Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi! I live in Addlestone and would be happy to meet up. Finished treatment in August, but carrying on with Herceptin.x ... View more

Hi Twinpeakes!  I had 4 sessions of TC chemo, last one mid June and and after the third one I got symptoms of PN in feet and fingers. Rather strange and painful sensations to start with but now 4 months later I am so much better. The fingertips are almost back to normal, the toes are improving but still quite numb. I have been told by the oncologist it should continue to improve and I think it will, just have to be patient. Must say though that although the PN is uncomfortable it has never stopped me doing anything.xx ... View more

Hi all, I am wondering if we should always be given a recommendation to bring a companion to all our appointments. I remember when I got the BC diagnosis I was on my own, also when I once met the oncologist, OH been with me all other times and it is really evident to me it is impossible to digest all given information. Often he have to remind me what was said and discussed in the meetings as I just can't remember. It is all so upsetting. Yesterday I met with the oncologist as she also oversee my radiotherapy treatment , can't complain about continuity of care here, and I had the opportunity to ask her about my chemo and why she choose my particular regime, this she had explained before but that was when I was on my own so couldn't remember and I really wanted to know so got that question mark out of my head.   Huneebee, so hope you feel better today, thinking of you xxx ... View more

Egret, I hope you get the transfer sorted, no one deserves to be messed about like you have been.   Huneebee, sorry you have had such a rotten day, glad the alcohol and chocolate helped to calm the nerves, doesn't it always! Did you sign the concent form for the lung to be radiated? The doctor have an obligation to explain everything before you sign on the dotted line. Demand an explanation tomorrow. Good luck xxx ... View more

Riversidedawn, good luck with the job hunting! I went back to work for the first time in almost four months last week and it was all good.Only went in for a few hours a day mind you. Semi retired in November last year and got the BC diagnosis two months later so never had a chance to get into a routine with work/ more free time on my hands. I plan to change that after rads are finished in one and a half week.   Pinkbaglady, your Guernsey lunch sounded amazing, what a great idea! Enjoy France! xx   ... View more

Good luck for tomorrow Jane! It will be over before you know it! xx ... View more

Maria, been to Cambridge Folk Festival a few times but it was about 20 years ago!! OH still goes most years but gave it a miss this year because of my BC treatments. Lovely atmosphere there what I can remember, glad you had a nice time. Started week three of my radiotherapy today, no problems so far. Had a busy weekend and I think it catches up with you as I just crashed out for two hours this afternoon! Still after effects of chemo I think. Hope you all are doing ok xx ... View more

1981Mum, I have had 1 week of radiotherapy now. You will be called for a mapping session where they do all the measurements and plan your treatment. Explain about the baby and I am sure they will do everything they can to accommodate your needs. I was given a choice about appointments times for the whole four and a half weeks. With a baby we all know that things can change quickly and with the best will in the world you may have to make last minute changes, I am sure the staff will be very sympathetic. The treatment is pain free , quick, you are in the room about 10 minutes and off you go. Look out for redness of the zapped area. Moisturise with Aveena or any unperfumed product and use roll on deodorant, not spray, that was the only instructions I was given. Good luck xx ... View more

Hi Pinkbaglady! Well done you and enjoy your holiday in France, you deserve it. I am also on Herceptin and have had five injections so far. Have you noticed any side effects at all from the Herceptin? I asked the oncologist but she said all side effects I had were due to the chemo and I haven't got over the chemo yet so just interested in your experience. My hospital don't use hospital gowns for radiotherapy, was just asked to put something easy on like a shirt when undressing, I suppose make it less "hospital like". Was given a little slide sheet to bring to all appointments. Have to pay £3 every time for parking, that is if you can find a space! Spoke to a fellow patient yesterday and he said he had to cancel several appointments and just go home because he couldn't find a space, now that's not on in my opinion. Have a good day ladies, off to my third session soon xx ... View more

Riversidedawn, you must be so relieved to have come to the end of the radiotherapy. Is this the last of your treatments done now? x Sharnie, it's good to get the first session out of the way, mine was yesterday x Takeadeepbreath, welcome to the July zappers, hope you will have an easy ride x ... View more

Hi Blondie! The tattoos are just a pinprick and I am not too worried about them but I am sure we all rather not have them so ask if they can mark you up for every session. I would have done if I'd known about it. There will also be some sort of invisible fluorescent marking coming soon to replace the tattoos. xx ... View more

