Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you all for the good wishes. I'm a bit of a blubbering wreck today, I just want it to be over so I can get under the duvet and hide from it all. Been drinking lots of water as advised. Thank you xxxxx ... View more

Thank you Yankee 🙂 I'll post on Monday evening grotty or not and let you know how it goes. Take care xx ... View more

http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/DG10/chapter/1-Recommendations   http://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/early-and-locally-advanced-breast-cancer   http://pro.mountvernoncancernetwork.nhs.uk/assets/Uploads/documents/Debate-This-House-supports-the-NICE-decision-to-fund-Oncotype-Testing-for-Node-Negative-Patients-FOR-Andreas-Makris-EoE-Educational-Event-14-March3.pdf   These might be useful - might not.   Good luck xx   ... View more

Sorry that should say: If you have no nodes involved, the test can be NHS funded at the present time, but if you do have nodes involved, NHS won't fund it. It's too hot!   ... View more

Hi, I'm treated on NHS and my oncologist recently told me that: - Oncotye DX is at present funded by NHS but only for people who do not have any lymph node involvement. - NICE have supported use of the Oncotype DX where there is no lymphnode involvement. - NHS plan to stop funding it even in cases where there is no node involvement from ? September this year.   If you have nodes involved, you should at the present time be entitled to NHS funding of this test, but if you don't have nodes involved NHS won't fund it.   Some breast units have a fund which they can did into for top up funding for wigs etc, it might be worth asking for a contribution towards the test if you decide/need to go ahead privately.   Good luck, Macky  ... View more

Hi Bevster,   I'm geting myself mentally prepared for the first session on Monday, bag packed, lists made, directions to the hospital written down - I've never been to the one where I'll have the chemo before! I've been spending most of today cooking some meals for the freezer and tidying up so that I can rest tomorrow. It seems such a big deal the first chemotherapy treatment! I'm not looking forward to it but on the other hand just want to go and get it over with now - I felt like that with the masteectomy, if it was going to go, it was going to go, so get on with it and get rid of it! I'm quite calm and happy today, which worries me a little - I wonder to myself where are those dark scared thoughts and when are they going to leap out again. I'm glad to hear you've met your oncologist and have the full plan mapped out now, it is such a better place to just knowing what's going to happen to you isn't it even if they are unpleasant things. Full day I think on Monday, bloods first, then the treatment 2 hours later. I'm planning to nip to an area there where someone will show you how to tie head scarves - sounds silly but I haven't got a clue. I'm quite looking forward to experimenting with different scarves, just wish it wasn't becasue I have BC. I'll let you know how it goes when I get back on Monday. Have a nice weekend - enjoy this lovely weather 🙂 xx   ... View more

Hello sue, I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened to you. Sadly there are lots of other lovely ladies who are going throught this at the same time as you, and I'm sure they'll post on here to give you support. This is the worst time, the time of tests and waiting for results, then waiting for surgery etc. Listen to what the breast team are telling you and keep looking up 🙂 If you want some more information from them about your cancer and results - ring the breast cancer nurse, they don't mind people doing that and I've found are always accessible and quick to reply. Ask them any questions you want to, even if it seems silly - it isn't silly ifit helps you to alay your fears. The BCC helpline is wonderful too - I've used it several times and always come of the phone with a more realsitic perspective. This is a horrible thing you're going through, and 15 August will seem like an age away, try to do something nice for yourself each day til thn, no matter how small. Hugs and smiles xxx ... View more

Hi jk, I'm pleased to hear your good news too, wonderful news 🙂 Don't feel bad for one minute about expressing your fear while you were going through that uncertain time, everyone on here will understand that. The anxiety and fear that come from knowing there might be something in there which is abnormal is overwhelming. Good luck forthe 7th, I hope that once you get that done and heal, you can move on with your life again with some peace of mind xx ... View more

