Breast Cancer Now Forum

I'm sure many of you know that one of our number has lost the battle. Our lovely Scottydog1974 died on the 22nd of August after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer at the end of April. It is a sad and terrible shock and we have lost a beautiful woman with the bigest smile I've ever seen. We all have a duty to her, to carry on as she did, living and loving life to the full. Sweet dreams dear friend, we will all miss you so very much. oxoxoxox  ... View more

Salutation's from deepest France! Its a year since my last chemo today and I feel like celebrating!! Hope all that can make the lunch date on the 29th have a great time, so sorry I won't be there in person but I will have a little glass of something to join in  Hope all the meds are going ok for everyone - I moan on about sore fingers and toes from arthrits but its not too bad really. Keep up the fight - don't let your guard down - and have a ball! Much love to all xoxoxxo ... View more

Well we really had a great lunch yesterday, sorry for those who couldn't make it - it would be lovely to have everyone from the thread for a 'do' but geography prevents!   I mention Vitamin B 6 as a potential prophylactic treatment, it appears more suitable for postmenopausal but take a look at the link    https://www.lef.org/newsletter/2012/0921_Higher-Vitamin-B6-Levels-Associated-With-Lower-Risk-Of-Invasive-Breast-Cancer.htm   Hope everyone has been out and about enjoying the spring weather!   xx Suzy ... View more

Well done Daffodil weight loss and exercise very impressive.  Hope you enjoyed the show Woolfie, looking forward to seeing you soon. Angela hope the sun and sangria are putting roses on your cheeks! I must say not being able to scroll back makes including everyone really difficult as my short term memory is pants! Hope everyone has good results from their follow ups XOXOXO ... View more

Well I had my x-ray, mammogram and ultrasound yesterday and got the results straight away - No Evidence of Disease!!!! yeah, which was a great relief after I overheard the radiographer say there was an anomaly that needed checking, hence the ultrasound, which was not scheduled - just calcification confirmed by the senior bod, who also said he couldn't find any lymph nodes on my surgery side, and complimented my surgeon for his diligence!  ... View more

Hello everyone Hope your all keeping dry and haven't suffered from storm damage! Angela, there's dieting and there's disappearing, Nipinuk is right! Hope all those who can make it to the lunch o9n the 5th can make use of Nipinuk's link.Does that mean you are joining us Nip? I was to have my follow up on the 21st, but my onco has gone and retired so they re-booked me for the 11th  - no big deal really but I wish they hadn't messed me about 😞 Take care xoxoxox         ... View more

Not posted for awhile I'm afraid. We are all coming up to our year on appointments - I hope we all have a positive outcome, its such a very scary time, I'm trying not to think about it. Ironically my OH has his anual scan at the begining of March too, althoug he has had NED for six years its still an anxious time. Nipinuk - so sorry I can't make your inivation to lunch! Hope you all have a great time! If anyone is free the 4th 5th or 7th of March to meet for lunch in London it would be great to see you.   Take care and Bon Courage my friends xxxxx     ... View more

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! Hope everyone has a great celebration tonight , I'll raise my glass to you all and there will be love and best wishes winging their way across the ether from deepest France to wherever you are as the clock strikes 12 !   I can't help welling up with emotion , but then that's allot to do with the Scottish side of me , and I haven't even had a dram yet ! Cheers my dear friends , here's to a healthy 2014 , may all your dreams come true .   Suzy xxxxxxxxxxx     ... View more

Ho,Ho,Ho! Are we all ready? Thank you all for your kind wishes,Christmas seems rather special this year after the fear and dread of the past year. We are forever changed, but still here and thankfully able to eat drink and be merry!  The hormone inhibitors seem not to be too bad reading your posts, we don't have much choice in the mater I guess and I'd rather put up with the SE's than the alternative. I do hope we are all feeling well and that Christmas will be extra special this year for all us Marchies and our families and friends who've stuck with us through our blackest hours. So here's to us, Cheers! Sending big hugs and the warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday and the Very Best 2014 can throw at us. Thinking of you all and how we ENDURED!  Love Suzy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ... View more

Sorry to hear some of you are struggling with nausea post chemo, EMEND is the drug for you! It is marvelous but not handed out freely as its very expensive - so if your going through hell, say nothing is working and demand EMEND.   xxx Suzy     ... View more

Daffodil, I can't imagine having a fan on through the night here for the hot flashes, all I have to do is throw the duvet off, its freezing! We even kept the wood burner going through the night as its out only heating 😄 xx ... View more

MANY HAPPY RETURNS Angela  So glad you enjoyed your visit to Seville and the Flamenco, its such a wonderful passionate dance - bet you and the OH were doing impersonation of the singing afterwards! Has this encouraged you to take up Flamenco? I always fancied it, and might well give it a go if I lived in Spain. I will have to be content with 'Le Gym'! Have a fab time with your daughter and son!!!! xx    ... View more

