Breast Cancer Now Forum

Had ct scan on chest & node not grown. They will tell me Friday when I need another scan. I am so relieved and can now go and enjoy our holiday. Thanks for listening. XX ... View more

Thanks ReeseeB but can't see any links. Could you send them again. ... View more

Thanks for your reassurance. Should get results 1st May and will let you all know. Good to be able to talk to someone. Can't seem to get the thoughts of cancer out of my head. Even though I have had heart disease since I was 30, and I'm now 67, and have had loads of scares in my life with that, this is much worse. I don't seem to be able to plan anything and my husband is so supportive. Feel all soppy and weepy again. Lol. XX ... View more

Hi. I had mastectomy and 11 lymph nodes removed on nov 12th 2014 & had terrible burning pain in my chest and under and down my arm. I had cording down my arm as well. Started with physio after a few weeks and she has worked miracles. Couldn't lift my arm at all but now can stretch right up. My physio & breast nurse got together about the burning pain and told me to get Amitriptyline 10mg from my doctor. They took about 2 weeks to kick in but the pain has gone. I still have some numbness above my elbow up my arm and round my back but can put up with it now. Hope you soon feel better. I honestly never thought I would but I promise you it will come. Lol. X ... View more

I agree it is much better that they took more nodes. I was only supposed to be having sentinel removed but am glad they took as many as they could. It is early days yet and you are doing so well so just keep positive, I know you are probably fed up of hearing that but it is right, and take one day at a time. I was really up and down after op and everything seemed overpowering but it does get better. Iwas convinced I would have to have chemo then when I got to oncologist I didn't. Ask your breast nurse but I am sure you will see the surgeon again because they usually do another biopsy of the full growth they take away and tell you exactly what type & grade of cancer it is. Keep your chin up. XXX ... View more

Have you not had the results from your biopsy then? X ... View more

Sorry didn't mean to do that. The figures do take other things into consideration like road accidents, other illnesses that can come with age etc. I also think they have to consider the type of cancer you have had. Mine was 90% oestrogen fed so the medication is a very good option for me. I do know other ladies that haven't had chemo who had breast cancer years ago and they are still fine. Please listen to your oncologist, they may advise you not to have chemo and just radio. When did you have your op and when will you see the oncologist? ... View more

Hi. Didn't see the article in paper but had mastectomy and 11 lymph nodes removed on 12th November 2014. 2 nodes were diseased but other 9 ok. I went to oncologist soon after op, and like you, was expecting to be told I would need chemo. I was told that because I have a heart condition it would be more dangerous to give me chemo than to go without it and that my quality of life would be worse with it. I was also told the same when I went about radiotherapy as well. I take Anastrozole. The statistics he gave me put me off as well as it said that my chances of living for 10 years, I am 67 now, were about 67 % , if I take the medication for 5 yrs that adds another 9.2%, and if I had chemo it would go up another 2.4%. These figures did not take account of my heart disease, just my age and having a grade 2 breast cancer. I was really surprised that the chemo figure was so low considering what the side effects are so in my case it was a no brainer. I must admit I do sometimes get a bit scared that I haven't had it as most women seem to but I'm also glad I haven't had to go through it. I will just take my chances with the medication and hope it has all been removed. I really wasn't given the choice because of my heart problem but do appreciate where you are coming from and your concerns but you must listen to what your oncologist recommends as they do have your interests at heart. Please let me know what you decide and I am sending my best wishes & love as I know how you are feeling. Must say I feel good now & try to keep positive about it all but know it isn't easy. X ... View more

Hope all went well today. I had full mastectomy and 11 lymph nodes removed in November but am feeling great now. Just try to take each day as it comes, which I found hard, but it's the only way to get there. Not a good time after you mim passing, but bet she would be spurring you on. Send lots of love. XXX ... View more

They are heavy but I am 38F and felt much better because I feel more balanced now & it doesn't move about. It also presses on my chest which also seems to help the wooden feeling I have. It looks much better too! Good luck. ... View more

Hi. Just thought I would thank you all for your support over the last few months. I am so much better now. The physio has worked wonders with the cording in my arm and is now working on the wooden feeling in my chest, and it is working. To anyone having problems please remember to do the exercises even though they hurt. I never thought the burning pain would stop but I have been on Amitriptyline for about 5 weeks now and it has really helped. Got my proper prosthesis last week and feel much better. I am determined now to get on with my life to the full and enjoy every minute. Lots of love. XXX ... View more

Hi. Went to physio again and she is working wonders on my arm and my chest also feels like it is starting to move a bit to. If I don't do the exercises regularly a few times a day though, it doesn't half stiffen up again. She still says that 8 weeks is early days yet. It really helps to hear from you all though because I am sure, even though our families and friends love us, they get a bit fed up hearing about it and to be fair if you haven't experienced it you have no idea how horrible it feels!!!!! Hugs to you all. X ... View more

How can I get help with that? I really try to ignore it & be positive but find it really hard, well actually, to be truthful impossible. I try to appear ok and it must be working because so many people say how well I look but when I'm on my own it's a different story. I am not a wimp cos have had other episodes of pain in my life but this is so different. Thanks for your support and I send mine back to everyone. X ... View more

Thanks so much for all your replies. The physio is working well on the cording in my arm but I have started talking Amitriptyline but doc says could be 4 weeks or more before it kicks in. The burning is still really bad in my arm and chest & the wooden block feeling is horrible. I am trying to be patient but it does get to you after a while doesn't it? You start thinking you will always be the same. It must be terrible when you have it on both sides! I will try not having salt and see if it helps in fact I would try anything at the moment!!!!!!! A good new year to you all. X ... View more