Breast Cancer Now Forum

I also had docetaxel and used the cold cap.  I put a permanent dye on my hair (It was a gentle one with no parbens etc in) 8 weeks after my last chemo and my hair has been fine. Before that about 2 weeks after chemo I used semi permenant hair dyes which TBH didnt have much effect and were a bit of a waste of money.   I used  the spray on hair colour all the way through chemo to cover grey hairs and bald patches so I just continued to use this untill I got to the 8 week mark.   Jennie ... View more

Hi Mandy, I was diagnosed with secondarys to the spine and liver in January 2012 I went back to work in February that year mainly to keep my mind off things and have a little normality in my and my families lives. I work in Theatres at the hospital I am being treated and this job can be really hard work and alot of heavy lifting but theres always ways round it. It helps not to be thinking constantly about cancer. My only real problem is the NHS policies I am on a disciplinary for my sickness and have been put on a 12 month monitoring period. I will have worked in the NHS for 10 years in november in that time I have had 4 occasions of sickness 1 of which is when I lost my oldest son. So much for the caring profession. Do what you feel is right I have to say it has helped me going back to work. Jennie x ... View more

Hi Milo, I havent heard of a support group in Redcar (I only live about 7 miles away) but there is a support group for anyone with breast cancer in the Holistics centre At James Cook Hospital 1st wednesday of every month. If you hear anything about the support group in Redcar please could you let me know, Thanks Jennie, ... View more

Hi Mrsblue have read many of your post and find your story really inspiring especially to us new mets girls. I think we should include some sort of "role call" what peoples diagnosis is what treatment they have recieved and how long because people seem to drift away from the forum when things are going well (I have myself recently because of the new forum wont winge) but am sure as people pass each goal post they may come back and share this with everyone. I myself found this really comforting when I was first diagnosed and it did take some of the fear out of it for me. What do you think ? Jennie x ... View more

Twinky I think thats a lovely idea. Jennie x ... View more

All my love to Clares family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. She has been such an inspiration to us all. From yet another clare lurker, Jennie x ... View more

Hi I had a double mastectomy with immediate LD recon and implant, one had to go the other was risk reducing, I had this done on the 4th jan 2012 and although it feels a little tight some times I dont regret it for one second. Its been the best thing thats happened through this whole nightmare. It was an 11 hour op but I cant remember much about the first couple of days (must have been the anesthetic). I do remember my chest felt really heavy and I couldnt get out of bed for a couple of days but I do now have almost all my arm movements back and have done for about 8 weeks post op. I do have a scare across my back which is now barely visable and can be hidden under my bra strap. Do the exercises they give you religiously it makes things so much easier. I am so glad I did this as I really couldnt stand the though of me boobless and also its helped me cope with what I have had to deal with after the op as I can at least look normal. Jennie PS. my cleavage is now better than it was when I was 17 lol x ... View more

Am so so sorry laurie you have been such a support to all us newbies its so very unfair my prayers are with you. Got my fingers crossed for you with this treatment. ((((((((((((HUGE HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) jennie x And if this post doesnt appear am going to scream xxx ... View more

Congratulations Blondie, I have read all of your old post and they have been so inspiring to me since being diagnosed on 26th jan. Heres to the next 9 and thank you so much for posting. Lots of love, Jennie ... View more

Thank you so much for your post dm. Its so good to hear such good news. I have read many of your posts and they have helped me greatly during these first few weeks. Am praying am in the same boat in 5 years time. Thanks again, Jennie ... View more

Hi everyone, Just got out of hospital AGAIN had to have another drain put in my back (only a small one)as the scare burst open. Laurie, I work in the hospital I am being treated in the Sterile Services Department. It can be a physical job but I could make it easier as I am a supervisor. My employer isnt really supportive they are thinking about financial issues at the moment not the care of the staff (caring NHS for you)But I do have full support of all the other staff so will be helped out if needed. Nicky, Hope all has gone well with your return to work. Hugs Jennie, ... View more

