Breast Cancer Now Forum

Oh amerthey I'm sorry to hear that. You've really been through it with the surgeries so far and  it must be very disappointing to have to go back for more surgery. How are you feeling about it all? Did you get a date for your op yet?   The main thing is that they deal with the problem amerthey, even if that means going back for a mastectomy.   I think it's best to be as honest as you can about how you feel about it all and talk it out - with someone at home or your BCN or a volunteer on this site or at one of the support centres like MacMillan. Everyone will want what is best for you amerthey and there is fantastic support out there. Many ladies on this site have had mastectomies and have done really well afterwards. I hope you can read some of their experiences as it might help.    I am sorry you're having such a time of it at the moment. I hope it gets better for you soon xx Let us know how it goes. ... View more

Hi angel77   so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm sure its an anxious time for you, I found that it got better once the results were available and the treatment plan was put in place.   I was also bruised and sore after the biopsy - just let the surgeon and the breast care nurse know, they are sure to put your mind at rest.   Good luck for wednesday xx ... View more

Hi Secretxxangel, Sorry to hear that you are about to start treatment which will lead to you losing your hair. But I noticed that you already have a plan which is great!! - to get a wig and to look as much your normal self throughtout. You already know what you want and there's no reason why you can't do it that way.   I've put some thoughts below - hope it helps x  Best of luck and I hope you find a wig thats just right for you.   1.Is one wig enough? I got a synthetic wig and was told it would last about 6 months. But I cared for it well and I think it will last much longer than that. One wig has been fine for me. I wear it when I'm out and about or meeting people. I wear buffs around the house and a buff and a hat if I'm out walking. 2.Is wearing a wig everyday comfortable enough? I found it easier and more comfortable to wear once all my hair was gone. I've no problem wearing it every day.   3.How soon can I wear the wig? Ideally, I'd like to keep having mid length hair on show continuously (whether it's my hair or fake hair). I know I'll have to cut my hair at some point before the whole thing goes off completely, but can I maybe have my hair cut the same day that I start wearing my wig? So nobody (except my close family) will ever see me with short hair/thinning hair/scarf? I just want the transition to be unnoticed...is it feasible???   I went to a Macmillan centre about 2 weeks after my first chemo cycle and they took my hair off (buzzed it down to a no2). I brought my wig with me and they fitted it and made sure that it was snug and that I was happy with it. I went in with my own hair and went out wearing a wig. No-one would have known. 4.How long after chemo does hair start to regrow? To about shoulder length? I think its different for everyone. I finished chemo at the start of Feb and have just a little regrowth. It might speed up - who knows. But I will rely on my wig and buffs for the next few months. 5.I've started getting a few white hairs here and there recently, does that mean that when my hair re grows, there's a “good” chance it'll be mostly grey?? I don't know. I've had white hairs from a young age and was colouring my hair regularly. I don't know how it's going to come back - but I'll get it back to my usual color asap 🙂   ... View more

Hi Mariecay,   I went to a Macmillan centre and they buzzed my hair down to a number 2 for me - very short. They said that they would not take it down any further because of risk of infection. They fitted my wig for me after that, so I went out looking fine.   It shed very quickly for me after FEC1, so there was no hair to bother me after that.   I would be wary about infection, expecially if you have already had a chemo cycle - but I'm sure others will be along to share how they dealt with it at the time.   good luck with everything Mariecay. ... View more

Hi Bella11   Its not abnormal at all to feel overwhelmed with a bc diagnosis - but you've already taken some good steps like coming onto this forum and meeting up with people here.   Its great that you feel like getting up today - even if its just to do one or two things. I'm sure you will feel a bit better for that. Bella11, its bound to feel worse if you haven't been sleeping and not eating much. I hope you can have something to eat today - treat yourself to something that you really like.   Take care xx  ... View more

Oh Linda,   Thats just awful for you. I hope the surgery team take care of you x1000 when you are in on 5th Mar. Do you have a good BCN that you can talk to about this? Maybe they can offer more post-surgery attention this time. I really hope so.   Take care Linda - I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you on 5th Mar xx   ... View more

Bella11,   So sorry that you have just got this news. It must have come as an enormous shock to you. I know that waiting for results is such an anxious time - it is sometimes easier once you know what you are dealing with.   Do you have something to distract you for the next few days? Its just until Wednesday, but that must feel like a long time away now.   If you can try to take this step-by-step. You've already had your mammogram and MRI, so the next step will be to meet with the team for the results and then to start to put a treatment plan together.   There are lots of treatments available and your medical team will be able to advise and guide you on that. There are many many people who are treated for bc that has been detected in the lymph nodes. The main thing to remember is that the treatment is there and the medical team will work out what treatment is best for you.   I hope everything goes as well as possible for you on Wednesday. Keep posting and let us know how you are xx ... View more

