Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Kat, we are very much out there, not just surviving but thriving. I was diagnosed in 2009 and I am still very much here! Stay strong and believe that the chemo is extremely powerful...will be even more tailored to your needs by now. I had a mastectomy too didn't do rads but you are hitting it with everything you can so you ae doing the very best you can. My thoughts are with you, it's a tough journey but there are amazing moments when you feel you can do anything, at least that;s how I felt on my good weeks mid chemo. I hope you have those moments too but even if you don't, believe that the horrid swamp juice will do the job it's been given. Good luck to you xx ... View more

Emma, please don't be scared! If anything I have said has scared you then I have not explained it well. I went to my first EC by way of the garage! It was one way of getting a lift to the hospital as I dropped my car off for service then got them to drop me at the hospital! I was very chatty and cheery and finally as we drew up to the hospital the chap asked if I worked there...his mouth dropped a bit when I said what I was there for! My reaction was due to the injection...and each time the treatment got easier. I was always fine for a couple of days after the treatment, in fact after the first test I always drove myself there and back. I was never sick, they always gave me emend on the day and one to take home for the next day which worked brilliantly plus some other stuff to take home with me which all worked, in fact I never had to take it all. I suffer fom travel sickness really badly so was very relieved to find that I wasn't really sick with EC. The most I could call it was queasy...trying to be totally honest!! There are other side effects such as sore mouth, but this can be helped by mouthwashes and if it presents itself as mouth thrush, a mouth rinse or lozenges. Perhaps it's best not to know...but I would have preferred to be prepared as it all took me by surprise. But you pick up quite quickly and the good weeks are such a bonus and you will find you can do so much. In fact some react to the steroids given by excessive energy immediately after chemo...then a crash. The steroids made me a bit wakeful the first night...but I was given lorazepam, an anti anxiety drug, to take just after chemo for a day or so and it was very helpful. I'm debating whether to send this as I really don't want to scare you. Things always seem worse when you're looking into them...once you're participating it's never as bad...honest. I hope I've helped, I certainly mean to. Lee x ... View more

Hi ladies, yes it certainly is another beautiful day. Long may it last, I will definitely have to set off on a dog walk soon before it gets too hot. I love reading all the posts, Heather you do make me smile with your stories...glad you were no more than bruised after the"jump" episode! Suze, well done on completing an OU course, I have great admiration for anyone focussed enough to do these courses at home (that's you too Heather) but I guess there is, perhaps, more motivation if you didn't do the university thing straight from school. I did that then went on to professional training instead of doing my PhD and always regretted not hving done the further research. Could never really get myself motivated to do it later even though I thought about it and then when I had more time to do it realised I wouldn't remember enough from my original degree to make it feasible (I did Maths!) so maybe my studying days are over though I am still threatening to learn bridge with a friend! I've planted mainly potatoes in the vegetable patch this year as I'm hoping to move but didn't want to tempt the fetes by leaving everything bare! So greenhouse is full of its usual tomatoes and have planted lots of spinach for the chickens! Asparagus is now growing well with the warmer weather ...delicious! Sandra, I hope you wake up today feeling positive! I had an immediate reconstruction which is a completely different set of issues and I always had a lump there of some sort even if it was much smaller (an expander was fitted) it still is smaller actually! Aren't there bras that have secure pockets that hold the prosthesis in place? I hope so as I am thinking that this would be the route for me to take instead of having yet another operation to balance the boobs. I also use a very, very padded bra which fits my left breast and just skims over the smaller one. I just don't look at them and hope that noone else does! I guess not having a partner means I'm not forced to share my revised body secrets with anyone else...probably helps a bit. Having said that I was recently in a bikini (well, I was never going to see these people again so what the heck I thought!) and this was the first holiday since diagnosis and was still trying to tie the bikini straps around my back to not get strap marks (why did I even bother?) but of course I have no real feeling there and it's quite solid so the bikini triangle just unpeeled without my noticing ! My eldest daughter could see this from the pool and was gesturing to me frantically to let me know I was exposing myself...I went to the beach after that! Gill, that's the spirit, making the most of this time before you retreat a little for a while. x Vickie, I hope you're feeling bit better today, two down though! Plus you may find each one gets easier, my body did seem to start to accept them, and on the good weeks in between I took as a huge bonus and even decorated (probably not the best idea soon after an mx and recon but hey, painting the ceiling was good stretching!!). Just wanting to say that you will have better days. Isabelle, glad the healing is going well, the waiting is awful I know. I also did chemo through the summer and to be honest there were times when I felt forgotten as everyone seemed to be away on holiday for weeks and I often felt alone except for my poor teenagers who did what they could but it was hard for them at times. We're here to offer any support we can, however you feel, as there are several of us who have been there and understand the variety of emotions experienced. Oh look at the time...still in my dressing gown so off I must go! Have the best possible weekend. love and hugs Lee xx ... View more

