Breast Cancer Now Forum

Gcinny please dont be so hard on yourself. I too thought that after chemo id be back to my energetic bubbly self - its not happened!! I think our body and mind takes time to heal - such a big thing we have had to go through. It may be worth trying to reduce the coffee intake. Ive just given myself a kick up the bum & the last 3wks been eating healthy & drinking green tea. Ok im not jumping around but I do feel better! Have to say though that I think Heceptin does have a huge impact - my bones & joints ache and I do blame it for my tiredness. Hope you have mentioned the palpitations to your onc. Im on a break from Heceptin but have heard it takes time to get back to 'normal'. Its awful to feel lonely, I have used this forum a lot when ive been down. My family have been great but after chemo I felt like everyone thought it was all sorted & the other treatment was easy. Felt like I was suddenly on my own! Luckily there is always someone on the forum to talk to. Take care xx ... View more

Hi I have recently had my Heceptin put on hold as its affected my heart. 12/18. Really in the dark & waiting for another scan and appointment with a cardiologist. Have had aches & pains in my joints and problems with my nails. Mentioned it to my onc but she didn't seem to think it was the Heceptin! Feel constantly tired too bit cant sleep! So once again its the waiting game as could not get an answer of whether my treatment would continue. I had talked to nurses about the 6mth trial but my onc convinced me it would be fool hardy not to take the full 18 due to my cancer type. I'm now worried that I'm not completing it! Good to read all your comments on here. ... View more

Hi katy, I had my hair cut at Toni & Guy and they were brilliant. Its really good as they work with Macmillan & so you dont have to explain everything to them about the chemo etc! I went in for a chat and booked in for a tidy up. Didnt need much as hair so short but she explained how I could do different styles. I was over the moon. Ive been back since & had it coloured. Have to say they were brilliant. So hope you find them the same. Have to say never thought id enjoy the normality of a hair cut so much!! Xxx ... View more

Hi Emma, just spotted your Tamox question. I started chemo in Jan, last one may. I started tamox towards the very end but my friend had been on it a while during chemo. So unfortunately it all lies with your onc! I'm now on heceptin and tamoxifen. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel ladies. Big hug for you all 😊 x ... View more

Sandra - my onc nurse gave me some cream for my veins. Cant find it at the mo so not sure what its called! Will have a look and let you know if I find it but there is cream available x ... View more

Hi just spotted your thread. Im the same - chemo, rads and now tamoxifen. Also having heceptin jabs. Have to be honest my onc wasnt very helpful and everytime I ask the specialists they look at you as if sex should be the last thing on your mind!! I havent had a period for months and im 44. No idea if id actually get pregnant now but dont want to take that chance. Luckily my dr was very understanding and i am having the copper coil fitted next week. Not the progestrian coil - i know its a low dose but not prepared to take the chance. Hope this helps 😊 shell ... View more

Sarah, just read your post - sending hugs and thinking of you. We are all here for you . Shell xx ... View more

Thanks ladies for your help. Got really painfull today so called the onc line. They were brilliant and said id done the right thing. They made me an appointment at my hospital with a dr. Luckily he doesnt think its infected but gave me some strong pain killers as paracetaol just didnt do anything! Good tip - he said when it blisters if the redness spreads outside the rad area its usually infection. Thx again ladies xxxxx ... View more

Hi Sandra, not heard of having a bad tummy. Read the other day the tiredness can last for the next four months!!!!! Hope not. I finished rads a week ago and tired constantly. Falling asleep at 8pm is not good ☹. My skin is now peeling and blistered. In so much pain under my arm - its still tender from lymph node clearance in nov - now this. Cant wear my bra or fake boob! Feel awful as in this weather wearing a t shirt with one big boob looks awfull. At least in the cold weather i could hide it with jumpers & scarves! May call for advise on monday as it is really hurting. Not sure who to call - GP 2 wk wait, radiotherapy never answer phone can i still phone the hotline i used during chemo? Any ideas? Have lymphodema as well so worried about infection. Hugs to all xx ... View more

