Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, I was dx with BC 07, brain tumor apr 08 & now I have lung mets.. My Onc was trying to get a grant for me through Staffs hospital to get Lapatanib but I was turned down.. I now have a new Onc who is from Stoke Hospital (North Staffs) who is doing trails with Lapatanib next year. The treatment I am on is Taxotere x 6 & herceptin & Xeloda chemo tabs, which fingers crossed is working for me at the moment. Could you not ask your Onc if there is any Laptanib trials in your area as it is a fairly new drug?? I hope you get it.... xx Mel ... View more

Hi all, Thanks for the well wishes. I thought I would give you an update. Well Op went well, I woke up after 3 1/2hrs giggling & thanking everyone..... Was sitting up within 10mins. But did have a rough nite. did not stop me from having a cuppa tea at 1am & a piece of toast though. The staff on the high dependancy ward where amazing! In fact all the staff where great caring and vigilant. The only complaint I did have was the cleanileness of the Brain truama ward was very undisierable, & just because it was a bank hols was not an excuse! (the toilet was not cleaned or mopped out all weekend - gross!)(soz little winge) I was up and about the next day, so there was no stopping me! Day 5 (yesterday) Im home Whoohoo. Op went well surgeon is pleased that he got over 90% of it out. It was confirmed that it is metatasis.. not sure how I feel about that yet but at least it is out. My amazing Oncologist came & seen me the day after my op on the ward to see how was doing and has already started the ball rolling in my next traetments. Which rads, tablet form of chemo, & a new drug that is like herceptin but has not long been approved. So as you can see I hav an amazing onc who is def not giving up on me!! I got a right runway at the back of me head, I keep expecting a jumbo to land. lol Anyway hark at me going on. I hope everyone is doing well and things are ok. Hugs 2 u all xx ... View more

Hi all, I just wanted 2 post an update! I hope everyone is doing ok under the circumstances that we find ourselves in.. I am sending my hugs & positive vibes to u all.. xx I hopefully get addmitted into Stoke Hospital today for all my pe op obs ready for surgery tomorrow! I cant wait to get rid of this thing in my head! I am scared I would be lieing if I said I was not, not so much of the surgery but the coming round, how I will feel, what will I be like (I have a pretty good idea) but its the not knowing bit! I have heard that my face will be swollen so I may not see, and because its more the left side I will most likely not be able to hear thrpugh that side for a while! MMM getting a little anxious now so I will love and leave you all. I will be back on very soon to see how all are doing xx hugs xx Mel xx ... View more

Hi Sarsquatty, How are u doing hun? I am on Arimdex, and to tell u the truth I have as yet not had any side effects. I have been on it since 01/12/08 I do sometimes get stiff ankles but nothing else. The hot flushes stopped when I finished the herceptin. But as we know everyone is different! It is a good drug.... hugs xx Mel ... View more

I am so sadden to hear that another inspirational lady has passed away. My thoughts & prayers with her family & friends. RIP Kate x ... View more

I am so sadden to hear of another sad loss My thoughts & prayers go to all her family and friends and to those she has inspired RIP PINKDOVE Melx ... View more

Hi All, Just wanted 2 give u an update & check everyone is ok! Well I go into Stoke next week to have the tumour removed! I am not sure how I feel - stunned, shocked & scared. but glad it is happening quick so I have not much time to dwell on it! I have so much to do & plan... ok I got the percent bits & I am surprised & ok with that bit.... 2% death 10% loss of mobilty I thought they were pretty good statistics? Then it will be rads 2 that area, tab chemo & a tab that are like herceptin... so at least there seems to be a good plan of action in place. I have an excellent team behind me & I am really pleased with them. My surgeon is Mr H L Brydon Onc: Dr Lupton I hope are well Love & hugs 2 u all xx Mel xx ... View more

Hi Pam, I to have recently been dx with a 2cm metatsis cerebal brain tumour! OMG I am very scared. I to like you stay very positive & up beat. We need 2 kick ASS! I will find out this Tuesday if they will take it out or not! Hang on in there Kisk Ass Hugs Mel x ... View more

OMG! I have got my pre-op planning appointment this Tuesday. Apparently they have brought me forward as I am a good candidate Hmmmm... Oh & the secretary does not want 2 loose her supply her wine gums lol Very very scared but thankful I have not got 2 wait long as for a decision as to what they are going to do!! Thank you all for listening 2 my ranting Hugs & well wishes 2 u ALL XX Mel xx ... View more