Hi C, if you click on Forums this will take you to a page which allows you to search all the forums. Inputting "thyroid" comes up with over 400 posts! I'm sure you will recognise the title of the one you were following. Hope you find it! Lee x ... View more

Hi Billie, I would reiterate everything that Jax has said, we are definitely all different. That said, while taxol is a powerful chemo it is known for much fewer side effects than the EC and yes, I did find it a breeze I guess. Virtually no horrible side effects to deal with (by that I mean the sickness, the sore mouth I suppose) I generally did okay on taxol so you could well be the same. Obviously there is progressive tiredness...I take that as a given. Taxol is different to taxotere, just in case you are reading about the side effects and bone pain on that...definitely not to be confused. I have heard taxol described as taxotere light! Anyway you may well find taxol easier to cope with than FEC, I certainly hope so. Wishing you strength and power. Lee x ... View more

Oh dear...have I killed off our discussions by such a boring post. So sorry if I have. Thinking of all of you undergoing treatment and hope today is a good day. Lee x ... View more

Hi me*&*30, I know what you mean about not finding many on EC. I did 4 x EC and 4 x taxol last year. I actually only did 3 x EC in the end as they were wanting to give me a dose dense chemo which meant every 2 weeks instead of the usual 3. To do this I needed the neulasta injection and I had a really bad reaction to it... almost hospitalised! Anyway I was all for not doing chemo at all as it was so bad! They got me back in by reducing the total by one and by saying they would reduce the dose as I obviously metabolise quickly. They didn't reduce the dose but the second one wasn't anywhere ner as bad and in fact I managed to do the taxol two weekly without any extra help and kept my white blood cell count up! All do-able but if you want to share your EC experiences I'm very happy to do so. Lee x ... View more

Hi there, fascinating discussion, I hadn't picked up on any connection between thyroid function and bc but will look into it now. I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 11 years ago and it had clearly been undiagnosed for a good while (despite my telling GPs twice that I thought something was seriously wrong with me neither of them did a thyroid test! had to wait until it had tipped me into the menopause and luckily I have a friend who is a very conscientious consultant gynaecologist who tested for this along with hormone levels and found me to be seriously wanting!) as I had very serious problems and needed quite a large dose of levothyroxine which, obviously, I'm still on. It will be interesting to see how many others are affected by this. Lee x ... View more

Hi all you travellers, isn't this weather beautiful...a real blessing to be out in the garden...bluebells still hanging on though the magnolis are definitely over, rhododendrons... some finishing and some coming out and the azalea banks are almost at their zenith...magnificent. Our pocket handkerchief treeis out in full bloom now, quite dramatic...I love this time of year. And Suze the plant was hellebore! Can't believe neither of us could come up with it. We moved the chickens to a new spot in the garden yesterday and they are loving being under the fruit trees...somehow they seem even more contented where they are now and while they aren't so visible from the kitchen, I can still see the one coop that they're all in from the sink! I love watching them, all fifteen chickens, including two cockerels, have decided to set up home together so now I have several chicken coops to sell...I'm really on a mission to simplify my life. No more hatching of eggs so I snatch them away from 3 very broody hens we have much to their disgust! Heather, so glad you completed your final assignment well in advance of the deadline even if it was super stressful...now you can relax! Catering thoughts for the two parties are progressing...I think I've decided on a menu for the sit down for 34 friends of my eldest who's 21. She's just "mentioned" that she told them all they can stay over! I've always always encouraged my children to have lots of friends here for two reasons a)socialising is very important and b)my rules! but now its coming home to roost...still it'll be fun. My 17 year old is even going to try and get away from school that night to be a wine waiter (and I've already bought copious amounts of alcohol while Sainsbury's had a good deal on...let's hope the family celebrations don't demolish the lot as they are the Sunday before!)my 19 year old should be around to help (she is still in Thailand though on Phi Phi island and seems oblivious to the unrest and to my worries...oh to be 19! She is safe though) Unusually it looks as if all my close family from the North East are going to try and be here for the celebrations which is fantastic. Unfortunately not my Mum who is 91 this year and has been very poorly recently, I had to race up there a couple of weeks ago as it didn't look as if she was going to make it through the next day, she's down to 6 stone! However she has rallied remarkably and though now in a home is just doing so well. Going to see her was complicated by the fact that I had decided not to tell her about my cancer as I felt that for her generation it is a very scary thing (it is for us too but I hope you understand my concern to protect her) her mother died of BC too so as I live so far away I felt I could protect her from the knowledge but of course my extremely short hair was going to be an issue and my mother is very perceptive. She did notice it even in her poor state but we managed to suggest that it was my new "trendy" cut!! Think I got away with it! Maria, how lovely to be returning to visit your parents at such a lovely time of year. Fingers crossed the weather holds. I have had some lovely skiing holidays in Switzerland, Zermatt being my favourite place ever, I must get my girlfriends to do weekend there next season as I'm sure I'll be up to it. Sandra, you really are coming on a treat aren't you? Completely get the wanting to get back to some sort of normality, I think it all helps and you're so right that we never know what others are dealing with...I always try to cut people a bit of slack like you. I'm sure that to them you looked absolutely normal and they would have probably applauded you had they known you were there shopping after just going through what you have. xx I do hope everyone else is feeling okay today. Apologies if I've missed any "a"s must be a pringle trapped there! love Lee x ... View more