Hi sarah, lovely to read your post. I too am the same, now relying on heceptin injections. This forum really has been a blessing. Am relieved chemo and rads are over. Have bad days still where im moody or crying but after all we have been through its to be expected! Think its good sometimes as have worn that brave face for a long time!!! Will continue to read posts and hoping everyone is well. Hugs to everyone xxxx ... View more

Hi Lisa, am due my 5th rad today. Have had to be rescanned as the images didn't match up to the ct. Its meant to take around 15mins but I've been in 3hrs every time. Worse part is staying still in such an uncomfortable position. One time I was in the position for about an hour - could have cried! Told then i couldnt do that again! Hoping today its all fixed as the manager took over. One tip - i have had three male rad staff - if you feel uncomfortable let them know before hand that you would like female staff. Sandra, i have cording too and with lymphodema, a bad back and sciatica ive been in lots of pain. Asked my onc yesterday what i could do - she just said take pain killers before you go in! Not overly helpful but will be doing it. Xxx ... View more

Hi all. Fourth session today still problems with ct image and taking about an hour! How long is everyone else in there for? 😊 x ... View more

Oh dear Shell. My scar area is feeling similar. It feels all tight and sensitive again. I would mention it on Monday when you go in. I have an appointment on the with my onc, think I will ask. My throat is really uncomfortable as well ☹ I'm on Tamoxifen too and have been really down and grumpy this weekend. It may be this or it could be that after all this treatment we are physically and mentally exhausted! Hope you feel better today. Shell xx ... View more

Good news Tweasel! Xx ... View more

Hi, I had my 1st 3 rads this week.(having15) No holding breath for me. Second one took over an hour as there was a problem with the imaging not matching the CT scan. Don't really understand but on Friday needed more images but it took 45 mins. My arms ceased up! Read this weekend that rads can reduce options on reconstruction? They never mentioned this to me 😐 see my onc on Tuesday so will ask. Problem I find is unless I ask questions I feel I'm told as little as possible. Frustrating as I'm a 'need to know as much as possible' person! Xx ... View more

Hi Sandra. Don't panic! Had 1st appointment and basically lay down and was measured as it is all very precise. They mark the areas with tiny tattoos - the size of a small pen mark. Was only there a short time. 2nd visit and 1st rads - took about half hour. Today an hour as the images took time! The 1st two take the longest as they take images and have to get it just right. Yes, you just take top half of clothes off. I wear a pair of comfy joggers. Worse part is you cant move and I'm a wriggler!! Got my sleeve at long last and yes it seems to be helping - fingers crossed. Hope all goes well on Mon - let us know how it is 😊 xx ... View more

Oh and Tweasel - let us know how your ct results go. Will be keeping everything crossed for you 😊 xx ... View more

Hi Tweasel, it has been very quiet so yes hopefully its because everyone is ok. My eyes are watering as well - people keep thinking im crying.. Fed up of smudged make up!! My ankles are not too bad but my body still feels puffy - wondering if its still the results of steroids? Feeling very overweight and my appetite is still huge 😩 Had my 1st radiotherapy yesterday - not too bad. One of the radiotherapy nurses was a young male which felt strange - Lying there with all on show with my arms above my head. However he was nice and i felt silly as have seen many male Drs. Think it could have been me being self consious about my scar. Treatment itself was ok, bit uncomfortable and felt tired after but after chemo a walk in the park! Oh well one down! Hope everyone is ok - shell xxxx ... View more

Morning ladies! Katy, I'm interested in any info you get on reconstruction. I've got radiotherapy first and believe I may have to wait up to 12 mths until I can have it ☹ I did get to the point I thought I may not bother after all the chemo but now summer is here I am really missing having both my boobs! Was told I could have reconstruction but not given much info. Carmen hope your nails hang on in there. Mine felt like lifting but so far I've kept them but now have brown patches and are sore where the patches are. Also Lisa I'm the same - i have hair at the sides growing back very dark but on the top where i thought it was patchy its white. I keep saying i look like a badger!! Still waiting for my arm sleeve. Saw the lymphodema nurse over a week ago who said i needed a sleeve but she only had larger sizes. Think ill chase them up on monday as my arm amd fingers are so sore. Apparently radiotherapy can make it worse and i start on wednesday. Have a great Sunday everyone 😊 xxx ... View more