if I could do something that could potentially help my sister who is obviously at an increased risk now of BC I would be willing to do that. And for so many other people who could benefit in the long run from the results of the rial. Every treatment I have had has had to start with a trial other wise the doctors wouldn't know how thing work. And the good thing is I will be having my last treatment on the 1st of Dec, so will be well and truly done by Xmas 🙂 But at the end of the day it's about personal choice and no-one can decide for you, just make sure your well read and informed about it and don't feel under any pressure by the doctors to say yes, and you always have the option to pull out at any time during the trial. I hope this has helped, even just to get a perspective of someone on the trial? Emma x ... View more

Hi all It's good to know it's not just me getting fluffy then. When I had chemo all my body hair went which was great, no shaving, but now it seems to be growing back thicker and in places I didn't have it before 😞 Oh the joys of hormones hey. Emma x ... View more

I've had 4 herceptin so far. The first one I had a reaction, I had an asthma attack but been OK on the others. Will be glad to go onto half and hour and be set free next time if everything goes OK? So far i haven't had any side effects so I'm hoping that's a sign of things to come (fingers crossed) I'm on the Persephone trial so only have 5 more to go so will have my last one on the 1st of December, finished for Christmas 🙂 Am due to have another MUGA scan soon so I'm hoping that all comes back normal. Emma ... View more

People are always rubbing my head, I'm convinced it's helping it to grow back faster lol ... View more

I have to say I have loved having no hair because I don't like having to get up in the morning to do my hair, or to go out anywhere, stresses me out to much. I don't like going to the hairdressers much either and I've saved so much money on haircuts and hair products. Feeling the breeze or warm sun on your head is lovely and going out with no hair is such a liberating feeling. I was getting hot flushes because of being on Zoladex so it was great for keeping cool, I could just wipe my head or stick it under a cold tap to cool down. When you do your make up you can really go to town on your eyes because they stand out so much when you got no hair, it looks really nice. So they are my positives about being a baldy, hope you can find some of your own Emma x ... View more

Hi, my hair started to come out after my second FEC, I had to wear a hat to bed it was coming out so fast, got on my bloody nerves and my husband would wake up with a mouthful of my hair. So one day I had my hubby to shave it off with his hair clippers. He had given himself a number 1 just the day before. We went out to Tesco that evening, I took the plunge and went out with nothing on my head, glad I did that as I felt comfortable enough to go commando throughout my treatment. We must have looked a right pair both with shaved heads, oh well 🙂 Kids are so funny, one little boy came up to me in the post office much to the dismay of his mother and said "why haven't you got any hair?" lol Other that that nobody really took much notice. I finished my chemo the end of May and my hair is growing back really fast now. It looks like it's the same colour as before and it's straight not curly thank goodness 🙂 So you may find that it gets so annoying having hair all over you and you scalp aching that you'll want to get it off??? Everyone's different Emma x ... View more

Just wondering if there are any more ladies going to the Bristol young woman's forum in September??? ... View more

I took multivitamins, vitamin C and green tea capsules because i was told green tea was good to take. I felt surprisingly good throughout my chemo so they must have done some good? I did ask if it was OK to take then and was told it was fine. I've stopped taking them no though as I read some vitamin supplements can effect how radiotherapy works, so better safe than sorry. It's always best to double check. Emma x ... View more

I've been using bi-oil twice a day and my scars look great 6 months after my lumpectomy, I'm a bit worried now though reading about that. Suppose that will teach me to check before using anything. ... View more

Hi thanks for the reply's, it seems to vary form person to person. I'll ring my bc nurse to see if she knows. I'm sure they haven't forgotten about me 🙂 ... View more

It's good to hear some positive experiences for a change. I had another positive experience when having my chemo that I forgot to mention. I haven't been able to smell for years now because of Allergies and sinus problems, but when I started on the fec my smell came back for about 4 weeks ???? Don't know why but it was great while it lasted 🙂 Emma x ... View more

Hi there I finished my x6 FEC three weeks ago. Before I started I had prepared myself for for being really ill. My hair fell out after my second so I shaved it as I looked like a Sasquatch getting out of bed in the morning 🙂 As each treatment came I was getting more nausea and was sick on the day and that night. I felt a little tired for a day after but other than that I felt fine and I also worried that it wasn't doing to job 🙂 You may find that as you get towards the end of your treatment, you may feel like it's catching up with you a bit. I stopped working as I work in a care home and didn't want to pick up infections but started to feel guilty that I should be in work as I felt OK. I came into contact with people with coughs and colds, not through choice and managed to stay infection free. I was carrying on doing all the thing I was used to doing and had everyone saying you shouldn't be doing that, you need to rest. But I felt fine and wouldn't have done it if felt I couldn't. I felt like saying "Leave me alone, I'm not sick" People just couldn't believe how well I looked and felt. I even put on a stone in weight my appetite was so good, too good in fact. I hope you stay well and fighting fit throughout, I think a positive outlook and determination not to give in helped me (as well as eating well and drinking plenty of water) Emma x ... View more

Hi I start Herceptin next week. I was asked about the trial of 6 months v 12 months. They told me that many European country's only give herceptin for 6 months as standard treatment rather than the 12 months in this country. I was unsure when they first asked me but then I thought about it and decided to go on the trial. The way I saw it was that every drug and treatment I have been given for BC has started with some one taking part in a clinical trial other wise we wouldn't know how they work and their effectiveness, and if I can do the same to help others in the future I didn't mind. One day it could be my Sister or mother having to have treatment. And, if 6 months means less stress put on my heart then maybe that's a good thing? Obviously, I wont know until I start what group I have been put into and I think everything happens for a reason and I'll just take what comes 🙂 Although I understand and have respect that it is a difficult decision to make and a very personal choice for my situation. Emma x ... View more

Superjem, I send an e-mail to the organisers and they send me loads of info about the sessions and booking forms. It sound like it will be a really good weekend especially as you get to meet other women in the same situation and of a similar age. Also I think it will be useful to ask questions, share experiences and most importantly relax and enjoy. ... View more

Oh bother, I can't make any of those dates. I'm back in full time work now after 4 months off and I'm working on all those dates, typical isn't it 😞 Never mind, hopefully I'll be OK for the next one. Hope you all enjoy, spare a thought for me working hard while you enjoy you you lovely lunch ha ha 🙂 Emma x ... View more