Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello lovely ladies and a Healthy New Year to you all. Lainie, thinking of you and really hoping the drugs work and your body can cope. I couldn't log back into this site for the past few months - chemo must have got to my brain as just couldn't remember passwords but this morning, I was thinking of you and wondering how you are all doing and logged in easily. I was back in the UK with my daughter for her common entrance/ eleven plus exams last week - funny watching all the stressed and anxious Mums( OK, I was one) so caught up in it all and I just wanted to remind them of what is really important and what anxiety really is! Took the opportunity to go back to Parkside and had a mammogram (stupid me was wondering how the hell they could possibly put the reconstructed breast on that metal slab! But of course they look at the other one) and it was ok and breast surgeon said I was doing well. Needed to have some sort of sign off or update as here in Qatar, they don't tell you much and don't do any tests until six months after Herceptin finishes! I finished Herceptin just before New Year. Still have tingling fingers, funny nerve twinges, my eyes are definitely not the same and are weepy whether it is cold or windy or sunny!? Since we all started, 5 people I know have been diagnosed with BC and when I was, I didn't know anyone. Shame we become experts on something we never previously knew much about. Hugs to you all and take good care X X Madam / Karen  ... View more

Linz, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends. Hugs to you at this difficult time, Karen x ... View more

Junash, sorry as not been on this for a few days..so add to the other girls' best wishes to your Mum! That is crap and seems so unfair! Despite my diagnosis and treatment, my mum coped ! Against my wishes, by having a fag! Nic Nac, well done in the race for life. I have finished all treatment and a nurse has said that I can say I am all clear - can I? Will have scans and mammogram in September I guess, which is my year since diagnosis. We are aiming to go back to Qatar end August but I have to continue aherceptin there! Have started the dreaded Tamoxifan..not sure how much is me or e drug but feel a bit crankier and sluggish? Anyone else felt that? Hugs to you all x ... View more

Ladies! I am done! Last Radio zapping done! After ten months, the major oncology weapons have been fired. Had pink bubbles at lunchtime. Now going to put more aloe Vera on the boob and lie down! Is this the point where I join you on the perch? Ledge? Podium? Xxx ... View more

Ladies, just to explain that the Holding the breath technique is because it is my left boob! Heart has to go down and back to stop it being affected hence the nose clip and snorkel! Feel like some kind of has been synchronised swimmer! For the London ladies, I will be at CCL every day from now on. Sorry to hear about NHS and dignity stories, maybe being bankrupt by private does have some advantages! But still get 9 people in your room looking at you crying five days after surgery as if you're a freak! ... View more

Hello Ladies, Lainie: almost comical but not at all funny is it! Honestly, there IS a book from us lot. Congrats to you Junash and I look forward to meeting up, which I think is in two weeks? Well, I had my planning yesterday for Radio so all go to start Friday . The scariest bit is the snorkel breathing bit! Jeez! Didn't expect to be nervous at holding my breath for 20 seconds. The discomfort and pain still ongoing from the surgery makes me dread any more of s burning sensation! Any advice on creams or bras! Radio said not to wear one but reconstruction says I need to! So, cheers to my last three days without an appointment! Chicks, please don't shut down the podium yet! ... View more

Great idea to meet up. Think Jingo suggested June 16 for us to meet up? and we look to both be at CCL Parkside regularly in June. I will start radio on June 4 every day. X Ladies, thought I would let you all know that today my kiddies' school is holding elections for their charity of the year and I am proud that my two, aged 9 and 7, have gone to school to present to their fellow pupils and ask for support for Cancer Research UK . They have done their own script and ppt. presentation! Apart from a line about children and Cancer which I thought a little too scary for primary school! I might post it. ... View more

Jingo, would be great to hook up. I am still in London yes, going to Marsden off and on and going tomorrow I think or to Devinshire place ? for more drainag with the recon surgeon... but will start Radiotherapy in June at CCL, Parkside Wimbledon. Live in Kew so do let me know where a good meeting point and when suits you. Am on the Facebook group... ... View more

Thanks Jingo! How am ia. Well, struggling! The haematoma continues to be drained. And then fills and is now slightly infected. They are less concerned about it now as thought it was tissue , skin trauma or something. I am struggling mentally as just seemed to have hit the wall in terms of trying to feel motivated and positive. Just don't. Have cried every day since surgery I think and now have medical team thinking I am suicidala, surely, no one jogs through this chirping happily? I have just had enough of doctors, needles, anti biotics etc. See the radiologist this eve so guess that means radiotherapy is a goer! But delay possible due to non healing breast! Abdomen seems to be hesling ok and I can actually see I may just have a flatter tummy! Meant to start Tamoxifen in June but they are wondering about anti depressants! God, what a jolly post writer I am today girls! Tell me this is normal after eight months of diagnosis, surgery, chemo, mastectomy and reconstruction, infection, battling insurance company, relocating, being a mummy...??. Etc? I think some of you have coped with worse? Xx ... View more

