Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Poemsgalore,   Lovely to see you on line,  I don't come on so often now.  Sorry about the aches and pains,  but good to hear that you are still plodding on. I go to have my tattoo colour topped up sometime soon- very happy with the outcome.  Just had an epiduarl into my spine this morning, so hopefully will get less pain in the back or is it that I am a pain in the neck now for my long suffering husband. Just have to see my GP as the Doc today said I need a bone density check.   Mmmmm   anything else ?/    O and my lovely new car  of  5 months  has a faikled air con system.  It is all hot and boythered.   Take Care everyone,  as always sending some warm Huggles to those that need them. Jenny/ ... View more

Hello Jenji,  Just want to say, hang in there, its only 2 more sleeps till Thursday. It is a horrible time waiting and not knowing and fearing the worst. But you say your prognosis is good, so hold onto that thought. I felt similarly worried back in march,  when my back was  painful (still is)  and my GP got me in for an MRI  quickly, I think because of all that we have been through it is only natural that we get  more anxious. So i will be thinking of you,  let us know how you get on. Meanwhile sending a big bundle of warm Huggles. Jenny. ... View more

Hello Kay,  sorry think I slightly misread your post,  thought they were refusing you the treatmeat,  so got irrate for you,  Just hope they stop messing you about,  stop all the politics etc,  after all you have been through , you certaintly don't need anymore stress. They certainly don't like people questioning them  We found that out when I saw a surgeon  for my left eye,  my OH said something and boy if looks could kill  he was dead and buried in one move. but when it came to the op she was fantastic,  very caring, and explained everything. even apologised that I would have quite a wait as she did all the childrens ops first. so me being an OAP  was probably last. Think they like to be in control and top dog!!!!1 well so do I.  its my body       Hope that soon you will be feeling like me.   It was only when my tattoes were put on that I felt better.  Psychological-suddenly it all seemed ok.    I still get horrible fatigue.  But am learning to deal with things.  It is a long and often very bumpy journey,  good luck on the rest of yours.  you have done so well so far.  Huggles  jenny. ... View more

Hello Kay & songbird,  I don't look in so often now,  and am so sorry to learn of how you are being treated. What I can say is that my surgeon was only to happy to lift and reduce my rt breast to match   my left which had mx in Oct 2012. he said it was all part of the cancer treatment. I had been expecting to have to pay to have it done.  I was quite large before DD/E  so big difference after op  and hated my large droopy rt one, next to the scarred left one which had temp inplant that was gradually inflated  .  but he has done a great job- (brilliant  work)   and made an almost matching pair of B/C cups, ok left is a bit mishapen.  has a bit of an indent but he plans to lipo fill that later on.  O and I had my nipples tattooed on in May just one more trip to have colour redone.  Must say that after 2.5 yrs.  when the tiny dressings came off the tatooes I felt much much happier,  human, normal, female again.  So it seems to me that it is a bit of a post code lottery,  and so unfair, it should be the same for everyone.   I have just found out I have degeneration of the spine and the story is so different for that- definitely rejected due to where I live, and on 18 weeks wait!!   Just hope this helps you a tyiny bit, if only to quote to THEM  that for others it HAS been   done on NHS.   What about the psychological affect it has on us.  Think I would be going to see my local GP and saying how upsetting it is....  wishing you both good luck.  Jenny   ... View more

Hello Shauna,  I went to a Look Good Feel Better afternoon, it is lovely  am sure you will really enjoy yourself. I still get tired,   some days I am ok,  then bang-it hits me and I just have to sleep,  but over the months I think I have adjusted, maybe even accepted it,  and just try not to do everthing in one day.  the Fatigue course stressed- the "pacing"  and that is so true.     I am lucky that I no longer work so that helps a lot as I can please myself.  I don't know what you work is,  so the only thing I can say re work is take a good coffe break and lunch break, and maybe get a bit of fresh air . I was off work some years ago with stress-thanks to my inefficient manager. and struggled when I returned so do understand a bit how you all feel trying to work after BC. Try and do something nice for yourself on your days off. I still have some me time and my OH does the same. We need to as we have 4 g.children. that keep us on our toes.   I think we do expect much to much of ourselves.  I certainly expected to be/do just as I was before. It is only now that I am starting to feel more ME....human. ..normal, well whatever that is.lol Take Care,   Huggles-  Jenny. ... View more

