Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, just wanted to throw Vitamin E suppositories into the ring, as it were. You insert them into the vagina, and let them do their stuff. They are oestrogen free, and I can honestly say they have helped. My OH says he can feel a difference too. Intercourse is much more comfortable now. Hope this helps. Lady Gray ... View more

Hi, I recently tried the Naturatint range from Holland and Barrett. They don't contain the usual chemical nasties, and the coverage is really good. I,m very impressed and would recommend. Lady gray x ... View more

Why don't you speak with your BC nurse, and see if she can find out why they have recalled you? Don't assume the worst.....easy to say. Good luck, and a big hug Leigh ... View more

Hello Lisa 13 Sorry to hear you are in such turmoil. Have you thought about either ringing your GP and seeing if she could contact the breast clinic on your behalf, or maybe phoning the breast clinic yourself to see if they could see you sooner? It's worth a try. You're right that in England, urgent referrals are seen within 2 weeks, but I'm not sure of the protocol in Scotland and Wales. Good luck with this, and all the best, Leigh x ... View more

Hi Morwenna, In my case, all facial and body hair went, and my skin became gossamer silky. It was almost like I'd had a chemical peel. My hospital introduced me to the 'wig lady' who had a super range of wigs, which looked so authentic that many people were fooled into thinking I hadn't lost any hair at all. And altho they are hot and itchy to start, you get used to them very quickly. It never occurred to me to use false eye lashes and eyebrows, but good luck to you! All the best, Leigh xxxx ... View more

Hi. I think you have what's called peripheral neuropathy, which is numbness of the extremities (fingers, toes) due to nerve damage caused by Tax. It's painful despite being numb. This is one of Tax's possible side effects, and my oncologist suggested I use Vitamin B complex to help with it. In my case, it did wear off about 6 months after chemo ended. I dont think it is necessarily associated with loss of toe/finger nails, altho my big toe nail became detached about 6 months after treatment. Take care, keep strong, Leigh xx ... View more

Hi, and well done for getting thru your treatment!! I had 18 rads, (a year ago) and have had some itchiness inside the breast. It comes and goes, and recently asked my Onc about it. He said that the surgeons blame the Oncs and vice versa!! But the point is, it's not unusual to have itching after all the treatment we've had. Aqueous cream is very soothing, and I used it as soap in the shower, to avoid using perfumed soap that might have been an irritant. All the best, Leigh x ... View more

Hi. Not sure if this will be much use to you, but my Onc. suggested taking vitamin B complex for the PN. It did get better, altho not sure if it was going to resolve itself anyway, but I still take it, and symptoms are a lot better. Hope this helps. All the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi. Not sure if this will be much use to you, but my Onc. suggested taking vitamin B complex for the PN. It did get better, altho not sure if it was going to resolve itself anyway, but I still take it, and symptoms are a lot better. Hope this helps. All the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. This must be an awful time for you. I had FEC x 3 followed by Docetaxol x 3. I must say that after the first Docetaxol, I 'hit the wall', something I had been warned to expect by a friend who'd had a different chemo regime. I think whatever regime you have, the accumulative effects are the same by the time you've had your 4th treatment. By the end of the 6th treatment, I had decided that even if I was told I needed another treatment, I would have refused, as 6 was enough!! At least as you are having FEC x 6, you know what's coming - I had completely different side effects with Docetaxol, and it got worse the more I had. Hope this has been helpful. It is exhausting, but ultimately do-able. Take care, Leigh x ... View more

Hi Speaking as a theatre nurse, you have nothing to fear. We always warm our patients throughout their surgery, so they are nice and toastie when they get to recovery. Dont worry about the vein problem. Anaesthetists are dab hands at finding even the tiniest, and once you're asleep, they then manage to find bigger ones which would be too uncomfortable to find whilst you're awake. I wish you all the best, Leigh x ... View more

Hi, If you decide to go ahead with the chemo, think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Take one step at a time. It isn't pleasant, but it is doable, and I'm just so thankful that I've had breast cancer at a time when there are so many treatments available - it wasn't always so 40 years ago. Whatever you decide to do, all the very best, Leigh ... View more

Hi, Also look out for Zest for life, which covers the mediterranean diet, and has some great recipes - even my children like them!! All the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi. It's the pits when this happens. The NHS has targets, imposed by the government, which means that eg. surgery has to take place within a certain time-frame. If the patient is not operated on by the target date, they 'breach' and the hospital will be fined accordingly. I'm afraid that's how it works, but will come as no comfort to you. And I'd be damned angry too. Apart from going private, there's not much you can do, except maybe to vent your spleen to your breast care nurse. Oh, and you could write to your MP about it. I know May 2nd sounds a long way off, but it will come soon, especially if you keep really busy. Sounds a bit flippant, but it does work -----I've been there. Good luck with your operation. Virtual hugs, Leigh ... View more

Hi, I'm near Maidstone, and would happily meet for a chat and a coffee! PM me if you'd like, so we can arrange something. Best wishes, Leigh ... View more

Hello, Maver, Sorry to hear you have 'joined the club', but you will find so much support here, it's very uplifting. The first few weeks after diagnosis are always difficult, but it really does get easier with time. I was diagnosed a year ago, so the first 6 months were taken up with surgery, chemo and rads. It was a marathon, not a sprint, but it IS doable. And life does get back to normal, even if that seems a long way off right now. Try to take one step at a time......easier said than done! But keeping busy helps. Wishing you all the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi, Kinden is absolutely right - the waiting is the hardest part, so keeping busy and taking one day at a time is often a good way to cope with it. This site is full of people who understand how you are feeling, and there is so much support here, it's sometimes quite overwhelming. Take care and good luck, Leigh x ... View more

Oops. My laptop is doing funny things.....I shall continue. My biggest fear has always been getting breast cancer, and after numerous benign lumps and cysts over the years, my luck finally ran out a year ago. To be honest, it was a relief to come face-to-face with the enemy. I know that sounds strange, but all the previous worrying actually helped, because when it came to it, I didn't have to worry any more about getting it. Please find the courage to see your gp. Take a few deep breaths, and go with it. You could always see your practice nurse, mention it to her, and take it from there. All the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi. I'd also like to say, take one step at a time. It's a huge learning curve when you start out on this road. Ask questions, nothing is too trivial. You will feel a lot better when you have your treatment plan. As for your sons, I told my kids (who were a bit older than yours) that it was business as usual, and that it was the treatment which would be making me feel ill. They will very much take their lead from you, so if you are positive and matter-of-fact, they will follow suit. Carry on planning social things - you have a life, and be prepared to cancel at the last minute. Your friends/family will understand. Every invitation I received was accepted with the proviso that if I wasn't up to it, I wouldn't go. All the best, Leigh ... View more

Hi. Just wanted to say that my Onc. suggested vitamin B for peripheral neuropathy. The numbness in my fingertips did eventually go, whether that was the vits or just the body healing itself, I'll never know, but altho my feet are still a bit numb, it's far less uncomfortable than before. Definitely worth a try. Good luck, ladies. Leigh ... View more