Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lynberi, Yes I'm suffering in a similar way. I've been on Letrozole for nearly 4 months after a brief spell on Tamoxifen. I feel like an old women getting out of bed (i'm actually only 46!!) and hobble to the bathroom but once I'm up and about it gets better. Getting up after sitting can be painful but more in my feet, it's difficult to describe. I've been working quite hard at the gym trying to shed those extra chemo pounds and I've noticed an improvment in my joints especially my knees, I've also taken up pilates which is great and I'm suprised I'm still quite supple. The hot flushes are worse though than tamoxifen. Kathryn ... View more

Hi Lynberi, Yes I'm suffering in a similar way. I've been on Letrozole for nearly 4 months after a brief spell on Tamoxifen. I feel like an old women getting out of bed (i'm actually only 46!!) and hobble to the bathroom but once I'm up and about it gets better. Getting up after sitting can be painful but more in my feet, it's difficult to describe. I've been working quite hard at the gym trying to shed those extra chemo pounds and I've noticed an improvment in my joints especially my knees, I've also taken up pilates which is great and I'm suprised I'm still quite supple. The hot flushes are worse though than tamoxifen. Kathryn ... View more

I went on my first trip out of UK last month. I used Travel time underwritten by AXA for a week's skiing in Austria (£29) quite high excess though. DX Jan 2012, Chemo, then MX, RADS now on Letrozole. I found the site easy to use, as I got fed up with wrong answers being highlighted on Insure with and Insure Pink. Mind you it's only when we need to claim do we discover how good the cover and service is. Kathryn ... View more

Hi Daisy 123 I was in the same position as you this time last year, so hope you don't mind my take on chemo. I had 3 FEC and 3 TAX before MX and RADS. It's a long haul certainly, but doable. I found the 1st 10 days after chemo the worst and just as I started feeling better it was time for more. I felt all I did on my good days was housework, don't make the same mistake, make the most of the good weeks. Look after yourself, try not to catch anything as chemo really hits the immune system. I was OK and only had one delayed week when my liver seems to be struggling with all those toxins. The most horrible SE for me was the horrid dry mouth, nothing tasted good, Del Monte pineapple lollipops gave very temporary relief. The worst bit is the waiting for treatment to start, I was surprised how easily I slipped into a routine and started to live for the 'better' weeks. Good luck, I expect lots of others will join this thread as they start chemo in Feb. Kathryn ... View more

Evening Ladies, Had my 1st appointment since finishing treatment on 5th Sept. Saw yet another oncologist, she checked my scar and reassured me it was OK, I was a bit concerned as it still feels quite lumpy, so at least I know what normal ( for me) feels like. She also said feeling low after treatment is normal, I couldn't avoid blubbing at one point. I'm having injections to supress my ovaries and now have set wheels in motion to have them removed, at 46 I have no need for them and it will mean less drugs. Yesterday went to a moving on day organised by local breast care nurses, it was good to talk to many others and share experiences. There were lots of useful sessions, especially on reconstruction, I'm still not sure about this, but they won't do anything until at least 12 months from RADS. I have also had a session with the lymphoedema clinic, the idea is to prevent rather than treat, lots of tips, nothing new really but it was nice to talk to the professionals again and they did do a measurement of fluid using some kinds of electrodes I think they were, they were normal anyway and they'll be measured every 3 months. After MX, full node clearance and RADS I'm at a greater risk of lymphoedema, they told me. Yippee. Still having physio for my good arm, it's a bit better. Still have wobbly moments and hope one day cancer thoughts will occupy less time. Keep well Kathryn ... View more

Hi Ladies, So many of you seem to be feeling just the same as me. I finished treatment on 5th Sept (apart from Tamoxifen and injections to supress my ovaries) The last few weeks have been really hard emotionally as there's more time for worrying if the cancer will come back. I've turned into a hypochondriac, BC (before cancer) I had barely set foot in my GP's surgery yet last week I even rang when I had a cold that seemed to be lingering , he was very understanding. I had an appointment with my ONC yesterday, she checked my scar (left MX no recon) and put my mind at rest as it seemed very lumpy to me. I had 6 out of 8 nodes affected and the worry that they are still floating around will not go. Hopefully the Tamoxifen will do its work if any are any rogue cells around. I already have another apointment for 4 months time, this seems to be the set up here ( west country somerset) My breast care team have arranged a moving on day next week which should be useful. I'm sure the day will come when I don't have a thought about cancer. Kathryn ... View more

Evening Ladies, After reading the article in the Guardian mentioned on this site I bought 'The Cancer Survivor's Guide'. It seems to have been written for me and now I don't feel in such a rush to climb Everest or swim the channel, it's OK to sometimes feel rubbish and tired. The book says we should think of a convalescence like the Victorians had after an illness. I thought this was a good word to use. I've had some physiotherapy for neck and arm problems, not sure if this is due to my MX possibly overusing my right arm to protect the left? Catseye you have my sympathy the dry mouth was horrid but mine went about 10 days after each cycle, I used a lot of mouth wash. Keep well Kathryn ... View more

