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Bondgirl
Member
since
28-03-2014
202
Posts
27
Hugs
14-03-2022
04:49
3 Hugs
Hi everyone, Roadrunner was my inspiration in the past and this site was also my safe haven and go to place when I needed to ask the ladies for help. I was diagnosed 8 years ago and on 12th March was the day of my lumpectomy, 19th April start of 8 rounds of chemo, 12th September full node clearance, 26th October start of 30 days of radiotherapy - funny how dates just stick in your memory. I wanted to add to Roadrunners post that we are out there - the ladies who have beat our challenges. I have seen my two girls get married and I have two grandchildren. There are still challenges with our new normal but we are here and not letting it win. ❤️
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24-12-2019
06:19
Hi, I have had private health with Aviva since 2003 and was diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2 lobular and ducal breast cancer, also nodes involved. Had all my treatment, being surgery, chemo, more surgery then radiotherapy all covered by them. This July my husband decided to retire after us having our own business for 28 years, the health cover was paid for through the business. I spoke to,Aviva and they just transferred it to a personal policy, it wasn't that much dearer but was quite expensive per month. They told me I could lower the monthly premiums by accepting a higher excess, to,reduce it more I took off some elements of cover we did nt need. They transferred my existing medical history, but when I looked to shop around the other companies were mega expensive coz they wouldn't cover the pre-existing condition. if it was me I would speak to BUPA and ask how you can reduce the monthly premium. Xx
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06-11-2018
05:40
Hi, I have private health insurance with Aviva and not had any problems when asking them to cover issues connected with the breast cancer. for example all my treatment was in 2014 and in March this year after struggling with dryness in the vagina I asked if I could see a gynacologist - yes no probelm they said. Also, my liver functions were raised a lot in August after seeing my oncologist - could I see a liver specialist - yes no problem. Unfortunately my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Sept 16 Stage 4b 😞 she died Jan 17) because of the connection between breast and ovarian I told my oncologist who asked for a ct scan and again they had no problems. I dont see why you arent covered - maybe ask them if you get a letter from your surgeon or gp that states the problem is as a result of surgery for the breastcancer, unless there is a specific clause in your policy or your company has a certain level of cover. I would ask them why you are not covered. Hope you get the answers you need
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02-10-2018
01:46
Hi, I was in the same situation and put up with it since 2014 until my lady go prescribed the estriol cream in July this year and I too can confirm my lady its are now back to normal - Missey and I have been on a post called Ovastin Estriol so anyone can have a read about our comments. I used it every night for 3 weeks and now every other night and we went away for a long weekend and forgot to take it and lady it's we're still ok but every other night suits me.
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19-08-2018
07:47
Hi ladies, just thought I would let you all know that my daughter's are being penalised getting life insurance now due to my diagnosis. I would recommend anyone with girls to try to get them to research critical illness cover while they are as young as they can. My girls are 29 and 32.
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19-08-2018
07:41
Hi Lincs-lady i saw my surgeon last week, I was diagnosed 2014 and was asking him about excercise. He said they don't want repetitive lifting or anything that uses the pecs, I.e rowing or pull downs. You can do upright row and tricep exercises (good for bingo wings), bicep curls but not clean and press for too many reps. All with low weight. He said no bp but if blood can't be taken from good arm taking blood is OK from at risk arm. They don't like stuff being put in. He also agreed not carrying heavy shopping on that arm. I also asked him about lymphodaema and flying - he said short haul is ok, keep the arm moving, it's the leaving the arm in a lowered position they don't like and especially cuts and grazes, keep antiseptic wipe with you. I think we have chatted before. I live near Grantham. Does the group still meet at the pub near Lincoln county
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11-06-2018
09:35
Hi, I too have had raised liver function results for the 3 years since treatment. Saw oncologist last week and they are at 170!! He too talked about the elephant in the room as he called it. I said there isn't one I drink a couple of glasses of wine at a weekend that's all. I see a specialist Thursday so will report back coz I too have been feeling solo tired like when having chemo plus no appetite. Will let you know how I felt on. 😄
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29-04-2018
08:30
1 Hug
Hi, I have a friend who is a beautician and she has said she can use the same procedure for tattooing eyebrows on my dots. I do have freckles on my chest so they will just look like them. My dots are only small but the one right on the breastbone is the one I see every day. Just a thought to share.
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20-10-2017
10:59
Hi Rachy I only tolerated ananstrozole (generic of arimadex as gp wouldnt pay for arimadex !!) for 15 days. the side effects were within 24 hours. I am normally a very positive, happy, chatty person and all through my treatment of surgery, chemo, more surgery and rads I had a very positive attitude. but WHAM on the ananstrozole I didnt want to talk to anyone, wouldnt answer the door or phone, stopped going out for a walk or to the gym I completely shut down as my mood was on the floor - I even had bad, dark thoughts. My children 25 and 27 asked their dad why mum wasnt communicating - a shock for them coz as a Mancunanian I normally never stop talking 🙂 - on top of this I had severe hot flushes, my bones ached everywhere and felt like I was a 90year old woman. I spoke to my oncologist who said stop who said he could give me antidepressants for the mood, anti imfammatory for the aches and sleeping tables to help me sleep !! I said stuff that I dont want to take all that. I stopped the ananstrozole and within 36 hours my mood lifted completely. He said would I consider Tamoxifen as its supposed to be a bit better with aches and pains - I said I would try. I did for 6 weeks but my mood dropped again and all the other symptoms were still there too. I decided to stop all the hormone therapy. I just couldnt tolerate it. I do worry if I get an ache or pain as to if could this be cancer back - but my last tablet on tamoxifen was June 2015 and fingers crossed I am ok. Having said that my next oncologist appointment is 24 November and I know I will start to get anxious about blood results. Sorry for ramble but they can give you other medication to counter act the hormone therapy to ease the symptoms if you feel you want the security of the hormone therapy. I didnt take the decision lightly, I did try the Tamoxifen and still have 3 boxes in the kitchen cupboard though they are probably out of date now.
