Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Badjack and Maria12, I was diagnosed in 2013 with tnbc, 5.7cm tumour, 12/15 lymph nodes affected. It was a particularly aggressive  and so close to the wall of my chest I had no idea it was there. But, thankfully I was called for my second mamogram, so consider myself very lucky to still be here at all! After a mastectomy, node clearance, TAC chemo and radiotherapy, I was clear by the November; (diagnosed in the Jan). Now I am back fighting again as my old adversary is back with a vengeance! About to finish radiotherapy again and having calcium tabs and injections to boost my poor bones.   Not or sure any of that is actually going to make you feel better, but you are by no means the only one continually fighting to keep the unrelenting enemy at bay. If nothing else, it's reassuring to find someone else who has a similar issue. Have you asked about any trials that might be available? I've told my oncologist that if they need a Guinea pig for anything, I'm their gal!    My my biggest problem is managing pain (actually seeing oncologist about it tomorrow as some days I am unable to walk as the pain is so great) and fatigue, so any tips, greatly appreciated!   Goodnight and sending positive vibes and hugs, Sue 😘 ... View more

Lollymum, if you only had weeks, there is no way they would be offering chemo as you need to have a fair chance of putting up a fight, it certainly is not for the faint hearted! I am sure Mx is correct and your symptoms will go or lessen once treatment begins. wishing everyone a good week, Sue xx ... View more

I think the fatigue gets to us all and it must be a way of our bodies trying to go into overdrive in its attempt the repair during sleep. Well, that's my positive spin on it because it drives me crazy! Two years ago I was running 5k for cancer, now I can barely walk to the kitchen as the pain is so intense and my body just wants to sleep. It certainly does help to converse with others in a similar situation on here. Sending positive vibes that you are on the new drug and it has the desired effect! Sue x ... View more

Hello ladies, no longer the newbe on here and it's only been two weeks since I was diagnosed with secondary mets on pelvis and hip. Just goes to show the frequency of this unrelenting disease but each day we are here is a day closer to finding a cure! Abney, I have no advice or words of reassurance but I do know you need never apologise for saying how you feel, good or bad!  I'm still getting to grips with replying to posts on here as I constantly feel confused and make the most simple errors in everyday life.  I went into the school where I work on Friday to hand in my sick note and the children were so wonderful and pleased to see me, it just boosted my mood immediately. For those couple of hours, I forgot my pain, illness, fear, and looked at their work, received endless cuddles and felt positively alive for the first time in weeks. We have an autistic base and my dear friend has an autistic son. He is now an adult but as a small boy, life was terribly demanding so I can empathise with your concerns. I hope you have a good family network to offer you a bit of help, although it's hard for anyone who has not experienced tnbc to fully grasp the fear that secondaries bring.  Thinking of you and wishing you the strength to fight once again! Hopefully someone else can offer you peace of mind with regards to your headaches.  ... View more

Good evening ladies, have taken my quantity of amitriptyline and Naproxen but still in pain and unable to drop off to sleep despite being shattered following more radiotherapy. So thought I would see if anyone else was about.   I play a word game with a friend of mine on the iPad. We started 4 years ago when I was first diagnosed as a distraction and a way of keeping my mind occupied on something other than being ill. We have known each other since we were small children, it's funny how some friends just know what to do without really saying or doing anything extraordinary.   Before this diagnosis, I could never quite understand how those with stage 4 like myself could relish just a normal conversation about everyday things, shopping, work, cooking etc and being in control of your illness. Now though, I get it! To discuss everyday activities, to laugh and have fun help you forget, just long enough to carry on as normal. Being in charge of who to tell, what and when, is the only part of this bastard diagnosis that you can determine, own, it's yours, to do with as you wish and no one else has the right to do that.   So, I am going to try and sleep now and wish my cancer to leave me alone and go to hell! Best it does as I say or it will be sorry! I am not going down without another fight!! Be strong ladies, wishing you well, goodnight.  ... View more

That sounds great, if I can work out where the private threads are! Xx ... View more

Good to hear from you Paula, I am 10years your senior but again, another positive message to inspire. I have always been strong and positive, shall enjoy my new found friendships! Xx ... View more

Hi Caroline, thank you for the quick response. I had my mastectomy in 2013 but have been in pain and my ability to walk etc has dramatically reduced over the past two years. I was even running 5k raising money for breast cancer but it would appear, like you, I was diagnosed as having all kinds of ailments. What makes me so cross is at the end of each consultation I would ask, are you sure the cancer isn't back? Each time the response was similar, we are all getting older, let's not look on the negative. Thankfully when I contacted the breast nurses myself they were amazing! They contacted my oncologist and am now on injections of denosumab, Calcium tablets to chew, naproxen and anatryptalin. I cannot thank them enough as I swear I thought I was going mad! However, I am where I am and will fight again. Your response has given me new hope and tomorrow, my husband and I have the awful task of telling our children. Not easy at the best of times but I can give them a positive bit of info by telling them a bit about your story!  Thank you again and look forward to many more conversations on this, our next adventure!  Best wishes, Sue xx ... View more

Hi ladies, feel like the new kid on the block but just reading through your replies to each other makes me feel as if I have found some long distant family! Being a few steps behind possibly, or in front (will know more tomorrow), stay positive is my first bit of support! Even when it is difficult to see a good side to what is happening, I find writing very therapeutic. I have decided that even though I intend to beat this until medicine catches up with cancer, I am making a book for my unborn grandchild. Things that others may not know about me. Favourite poems, music, songs, words and a potted history of family with memory joggers for others to say, oh yes, I remember that!  I had triple neg back in 2013 with 12/15 lymph nodes affected. Chemo was a rough ride but I am a fighter, as all of you must be too. Then radiotherapy and a prognosis of 30% of making it 10 years. That was a red rag to a bull, I was not going to be beaten by cancer!!   For the past 18 months I have been back and forth to my GP with pain in my foot then hip and spine. I have been diagnosed with everything from plantar fasciitis to bursitis. I have seen osteopaths, podiatrists and colonoscopists. Finally in desperation I managed to get back in touch with the breast care nurses and since then it has been a roller coaster ride. Initially oncologist could find nothing wrong with my bloods but to be sure he hadn't missed anything requested an MRI and CT. Sure enough my gut instinct of 'listening to my body' was right and the cancer was back in my pelvis and hip. Unfortunately because it was not caught earlier, my bones have very little holding me up but I am starting injections and radiotherapy to try and increase my bones.    Not sure I can add much to offer reassurance but I do think a positive attitude definately scares cancer and I intend to fight once again especially as I found out at Christmas I am to be a grandmother for the first time and I intend to be around for that!!    I would be interested to see if anyone else had problems getting their local GP's to listen and take them seriously. I saw three different GP's and asked every single time if it could be the cancer coming back, only to be given another possible prognosis. I truly thought I was going mad or worse, becoming a hypochondriac! If nothing else, I would like for GP's to be made aware of how much more vulnerable Triple Negatives are.    Wishing you all a healthier 2017, Sue ... View more

Hi, will not bore you with the problems I had but just to say I know how you feel! At cycle three of TAC chemo I wanted to give up having been in hospital and had similar experiences. What kept me going? Every third week I felt better and did as much as I could in that one week of relief. I kept all the cards and messages from friends in the bedroom so when I didn't have the energy to move and was dreadfully sick, I opened my eyes and saw the loving messages of others around me. Mostly, I want to live more than anything ! Guess what, Last week I made #6!! So if I can make it, so can you!! Don't let it win, stay positive, we are all with you! ... View more