Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi everyone, It's been a long time, I know, but I am still here, lurking. Not much news my end. Everything seems to be going along tickety-boo. I had dexa scan early December and the letter came back saying bones ok for an old woman, keep on taking the osteocare tabs. The anastrozole tabs don't seem to have affected me too much but I do have difficulty remembering to take the blasted things. I have a follow-up apt with my onc next Thursday. It should have been today but I was attending the funeral of an old friend who was a regular part of our quiz team. He died quite suddenly of an aortic aneurism(?). My friend's husband died in late October while they were on holiday in Cyprus. She's had a hard time of it since then. We had to have the dog put to sleep in November. He would have been 15 on 6 Jan. At least we are all still here and we've seen the back of 2013, the **bleep**test year on record. Hope everything goes well for you, Judy. Will promise to keep in touch Moira xxx ... View more

Hi Everyone, Been back from my lovely holiday since Sunday but only just got round to posting. It's been a funny old week! Mel, many congratulations on getting to the platform end of this journey. Seems ages since I and lots of others arrived there but I still feel this journey is a long way from over. Roz, please count me in for two nights with a 55 min treatment if I'm not too late and thank you for taking charge of us. Thank you to all those who have posted re downy hair on face. I'd put it down to old lady beard but it sounds like there's hope for me yet! I've tried the facial Nads but it's just too fine to wax off. Hair is growing well but is extremely grey and growing with a teenage lad's type fin. Not a good look at my age. I'm another on Anastrozole and I'm suffering from achy legs - joints and muscles. In my case I don't think its chemo related since I didn't have Tax. I put it down to oestrogen depletion and nothing else. Come to think of it the facial hair may be down to that too. Is there anyone out there with aches and hairy face who isn't on an oestrogen inhibitor? Will keep in touch, Moira xxx ps Hope your daughter is over the worst, Amber. ... View more

Glad to hear that Sandie is on the mend. Hope it's onwards and upwards from now on. That candle of yours is doing a first class job, Philomena. Have a lovely time walking your dogs, Mel and Rozz. It's been good weather here today but your side of the Pennnines might have got a bit wet! Well, I bit the bullet today and spent a king's ransom on the Fast shampoo and conditioner. Really want to ditch the wig but the hair seems to have come to a standstill and it's very soft, sparse and fine. I'm off on holiday next Wednesday for ten days. We're going on a cruise across the Med. Hope the weather stays warm but not too hot.. Think the Nice and Easy will come out when we get back. As for aches and pains there are still a few and I'm blaming the Anastrozole. Also my skin is incredibly dry - heels and lips are cracked but at the same time I'm getting spots on nose and chin! Time to stop moaning. Things could be a lot worse. Moira xxx ... View more

So sorry to hear your news, Sandie. Hope the swelling and the clot are sorted out by the time you read these messages. Lots of gentle hugs coming your way. Moira xxx ... View more

Hello Angels, Just to let you know I'm still around. I've been away for a few days catching up with a few people we hadn't seen for a while, including my mother-in-law, who isn't aware that I've had cancer. I'm afraid she isn't aware of very much at all these days - she's 93 and failing rapidly. This getting old business isn't all its cracked up to be! I'm feeling quite well at the moment. Other than the odd twinge in the legs and the odd tummy upset I feel - dare I say it - normal! Just wish the hair would grow back a bit quicker cos it's a constant reminder and it's getting pretty chilly around the ears. Sorry it's dragging on for you, Mel. Hope your bloods improve and you get out asap. Glad the eye drops have worked, Sandie. You are so right - the support system on this site has been wonderful. Long may it continue. Keep smiling Angels Moira xxx ... View more

