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hopefulholly
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since
23-05-2015
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08-09-2022
02:22
Hi. Asking for a friend. Is palbociclib classed as immunotherapy treatment? Can't find the answer online and travel insurance company is asking. Thank you in anticipation of any responses.
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07-09-2022
05:51
Hi. Asking for a friend. Is palbociclib classed as immunotherapy treatment? Can't find the answer online and travel insurance company is asking. Thank you in anticipation of any responses.
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26-10-2015
02:10
Hi JenJen, just noticed yr post and wanted to say that I am indeed one of those ladies who had positive lymph nodes and, as far as I am aware, have no further spread. I understand that my health authority doesn't routinely scan to check for further spread unless symptoms are present. It's interesting how health authorities differ on this but I suspect it also depends on the number of lymph nodes affected and cancer grade. Wishing you the very best.
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Re: Help with Health and Social Care A-Level, brea...
07-10-2015
10:55
07-10-2015
10:55
I am happy to help. Let me know if you need my email address.
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28-09-2015
11:03
Hi Ele, just noticed your post and thought you might like to know that my chemo nurse advised against baby shampoo as it's made to be strong enough to remove cradlecrap but recommended Simple products - they're boring with absolutely no scent but gentle on the scalp and skin.
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27-09-2015
04:03
Hi Julie and Stresshead, thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond to my post, I really do appreciate it. Just a quick update. My oncologist team are taking it seriously, I could tell that they were concerned about the symptoms and the delay of 4 years between mammograms. They have acted quickly and arranged for me to have a CT scan of my head tomorrow, hoping to get the results in time to meet with my onc on Wednesday - at least I don't have too long to wait. I did start my radiotherapy as planned on Tuesday. Although I'm a worrier, I'm usually a positive person but I'm finding it increasingly difficult and feel more nervous over this development than my initial bc diagnosis. On the outside I'm carrying on as normal but my insides are doing somersaults. I've not told my sons, not even mentioned Paget's as they are likely to Google that and find links to bone cancer and I don't want them upset until I know the outcome. I'll let you know the outcome. Wishing you well and thank you again, it really does make a difference to know that you guys know how it feels to be in this position xx
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20-09-2015
06:17
I hope you don't mind me coming in to your thread. I haven't been diagnosed with bone mets but I have concerns about skull mets. My story in brief: diagnosed with stage 2 slow growing invasive ductal cancer in April; had WLE with clear margins but spread to 1 lymph node and 2 illegible nodes, extracapsular spread and focal vascular spread; had all lymph nodes removed followed by 3 FEC but 3 T cancelled due to complications (blood clot caused by picc, infection and kidneys struggling). Due to start radiotherapy on Tuesday. Routine appt with GP on Fri and I mentioned changes to the shape of my skull - the bone in the front of my head, from the hairline is raised and painful (like the clingons in Star Trek!), my skull is also raised on the left side. Because I noticed this about a year ago before my BC diagnosis my GP said it's 'unlikely' to be skull mets and could be a condition called Paget's Disease which is a thickening of bones. She sent me for an xray to check for Paget's and 'exclude' skull mets but the radiographer refused to xray and said I will need a scan to check for / rule out either or both. I know it seems odd that I didn't get this checked out before but tbh, it seemed a bit silly to talk about my skull changing shape, then I had family bereavement then the B.C. diagnosis so my focus was on that. I'm worried