Breast Cancer Now Forum

SCACO, your Woodies are still together, as irreverent as ever but missing you. Remembering all the fun times. xxx ... View more

Ooooh, lovely shiny new forum - I must explore!   Two little feedback points so far: I had the same problem as RevCat but I was on IE - I couldn't load an avatar. I had no problem with Chrome. My registration date is showing in my profile as  01-05-2012   01:00 AM. I was a member long before that, so why is that date showing? That's all for now - well done BCC techy team - I hope the broom cupboard isn't too smelly after having you lot incarcerated in it for so long!   Jane xxx ... View more

Hi all, I'm two years past treatment now so don't post much, but I had FEC-T, three of each. I might be wrong, but I think when they give four of FEC and four of T (as seems to be getting more common) it's the same total dose as having three of each, but treatment is a slightly lower dose so is more easily tolerated and gives fewer side effects. As I said, I might be wrong but I'm sure I read that somewhere. 🙂 Jane xxx ... View more

Good luck Artemis, and have a look at this thread for an explanation of the abbreviations and acronyms http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/community/forums/abbreviations-acronyms-used-forum Jane xxx ... View more

Ponsmuir, I've just been having a look at Eurotunnel and it looks as though the under 70 age limit is only for annual policies. If you have a look at http://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/traveller-info/insurance/travel-insurance/ in the Important Information for Single Trip Travel it says, "There is no age limit for passengers travelling on Single Trip insurance, however, there is a maximum age limit of 69 years for Annual Travel." If you don't want an annual policy, I'd give them a ring! Jane xxx ... View more

And whatever the result, please come back and let us know. Jane xxx ... View more

Don't take no for an answer from your GP. BC in someone of your age is very unusual (so the odds are hugely in your favour that it's something else), but it isn't entirely unknown. It's also true that in younger women it tends to be more advanced when diagnosed, partly because it can be hard to get GPs to take it seriously (I was told I was too young, at 44, but my GP did refer me quickly anyway) but also because it's so much harder to detect. At your age you almost certainly won't be given a mammogram because your breast tissue will be far too dense for anything to show, so an ultrasound would probably be the first investigation. All the very best of luck - and don't panic at a delay of a week or two, or even three, as that's completely normal. Just get to your GP asap for your own peace of mind. Sending you a huge hug. Jane xxx ... View more

Hi there, I think as long as you massage the scar with something that keeps it supple, you'll minimise the effects. I couldn't bear the smell of bio oil and the head professor of oncology at my chemo unit recommends olive oil, so I used that twice a day. Apparently it not only keeps the scarring to a minimum but it also has apoptotic properties (helps to make cells commit suicide, which is what cancer cells have "forgotten" to do), and that can only be a good thing! It's also 100% natural, even organic if you want it to be, and an awful lot cheaper than bio oil. I still massage my breast at night, two years on, as I have some fluid retention (not quite full-blown lymphoedema yet apparently) and I think it helps. Jane xxx ... View more

Hi Jlr, I was just turned 45 when I started FEC-T chemo in January 2011 and was pre-menopausal. I had a period round the time of FEC1 and haven't had anything since. I've been on Tamoxifen since the end of May 2011 and will be on it for 5 years. My tumour was ER 6+ The plan then is to do a blood test to see if I've naturally entered the menopause "underneath" the effect of the Tam as I'll be 50 by then. If so, I'll then go onto 3 years of Letrozole. If not, I'll have another 5 years of Tamoxifen, then the 3 years of Letrozole. My onc told me that she doesn't expect my periods to return and I've to let her know if I have any bleeding. She didn't think that an oopherectomy or ovary ablation would be necessary as the Tam should do the job on its own. I have achy joints and regular and frequent hot flushes (luckily they don't make me sweat) and my onc doesn't expect that to improve now, as any improvement normally happens after a couple of months of Tam, if it's going to. I had my first hot flush a few hours after my first dose of Tax. It's a small price to pay really, and being well past the age when I'd want more children, a rapid crash-bang-wallop menopause hasn't been a problem for me. In fact it's quite liberating not to have periods! Jane xxx ... View more

Bumpetty Bump Sorry, I'm many miles away but don't want this to slip off the first page 🙂 Jane xxx ... View more