Hello Bevster, I'm due to start chemotherapy next week, I'll be having 3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxil ( I can't spell the E and the C without getting the information sheet to copy it! ). I'm nervous about it too. I've decided to not use the cold cap becasue of the very small risk of a cell staying in a capillary in my scalp, I've prepared frazen pineapple ice cubes and ice lollies, bought mouth ulcer gel, vaseline for my lips, and will be getting lots of food and fizzy water in because I live on my own and don't know what to expect in terms of being well enough to go out shopping in that first week. I'm bothered about the metallic taste, have you had any tips from anywhere about how to deal with that? Take care. Macky xx ... View more

Hi all, sorry to hear about your results Pauls, sounds similar to me, cancer showed in one sentinel node and so I had axillary node clearance and CT scan. I wasn't offered a bone scan though, and wanted to know if this is something which other people are offered routinely - should I be pushing for this? They say they only do a bone scan if there are symptoms of bone mets, I'm not sure I trust them 😞 It would be good to hear what scans other people have been offered at this point in the journey. I'm pre chemo still, starts next week. ... View more

I hope you both get good results this week xx ... View more

jk you are perfectly normal! We all found the waiting so hard, the constant worry, and I understand your point of not standing it that other people knew about you and you didn't. Try not to google - I'm guilty, and just wanted to read positive stories, that made me feel hopeful, negative ones filled me with angst. It's a tough time, especially if you're looking after children as well.You're nearly there, stay strong, you can do it - one more full day then you get your results. xx ... View more

Hi, I've decided against the cold cap, mostly becasue of the fear of an odd cell hiding in a small capillary in my scalp! Probably a completely irrational fear, but peace of mind is hard to get at the moment so I'll do whatever it takes. A session with Headstrong has been booked so I can hopefully learn how to do fancy things with scarves 🙂 I've been reading some of the other threads and have picked up some tips - drinking lots of water the day before, during and after, any other tips will be gratefully received. Macky ... View more

Hi, I'm due to start cemotherapy soon and have been worrying about having to have a port or picc line fitted. I know very little about it, only what I've read on line, are these methods used if there is a problem with cannulating a vein? I'm just not sure what to expect. Macky. ... View more

Hi Maz, That's a really difficult one. If I was you I'd talk to the helpline, but in the end I would trust my gut feeling and go with that. I sometimes think that's all we have when dealing with this cancer - the Dr's know so much that we can't begin to understand, and there's so much they admit that they don't know as well. Good luck with your decision xx ... View more

Hi Dianne, Same diagnosis for me, I've had a mastectomy, followed by axilary node clreance and am waiting to start chemotherapy. Post operatively the axillary node clearance has been painful and restrictive, but after the mastectomy I was fine - I was amazed actually that they could chop my boob off and I was feeling ok a few hours afterwards, maybe it was the adrenalin! Take care of yourself, let yourself feel whatever you feel - go with the moment! There's a lot of support on here and possibly local to you too - I discovered after being diagnosed myself several other women closeby, who I know, who've had breast cancer is the last few years, sadly it's so common, I had no idea until this happened to me. Keep posting on here when you need to, I've found the forum very supportive, and do use the helpline - they're fabulous. Love and hugs xx ... View more

Hi Franci, I didn't sleep at all well for worrying and I bet we're not on our own. I kow what you mean about one step forwards two steps back - every procedure which is done for a benefit seems to have an adverse side effect which holds something else up - I'm due to start EC soon and wonder what more my body is going to have to go through. I'm pretty miserable this morning too 😞 I want to jump in the car and nip to do my food shopping early as I used to - can't drive and am down to texting a freidn to ask to be taken - hate it. Have to try to smile though, I'm enjoyed my cup of tea standing at the door with the door open smelling the garden with the rain! It won't help me flipping sleep though! Hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Jayni,   Glad to hear your nodes are clear, and the mx healing well 🙂 that's good news and must be reassuring for you. I've 6 x chemo treatments coming, I completely understand your worry about this next step - already having lost a breast, we're about to lose our hair, not the most easy thing to have happen! I spoke to the girl who cuts my hair yesterday, she's going to cut it short in stages, and all off if/when necessary, it helps having spoken to her. I have some cording too I think, tight painful feeling under the axilla and down my arm to the elbow. I'm doing the exercises! I'm seeing the breast nurse later so will mention it I think x     ... View more