Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi All, I had yearly mammogram a few weeks ago and all ok here - glad you are both doing well xxx ... View more

Hi Bravescolar Glad to hear your mammogram was ok and your bone scan - what a relief.  I know what you mean about thoughts of recurrence - I panicked at the beginning of the year when I had neck and head pain but turned out it was stress and probably a bit of arthritis too! I think I can recall you saying you were being given zoledronic acid every 6 months - if it was you, how are you getting on with that.  I had my first dose in September and was really sick for a few days.  Just wondered if you have been ok with it.   I can relate to the stress with teenagers.  Luckily I have only one party girl out of my three children - the other two are no trouble.  I call her my problem child but hopefully she's settled down a bit since she went to uni and she also now has a boyfriend so she's not so much of a party animal anymore! hope you and your family and everyone has a lovely Christmas xxx ... View more

Hi Bev, Beccy, Jane and everyone, sorry to hear yOu have had to join this horrible club.  I was diagnosed last May so have been op, chemo and rads.  Mine was stage 1 grade 1 but as her2+ they recommended chemo - that's probably why they are recommending you have chemo Jane if you are her+.  I was also ER/PR+ so on hormone meds plus herceptin.  I know it's all such a shock and you feel like your world's fallen apart but it's all doable, believe me - and the girls on this site who have been through it will give some good tips and offer lots of support.  Take care Carole xx ... View more

Thanks for your comments - glad to hear you've almost finished rads Bibi and Lisa good luck for Monday. Hope Brave is ok and everyone else on here - haven't heard from Tania, Debs and the other Lisa for a while - have s good weekend xxx ... View more

You poor thing Brave with the cellulitis but at least they whipped you in quick and it's improving with the antibiotics. I wasn't too keen on the breath hold but you do get used to it after a few goes. I'm feeling strangely down and extra sensitive at the moment and have called in sick at work as can't cope with work this week, especially as they are trying to push me into making decisions re changing my job. I'm sure it's just a glitch and I'll feel better next week and I've decided to take myself off to my mums in London tomorrow for a few days for a pick-me-up xxxx ... View more

Hi how is everyone doing?  Brave have you finished radiotherapy and do you do the deep breath hold?  How is treatment going for everyone else? hope you are all ok xxxx ... View more

Brave, I agree with Bibi and You're bound to feel down after you have been through.  It's hard enough with all the treatment without the loss of your Dad.  I lost my Dad many years ago and still get very emotional.  Perhaps a chat with someone at the haven might help as Bibi suggested or even a nice afternoon out and a natter with good friends.  You have done so well - the DIEP flap is a big op - I know as I had one 6 years ago when my right implant ruptured but the end result is worth it!  Lisalou glad to hear your op went well and your results were good.  Bibi good luck with your rads in a few weeks.  I asked the radiologists about exercise and they told me not to do too much - great excuse - as if your shape changes it can affect the markers so I was only walking.  Tania glad to hear you're ok.  I'm not sure about colouring hair as some say 3 months and some 6 months.  I was lucky with the cold cap but have a lovely white/grey combo with blonde ends!  I've used some lightening spray but think it just makes the roots go whiter so will give it another month or so and then have highlights.  Hope everyone has a good week xxx ... View more

Glad to hear you're well Bibi - yes all fine and back to normal.  Just have to get myself into some kind of exercise routine - been doing lots of walking but going to join a gym.  Very conscious of the fact that the letrozole can affect bones and herceptin heart so just want to be as fit as I can as some days I feel like an old woman getting out of bed! Xxx ... View more

Hi - wondered how everyone was doing.  Lisalou how were the test results and Lisajane good luck with surgery next week.  Bibi and Brave do you start your rads soon?  I've had two scans in succession - the three monthly echo for herceptin and bone density for the letrozole and both ok.  Have a good weekend everyone xxx ... View more

Lisajane hope you have a great time in Portugal xxx ... View more

Lisa you're bound to feel down after all the treatment and entitled to feel sorry for yourself.  My second time too - 14 years ago on 26th Jan - but at least they have caught it early and thrown everything at it - sending big virtual hugs xxx PS I'm still using the same shampoo I used during chemo - it's called New from Lush - apparently stimulates the hair follicles xx ... View more

