Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Geordiex. Thanks for replying. From what I have been google'ing 36 does seem very low for a MUGA score. Heard from BCN thismmorning, just that I have been passed on to cardiologist, should hear of appointments by wednesday. Best wishes with your treatment x ... View more

Hmmmm. Next time I will insist on using lower arm or leg. Thanks Ladies ... View more

Been google'ing. Fund out that the PICC line arm must not be covered with cuff as it would squash the line, compressing the vein which can cause a blood clot. Should the nurses not know this? Next time will insist on using a leg ... View more

I was offered a PICC line back in February as they were having trouble finding veins. That was half way through 6 x chemo. It's still in, getting herceptin through it now every 3 weeks til December. And yes they can take blood out through it! Not all nurses have done the training for it though so you may have to wait til they go find one who can take blood thru it. Had MUGA scan yesterday and they used the PICC line to put in the isotope. No more needles. Well worth the slight hassle showering. ... View more

I had my last chemo 28 feb. it shrunk my tumour from 8x5cm to next to Nothing. Then had mastectomy and ANC on 25 march ... View more

Hi there. I had herceptin number 12 yesterday. No major side effects (compared to chemo!) I usually drive myself there n back. Does make me feel as though I am a starting with a cold for a few days. And my nose runs a lot all the time. Feel a bit achey and tired over the weekend. But know I will feel ok again by Monday. i have it given over 30 minutes but then have to hang around for 2 hours before I am allowed to go home, so be aware of that if you plan to go into work. x Sue ... View more

Hi Roisin. I have a PICC line. Tho it wasn't put in at the start, my hospital (Hull) only suggested it after 3x chemo and having trouble finding veins. It is on the inside of my upper arm, I had it put well out of the way as i have 2 very bouncy poodles and was worried about them pulling on it. Been in since February no problem. You may well be better with a portacath with kiddies! Im doing great ta. The chemo did its job. the pathology results after surgery were great - only fragmented dead cancer cells in removed breast. One lymph node had dead cancer cells. All other lymph nodes clear. Am now recovering well. Trying to build up fitness by walking and gentle exercises. Been a helluva year. I am older than you - was 49 at diagnosis. I Don't have any kids. I can't imagine going thru this with young ones. Whereabouts are you? x Sue ... View more

Hi Sharon. Heck. That is a helluva lot of money to spend! I am now 5 months past the end of chemo and my hair is growing welL. No bald spots, thick and full. Now I guess one inch long. Haven't had it cut yet. It has come back much darker and I guess some grey, which I cover by rubbing with a block of henna from Lush shop. So is now a lovely rich chestnut couloir. I did try on some wigs, but they felt so uncomfy I never bothered getting one. I managed with hats scarves and bandanas. Personally I would not spend £££ on tape and extensions. Sounds rather uncomfortable too! It is devastating loosing your hair. But it will grow back. if your hospital has it go ask about the cold cap. It does work for some ppl, and many ladies keep enough hair so it just looks thinner. Best wishes x Sue ... View more

Hi Roisdara. Oh my. I do feel for you. I was in your position last October. Diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. My boob grew so fast, felt hot and sore. Then the underside on the boob changed to orange peel looking skin. As IBC is so fast growing you will probably be offered chemo first. In order to shrink any tumour and to stop any spread. I had a mass of 8x5 cm which chemo shrunk to next to nothing. Then had a radical mastectomy and have just finished radiotherapy. Am now getting Herceptin until the end of the year. Try not to google IBC. There is a lot of scary out dated info out there. If you use facebook check out this place - you will get the most amazing support from this group - Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support - UK. It is such a shock. But your oncologist team will move fast and sort out your treatment plan. Chemo is shit. But you will get through it. Come on here to rant and to share your feelings. If, or when you have any questions pls feel free to ask away. You will get through this. We are here for you x Sue ... View more

