Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi everyone, hope you are all okay and especially Nicky? Hope the winter bugs haven't started doing the rounds yet.   I went to have one hand MRI'd on Tuesday, nothing showed up in the report.   I am completely baffled why my hands are like they are yet nothing to indicate what is wrong.   I stopped taking the steroids a few days ago, and find that they are very stiff again.   I have the next hand MRI'd in a couple of weeks, and then seeing the Rhumatologist with all the reports at end of October.   Apart from that, i'm just plodding along as Mr P is away again.   Our weather has been pretty variable this week.   Sunday was upper 20's, and felt very humid but thankfully we didn't have a storm.   Talking of storms, I am still fighting with the insurance over what they are going to pay.   In the UK, if you have new for old insurance does that mean they will pay exactly what the price of the new item is, or, do they make a deduction for the age of the item?   They've really done us down so far.   I'm pleased that I am visiting my children and grandchildren for a quick weekend visit in a couple of weeks so looking forward to that.   Nicky here's hoping all is going well and you're still managing a bit of shopping treats and trips away.   Lily not long to go to your week away in the sun, good job you didn't book with Thomas Cook.   If a big company like them can go bust what does that say about all the others, especially smaller companies.   Lisa how are you doing, do you have any trips planned?   How is your Dad now?   No other news from me, I live a very boring life  Have a good weekend all xx ... View more

Nice to hear from you Nicky and what a complete mess up (stronger words come to mind) with your appointments, chemo, scans. I can only imagine how angry you were.   Fancy telling you about new lesions when you didn't have new ones.   Like you say you might have changed chemo's and then found this information out. On the positive side, things seem stable which is good and has your hair started to grow back a bit? Keep up with the little treats and I hope that Mr Nicky has recovered from his ribs.   Strangely enough they did xray me even though I and the dr thought I did have broken ribs.   I'm not sure what the difference between broken and fractured is?   Anyway I now have the help of Mr P and will try the next 2 weeks to rest up when I can.   Yes, still suffering pain and I know you just have to give it time. I've had many broken ribs in the past 9 years so this will just add to the list. I think it might be worth asking my GP if there is a bone strengthening treatment that might help to prevent this in the future.   Have a good weekend all, our little grandaughter will be 2 on Sunday and we will manage a video chat with her.    Love Carole ... View more

How are you all?   Well after my last post since then I've had an accident with the dogs and after suffering chest pain for almost a week, an xray today confirms 3 broken ribs     Home alone until Thursday so will have to get on with it.   I was indoors, crouching down to tummy tickle Mea, Aero the lab came crashing into me and I must have been pushed over, in doing so I have an enormous black bruise on the back of my leg as I hit a chair.   I was almost on the floor in the first place so can't understand how i've done so much damage to myself.   Of course when I was on the floor the dogs thought I was playing and were delighted to be on top of me.   It was only play so I don't hate them for it.   Just won't bend down next time to stroke a tummy.   Hope everyone is ok? xxx ... View more

Hi ladies   It's been a quiet week for me, still hot and hot but last couple of days a bit cooler than the awful high temperatures we had before.  We have contacted the insurance, but they're slow, in fact almost at a stop!   I have been chasing up the MRI scan my doctor asked for on 24 July as I haven't yet had an appointment.   Only to be told they haven't received any request.   Grrrr.   I'm sure they've lost the fax for giving me an appointment.  My hands are better on the steroids, not so painful but my fingers are still extremely stiff and difficult to operate.   Lily no doubt you are back at school this week.   Is it my imagination or were you taking a promotion?   I hope your daughter is now managing to sleep a bit, it's really hard to be sleep deprived with a baby, I remember it well. I did watch the first Deep Water, but can't say I enjoyed it so haven't watched anymore.   Sorry to hear about your 2 friends dx with cancer.      Lisa how is your dad now?  Hopefully out of hospital and making a good recovery.  How about you too?   Nicky I do really feel for you with your hair, my eyebrows and eyelashes never came back and the my head hair is very fine, thin and I have partial alopecia.   I'm managing to cover up baldy bits at the moment. I'm trying to grow it into a bob.   Here's hoping your CT is good, and the chemo is not wiping you out too much.   Well better take the dogs out I suppose, but I don't really feel much like it as they are not properly lead trained and pull me like mad.   It's only for a short distance as I head straight for our nearest field where they can be off lead. Love to all xxx ... View more