Hi suzidel I'm just finished 6 x FEC and am happy to let you know my thoughts on this - but it's just my thoughts, everyone's situation and medical advice can differ. I wasn't offered a port but I know someone else who had one in their chest area and I think it sounds like a very good option, I believe a small surgery is needed to put it in and take it out - maybe that is why it wasn't offered. I was offered a PICC line or to insert a cannula and use my veins. I chose to go with the cannula/vein option as the doc had mentioned a slight risk of infection with the PICC line and the fact that a district nurse would have to come out and attend to it regularly. I persevered with getting chemo through my veins even though my arm was beginning to get sore by about cycle 3. Sometimes it took a couple of goes to get a good vein before chemo could start. Now that I've finished, one of the veins in my arm feels hard and is more visible than before when I extend my arm, but its not sore any more. If I had it to do again, I'd give more thought to a PICC line as it might make the process of getting chemo easier. But prob best to check with someone who had a PICC line to see how they found it. Good luck with everything - you'll be back at all your activities before too long x ... View more

Hi Deb28 I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad for you that that your treatment is underway. How lovely to have the birth of your grandchild to look forward to. I'm sure that happy thought will help a lot in the coming months. I'm just finished 6xFEC and if it helps - here are my top tips Join the monthly threads on this forum. The support and advice from the other ladies is invaluable Tell your medical team about any side effects that bother you. They can advise and prescribe to help with most side effects. Hand washing 100 times a day! Well maybe that's a bit excessive, but anything you can do to reduce the risk of infection is worthwhile. Be good to yourself and arrange treats along the way. Find foods that work for you if/when taste buds are affected. For me, fruit ice lollies helped. Your friends and family will want to help - so do let them if it suits. I must admit that I felt slightly guilty the day someone cleaned my fridge for me, but it felt good to! Try to get booked onto a look good feeling better workshop, it's really wonderful. If you feel like it, make contact with a local organisation like Macmillan or Maggies centre. There is a lot of support and information out there. Rest when you feel you need to. Remember that all the side effects are temporary and will end once you finish chemo. I hope this helps - good luck with the next phase of your treatment. Everyone is different & everyone's response to chemo is different - so there is no right or wrong way to feel. All best wishes ... View more

Hi amerthey,   yes that happened to me. I had a WLE and a SNB. At the results meeting the surgeon said that they got everything but the margin was not as wide as they would have liked. I went back in shortly after for a second op to get better margins - that was called a cavity shave. I was the first on the list that day and back home at lunchtime.   I was very bruised as well but didn't bleed. The bruising subsides in time though. The second op was successful and they got everything they needed.   Good luck with everything. I know how difficult it can be waiting for surgery and results - and going back in again just prolongs it. Take care xx ... View more

Hi Anne,   You are the most important person in all of this. Please do not worry about bothering the GP or taking up time for tests. They're all there to help you and to make sure that you are ok. The GP should be able to refer you back to your consultant. Or do you have the phone number of the breast clinic that you attended - you could always call a nurse there and talk to them about your concerns.   Its totally up to you if you wish to go private. I'm not sure about self-referral, but you can always ring a clinic and ask.   Wishing you all the best x     ... View more

It was the same for me lisac The breast surgeon said stage 1, but after reading about stages I thought it should be 2 because it was over 2cm. The next apt I had was with the oncologist and I asked him and he said stage 2. But I think it's best to go back and ask so that everything is clear in your mind, better that than wondering. Take care x ... View more

Hi Caz13 Sorry to hear that things are so difficult for you at the moment. Its definitely a shock to the system to have a bc diagnosis and unfortunately part of it seems to be learning to live with some uncertainty. Having to wait for scans and results is not easy and unfortunately there is a lot of that in the early stages of treatment and diagnosis. I found that it settled down a bit when chemo started - so I could concentrate on that. The positives are that your nodes are clear and in the doctors opinion the ct scan is also ok. That's good news. I think you're doing the right thing by coming onto this site and connecting with others in the same boat. Have you thought about joining the monthly threads once chemo starts? It's a big help to connect with others who are starting treatment at the same time. It's not easy going through everything that you've had to deal with so far and it's normal to feel scared. Please don't feel alone in this though - there are lots of people here in a similar situation. Hope you have a better weekend and have lots of things to distract you from worrying - easier said than done! Take care xx ... View more