Hi, had my first radiotherapy session today, all went well apart from the dreadful parking situation. Interesting to read the comments about the tattoos, I was never given a choice either and never thought to question it. Anyway, the marks a very small and will probably blend in nicely with all my other blemishes on my less than perfect body lol xx ... View more

Hi all! Had my first session today and all went well. The only problem is the dreadful parking situation but I suppose you get used to come an hour earlier and wait for a free slot. Hope all of you starting today had a good experience. I just checked in to my chemo thread and found out that apparently you do not need to have the permanent tattoos,it is just that it is more convenient for the radiographers if we do have them. You can request they mark you up for every session saving you having a permanent reminder of your BC with the tattoos. Too late for me although I think that if you find the tattoos a very disturbing reminder you can have them removed on the NHS. xx ... View more

Pinkbaglady, had to Google Shaun the Sheep Hunt as I hade never heard abort it before, sounds fun, my niece would love it and so would I. Live a bit too far away though.. x ... View more

Huneebee so sorry to hear you are feeling so low. I know what you mean by hospital talking to your cancer and not you. I have at times felt I am on this conveyer belt where your treatment plan is set from the start of diagnosis and there is no way of slowing down and say hey, now wait a minute, I want to be absolutely sure what you ( doctors) suggest is right for me. After surgeries and chemo I am starting radiotherapy this coming Monday. I am finally in agreement with this but not after requesting another appointment with my surgeon and oncologist to discuss options and follow up arrangements post treatment. Ask for a second opinion if you are not happy with your medics. Hope you feel better soon, take care xxx ... View more

Hi Pinkbaglady! Lovely to read your positive post. You are at the stage in your treatment I am so looking forward to find myself in, to be more precise end of August. Starting first radiotherapy session on Monday, I just want to get on with it now.I am four weeks post chemo and is now determined to get off the sofa and get fit again. I couldn't manage a single session at the gym during chemo, just went for walks during my "good week". Take care xx ... View more

Newey! Sorry you are struggling with the tastebuds! I had 4xTC and had problems after every cycle. It is now over three weeks since my last chemo and I am eating dinners OK but still can't drink tea, coffee or disappointingly any alcohol whatsoever. In fact I haven't had any alcohol since April since it tastes disgusting, believe me I have tried everything! The tastebuds will return but it might be a bit of a long process I'm afraid, hang on in there xxxx ... View more

Molliana, I would ask to get some counselling sooner rather than later. Say yes to anything going that might help you get along a bit better. I don't have any personal experience to base that recommendation on but I know that when I broke down after getting told I needed chemo I asked the BC nurse if she thought I should have counselling. She replied she thought I would be OK but ask for it if I felt I needed it. I have been like everybody else here on the forum, up and down like a yo yo, lacking in confidence regarding hair loss, crying for hours, struggling with the horrid SE but now that I have finished chemo I feel I have turned a corner when it comes to my mental state. Physically I still have to cope with non subsiding SE, have to wait and see and hope they go. I am still thinking about taking up the offer of counselling once I have finished the radiotherapy as I think the thought of recurrence will always be present and I would like some strategies to deal with that. Take care, hugs xx ... View more

Good afternoon! I am having 23 sessions, 15 of those are directed to the whole breast area and the remaining 8 booster sessions where the tumor was situated. The oncologist will mark the area where the tumor was once I get going with the rads. Lovely evening here to enjoy, hope you are all well.x ... View more

Hi all! Went to see the surgeon yesterday to discuss my follow up arrangements after treatment finished. As mentioned before my concern was my tumor did not show up on mammogram , u/s or MRI and was only found by a nipple biopsy. He explained that the tumor was very close to the nipple just under the skin surface hence very difficult/ impossible to detect on any imaging. I enquired about the Tomosynthesis It is used quite a bit in the US but his impression is it is very much market driven. With the Tomosynthesis you will be exposed to more radiation as it requires more images to be taken and the test is only as good as the radiologist interpreting the images. In studies the radiologists have all the time in the world to examine the images but this does no necessarily translate into everyday work they do. The surgeon said now that I have a history of breast cancer they will watch me like a hawk. He gave me a request form for a mammogram and follow up app with him in November and be sent for further tests if needs be. I do have dense breast tissue but he tried to reassure me they are fully aware of this. Not sure if he succeeded! Anyway, it was good to see him again and he said I can come back anytime with any queries I have. x ... View more