Emma, I do hope you're feeling more positive this morning. I'm sending you love and hugs and I hope you feel a huge wave of positivity coming your way. I am so positive about my future and would like to share that with you. Chemo has improved so much and is really catching any of those escapees...belt and braces I know but necessary. Glad you enjoyed your time at Legoland, I have many happy memories of being there when my children were younger! Stay strong! Lee xx ... View more

Have pm'd you! Brilliant idea with the juices but, as we both have found, it's just too difficult to do anything these days...shame.xx ... View more

Morning Ladies, Happy Birthday Sue! I hope you have a lovely day, it's beautifully sunny here so I hope it is with you too. Many thanks for your good wishes regarding my travelling daughter, she passed through Bangkok safely to Phuket though almost missed her flight and should be on Phi Phi now but haven't heard since Phuket. No point in worrying as I know from when my eldest went travelling that access to the internet can be tricky and she only switches her phone on occasionally as it costs too much if calls come in. I'm sure she's fine! Sandra you seem to be doing really well...dog walking already! My chemo finished on 3rd November and my hair is only about an inch and a half long...straight up like a clown! It hasn't come in curly though which seems to happen to lots. I have always had quite fine hair, though lots of it and it just doesn't have enough weight yet to lie down. I wonder how long it will get before that happens...who was that singer in the 60s who had blonde hair that grew straight out like a brush...someone Brown I think. Good luck with the hospital appointment...does that mean you can stand under a nice shower after that? Bliss! Maria, thinking of you looking out at a nice tidy garden, presumably with more open views? Sue, talk about memory loss! Two of us stood in the garden yeaterday looking at a very common plant that I need to get more of and neither of us could come up with the name, still can't. It's the one that's in flower now, likes to grow under trees and comes in a variety of colours, quite large with a flower of at least a couple of inches across... any help gratefully received! I hope that chemo side effects aren't too much for those of you dealing with them. It does make the good weeks in between very precious though. love and hugs Lee x ... View more

Hi darcyb, sorry you have to join us. Wondering if the arm exercises you should have been given would help with the stretching of the nerves to your arm...they really do help. Chemo seems such a terrifying thing to face and there seems to be a very wide range of reactions to it but do-able, and then you can look back (because, believe it or not, you will get to the end!) and know that you threw everything at those nasties. love and hugs Lee x ... View more

Oh, probably my fault and you've been saved from my ramblings where I was thinking of setting up a place here for those recovering from treatment to have a sort of refuge with access to spa treatments and just somewhere to get away from things. I felt it would allow me to indulge my nurturing instinct as well as make this house work for its living. Unfortunately I was shot down by all the medics who said that all the health and safety issues would be too difficult to overcome! Oh well, I'll have to think of something else. Putting the house on the market now...ready to downsize. I have now learned to wait until I see that my post or pm has registered and it doesn't always happen after one press of the submit button! very, very frustrating! love and hugs Lee x ... View more

Great info about the hoover...didn't know that one! switching stuff off and on has been my only solution (or attempt at one) I will definitely try that in the future. Vicky, glad the party went well and you are welcome here any time! Doing the party somewhere else does take the pressure off and that's just what you need at the moment. Wish I could persuade my 21 year old to do that. Looking forward to having the family here though. Saffronseed you AMAZING! My onc said that chemo affected people differently and some were able to carry on like you! I was almost hospitalised afetr my first chemo so I guess we are polarised in our responses! Wish I could help on the itchiness of the wig...I so sympathise...I tried everything I could think of, the best thing being the little cap you can buy that is very similar to a pop sock for your head! It helped but nothing was perfect, I even cut circles out from a silk scarf to no great effect. Wishing Isabelle and Sandra a good night in their own beds after their ops. Hope you've had a better day today Sandra. Night all, off to bed now after I've walked the dogs, can't seem to stay up late these days as always have to get up early! love and hugs Lee x ... View more

