Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jonsi - my hair started falling out around the 16th day of my second session.  And you can look forward to ALL hair falling out - i.e. pubic, under arms, body - defo saves on waxing/shaving!  I didn't lose all my eyebrows/eyelashes but they did thin out.  Daktarin is good for mouth ulcers and sore tongue too.  I wore the sea bands too - anything to stop feeling sick!    Hope you're having a good day!   Jan   ... View more

Hi again - from memory I think my hair started coming out on about day 16 of the second cycle - so good luck to you!!    I was an unlucky one - was first diagnosed 16 years ago and had lumpectomy and rads then it recurred in same spot so mastectomy was the only choice, and then the chemo.  All good now.    Yep, keep taking the anti-sickness tablets even if you don't think you need them - best to keep them in your system!    Take care everyone.   Jan x ... View more

Hi girls!  I was a February 2012 girl!  Like Jonsi I did the short and sharp AC regime - 4 sessions.  Anyway just wanted to say hi and give my support for you all going through this **bleep**e!  My best advice is to drink loads and loads of water before and after your cocktail - it really makes all the difference.  And no alcohol the night before your poison - I made the mistake once of having a few glasses of wine and boy did I suffer!    I have a vomiting phobia so was scared stiff of that but they assured me the anti-sickness drugs worked and although there were times I felt pretty awful, I was never actually sick - thank goodness!!   I also tried the cold cap for the first 2 sessions but unfortunately it didn't work for me - partner gave me a number 1 which looked disgusting so the razor blade came out which I much preferred!  I had thick, wavy hair which came back in tiny tight little curls - think Michael Jackson - but its all back to normal now.    Anyway wishing you all the very best for your treatment - mine is a memory now and I don't really think about it much these days.  Feel free to ask any questions!   Lots of love.   Jan ... View more

Hi - I had a mastectomy and often just tuck my prosthesis into a normal bra as opposed to a mastectomy bra.  I kept getting a rash and went to the doc who said it was ringworm - horror!!  She said oh don't worry ringworm is just like a normal fungal infection and gave me some cream for it which cleared it up no problem.  I have now invested in a few "proper" mastectomy bras and no more rash!    Jan ... View more

Hi - is it the "AC" chemotherapy you are having?  I was given this - they called it - short and sharp - let me know and I can relay my experience!    Good luck.   jan   ... View more

Hi Pearly - I had seromas develop 2 or 3 times after my mastectomy. I wouldn't say they were painful but definitely uncomfortable and restrictive. I had them drained each time but eventually the fluid just re-absorbed back into my body. PS: It wasn't painful having them drained! Jan. x ... View more

Hi - I finished my chemo 14 months ago and like you was anxious about the sickness (vomiting phobia) so I talked to my onc about Emend. He said he'd never heard of it but assured me I would get good anti-sickness meds. I did have bouts of feeling sick but I never actually was - I took my meds whether I needed them or not - just in case!! Best of luck! Jan x. ... View more

Hi all - I've been on Anastrazole for about 9 months now after MX and chemo. I had the DEXA bone scan and they saw slight thinning of the bone in one hip but reckoned that could be just down to age anyway (I'm 58). But GP also prescribed Calci-D tablets - 2x twice daily. You can ask your doctor to prescribe it - presumably you have an NHS prescription-exempt card (all us "had cancer" people can get one) - so it won't cost anything. I sometimes get achey wrists and knees but manageable - it gets better as the day goes on. Definitely no hot flushes - just the norm in this hot weather! Some days I do lack energy but I am putting that down to just time getting over the effects of chemo - they say it can take up to 2 years before you are back to your normal energy levels. So in my experience, no really bad side effects - good luck to everyone! Jan. x ... View more

Hi CoachK - no you're not going mad!! I finished my chemo about this time last year and still have "chemo flash backs" - my first 2 sessions I used the cold cap and they put that aussie conditioner in my hair and to this day I cannot use it and doubt whether I ever will again - just can't stand the smell. And the other day I was sorting out some paperwork and came across all my BC papers and letters from the surgeon, oncologist etc. It really unnerved me but I guess in the grand scheme of things its still early days for us. I just try and stay positive in that the cancer is gone after MX and chemo so lets just get on with it! A large glass of wine helps on those dark days too! Take care! x ... View more

