Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Jane! Lovely to hear from you! I too am doing ok (fingers crossed). I got divorced last year (my choice) and bought my own little house, where I live with my son who is now 21! He graduated this week with a 2:1 in History! So proud! I've now been discharged from the hospitals where I've been treated and followed up. Just on the national screening programme now. Continue on Anastrozole for another 5 years via GP. Sending lots of love to all our May girls Mandy xx ... View more

Hi girls   Yes I, like you, can't believe we are all reaching the 5 year mark! I was diagnosed 7th March and had my lumpectomy on 25th March, so not sure when we class "5 years" from.   i was changed from tamoxifen after 4 years, to Examestane, in December 2015. I had a baseline bone density scan in January. This has shown my bones are "thin" so my oncologist has asked my gp to prescribe Adcal calcium/vitamin D supplements, which I'm now taking twice a day. Hot flushes persist and various aches and pains, but hey! I'm not complaining! Very small price to pay!!   its lovely to hear from you. I think of all of the girls on our thread often, and wonder how we all are. As you say Wandy, especially Cherry.   im still going through a bitter divorce (of my choosing). It seems to be finally coming to a conclusion after 14 months. We have sold the house and are aiming to be out by 31st March. My ex husband has signed a 6month rental on a flat and I'm still looking for somewhere to buy with my 20 year old son. In the meantime we will move in with my dad. but fingers crossed and all being well, I should be in my own place for the summer!   love to all Mandy xxx ... View more

Lovely to hear from you Wandy!!! I'm just plodding on! Still loving my ward sisters post! Hard work but very satisfying. My consultant is currently swapping me from tamoxifen, after 4 years, to Examestane for another 2 years. I'm feeling a bit nervous about changing meds. I'm also trying to get divorced! I decided last Christmas that enough was enough ad made my announcement the day after Boxing Day. Problem is, we are still living in the same house!!! I'm in the box room and we just give each other a wide berth! Most of the time! Neither of us can afford to rent. I've had an offer from OH to buy me out of the hiuse. But it was only 11% of the house value!!!! But he said he won't go after my pension for that!! Needless to say, I've rejected his offer!!! So things are VERY tense here whilst we try and thrash things out via solicitors. So, as you can imagine, I'm not really looking forward to Christmas this year. Especially as I didn't expect to still be here by now!! But me and my son will make the best of things. So, a new start for me soon, I hope!!!! Fingers crossed!!!! Hope everyone is doing good? My thoughts are with you all, as always. ... View more

Cherry, so sorry to hear you're news. Like the others, I wish there was something we could do. What we can do is send you our love and very best wishes, for Christmas and for 2015. Lots of love to you and all the May girls xxx ... View more

Truddles!!! Of course I remember you!! Hope you're ok?! I always thought band 5 was enough for me. Until someone who has been qualified 5 years, and worked on my ward 18 months, got herself a band 6!!!! That's when I had a "lightbulb moment"!!!! I've been qualified 27 years and am more than capable of doing a band 6 role!! The rest is history!! Had some bad news this week though girls. I should have been going to Perth, Australia this thursday 13th, to stay with my oldest friend. She had a cancer removed from her paranasal space/sinus in September. She is due to start radiotherapy on Tuesday 11th. However she texted me last thursday saying she's been having bad headaches all week and was going for an MRI on Friday and had an appointment with neuro surgeon. Her husband and 4 boys aren't coping with the prospect of further surgery and potentially a different prognosis. She's not well enough to have me visit right now. I've had to cancel my flight and trip. I can't tell you all how upset I am about what's going on with her, and what still could happen to her. I've already lost one best friend to breast cancer 3 years ago on 5th November, and then this news almost to the day 3 years later. What an absolute b*****d this disease is. So, I'm determined to throw myself into my new role. Mandy xx ... View more

Hi girls. Just wanted to share my good news with you all! I got the ward Sisters post I applied for!! I'm so delighted! Can't believe how far I've come! Never thought this would be me 3 and a half years ago!! Off to Oz a week today, to see my oldest friend. Soooo looking forward to it now!! Love to everyone Mandy xxx ... View more

Hi girls. Just wanted to share my good news with you all! I got the ward Sisters post I applied for!! I'm so delighted! Can't believe how far I've come! Never thought this would be me 3 and a half years ago!! Love to everyone Mandy xxx ... View more

Cherry, I live 10 miles from Manchester and the Christmas markets are lovely! Xxx ... View more

