Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Jill.  No, don't have to set foot in there until the spring.  He said a mammogram every year (on anniversary of last op) for 10 years. Not looking forward to that already! xx ... View more

5 weeks after Rads.   Had my review meeting with the Oncologist yesterday.  After waiting an hour (how much of our lives have been wasted in waiting rooms?), the appointment lasted less than 10 minutes.     He said my skin looked as he would expect, had a prod and a poke at my breast and said there was a lot of scar tissue.  He asked how the treatment had been and when I told him how much pain I had been in for 7 weeks he said it was because my rib cage had been elevated due to the heartspare (I'm left side) and so had been subjected to more radiation.  He said he didn't have a picture of where the treatment had been given (do I need a picture?!  There's a large brown rectangle that kind of shows me where it was!!) but the whole left side of my ribs had received radiotherapy.     Felt quite angry when I left, couldn't wait to get out, hated being back in the hospital.     Love to everyone xx     ... View more

3 weeks and 3 days after Rads.   Going back to work after one week was certainly too early for me.  I only managed 4 hours per day in the first week and was totally shattered.  The second week I did 2 full days and 2 half days and had a complete melt down one day!  It was all too much, too soon.  With hindsight, I should have returned to work at the beginning of this week.  I feel like I've turned the corner and much more like my usual self.  There is a lot pressure, mainly from ourselves, to get back to normal just because we want the whole BC ordeal to be well and truly over.  I would say a phased return is ideal and get a sick note from the GP to back you up then it's less of you being awkward and more this is what needs to happen.   Big hugs to everyone xxx ... View more

I had my ops in early April and early May and then waited 3 months for Rads to start.  I know it is a long time to wait but I was pleased that my body had time to recover fully.  Rads take it out of you both mentally and physically and you need to be strong enough to cope. ... View more

Goodness Jill, I really feel for you.  I hope the Dr can give you some proper help and advice.  I think once we finish the treatment we are abandoned way too early and need some access to professional help for the first few weeks (at least) afterwards.   Will be thinking of you tomorrow xx ... View more

2 weeks after treatment.   Just thought I would say how things are going and send love to everyone going through treatment.  You all sound like you're having a really tough time of it with the medication.   I've been back at work for 3 days and really struggled with fatigue.  I've been lucky in that my manager has been very understanding and that she doesn't expect me to work afternoons as the moment and I can just go when I need to.  Have been coming home and sleeping until early evening.  Mentally it has been great to be back and away from BC but physically it is very hard work, my body can't do what my head wants to. Skin is still sore underneath my boob and nipple but the rest has healed up but still getting lots of 'electric shocks' which take my breath away so still painful.   I have my follow up appointment in 2 weeks with the Onc.     Big hug to everyone xx ... View more

6 days after finishing...I've been very up and down.  On the physical side, still in some quite intense internal pain and taking ibuprofen, skin has gone bright red under my boob but dark brown in the rest of the rectangle, nipple area very sore.  Keep getting waves of 'foggy' sleep. Emotionally, sometimes I feel fine and other times I feel like a wave of depression has crashed over me.  I suppose finishing the physical side of ops and rads has now given way to the reality of what has happened in the last 6 months.     I think we all need to just accept that what we have been through hasn't been some minor thing we will 'get over' any time soon.  It will no doubt be a long haul, a bit like grieving, it's a natural process that we need to go through, over which we have no control.  I'm so happy we have each other to talk to! xx ... View more

Well done Jill!  Thought you were never going to sign in and say you were done!!   It does feel very flat when it's done but "it's normal"!  Have you got something planned for this afternoon?  Feel like a firework display or a fly past is the least that's required! xxx ... View more

Thanks Blondie.  I've been doing a bit of research this morning and apparently (according to the Royal United Hospital in Bath's website!!), it could be a damaged brachial nerve which goes down your arm, one of the common side effects of radiotherapy.  I was so worried about it this morning I phoned the Rad Dept and spoke to a Radiographer who just fobbed me off and said get in touch with your GP although she did ask me if my arm was swollen which is another sign of lympodema.  It seems very strange that it is only in my left arm (it's not swollen though).  Maybe we should wait and see if it goes away, I don't know if I can face seeing another doctor at the moment either! ... View more

Has anyone had pins and needles in their arm?  I keep getting it and I only have it in my left arm (Rad side) and it keeps me awake at night.  Not sure if it's a side effect or just me!   Good luck today Jill, will be thinking of you x ... View more

Congratulations Julie.  Take it easy and don't expect too much of yourself!  xx ... View more

Well done Blondie, another one over the line!  Celebrate!!! xx ... View more

tweeks, I think the lumps and bumps are normal, for me anyway, they said it was scar tissue and they would relax as it all heals and it has gone a bit more of a dome shape since my ops in April and May.  During the Rads it went more solid again but I'm assuming it will get a bit more squidgy over time.  Still lopsided, but that's a given I think! ... View more

One more Jill...so close!   In the leaflet they gave me it recommended the following:   Cavilon - to protect fragile but unbroken skin. Polymem non adhesive dressing (used alone) or Allevyn Lite used with Intrasite gel - for areas of broken skin. Hydrosorb hydrogel dressing - for painful nipples. Hydrocortisone 1% m/m cream or ointment - applied sparingly to itchy, spotty areas.   Don't know if that is any help?! ... View more

Great news mf. Phew.   I didn't have an x-ray on my last day so you might get away with that one Jill.  Apparently they are just to align with the CT scan to make sure they are zapping the right place.   Two more over the line tomorrow, such a relief.  Have something planned as it can be a bit of a no man's land emotionally.  I have found the last couple of days really weird.  My friends think that I am now "better" and can't quite take it in that it will be a long time before I get to that point.   Had my appointment through today for the Oncologist review, which is in 4 weeks. ... View more

Good luck today mf, will be thinking of you.   When I finished on Monday, they recommended Cavilon for healing the skin.  I couldn't find any in Boots today but I have a telephone appointment with the GP today so going to ask for some on prescription.  My skin has really flared up now especially where it rubs, under my arm and under my boob.  My nipple has also gone dark brown and crispy, feels like old boot leather.   Good luck today everyone.  Jill, you've almost reached the light at the end of the sewer!  xxx ... View more

Well done Manathu, another one across the line!  Enjoy your celebration.  Take it easy and don't expect too much of yourself xxx ... View more

Thanks everyone, I have the rest of the week off now to recover.  My skin has come out in a prickly heat type rash today, in honour of finishing the treatment no doubt.     Hope everyone copes well today, keep going, nearly there! xx ... View more

25 down, 0 to go. I would have loved to ring a bell!   Had last Rad this morning.  Feel strangely numb now, cried all the way home, just relief I suppose.   They gave me a leaflet recommending products for use with the skin side effects which will take 2-3 weeks to peak.   Cavilon - to protect fragile but unbroken skin Allevyn Lite used with Intrasite gel - for areas of broken skin Hydrocortisone 1% m/m cream - for itchy, spotty areas   They said if I took the leaflet to the GP I could get any of these I may need.  I will have an appointment with the Oncologist in 6 weeks which I should hear about this week.   Good luck to everyone finishing this week...nearly there! xx ... View more

24 down, 1 to go.   A few of us finished next week then!  We've almost made it.  I've been signed off a week to recover but I understand the side effects peak around 2 weeks after last treatment.  Has anyone else been signed off? ... View more