because a) the mammogram that detected my BC was a year late (that's another long story), b) I've looked up Paget's Disease and skull mets and the symptoms for both are very similar, as is the treatment, bisphosphonates? and 3), if it is skull mets, should the radiotherapy on my breast be postponed until I know for sure? I was unable to get hold of my oncologist or BCN on Friday so have spent the weekend getting increasingly worried. I am trying to be positive and keep an open mind until I have the scan but I think it's too much of a coincidence to have a primary cancer and a condition that mimics skull mets. If it is skull mets, the cancer had already spread before my BC was diagnosed but then there was a 4 year gap between my 1st and 2nd mammogram. Does the staging of BC determine the chances of it metastising? Mine was Stage 2. I'm sorry for such a long post with so many questions. I just wanted to make sure I explained my situation as fully as I could and could do with talking to others who have experienced waiting for results for mets. Wishing you all the very best and thank you for reading xx
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20-09-2015
02:08
Hi Star, I'm so sorry to learn of your situation; I can't imagine how it must feel to receive the results alone and I really do feel for you. It's probably no comfort to you but even though my husband was with me when I was diagnosed, we both forgot much of what was said after being told it was cancer. It's hard to believe now but this is the worst stage, being told you have cancer and not knowing what lies ahead and waiting for results of tests / surgery. It sounds like you are going to have a wide local excision (lumpectomy) along with a sample taken of your lymph nodes. This is standard procedure. When surgeons remove a tumour from the breast they aim to achieve a clear margin, meaning that the cells around the tumour are clear. The procedure is quite straightforward and many of us are allowed home from hospital on the same or next day. Unfortunately that leads into another wait for results. As you've been reading posts on here you'll see that we feel better once we have a plan. It's then that we focus on each stage in order to get through it. We're all different; some of us like to know all we can whilst others prefer not to know. I would recommend you write a list of questions to take with you prior to surgery or phone your Breast Care Nurse beforehand. If you haven't been allocated a BCN then ask for one. You could also call the helpline here. I've done so on a number of occasions and have found the advice and support invaluable. Do you have a relative or friend who can support you through this? I was diagnosed in April and am coming through the other side. The prognosis and advances in treatment of breast cancer have really advanced. I personally don't believe that a positive mental attitude can change our condition but it really does help us get through this. At 54 I'm a lot older than you but I'm sure younger members will come along soon to offer their support. Wishing you all the very best xx
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17-09-2015
07:37
I hope you don't mind me popping into this thread but I could do with some advice on hair loss. I used the cold cap for my 1st but not 2nd and 3rd FEC. I didn't get to start the T due to complications. My last FEC was 6 wks ago and although I lost a lot of hair I still kept a fine covering and had a pixie cut, didn't need to go the whole hog and get it shaved. However, I've lost more hair in the last week, especially the last couple of days and the painful and sensitive scalp has returned. My BCN said a few weeks ago that I shouldn't lose any more so I'm surprised to be losing hair after 6 wks of no chemo. My hair did grow back a bit in between so I'm wondering if the longer, thus heavier, strands might be causing this? I'm concerned because the small patches of baldness are getting bigger and I'm actually considering having my head shaved because of this and the pain. I would appreciate any advice from those who have ended treatment. Thank you and best wishes x
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13-09-2015
07:15
Joyce, raise a glass for me. I'm 5 weeks post chemo and still can't drink, and I've tried lol!