Hi girls. Lovely to hear from you! So sorry the Taxol hasn't been successful Cherry. But fingers crossed the Xeloda kicks in. Keeping everything crossed for you and sending you lots of love xxxx Sounds like you're doing ok Wandy, despite the salmonella! That's always nice to hear xx I'm doing ok too (fingers crossed!). I'm off to Perth, Australia in 2 weeks to stay with my oldest friend for a couple of weeks. She has recently been diagnosed with a cancer at the back of her nose/sinus area, so is about to embark on radiotherapy and weekly chemo. But we are both really excited about my visit!! I've also just submitted an application for a ward sisters post/band 6 at work!!! Closing date is today so just waiting to hear when the interview is. Can't believe I'm applying! But I want the job SO much and this just feels the right time in my career to go for it! Never thought, 2 and a half years ago, when I returned to work after a year off for my treatment, that I'd ever be doing this!! The only downside is I will have to work 4 days a week whereas I currently only work 3 days. But as my beautiful son said, Mum, if you're enjoying your job more, one more day won't matter. When did he get so wise?! I'll keep you all posted on how it goes! Hope everyone is ok? Lots of love to you all Mandy xx ... View more

Hi girls. Sorry I've not been on here for a little while, so I was delighted to read that your treatment is going so well Cherry! Sounds like you're having a good response to the current treatment. Also delighted to hear that your MRI scan was all good Wandy. I've seen a physio twice about some pain I was getting in my hip. She seemed to know exactly what the problem was when I explained it to her and was able to press and manipulate the area spot on!! She's given me exercises to do to stretch it out and also recommended lying and rolling on a tennis ball to massage the area! Both techniques are helping as long as I remember to do them!! Hope everyone else is doing ok? Must admit I tend not to come on here very often anymore, but I don't want to completely let go of you all!! Love to everyone Mandy x ... View more

Oh Cherry, I'm so sorry to hear what's happened. Sending you lots of love Mandy xx ... View more

Cherry, the person who put my port in was really good. He assessed me with my bra on and marked where it was to go to avoid my bra strap. He also said he wanted to avoid it being in the way when I out a handbag on my shoulder. Hopefully the people fitting yours will do the same Mandy xxx ... View more

Hi Cherry. I had a portacath in after my 3 x FEC as it took 4 attempts to get the cannula in for my 3rd FEC, and as I was due x3 Taxoteres and 18 Herceptins I decided a port was the way forward. The insertion of it was fine. Lots of local anaesthetic. I must admit once the local had worn off that night and especially the next morning, I was as stiff as a board and in quite a bit of pain. But nothing that paracetamol and Ibuprofen didn't sort out. Once it was in and had settled down it was the best thing ever! Nothing to see in between treatments, other than a slight bulge under the skin. And accessing it was fine. Obviously you feel the needle pierce the skin to access the port, but it's nowhere near as bad as the cannula piercing the skin. Especially when they miss with the cannula! Honestly Cherry, youll be delighted once you've got it in. And they can take your bloods from it too. So no more hunt the vein!! Good luck with your treatment. Keep us posted in how you're doing. Love from Mandy xxx ... View more

Delighted for you Wandy. You must be so relieved. Xx Cherry, sounds like you're making good progress, which is great. Hopefully it won't be too long now til u can get started on your treatment. Sooner the better eh? I've been given an appointment for physio via occ health at work. But not until 14th April! I said if my hip gets better by then I will cancel! The niggle is still there but I think it's easier than it was. Love to everyone Mandy xx ... View more

Hoorah!!! Plenty of rest and relaxation. And make sure everyone is spoiling you. Xxx ... View more

Delighted to hear you're doing ok cherry. Take it easy and look after yourself xx Wandy, hope your MRI goes ok. When will you get your results? Keeping everything crossed for you xx Love to everyone Mandy xx ... View more

Hi girls. I got my mammo results yesterday. "Satisfactory showing no worrying changes". Phew!! And breath!!! Ive got an appointment on Monday with occ health to get a referral for physio for my hip which is still niggling when I stand up from sitting. Hopefully shecan sort that out for me. Glad you've got a date for your surgery Cherry. Good luck with it xx And Wandy, keeping everything crossed for you with your MRI xx Ninja, your post surgery situation sounds a nightmare. Here's to a speedy recovery from it all xx I'm enjoying the lovely weather! Spring has finally sprung! The days are getting longer and the nights are shorter, thank goodness. Hope everyone else is ok. Love to everyone Mandy xxx ... View more