Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi all just popping in with my story.  I am from the August 2014 chemo thread and aged 53.   I have been back at work 6 months now after finishing treatment at the end of January (mx July 2014 6 FECt and 15 rads, have been on tamoxifen since), have been on holiday 3 times. Had my 12 month review in July and mammo and everything fine am cancer free.   Just back from a week in Lanzarote where I experienced scuba diving for the first time. It was a terrific experience but exhausting!! I'll never forget my BC experience but am now more confident in being able to move forward and enjoy life to the full. Hope you will too xx ... View more

Hi all hope everyone is doing OK.  I have been back at work 6 months now after finishing treatment, have been on holiday 3 times. Had my 12 month review in July and mammo and everything fine. Just back from a week in Lanzarote where I experienced scuba diving for the first time. It was a terrific experience but exhausting!! I'll never forget my BC experience but am now more confident in being able to move forward and enjoy life to the full. Hope you all are too xx ... View more

Hi Janis, I used nioxin shampoo treatment, no 1 when my hair started growing around March this year, I have a full head of thick hair now, my chemo treatment finished in December 2014 and have had it cut twice. I only went without headwear end of May but have not looked back since. My chemo was FEC-T   Best wishes   Charity ... View more

Well done Bevster had been thinking about you, great achievement. Xx ... View more

Hi jets I have been taking tamoxifen since end of January this year. The brand I have is TEVA and so far so good for me.  I have hot sweats but that's about it although I know its nots the same for everyone.   Good luck   Charity xx ... View more

Hi all. I had mx in July 2014, followed by 6 FEC-t chemo and 15 sessions of Rads. Came off work 1st July and returned on 9th March 2015. Have been working on phased return hoping to be back to full time by end June. It is getting easier although am in bed some nights before 9 and sleep in at weekends until 9.30. Listen to your body and rest when you need to.   Charity xx ... View more

Hi all hope you don't mind me chipping in.  I have been taking tamoxifen since end January 2015. Apart from night sweats can't say I've noticed any other side effects. I lost my hair September last year due to chemo, this has grown back thicker and had my first cut last week. No periods since August last year but put this down to chemo too. I am 53.   Charity xx ... View more

So sorry to hear your sad news Nicki.   Charity xx ... View more

Evening ladies, hope you are all doing OK.    Eileen, hope you are recovering well and resting.   Mel, your hair looks great. Have my first appointment at hairdressers next week for a trim and hopefully style and blowdry. Its growing but am not confident yet to go without my hat.  Hopefully after a cut it may look like some sort of style. Will post a picture soon if I like it.   Bevster, well done have thought about the race for life too. I was diagnosed on 19th June 2014 and there is one near me on 21st June in clumber park, is that the one you are doing?   This week will be my first full week back at work since I returned in early March so will be a test. Its been a lot tougher than I thought actually, am tired and have to go to bed earlier to be rested for next day.  Will be on holiday for 2 weeks early June so looking forward to some sunshine and relaxation.   Good luck to all having mammograms soon, mine not until July.   Take care all, Charity xxx ... View more

Hi Eileen   Sorry to hear you have to go through more surgery, sending virtual hugs, will be thinking of you. We are all here for you xxx   Charity11 ... View more

Hi all, hope yon doing OK   Well done Mel, go for it!!   I'm with you bev on the sweats and disturbed sleep, never seem to sleep through night, always wake up with ringing wet night clothes.  Enjoy your therapies whatever you choose, not tried them myself, let us know how you get on.   Am on my 3rd week of a 4 week phased return to work and have found it harder than I thought it would be. Have been off 8 months but workload I have is as though I've only been on holiday for a couple of weeks, may have to speak to manager to extend my reduced hours.   Best wishes to all xx   Charity11 ... View more

Hi lolly   I am 53 had mx in July last year, chemo then rads which finished late January.  As a treat before returning to work this week went to Gran Canaria in February.     I was anxious about airport security and body scanners but had no problems.   I bought a swim prosthesis from amoena in the sale (£45) and a mastectomy One piece costume, also in the sale.  I successfully went in the pool whilst away and felt quite confident that I looked fine, no drooping etc.   Some swimwear is as dear as the mastectomy ones in the sale. I also got a halter neck bandeau one on eBay for £19.99, it was a Nicola Jane one and looks great on and is not too low to show anything.   Hope this helps   Charity11 ... View more

Hi Christina   I am 53 had mx in July last year, chemo then rads which finished late January.  As a treat before returning to work this week went to Gran Canaria in February.  I bought a swim prosthesis from amoena in the sale (£45) and a mastectomy One piece costume, also in the sale, I am a 40/42 a/b.  I successfully went in the pool whilst away and felt quite confident that I looked fine, no drooping etc.   Some swimwear is as dear as the mastectomy ones and you don't pay VAT so try amoena. I also got a halter neck bandeau one on eBay for £19.99, it was a Nicola Jane one and looks great on and is not too low to show anything.   Hope this helps.   Charity11 ... View more

Hi jannie hope everything OK on Thursday for you and glad to hear your hubby recovering well.   Hugs to you   Charity11 ... View more

Hi Bev glad you had a good break. It's been very quiet on here.   I returned to work yesterday after 8 months off, just phased in until Easter.   Hope everyone else doing OK   Charity11 ... View more

Hi all just popping in with my pennies worth, hope you don't mind. I was diagnosed in June 2014 following a routine mammogram, I am now 53.  I had a mastectomy and all lymph nodes taken as mine was aggressive, 3/10 nodes affected. I then had 6 cycles of FEC-t which I finished on 1st December last.  I then had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which finished at end of January and now take tamoxifen.  I suppose I have been exceptionally lucky throughout this treatment as had very few side effects, although I did take every drug I was given and kept away from crowds when at my lowest immunity.  I have now been discharged from the hospital and am cancer free, went abroad for a week in February and will be returning to work next Monday after 8 months off.  Whilst it is a very long and difficult journey there is light at the end and I can now say ‘I beat it!'   Good luck to you all!   Charity11 ... View more

Hi all   I have TEVA and so far so good.  However it is early days yet as only been taking for about 5 weeks so keeping fingers crossed.   Charity11 ... View more

Hi Sam   I am insured through our current account with Nationwide (flex plus). All I had to pay was £100 for 12 months. I did take this out in October last year whilst in active treatment as I wanted to book for June this year. However, who knows if this would now be less as I am now cancer free and just take tamoxifen, will see when I renew it in October. I won't let it stop me from going on holiday.   The Macmillan information book is useful too as this also gives advice etc and lists some companies to get quotes from.   Hope it helps.   Charity11 ... View more

Hi we also have travel insurance through nationwide flex plus account. I got covered for 12 months last October whilst in active treatment as wanted to book holiday for June this year, they charged me £100 for the year which I was glad to pay as I don't want to give up my holidays. Am just on tamoxifen now so we'll see if this reduces when I renew this year.   Charity11 ... View more

Hello. I have just returned from a week in Gran Canaria and was anxious about airport security as I too wear a prosthesis. I did some research beforehand on what might happen and wondered whether to mention anything before going through.  I decided not to and walked through without any problem. It was my husband that was frisked both ways as it goes.   Don't let it spoil your trip.   Charity11 ... View more