Hello Angels, Have been reading your posts but not posting for the last few days. Been feeling a bit flat. Congratulations Debra on completing your treatment and to Kate for getting through the rads too. Not long now for you too, Lynn. How is the skin doing? Mine is merrily peeling away under my boob but all the pain and discomfort has gone - I'm more than two weeks post rads now. Thank you Judy and Philomena for discussing how to upload a picture. As you can see I managed it! I have eyebrows that are about the same length as my hair but there's a lot more colour in the eyebrows. Jessie J was on the tv last week and I was very envious of her lovely, long locks. You never know, by Christmas we might all be there too! Moira xxx ... View more

Really good to hear from you, Judy. Brilliant news re the all-clear. You can happy dance all the way to Sewerby and back! Sandie, sorry to say but I think Kate and Judy have hit it on the head. It looks like it's either postpone the holiday or postpone the op. Although, if the holiday is in this country I'd just go for it. Philomena you brought back lovely childhood memories for me. I loved Delrosa syrup, straight from the bottle, especially when it was meant for my two younger brothers. I had more than a passing fancy for gripe water as well! Have a lovely, happy weekend Angels, Moira xxx ... View more

While I'm at it, can anyone tell me the difference between a 'reply', a 'quick reply' and a 'reply to this thread'? Wow! When I use quick reply I can see all the posts. Problem solved! 🙂 no smiley faces though. ... View more

Lynn, thanks for the tips on viewing posts but, sorry, I had to smile. I still use a PC. My mobile phone is a phone and nothing more and I don't own a tablet. Computer stores and phone shops scare the living daylights out of me. Oh, and what's a hot shift? ... View more

Hello Angels, You all seem to be posting like man at the moment. Apologies in advance if I miiss anyone. I haven't yet worked out how to look at our posts whilst writing a post myself. Well, the bedroom decorating is coming on a treat. I managed to make a decent job of wallpapering the wall behind the bed - Laura Ashley grey/beige flowers with curtains to match and OH is doing the painting. New carpet coming soon and nice high hotel-style headboard. Now considering getting sofas recovered but as expected having hard time deciding on fabric and colours. Bc has certainly galvanised alot of us into action! Amber, Christmas shopping!!! Though I do agree wholeheartedly when you tell the kids to get on buying and doing what they want right now. You never know what's around the corner. Think you've made the right decision workwise too. Much better to look after the grandchildren. Pauline, I'm more a green sort of person. The colour of the moment is chartreuse. Fabulous for accents, darling! Kim sorry to hear the boob is playing up. Keep on with the dressings and enjoy the wedding and remember a few glasses will help numb the pain. Mel, you're allowed to feel a bit sorry for yourself at the moment and don't worry too much about the black nipple. I've got one too and it seems to be on permanent alert - if you know what I mean. I'm now 9 days post rads and things are starting to settle down painwise although the colour underneath where my scar is is still horrible. Kate, your rads sessions sound quite like mine - a pain to get there then never knowing how long you're going to be waiting around. Soon be over. Lynn, hope all goes well for your mum. Are you going with her every day? Caz, don't worry too much about your energy coming back I'm sure you've got a head start on most of us. I'm still managing a half hour walk each day and feeling quite proud. Sandie, al this work with the horses must be building your stamina and making you feel like life is getting back to normal - if our lives can ever be normal again! Angie, Judy and Lori, let us know how you're doing. All the ither Angels, keep plugging away! Moira xxx  ... View more

Hi Pauline, I'm happy with either end of the month, just not the middle - OH's birthday on the 19th and although he'll probably drive me there and back he'd run a mile at the thought of a spa! Apart from that, we're in Disney for his birthday. I so agree with you Sandy - getting your taste buds back is wonderful. All the good intentions to lose a bit of weight go out the window for the first few weeks but now we've actually booked a holiday at the end of October, I've got a month to drop half a stone just for my own peace of mind. Today I've been turfed out of my bedroom. OH has started decorating so we're camped in the spare room for a couple of days or so.  Been meaning to do out the bedroom for ages (years) but it's always been too much bother. BC appears to have strengthened our resolve to get things done - though my part in this decorating is to keep out of the way. Sorry to hear your skin has broken down, Kim. Sounds pretty awful. My scars are sore but holding together - just itchy! Weather has cooled off a bit today.  Take care Angels, Moira xxx   ... View more