Hi Lisa, oh my goodness, how awful for your family especially your Dad.   Is there a case for claiming compensation? Not that it will help, but financial help might be needed as I expect your Dad will be off work for quite a while.  Sorry that your trip was so awful.  Hope you are feeling a bit better by now? Big hugs xx   I've had a bit of a stressful time since Monday afternoon.   At around 3 pm, it started to rain very heavily here and with it just a couple of rumbles of thunder.   Then out of nowhere a lightning strike through the house (it seemed like it was from the patio doors at the back to the kitchen window at the front) took out the electric.   I was really scared, never seen lightning like it and the 2 dogs who are not usually worried about storms were also very scared, they didn't know where to go to be safe.   Anyway the electric came back on after about 15 minutes but in the strike we lost an LNB, a TV, 2 digiboxes, a dvd player, an extractor fan and the Livebox router.   So an insurance claim will have a few things to replace, and no doubt they will try to get out of it.   Our insurance cover is for natural catastrophes.   It did shake me up a bit, but I'm ok now and am thankful I wasn't standing in the way.   Love to everyone xx           ... View more

Hi to all   Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS LILY, HOW EXCITING, ANOTHER BOY Sorry for my absence, no reason really, I've been checking but just haven't got around to replying.   I'm happy to say since my last post that YD's pneumonia has gone and she's back to normal for now. Yes Lily they found it on xrays.  She had a follow up last week to be sure it was finished. Thanks to both Lily and Nicky for asking.   Lily I love the name Albie, thank you for telling us. Hope all the family are doing well and I bet you'll have your hands full during the holidays. Lucky you, I'm a bit green!  I'm very sorry to hear your son is suffering a bit with anxiety, which isn't easy to treat because of asthma.   Perhaps some counselling might help?  I know that men rarely talk about how they feel but try to coax him to speaking about it.      Nicky and sorry to you as well for your ED's work problems, it sounds a horrible situation for her, is this the D who is a chef?   Restaurants can be a very stressful place of work (I don't know how Mr P has managed to cope with some of the situations he's had to deal with). Living in UK sounds quite a time for burglaries and robberies.  Thank goodness he was at home, doesn't bear thinking about if the men had acted when he parked up.   Hope you are getting on with chemo well, how is your hair now?   I've had a product recommended to me by a lady who has/having chemo, her hair is very thin.   It's a Yves Rocher product for volume, she says it made her hair very fluffy but fuller.   I think I might give it a go as it's not very expensive.   Our weather was extremely hot until Saturday, no rain for weeks so I was watering but fortunately most of the plants have an irrigation system so it was just a few pots.   We have our crop of wild tomatoes again, how they got there we don't know, we didn't plant them but they're ripening very quickly so I'm having to give away and will freeze some for soup/sauces.  Friday was a very humid day so very uncomfortable and I just couldn't stop perspiring.   I had to go for a blood test today, 10 vials, with results going to 2 different doctors.   It was suggested to me last week when I had a routine check with a gynae, that I may be deficient in selenium, vit D3, Omega 3 and a few others.  He also thinks my palpitations and irregular heart beating could be down to too much Thyroxine.   So, I've halved the dose of thyroxine for nearly a week now and the palpitations have stopped.   Actually the blood test wasn't too bad, the lady knows I have difficult veins but she always manages to find one.   Recently a friend here has been diagnosed with bc, she had a lumpectomy and is awaiting for the results.   Fortunately it was small, so hopefully they will have clear margins.   Hopefully I've been a support to her.   All from me for now, take care Love Carole xxx   ... View more