Hi Karen, As the others have said, do your best not to panic (easily said, I know) and DON'T GOOGLE!!! I think a lot of us have found that we descend into a cleaning frenzy whilst waiting. Cancer diagnosis and treatment is really just one long wait punctuated by a series of appointments, so I think that us lot must have the cleanest houses around (although my has deteriorated into a pigsty again, now that I've finished active treatment). The length of time you're waiting isn't unusual and is not a cause for concern. After I'd got my results and was waiting for a date for my op, my consultant told me that a three week delay would not cause him any worries at all, but he wouldn't want a three month delay. Most breast cancers just don't grow that quickly, and my tumour had probably been there for a couple of years at least before it got big enough for me to feel it. All the very best, and we're not emus on here, so you can talk to us whenever, and about whatever you like. Jane xxx ... View more

Yes, very interesting article. I's like to know what an analysis of the forum posts about Taxotere would reveal! Jane xxx ... View more

Hi Jane2013, Welcome to the BCC forums. I'm afraid I can't be of any help to you regarding the rads as I only had them to the breast, but I just wanted to bump your post as sometimes new posts get a bit lost on this site. They're going to be rewriting the forum software soon, but until then... Have you thought about calling the BCC helpline? All the info is here http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services/ask-us-your-questions/helpline?utm_source=MM&%3Butm_medium=services&%3Butm_campaign=helpline Or you could email one of the BCC nurses http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-services/ask-us-your-questions/ask-nurse?utm_source=MM&%3Butm_medium=services&%3Butm_campaign=ATN I'm sure someone with the right experience will spot this soon and be able to offer you some useful help and support - they're a great lot on here! All the very best, (Another) Jane xxx ... View more

Hi tracyld/Little Owl, I think if you message the mods they can change your user name for you. I know someone who did that, but it was quite a while ago before all the more recent forum design shenanigans so I'm not sure if it's still possible. Worth asking though! Jane xxx ... View more

Hi Louisemvp, I don't know where you live, but you might want to have a look at Shine's website http://www.shinecancersupport.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx . Shine is for young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have had any kind of cancer diagnosis. They're a wonderful bunch, definitely not your traditional support group, and would be a good way for you to get in touch with others of a similar age. There are currently groups in Dorset, London, North Tyneside and Birmingham. They're also on Facebook of course! Jane xxx ... View more

Oh yes, my Chillow is my new best friend! I got mine of Ebay so didn't pay full price. It does warm up through the night but I can always find a chilly edge if I need it. I'm going to treat myself to a small one as well. I keep mine in a pillowcase. Jane xxx ... View more

They look great! I just have a bit of lymphoedema in the breast, but I've let the ladies in my BC support group know about the site. Thanks moorcow! Jane xxx ... View more

Hi doozy, Yes, don't panic! Depending on which chemo you have it will work slightly differently. You'll be put on a drip via a canulla, usually into the back of your hand or into a Picc or Hickman line or a Portocath if you have one. The chemo drugs go in through that. Often you'll have saline through the drip at the same time (the saline dilutes it as it goes in and helps to protect your veins). The drip pumps are usually plugged into the mains but they have a battery so you can just unplug it and go walkabout if you want to. In fact you'll probably need to have a wee anyway mid-chemo, as there's actually quite a lot of liquid going in. You just have to be a bit careful manoeuvering the drip stand in and out of the toilet door as they have wheels like supermarket trollies and have minds of their own! Sometimes chemo is given very slowly by a nurse using a syringe into your canulla at the same time as the saline, so they can control the speed more finely. For that, when they get to the end of a syringe you can just tell them you need a break and then go for a walk/wee/whatever. If you ask your chemo nurse they'll help you sort out the plug and wires. Once you know what you're doing it's easy peasy. All the very best for the 29th. 🙂 Jane xxx ... View more

Putting my ancient Woodland history hat on, the name for the Jingling Merkin (JM) actually came about as the result of a Woodland conversation about morris dancing and merkins. Have a look at the posts from 779 onwards (pages 26-27 of this thread) for the story...! Jane xxx ... View more

It does very hugely. My drain was in my side and was in for eight days. I went to the hospital to have it taken out (small private one) and it was out in a couple of seconds and I hardly noticed it. I hadn't taken any pain relief - it never occurred to me that I might need it! As others have said, if it's a longer tube or close to a nerve that would hurt more. Jane xxx ... View more