Breast Cancer Care Forum

Fantastic, its good to hear such good news.   Anne ... View more

Lynne, I had radiotherapy two years ago and still have pain.  sometimes it feels as if I have a major cramp feeling which is hard, hard to explain.  I mentioned to my oncologist and she said this was something I woul dneed to live with.  Take care.. Anne ... View more

Flowergirl, I had four nodes involved and was Her2 positive.  Like you I was worried sick about my node involvement however I know from speaking to others that having node involvement is only one road for infiltration of the cancer cell to other parts of the body.  Cancer can spread via our vascular system so regardless of node involvement or not as long as you have the treatment you will know that you have done all you can.  I now feel that way.  Everyone's cancer behaves differently so listen to your medical team, keep as fit as you can and keep on living and enjoy every minute.  ... View more

Janee, I had very hard breast tissue after lumpectomy.  I have had manual lymphatic drainage to the area and tissue massage.  It was done by a trained therapist at my local Haven Centre.  This is a charitable organisation which supports cancer patients and others who suffer from life threatening disease.  It has been very successful and the tissue has relaxed.  I think it is due to the fluid which rushes to assist with healing after surgery.  Anyway try and find out if there is a similar service in your area.  Take care.   xx ... View more

You are Her2 positive so will be able to take advantage of the current treatments which are very successful.  Herceptin is your first point of call and if in England Perjeta.  Not sure of clinical name of this.  I have met suffers who are ten plus years down the line with liver mets at diagnosis.  Take care and keep your spirits up.  Yes it is serious it obvously is you have breast cancer but treatable at this stage.  Anne ... View more

Hi, I had surgery two years ago WLE and node clearance.  I still get shooting pains, heavy arm, shoulder, stiff neck etc.  When I spoke to my oncologist she said I would get pain like this on and off for the rest of my life. So I just ensure that I do exercises, helps to an extent but does not take pain away completely,  The pain comes and goes.  Hope that helps to allay any fears you may have. ... View more

I finished Herceptin last August 14.  Not running nose but very dry and at times tender.  My current porblems are extreme fatigue which can come on at any given time.  Also I have very sore neck and shoulders.  Oncologist said the amount of radiation I got contributes to soreness.  So just getting on with  it.  Hope all clears up for you. ... View more

Mac 123, I had treatment same time as you but only had Herceptin.  Since finishing treatment in August last year I have a very sore and still neck and shoulder, again like you on the side where cancer was.  I worry about it constantly and was told by oncologist that radiation can have a lasting affect on the body and especially the area where treatment was directed.  I just take pain killers.  Pain come and goes at the moment my head feels very heavy for my neck.  Take care. ... View more

Ladies, like you I think this is shocking.  I also agree that if the powers to be were in the position of having metastatic cancer or their family members they would change their mind.  Of course the people who make these decision usually have enough money to purchase the drugs privately.  It really infuriates me that we as tax payers contribute towards research, we then are approached by charities to support research which the general public do to only be denied the benefits of the research because of expensive drugs.  No one ever said that health care would be cheap. We do need to get to grips with cost but the politicians etc should be looking at waste, for examle an over prescribed management tier, hugh salaries, waste in materials which are not even accounted for.  I do not live in England but believe me we are in a worse situation as we do not get half the drugs that are available to people in England.  I do not believe in a post code lottery regarding service provision.  I am constantly writing to the Scottish Parliament but get little or  no response.  I have tried to get my MP in London to raise my concerns in Westminster but again he cannot as he is not sitting in the chamber when health is being discussed.  I am starting to think that politicans are not really interested in maintaining a strong NHS they are only interested in using the NHS as a bargaining tool for elections. Sorry for the rant but I am really disgusted with the medics and politicans who make these decisions.  From what I have read other European countries have greater access to the drugs we are denied and yet we contribute as our European neighbours do to research. Anne ... View more

Hi, I still feel tired and I stopped Herceptin in middle of August this year.  Feel that the whole treatment package especially when it is a Her2 cancer is tiring for everyone.  On the whole I am improving and can last most night up until 11pm.  During treatment I only managed 10pm at the latest even if there were people visiting.  Still keep on getting your treatment in the knowledge that it is the best thing for you.  Have a lot of rest periods and look after yourself.  Take care ~Anne ... View more

