Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello again Philomena and hello to jiggyjoo I'm now halfway through rads and not feeling too bad so far apart from quite tired and a sore nipple! Good to see you are halfway through chemo Philomena - hope all goes well for you. Staff are lovely @ N&N and I've been having some foot reflexology at the Big C Centre....heavenly! I live on my own ( parents deceased and no children) and friends have been lovely but have busy lives, so it's been good to be able to drop into the Big C after appointments for a bit of company and a cuppa rather than go home to an empty flat. Sat outside in the garden reading for quite some time after my oncology appt. I can also recommend the yoga badminton and aquafit groups for women with or who have had cancer at the Sportspark at UEA for anyone who lives close enough. Coral who runs it is lovely and the ladies in the yoga group I go to have been very supportive and Suzie the teacher is great. Hope your appointment in June goes well jiggyjoo. Sue x ... View more

Hey March 13, you are not 'out of control'. You are letting out perfectly understandable feelings and emotions in a safe (to you and others) way. Please please try to be compassionate to yourself. You are entitled to do so, especially after such a shock and distressing news. It will take time to come to terms with it. There is such a strength in being able to show your feelings to others too. They will only be able to support you if you let them know how you are feeling and what is helpful. There is no need for you to be supporting them. Do you have a BC nurse who can answer your questions? Again these are reasonable fears to have. The main goal is to get through the treatment in the way kindest to you, whatever that may be. Use the support that is out there. Don't feel embarraseed/guilty/ashamed. It's there for all of us, no matter what the diagnosis. I found that most people wanted to help and relished being given the opportunity to show their love and care. If you can give them that by letting them know what is helpful it will be beneficial for all. I found getting texts/ emails of support very helpful as I live on my own. Just to know someone is thinking about me is great. Sending virtual hugs Suex ... View more

Hi Ann Sorry to hear you're having some problems. I had a very sore and sensitive nipple after my first WLE. I ordered some silicone 'nipple covers' from Amazon. I found them helpful. Sue XXX ... View more

Hi Hobbittoes I think it's normal to be worried but try not to let it take over. I try to take pleasure in the small things in life...spending time with my soppy cat, messages of support from friends and being out in the gardeb on a sunny day 🙂 I'm in Norfolk just outside Norwich. The service has been pretty good here. I'm pretty good these days at being able to tell my friends when I'm struggling and they always respond - even if it's just with a text or Facebook message. Those cells are already with histology and no amount of worrying will change what they are. It may be better to save your energies to enable to you deal with whatever comes your way if you can. Believe in yourself. I think we can make connections with othere sin lots of different ways. This forum has certainly helped me many times. After all we are all human beings and we are all able to show compassion. I hope you get good results next week and thanks for the hugs back 🙂 Sue XXX ... View more

Hi Hobbittoes I was diagnosed with DCIS in Feb (age 48 yrs)but with no lump - it was diagnosed via mammogram as I'm on the Family History screening programme (Mum & Nan had BC). My lymph nodes were not thought to be involved so I had WLE (wide local excision) then had it repeated as they didn't get clear margins the first time. I recovered well and quickly from both ops. No chemo needed luckily so just waiting for 15 rads. My oncologist told me that it is likely that I will make a good recovery and the outcomes for DCIS are very good. I think your reactions are quite 'normal'. It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride but try to go with the flow, if you need a good cry have one and if you feel upbeat, celebrate it. Most of all, don't feel guilty - take time to look after yourself. It must be more difficult being so young and with a little one to think about but it gets easier once you have a plan for treatment. personally I found the waiting the most difficult bit. Sending hugs accross cyberspace Sue x ... View more

Signed and shared... ... View more

Hi Marie We met briefly on the 'fromNorfolk' thread I was just looking at this thread and feeling very lucky that I managed to avoid chemo as mine is High Grade DCIS. Just 15 rads to go now. Just wanted to say that you and all the ladies on here are in my thoughts. Sue XXX ... View more

Hi Diamondlady yes they managed to get clear margins this time - wooo hoooo! 🙂 I've been to see the oncologist today who was very good and went through the histology and listened to my concerns re genetics. Haven't got any dates yet though. Sue ... View more

