Breast Cancer Care Forum

Thank you all ladies for your advice. Have phoned the hospital and now waiting a return call from the nurse. hopefully she will be able to offer some helpful advice. My worry is that it could be the start of lymphedema but  at least if it is I will be able to see someone and get something sorted. thank you all again. ... View more

Thank you Ann and Mary for your replies. I will definitely be voicing my concerns and hopefully they will be nothing to worry about. The drs are probably used to ladies telling them of their concerns so I will not be alone. Pleased to hear your breast changes turned out to be normal due to radiotherapy Ann. Sheila x ... View more

I started taking Anastrozole in November and have found the best time for me is when I go to bed. I dont think there is any right or wrong time just what is best for each person. I have had some hot flushes and joint aches and pains but nothing that interferes with every day life. I hope you find the best time for you to take it, good luck. SML ... View more

Hi SJ19 I know exactly how you feel and even after finishing my treatment in Dec 2014 I still dont feel I am back to normal. I think it's a case of taking each day at a time and allowing yourself time to heal physically and psychologically. I have heard some ladies say that they never really get over it and it's with them every day but I am hoping that given time it will get easier and I hope it will for you too. Don't try to rush it  or become upset with yourself. You have been through so much over the past months so you deserve to be gentle with yourself. Take care x ... View more

Hi. I am off to Center Parcs in 2 weeks time and was looking at their treatments. They too say no spa treatments following cancer diagnosis but at least they tell you on the web site. I can't remember if it was for 2 or 3 years so I have justed booked in for a manicure and pedicure. Not sure what they will be able to do with my nails though as they are in quite a state following the chemo and on going effects of Anastrozole, lol. ... View more

Hi I use the date I was diagnosed as my anniversary. But I wont forget the day my porta cath was fitted as it was my birthday and my first chemo was my wedding anniversary. It was very romantic day, not, as I looked anything but attractive wearing  the cold cap, lol. At least this year I can celebrate in a bit more style for both. ... View more

Hi Lexilou3 Snap! I was diagnosed 1 year ago on 19/3 so my first year anniversary. I don't know about you but I find it hard to believe that it has come around so quickly. Like you I feel a bit wobbly sometimes but slowly getting there. It seems amazing to think what we have been through this past year. I had my first check up last week with my surgeon and had a scan and mammogram. The scan was clear so just waiting for the mammogram results. Have you had a check up yet? Congratulations on your 1st anniversary. ... View more

Hi Stitchyboy. I finished FEC-T at the end of last July and have had terrible back pain since and the pain in my hips gets really bad when I am walking. It has got to the point that I dread having to walk anywhere which is not good as far as getting exercise goes. However I started taking Anastrozole in November last year and don't think that helps as far as joint and bone pain goes. Best wishes SML ... View more

Hi Valentine I have been taking Venlafaxine for depression for a number of years. I think it probably helped me through my bc treatment which finished just before Christmas 2014. I didn't realise that it helped with hot flushes and inproved sleep. I am taking Anastrozole and suffering with hot flushes and often wake at 4 am and not able to get back to sleep. I would say that I did put on weight before I had bc but hadn't put it down to the medication. Since starting my treatment last April I have lost weight but I still take Venlafaxine. I hope this helps. ... View more

Hi Ladies. I take Anastrozole and my nails are flaking like mad and splitting length ways down the nail. I thought they were still recovering from chemo as I lost all but 4 nails. I do take a vitimin supplement for nails, skin and hair and I use almond oil as well. When I am at home I wash my hands using E45 wash which seems to stop my hands and nails getting too dry.  As you say a minor side effect in the scheme of things but annoying all the same. ... View more

Hi. I started on Anastrozole in November following chemo, WLE and lymph node clearence then radiotherapy. I have had a few side effects the worst one being chronic back and hip pain which is limiting me to how far I can walk. Walking is my form of exercise and now the pain is putting me off going very far. Also in the last few days I have noticed my vision is becoming very blurred but not sure if this is another side effect of the drug. I am going for my annual eye check on Tuesday so will mention it to them. I have not put any weight on though which is good infact since I started treatment I have lost weight and infact I was surprised that I had lost another Kg when I went to the drs last week. I am just grateful that all my treatment has been successful and the side effects of Anastrozole seem a small price to pay. Good luck. ... View more