Two nights it is then! Looking forward to putting faces to names and lots of hugs all round! And I'm happy to share. Philomena, my hair is now starting to thicken up a bit. A few dark bits showing on top but the sides are still definitely white. Still only about 5mm long and sticking straight up so I don't think it's going to be curly. Weather is lovely here today. Going to have an afternoon wander round the genteel streets of Harrogate and maybe even tea in Bettys. Make the most of every day Angels, Moira xxx ... View more

Thanks for that image of me, Judy! It made me laugh out loud! Thankfully most of the orange head was washed out this morning  but I reckon it'll take a couple of days to properly get rid. Amber, I'm on Anastrozole. I'm a bit miffed at the moment because the pack they gave me at the hospital was the branded one - Arimidex which came packaged like the contraceptive pill marked with days of the week. The ones I've just  got from the local chemist on my repeat prescription come without the days of the week so I'm likely to not remember whether I've taken one or not. At the minute I don't know what day of the week it is anyway. So far I don't think I've had any problems with them but when I think about it my knees do seem rather stiff. I'd just put that down to age. Kate, sad to say we had to give up on sit down fish and chips because the queue was out the door. Had take away instead so able to watch Corrie at the same time - always a silver lining! And the beer came courtesy of the fridge in the garage. Wishing everyone a cool breeze this evening Moira xxx ... View more

Good Evening Angels, Just to add to all the controversy, I've just stuffed down a Tunnocks caramel wafer and 2 bags of ready salted and now we.re off out for a slap-up deep fried fish supper at the local sit-down chippy. Might even stop off for a swift half on the way back home, I'm doomed! To change the subject, yesterday I took to the wash in, wash out hair dye. I bought the darkest brown because I thought it might have a bit of a hard time colouring all that white stubble. Needless to say, my stubble is still white - but at least my scalp is orange! I kid you not! Oh well, it only cost me £1.29 in Superdrug and at least it's out of my system, if not my head. Now I intend to wait the requesite 3 months or 1 inch, which ever is the sooner. Had a wonderful time at the wedding, yesterday. There were lots of cheers and tears and laughter. The 54 year old bride looked absolutely stunning and after the men had given their well-prepared amusing speeches, she stood up and shared with everyone her darkest fears from when she was diagnosed with bc seven years ago and how marvelous she feels at the present time. I blubbed. By the way, it was quite a chilly day yesterday so the knickers were the belly-warmer variety. Luckily I wasn't asked to show what "pink" I was wearing! Feeling tired and achy today. Don't know if it's the excesses of yesterday or just the post rads fatigue. Boob is getting more uncomfortable. Worst thing is when it feels itchy and I know that if I scratch it the skin is likely to split or blister. Welcome to the platform Mel, Angie and everyone who has made it this far. Hope you gritted your teeth and saw it through to the bitter end, Debra. Hope you're not in too much discomfort Pauline. You must be almost there. And Maisiecakes - back to bloody chemo!  We're all waiting for you! Moira xxx                                 ... View more

Hello Angels, I've just got home from my last rads session. Yipee, bring on the champagne! Hello Amber and Philomena! Going out to celebrate the end of treatment with my two daughters, their husbands and five assorted grandchildren. Piccolinos here we come! Boob isn't looking too bad. Bit pink and spotty. But the registrar oncologist I saw yesterday said she'd cancel my appointment with the nurse because it was looking so good and all I had to do was keep slapping on the aqueous cream. Just been to pick up my real hair wig that I bought a while ago. It's been for a wash and brush up ready for my friend's wedding on Thursday. I'm really looking forward to a good old-fashioned knees-up.  Her one stipulation for wedding attire is that everyone must wear something pink - she had bc seven years ago. OH is fine in his pink shirt but because my dress is brown with peachy coloured flowers, I'm going to wear bright pink knickers -which obviously won't show! Well done Angie on getting your voice heard Kim and Mel. I'll be looking out for you on this ultimate platform tomorrow! Feeling elated at the moment. What am I going to do with all this free time? Moira xxx ... View more

