Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Tink Yes it is hard to see the light.............. ... View more

I have to say that she's had great support from the MacMillan nurses..........social services too..........they've all been a great help ............... ... View more

Thanks Belinda   She was originally scheduled for just one dose of rads but that has now changed to 5.............   Her first was yesterday, second today.........she found it very, very painful and was in tears...........she's already on morphine and has oramorph for breakthrough pain..........but she's very stubborn.......won't use a wheelchair and insists on managing with crutches.............   Of course she has a few events coming up over Christmas and soldiers on..........but I do worry as she already has a hip fracture, whether she should be easing up............... I understand that she she really doesn't want to give in to this, but I'm sure she could do further damage...............   I'm so thankful for all the replies on here..........I know you all have your own issues/problems.........     ... View more

Thanks for the all the info you've given........but sorry.........another question for my friend............   She still refuses a wheelchair and is coping with crutches..........she's basically carrying on as normal (and that's great).   But she's scheduled for rads this week and has been warned of a 'pain flare'.............can you tell me how soon this happens and how bad it is?..........at the moment she's on morphine & has oramorph for the breakthrough pain............she's planned loads of events etc over Xmas and I just wonder how fit she will be.......will she be ok? ... View more

Thanks for all the recommendations.........you're so right...........   I did ask some questions about 'how long letrozole would take to have any effect' , 'what about radio' etc.... but was lead by her ...............she really doesn't want to know..............so I was very quiet (not like me).........   When they said that her organs weren't involved 'except for a lung nodule' my ears pricked up.........she's just 'happy' with her head in the sand........I honestly don't know what is best........she's spent the past 11 years in 'happy land', and who I am I to burst her bubble?   She actually said (with the onc)........''ll get over this and then I'll be OK'.........she's scheduled for rads next week.......and is staying on letrozole + bone strengtheners ....for the next 3 months.......... the onc is holding the big guns for later.................   I really don't think she realises how serious this is..................she still won't have a wheelchair........although the onc (& ortho surgeon) have told her to keep her weight off the hip......it's in danger of another fracture.........   Thanks to you all................your experiences are so important................   Her hip/spine is so fragile..........but she's so stubborn & wants to carry on as normal............... ... View more

Thanks for the replies............. The visit with the onc was 'what I thought it would be'............ Basically they have left her on letrozole.......for a couple of months to see if it's working......... ... View more

Many thanks for all the messages..........I know you all have so much on your plates and I appreciate it so much..........   When first dx, a few weeks ago, she was immediately put on Letrozole & bone strengtheners...........saw an ortho surgeon who wouldn't touch her.........it had gone too far (she already has a hip fracture & is in a wheelchair to keep her weight off that area)............she was referred to one of 3 surgeons who they thought may be able to do something, but he said 'inoperable'......basically there's no bone left there.....so no hip replacement or anything...........   He referred her to the onc.........saying that treatment would hopefully stop the spread and then the bone could re-generate...........then he could operate...........   I don't know much about all of this, although I try to keep up-to-date with different treatments (for my own sake)..........but I do know that you have to be your advocates and up-to-speed........   Anyway, she's been referred to my onc (who is wonderful.......based at the Christie), and has asked me to go with her tomorrow for her first appointment.............   If it was me sitting in the chair, I would be asking how they know that her ER/PR+, HER2- hasn't changed this time round?.........what are the chances of chemo etc stopping the growth in its tracks to allow bone re-generation? Amongst other things......but my friend, as I said is a 'head in the sand' kind of person......nothing wrong with that, everyone deals with things in different ways.........but I really won't feel comfortable asking the questions that I feel need to be asked (but, as I say that's me, not her).   She's such a lovely person....but just doesn't ask any questions.....after her dx 11 years ago, she didn't even know what grade she was, what stage........ and was amazed that I knew she was ER/PR+....just because she'd been on Tamoxifen. Not like me!!   How should I handle it? Advice please................. ... View more

Thanks Belinda.............but they've told her that her hip/spine is inoperable..............too little bone left........only option is chemo to knock back the tumour and hopefully regenerate the bone...........   xx ... View more

Thanks Belinda...................she was referred to one of three surgeons in the UK who may be able to help.........no joy......it had gone too far.............so now back to the oncologist to 'treat the tumour' so that the bone may re-generate itself...........and then surgery........................   I'm just worried about her state at the moment.............what are the chances of her hip breaking? What happens if it does?       She's very stubborm & won't accept help via  a wheel chair etc is struggling with crutches............... ... View more

You're right Belinda.............she DOES have her head in the sand...........and that's fine......who's to say what is the right way to deal with it........we're all different..........   Thank you ... View more

Thank you Belinda.......I know there's no cure (I'm not sure she does).....I just wonder how 18 months of an arthritis dx will impact on her treatment..........she's refusing a chair..............but I think she needs to get the weight off her hip.......Thank you...... ... View more

Thanks for the reply   I'm really worried about her.........she seems to have her head in the sand..........I'm worried that they've said 'inoperable'...................   She doesn't 'google' or look on the internet..........she seems to be 'happy' knowing nothing. I don't know what's better..............   ... View more

I had a scan when dx over 6 years ago.....it showed nodules on my liver and adrenal glands......3 months later nothing had changed.......so they were cysts..... the scans show all sorts of things that are perfectly normal....don't worry until you have to......... ... View more