Hello there Been awhile since I last posted. Hope everyone is doing OK and feeling well. I have been having trouble with my back and muscle spasm caused by guarding my surgery side. I have joined an exercises class and its helping but I need to do stretching exercises each day. The cold weather is not helping the diet, just made banana bread this morning, a slice of which just went down very well with our afternoon cuppa 😄 Are we already for Christmas? I posted my UK parcels on Tuesday, shame we won't be there this year but with a visit planned for February it was a bit close together. Keep cozy, hugs to all xxxx                                 ... View more

Hello There, Just dropping in to wish you all well and hoping your SE's are few and far between as you go through the chemo hoop's. I finished FEC-T back in July and thought you all might like from a few tips to get you through.   HYDRATE this is essential to flush out your systems of the nasties, reducing headaches and constipation some experience. Water is best, but dilute fruit juice is good too.   TAKE IT EASY there are no prizes for carrying on as normal, sadly chemo is not normal and your bodies need all the help and rest they can get. If it feels good do it, but never force it!   EAT LIGHT & OFTEN this will help with any nausea. I found I ate fairly well during treatment , but as many others experienced your taste can change.   TAKE THE DRUGS don't suffer in silence, if your prescribed painkillers, anti sickness or anything else.   NAILCARE if your having TAX I found a product available online from France called EVONAIL was excellent. It's a clear liquid you apply everyday, and it worked for me.    THE THERMOMETER is your friend. Please monitor your temperature. It's useful to understand your 'norm' before you get into treatment, so take your temp in the morning and evening as it tends to fluctuate naturally and everyone is slightly different. If your temperature escalates to 38o and especially if you feel unwell GO TO A&E even if they send you home with anti-biotic's to fight an infection, you've done the right thing, your not wasting anyone's time. Your systems are sensitive, high temperature may indicate your white blood cell count is low, it is ESSENTIAL to act quickly.   GOING HAIRLESS is not so bad! My niece say's I rocked the 'freedom cut' 😄 eyebrow pencils create spectacular eyebrows and my skin felt baby soft.   FINALY, we have all been though so much with DX and surgery for some, others having chemo first. Its no easy ride and I hope I haven't frightened the pants off you lovely ladies, but I appreciated all the advice I was given along the way and do feel for warned is definitely for armed. Just remember we all have an incredible ability to do battle. When people asked me how I was feeling during treatment I would say 'I endure' Now things are getting back to normal, but I'm still being kind to myself.   Take care, You will Endure!  xoxox Suzy     ... View more

Wish I could help Shells, grin and bear it seems the only thing I do! xx ... View more

Oh JLR I'm so happy to hear your news and so is my OH! We have been carrying you around in our thoughts and keeping our fingers crossed for you. We can all come off 'watch now', and hope your celebrating in style you deserve it! xxxxxx ... View more

Woolfie, that must be very frightening. I don't think you've done anything wrong in the massage/not massage front. The recon feels so weird for such a long time, even now not normal as such. If there is an infection and dead tissue better out than in, although pretty nasty I should think. Hope it clears up and settles down soon and chatting with your pal helps.  xx ... View more

Morning All   Angela I think a bunny could be next on felting list! So glad to hear you and the OH have found a nice place and all spanking new, lucky you! I long for the day I will have a 'normal' home, but it takes such allot of work when your crazy and buy a remote cottage up an in passable track!   I am definitely becoming one of the furry brigade - facial hair has always been one of my dred's, up till now its been OK but the drugs are doing their best to turn me into a yeti! I'm trying to decide how to combat it, depilatory cream,wax, light pulse. Many years ago I was a beautician and did electrolysis etc. I think I might invest in light pulse unit anyone else have one, Phillips do one, also there is the 'no no' I'm a coward where wax is concerned and my skin is pretty sensitive these days.   Trying to get my Christmas shopping done, not east to find light weight gifts that look a million dollars for a few euros to send back to the UK!   Take Care xx     ... View more

PS No tinnitus Woolfie,hope the syringing went OK? and Nipinuk I'm conscience of firing up the wok with the glass splashback, feel for your friend!   ... View more

Hello there Well we had a fab time with my Mum,brother and sister in law near Bergerac. Wonderful hotel and gastronomic dinner. My Mum loved her little mouse, apparently it has pride of place on the matelpiece now. Next up is Halloween, so busy with the Devils Food Cake! Anyone made Nigella's recipe? Trying it out for the 1st time. Hope everyone is doing well, still feeling pretty tired on and off, and the finger joints are affected by the anastrazole.  TTFN xx ... View more