Breast Cancer Now Forum

For women in Somerset, Bristol, Bath, North Somerset who have/ have had breast cancer and are interested in meeting others to "do" things e.g.weekends away, having lunch, craft activities, visiting places of interest etc. We are not a traditional support group and we have all had/ have breast cancer. The idea is that we all participate to organise activities and join in with those that interest us and/or are local. Details below of how to contact us on Facebook. ... View more

I am on Exemestane and have been told to stay on it for 10 years.  Initially I was told 5, then 7 and I was looking forward to finishing it in November!  Unlike the trials for 10 years of Tamoxifen, which I understand are complete, the trials on the Aromatase Inhibitors are not yet concluded, so I don't think that it is a general recommendation yet to stay on AIs for 10 years, but my oncologisat is being cautious as I had an extremely aggressive cancer. ... View more

I hardly ever come on here now, but I remember you Roadrunner as we were diagnosed at a similar time.  My 7 year anniversary has now passed, my op was on 21st April 2007 and the date now has happier memories as my first grandchild was born on 21st April last year! I had a very aggressive grade 3 cancer, HER2 positive, ER/PR positive and had a WLE, FEC, 6 weeks rads, a year of Herceptin.  Initially on Arimidex then changed to Exemestane which has fewer side effects for me.  Expected to finish this at 5 years, then told it would be 7.  Now have been told as my cancer was so aggressive best to stay on it for 10 years! I retired early and have enjoyed a great deal of long haul and short haul travel. I have seen both my daughters married in recent years and have 2 gorgeous grandchildren born last year.  I know that when I was first diagnosed I was encouraged to hear about those who had got through the treatment and were enjoying life after cancer, so I hope my post will be of some help to others now! All the best of luck. xx   ... View more

I must admit I only joined Facebook to sign up to Somerset CanDo! I am fine thank you - more than 6 years on from diagnosis, after a very aggressive triple positive cancer and masses of treatment. Hope all is well with you and that you will be able to meet up with some of us sometime soon. All the best Anne ... View more

Yes there are quite a lot of us. Several of us have got to know each other through a Facebook group called Somerset CanDo. You can search for the group but it is a closed site so you need to apply to join. Hopefully will meet you some time Anne x ... View more

Bumping this to get it show on latest posts! ... View more

I don't go to these meetings myself as I had primary cancer, but I noticed your post. I believe these meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, venue and time as in an earlier post. Somerset CanDo Facebook network is still going strong if you are interested. Details above. All the best Anne ... View more

I found a hard lump near my scar after nearly 5 years. It wasn't clear from an ultrasound whether it was a recurrence or fat necrosis in scar tissue, but, much to my relief, that's what it turned out to be after biopsies were taken. You are absolutely right to get it checked out and the waiting is awful, but with a clear mammogram only a couple of months ago, I would have thought it is much more likely to be something benign. Good luck Anne ... View more

Great news. Congratulations. I have the same type too and hope to be celebrating 6 years NED in April. Anne ... View more

I went back to work after my second Herceptin, on a phased return. I didn't work during chemo and radiotherapy. All the best Anne ... View more

http://www.facebook.com/somerset cando The group is still going strong and is for women with breast cancer in the Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol areas. We all have breast cancer and this is not a traditional support group but is about "doing" things eg dog walking, weekends away, meeting for lunch. Hope you can find us Red Admiral. Sorry the link doesn't seem to work but search on Facebook for Somerset CanDo (as two words) ... View more

Juliemax and Mangobird and other Bristolians Many of us have joined a facebook group called Somerset CanDo which is for women with primary or secondary breast cancer. It is a closed group and you need to provide a couple of details about yourself when you apply to join. Your answers are not known to the group but enable the administrators to restrict admission to genuine breast cancer patients. This isn't a support group as such just a group of women who enjoy arranging fun activities. Maybe I will meet you at an activity soon Anne xx ... View more

Hi Lavendersun I can see that you like to hear from those of us who had our treatment some years ago so will join in. I was diagnosed soon after RoadRunner, in April 2007. Grade 3, ER/PR/HER all positive. I felt really lucky to have Herceptin as it was only licensed for primary cancer a few months before I needed it. I am older than you, but since diagnosis, both my daughters have married and I really didn't think all those years ago that I would be around for their weddings. Best of all, I am due to become a grandmother in April this year, just about the time I will celebrate my 6 years since diagnosis! Treatments have improved so much and continue to improve. I had my Herceptin after chemo, now I think that it often starts during chemo as that has been found to be effective. Similarly, I expected to be on Aromasin for 5 years but because my cancer was very aggressive, they have suggested I stay on it for at least another 2 years, based on evidence from women a couple of years ahead of me. The best of luck with all your treatment and I hope you get some reassurance from those of us who are several years on from the treatment. Anne ... View more

Hi Sara I expect you should hear from an administrator soon and will look forward to meeting you soon. The Fishponds lunch is this Friday at Triple 7 on the main road in Fishponds. Hopefully you will be able to access CanDo before then for the full details as I am going to be out of internet contact for a few days. Anne x ... View more

You have probably by now received a reply asking for a bit of info about yourself. The administrator does this to protect us, as occasionally there are people who are not genuine who try to join - sad but true. I will look forward to meeting you at one of our events soon Anne x ... View more

Hi Mo I have responded on another thread so won't repeat it all. There is a Facebook group called Somerset CanDo which includes most of the people who used to meet at Browns and others from around Somerset. You would be most welcome to come to any of the events. We meet in various places now and there is no regular meeting date but someone is currently organising a lunch in Fishponds next week. I won't be able to make that one but hope to meet you at one in the future. It would be great to meet you and it sounds like you would give us all a lot of encouragement as you are doing so well. I am coming up to 6 years now since my diagnosis. Anne ... View more

To Sara, June22, Emma32, Luvvie66, Pegglass and Billie 14 - and anyone else in Bristol Yes the Somerset CanDo FB group is more active now than the thread on here and someone is currently organising a Fishponds lunch for next week. I can't go to that but usually make most of the lunches in Bristol. Hope to meet some of you at an event soon. Anne ... View more

Five of us went today. The crematorium was packed, standing room only when we arrived, although some very kind men gave up their seats for us. We were very sad to have lost the youngest member of our Bristol and Somerset group and I felt dreadfully sorry for Miao's Mum ( I have daughters a little older than Miao.) There was mention of Miao's love of cats and football and her lovely smile. That's how I will remember her - with her favourite white hat on, smiling and talking about cats, just as we did when I last saw her. We didn't go to the memorial service afterwards as we wanted to remember her personally, so we went out to lunch instead, which was fitting as most times we met Miao it was over lunch. RIP Miao - we will miss you ... View more

There are three or four of us going to Miao's funeral from the Bristol and Somerset area. Some of us knew Miao well from the meet ups at Browns in Bristol and we are all members of the CanDo facebook site as well as BCC. If anyone else from here is going, do post if you would like to meet up with us. Anne ... View more