Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi sweetcandy,   I am sorry you feel you have to ask questions on here that your hospital can't answer. I was dx with stage2 back in March 2013, had adjuvent chemo (chemo before MX). Finished chemo Sept then had right Mx with immediate expander implant recon in Oct. Then I had RT. In Jan I noticed that my implant was moving upwards and when my Oncologist saw the results of the operation she was shocked. I had a twisted flap where the nipple once was and it was sat so high under my collar bone I could rest my chin on it. A scan showed the port was in the wrong place and back to front. The surgeon had tried to fill but it took half an hour to find it using a scanner. I was immediatley taken off his list and sent to a fabulous onco plastic surgeon at another hospital. Last week he took the implant out and replaced it with a new tear drop implant. The horrid flap has gone and he offered a lift on the other side to help with symmetry. I looked down on Monday during a dressing change and I now have two lovely level pert looking boobies and a slight clevage with no bra on. Sure enough they are bruised and sore, but I know there are right.   You have been through so much sweetie. If you feel that anything is not right then push for the answers. If you feel you daren't do this yourself then take a family member or friend with you who can. Be polite but keep pushing.   All the best. xxx ... View more

Thank you ladies. I don't feel so alone in my side effects and that it's me being a wuss. It's depressing thinking that this may last for the whole five years im on it. I shall ask the oncologist next time I see her for some advice and let you know how I get on. xxxx ... View more

Judy, thank you so much for telling me how to bring up the angels page. I now view it more as our group again and i clicked on members and were all there with pickies. Yaaay not so worried now but is facebook ready for me. (Angie it's not coming easy to me either, i feel your pain). Lol   Your parents sound huggy lovely just like mine. Been together and married in there teens and just rely on each other so much. I planted their window boxes yesterday. I'm really enjoying looking out for them now having a little time on my hands. Before dx I rushed about and did things for them but really never sat down and had time for a proper coffee and natter.   Good to hear from you Katiepops, Angiepops, and all our angels. xxxxx  ... View more

Hey Judy, my mum got taken in a week last Thursday with pnuemonia. My dads not good on his legs either and would have fallen when they were taking my mum to her ward if it hadn't been for a lovely burly nurse catching him. I looked after both for a week and just before we went to Manchester thankfully she is ok and out on antibiotics. I do hope all is well and good with your mum soon Judy. I'm not juicing but I am pigging out on veg and fruit. I figured that it will take me longer to eat and digest it on a night. Still starving though as i have cut out sugar completely and using Agave Syrup and Xylitol as an alternative. I do feel loads better. Proper went for it in Manchester as a treat though with our lovely angels.   Well I have got myself on facebook at last, but don't understand it. So much going on, people who want to be friends, Lots of converstions all going on all at the same time. I don't know what is private and what isn't and I'm frightned stiff of doing something wrong that may expose us all to piracy or something nasty. My son and daughter try to help but they are so quick telling me what I can do and what I definatley shouldn't do it scares me even more.   I will stick at it though. Just bare with me angels. After all I got on here ok. xxxxx ... View more

Hey Amber, It's great to hear from you. Maybe you could meet with Angie and Fecinora I think they are up your way somewhere. Maybe this time next year we can all do the same again and you will be able to make it. Hi Mel, what time did you book the meal for on Saturday night please? We have also borrowed a sat nav too. (Never used one). So we could end up any where. Lol.   Soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited. xxxx ... View more

Morning Angels,   Great news for the all clear Lynn. I too am feeling emotional about meeting. Can't wait to hug everyone in person, and yes i will be a weeping mess. (Just to warn you in advance). LOl.    Lori, lovely message regarding Pauline and the other angels, Im sure we all second that.   Also to Jo and all at the Breast Cancer Care offices. A huge thank you to you all for working behind the scenes looking after us, keeping us together, and supporting each other. We will be raising a glass to you on Saturday night in Manchester.   Mel, would it be ok if we added Geoffs son to the meal. He lives in Manchester and would like to see his dad. Hope no-one else would mind, and I just don't want to miss a minute of you all whilst their catching up.   Diggy, hope all goes well for you on Tuesday. Tell em to be extra careful. ooooooooh not long now. xxxx     ... View more