Great news 🙂 Having seen you in person I have to say you look fabulous too! XXX ... View more

Hello little maker I hope your recovery from Mx is going well. I had 2nd WLE to get clear margins (phew!) and I'm waiting for rads. May have to have plastic surgery next year as my scar is very pulled in and my boob is a rather strange shape! Still consider myself to be very fortunate that it was caught so early with minimal treatment 🙂 Best wishes Sue ... View more

Hi Diamondlady Sorry to hear you need a 3rd WLE. I had 2 for High Grade DCIS and found the waiting the hardest bit but I think that is more about wanting to get on and out of 'limbo land'! Sometimes it can be good to feel that you have some control and hanging on to some sort of 'normality' is one way of doing that. If your care team says it's ok then it's up to you to decide what would be most helpful. I suspect that your physical body will heal faster if you are in a good place mentally too. I've decided to go back to work part-time before rads as I'm going stir crazy at home (I live alone) and I want to feel more like the old me with a bit of a purpose and some structure to my day. Can't wait to plan a holiday myself! Sue xxx ... View more

Hi Mandy Thanks for posting such a positive message. Yes it is helpful to me although I've had 2 WLE for my DCIS as there wasn't too much. Thankful for mammograms! I just have rads to go now 🙂 ... View more

WMMHT - a fabulous yoga class with Lou my favourite teacher, who modifies some of the more challenging poses for me so I can still join in. Felt a bit low today and had to kick myself up the bum to go. So glad I did - the relaxation made me feel so good I smiled all the way home 🙂 ... View more

Appt with surgeon & BCN was interesting....he confirmed that we have clear margins (woop woop!) then asked to see my scar...there then followed a sharp intake of breath from both...and a bit of a pause... He apologised bless him for it being so puckered and pulled in and causing my breast to be quite mishapen. He said I'll probably need to see the plastics team next year as they won't do any surgery until 6 months after rads as it wouldn't heal well. Apparently it will probably get worse with rads too. I had felt that I was being silly when I felt a bit upset by it so I'm glad I wasn't making a complete fool of myself! I'm really glad too that I've managed to hang onto my breast so I'm not THAT upset! I probably just need some time to get used to it. Appt to see Onc. is 25/4 (will be a bit behind you Ann) so I really am getting there now 🙂 ... View more

Going for my scheduled appt. to see the surgeon tomorrow so should get my onc appt....getting there 🙂 ... View more

Yoga on the patio in my PJs in the sunshine with my 2 bunnies Angel & Elvis running and jumping about 🙂 ... View more

All useful info ladies - not sure when my rads are starting yet as I haven't had an appointment to see ONC yet. Ann I have seen you on another thread and yes we will have to compare notes! ... View more

Hi there Philomena.b I agree with you about the Big C centre although I have only been once so far. I expect I'll be dropping in once my rads sessions start. I baked cakes for friends who came for afternoon tea and they donated £30 so I have that to take in anyway. I hope your chemo goes ok without too many SEs. Sue x ... View more

Hi Gill Sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope it's still contained. When do you get your results? Good to hear you have some great support from your partner and family 🙂 I'm also a keen motorcyclist (GSXR750) and have High Grade DCIS.... I've had 2 WLE to try to get clear margins and go back for results of the 2nd surgery on 15/4. If margins are still not clear - will have to have mastectomy. They seem to think mine is still just in the milk ducts and was 16mm the last time. I'm also positive most of the time with the odd 'wobble'! My Mum and my Grandmother both had BC and Mum died in 1994 sadly, so I have the odd moment of being scared. Dad also died from cancer 3 years ago and I split with my partner in October. Fortunately, I have some fantastic and supportive friends 🙂 Hoping for warmer weather once I've recovered enough from the surgery to ride. Leathers may still be a bit tight - ouch! 🙂 Need to find new riding buddies as my ex still goes out with my other friends and he has a new girlfriend.... Onwards and (mostly) upwards 🙂 Sue XXX ... View more