Breast Cancer Now Forum

Well I finished 15 sessions plus 8 boosters yesterday and in celebration I put up my tree! What I was really surprised about was just how emotional I felt once I returned home. I felt fine before and during, but burst into tears once I got home. It's probably relief and I think they were happy tears. I've not really got that upset through this process until recently so it's probably sinking in now. Well, I'm off to have a couple of days pottering and not having to drive to the hospital. Ladies your day will soon be here! Heads up and only two more until the weekend xx ... View more

I get soreness when I sleep on my rads side which appears to come from the side of my breast. It's tender and when I move to turn over it's sore too. I was told this is completely normal. I've also had some shooting pains throughout and that's normal too. 2 left and I'm really happy because I'm getting very tired now. Think I'll be having a relaxing end to my week. Celebrating the end of rads by buying and decorating the Christmas tree on Wednesday ( I'm a big kid really!). Got appointment with onc on the 17th to discuss my periods whilst on Tamoxifen. You may remember that I mentioned it on this thread. The onc doesn't feel it's necessary to suppress my ovaries, but wants to talk It through with me in person. ... View more

Hope all goes well tomorrow Daltocat. Thinking of you. Dee lush - sorry you felt the impersonal arm of the NHS. I've felt this step of my treatment to be a little impersonal, but not to your extent. I'd play on the fact that his manner was rude and not what you've come to expect if you do complain. I'd also say that it's now clear he didn't know your case at all and it's poor care. My machine broke down today whilst I was on it!! Had to hold position for 25 mins! Nevermind only 2 more to go. They were lovely though and very apologetic. Hope tomorrow goes well ladies, x ... View more

I'm on boost 4 today and my skin feels more sore on the boosts. It's nothing major but a little tender. I'm also getting quite tired, but am pretty busy generally so don't know if it's the rads or not. Having an easy day today so will see how I feel later. 4 more to go.....keep smothering the cream ladies 😃 ... View more

My booster sessions were almost exactly the same as my normal rads sessions except I have 4 mini zaps!! Today took a little longer as they did scans to ensure they were hitting the tumour bed. All over in 15 mins. Will let you know when I hear from onc tomorrow about bleeding. ... View more

Ladies, Hope you all had a good weekend. Deelush - I'm pleased to hear that the lump was nothing to worry about. it was the right thing to go and get it checked out. I'm really feeling tired this morning. Had a busy weekend, so that didn't help. Going to the gym in a little while as I feel that gives me a burst of energy and will make me feel better, then off for number 1 of the 8 boosts which start for me today. Skin still fine, but scar underneath boob a little sore. I don't think this area is affected by the boosts so it should start to calm down over the next few weeks now. Nipple area is a bit sore and it's going to continue to take a bashing in the boosts so keep your fingers crossed! Wondered if any of you other ladies on Tamoxifen have started with periods again. Mine stopped after three chemos and I had a little bit of a 'show' last month, but this month I have had a full (if a little contracted) period. I contacted my oncologist and one of his Registrars called me back on Friday night. He is going to discuss with my team on Tuesday as to whether they need to suppress my ovaries too as I'm strongly ER+. What I don't understand is why this is necessary as Tamoxifen doesn't stop you producing oestrogen, but it stops it bonding with cancer cells ( my basic understanding) so what difference does it make of I continue to have periods?? Or is it that they don't want me to bleed in case I miss the signs of something more serious down there? Anyway, I'm waiting for a call back from onc tomorrow to see what he has in store for me! And the roller coaster continues............Hope today is good for all of you x ... View more

Deelush - I hope you managed to see someone about the lump and got some answers. This weekend the uncertainty of the future really hit me. All the way through I've been really positive, but I had doubts this weekend and broke down on Saturday night. I know what the medical staff will tell me - your results were good, you've had the best course of treatment and are in tamoxifen etc but it just feels like at 33 it's bound to come back at some point.ni suppose I had to hit a wall at some point ... View more

Well ladies, Kylie was her fabulous self and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening! Forties - I too wore a bra and had a couple of drinks! Well, it's Kylie isn't it?! On day 10 today and skin seems fine apart from a breakout of red spots which is apparently due to the Diprobase blocking my pores. I need to put a thinner layer on - easier said than done! It's like trying to spread treacle! Well, it's another miserable day here so at least I'm not missing out on the beautiful weather! Off to the gym now to try and fight the chemo bulge. Have a good day, Mel51 ... View more

Morning, Hope all of your rads sessions go smoothly and ate on time today. May there be a parking space available when you arrive, just to slide into as if it was made for you! Let's face it, fate owes us at least that 🙂 I'm doing well. Day 9 today and a little pink but skin holding up still. A few shooting pains in the evening, but that's normal I'm told.Struggling with sleeping the last two nights, so looks like this weekend will be another snooze fest! Busy day today: rads, haircut then Kylie!! I'll pay for it tomorrow I'm sure! Have a good day, Mel51 ... View more

