Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks to all you ladies for your kind thoughts. But don't forget if you get headache for more than 24 hours get it checked and don't have no for an answer, especially if you have TNBC. I probably won't be back on this site. So good luck and love to you all from Mick, Bryn and Kaidan. XX ... View more

Downbutnotout. Thank you for your sentiments. We were hoping for another 12-15 months. We had a list that we were going to do together. Now I will be doing them with the boys to the letter of that list. Hope you are okay. Corinne didn't say much about what she put on this forum. Mick ... View more

To all who have had contact with Wolfie in the past. Sadly she passed away on 29th January. The enemy got into her brain about 15th and was very quick. We had her funeral today so I thought you might all like to know. She had headaches for about 2 weeks before she went into hospital but refused to go and get it checked. So ladies if any of you get headaches don't wait till it gets bad. Only rads might help if treatment is early when pain starts. Best wishes to all Wolfies husband. ... View more

Hi cress... I have had both picc and port fitted during my treatments.. I agree with all the comments on here for the picc line.... It has many pros which have been listed here... My prob was that it is not waterproof - so no baths, no swimming, I am also allergic to the dressings and my arm blistered badly, and as the line was too long it got caught and was pulled out!!! I currently have a port-a-cath... Which I don't even notice... I've had a couple of issues, ie the line came loose and was pulled into my heart... Sounds bad, but the surgeon had never seen it before, wasn't even treated as an emergency they just went back in and stitched it back up to my muscle and they had to give me GA as my veins are rubbish so larger incision... But I can swim, rough play with my boys, no dressings.. And the area they fitted it is numb so I don't even feel the port-a-cath fitting going in, so no pain at all... Only flushed every 2/3 weeks and they come to my house to do it, takes 10 mins.. If you do go for a port tho I would suggest you work out the best position: mine can sometimes catch on my bra, or clothing edges.. Mark where u want it and get the surgeon to put there.. It does stick out - it's about the size of a medium sized marble. Hope you like and make the best decision for you... Wolfie xxx ... View more

Hi ladies Thank you so much for you replies - hoping to put it to the back of my mind now... And no more tears 😀 😀 😀 😀 I hope you are both well?? Dbno - how you getting on with the eribulin.. Hope it is blasting those b**ggers.. Mairiose - I hope cape is doing its job.. And you see improvement very soon.. Stresshead ... I hope things are getting better for you.. I had an allergic reaction to plasters, and that was one reason why they decided to give me a Port rather than a picc... So much better for me... Have a look at the information on it and see if it would suit you... Cress - re nails... I don't know if will help, but I remember being told that your nails lift and go weak because the chemo is light sensitive and gets to the nail bed. Painting them with very dark nail varnish will stop the light getting thru and the nails getting damaged.. I did this and didn't have probs with my nails - but obviously this could have been coincidence.. Maybe worth a try? Janice - I hope you are now the advice you need on how to deal with these mets - so much differing info we get.. My onc gave me more steroids... I hated it and came off asap.. Bumpkin - haven't seen you post for a while - I really hope you are ok and this is only because you have been busy.. Take care and post if you can xx hugs xx Anyone else on this thread - take care, and I hope things are better in the New Year.. Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi ladies, Scan results in... Some reduction others stable.... So ahead with more eribulin.. Hope everyone is ok..hugs all round.. Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi kellymv I think I was in exactly the same position as you.. First diagnosed in 2010, reoccurrence in my neck in sept 2014.. Chemo and radiation followed.... Then I had skin mets on my reconstruction... Had been on chem/carb and now eribulin (drug fund).. Just had a scan, some reduction, others stable.. It's a terrible time when you get secondary diagnosis, but does get easier, and you carry on with a new normal. Take all the help you can get and take special care of yourself!! Big hugs.. Wolife xx ... View more

Hi ladies Hope you all had a a good Xmas and happy new year to you all. My Xmas and new year was brilliant with my little boys... Only prob is I've been a bit tearful, like you ladies I'm going through the 'horrid thoughts' that this will be my last Xmas, and I won't see the joy on boys faces again!! How morbid I'm being.. Need to sort myself to get over it.... Seeing my onc on Wednesday... Dreading it. Back to reality . Going to take my decorations down today, don't think being early will make any dfference to my luck!!! I wish all ladies on here the best, and pain free new year Wolfie xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies I just wanted to post a quick message to everyone here... To wish you all a merry Christmas and hopjng we all have the best time possible, putting this horrid desease to the back of our minds.. ... Here's to the new year.. fingers x'd that it is the best possible.. 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 Hugs to everyone!!! Wolfie xxx ... View more