Afternoon Ladies,   I went for an ultra sound on my mx side and expander implant. The surgeon who was present for my op was there and remembered that it was me who they couldn't find the port to fill the implant. (I thought it was me being a big baby). He looked at the tight piece of raised skin coming down from the implant under the scanner and said it's either one of the filler tubes that circle the underside of the expander that has dropped, or a raised muscle/nerve or long scar tissue. It was definately not cancer. He also looked at the results from the mamogram to the left side and said that that was all was clear too.    He looked at the small wrinkle that has appeared and has said that when I go for the last remaining op next Feb he can take that out, create a new nipple and lift the other side a little to match. I left the place walking on air.    So it looks like Lori and I will be taking our Hospital holiday at around the same time next year.   Rozz, im trying to lose weight so that my left boob matches my implant so I don't have to face the last fill. lol, but that can wait now until after our meetup.   Mel, The worst se of Tamoxifen for me was not sleeping through, however the more herceptin I have the more tired I get and so have been having some good nights. Sometimes Im struggling to stay awake after 9pm. Next is the feeling decrepid and joint ache. Wishing you all the best with the drug change though and that all goes well. Lv and hugs to all. Sandy. xxxxx ... View more

sooooooooooooooo excited too Philomena. I proberly wont reconise you with out your scarf on. LOL.   Lori, your right I have booked a double room for geoff and I for the Saturday night (so wont need a twin room) and we hope to be at the hotel by 3.30pm and would love to eat with you all in the evening. We've just one cow left in calf and praying it dosn't wait til the 5th. Should be well here before then though. (So i'm assured):manwink: love and hugs. xxxx     ... View more

Thank you angels for your good wishes and advice. I asked for help as you suggested and I got it. prayed a lot too. I think im a little more sorted in my head now and am feeling much better.    Diggy, I am so sorry to hear about your mum and I hope the funeral celebrated her life in the way you all wished for. Your right about herceptin fatigue, im nodding off most nights before eight.   I had my mamogram on Monday. I haven't got the results yet. Anyone know how long they take to come through? or do you have to contact them. They also looked at the recon site and have said that the implant has wrinkled also i have what looks like an elastic band under my skin running from the implant down to my lower rib. The oncologist had a look yesterday and has made me an immediate appointment with the BC surgeon for next tuesday. Strangely I don't feel too worried as she had no idea what it was and has never seen it before. My blood test are fine and show no suspicious markers and my last heart scan was good too. Im just wondering if the fill port has dropped under the skin ??? Whatever happens I am not missing meeting with you on the saturday night of Team Angel weekend. Not long now and I'm so looking forward to it.  Love Sandy. x     ... View more

Afternoon angels,   I have my first year mamorgram tomorrow morning and for the past week for some reason I feel im back in the dark woods again. Keep crying all the time and im convinced the constant middle back ache I have is the cancer back again and there going to find it or want another scan or something.   I just can't get out of it. Also to make feel better I looked up Michelle Williams-Huw (the true diary of a breast cancer survivor) to see how she was getting on as i had read her book. Big Mistake.   My sister in law also had a go at me last week about mentioning who I did or did not prefer at the doctors. She started working there this time last year after passing exams and her husband then told me that under no circumstances was I to ask for her. Ive been at that practice for years before she started with no problems at all now I just feel like I can't go there anymore and that's scary after what ive been through.   Anyway OH is coming with me to the hospital tomorrow and im going to tell them how im feeling in the hope they can help in some way. I'll let you know how I get on.  xxxx   ... View more