Forgot to answer the questions I was asked! Doh - chemo brain! I got all of my appointments at my planning meeting and was given Diprobase to use throughout treatment. I used e45 on the run up to the treatment to get it all moisturised up!! ... View more

Hi all, Sorry for the delay in replying. It's been a busy few days. The rads this week have been fine but quite a few delays and I always seem to turn up early 😃 . Skin a little pink but not sore, but the hospital told me its be the end of the second week before any reaction will start. Let's hope it's minimal! I've been trying to limit the amount of water on the breast area and limiting showers until gym days and applying the cream three times a day. We'll see if it works. I didn't think it was having much impact on me physically, but I was in bed on Friday night at 10.30 and slept until 9am - wow! Been a long time since I've done that! I also fell asleep on the sofa for an hour Saturday afternoon whilst the Xmas cake was in the oven! I now feel refreshed for a new week of rads. Hope you're all getting on well. How's everyone's skin holding up? ... View more

Hi there, I wondered if I could join? I started my rads two days ago and am also having 23 sessions (15 + 8 boosters). I used e45 before starting and was given Diprobase by the hospital during my planning session. Some ladies received their cream on their first day. I'm a little pink already but I slather lots of cream on during the day and am keeping my fingers crossed! My appointments are roughly at the same time each day, but unfortunately for me all in the middle of the day. As far as rads vs chemo argument - I thought this would be a breeze compared to chemo but think I underestimated how draining it is going every day. I suppose I'm surrendering my control and freedom once again to this disease. Now I've accepted that I feel much better, so we'll see how today goes! ... View more

Hi Lollymum. I had surgery on 5th August and am pleased to say that I had clear margins. Surgeon did a great job on the boob. Was a WLE and he managed to use some of the tissue under to breast to plug the gap. Now waiting for the radiotherapy to start, but got to let the recon settle for a few more weeks yet. My hair is coming back with a vengeance and it's everywhere!! Not quite as glossy as it used to be or as well behaved but it'll get there eventually. Have started on Tamoxifen and all is well except for the hot flushes, but I'm learning to cope with them. Biggest issue is not being able to sleep properly, it not sure if this is the tablets or not. Trying to do more exercise and have even bought a bike! Needless to say, after two hours on it yesterday I can hardly move today!! No pain, no gain, eh?!! ... View more

Hi there ladies, Hope you don't mind me dropping in from the March thread but a few comments really hit home with me. Toria 42 a- I know what you mean about feeling like a fraud! I felt like this, but over time I just decided that I needed to dedicate as much time as possible to me and my recovery. I love my job and miss not being there, but once you're in the building people assume you're back to full health. Bali 2001 - I tried the cold cap and it worked for me. I thought that it was shaving time at around day 17 when I lost A LOT of hair. This continued until day 22 when it slowed down. I continued to lose hair throughout but only little bits after washing. I guess the point I'm making is that you need to try and keep with it even if you lose a good chunk of it on day 17 as it could just be a one-off. I had some very thin patches at the side, but now it has filled in and I have very short hair but a full head and I finished on June 27th. Chin up ladies as the end will soon be here. Make the most of your good days and take your duvet days when you need them. Xxxx ... View more

Hi ladies, Hope you're all recovering well after chemo. Where are you all at re. treatment plan. I had a final MRI on Friday and am meeting with my surgeon on Thursday to discuss surgery. Think it'll be a mastectomy and recon as I have small boobs 🙂 what should I expect after surgery? Will I be able to move? How bad is the pain? I'd rather know the truth, as people keep,telling me it'll be fine! ... View more

Good evening ladies. How are you all doing? I'm now day 5 after my final FEC and have hit the steroid dip and the acid reflux! Really feeling it today. On the good side it is the last chemo and my PICC line is out!! Not done anything today but cook dinner and feel really down about that, but just got to rest today mad tomorrow or Friday I tend to bounce back. Looking forward to a week of "normality" after this before the surgical appointments start! Might even go for a little haircut in a couple of weeks as I appear to have a mullet growing at the minute with a bald patch at the top!! Good job I'm tall! ... View more

I was very reluctant to have a PICC line put in before my 2nd chemo but I went ahead with it. I can honestly say that it was the best thin I have ever done. It made everything so much easier - bloods and chemo. Also after the first chemo my veins in my arm tightened up and I have to massage it every night. I'm now getting to the point where I can straighten it but it's still sore. I was also limited because I can't have any chemo in my right arm due to SNB. Regarding the flushes and changes, I have this done by my district nurse and I've been fortunate that he domes very Friday at 11-11.30 which means I can go out and pop home for my appointment. I bought a LIMBO cover which keeps it totally waterproof and takes a minute to put it on. All in all I think it was the best decision for me, but as the others said it is a personal choice. ... View more