Hi Alesta, I have had 2 WLE and then a double proplylactic mx with immediate LD recon. I am still recovering from all this when I got the news. have no other treatment yet but the onc has put me on Tamoxifen and has told me she will rescan in 3 months (I have to see her again on thurs to confirm as I fell to bits at the time). Please let me know how your scan goes. You sound a really strong person I dont know how I am ever going to cope with this. Thank you Horssie, For your kind words I pray one day to be as positive as you. Thank you also AlexD I agree the stats are terrifying. I am going to search the sites for the 8 year lady that is really encouraging. Wow daisy you will be 4 years soon but what a hell of a journey havent heard of any support groups but am still in shock. Thanks to everyone even with the support of my fantastic family and friends feel so very alone sometimes. Have thought about going back to work, on half pay soon, it may take my mind off things for a while and maybe make me sleep better what do you all think? Jennie. ... View more

please help, Went to see my onc on Thursday expecting a date to start chemo. She informed me the cancer had spread to my liver and was no longer curable. I am so scare I have a 14 year old son his dad doesnt really bother with him and we lost his older brother 7 years ago. I have read a few things on these forums and people dont seem to survive much beyond 2 years I cant leave my son and OH now they need me I need to see them grow old is there any good news out there havent stopped crying and hardly slept a wink sice I was told, a very terrified, jennie ... View more

Hi Anniep11, I also had my surgery on 4th Jan. I had a double MX with immediate LD recon (implant on the left, expander on the right need rads later). I still have a lot of pain and swelling. It still feels like I have an iron bra on really tight. I also have the sunburn feeling, isnt it odd, even my own hair irritates it. My BCN suggested gently massaging the area with moisturiser she said it would desensitize the area so am going to give that a go let me know if you find out how long it lasts. love jennie ... View more

Good luck to everyone having there ops in the next couple of days ((((((((((((huge hugs))))))))))) to you all. What a good idea 30nov66 I would be up for a meet up am in middlesbrough myself but prepared to travel. So sorry about your tooth lelly going to the dentist is one of my fears hate it will keep my fingers crossed for you as I know how bad the waiting is. love jennie x ... View more

Hi all, I was dx in september had 1st WLE and SNB in October. Had 6/14 nodes involved and was told I had grade 2 lobular invasive carsinoma but they could not get clear margins. I had a 2nd WLE and ANC on 28th November. Another 11 nodes were all clear but margins were not so was advised MX. This totally terrified me and begged for immediate recon (I still need chemo and rads). Saw the PS on 28th December we had a good chat and he ask how I felt about a double prophylactic mastectomy as lobular has a very high risk of reacurrence in the other breast also this type is very hard to detect. To be fair from day one I have wanted this option if the only option I was left with was MX as I dont want to go through this night mare again (I know nothing is 100%) The PS and I agree on a double mastectomy with immediate LD recon with implant on good side and expander on the bad and as PS said if rads messed up my bad side he could redo. This was done on th 4th jan. I am not going to say it has been easy. I had a mini break down on my way into theatre and was going to flee the hospital dont know were I thought I was going lol. Was in a quite a lot of pain when I woke up but this was soon sorted by the amazing nursing staff couldnt get out of bed for a couple of days. but am a week on now out of hospital after 5 days still on paracetamol and cant sleep on my stomache but glad I have done it and have this part over with. Do the exercises, gently, every day without fail as this really helps. The main thing id like to say is its not as bad as you think the fear of the unknown really cracked me up. Hope all your ops go well and if anyone wants to ask me anything at all by all means do and I will answer you as honestly as I can. Love, Jennie ... View more

Hi all, This is my first time of posting have pmed a few people but never posted but thought my experiences may help. I was dx in september had 1st WLE and SNB in October. Had 6/14 nodes involved and was told I had grade 2 lobular invasive carsinoma but they could not get clear margins. I had a 2nd WLE and ANC on 28th November. Another 11 nodes were all clear but margins were not so was advised MX. This totally terrified me and begged for immediate recon (I still need chemo and rads). Saw the PS on 28th December we had a good chat and he ask how I felt about a double prophylactic mastectomy as lobular has a very high risk of reacurrence in the other breast also this type is very hard to detect. To be fair from day one I have wanted this option if the only option I was left with was MX as I dont want to go through this night mare again (I know nothing is 100%) The PS and I agree on a double mastectomy with immediate LD recon with implant on good side and expander on the bad and as PS said if rads messed up my bad side he could redo. This was done on th 4th jan. I am not going to say it has been easy. I had a mini break down on my way into theatre and was going to flee the hospital dont know were I thought I was going lol. Was in a quite a lot of pain when I woke up but this was soon sorted by the amazing nursing staff couldnt get out of bed for a couple of days. but am a week on now out of hospital after 5 days still on paracetamol and cant sleep on my stomache but glad I have done it and have this part over with. Do the exercises, gently, every day without fail as this really helps. The main thing id like to say is its not as bad as you think the fear of the unknown really cracked me up. Hope all your ops go well and if anyone wants to ask me anything at all by all means do and I will answer you as honestly as I can. Love, Jennie ... View more