Huge congratulations TSR and thank you for posting. I was diagnosed with stage 2 Her2+ Pr+ and Er+ last March. Ive had 8 cycles of chemo (FEC-T), MX and expander recon on the right, then radiotherapy. I'm now on Tamoxifen, and have Herceptin IV every three weeks.    I came across this post as I have been feeling really low and can't seem to stop crying lately so looked for inspiration on here. It's unusual for me to find anyone who has had chemo before MX and Her2+.     Thank you for your post and story. It has helped. xxxxx ... View more

Mel - Confirmed as far as I can tell for the hotel is: Diggy, Kate, Lynn, Lori, Cazp, Mel, Philomena, Sandy & Geoff and you and Rozz of course but I can't remember if you had rellies that you are staying with or the hotel. So far not including yourself that makes 10 for the hotel taking 5 rooms.    Really sorry if i've missed anyone or if there is anyone yet to confirm. Sandy. x ... View more

Mel - Rozz has booked 6 twin rooms on her credit card and will post us all a week before to see who wants to go and cancel any rooms not taken. The Premier Inn address is: 72 Dale Street, Manchester M1 1HR. The dates are for the weekend of the 4th & 5th of April.   Lori - I think youre right, we should have a head count just in case we need more.    OH and I will be there for the Sat night. Can anyone else confirm yet. I will keep a track of who's going from now on for Rozz's final numbers.   Philomena - Its good to hear that you've had a good time with your rellies and got another job. Mad maybe but good for the purse. Good to hear your feeling well too.    Angie - One year check should mean just that. I have my mamorgram next week. I'm already feeling nervous without having to wait an extra 4 months.    Got to go get washing in. Just come over really dark here near sunny Skeggy. Take it easy angels. xxxx     ... View more

Oh Mel its awful isn't it. Im going call for an appointment to see the oncologist again. The thought of feeling like this for 5 years on Tamoxifen is going to call for some councelling I think. I am sorry for you too as I know what your putting up with. I thought I was alone with these particular Se's. I will let you know how i get on.   Angie - Your nuts coment did put a smile back on face. LOl. At least I know it must be the tamoxifen because I was fine before I started it and Mel has the same.   Just a thought Mel, could I ask if you are on Herceptin too?  At least I can rule that little culprit out if not. xxx ... View more

Morning Ladies,   Angie - Thank you for sharing that and long may it last. I can't wait until I feel like that. You have given me hope for the future. Can I ask if you are on Tamoxifen? I'm back on 30mg Lansaprozole again after talking to the oncologist and reading the side effects for tamoxifen that mention that it can effect the pancreas causing the stomach ache going through to the back which is what i'm experiencing along with mild nausea early hours and very dry peeling skin on my hands and feet and brittle nails. Is anyone else experiencing these side effects?    Judy - Excellent news from your scan. Fecinora - I hope your recovery is going well. Spudgirl - Good to hear from you again. I too cry at the smallest things these days but after reading many experiences on here it does seem normal like Diggy says. It looks like you both have to settle back into work gradually. I hope everything settles into a good routine soon. Mel A - You sound as though you have settled back to work ok and holding off those bugs. Good luck with the ofsted report.  Kate - I'm going to ask my oncologist if it will help taking vitamins and which ones whilst I'm on herceptin. I'm still close to neutropenic so I don't know if i will be allowed but hadn't though to ask.    I had my Herceptin Iv on tuesday. All went really well and quickly. They take blood and push the herceptin and flushes through the same vein whilst i'm in the chemo unit. So much better than than going to different departments and lots of digging.   Not long now till we meet. Take it easy angels. xxx ... View more