Hello ladies, Hobo, this disease really is the pits. Good luck with RADS keep moisturising, it's 4 weeks since my last session and my skin is still red but no soreness and I'm still liberally applying aqueous cream. You sound very positive not always possible I'm sure. I'm impatient for my hair too, I had chemo first so last chemo was end May so my head now has a covering, I went round town today without a scarf but have now bought a nice hat as it's getting cold. Had a physio session today so now have more exercises to do to relieve the stiffness in my neck. Lottie I share your joy, even the heavy rain today! One day we'll feel the wind blowing through our hair. Keep well love Kathryn ... View more

Hello 'Spacehopper', I've just about managed to hold onto my nails, it is taking ages for them to grow back properly. I did have some good news at the dentist though, after all that comfort eating and horrid dry mouth whilst on chemo I felt sure my teeth would be in a bad way, but my dentist, who had been concerned about my receeding gums was quite pleased, mind you I have been spending at least 10 mins every morning, brushing and flossing etc I 've now got to keep up this regime to avoid future dental work and expensive bills. I'm now much more body aware so was very concerned when I had a stiffness in my neck which lasted more than a few days, so got on the phone to the BCN. After asking me a few questions she reassured me it wasn't anything serious and has now referred me to a physiotherapist as it is still stiff 2 weeks later. I'm very conscious of my posture and trying to keep straight but I still fell very lopsided even with the prothesis. Mads79 I'm on Tamoxifen too, I'm not very good about remembering to take it and nearly went on holiday without them. I'm more achey than usual and wonder if it could be the Tamoxifen. I'm also having injections to supress my ovaries so now am in a early menopause at 46. Spacehopper you must have a long journey to Bath for RADS, I live in Taunton and all my treatment has been at the same hospital, a 10 minute drive away. The cancer centre has only been open about 3 years, I've lost count of the times I say how grateful I am to live so close to a good hospital. Not sure about hair colour, mine is so soft at the moment but very short still, there are a few grey strands just above the ears, they had appeared before my hair fell out so I can't blame the treatment. I went out 'commando' for the first time on Thursday but everyone there knew about my cancer, I still need to pluck up the courage to go out amongst stangers, I expect no one will notice. There are lots of women with very short hair but mine doesn't really look like is supposed to be short as it's not growing at the same rate, top and front is very short but it looks lovely from the back, besides it's getting quite cold now. Keep well and look after yourselves. Kathryn ... View more

Hi all, Kevin, I too will be glad to see the back of 2012, my DX and my father in law died too (2 days after my MX) Thinking of you as you worry about your daughter. It's been a while since I've commented but have been reading this thread, not so many of us now as we move on after chemo. I had MX after chemo but 6 out of 8 lymph nodes were positive so I was anxious to get on with RADS and now have 3 sessions left (I will be having 15 in total) I am on Tamoxifen and after 1 and 1/2 months haven't had too many SEs apart from hot flushes which I had during Chemo anyway. I'm also having injections to shut down my ovaries, I'll take anything to reduce the chances of cancer returning. It's nice to talk about chemo in the past tense, my son found a pineapple lollypop in the freezer the other day which reminded me of that horrid mouth. My nails look discoloured but I haven't lost any. Hair growing (especially on my legs) haven't worn my wig for ages it's sooooooo uncomfortable and hot not quite brave enough to go out bare headed yet but I find myself looking at women with short hair and it won't be long before I'll be out without a scarve (my hair was short pre chemo) I had a good talk with one of the radiographers after a RADS session last week, It was only supposed to be a quick check of skin and SEs but I ended up pouring my heart out, and spent nearly an hour with her, it did me good, I think a counselling session should be offered to all of us and our OHs. Glad some of us have managed to get away or plan to. My OH and son go back to school on Monday,not the best summer holiday but at least there will be more summers in the future. Love to your all Kathryn ... View more

Yes, Mateface67 it is very disheartening to go through chemo and MX hoping it's doing its job only to discover the horrid cancer cells are still there, they're devious things, hiding away. I had my RADS planning appointment yesterday and everyone seemed very positive and made me feel much better, I thought RADS targetted a very small bit but the radiographer told me its much it's a bigger target area than I thought which is reassuring. RADS will be to chest wall and neck. I'm due to start on 15th Aug for 15 sessions, it does wreck the rest of the summer hols (OH is a teacher and son is 13) but they understand how anxious I am to get on with it. Kathryn ... View more