Hi Anne. Sorry to hear of your MIL in hospital. Hope your family can sort out what is right for her. One month on and still haven't got my head round my mum not being there. Although in reality she has been slipping away mentally throughout my treatment. When I was diagnosed last October she was there for me, on the phone a lot asking how i was and about treatment. Then in JAnuary she had a chest infection and her dementia started. She recovered physically but was not really there in her head. i called her often, but she would forget everything, she would ask what I had been up to and as soon as I mentioned hospital apps it was why? What's wrong? I was telling her afresh that I had cancer so many times. It was upsetting for her and for me, so I stopped telling her anything about my treatment. So hard to go thru chemo, MX, Rads without talking to her about it. and then her passing away last month during my rads Got 2nd appt with counsellor tomorrow. Will see how that goes. Then Herceptin no. 12 in the afternoon. And then follow up appt with RAd team. So a busy day. Counselling was offered at the hospital, everybody gets offered it towards the end of their active treatment. I have also been to the fatigue clinic there. Was sent away with directions to keep an hourly diary of how tired I feel (scale of 1 to 10) Feel that was a waste of time so think I will cancel the next appt. Great to hear that most Pumpkins are doing well and out there enjoying life. ... View more

I have been told to wait 3 months after the end of treatment. Then to call BCN and they will arrange a fitting for a prosthesis. I finished radiotherapy 3 weeks ago so am stuck with my softy for a while yet. ... View more

Still got numb toes 5 months post docetaxol,but I do now think it is getting better. Not so numb and I can stand and walk for longer periods. Trying to get fit again now rads are over so am waliking for 30 mins each day. I do find that wearing shoes which massage my feet help - crocs and Birkenstock sandals. Am still on Hreceptin so am not sure whether that is affecting feet. ... View more

Hahaha. Yes you can train your other half to flush it. But mine is so ham fisted and the line is so delicate.... ... View more

Yes!!! had my PICC line in since February. That was half way thru chemo. I'm now getting herceptin in it every 3 weeks til the end of December. I love it. No more needles. No stress worrying about taking blood or getting a cannula in. Putting it in was I guess mildly uncomfortable. A bit bruised for a couple of days. But no problem at all since then. Downside- no swimming. Have to cover up in the shower. Baths only with arm hanging over the side. And has to be flushed thru with saline and re-dressed weekly. I just pop in to my local GP surgery and a nurse there does it. You can have a district nurse come to your home to do it. I prefer to go in as makes me get up and out once a week. So a big recomendation from me x ... View more

Hi Julie. Sorry to hear you are feeling so down. Chemo is shit. Makes you feel like crap. But just imagine what it is doing to the cancer cells. And as you are HER+ you need Herceptin which works with the chemo. Stick with it. Talk to castle hill about your side effects as well as your GP. You will find the strength to get through it and can then pick your life up from where it was. I'm jus on Herceptin and the only effect from that is a few days tiredness. Thinki g of you, x sue ... View more

Hi Licky Gal. Wishing you all the best for your new treatment. I don't have secondaries but have just finished rads myself on Chest. Hoping the RAds zap it away xxx ... View more

I love my PICC line. Had it since February for chemo, now for Herceptin. Putting it in doesn't really hurt. You are lying down. The nurse will numb the skin with local anaesthetic. Then put in the line, a very thin blue tube which is pushed in until the end is in the chamber above your heart. doesn't hurt at all but you may feel a pushing sensation. You will then be sent for x ray to check its in the right place. Definitly worth it. Just think no more needles. x sue ... View more

I had chemo first. My tumour was big and the chemo shrank it to jus fragments. Was also in 1 lymph node. Having chemo first should zap any stray cancer cells which may Have spread. As you mention vascular invasion I would be thinking chemo first. If you had surgery first then chemo would be delayed for maybe 6 weeks and I would be worried about what was happening in that period. Thats how my ONC explained it to me. Best wishes in whatever you decide x ... View more