Breast Cancer Now Forum

The only thing I would add is that I had cellulitis and needed antibiotics, so might be worth getting it checked out. ... View more

I went on holiday to Lanzarote last year about 4 days after finishing rads! I had all the concerns you had and the team planned my treatment so I finised beforehand. It meant I had a treatment on a Monday and went on the Thursday. I was actually fine we had had it booked for a long time and it was with the extended family so 19 in all of us went. I was fine, though like you concerned. What I did was slather on the sun cream on and wear a t-shirt over the top of my bikini so could get legs and arms tanned. I did find that a lot of my t-shirts were actually lower than I had realised (not that low) and one or two I kind of stitched up to get some more cover. I did find that once or twice I had to say I am off for an afternoon snooze but surprised myself by staying up to 11 pm most nights. I think the break was good for me and the company a good distraction - not much time to feel sorry for yourself. Good excuse to be lazy and be spoilt. The insurance company were find - we use annual with Staysure - and in actual fact as we were due to renew again in March we got a bit of a discount as I turned 65 that year so by doing it a bit earler got it as a 65 year old. However, have had to limit it to Europe + as before that we had worldwide and by including USA it made it prohibitive. Since then we have had some more holidays and I have a couple of old t-shirts that I sort of sling over to cover that breast area which sort of does the trick, I kind of tuck it into bikini top. Haven't noticed any strange looks! Funnily enough I have always tended to lavish on the cream there and be careful as didn't want a wrinkly cleavage! ... View more

Hi everyone, well over six months on. Had my check up, continue with letrozole and anendrolic acid, have a follow up mammogram in December and then another appointment in six months. On the whole feeling well but seem to get tired more easily, but can't weigh up whether that's the medication or hitting 65! I do find I get aches and pains as a se and sometimes quite severe one's in night if I have been energetic - I think it is the acid so am experimenting with not taking it to see if it makes a difference. When I have established the cause I will go back to see if there is anything else I can take. The big thing is I seem to have lost my confidence and feeling I am turning into "an old lady". I was always the one happy to sit on the floor at parties or go down the bouncy castle. My children and grandchildren are planning a trip to Disneyworld and I always said I wanted to go but am not so sure now that I want to do the rides. Any case insurance might be a problem. Boob a bit swollen still so had to invest in new bras, although I could do with losing a few pounds after all this treatment. Big question - what do you say - I have had breast cancer, I have breast cancer. Is it too soon to hope you have beaten it? What a negative diatribe but this is the place to get things said. Really doing fine and planning to make the most of life. All the best to everyone else. Mo ... View more

Please may I join in to. Struggling to lose weight after inertia and fatigue of treatment. ... View more

I was told I had to tell car ins. people after wle before I drove again. The hospital advised me I could start again. Rang the car ins. up and they weren't bothered. It wasn't the breast cancer but the driving after surgery. However, it is always wise to let insurers know all the facts otherwise they will try to wriggle out of any compensation. Sure it will make no difference. Mo ... View more

Glad to see everyone is on the home run. Have to say today is the first day I have worn a bra all day - 3 weeks post rad - and not felt uncomfortable. Breast been a bit swollen. I have not really worn one for 3 months and have been letting it all hangout whenever I can. The last week I have had a red rash near arm pit which was tender but that is on the mend now. It is nigh impossible to keep your arm away from your bust of a night and, of course, I sleep on the right hand side, which is were the wle is. I think I have got away quite lightly - sometimes it helps not to be big busted. Lovely to hear of everyone's plans and hope you all have a great time. I go to my daughter's in Belgium in a fortnight's time so am laying the fatigue on a bit. Normally I do a load of ironing and cleaning for her, as well as getting the meals ready for them to come in, but am trying to warn her that I will need an easier time this visit. Going to watch 4 in a bed in a minute. Really good luck to everyone out there and best wishes. ... View more

I agree about the extra things connected with bc that upset us. I am lextrozole and they said it would reduce the calcium in the bones so had to have a bone scan. I then received a letter to say I have "severe osteopoenia" and need to go on alendronic acid and calcium. I thought I would be all right, no history of osteoprosis in the family, ate well and took exercise, so it was a bit of a shock. That letter made me cry. I thought it was a routine drug then received a letter from GP with prescription and a message to read side effects very carefully and now I just think more drugs, more side effects, I could just sit down and have a good yell . . . Going to ring Drs for an appointment to see if there is any way around it. ... View more