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13-09-2015
07:12
Hi Sarah, just browsing and came across your post. Hope you enjoyed the gig - was it Madness? After 3 FEC and only using cold cap on 1st one, my scalp was sensitive and my hair so thin I went to hairdresser to get my head shaved but she persuaded me to have a very short pixie style and I'm so glad I listened to her as it was a gradual way of adapting to even shorter hair and also because, as you know, my last 3 chemo had to be cancelled due to complications so I didn't have any more hair loss anyway. The pixie cut, with less weight, also stopped my scalp from being sensitive and painful. You need to do what's right for you though Sarah. Btw, I've sent you a message x Sending best wishes to all you brave women on this thread and wish you well with the rest of your treatments x
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13-09-2015
06:58
Hi Val, I had a PICC line fitted and can honestly say I didn't feel a thing. I was given a local anaesthetic and the procedure, carried out with the help of an ultrasound scan to help guide the wire, took only a couple of minutes. I then had a chest xray to make sure it was in the right place and was off home. Having it cleaned stung a little bit because they use alcohol but it's no worse than putting antiseptic on a graze. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine. Please contact me if you have any questions x
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12-09-2015
09:45
Yes, I had full node clearance but I checked with my oncologist before booking and she said to go ahead with it. To be honest I was more concerned with vaccinations and hadn't thought about the nodes 're risk of lymphedema but I'm sure the onc would have considered that. I hope so because it's all booked! x
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12-09-2015
04:55
Hi Bazza, I've booked a holiday to India in Feb for 2 wks and got a fully comp quote for £274 from Staysure (other insurance companies are available!) and was told the quote will be reduced to about £230 if I wait until chemo finishes and to £159 after being cancer free for 2 years. This is a lot more than I usually pay but I desperately need a holiday and I'm just looking at it as part of the overall holiday cost. Unfortunately for me, my last 3 chemos had to be cancelled due to complications but it does mean that my radiotherapy has been brought forward so end of treatment (excluding Letroxole and blood thinning injections to treat blood clot) will be mid October for me. It's worth shopping around but I think most insurance companies whack a premium on policies for travellers who have had cancer regardless of the prognosis. Good luck with your search and let me know if you or other readers manage to find more reasonable cover.
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31-08-2015
12:32
Hi Josie and jky, thank you for your kind words. I'm afraid that my last 3 chemo have been cancelled because of my kidneys and the thrombosis I have that was caused by the picc line. My oncologist believes that the risks of continuing with chemo far outweigh the benefits, particularly as I was borderline for chemo anyway and only had it because of lymph node involvement. She did say that I will have benefited from the 3 FEC I had though. At least I don't get to start the dreaded T! Good luck to you both x
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29-08-2015
04:59
I'm starting this thread as I want to raise awareness (not alarm) with as many people as I can about the potential risks associated with Ibuprofen. Because of a high temperature and low white blood count I was prescribed antibiotics - Co-amoxiclav and Ciproflaxin. At the same time, my sciatica flared up so i started taking Ibuprofen. After a few days I felt unwell with a fever and high temp. Blood tests showed that my kidneys weren't functioning as they should, all medication was stopped and thankfully, my levels improved. It appears that as Ibuprofen is processed through the kidneys, that and the antibiotics (and indeed the chemo) combined to seriously affect my kidneys to dangerously low levels. I didn't check with my onc team before taking Ibuprofen as I presumed, as many women on here take this and painkillers to help with muscle pain following chemo, that it was safe. I know we are all different and react to chemo, side effects and medication differently but I feel that it's likely, due to risk of infection during chemo that others may be in the same situation and take both antibiotics and Ibuprofen at the same time. It could be that I was just unlucky but I've not had problems with my kidneys before and feel that my experience is worth sharing. I would just advise caution and suggest that advice from oncology is sought before self medicating as I did.
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29-08-2015
04:30
Thanks everyone for your kind wishes. Carole, thanks for sharing your friend's experience, that's encouraging and good luck with the arrival of your grandchild. Joyce, I'm afraid I won't be celebrating with wine anytime soon as I've learnt more about the condition of my kidneys. I'm going to post on the general chemo thread to raise awareness of the potential risks of taking medications whilst on chemo. Wishing all of you the very best x
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27-08-2015
01:38
I think we're all entitled to a bad day and as that was my first 'down' post I don't think I've done too badly. I'll be leaving this thread as, after just 3 FEC my oncologist has decided that my body can't cope with any more chemo so I won't be starting the dreaded docetaxol after all. As well as the thrombosis my kidneys aren't functioning as they should be so my oncologist feels that the health risks of chemo are far greater than the benefits, particularly as I was borderline for chemo. I have mixed feelings about this but the decision was taken out of my hands. My radiotherapy will start once I've recovered from this setback so I'll be joining a September / October rads group. I'll pop back in to see how everyone is getting on and wish you all the very best. X
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25-08-2015
08:09
And I've the central heating on for the second night in bleeding August! Ok, so the next post will be more upbeat!
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