Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lou Lou. If a cancer is oestrogen positive it means that cancer feeds on oestrogen. This is good news because you can be given drugs to block the bodies oestrogen production and therefore starve the cancer. The more oestrogen sensitive the higher the score and the better chance of successful hormone treatment. Tamoxifen and letrazole are two types of drugs used with very good outcomes. Some people have oestrogen (hormone negative) tumours therefore the cancer feeds off other things so these drugs won't work, these are the patients that have Herceptin. It looks to me the way you have written it that you have 7/8 oestrogen sensitivity which puts you right up at the top end.. The growth rate of a tumour is different and not as easy to predict. You will be given a grade after pathology of 1 2 or three. 1 being the least agressive to 3 being agressive. This grade is different to the oestrogen score. Hope this helps xxx ... View more

Hi Lou Lou. Just popped in to see If I can offer any support. I am one of the November Newbies in the chemotherapy thread. If you have been told you are oestrogen positive, then the evel of oestrogen in scored. The highest Is 8/8 If you are 7 you are next to the highest score and this is very good. Hope this helps xxxx ... View more

Hi Teemangu and welcome to our group. We are on FB too if you contact alabamasam she will point you in the right direction . Thanks for giving me an insight into what lies ahead. I have my pre chemo assessment tomorrow and am a little wobbly. I am to have Fec x6 starting this Wednesday and dreading it but also wanting to get on with things. I too am planning on trying the cold cap, I understand the hospital I go to uses a cold air system so will find more about that tomorrow. Hopefully I will also get my wig voucher so I can be prepared if it falls out. Thanks for the tip about making sure you take your anti sickness tablets everyday to train your body for the next chemo, not heard that one but I sure will do now. I am glad your soldiering on it reassures me that I can do this! Hope your taste improves over Christmas so you can enjoy some festive goodies. Good luck with work and soldier on my friend. Take care Janey ... View more

Hi lilginge I am so sorry to hear of your loss. It must have been awful to have had two of the most stressful events in your life happen together. I am a community nurse and have worked full time for 11 years so I am also enjoying the break from the stress and all that goes with the job. I was diagnosed in July and haven't worked since because mentally and emotionally I was not able to work. I feel ok now but still have my wobbles as we all do. Being part of this forum and on FB helps as we are all in in the same boat and helping each other. I have met some lovely people and received so much valuable advice and support. My husband is usually home from work in the afternoon so we actually get more time together since been at home. There are positives to everything. I have had a meeting with management who have agreed to let me start back on a 6 week phase return in March and they have also agreed that I can work from the office. They have been really great with me. My manager is also a very good friend so I am very lucky. I have also done theatre work many years ago and I know how demanding it can be so I think you are right to stay at home until the end of your treatment and as you add you are there for your dad. Take care and will chat on FB . xxxxxx Janey ... View more

Hi Sam Enjoy your beer .... Xxx ... View more

Hi Nanny sal, I agree life must go on but after working full time for many years I am enjoying my time at home. I would have considered working if my oncologist was ok with it because I go on half pay in March just before chemo finishes so will be out of pocket, I intend to start back not long after chemo finishes but may need more time off for further surgery so half pay again...but hey ho will have to curb my spending. I wish you all the best and hope the chemo is kind to us all. Love Janey xxx ... View more

Yes Sam I have had full pay since diagnosed in July. I go on half pay in Feb. My chemo finishes mid march so just a few weeks half pay. I have agreed with management to start work 20th March so will then get a full wage but may need radiotherapy after or further surgery so will have to work around that. They are really good with me and will try to accommodate whatever I need. Tbh After working full time for many years I am enjoying been at home and even my manager has advised me to stay at home and look after myself. They really have been good. X ... View more

Thanx n/sal That has made me feel much better. Words of encouragement are priceless in this battle. I was interested to read you are going to work whilst having chemo. My oncologist was not happy for me to do this even though my manager was happy for me to be office based. I am a nurse and understand that working with patients may expose me to infection but could not see any problems with working in the office. As a result I will loose about three weeks of full Pay which I could do without. Oh well I suppose all oncologists have their own opinions...oh well have to tighten my spending belt. Take care Janey xx ... View more

I am so sorry that you are having to endure such turmoil. Just want you to know you are in my thoughts and I will say a prayer for you. Please try to stay positive and to hang on to hope....The treatments out there are so advanced these days and the clinical trials are helping people fight this blasted disease. Hopefully there will be a treatment that can help you. Do not loose faith xx Janey x ... View more

Hello not been on for a while as on holiday. Back now and ready to start chemo Wednesday 20th Nov. Pre Assessment Tuesday. Up early as got the wobbles. Thank goodness I have the support of this forum and my new buddies on FB? It just helps to type how I feel. Have a good day all of you brave ladies ... View more

Good luck to all imminent Dunkers. Fingers and toes crossed that all SE's are little ones. Janey xxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi BeejayP Welcome to the October Optimists. I am due to star chemo 20th Nov and are a member of the November Newbies. Feel free to drop in anytime. Janey xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Sal Got my date to start chemo 20 November, same as Sam. Let us know as soon as you can....all on the same day would be brilliant Janey xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Tadpole and Sam, Had my ANC 6 August and can honestly say I am fine now. A little tingling on lifting my arm despite regular exercises but nothing to call pain. I feel like I have a few small lumps under my armpit but I have been told that this is permanent. That too is ok and I can live with it. Slight numbness at back of arm but the bee sting feeling has gone. I now can sleep any side with no problems. Hope your symptoms reduces as time passes. Hope this helps. ... View more

Thanks Sam....am now an official Novenber Newbie Fb member lol Glad your feeling better ...how cute is Alex but I bet at 4.30 you don't say that. Awww bless Janey xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Sam sent you a friend request Janey xxxxxxxxxx ... View more

Good luck to Sam And Sal for today. Hope the queasiness gets better Sam Janey xxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi lilging, I too have been told too to make life changing decisions quite a few times. Chemo or not,.....reconstruction or not....... radiotherapy or further surgery(that's a decision still to be made) In my opinion they are the professionals and need to make these decisions with the rest of the team and guide us along the same lines. If we choose not to follow then that is our decision,.....one that we are happy making. I personally found the decision making approach overwhelming and a tad unfair....but ignore my rant ha ha. I fully understand your dilemma. I took the decision to have chemo and then they came back to me and advised it anyway so for me it was a no brainer. Of course every situation is different but I would ring back and ask to discuss the matter further with your breast care nurse.. It's amazing how talking things though helps you make to a decision without realizing it. Good luck Janey xxxxxxxxx ... View more

Hi sal. I think this must be the worst time for many of us. What lies ahead and the thought of the SE's it's enough to drive you crazy. At least when you are having chemo you can tick off the days and know that there will be an end to it all. I have another 2 weeks to wait and I know the fears will be with me all the time. Thank gooness I can rant on here or else my OH might run ha. Wish I could keep off the google train too but it's not easy. Don't know what I am looking for but I will find something. Not doing it today! Well that's my moan for today. I am sure there will be plenty more to come. Just a little line I picked up from a lady on here. Her surgeon told her " give me 6 months of your life and I will give you your life back" Sounds good to me .....up and onwards. Hope all goes well with your appointment. Let me know when you are starting. Janey xxxxxxxx ... View more