Hi I'm just popping in from the October Optimists to send you my best wishes for your chemo cycles. I know that you will help each other along, and we're also here (from earlier months) if you have any questions or if you're just looking for support. Mariecay, sorry to hear you're feeling so awful - do you still have the shivers? You probably have already, but always worth taking your temperature and call the chemo helpline if your temperature is too high or too low. They can advise. Hope this passes soon. Take care ladies xx ... View more

Thats brilliant news BeejayP and Shelly_8. Hope the side effects are not too bad for you. I had my last one just over a week ago. So far cycle 6 has gone better for me than cycle 5, but I think that's because I know its the last one.   I'll start 4 weeks of radiotherapy on 19 Feb and I already have my tamoxifen prescription, so I'll start that soon after as well. Isn't it great to be coming to the end of chemo. Well done on getting through it.   Good luck with your surgery BeejayP and Shelly_8, I had mine before chemo and got through it ok. Just be good to yourselves - you've been through so much.   Best xx ... View more

Hi Tazzles,   I'm glad you posted on the site. I decided to take the plunge and post too after my diagnosis and I'm so glad I did.   I was diagnosed in Aug. Initial tests indicated that the lump was 1.4cm but after the lumpectomy it turned out to be 3cm. I had hoped to avoid chemotherapy, but the oncologist recommended it and after that I'll have radiotherapy and then tamoxifen. I'm also on FECx6 and will have the 4th cycle next week. I didn't have a PICC line but I think I would have if I had to do it again, because it seems to be getting harder to get a vein. Sorry your PICC line is causing problems, I hope it gets sorted soon.   If you feel like it, how about joining the December Angels - I joined the thread for the month I started and it has been invaluable. Everyone on it will be in the same boat and its so helpful to hear how everyone else is getting along.   Everyone has different thoughts on their hair and hair-loss. For whatever reason, I was ok about it and had it buzzed down at at MacMillan centre about 2 weeks after starting chemo (I know it will come back). While I was at the MacMillan centre, I talked to some people there and booked onto a LGFB workshop www.lgfb.co.uk. Its really good if there is one in your area.   I see the doctor at each assessment to go over how each cycle has gone. The doc can adjust the medications to manage the side-effects, so the main thing is to keep them informed. Don't worry, the docs and nurses will be there to see you through this. They'll probably also give you a number that you can use at any time if you have concerns. On top of that all the lovely ladies here will be around for support.   6 cycles of this and then we're on our way!!! Do you start tomorrow? - good luck with everything and above all be good to yourself and rest when you feel you need to xx ... View more

Hi Emma, Good to hear from you again - glad you are feeling more positive. I think we're all up and down from time to time.   Good luck for Friday BeejayP that will be two done!   Welcome Joeyv good to hear from you. 2 cycles down, will that be your final FEC next time!  I'm on FEC x 6 with cycle three due tomorrow. We're getting through it!   Many thanks for the update Nikki hope you are doing well.   I took the plunge last week and joined the fb group. Its private in that the posts are only visible to the OO group. It would be good to see everyone there and it is very helpful to hear how everyone is doing and how they are managing se.   Take care xx ... View more

Thanks BeejayP - hope you are well rested today. I went to the workshop this morning and it was really good. It was a bigger group, maybe 16 of us and there was a chance to chat as well. Would highly recommend it to anyone and many thanks to the LGFB team who looked after us so well.   Hope everyone is doing ok and good luck to all who are in for dunking this week xxx ... View more

Hi Naturegirl I'm having chemo too and I haven't been swimming since all this started. First because of the surgery and now because of chemo. I would love to be swimming my way through this - I love the feeling of being in the water but I think the problem is the risk of infection and the fact that our resistance to infection is low during chemo. If anyone has any other thoughts please let me know. Hope you have a good few days away Naturegirl - take care ... View more

Good luck Biddlybee - it seems awful to wish a dunking for you, but I do hope it can go ahead this time.   Aw Sarah, your little girls comment made me smile - its all ok as long as everyone can say whats on their mind - even the little ones!   BeejayP - thats a good idea about the puzzles and lego kits and about keeping the tv for the bad days. I will have to be more organised about how to deal with the time. Thankfully I'm now into a good week - have been out today already. Let us know how you get on on the LGFB workshop - I'm booked on one tomorrow. ... View more