Hi all, Nicky I really feel for you with your hair loss, it was one of the most upsetting things about having cancer I can remember.   Is your scalp becoming itchy yet?   After my first chemo about 10 days after my hair started coming out and the itchy feeling was awful. This was helped enormously when Mr P shaved it all off for me.  We both had tears about it.   So, sending hugs to you.   Enjoy your break away Lisa. Lily hope your daughter is managing to keep cool with her pregnancy?   After around 6 weeks of no rain, we have just had a torrential shower for around 1 1/2 hours.   It was unbearably hot, I don't remember ever feeling so hot, even in the Middle East!   There was no air and as well as being hot it was incredibly humid. Whilst I like the sunny days, topping 40 odd degrees is too much.   Thankfully since the rain and storm today it is significantly cooler.   The steroids seem to be helping a bit with the hands.  My dr is sending me for an MRI of them.   YD has been very poorly with pneumonia of all things in the middle of summer.   She is now on 2 different types of anti biotics, and all the medication to prevent thrush. She is slowly getting better but we're waiting on results of a blood test.   So have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing Love Carole xx ... View more

Thanks Lily, I'm on to it. I've cut down on carbs as already it's sending my glucose higher.  Yes veg is best, and I like hummus to dip but not sure how high carb that is. I make my own so it's better.   You're right in remembering I've had lots of chest xrays, for coughing probs and fractures. I saw my gp today and she checked oxygen levels with one of those finger things,  and it was fine. So I'm not too worried, just hope the steroids help with the problem of hand/finger operation.   YD poorly today, a virus probably but shivers and heat, plus a cough. Our Dr couldn't detect anything so ibuprofen and paracetamol.  She was given ABs just in case it doesn't improve.   So black cat Alfie still here, all seems ok now. He's just a very grumpy cat.   We're about to have another heatwave over the weekend and  next week. So still plant watering which is very tiring. We've had no rain for about 6 weeks now. Our cucumbers are finished now but the wild tomatoes (that just appeared) are green so will ripen soon.   How exciting, I remember it well, Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. 50 years ago and I was only 10. I expect I'm the oldest buddy 😂😂.   Have a good weekend to all. Love Carole xxx ... View more

Evening ladies.  I'm on late because I'm stressed and worried. Rhumatologist is puzzled about my stiff and very painful fingers , but on examination she realised how much pain  I'm in , but doesn't  know how to treat it, as all tests are clear,so has prescribed low dose steroids to see if that improves the movement of my fingers. Steroids are bad for diabetes and cause weight gain as they increase the appetite. So not happy to take them but not happy with the discomfort. I will try. The other more worrying thing, she said my lips are blue tinged, did I have a cough, (yes which has got worse), breathlessness, and tiredness. So she is worried I might hàve a lung issue and ordered a chest x-ray for next week. She knows I've  had cancer x 2 and is surprised I don't  see an oncologist anymore.   Worried but not long to wait, x-ray next Tuesday.   My lips don't look blue to me but hey ho .   Have a good weekend all xxx ... View more

Swimming water liver Aero   "Stoned" with a sedative Alfie   ... View more

Hi Nicky. Sorry this time the chemo is making you very tired, it must be horrible that it's hitting you harder. I doubt it's to do with age (you're still a young one). Perhaps the dose is slightly stronger? How about nausea? Hoping that is not a side effect. Rest when you feel you need to and don't push it. You are a super trouper.   Our weather, well a cooler day yesterday and we actually had half an hour of rain. But, not enough as temperatures back up today. It seems never-ending!  I'm a sun lover, not to sit and sunbathe but just warm, sunny and not humid is my ideal. Thank God we have the pool to cool off in. After all the watering in the evening I'm so hot and sweaty a dip in the pool is essential.    YD is staying for a couple of days before she goes to Bordeaux for a few days. She brought Alfie, our 16 year old cat (brother of Finn) for me to look after. She took him with her when she left last Sept. Anyway he had a vet visit today because of a strange claw.  This claw had turned into his pad obviously causing an injury so now he's on ABs, and I have to clean his feet everyday. Great! Not looking forward to this as he was the cat that put me in hospital with an infection a couple of years ago after biting me at the vets. We gave him a pet sedative before we went, he looked "stoned" but was still feisty enough to bite YD and the vet. So it's not going to be an easy task bathing his paws on my own. Oh the things we do for our animals.    Hope everyone is ok, schools here have finished so for Lily, not long now.  Any news about the job app?   It's late so off to bed. Love to all Carole xx ... View more