Hello Shauna, Sorry you are feeling so tired, I too didn't need the chemo,  but certainly got very tired, still do some days, I thought it was just me, and maybe an age thing,  but my lovely BC nurse told me that fatigue is a recognised side effect of BC. I was very lucky and she referred me to a special course for Fatigue throuh macmillan,  it has taught me how to manage my days, not to try and do too much at a time-  pacing.   I still get days when I spend the afternoon sleeping. But I now plan and when it comes to housework I do it bit at a time with lots of tea breaks,  so it may take longer to get it all done but I get far more done that way. As the others have said be kind to yourself,  listen to your body,  you are already doing very well at 6 months . Well done on starting the running but take it gently build it up slowly. I can't run but have done a few charity walks of 50 miles, thats my challenge for next year to walk  for our local new cancer unit. Take Care,  Huggles Jenny.  ... View more

Hello 26Bigfoot,  Sorry that you are feeling down and lost your mojo. as the other ladies have said, we look good on the outside, and everyone thinks we are ok and back to normal- whatever that is,  but they have know idea of what is going on inside. It is only in this last few weeks that I think I have finally felt ok about this journey. (about 2.5 years for me)  My BC nurse always used to say listen to your body, and rest if it says it is tired, so I seemed to end up having a sleep most afternoons, thats fine for me as an OAp, but not so easy for those of you working and with families, But all I would add is be kind to yourself, look how far you have come, I also joined an exercise class through macmillan,  it was kind and gentle,  but still good exercise and a great group of people, all with similar problems.  Take Care, and sending some warm huggles to help you find mojo,   Jenny. ... View more

Hello Jules,   So pleased with the news.  what a big relief.  I don't look in so often now, but just wishing you all  best wishes for the future.  I started my journey in Oct 2012, and think I have  just reached the end, as I had my nipples tattooed on abot 3 weeks ago, just have to go back in about another 5 weeks for a check and maybe colour top up.  That made me feel so good.   Now all i need to do is sort the back out- but that is old age- ugh. Take care everyone,  and sending  warm huggles   Jenny.  ... View more

Hello tri,  so sorry to hear your news, of course you will be upset and scared,  but we are all on here for you,   we will be thinking of you, send a message and keep in touch,  Sending a bundle of gentle but warm Huggles .  Jenny. ... View more

Hello ST1   Hope the half term hol is going well,  how old are your 2 .  I have 4 g.kids, 11yr.9yrs.7yrs  and 16 months  . they are camping near WSM this week and we are off to spend the day with them tomorrow, I had better make sure my purse is full, They do not know what I have had, but they always cheer me up .I had my mx in Nov 2012 and it has taken me a long time to get back to "me"  still get tired,  but not so emotional now.  So be patient with yourself. Sending warm huggles  Jenny. ... View more

Hello KQ,  Ooops think I chased one of those kitties out of my garden this morning.  Think your sleep fairy must have a twin sister, who is on my pillow, good job I don't have to get up for work these days, as she wakes me about 4.30 or 5 am.  then lets me sleep until.... 10 or 11 somedays.  she certainly does have a naughty streak in her.  Will have to be up early On Thurs off to a big campsite(real)  my daughter is there for the week - it is lovely,  toilets & showers are spotless.  a play area in every field and a warden.  so   no gremlins wandering about at night or any of buggerits friends, unless in the dog friendly field. Will join you for that glass of champers- but prefer a nice Pimms.  Take Care everyone.   Huggles Jenny. ... View more

Hi Jenji,  Hope you had a good night and slept well, I think sometimes we expect too much of ourseleves, i think we assume that we can just do all the things we used to do,and at top speed.  well I know that I can't. It has taken me almost 2 yrs to accept this. But now I just do a little every day  It is like they say you wouldn't eat an elephant in one go. So my garden which is quite big gets done in sections, so today I cut the edges of the back lawn, and cleaned down the right side- about 2 hours then some lunch and an hours rest on the bed. I am lucky to have my husband around, although he can cut the grass for me, he doesn't do the rest- injured his back many years ago., also has COPD.  but he is a great cook,  I know that I am so lucky. Just be gentle on yourself,   You say that you have recently moved, are there any Breast Cancer groups nearby you could join,  I go to one in Bath once a month, we have coffee and cake and chat and sometimes a guest speaker. Learnt a lot.  Take Care,  keep in touch,  Huggles   Jenny.   ... View more