Hi KahrenQ - the "proper" prosthesis I got from the hospital is quite big and heavy - I'm a 36C - but I got a softer one off the Nicola Jane website which is far more comfortable when you are just relaxing/sitting in the sun/socialising - not too expensive either! Jan. x ... View more

A thousand likes! x ... View more

Hi - I also had seromas after MX - I got it drained 3 times until it eventually absorbed back into my body. I would definitely recommend your mum goes to get it drained - it doesn't hurt and the relief is immediate! Jan. X ... View more

Yay celebration time!! I'm a year down the track from you but can still remember the elation! You will breeze through the radiotherapy! xx ... View more

Hi Jane - I had my mastectomy December 2011 followed by chemo and Anastrazole - I'm the same age as you. I didn't get the choice of immediate reconstruction but I don't think I would have had it anyway - I can have the one where they take it from your tummy. I recovered really well from the op and went back to work up until I started the chemo. I was really scared to look at the scar site afterwards and I'm still not particularly happy being lop-sided although I am probably bigger than you! My long-term partner doesn't give two hoots and as you say the right man wouldn't. Also I think with you being quite small your scar will be a lot "neater" if you know what I mean. So yes its a personal choice but I think that if I had your choice I would go for immediate reconstruction. Is it possible for you to just have the MX and then have the reconstruction a bit further down the track - cos you might find that you are happy to not have it anyway?! Good luck with your decision and with the op. I had no problems apart from a seroma that refused to go away for a bit - and the drain coming out was a breeze but perhaps I was lucky to have a good BC nurse - I didn't feel a thing!! All the best. Jan x. ... View more

Hi Lottie - easier said than done I know, but try not to worry - it may be nothing more than a cyst - I've had a couple on the back of my neck and also your doctor might just being extra cautious given your history. Let us know if you get the emergency scan appointment but if you don't before you go on holiday try and forget about it - hopefully nothing would change or get worse in a couple of weeks! Jan x ... View more

Hi Dyane I was a February chemo girl too - only I did mine 2012 so am finished and back to normal and feeling great! I also had terrible mouth ulcers and yucky tongue. The hospital prescribed me Nystatin which I think you can only get on prescription but I also bought Daktarin gel which you can by over the counter. They both really helped so it might be worth asking your chemo people to give that to you. I really feel for you all as this is the worst time for SEs - hopefully you are not suffering too bad and can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Take care. Jan. x ... View more

Hi Powerjen I was first diagnosed in 1997 and had lumpectomy, rads and Tamoxifen. 16 years later and things just didn't feel right - lumpy and a bit sore so went to GP - she reassured me that it was the effect of the rads and scar tissue etc - but I still wasn't happy but left it. A few months later I had the routine mammogram which showed a recurrence. Since then I have had mastectomy, chemo and now Anastrazole for 5 years. I'm not trying to scare you but you as yours may be nothing but isn't it better to know and then get on with the treatment. I am still annoyed with the GP dismissing my concerns and in retrospect I should have insisted on a mammogram right away. I talked to my oncologist about it and he said that the tumour wouldn't have grown very much in that time (1 year) but even so!! I reckon if you have the mammogram and something shows up surely they will fastrack you for an ultrasound?? Good luck to you and I hope it is just scar tissue - please let us know how you get on! By the way, I finished my chemo last June and am back at work, normal life etc - feeling good! Jan x ... View more

Hi Lozza - I worked right through rads - no problems until the last couple of weeks or so when I got a bit tired and sore. Because I was working they set my appointments up for the end of the day. Agree with Jill - rads are a doddle compared to chemo!! x ... View more

I started on Anastrazole a few weeks after chemo finished. And just to give you something positive - I have had no side effects whatsoever (have been taking them since last June - they have recommended I take Calc-D tablets though as the Anastrazole can affect your bone density so the extra calcium and vitamin D is just insurance. Hopefully you won't have any SEs! Jan x ... View more

I started on Anastrazole a few weeks after chemo finished. And just to give you something positive - I have had no side effects whatsoever (have been taking them since last June - they have recommended I take Calc-D tablets though as the Anastrazole can affect your bone density so the extra calcium and vitamin D is just insurance. Hopefully you won't have any SEs! Jan x ... View more