Breast Cancer Now Forum

It is 5 years since I had my dx. Totally unexpected as I had an abcess and was told on ultrasound that they were 99% sure it was just residual infection.WRONG!!!! Had chemo, mastectomy and rads and will finish Arimidex in December.Tratment wasn't all bad. Everyone was great. I still sometimes feel as if it was all a bad dream but the missing boob, flushes, joint pain and fatigue reminds me it wasn't. I am not sure who I am now.Part of me is happy as I have another 2 greatgrandsons, one born on my 65th birthday and 2 wonderful dogs and a husbandwho was a great support. The other me has no patience with people who moan about trivial things and I really have to bite my tongue as I want to rant at them. I also have a little voice which very occassioally says " I'll be back". This I try very hard to ignore. But all in all it is the happy me who is on top. I am looking forward to posting at the 10 and 20 year mark, My Mum lived until she was 95 so I'm in with a good chance, Keep smiling ... View more

I have been discharged from followup clinics and will stop taking arimidex in December. I'm hoping the sweats,hair thinning,jointpain ect will cease but admit that it is like a safety blanket which will stop the cancer returning. I am now 66 and still have side effects one being that my chest wall itches like blazes sometimes and my ribs can be painful. It has been a long hard journey and I am glad I didn't know what I would face. Still I'm alive and happy what more can you ask for? ... View more

Great letter, I to would support any petition. We all live in fear that we will need one of these drugs one day (albeit in the very back of our minds) and we need to fight for ourselves as no one else will. Good luck and may your God bless you. Marion. xx ... View more

Last year KP raised £16000 for BC selling her goods. Chicken feed to her. On children of courage a 12 year old lad raised half a million ( I think that is the correct amount) and the only way I heard about it was because it was on the tv. There are thousands and thousands of people quietly raising a lot of money for different charities without expecting praise. May their Gods bless them all. Let her throw her toys out the pram and I certainly will not buy any of her goods. Wishing you all good luck. Marion. ... View more

It is a real pain waiting for results but hopefully you will get some good news soon. I always though that paying for treatment meant better and faster. Perhaps the hospital you attend need a good boot up the proverbial. Good luck anyway. Marion. ... View more

I saw the 8.20 broadcast and was cheering Debs on as she said about Tickled Pink. Thank You for speaking out and may I say how great you looked. Perhaps they will use BC persons now and the public can get a better idea of how c*** this disease is and how it b*****s up your life. It really is not pink and fluffy. Thank you once again. WELL DONE. Marion. ... View more

Hi, in my area Southampton if you have a mastectomy you have a mammogram every 2 years with a lumpectomy it's every year. I think each area has their own way. I was dx in May2007 and had my mammogram this May. It took 6 weeks before my GP got results.So this may be why you wont have your mammo till next year. Keep well and keep smiling. Marion.xx ... View more

Hi I am 2years post dx 31/05/07 and I still get rib pain. It sometimes wakens me at night and it due to rads.Just another of the side effects which might never go away. I am NED so don't worry about the pain. Good luck and of course try not to worry.(if only it was easy). Marion x ... View more

I know I wasn't given any info on Lymphoedema before my treatment started. Luckily I only have a mild form. I also have now developed carpal tunnell syndrome which apparently is also fairly common. Perhaps they don't tell you as there are so many other things to take in and just leave it a a surprize as not everyone develops it and it's one less thing to worry about. Sorry you can't do your aromatherapy now as it is such a lovely thing to have done. Keep you chin up. Hugs, Marion ... View more

Very Well Done. I admire anyone that does it whether they run or walk. I can't even manage the 10000 steps a day! Keep up the good work. Hugs to all, Marion. ... View more

Hi Ladies, I am almost 2 years post dx. I have been having problems sleeping,tired all the time and in a lot of pain as I also have arthritis but it was rib pain that affected my sleep. I have had 2 sessions of reflexology and am amazed at the drop in pain and I am sleeping better. I only went as the sessions are offered free by Wessex Cancer and thought it would be nice just to relax for a while. I did not expect the results I've had. Check out your local area and see if its offered I think Macmillan do it as well. It won't do you any harm and may do you a lot of good. Hugs to all and I hope you all feel better soon. ... View more

I would report this ignorant person. She would have 40 fits if she knew about my diet. I sometimes feel that being a woman and breathing is the reason I got cancer but if you read all the different articles anything and everything causes cancer. I just hope that stupid person never finds out what it's like because I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Keep your chin up and do what you feel is right for you even if its a ton of chocolate and/or a vat of booze. Me I go for the chocolate! HUGS! Marion. ... View more

Hi, Nicolajane also do some very nice bras and swimwear and softties for swimming. Prices are not to bad either. They have 3 shops and you can get good advice and proper fittings to. Good Luck. I know that if you contact your bcn she should be able to sort you out a new boob. I was told that if I put on/lost weight I could get a new one. Isn't life great! ... View more

Hi Gilly, I am so glad that I am not the only one that feels as if it must have been someonelse that it happened to.I am 21 months from dx and had chemo,mastectomy and 15 rads. It really does seem a bit unreal at times but just to remind me I have now developed mild lymphoedema so my scar feel tight sometimes and my arm aches. I am now 63 and the side effects of Arimidex and other meds I am on make me feel about 90 with all the aches and pains but I still get a lot of joy from life and hope to go on for many more years. Keep on trucking( I used to go all over the continent in a lovely Daf super space cab in my previous life). Marion xx ... View more

I finished chemo 20th September and had my mastectomy 8th October so it seems as if 4 weeks is about normal. I live in Southampton. I was in less than 24 hours. went home with drains in. I was also surprised that the only pain I had was my "normal" arthritis none at all from the op. Good Luck. Marion xx ... View more

I hope things work out for you Claire,sending you HUGS. Marionxx ... View more

Hi, I am 17 months post chemo and I get days when everything is an effort. I am 62 so perhaps age is a factor there. I can't imagine having to look for work. Be kind to yourself and do what you think is right for YOU.We all deal with this our own way but people unless they have had this disease do not understand how much it takes out of you. I hope you start to have much better days and that life improves for you. Good luck and God Bless. Also a cyber hug for when you are really low. ... View more

Hi, I am only one year into Arimidex and although the side effects are rotten I would stay on it forever if it would stop the bl***y thing coming back. I think in America they are now using hormonals for 7 years so perhaps things will change here. Good Luck and try and put it all to the very back of your mind, not always easy I know. I am 62 and was dx in 2007. ... View more