Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Rubycat   thanks so much for reply   not looking forward to mammogram   wow 3 weeks to wait thats not fair, no going back so will take your advice and take painkillers before I go. You made me smile whats "Neddie Paddock"  I am not too good on getting round sites. Take care to all. ... View more

Hi everyone, not been on here for some time since surgery and treatment have been trying to put it all behind me and carry on but it never leaves you!   I have my first Mammogram coming up June I cant get it out of my mind even now,  can anyone tell me what its like and does it hurt is it more uncomfortable than the normal ones (which I found painful for a few seconds) as my treated breast is much harder/lumpy than the normal one and quite painful. I am dreading it being placed on the machine. ... View more

Hi to Lolanthe/ everyone   so sorry to hear that you dont think your BCN are much good, I must say mine were there whenever.   I think you will have had your op by now hope you are ok,my advice might be a bit late but not been on here for ages. feel free to ask.   I had a lumpectomy and sentinol node biopsy in June 2015 followed by 15 Rads.  Unlike some ladies/men I have been very lucky - fingers crossed.   I feel fine only side effects from Rads was tiredness, breast was a little pink/ sore to the touch but not until about 12th session. I did peel a little underneath breast and was told not to use the creams, keep as dry as poss and will clear up, it did. About the bras!  Ididnt know what to get and read lots of posts on here, I went to M&S told the assistant what I was looking for and she said they had a range of "post Surgery" bras-   not as pretty as I liked and usually wore underwired (38D) but you are not on a fashion parade you have to look after yourself and wear what right for you- the ones I got were non-wired a cotton material, slightly padded and had room for any additions that you might have needed, pretty tiny flower pattern, I tried a size larger but for me there was no need. I got myself some very soft crop tops, deffinately get size bigger or two and they were comfortable in day and for sleeping.  I was so much more comfortable than trying to still get in my own bras.  I also found that when bust was sore underneath I put a piece of soft dressing or even very clean fabric underneath and made it easier. Months on I have maybe lost 1/4 of left breast changed underwear size and alll is ok.   Hope all go on ok. ... View more

Hi Everyone,   I finished Rads October (no chemo) I feel that I was lucky with side effects,can anyone tell me if the pain I feel in the heel bone of my foot is anything to do with s/e from rads?  it is very stiff/painful until I get moving in the morning, only had it for few weeks. Is tiredness still a s/e of rads from October? does it get better?   I am asking because I thought the tiredness might be to do with my heart condition or the rads?? I wake up and feel like I havent slept and can go back to sleep by 11am. or my energy goes all at once. ... View more

Hi Eileen  ----- thats so funny to get you on here.  I had a real good dance and a drink for New Year ---- New Start hey? speak soon. ... View more

Hi Eiljones    not been on the sight for a while.... would you be the Eileen emailing Maggie??? ... View more

Hi Downbutnotout     Happy New Year or the very best it can be for anyone.  Thanks for your reply sorry not been on for few days we had a 4 day New Year Break just what I needed as we had had to cancel 2 summer holidays due to my problems. I enjoyed every day, glad we went. Dont apologise you did not offend me at all, it just made easier reading than some of the things so it just made me go backwards a bit and was good to make me rethink and I understood your reply so I thank you for the re-assurance. The more I can understand then the more I see I should be happier at the outcome and not dwell on it. I am at the Specialist on Tuesday but I think that is just for to check the surgery. Having not followed you on here I dont know your situation but I wish you well.   May speak soon. M ... View more

Hi Cassy B     Were you triple negative (I am 68)   I am triple negative Grade 3 Ductal Invasive only had 15 sessions of Rads Oncologist decided not to give Chemo due to my heart condition, but was not offered any meds/tablets ... View more

Hi Downbutnotout -- not been on the site for ages. I was diagnosed in June 2015 with ductal invasive 6.mm Grade 3 triple negative. (i am 68) I have just read your post and have gained more info from this than I probably heard/understood from the Oncologist.  I didnt know there wasnt as much treatment for TNBC as others.  So is it unlucky to be TN.  I did hear fast growing?   I had Sentinol Node Biopsy/Lumpectomy.  Lympth Nodes were clear, and I understood him to say margins were clear caught it early.   Was told by Surgeon I would need Chemo and 15 Rads.  Went to see Oncologist who had the final say----   NOT giving me Chemo as the risk to my heart, should I get an infection (stents and Bypass) would outweigh the benifits of Chemo?  I only had 15 sessions of Rads. Finished October. If breast clear and lympth nodes clear does that mean it has no way of getting out to anywhere else and they have "cut it away" I heard him say Chemo just to be sure no rogue cells have escaped.   I cant get it out of my head every day at some point that "if they offered me Chemo - I needed it to possibly catch any rogue cells in rest of my body - then is it still in my body? - as Rads only target the Surgery area"  So what is it just a waiting game and fingers crossed they keep a close eye on you.    Have I got breast cancer or have I had breast cancer and it has gone?  Oncologist just says they are not God and as far as they know its gone from where it was! I just feel I have a mental block when I ask a question and get an answer nothing is stopping me from thinking "I have breast cancer and it can kill me - when" Sorry to be so morbid I am not usually like this I am getting on with everyday life and apart from being tired Rads were easy for me. ... View more

I have been on this forum in June 2015 I thank you for this site as I gained a lot of information to re-assure me before going through treatment, I have have finished surgery and radiotherapy the one thing I dont think I asked about was "why can I not have blood pressure or blood tests taken from left arm?" my lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes done on left side. What is the difference between Grade 3 and Stage 3  Each day I still go through questions in my head its hard to get it out of my mind. I think I understood and then realise maybe I didnt understand what the Oncologist said!  I was Grade 3  triple negetive ductal....   and only had radiotherapy as the benefit of chemo to me compared to the risk to my heart (heart bypass surgery) Onco decided nt to give chemo ... View more