Judy, when you had your ct scan did you have to have an injection to help show anything up? I want to ask for a scan to see if my stomach ache which goes through to backache is anything to be worried about. I'm wondering how they will inject with no veins.    Mel, Im hoping it's just tamoxifen side effect as I too feel sick in the mornings and it wakes me up.    Amber, sorry you can't make it to Manchester. Maybe we could skype you if one of us takes a tablet?   Caz, your hair looks great. The muddy boot image made me laugh. Haven't done that in a while.     Angie, I'm glad your blood test came back good. One less thing to worry about.   I just can't seem to shake this doom and gloom feeling. I think it's because of the backache and niggly tummy. I'm back on Lansaprozole as the oncologist thinks it may be down to acid again. I'm thinking all sorts of things. I think i will call the oncologist again today. Must be fed up with me by now.   On a lighter note, I went to the hospital hairdesser who tidied and washed my (quiet thin hair) with NIoxin shampoo and conditioner and hair repair treatment. Bought some too. I really do have much thicker hair now but like the rest of us it just wants to stick up and out as it gets longer.   Take care angels. xxx   ... View more

Fecinora - My oncologist said the same in a round a bout way, she also said that blood tests can show hightened levels of something (can't remember what) in the blood which can help reveal anything sinister. I can also ask for a scan if I feel any changes at all. I really wish you all the best in your decisions and future ops sweetie. It sounds like your researching all options so whatever choices you make I'm sure they will be the right ones for you. xxxxxxx   Hope none of you are flooded. Spring must be around the corner soon. Have my mamorgram on March 7th. Can't wait to get this first check over and done with. Very nervous. The oncologist has said that the Herceptin injections may soon be available in our area so i'm going to hold off the option of Picc line for now. The chemo unit are going to continue to get blood, and then push herceptin through the same IV after a flush which should help my one remaining good vein to recover.   Hope to hear from you all soon. xxxxx  ... View more

Fencinora - Here's what the first oncologist i saw yesterday said regarding my Mx and expander implant and finding any future cancer without having a mamorgram on that side.    I asked her "How can we tell the cancer hasn't returned anywhere on that side without a mamorgram or scan"? Her answer was " your implant is behind the muscle wall where there is no breast tissue. The only breast tissue left is that of the skin sparing part that has been used to help with reconstruction and therefore any turmors will be felt very close to the surface or the scar tissue either on the breast itself or within the node/underarm scar. In either case any changes will be very easy to detect by feel or visually.    That's all I can tell you for now. The oncologist I saw is the top for my area trust. I see my own oncologist on Tuesday so will let you know what she says as soon as I get back.   My infusion on Tuesday was awful. Pathology couldn't get any blood and sent me to the chemo unit. The result came back that I was neutropenic again but I pushed for the Herceptin as another loading dose means another whole day in hospital if there were any delay. The oncologist is saying I may have to have a picc line put in. Ah well onwards and upwards I suppose.    Lori  & Philomena -  Its great to hear from you. 8 weeks till we all meet up. Spring is in the air. yaaay. xxxxx ... View more

Oh Mel i'm with diggy on ringing your BC nurse just to make sure all is well sweetie. Hope your sorted asap. xxx.    Fecinora - It will be my first question for both as I see the top oncologist on Friday and my oncologist on the Feb 11th so it will be interesting if they both have the same opinion. Ive had my date through of March 7th for my first mamogram since dx too. I don't blame you for exploring every option for Mx and recon. I did the same (just the right side) and am happy with the implant and the way it looks. It seems like ages ago now and I don't really have any problems. Best wishes with your decision and I'm sure whatever choices you make will be the right ones for you. I'll post there opinions as soon as I get back from each appoinment. Take it easy. xxx   Mel - Great to hear your feeling a little better and good to know that all the hard work your putting in to get well is paying off. Another three months off work won't hurt in the least. Still very early days for you if I remember.   Diggy - Soooooo well jel you have the herceptin injections. I have another half day at the hospital on Tues for bloods and then herceptin iv. Hate it with a passion but im so glad for you. Another question for my oncologists is when can I get them too.   How long for bad nails? and why does my back ache all the time? (Sometimes i can't get up off the sofa). Oh woe is me again. LOl.   Hope everyone else is coping ok. Lv and Hugs to all our lovely angels. xxxx ... View more