Breast Cancer Now Forum

I have recently bought 2 and they are cheap especially if you buy when they have 20% off. I am still tender over lumpectomy scar and have lymphoedema mildy in the breast so cannot wear underwired anymore, well not for long anyway . I am very peased with these bras ... View more

From someone whose hair has just fallen out ( after 2nd chemo ) would recommend getting it  cut shorter if you have longer hair but don't shave it until you need too. If your chemo is a few weeks away , then it takes another few weeks for it to fall out ( mine was 3 ) then you still have about 6 weeks of hair !! I would recommend leavig it as long as you can as we are going to be bald for a while !!:-) Once mine started to fall out though couldn't wait to start wearing wig as it felt very thin and lank and could not be brushed for falling out. Have worn wig now last few days and does look good  ! Good luck xx ... View more

I was told the Neulasta injection given the day after chemo cost £1000 !! ... View more

I was told also that WLE and radiotherapy comparable with mastectomy . That percentage seems high,, perhaps it is just comparing WLE and mastectomy, but hasn't factored in radiotherapy ?? ... View more

Hi Angel, I am 9 days now post first chemo (FEC) .. I was given dexamethasone , 4mg bd ( steroid and anti sickness ) and ondansetron 8mg bd for 3 days folllowing chemo then domperidone 10mg to take as required if needed to afterwards. I haven't been sick at all but did feel a bit queezy and appetite changes but now a week on I am feeling fine, just tired. So, fingers crossed so far has not been as bad as i was expecting so hope yours goes well too . Oh yes before they ran the chemo through they gave intravenous antisickness drugs plus intravenous steroids, ... View more

Hi ncscooby, I was diagnosed in April with grade 3 invasive, miccromet in 1 of 6 nodes following WLE and sentinel node biopsy.Mine is also hormone responsive and am having chemo which starts next week 😞 then rdiotherapy and tamoxifen . Just regarding periods and contraception, i have a Mirena coil and have been very happy having minimal periods and both breast surgeon and oncologist recommend it stays in as such a low dose of progesterone and is good to have in whilst on tamoxifen so don't give up thinking you have to suffer with periods if you don't want them !. Fully understand all your emotions , we've all been there. My sister seems to be in complete denial , I think she just doesn't know what to say to me and I have found it quite hurtful.My mum and friends have been fantastic though with only the occasional inappropriate comment. A good friend of mine is going throught the same at the moment, she is on her 3rd chemo and has been fantastic support , i am a few weeks down the line from when you are as as others said and I didint really believe it at the time, the uncertainty is the worst, once you know what is happening you can almost get your head round it and it becomes 'easier' . Might not be saying this after I start chemo next week  though lol !!! xxx ... View more

Hi,  I personally found this the most difficult time in all of this, waiting for those initial results. i am now 2 weeks post lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy and even having found out yesterday I need chemo and radiotherapy this wasn't as bad as those initial few days waiting to find out what type of cancer I had. I did try to work in between but didnt cope very well, but then was able to work after I got diagnosis and before op, though I diidn't tell everyone so everyone was normal with me. However, Abi, I think 10 days is way too long  for anyone to wait !! I would have gone completely mad, i had the biopsy on the Tuesday and the results on the Friday. I did know from the ultrasound it was cancer though as was solid and irregular edge and I wanted them to be honest with me. They biopsied a lymph node too so my main worry was what type of cancer and whether it had spread to lymph . Do you  have a breast care nurse you could ring to see if they can advise you. A friend of mine who is quite friendly with her GP couldn't stand the waiting and in the end asked her GP to get the result sent over so she could find out. I do feel for you as it was awful just waiting , we have all been there . I really hope your result is good but either way I can assure you you will feel better knowing, even if it isn't what you wanted to hear,  xxx ... View more

I posted this link on another thread but it is quite amusing reading about the inappropriate things well meaning people can sometimes say  !!  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2606430/My-friend-died-things-NOT-say-cancer-sufferer-JOANNA-MOORHEAD-diagnosed-fortnight-ago.html     ... View more