Hi all   Yes Lily, still sweltering in the heat.  By 10 oc in the morning it's already pushing 30 degrees.   It's too hot to be outside and watering all the plants is a very tiring, and hot experience.   We have an irrigation system for some of them, but sadly not all.  It's been this hot for about 3 weeks now.   Whilst I love the sun for dry days, it is even a bit too hot for me    Your physio exercises sound interesting, how is ED coping with the pregnancy now? Enjoy the coast weekend.   Hope you are doing well Nicky and like Lily, yes I hope too you can fit in between some nice things.   Have a good weekend everyone, love Carole xx     ... View more

Well hello all, I can happily say it is very hot, we are in the midst of a heatwave and boy, thank goodness for the pool. It is the only place to keep cool.   The temperature overnight is around 27 - 30 degrees so it is very difficult to sleep. Still, better than all that horrid rain and grey days since my last post. Heatwave warnings are ongoing every day and 4 departments in the South are on red alert. We are on orange alert.   So it's too hot to really do anything outside, except chill down in the pool.  The pool temperature is 30 degrees.  All our pets are struggling. Yesterday we had quite a strong warm wind but nothing today just scorching heat.   So on the plus side, hopefully it is weight reducing weather!    Nicky I'm pleased that you are coping ok with the new chemo, I expect the last thing you need is a heatwave.  Sorry that your hair is thinning a bit but I like the idea of the hairband.   My hair has always been thin, and even thinner since tax.   I used to wear some lovely coloured hair buffs (I think they were called, but might be wrong).    Lily do you have any news about your gynae problem?   Tell all but only if you want to.   Sorry you lost a long post Lisa, it's really annoying isn't it.   Well off to cool now, stay hydrated everyone when the hot weather arrives. Carole xx     ... View more

Hi all hope everyone is ok? Nicky when you feel well enough let us know how treatment is going.   We've had very hot weather since Sunday. It changed literally overnight from a cold and damp Saturday to hot.  Last night we had an electric storm, no rain but terrific thunder and lightenìng. I love storms except when they disturb my sleep 😅.   All the farmers around me are busy cutting their hay so lots of sneezing going on, me and the two dog's.   I had my hands x-rayed last week as they've been painful and stiff for a few months. Sometimes I can't open them or close them. The xrays didn't show a problem so seeing my Dr on Friday. It's really weird as they're causing me so much pain and problem in operating my fingers.   We're not growing veg this year but have found several "wild" tomato plants, as in we didn't plant them. We've also got knobbly cucumbers in the greenhouse which we did plant. Very tasty they are too.   Lily any news about your daughter? Hope the hot weather is not uncomfortable for her.    Lisa, what are you up to?   Love to all buddies xxx ... View more

Hi all from a very wet and grey day in France.   After a good few days of brilliantly hot weather, even managing a few dips in the pool, this weather today comes as a shock to the system.   Lily your flight sounds pretty scary  and worrying for the rest of the passengers. Your Rome trip brought back some memories, and one that I would like to revisit in cooler weather. The Trevi fountain was and is amazing. How were your queues for the Vatican and Sistine Chapel? Here's hoping ED is still doing ok? Yes we did buy some GP souvenirs, an umbrella, an official guide and a flag.  It seems so long ago now! I bet the chapel gave you goose bumps? It would me, even though I'm not religious. I wonder what is going on with your foot?   Lisa your photos are amazing, that beach is gorgeous I am truly jealous. Sorry about your flight problems too.   Nicky, it must have been very emotional for you to be almost at the spot where your dad died, I remember how I used to feel when going into my dad's bedroom, where he died. I hope that you found it nice, even though sad, to pay your respects.   Fancy your OH having to buy a jumper, at the end of May in Spain! Mind you, European weather has once again been odd, seems to happen every year for us here. Is that chemo a tough one? Well there's no such thing as an easy one really but, will your hair be at risk again? I understand what you mean about making the right choice, how do we know...... hopefully for you it will kick the little blighters quickly.   Will it be ongoing chemo or 6 rounds?   Not much news from me, just the awful weather which is difficult to take 2 dogs out without them getting very wet and muddy.   YD seems to have made a good recovery from her operation. The 2 little grand daughters are getting more cute day by day, I feel a yearn coming on to go visit. It's so difficult though as Mr Ps job is so unreliable at the moment, he could be called away with 24 hours notice so it makes life difficult to plan anything.   All for now x ... View more