You know Scaryfox, I completely understand your thoughts, but you just don't know. Triple negative is a whole bundle of cancers that they haven't yet found solutions to, but who knows, that must include those cancers which, whilst not found in large numbers, may not yet be a death sentence. I know that secondaries are incurable though treatable so I really feel for you and your worries about your and your son's future...but it is a future and you are you and not a statistic, there is always hope. Just slap me if I'm being too optimistic. We're always here for you to share thoughts with and we're not going to shy away from talking about your darkest thoughts...it's important to know that you can speak really freely here and that there will always be someone to listen. Jax, so nice to see you on here ( I have sent you pms!) So it doidn't work out with the good old Mr L...so sorry. I do hope that your new consultant is more understanding. It is definitely not our fault, how can it be if research has yet to pinpoint any causes. I understand that you feel cheated, who wouldn't when it has affected your life so greatly, but let's not crucify ourselves...we have enough to deal with. Maria, 13 years ago! Well done your friend and good luck to her with the stroppy teenagers...been,no, AM, there! Didn't think they had enough information 13 years ago to identify all the markers but good to know that some people had this information...it certainly helps us! lots of love Lee x ... View more

I'm reluctant to weigh in on the diet front as I know that there is so much written about it and many people feel empowered by taking control in this area. My feelings are that if there were strong connections between food and breast or any other cancer (other than smoking related lung cancer) the connection would have been made by now. Obviously a healthy diet and lifestyle is of great importance in terms of general well being and strength but I sometimes think this only changes things at the margins with genetics playing the major part in our health. Margins are, however, important and can make a difference but best not to beat ourselves up. Balance in everything until they find out more... ....maybe greater body awareness and more regular check ups (for we older ladies) are helping with diagnosing this disease more often. Being a bit of a devil's advocate here as I would love to hear others' feelings, ideas, thoughts. Hope you're all feeling well today. love and hugs Lee x ... View more

Happy Sunday all, I do hope you are all well. Sue, I know what you mean about writing notes...sad person that I am I did start doing exactly that as there are so many travellers I wanted to keep track of what was going on...typically though I lost my notes so I'll just have to try harder to remember (The scroll down does help with recent posts Sandra, but I suppose I was trying to create a profile in my mind of each person!) Maria, hope today has been a good day for you. How lovely to have your boys with you to share memories. My son has just left to head back to school in London. He weekly boards and also alternates his short time from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening between my (ex) husband and me and a bit of socialising with friends as well as homework so it's quite hectic! I feel the need to fill him up with food so it tends to be a bit busy in the kitchen here and he is sent back to school laden with brownies and banana cake! Probably feeling overstuffed with pancakes and roast dinner with yorkshires! Lovely to have him though. Saffronseed you sound very happy! Long may it continue! Isabelle, nice to have you back. Such a shame about the infection and being delayed from returning home but great that you're now back and recuperating. I just loved getting back into my own bed each time...soooo nice. Heather what a lovely long post! I wish I could de-clutter...I'm one of life's hoarders and since I'm hoping to downsize soon I'm not sure what I am going to do with all my garbage. I have now stuffed so much in cupboards and drawers in an attempt to make things look tidy quickly that I have lost so many important things! My telephone book included! I understand what you mean about the snowballs on Bobby's fur! It was so bad with Mimi that I found the best way to sort it was to stick her under the tap and melt them then sit her on the aga and use a hairdryer on her at the same time!! She bacame very used to this and just curled up asleep on the aga (not directly on the aga but in a cat's bed actually! Had to laugh at your "losing your breast" conversation with your hubby! And the showing of your breast to the postman! And how can you possibly have had a son-in-law for 20 years! You look like a babe!! Tors, hope the party and the cake decorating went well. Five year olds have such energy...hope they didn't wear you out. It seems like a long time since mine were that age...I'm in the process of organising a 21st and a 17th combined with a gap year traveller homecoming! And I'm doing all the catering! Help! The 21 year old is having two parties...family and friends...fingers crossed...looking for a WOW starter that I can prepare ahed for a sit down black tie 4 course meal for 34! Any suggestions very gratefully received. Welcome Anne, always good to see someone new. Worrying about my 19 year old daughter who, after great debate and talking to friends living out there, has flown, with friends, from Bali to Bangkok today to fly direct to Phuket without leaving the airport. Fingers crossed everything is okay. I'm prattling again, sorry. Love to all wishing you a peaceful evening. love and hugs Lee x ... View more