Thanks Moya that was helpful. I am finding that my skin seems to be quite itchy and under my arm had become quite sore. I thought it was all over by two weeks but if it peaks that will explain why it is still carrying on. I was expecting it to improve daily. Just for information I had a lovely holiday in Lanzarote with all the family and found I managed well, staying up until 11 pm. A couple of times I sneaked an hour or two rest in the afternoon to keep me going. Bit of a pain covering up my breast, it is surprising how few tops were high enough and loose enough, so had a limited wardrobe - but that is the least of my worries with what we have all gone through. I have found since I have returned I went really tired and so had a lie in on Sunday morning. Probably because I am not being waited on ... Happy Easter everyone. Mo x ... View more

Congratulations. Is it your first grandchild? It is such a wonderful feeling being a Grandmother, I am not sure I felt such love for my own children, or perhaps you just forget. Enjoy all the stages of development. ... View more

Well last session today. Feeling all right, just a bit tiredness sometimes. Been having colourful dreams lately but don't know why - rads or letrozole - who knows. Couple of chill out days ahead and then hopefully off to Lanzarote with the family. This was planned ages ago. Have had to re-think wardrobe to enable keeping top covered up. Perhaps I will get brown legs? Looking forward to just chilling out. Then hopefully I can move forward . . . not sure that you will ever put it out of your mind and it is such early days. One other questions can I ever have a long soak in the bath again? Good luck to those still going through rads (and starting). ... View more

Hi Tricia I have travelled from near Durham to Freeman. If you go up the A1 it will be fine. You don't actually go through Newcastle. Even when I had some later appointments on a Thursday and Friday I found the traffic all right. They are normally quite prompt with dealing with your appointments. Today is the first time I have had any real delay and that was outside of their hands. With regard to the bio oil I stopped using it a day or two before rads. I didn't ask but I think it has lavender and things like that in it so seemed wiser to stay clear. I will ask them tomorrow when I might be able to use it again. On the last lap - whooppee! Tomorrow and Monday to go. Skin has held up all right - hope I haven't spoken too soon and tempted fate. I know everyone says the tiredness hits you after you have finished so will look to the posts to see how everyone else is doing. I wonder if you ever stop worrying about bc or wherever it will always hover in the background. Best wishes to everyone else. ... View more

Hello everyone. I have had 4 tattoes, one to the left and right of the breast and one at the top and bottom of the cleveage. They are very fine, in fact they have to remark one wth a pen sometime as radiologist struggles to see it. However, if we want them removed we can have them lasered on the NHS. I think most people probably don't bother because they are so small. I am deliberating at the moment, will ask my daughter's view when she next comes! ... View more

That is very interesting reading and a good explanation of what is happening to our bodies. Understanding what is going on helps. Mo ... View more

Good luck Gillyflower. Just take the horse riding gently and I will sure you will love it. It will clear your head, especially if it is a nice day. I am going t have a shoe shop after this morning's appointment to cheer me up. suppose to be a nice day here after the clouds lift. Love to all Mo ... View more

Had bone density scan today because of letrozole. Apparently can cause osteoporosis so will await that one with interest. Probably another tablet to take. I have to say I can't fault the appointment system. They saw me promptly and then I went for rads. There should have been an hour delay between the two appointments but rads saw me within 20 minutes. Treatment going ok so far, have a review tomorrow. My understanding is that it is towards the end that you have the problems. I cannot believe that I used to worry that the dentist was "over" x-raying me when I think what has gone into my body now. Only trust that it is all for the best. Hope everyone else is coping all right. Mo x ... View more

Hello everyone. First rads session today, only 14 more to go. Been quite apprehensive about it but now in the system trying to let it wash over me. What will be will be. I am attending the Freeman CC, Newcastle upon Tyne. Been told to use E45 twice a day and use simple soap for washing. As I have very dry skin anyway will probably just wash with water only. I had noted that a lot of people recommend Aloe Vera to use as well so need to check that out with the team. I understand it has to be 99% and Holland and Barret are recommended. Times are a bit all over the shop this week, some am and some late afternoon but after that they settle down. Good luck to everyone out there. ... View more

Hi I have also been waiting for the rads forum to jump to March. I have had ct scan and my tattoes and have initial instruction 5th March and start treatment on the 6th (15 sessions). Just diagnosed with cellulitis but hopefully antibiotics have kicked in. Not looking forward to it because the stories seem to be so mixed, in fact quite fearful. I have very dry skin at the best of times. Still hopefully we can all support one another. Can't say how invaluable this site is. ... View more

Thank you for your advice. Feeling a little bit more confident about going now. Have to sort out travel ins. as runs out on 23rd March. Next job. ... View more