Hi Lily, sorry to hear that ED has a few pregnancy problems. If gestational diabetes is diagnosed she might need insulin injections for a while and if they are going to do a c'section (as I had with all 3 of mine) it will probably mean around 37/38 weeks. These days although it's still a big operation and recovery takes time, the risks are minimal.   I had 2 small babies then YD was huge.  Hope all progresses well.   xxx ... View more

Hello ladies   Well the GP was amazing. The atmosphere was electric, the Grandstands were pretty full up so you can imagine the amount of people there (scared me a bit).   The Dutch were brilliant with their support for Max, they had their own DJ and were singing and dancing, although with quite a few other grandstands!   We had a Spanish supporter who got the entire arena (not sure if you call it that) by all lifting arms, 4 or 5 stamps then Ola!   Absolutely brilliant.   Nicky, I did take ear plugs but didn't actually wear them, I love the noise, and it was literally just noisy for a few seconds, then the cars were gone, until the roar started again a few seconds later.   Also our few days away was very nice and relaxing, Calella on the Costa Brava is pretty.   So, back to reality     Nicky I do admire you for all your research especially at a time when you need to make decisions.   I was on taxotere, is that the same?   They messed up here at my first hospital I started chemo with, as I should have started on a milder one for 3 or 4 rounds, I was meant to have 8 rounds, but after 6 on taxotere my poor body couldn't take anymore.   11 years ago I was told taxotere was the creme de la creme of chemo's.   I'm sure these days there are better, and kinder chemos to have.   Sorry about having to cancel one of your planned trips. Let's hope the insurance will cough up.   Lisa, you are a busy bee how did the wedding go, your speech and of course by now I expect you are away, so happy hols.   Lily, I can't remember your last post (sorry) but have been thinking about how you're getting on with your medical/surgical arrangements.   How is your daughter getting on with pregnancy?   Have you decided where you are off to for your summer holiday?   Sorry for questions, it's just things pop into my mind.   Anyway, off to enjoy the sun as it is set to change love Carole xx ... View more

Hi all, yes I agree with Nicky Lily the wedding sounded beautiful. Is it just your son now to get married? If so, is a girlfriend in the background?   Nicky, I love your positivity even at the thought of doing a slightly harsher chemo but I know you and Dr Lily will research and question every aspect of what the dr suggests.     So, tomorrow we are off to Barcelona and the big highlight will be going to see the Grand Prix.  Just having a few days away will be nice, especially as our weather forecast here for the next few days is pretty naff.   I think Spain is better.   YD recuperated here for a week, and is back at work now so all in all having the 4 out was probably a good idea as it's all over and done with.   All for now from me, as busy packing. Love Carole xx      ... View more

Hi ladies. Nicky i'm so sorry to hear that the liver is suffering once again and really hope that you get some more positive news regarding further treatment.   What a bugger, especially as the treatment you were on was easier for you to cope with. Also sorry to hear about your hayfever, mind you I have hayfever symptoms all year round, which is an allergy of some sort, probably dust mites, Lots of hugs and hope you get some relief. Lily, what is the news about the wedding? What about your operation? Lisa have you been bridesmaid yet? When are you off to Florida? YD had her teeth out on Wednesday so she's staying here for a while to recover.   She's on ABs as well as paracetamol and codeine and steroids to help with the inflammation.   She is in some discomfort, and can't open her mouth much so is eating pureed food through a straw and a tiny teaspoon.   Today she will try soup, but can't have it too hot as that might cause bleeding.  I am sick of our weather, when it rains which is about every 20 mins it is torrential.  We get a bit of sun or the clouds lift for a short while then back to being overcast and raining. We've had so much rain it has filled up our water butts in 2 days. Apart from that, no other news so I wish you all a good weekend and hope it is better weather although I think UK is being hit by storm Hannah?   Love Carole xx     ... View more