Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi there I've just been told that I've been selected to model in the Glasgow Show in December - totally excited (and a wee bit nervous!!) I wondered who will be joining me .....? Shenagh xx ... View more

Hi ladies Just felt the need to share how I am feeling with somebody. My 'normal' friends (if you know what I mean) don't understand how I feel, but I know my BC buddies always do. For those of you who don't know me, I was DX May 2009, aged 38, with an eight month old baby. Had lumpectomy and rads then the following year had a risk-reducing double MX. During the 18 months following my MX, my husband left me and our little son three times, saying he couldn't cope with my illness. Each time he left, I had just come out of hospital a couple of days before. I later found out he was an alcoholic, and had hid this from me during our six years together. So, the last time he left me (October 2011) I told him not to bother coming back, which he hasn't. I work full-time, and my family had been living in Spain so I really had no-one to help me with my little boy. My parents have now taken the decision to move back to Scotland, so they are here to support me, and for that I will be forever grateful. However, over the past few months, I have been feeling so down and tearful. I am constantly exhausted, yet rarely sleep, and the slightest thing sets me off crying. My husband (and his mother) take my son for three hours a week, and other than that it's me and nursery who care for him. I took the plunge a couple of weeks ago, and contacted my BC nurse and told her how I was feeling (with lots of tissues!). She has referred me to the psychologist at my local cancer unit, and I have my first appointment with her on Thursday. I'm really nervous that I will spend the whole session crying, but maybe that's a good thing, I don't know. Anyway, just wanted to say that I'm a wee bit proud of myself for taking this first step in asking for help. As women, it's something that we rarely do. Love and hugs to all xxx ... View more

Hi I'm after some guidance please. I was diagnosed in May 2009, then had a double MX in 2010. I am still having follow-up surgery on my reconstruction. I am going to New York for a long weekend soon so have started shopping around for travel insurance, and am getting some pretty horrendous quotes. I'm wondering, when I'm asked "are you awaiting further surgery in relation to your condition" should I be saying "yes" or should I in fact be saying "no" as the surgery is not really to do with cancer, but with the reconstruction. I'm not ill with my condition (apart from good old Tamoxifen fatigue) so the chances of becoming poorly whilst there are very low. Or, should I just take a policy which doesn't cover my medical condition. Thanks, grateful for any advice! Shenagh xx ... View more