Maggie, You  have had a terrible time. Once your treatment starts you will start to feel better and more in control.  It does come as a shock to the system and no matter who you are or where we all react differently, however the news is still the same and we have to deal with it.  It sounds as if you have support so use all you can get.  Do the exercises it does hurt to start with but definately will get better.  Look out for signs of any swelling and be proactive whether it is via the breast care nurses or your GP.  Be good to yourself, take care.  Anne ... View more

What really puzzles me is that the general public are constantly being asked to give to cancer charities to help with research into cures etc.; when cures or better medications are developed it is the general public who have to fight for treatments not people with the money to buy it.  That seems very unfair to me.  Not that I think people who can afford private care should not have access to drugs either it is really that we the general public who support these causes are being denied or indeed have to go cap in hand for treatment.  Things are certainly not what they should be.  Sorry for rant. ... View more

Ladies you are all right in what you say.  I live in Scotland and I can tell you despite having a fantastic oncologist looking after me I cannot access further treatments unless I go public or cap in hand.  I feel very discriminated by all of this.  I have attempted to raise this as an issue with my MSP who is an Scottish Nationalist but to no avail.  So no matter what they say before elections the proof is in the pudding.  Take care all. ... View more

HueyL, I am checked on a six monthly basis, firstly with the surgeon who ensures that I have had a mammogram and then following on from this I see my oncologist who also examines me, breast, under arm neck collarbone etc.  I feel they are doing their best to look after me. ... View more

Hi Murphy, It is a scary time for us all especially ladies like us who have node involvement.  I had four nodes involved but know others who had many more.  Once the chemo and herceptin get going it will deal with any cells which are lingering around in your system.  This is how it was explained to me.  The chemo goes in and knocks the cancer cells for six.  This is followed by the Herceptin which hits the cells which have the protein on the surface.  It is deemed a very good treatment and I know and have met women who have been having the treatment for over ten years as they were stage iv at diagnosis.  So while it is horrid having this disease there are many treatments available for you.  In fact if you are in England I think you can also get Perjeta which is another similar type of monoclonal antibody which helps the body deal with the Her2 element of the cancer cells.  Hope that make sense.  What I am trying to say is you have good treatments at hand and there are long term survivors of this type of breast cancer.  Take care and good luck with your treatment. ... View more

Hi Dianne, I had my treatment last year.  Her2 positive. When given results of pathology I immediately set about looking at Dr Google.  I was frightened to death.  As I said I am now one year on from treatment and overall I have coped quite well.  No real side affects, fatigue does hit me from time to time but I generally get over it fairly quickly.  I have found the psychological affect more depressing as I to think about death and how long I am going to live.  Over the last year I find that I dont think about cancer all the time and only when I hear of someone who has died.  I try to reflect on that we are all going to die and no one knows when it is going to happen.  You have had good treatment, a plan is in place and as you say you are a young 61 so get out there and get on with you life and live it to the full. My oncologist is great as when I speak to her she reminds me that I  have had good treatment and the prognosis for breast cancer sufferers are now very good.  If caught early you have a very good chance of living out your natural life without cancer being the cause of death. Take care and remember all of us think the same from time to time. Regards Anne ... View more

Hi Happyjam, like you I suffer from a bad back and have done so for many years.  spondylitis in cervical and lumber area.  Going through radiotherapy was hard as you are experiencing as you have to hold your self in specific poses and cant move.  Although only for a short time it still hursts the back.  Since finishing radiotherapy I continue to have a very sore nect, very stiff and aches all the time.  I take painkiller its the only thing I can do.  Did try physio but had not affect.  You just need to hang in there and get through the treatment which is very important. Take care. Anne ... View more

Hi Jay, This is horrible news to get about your mother,however the treatment for this has advanced so much that she will do well.  Have faith in the medical team.  Sometimes being node negative makes us feel that the cancer has not spread however as your mum has found out it can travel blood vessels.  The main thing is that she has a cancer that can be treated and treated successfully.  Herceptin is a wonder drug and if that does not work there are other drugs which can be accessed.  Good luck for the future and give your mum my regards.  Be positive. ... View more

Mary I had seroma following surgery and it took four weeks to reduce but I needed to have it done manually by BC nurse.  I had node clearance so I put it down to that.  However I was told by BC nurse that most people get some type of swelling.  So speak to your BC nurse and she will guide you through.  Plenty of movement although not jerky slow and swishy if you know what I mean.  That will help the fluid disperse. Cheers Anne ... View more