Jingo! Oh Lordy, they just keep on giving you more to deal with. Well, while you have a much deserved beer, I sm so fed up I am on my secind glass of wine! My developed haematoma on the new breast is too solid and too significant to drain so back again tomorrow and may need surgery! So, three days of five appointments at two hospitals! However, through Facebook and coincidence, Before one of my appointments, I am meeting up with someone I used to work with on the Sydney 2000 Olympics, whom I have not seen since then and what brings us together tomorrow,!? Why, Both being treated for BC at the same hospitsl! Thinking of you jingo x ... View more

Morning chics! Murphy, Happy Birthdya for yesterday. Jingo, how is your little lad? Peta, you and your daughter are an inspiration. Reminds me, us of positive stuff! I have been feeling very woe is me...have been back and forth to hospitals as have fluid not draining from the op and haematoma so back in g'day, today and tomorrow! Thought that I would get full results and plan for radio but no news and am frustrated. Will push today as realise been to two appointments and two weeks since leaving hospital, my surgeon and oncologist haven't got all details they need from pathologist. I wnat to know next steps and feel life is in limbo, even though I am meant to be resting and recovering? I do have sharp deep pains behind where breast was and through to my shoulder blade. Apparently all normal and it takes months. I am upright now and walking but can't pick up anything and trying to get my 7 year old ready for his first school,residential trip at 5 am today was amusing! He was so full of beans,it made up for his old hobbling mummy! ... View more

So is the anniversary date when we were diagnosed? If so, I am coming up the rear and way behind..September 4 but then the diagnosis just kept getting better! Sarcastic! Full diagnosis with the news about chemo and the mastectomy was October after lumpectomy. ... View more

What did you wear? Show us on FB! Bet you looked fabby. I keep dreaming to have and zingy shiny pink dress! For the Bash x ... View more

Nicnac, congrats on the party! I am so going to the the same, well so my friends say! I ended up back in hospital but out nowadays. Total wobbles as just fed up and greater wobbles as I was and was back into the same hospital and same private floor etc. as his wife, at same time, but I am out and alive! So, I can't stop crying! I wAnt the hospital media statement to be more accurate, I want the media coverage to be more detailed and maybe precise ( late diagnosed, invasive, unable to txt etc etc) don't you? as if my 9 and 7 year old hear this news or any coversge or comments about the drama this evening....they think I won't die of the type of Cancer I have! How do they not get more sacred? How do we? Maybe when my treatment journey done, we can articulate, we can have a more public voice? Xx ... View more

Well done in getting through surgery! I can't believe what you have had to go through! How is your blood pressure? Omg! And how is your son? I thought it was bad enough seeing my 7 year old crumble in the hospital as he couldn't cope with seeing all the equipment and wires hanging out of mea, am so sorry you have had to go through that and really hoping he is recovering strongly, and you of course? ... View more

Enjoy your party ..I feel many drinks away fm mine! Whet to see surgeon today for histology results but he said they were not detailed enough! So, have to wait to see about radio until May 11! Grrr. Have a drink for me, please! ... View more

Ooh! Well done Linzz...the thought right now of anyone going near my new boob would have me screamin! I am so bandaged and swathed in firm control undies and surgical stockings that I feel like a bent- over hag squeezed into a kid's Wonder Woman costume!! ... View more

What a tonic reading through all your comments! makes me laugh and, as it is really true that, as even, our loveliest friends seem to get to Care Factor Zero ( as Aussies say) , being able to rant, moan, cry here is so very comforting and helpful. Linzz..bets of luck with scans/ tests. I think we will all feel this constant ongoing anxiety? I have taken all your advice and having sat with the kindest nurse last night and sobbed and written down my list of concerns and questions, as I was greeted by 9 people in my hospital room this morning; I proceeded to rant, moan, cry...funny how quickly the numbers reduced to two! However, the care, focus and advice I then got was excellent and I only wish I had received this a few days ago, I am not being " released" today as blood pressure high and a drain not draining etc?. So tomorrow ...and now, I actually feel like I do understand a bit more about my lopsided boobs, and puckered tummy and ...and.... Throwing myself into the group hug, gently of course! ... View more

Thank you so much! Tears flowing thanks to your kind and motivating words Bettypoppit! I am sore and scared of going home which might be tomorrow, as won't have army of nurses helping but missing my kiddies. Have really looked at my body and it looks much much worse, I will be asking the recon surgeon about this for sure! Keep telling myself that a funny shaped body is better than a killer boob! X ... View more

And, one question... When does this BC drama start? That'll have to be pretty darn good acting! ... View more