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20-10-2017
10:21
Hi Welshlady apologies for the spelling in my last post as I didnt have my glasses on!!! I would contact your breastcare nurse first before GP as she maybe able to get you an appointment with the Lymphodaema clinic connected to your hospital quicker, if she cant then the route is your GP but be pushy with the GP to get a referal and chase chase chase the clinic for an appointment. Have a look on the lymphodaema threads as the ladies on there will be very helpful.
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18-10-2017
08:13
Sounds like lymphodaema, I wold make an appointment with your lymphomas a nurse via breastcare nurse.
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16-10-2017
11:55
Hi Tinday, I have replied to your other post before reading this one. i can only assume your gp has not had cancer otherwise she would not have responded that way! I had breast cancer 3 years ago and still feel fatigue sometimes when I have a full on week. Is your relationship with your parents/family good enough that you could explain how the pressure is making you feel? My family are all 150 miles away and they certainly didn't understand what I was going through to the point where my middle sister never came to see me and my parents only came twice 😧 😧 i found that the macmillan office in my local hospital were very helpful and they can arrange for you to talk to someone even if it's just to offload your feelings specially as you and your husband are struggling also. Speak to the care line here to see if they can tie you up,with a 'someone like me buddy' please don't be afraid to reach out and you can always share your worries with all of us here xxxxx
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16-10-2017
11:46
Hi, Your story is similar to mine. my husband had stage 3 bowel cancer in July 2013 had to have a stoma while on chemo and in Feb 2014 I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer with surgery, chemo, more surgery then rads which ended Nov 2014. Whilst my husband had his stoma which wasn't removed until April 2014 he didn't want to have sex not coz he didn't fancy me but he didn't want me to see his bag and stoma. Then when I was going through everything it wasn't until 2015 early that we tried and it wasn't easy both emotionally or physically as I had then developed the dryness. my husband also did what your husband is doing he has now said that he did this to try and put the sex to the back of his mind and was embarrassed to talk to me. we still struggle but now it's my dryness. Even though we are in our mid 50,s with no kids at home we started having date nights, and we would try to get in the mindset of it being a newish relationship to try and boost the excitement. We both also agree that sometimes cuddles are just as important than sex but that maybe coz we have been married for 35 years!! Uti's can be a problem for women with dryness as they use lubrication wihich can bring bacteria from the bottom up,to,the front area causing extensive infection. If this rings bells with anyone my advice from my nurse was have a wee straight after sex as it is our own disinfectant or use a bidet to wash or a shower. hope this helps anyone
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15-10-2017
11:57
Hi Nicola my diagnosis was in Feb 2014, had surgery, chemo, lymph node removal surgery, rads, treatment finished end Nov 2014. The tamoxifen and ananstrozole didn't suit me so I do not take any hormone therapy but the dryness and pain during sex is still a problem. My surgeon told me that the Vagifem is safe, he allows me to have a prescription with a break of about 6-8 weeks then start again. I also use Yes for lubrication (the water based one) again on prescription, ask your doctor for the box with applicators ready made in - about six in a box. Also without being crude and apologies not offended anyone - try different position, the missionary for me seems to be the most painful. On on another note I had my first smear last week and my nurse was amazing she knew my history and started with a 'virgin' applicator for lubrication then used the normal speculum and avert thing was ok. we have a forum section about sex which you have to sort of apply to join via the moderators have a look. Moderators could you you add to this thread how the ladies doe it as I have noticed not much activity on it for a while. Michelle
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03-10-2017
08:58
Hi shooting star, it is a worry when the professionals ask you for a decision. In my case in 2014 was diagnosed with 3 tumours, 2 lobular and 1 ductal, the lobular was the largest at 29mm. My surgeon removed the first sentinel which is standard practice now as research has shown that women were previously given a full axillillary node removal and it was found that most women didn't have any nodes affected, so now they do just the sentinel and if found positive then they will offer you a full node removal. In my case I had wide local excision breast conserving surgery. Then 4 weeks after surgery started chemo, then the surgery to remove the other nodes, then 4 weeks after that surgery radiotherapy for 30 sessions. When the surgeon did the full node removal it revealed only the first was affected, with no evidence of scar tissue to the others so they cancer hadn't got to the others. for me agreeing to the full node removal was reassurance because if it had got to the others they could plan for treatment in case it had spread to other parts of my body. I was also told by my surgeon that the surgery to remove tumours is the biggest percentage of treatment followed by chemo, then radiotherapy then hormone therapy. Your breast care nurse should be able to support you with your decision, or ring the surgeons secretary and ask for another appointment, or if necessary a telephone conversation with him/her. hope this helps
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04-05-2017
06:23
Hi, has anyone else having trouble with lung capacity 3 or more years on? When I go for a bike ride I seem to feel dizzy when going up hill (and not big hills more like an incline!!) same when I do a step class or other gym class. I have done these things since being 21 am now 55. Just wondering if anyone else has noticed a decline in stamina.
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