Hi everyone jhbee I also lost my eyebrows and in fact hair from everywhere else after chemo and not during which is weird, although I suppose we are al different.  I also lost a bit more from my head and the front thinned but not sure if that was the letrozole kicking in.  Hair is growing back now and have a full covering on legs - just what I don't want!  I've been using Regain and Nourkrin conditioner for my hair but not religiously and also Nizoral which might help the scalp probs - think you recommended it through a link Bibi.  Bibi I also have the grey fringe now and a mixture of blonde/grey/white/mousey in my shoulder length bob and don't think we can colour our hair for some time.  Brave - the deep breath holds are not that bad and you can use the technique for snorkelling!  Everyone I met in the waiting room who were using this technique said that they had coped well, apart from a lovely lady who was about 80 so I'm sure you'll be ok.  I also asked my consultant about the zometa and he said it is for osteoporosis but they are trialling it for recurrence.  This prompted him to arrange a bone density test for me as haven't had one done yet even though I've been on letrozole since end October. Brave and Lisalou hope thr draining sorts itself out soon - I remember the too-ing and fro-ing to hospital but it will be fine soon.  Hope you're getting plenty of rest Lisa which is easier said than done with a little one xxx ... View more

Hope everyone is ok today and think most have nearly finished chemo.  Lisalou hope your clearance went well - not sure how long they keep you in for so you may still be in hospital.  Brave my oncologist never mentioned zometa and I'm on letrozole but also having herceptin so maybe that would be too much but will ask him.  Also my GP never mentioned free prescriptions at all but I was lucky that a friend had had breast cancer and told me when I was first diagnosed. The Gp I saw at the time reluctantly gave me the exemption certificate to send off but I was told its for all medication for at least 5 years and not just for cancer related medication xxx ... View more

Good luck debs for Monday - I had op first and found the chemo far worse but haven't had node clearance - in any event at least after the op the dreaded BC alien will be gone!  Jenjen thanks for that as explains why they don't keep me longer - my first 4 herceptin were while I was on the taxol so was there anyway for 3 hours - home visits sound good but unfortunately my hospital won't offer that but it's only a 30 min drive anyway xxx ... View more

Hi hope everyone ok.  Debs did you find out if you're having the op?  Good luck Lisalou for the 20th.  Jenjen how did you get on with the Paclitaxol and herceptin?  I have herceptin no 10 on the 22nd and its funny how hospitals are so different.  I have injection in thigh and I'm in and out in about 15 mins and don't have to stay for obvs - maybe because I'm not having it through IV/port.  I have the dreaded throat infection/cough which is going round at the moment - we need this cold weather to get rid of the germs!  Brave big hugs again and everyone else xxxx ... View more

Thanks for that tip Bibi will definitely try the L-glutamine.  Hope everyone ok today xxx ... View more

Hi everyone Brave so sorry to hear about your Dad and no it's not fair at all at this time - try to take things easy (easy for me to say) as you're still recovering from your op, but you'll be in the best place surrounded by your family - my heart goes out to you. Bibi glad to hear they are reducing your dose and Sarah glad you did ok on your first rads.  Richelle well done for almost getting there and debs good luck for Wednesday.  Jhbee I'm going to sort out some accupuncture as helps with the hot flushes and neuropathy from taxol but I've heard yoga is good too or one of those mini fans.  I went through the menopause a couple of years ago so this is a second lot for me thanks, I think, to the letrozole.  My hot flushes so far have not been really bad but if they are I end up taking layers off when it starts - only down to a tee shirt mind, I'm not that brazen! Ive just come back from seeing my onc and am suffering from a strep infection - not very pleasant but the rest of the area is fine.  It's only where they put the bolus plus the boost, so on antibiotics.  It does get on my nerves when they say this is very unusual as if I'm some kind of oddity!  Anyway it looks better already so sure it will be fine in a few days.  Big hugs to you all xxxx ... View more

Jenjen will try your tip with the ice pack - thank you for that.  I'm having 9th herceptin on the 22nd and didn't notice any problems while I was on chemo and they are not really problems in the whole scheme of things!  I'm sure you will be fine with the Paclitaxol if you were ok with the EC.  I had 12 weekly Paclitaxol and was told that the weeklies are much easier on the body and you don't get as many SE's.  Of course there's the dreaded neuropathy but mine is easing off now and you won't necessarily get it especially if you're going to take supplements.  One of the girls on here mentioned the supplement to take while on the taxol - it may have been Bibi. Debs hope your MRI results were good.  Sarah good luck for Monday and Shelleyjenks hope your rads are going well.  Jhbee, Lisa's and brave hope all well with you and everyone else on here xxx ... View more

Thanks Jenjen - yes they do switch sides each time and prob just me being a baby. I'm not sure I fancy through vein tbh especially if more SEs xxx ... View more