Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Rachel My wife (35 at time of diagnosis) had lumpectomy followed by second op to have full lymph clearance. She is now underway in her FEC chemo which is to be followed by rads and tamox for 2-5 years (depending ononcologist). Because of necessity for chemo we were offered IVF treatment to produce embryos should the chemo give her fertility issues. As we are in Scotland this was a free medical option although don't know situation in rest of UK. We managed to store 7 embryos which we hope never to have to use, but are there just in case. The egg harvesting occured about 4 weeks after lymph op due to complications in her reactions to the op(s). I think egg harvesting would normally have been around two weeks after op. She started chemo two weeks after egg harvesting. So she has taken a fair battering over the last few months. Our fertility doctor and oncologist wanted a clear two weeks between the egg op and chemo to make sure that any sickness could be attributed to either the egg op or the chemo, so they would know what the cause was. I truely hope your sister finds the right solution for her and everything is a success. I also wish you all the best as this must be hard for you too. Richard ... View more

Hello Richard This is a great blog to take a look at written by an OH http://light.ofmylife.org/ rhian ... View more

Hi, thanks for the replies they have been a big help and I'm touched that people I don't know and who are being treated themselves have the compassion to take time to reply. I have been texting my sister and its been so much easier as I don't have to worry about becoming upset. Also as the text conversations have gone on we have started to talk about other things like Christmas etc and I think that this has helped us both.x Hi Mille, I hope things are ok with you? ... View more

Deed, I am sure over the years relationships evolve through the experiences you have as a couple. We have been married 26 years, I was 19 when we married and over the years through losing babies, sick children, and the general demands of life, you get to know the other person. My OH is lovely and I can tell him what I think, and communication is probably the key. My DX at the beginning of this year is no doubt a real challenge and who knows how we will cope in the years to come, I am still trying to make sense of it all, too. I hope you can have a good talk with your OH and you can find a way to cope together. Xxx ... View more

Hi Vickie, thanx for your reply. Big hugz to you, how r u feeling now and how r things going regarding treatments etc? I hope they are going as smoothly as they can be?. Yes u r right... my MIL an SIL are from different sides of the family. I actually had a long a lovely chat with both my sis in law n bruv last week, and i kinda know where they are as such regarding how she is feeling ( as well as my bruv) and wot stage is next etc.It difficult when i cant see them living 3 hrs away (also i have some chronic health probs which are in the process of being sorted which affects me travelling, but obviously nothing as serious) Great idea abt little gifts etc and cards etc, im off today to go n look around to find something, i know she would appreciate something like that. My mother in law had her mastectomy on friday, all went well and she's recovering surprisingly well. MY hubby is going to visit her today in hossy ( i think they are waiting before they discharge her to get something sorted out care wise at home.) She already finds everything in life and at home a effort has done for yrs, so im worried she appears fine in hossy but when home cant cope, weve had this one this yr already. She is not the easist of ladies to deal with and she is a massive hypocondriac. But saying all that she hasn't got any daughters, and i think woman bring something into the equation that men cant, remembering all the little things she needs for care n comfort. I know there are solutions for her care ( we live n hr away n hubby works nights n lotsa overtime, as i dont work, and his bruv is local but works long days n has kids, so difficult situation) My MIL does tend to be very dramatic and im nervous she's just gonna give up, she that kinda lady, life is always a struggle for her for yrs it has been. Take care.... see u didnt waffle i did hehe Love N healing hugz Jeanette XX ... View more