Hi, Well I have just come off the phone from the surgoens secretary, who was kind & appologectic, & did try & help! Well another spanner is he is on holiday this week - ok fair enough we all need our holidays!. Next he only does Private Insurance patients on a priorty basis mmmm then I offered 2 pay for the appt 2 b brought 4ward - I got well they are expensive - hmm life money = no brainer it will cost me £140 - I told her I would pay! she then goes on 2 discuss the pigeon hole & priorities = I am 36 healthy no other sign of invasion, hubby young kids am I being selfish - sorry! Anyway the next step is she is going 2 gather all my records from the NHS side and see where I am etc and phone me early part of next week! so yet another week will have 2 pass with this in my head! I feel so frustrated and angry and with everything going off at our local Hospitals who have already got an extremely tight budget and short staffed! the government need to live in the real world a little with no big pensions, or wages or payouts! Oh thats another thing Im fighting My hubb was made redundant on the 6th Feb 09 & we are still waiting for any money or help financially as he has also damaged his cartlidge in his knee so awaiting an MRI so he is claiming for a new type of benefit Employment Supporrt which the government target date is 15th Apr for it 2 b sorted, I was aked 2 phone back 2morrow if I have not heard anything so guess who will be on the phone again 2morrow! We have both worked all over lives hard! So lets see how the government reply when they want the council tax paying!! OMG Ive done it yet again I have ranted big time Im so sorry if you have read this I must sound a right self absorbed person. I hope everone is pk & hopefully having more of a fruitful time than me.. xx Mel x ... View more

Ho Hum! Its that time again! EASTER Choccie bunnies & hot cross buns I hope u guys & fellow ho hummers are well xx Mel xx ... View more

Well got through onc appt day! Thankfully there is just the one tumour! They can operate but like everything there are risks - I could loose my mobilty in my legs because the lump is sitting in a really awkward spot?? But I must go 4 it I think...... Does not everything come woth a risk - Life? Anyway my next dilema is when it will happen - they dont think they can remove it because of appointmets etc for a month - A MOnth!! OMG surely if it is v.agreesive it is a priorty! Beggers belief I'm 36!! So I will be contacting my Onc today about trying 2 go private 2 get 2 see the Brain surgeon guy early - do you think Im being stupid?? Wwe have some saving & parents and everyone else has offerd to rally round but I just want your opipions.. does anyone have any experience of private meds? I know its not going 2 be cheap but I am worried that 4wks is a long time 2 be doing nothing and I mean they nothing!! They are keeping me on these lovely steriods as a short term solution! I have had so much chemo, herceptin and in such a short space of time this happens - how? so my ? is what can happen in another 4wks OMG I have ranted again - so so sorry guys Steriods grrr 😞 xx ... View more

Hi Well D day tomorrow! I get my MRI Scan results & I'm worried what the outcome will be... I hate the idea of being on pallative care again specially all the mix up on the liver mets & getting over that! I am not sure I can cope with my DX. Whta does having Brain cancer mean - ok no more driving!o independant I hate that idea. Hubby on edge kids bickering cause hubby is not coping & I am just trying 2 get on with it and dare I say laugh at it! I cant cry anymore. I am worried as I have not found many people on here that have Brain mets - is that a good sign or not! not sure. Well mixed up! I just have so many questions, I have had Fec x6 Taxotere x 5 & 17 cycles or herceptin - why did it not work! Am I just unlucky! So 2 rant but not sure what else 2 do or who will listen at my rsnting grrr better go kids started x ... View more

Hi Dawn, Kids know something is up! And Anneka has asked if the C is bak & how long I would be in hospital for! I could answer... Les is in bits inside, always red eyed but wont show his emotions. Not sure what 2 do there! Hope you are feeling well hun chat soon!! xx ... View more

Yep its me!! I still have a ? over the liver, this is just another blow... I hope some one can advice me! xx ... View more

Whoohoo I like the new site!!! Anyway How are my fellow Ho Hummers My hair is now about 2/3 inchs - get that hair cut soon! I am still on herceptin - 2 more 2 go 🙂 I hope that this thread has served its purpose I have made some amazing friends - fellow ho hummers! I think we may need 2 move this thread? What do you think? Love & giggles to you all xx Mel xx ... View more

My thoughts & prayers to family & friends R.I.P Jakki many will miss you. x ... View more

Hi I got my travel Insurance just like anyone else fom direct Line, but they would not cover any preexisting cover i.e Cancer but covered for erverything else!!! xx ... View more