Hello ladies  I just want to let you know I had finished my rads 8th September and had done really well compared to some of you with the side effects.  I seemed to sail through the treatment with little side effects, but this last few days I have been getting "itchier" and a little sore in the crease under my boob, even though I have followed instructions and plastered myself in Aqueous cream to moisturise the skin and antihystemine cream they gave me for the itching.  It had started to sting and the skin had broken, I took tips from here and rang BCN  they said "if skin is broken stop using creams, try to keep area dry, use cotton hankie between bra and skin to stop irritation, keep area clean, use non perfumed products, pat dry do not rub area.  If possible lay on your bed for couple of hours without top on to let air get to it."     I have done this and it is feeling better and not so red and itchy, she said I was about right 8-10 days side effects will be at peak and then subside, it is quite normal to get the soreness under boob.   Only time to seek medical help is if you know it is infected.   Continue with creams when area all clear and dry.   Hope this helps any newcomers good luck to everyone hope side effects are as few as mine have been. Maggie XX ... View more

Goodbye ladies I dont feel I need the support of this site any longer.  Very disappointing ladies! ... View more

Napping Girl      I am surprised to read your post in reply to my own where I have tried to reasure newcomers like myself when I first visited the forum I found some of the chat about what individuals are going through quite daunting as I was still in denial having just been diagnosed with BC.  I feel quite sad that you are a person who cannot think positive, without being synical -not what this site is about.    We all are very aware that the days are not good, but for some who have been very lucky, like myself and it has been caught early, I wish to convey to others that "it is not all unbearable", and you can get through we have no choice but take the treatment - that is whats saving your life!!  I hope your outcome is good.  MaggieXX ... View more

Hi Bimbo    I am usually on the "having treatment site" as I am only on my 7th radiotherapy treatment today and up to now I am not red/sore - yet!!! Have you asked the BC Nurse? I believe you cant just use anything on the treated area - if it has products in it is going to make area worse,  have you been to your GP?  Us ladies on radiotherapy site are helping each other and sending tips on what has worked for them and what hasnt for some of them.   They say ONLY E45 cream - some women have a bit of a reaction, although hosptal will advise use it has "something" in it that may give some a slight reaction.   The other is Aqueous Cream available on the high street Chemist about £2.50 big tub this has nothing at all in it and most women are on this, there are some using Aloa Vera Gel but I dont know about this one.   When I go on holiday to very hot Country because of sun cream/wet costumes/chlorine/sweat I tend to get a bit sore and itchy underneath bust line and have some cream from my GP and it is really good and clears it up, asthe itch is horrible.  ope helps take care Maggie XX   ... View more

Morning familytree   just reading about your rads rooms, they sound relaxing, I have only been to the same suite 4 each time and it is just very large white clinical rom bed in middle and machine overhead, there is just large white ceiling tiles, big square full light and some fitted in celing tiny lights but they are very white/bright. Feels very cold and stark/hospital like, as I am partially sighted very bright lights make me close my eyes so she turns them off for me which is more relaxing, its not for long though is it.    Thats a really good idea of yours, its the small things that matter some time.   Have a good day today if you can. I am sat waiting to go for 7th session.    They came very early yesterday (ambulance transport) 9.20am appointment was not until 11.30 and then they are always half hour behind so was a very long day again and treatment as you know is actually approx 15 mins and done. I started with a slight sore throat yesterday! askd her if anything to do with rads ahe said no.   Bit worse this morning but dont feel ill (like a cold) dont want to have to cough on the bed, so taking plenty to drink- then I wil becrossing my legs - cant win.   take care Maggie XX ... View more

Ha Ha Jill    not torching my 38D I cant swim well. but theres room for two just having last few mins on here and then off to bed. 7th Rad tomorrow. Maggie XX ... View more

Hi all and anyone new to this thread.  I started reading on here before I started Rads and I was quite overwhelmed by some of the ladies "side effects" and was ready for anything.   I just want to say for me personally not being able to have Chemo first, and only having had a lumpectomy and 2 lympth nodes removed, I started my Radiotherapy and have had 6 of 15 sessions and at the moment apart from a slight stabbing pain now and then I dont notice any difference.    I am doing my normal daily things, although I have days when it takes me a while longer to get motivated. I dont sleep well but havent done since Surgery, but that happens. I have teary moments and have to get on with something. I realise other side effects may follow shortly, or not - but just wanted to re-assure "newcomers" that everyone is unique to their own condition and treatment so bear that in mind. Hope this re-assures some newcomers.  Good luck to everyone. Maggie XX ... View more

Hey Jill   just wondering how big are the bras??  dont waste burning them, set them on the river we can all come along and get in one (or maybe 2 in one) and all float off on a cruise, save some money, even if it is only down the river. It is so great for those who have had a double whammy, I do stop and think I was lucky and stop my moaning about the shape of my boob. keep your chin up, Maggie XX ... View more

Hi Sheena    it is so uplifting when someone says they have finished - its really an emotional feeling for someone you have never even met, but feel you know just from being on the forum- do you know what I mean? Anyway happy for you, hope the Lymphoedma clears quickly what do they do for that then?? hugs MaggieXX ... View more

Blimey Jill did they not cover you up, its embarrassing enough when the staff are all of 12 and you get a male Radiographer let alone an Engineer    Our "posh frocks" velcro up front and on shoulder they are really considerate and cover you up.   Maggie XX ... View more