Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi J I am also 49. Dx last year. I was grade 3 ER and Her2+. I did WLE, chemo, bilateral mx and am now at numer 12 Herceptin. I took tamoxifen for 3 weeks and then took the decision to stop. The side effects were too much. I couldn't function. My periods also stop after chemo 3. I've been the team are ok with that as long as my period doesn't start again. I'm back at work, have lost a stone in weight and am in the gym. I couldn't have done all that if I hadn't stopped. I too know someone who had 2 recurrances on tamoxifen. There are no guarantees. I'm happy with my decision x ... View more

Hi Herm10ne Wow, I think there must be a whole herd/flock/gaggle? of ostriches out there. My hubby is also one but I don't think his head is quite as far in the sand as yours. He has come to a few of my appts but mostly its been my mum who has been down the same road herself and is always by my side (sometimes suffocatingly so)! I think maybe we put a brave face on and find ourselves reassuring everyone else so they just carry on with their lives happily believing everything will be fine. Maybe you could sit them all down and explain that you need their support and you're not in a position to be everyone's rock. One of the bcns at my unit is also a Macmillan counsellor and she meets regularly with my daughter whos 16 and seemed to go through my treatment coping well but suddenly had a meltdown once I was finished and back at work. Could that be an option for your family? Having watched my mum go through this, I'd say I found it easier to deal with my own diagnosis than hers and probably was guilty of the ostrich thing myself. I wish now she'd spoken out about how she was feeling. Perhaps they just don't know what to say or do. It's a difficult one. Good luck xx ... View more

Hi Anniewol I was given one to try by one of the therapists in my unit. I tried it for 2 weeks but it did nothing for me. The only effect it had was to wipe the hard drive on my laptop so my freebie cost £100 in repairs. It's still worth giving it a try though as I've also read good reviews. I must have just been unlucky. Don't let it near your laptop though lol. ... View more

Hi I threw in my towel after 3 weeks. Evil stuff!! ... View more

Hi Deborah I'm not sure if they ever offer a local. I didn't feel a thing when mine were removed. I was very relieved to get them out as one of mine had dislodged and was touching a nerve. Sounds like you've been unlucky. Maybe it depends who does it. x ... View more

Hi As soon as I started taking it, I used to wake up in the night hungry. I alos had the most horrendous volcanic eruptions of hot flushes. I decided the dubious small benefit of taking it wasn't worth it. After 3 weeks I stopped it, joined a gym and started the 5:2 diet. I've lost a stone since May. My bcn lectured me on how having too much body fat encourages oestrogen and means recurrence is more likely. Then they give you a drug which makes you put on weight! For me, reducing my body fat and getting fit will be far more beneficial. That's just my opinion though xx ... View more

Hi I had this too and thought I needed new glasses. I was advised not to get an eye test until 3 months after chemo finished. It was the correct advice. I had an eye test in June and my prescription had only changed slightly and my eyes had pretty much gone back to normal. If you've lost your eye lashes, that wont have helped. Good luck with the rest of your treatment xx ... View more

Hi ladies I'm struggling with this decision too. I had a bilateral mx in April and so far have gone flat. I can't wear my prosthesis as it hurts wearing a bra due to scar tissue and a very prominent rib. Surgeon has ruled out implants as he said the result would be rubbish because of my frame and also there's not enough skin been left. I don't want LD flap as it would be both sided and can leave weakness. I could live with that one 1 side but not both. That only leaves the abdomen. Do I want to put myself through all that? It's a real dilemma. x ... View more

Amazing how different the care is in different places. I had the stockings on for surgery and had to keep them on while in the hospital. My bcn said 'you can do what you like once you're home'. While in hospital I had an injection every night before bed. I think it was heparin. Everyone who'd had surgery got it. x ... View more

Hi Dizzy Are you having steroids? If so, that'll do it every time. I had them to take for 3 days after chemo and once I stopped them I was ok. I carried on as normal apart from not going to work. You don't have to stay at home. Just be sensible about staying away from people you know are ill and not travelling on really busy public transport. I'm guessing it's fec-t you're having? It's the T part which usually lowers your immunity. xx ... View more

Hi Bernie I didn't actually notice how long it took to go back to normal. Think it was one of those gradual things. Maybe a few weeks. Borbie. I had the nose thing too. After first tax, I was admitted to hospital with a high temp etc and I first noticed it then. It was crusty too like having a cold. I put it down to the air con in the ward but it didn't go away. I hate to say it but I finished chemo in March and I've still got it. Theres nothing wrong with my taste buds now though. I'm working hard to get the weight off. Best wishes to you all x ... View more

Hi jackjack Mine was invasive ductal. Even when I first saw the consultant, he said he couldn't feel it. Turned out to be 35mm, grade 3 tumour. I had WLE back in October but no clear margins so he wanted to operate again. I then asked for bilateral mx which he agreed to. I had 6 doses of chemo and then the surgery. I'm now on Herceptin for a year but I'm 4 months past mx and feeling good. About to go back to work x ... View more