I'd like to join this thread as it's just what I've been worrying about a lot. I had MX on 9th July after 6 lots of chemo (3x fec and 3 x Tax) lymph node was positive on FNA in Jan so hoping that chemo would deal with it as well as shrink lump which was big (7cms) But after path results on 19th July 6 out of 8 nodes were still affected. ONC seemed OK with this and has discussed RADS to chest wall and neck area with me. I was very disappointed as throughout chemo the nodes had shrunk right down on MRI scans and the last scan showed little enlargement and was really hoping they'd be all clear. I keep thinking about those stray cells and want to get on with RADS to hopefully kill them off. I'm on Tamoxifen and will have my ovaries suppressed as my cancer is oestrogen receptive. Still feeling quite tender after MX but keen to keep up with exercises so can get on with RADS. Kathryn ... View more

Afternoon Ladies, Last week was the longest week of my life, mastectomy on Monday same day as we heard father in law went into a hospice. Very early Thursday am heard news that father in law had died. What a bitch of a week. OH spent time with family in London but my mum and dad came to look after me and my son. OH has gone back to work today so this is my first day on my own, but it's not so long when you don't get up til 10 and teenage son will be home soon. Funeral is next Wednesday. I hadn't seen F- in Law since Christmas as neither of us were keen to travel (he had mesothelioma), but at least my memories of him will be before he started to deteriorate, he had lost a lot of weight. Even though he was ill his sudden death has shocked us all, we had hoped to have a few more weeks and were planning a visit during the summer holidays. OH not good, dad's death bad enough without my cancer too. I've got appointment with consultant tomorrow, feeling very nervous. What a rubbish year and it's only just 1/2 way through. Sorry to sound so depressing. Kathryn ... View more

Hi Squeakymouse, I had MX on Monday, 6 weeks and 3 days after chemo. At first I thought it was too long but an MRI after 5th chemo showed that lump had shrunk a lot so not so worried about it coming back so quickly. The worst bit was waiting especially after I'd recovered from chemo SEs. My surgeon was keen to make sure blood counts etc were nearer normal, but each hosp has its own procedures. Kathryn ... View more

Good morning, I'm back home after MX on Monday, drain attached which is not a bad as I thought, it's a nuisance though. Quite emotional having a shower this morning. Mum and OH at home with me so plenty of help. Sarah you must be very proud of your daughter, my SIL and neices are doing the Race in Cardiff on Sunday. Twinky take care with the driving, didn't the sun always shine in Telly Tubby Land? Fran hope the party was fun, nothing like a bunch of excitable 8 year olds to clear the mind (same birthday as my brother) Knoxybabes good news for bones, hope all your scans next week are OK, Big hugs (but not too tight ) to everyone Kathryn ... View more

Evening ladies, Counting down to MX on Monday, I've been to stay with my mum and dad for a few days, good to have a change of scene and be looked after by mum. Jane, glad you're pleased with recon, recon further down the line for me, in fact it wasn't mentioned, I have had to bring it up. Good news too about being cancer free. Goldie sorry to hear about your dog, make the most of your time with him. Jo, waiting is so awful, thinking of you. Sarah, good news on the lymph nodes, those drains sound annoying, I'm not looking foward to it at all. Twinky your rabbits look adorable. We could do with some sunshine to cheer us all up. Love Kathryn ... View more

Hi Ladies, I agree with Twinky the preoccupation with chemo keeps the mind busy and the 3 weekly routine is helpful in a strange way, I think it must be the regular contact with the medics does it. Now I'm down to just over a week to MX and dreading it more and more. I think chemo almost put the actual cancer itself to the back of my mind but now the prospect of loosing a breast is too big a dose of reality. Jane a good cry is very therapeutic, believe me I've done a lot of it recently. Glad surgery went as planned, take care with recovery. I've read so many tips but is there anything new you have thought of that might help? Giddy you do such a good job of remembering what every is going through, I'm impressed. It's just started to rain here, too much to ask one day without rain. Love Kathryn ... View more

Afternoon Ladies, Chemo now over but I've still got MX and RADS to go. Surgery is on 9th July and last chemo was 24th may so it seems an age to me. Time is passing very slowly and too much thinking time. At least the SEs of chemo pass but MX is for ever, no mention of recon but will be an option later. Wolsty hope all goes as planned, let us know. Fran, it looks like you've had some serious pampering, my toenails have gone very brittle, OH rubs moituriser into them each evening, what dedication. Did the Reiki make any difference, a friend has offered me a session? Debster, enjoy your holiday, I went to Cornwall during half term, weather was rubbish but it was a real tonic, but I did have a serious case of post holiday blues last week. Stitchyboy, no sunshine here (Taunton), it's just started to rain. Like you I am having surgery next, but enjoying feeling more like myself, but energy a bit lacking. probably due to the weight I've put on. RADS ladies, hope all goes well, Surgery ladies, good luck. Love Kathryn ... View more