Hi, Re hair dye - have just found iameclectica.blogspot. Search it through google. Well worth a look Moira x ... View more

Hi Angie, One of the hair dyes that I believe you are allowed to use is the 8 wash Nice n Easy. I read this somewhere on this forum a while ago. You can only get it in Superdrug or Sainsburys. It has to be the 8 wash version, not the 24 wash. I've got the light ash brown ready and waiting for when I have enough bum-fluff to dye. Philomena, I've got 2 rads sessions to go and my boob is looking pink and no longer as swollen as it was a few days ago. I'll let you know how it goes on in the next few days after I've finished. Moira xxx ... View more

Good Evening Angels, Kim, it was really good to meet up with you today. I felt like we'd known each other for ages and I came away feeling elated. This forum has done a wonderful job putting us all together. I'm sure that you are appreciating the support on here right now, Angie. You go girl (as Sharon Osbourne would say), let them know that just shrugging their shoulders and closing the door on you at the end of medical treatment isn't going to help your physical or mental wellbeing - and it's not just you, it's all the others in the far North of Scotland. Why are there not national protocols that are adhered to? I know that down here in Yorkshire I'll be seeing one oncologist just before the end of rads, followed by an appointment with a nurse at the radiography dept then in a few weeks time I see my main oncolgist for the final what to look out for session. While I've been doing rads I've had a phone call from my breast care nurse to see how I was getting on. I'm more than happy with the care and attention I'm getting and I believe that all of this should be available to everyone who goes through this sh*t  journey. Physically we're mostly going to get over all that bc has dealt us but I think the mental scars, the worry about every little pain, the anxiety when the annual mammogram comes round and the knowing what we'll have to go through if it returns, these are the issues that now need to be addressed. They need to let go of us gently not just say go away and get on with it. Rant over. Judy, I'm crossing my fingers and toes foryou and hoping the CT scan finds absolutely zilch. Sandie - you've made the right decision. By that I mean that any decision you made would be right for you. You now know that you've done everything possible to beat the blasted bc. Well done for still feeling like dancing Amber. I'll be joining you and Philomena on Tuesday afternoon. I'll bring my handbag to put in the middle of the floor! Moira xxx   ... View more

Good for you Kim. I'm so pleased you challenged that telephone caller's glib attitude. There's a nice little piece in the Times today about one woman's reasons for continuing to take tamoxifen and the best side effect of chemo being the thicker, glossier hair she now has three years on. Oh I wish.... Eleven down, four to go. Hugs to everyone, Moira xxx ... View more

Evening Angels, So many posts since I was last here! Congratulations Philomena! Are you the first to finish? Amber I had to laugh at the picture of you answering the door. The weather has turned rather chilly down here as well. Sitting here right now wearing bra, vest, sweatshirt and scarf as well as jeans and socks. OH naturally is in short-sleeved t-shirt.... Good to hear that the drain is out Judy and that you've been able to face the scar. Sounds like you could have lots of rads to come. Will that be Scarborough every day? Lots of discussions about hair. You'll all be pleased to know that mine is still stubble. Ever so slightly longer and more even stubble but still a long long way from any chance of hair dye. Day 10 of rads so only five more for me. Starting to see a slight colour change - more pink and yes, the scars are looking more angry than at any time since the op back in March. Not yet uncomfortable but shouldn't tempt fate. Hope everything is ok with your scan, Sandie and you can get back to the treatment plan. London was enjoyable but very tiring. Did lots of walking but lots of eating and drinking too. Baby son is coming up here next weekend with his girlfriend. Hopefully, they'll take my mind off the possibly purple boob. Looking forward to our meeting up on Friday Kim. My appt is 9.48 so hoping they'll be reasonably on time and I'll be with you by 10.15- 10.30. Moira xxx     ... View more