Breast Cancer Now Forum

It feels monumental. I cannot really find the words just so proud to be a storm rider, and to have met you on this thread Casey. Love to you always xxxx ... View more

You were the most wonderful storm rider Jane, and showed humour and great courage until the end. Xxx ... View more

BCC moderators - I have just posted this thread - but don't see it appearing in the latest threads. Is it possible to get it to show there too - as otherwise may not be seen. Thanks very much. Victoria ... View more

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Very sad to read this news, I remember Miao from when I used to post regularly on the forum. Sending condolences to her family and friends x ... View more

Just wanted to thank everyone for further advice and encouragement. I saw my asthma consultant at St George's hospital yesterday who is going to arrange for me to have a nebuliser before the surgery, as I'm quite a bad asthmatic. She said the same as you Lulu that recovery from vertical incision would be longer than smaller horizontal scar. Thanks for the link to surgery for fibroids. I have had cellulitis before Soi so imagine it must have been so painful in such a large area. Thanks again and I will let you all know how I get on once it's been done. Victoria xx ... View more

Thanks for more advice and encouragement. Kept me awake thinking about the operation last night, but glad it isn't too long to wait and I know, I'll feel better at the end of it. PCAZ - interesting you had Zolodax to shrink your fibroid beforehand. Although I've been on the monthly injections for almost a couple of years now, they've made no difference to the size of my fibroids. Loved your story about your hospital stay - I've met some great people in hospital with the various BC surgeries and a knee injury and have kept in touch with some of them. Peachez, glad your wound finally healed. Hoping I can avoid any infection this time, as this has happened to me before. Magsi, thanks for your words of encouragement. I've pmd you as glad for the advice you can offer. Thanks too for the endorsement of the hysterectomy website. It does look really helpful, was reading it last night. Laura, thanks too for your good wishes. Unfortunately, I can't have keyhole or bikin line incision as the fibroids are too large and too numerous that my womb has expanded to much for this. But glad you could have this. Thanks again ladies, and hope you have a good weeked. Victoria x ... View more

Hi Tillycat, I'm really sorry about your loss. I've a special cat in my life too - a Maine Coon, 16 months old, and he's mainly a house cat as like Blueberry has no real street sense. Thinking of you, and hope perhaps you might have another cat in your life so you can enjoy the purrs again x ... View more

Thanks so much for all this helpful information, and reassurance that it won't be as bad as i imagine. Sorry you developed an infection Lulu, and yes I'm expecting the hot flushes to worsen. I hadn't realised you'd had a hysterectomy on top of all the bc treatment. Sascha, the website looks really helpful. I was looking for some online support but had only come across some American sites hystosisters etc, so it is useful to see a UK one. I'm due to have the vertical incision too. Did you suffer a lot of bloating beforehand from the fibroids?My womb is now meant to be the size of 24 week gestation, and I'm so hoping that I'll have a normal/flatter tum afterwards. Something else I was worrying about was whether there would be a lot of surplus skin given how much my stomach feels stretched now.. Thanks so much for the pm Lella, I've replied! Sorry you went on to develop IBC Lorraine, rotten luck after the hysterectomy just before. This site really is incredibly helpful,such a wonderful community. Thanks again. Victoria xx ... View more

I'm 8 weeks post op Lemoncake, and the hole must have been about 1cm in diameter when I first spotted it (following the flood of liquid). It's now exuding the tiniest drop each day, and in fact yesterday nothing at all and after a week of those dressings the hole seems to have more or less reduced and healed over. Glad your redness is reduced today x ... View more

Hi Lemoncake, something similar has just happened to me. Loads of fluids gushed out and discovered a hole developing. Saw my plastic surgeon last week who sent me to the plastic dressings clinic. They put on a dressing called aquacel which has done wonders already. Fluid reducing and so is the redness around it and hole size. Good luck with your recovery. Victoria ... View more

In terms of applying Emla, the guidance I received (which seems to work) is to apply it (a couple of small squeezes from the tiny tube) about an hour before the appointment time. I'm lucky in that I attend a small GP nurse practice so usually get seen on time. Rub the cream lightly into the area of the proposed injection site then cover the Emla cream with a plaster - I'm given ones with a plastic window (not sure if the'se make any difference). Interesting that your nurse Bob2 provides the cream, it's only issued via prescription at my practice; I usually order a new tube at the time of my Zolodex prescription, every couple of times. The routine helps. Regards timings, my nurse makes a decision around safety rather than cost. She said there's some evidence that having the next dose before the 4 weeks are up can increase the chances of side effects. I've not pressed her on what the SEs are, but it doesn't matter, because the GP would not authorise it early anyway. I've found the Zolodex really increased my hot flushes. I tried Clonodine for a while, but it didn't work. I'm now on Gabapentin which seems much more effective for me. Personally I'm very grateful for being given the opportunity to take Zolodex as well as Tamoxifen as I'm in a higher risk group for reccurance, so want to take as many meds and as precautions as I can to reduce that risk. Although I've been told that it's usual to only be prescribed Zolodex for two years, my onc has said I should have it for five years. There's some research, I think, which is looking into optimum treatment lengths. Have not yet had a chance to look for this, hope to when I have the time! Victoria ... View more

This is interesting about the Zolodex timings. My practice tend not to allow me to have it even a few days early (I'm on the four weekly one), but prefer me to have it a day or two late. I too think Emla cream is wonderful, and it makes an otherwise painful injection, pain-free. Victoria ... View more

Hi Gail, Wishing you the best of luck with Herceptin again and the new chemo. I hope you can still keep as much of your life as you do now on the drugs regime. How are you finding the Zolodex? There's a cream I apply an hour before the injection which numbs the skin which is quite good - it's called Emla. At least Spring will soon be here, and the lighter evenings should do something to life the spirits. Victoria xxx ... View more

Just writing to say that it was lovely to meet with some SRs in London yesterday and to escape from the hustle of the real world for a few hours and immerse ourselves in tea, cake, sandwiches and scones - even if it meanting gaining a pound in weight over night because of it (which I did!). SRs, you are such an amazing group of ladies - I would be glad to have just one of you as a friend, but SRs ensemble is just the best. Only a pity that it took bc to find you all. I look at SRs as one of the few positives. Thinking of all SRs just now including Theresa. And would really like to come to some of the other meets in different parts of the country if I can except Whitby (as that has seen historical associations for me). xxxxxxx ... View more

Hello Gail, I'm so pleased to read from you and despite the worry that you managed to enjoy some of Christmas. The Zolodex is very effective at absorbing oestrogen, and I've been on it slmost as soon as I started the Tamoxifen. There are some side effects (at least I have them) but one is willing to put up with those if it helps gain ground on the bc. I have aches in my joints in the mornings and much worse hot flushes than before. It has also given my osteoporesis, though that's treatable. The chemo that you are on is meant to be a really good one. Praying it works well for you and that it was just a rogue lymph node at there is are no more rogue ones. I went up to Grimsby for New Year and had a great time with Caron and her family. We went seal watching. The weather was bitingly cold - but it was a magical experience. Caron made some lovely meals and is looking so slim! I'm sure she'll be along to write soon. No date for my surgery yet Kathy. I have a holiday booked in May so if it isn't going to happen soon I may have to delay it until I get back. Victoria xxx ... View more