Hi Jinny2611, Welcome to the forum where none of us want to be but you will find it very helfpul and supportive .We have all been in your position and it is horrible but we have all got through it. The waiting for everything is the worst and  luckily for you it doesn't sound like you have had to wait to long for your surgery but this also doesn't give you much time to absorb the shock of it all and mentally prepare yourself. Try to focus on just getting through each day and keep busy, easier said than done I know . You will be relieved when Thursday is over as at least the cancer has been taken away but then it's waiting again for results . I'm at that stage now, 2 weeks after surgery and going for results tomorrow . I have told myself i cannot change anything so will just deal with what has to happen next. Lot of love and keep reading on this forum, you will find it all useful but fdon't read too much as that also isn't good 1 xxx ... View more

Mine was the same, felt like a firm marble rolling around and I can say it definitely appeared overnight as like luluspice its where i wash every day in the shower and would have noticed it beforehand. Was amazed at how it just appeared so quickly but have heard a few people say this now.  ... View more

Am completely speechless at the insensitivity of people ! It's difficult to know how to respond, think my jaw would just drop ! ... View more

All the best for today Horseslave, my surgery was a week ago and am waiting for results now ! Are you staying in overnight then if you are later today  xx ... View more

Hi Yvie178, I am sure if you explain to your GPs surgery you have had operation and are woried about infection as have pain they should have a 'duty doctor' who is seeing urgent on the day things than can see you. If not book in with the practice nurse as if they re not sure they are likley to ask the doctor anyway. Failing that the GP out of hours or extended hours clinics should be able to give you an appointment. You should not need to go to A and E and have all the unpleasant waiting there. Do let us know how you got on; I work in a GP surgery so do have some understanding as to how it works. xx ... View more

Hi Jan-Mac, Agree with Angel about pillow, my lumpectomy and SNB was same day as Angel's and i am still using my pillow for sleep and just for support, am still a little sore but really nothing like i was exprecting have not really needed any more than paracetamol or ibuprofen, took codeine to try to help me sleep. i would also recommed a soft comfy crop top type bra. . This was recommended by someone else on this site. I bought one from Asda only £6 and is really comfortable and you will need one and to sleep in. You can step into it so don't need to raise your arms; I would find it difficult to fasten a bra at the moment so this is perfect. You will feel better  I think after the operation knowing 'its' gone ; I certainly do but now am just starting to get anxious about the results but hey one day at a time ! All the best to you for your op and ask any more practical advice if you need too xxx ... View more

Hi Keeks, That's exactly what I don't want, head tilting and asking how I am ! Your comment made me laugh about wanting to punch them in the face ! But really, what else can people say I know it's difficult for them. My next door neighbour went silent only because she just didn't now what to say as i told her I didn't want pity. I told her not ot worry as it is difficult to know what to say but feel I am consoling others and would prefer not to be. People only want to be kind and I hve supported a few of my friends with BC over the last few years and really hope I have never said the wrong thing. i was always positive; my mum is  19 years post BC  and i always reminded them of that and it is also keeping me going when I have more negative thoughts . There was a funny article in the Daily Mail about just this that my mum brought over, it's quite funny reading, here's the link  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2606430/My-friend-died-things-NOT-say-cancer-sufferer-JOANNA-MOORHEAD-diagnosed-fortnight-ago.html xx   ... View more

Have you had a first operation yet of wide local excision because they usually look at the sentinel node then and remove it. I am not sure why you would need 2 seperate procedures unless it is different surgeons for each procedure ?? Sometimes they need to inject blue dye to find the sentinel node and perhaps this could affect the reconstruction surgery , you will have to keep us posted, everyone seems to be having such different things done, it's quite confusing x ... View more

Thanks for your replies, obviously I'm not the only one still awake ! Have just taken 2 painkillers as finidng it difficult to sleep as still uncomfortable under my arm and having quite negative thoughts going through my head. so hoepfully will be able to sleep soon. This website is amazing for support and it's so good to not feel alone.  xx ... View more