Hello Ladies,  I finally had my tattoos put on, last Weds,  Thurs evening I was able to take the dressings off,  and WOW,  I am so pleased, and so happy, and my OH likes them.   so far no problems at all,  was slightly sore for first day or 2 , I haven't any scabs, just putting the vaseline on every night,  For me it is the icing on the cakes, and the cherries. Finally I feel complete, and back to normal.  well not sure I ever was normal. I top up the colour if needed.  just go back in 8 weeks for the nurse to check them and   Hope all goes well for all of you. Huggles Jenny. ... View more

Hello Jenji,  I'm  very similar to you, and about 9 months ahead. I had Mx in Nov 2012. with later reconstruction,  and reduction to other side, i also avoided the chemo & rads. but was/still am extremeley tired at times. Its a strange feeling, just have to sleep sometimes. But it is getting better, or at least I am now able to manage it, Maybe talk to your BCN or local GP. I was lucky and went on a fatigue management course, which taught me ways of coping.mainly to pace myself.   I now limit myself to max of 2 hours gardening. or housework etc.  and take breaks if I need to do more. Mind you it could be old age with me... O and its not my hip but my back -which my GP said was old age-  degeneration of the spine.  But I happy to be here.   Hope this helps a little, Take Care,  Huggles, Jenny.   ... View more

Hello tri,  just wondering how you are? Huggles, Jenny. ... View more

Hello St1  so sorry to hear that you are feeling so down. but pleased that all your treatment is done. I had lots of low days and also tiredness,  Can only suggest that you speak to your BCn  or your local GP/nurse. maybe a little bit of one to one counselling may help.  I had some through Macmillan. spent the first session crying, she was so patient.  but gradually it has become easier.  As the other ladies say take each day as it comes. do something nice for your self., and look how far along the journey you have come. Take Care,  Huggles, Jenny. ... View more

Hi Soupertrooper, so nice to know you are coming along well. Hope it isn't too many more months before you get your cherries.  Think I have been on cloud 9 all weekend. Just got this picture of that lady in calender girls with the 2 belgium buns.  My OH says they look good and that is all that matters. At times I never thought I would reach this day. but here I am.  Now I plan to return the favours and thanks,  going to chat to my BCN and another lady and see if I can help support our fundraising group  for very big state of arc unit at our hospital. Take Care, Huggles Jenny. ... View more

Thanks for the hugs and chocolates, good luck on the 17th,  Thats going to be a long journey for your conference, hope it goes well,  let me know how it all goes.   Take Care, jenny. ... View more

Thanks Lynne,  hope all goes well for you, think I have found cloud 9 this weekend,  not seen the sun for many months , and had many tearful and emotional bad days, including some counselling,  but suddenly everything seems ok, if someone had told me this day would come I don't think I would of believed them,    Just hope it will be the same for you and lots of the lovely ladies on here.  and thanks for sending the huggles, I always tell my g. kids that I have plenty to go round especially when the older ones have had a new brother or sister , told them there was always room for them. Now they are getting too old for cuddles. -girl 11.5, boy 9.5 then the 7yrold and the delightful surprise who is 16 months, can't pick her up but finding many ways to get down on floor with her.    stuff the deteriating back. Take Care,  Huggles Jenny. ... View more

Hello,  ooo you have had a rotten journey. have you got a date for next bit?   I had a seroma on Mx side which was drained. then was meant to have tattoos done in Jan but they thought I had capsualcontracture so wouldn't do them in case i needed another op. then schedualed for March,  but in for MRI on back and in severe pain,  so it was 3rd time lucky last week and nothing was going to stop me.   They have suggested steroid injections for my back but appt isn't until August .  4 month wait.  Meanwhile i will keep up the yoga- my teacher runs some special classes for back care,  or post op etc. she is brilliant,  I also go to a gentle class funded by macmillan- what would I have done without them.  Hope to get back to some aquafit when the ink is dry- 3weeks wait. just doing what I can but carefully. Sorry you are feeling down,  so sending extra Huggles  and some virtual flowers. Where in GB are you, I'm near Bath. Jenny. ... View more