Hi DizzyCow.  I think you will be wise to take as long as you can for your phased return and hope your school is a bit more sympathetic and understanding. Having said that my school had been very good up to the point of me returning and I think my  5 week phased return might have come from HR and occupational health. I have learned from other threads that ladies have been refered to their occupational health dept for assesment before returning to work. Hope it all goes well for you x ... View more

Hi. Not a teacher but a nursery nurse so I hope you don't mined me  joining your thread. I work in F2 with 38 children in the class.  I had chemo followed by WLE and lymph node clearence and then radiotherapy. I only got paid for the first 3 months but I was lucky that I wasn't depending on the money. I eventually talked my GP into letting me return to work in January ( after 10 months off ) and I had  finished my radiotherapy as I felt I needed to get back. The school wanted  me to do a phased return over 5 weeks but said if I'd been off with stress it could be over a longer period. I thought thanks very much so what I've been through and still going through is not as bad then. I have to say that I am finding it really really hard and coming home at the end of the day shattered with terrible back ache and pain in my effected side. Today I was almost in tears because I felt so tired and in so much pain. To top it all I found out I haven't been paid since I returned in January. The school manager said she couldn't understand why as she sent my return to work certificate in but the finance dept at the council said they haven't had it. I really feel down tonight and just feel like going back to my GP and getting signed off again which she said she would do if I was finding it difficult. I hope I will feel better over the weekend and ready to face the new week on Monday. Hope your planned return works for you. ... View more

Hi Ladies. I thought I was still suffering chemo brain but now after reading your threads I wonder if it is Anatrozole brain.  I finished my chemo last July and started taking Anastrozole in November. I have found myself being very forgetful and I just can't concentrate on anything especially at work and  I have also found difficulty trying to solve simple problems . ... View more

Hi. Thanks for your reply Wemblo. I did have some swelling after rads which settled after a few weeks which my onc said was normal when I had my follow up appt in January. My next appointment is with my surgeon and bc nurse in March. I think I will see how it goes and if it gets worse over the next few days will take your advice and ring his secretary for an earlier appointment. I have also noticed more pain in my arm athough it is not swollen which I put down to bouncing my little grandson up and down. Good luck with your MRI results and hope the physio helps. ... View more

Hi. Not sure if I have a problem or not. I had chemo followed by WLE and node clearence then radiotherapy in December 2014. Since surgery my treated breast has been noticeably smaller and a bit misshapen, well to me anyway than my uneffected side. Over the last few days it feels different and swollen to me and almost the size of my good side. I am not due for my first follow up appointment until next month, March so wondering what if anything I should do. Keep hoping that I am mistaken or it will go away. Would appreciate any advice if anyone else has had the same problem. Thanks for reading this.  ... View more

Hi. I know what you mean about hiding how you feel from others and what you are going through to protect them. I always find myself saying ' I'm fine ' 'I'm doing really well thanks'. even when I'm not. I feel as though they wouldn't be able to cope if I told them the truth or know how to respond if they haven't been through what all of us have. I do have a friend who went through bc the year before me and so we are able to support each other and can relate to to each others emotions. You're right that people think once your treatment is over everyone thinks you're well again and it can all be forgotten about and life goes on as it did before. Little do they understand. I do hope you find someone you can talk to and get the support you need. It really does help to share on the forum as we all understand what you are going through and we support each other. Do let us know how you get on. x ... View more

Hi. I finished FEC-T at the end of July 2014 and my hair didn't start to grow back for a few months after and even now nearly 7 months later it is still only about 1/2 an inch. I know some ladies said their hair started growing again before they had finished their chemo. I am quite disapointed at how slowly my hair is growing and thought by now I would be able to leave my wig off when I go out, I dont wear it at home. It is quite thick at the back but thin on top and sides and very grey. I am going to Center Parcs over the easter holidays and was hoping not to wear my wig but not sure I will be able to. I would be happy with a short style if my hair was growing more evenly. I started on Anastrozole in November and this can effect your hair and have wondered if this is so with mine. I have also noticed that not all my body hair has grown back yet, not that I am worried about that. I take muti vitimins for hair, skin and nails which seem to help my nails as I noticed they got worse when I ran out of them ( I lost all but 4 because of the chemo ) and they are getting better now although still quite weak so hopefully they are helping my hair as well.  Good luck with your hair and I hope by the summer you will be able to go out without your scarf with confidence.  ... View more