Hi raonaid, I'm so sorry you've had this diagnosis.. The first few weeks/mths after are hardest.. You need to give yourself time to adjust to your 'new' life.. And believe me it does happen, life takes over again, and you eventually carry on and live.. I have two young boys, 11 and 9.. have been diagnosed with skin and lymph node mets since summer.. I've just come back from Disneyland, looking forward to Xmas and planning to take them to Florida next yr.. It will get easier for you, especially when you have a treatment plan and time has worked its magic.. Take all the help you can.. Big hugs.. Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi ladies.. Thank you for the replies about the cramps.. Nice to know it it a SE... And marirose we will be strange together 😜 Stresshead - I asked my chemo nurse about avastin being taken off the cdf.. He said it was but only in certain circumstances.. And said that it could be used in combination with other chemos but only AFTER third line treatment not before . Obviously he is a nurse not onc so could be wrong but worth checking out, just seems strange that opposite.. They normally keep the expensive drugs for the later options as with eribulin. I'm sorry your OH is causing you worry at the mo.. We all look at others and feel jealous of their lives.. I try to think that we don't know what goes on in other people's lives and that we have no idea of issues which they face, after all we all put on a brave face .. We always say we are 'fine' when anyone asks us, and obviously we are not.. Life is very fragile, theirs may alter terribly in a few short seconds.. Give him a very big kick up the bum and get him to enjoy what he has!! 😝 😝 My onc thought about giving me cape in combination with vinorelbine - said it was a strong option but went with eribulin instead.. So we have another difference of opinion between oncologists... Said was a strong chemo for tnbc... Thanks for asking about my private life.. Unfortunately is still rough at the moment - like a bad smell lingering... I'm opening the windows to get rid soon - life is to short 😛 😛 Marirose - I'm pls your skin mets appear to be healing - it's lovely to see bits of white skin where it was once red and painful.. Here's to seeing more white patches!! I hope everyone else on this thread is doing ok.. I've got all my Xmas shopping done and all the pressies wrapped.. Just need to get them down from the loft and in sorted bags for stockings and under tree.. Will need to hide in the garage until Xmas eve.. My boys getting clever now and hunting round the house.. will have to be a military operation to get the stockings sorted and presents under the tree on Xmas morning before they get up.. I think I've gone abit over board this year.. They have 40 presents each (not as bad as it sounds - most are little stocking fillers).. Talk about spoilt tho 😝 😝 I'm getting so excited - finish school on Friday - so two weeks of family time - yeyyyyyy.. Only thing I have too do now is stop the dog from biting me - teething issues - any ideas Ladies???? Love to all .. Wolfie xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies Bit of a silly question, but do any of you have cramp like pains in your feet and hands? I feel like my bones are crossing over and sometimes my toes stick out at weird angles.. I'm just wondering if this is just me or is a side effect of the chemo.. I hope everyone is doing well.. And wish for a good weekend for us all.. Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi ladies Marirose I'm so sorry your bone scan results.. I'm keeping everything x'd that your treatment starts blasting those little bu**ers soon.. Sending loads of cyber hugs.. DBNO - I'm so glad eribulin is working for you.. I have the gsf jabs so always seem to be able to have both day 1 and day 8.. Have you asked you oncologist about them?.. Eribulin seems to be keeping me stable at mo, according to onc.. Got scan tomorrow, but I've refused to have the results until after Xmas (appt on 6/1) I couldn't face bad news just before Xmas.. SE are minimal.. Feel abit tired for couple of days but that's I.. Hope your se aren't too bad?? We had a lovely time at Disney.. My eldest even dragging me into a rollercoaster!! I'm not that brave a person so just kept my eyes shut and screamed - lol!!! Our new family memener arrived yesterday.. She such a happy little puppy and is putting up with all the excitement from the boys.. I think I've made a good decision!! Bumpkin - hope your trial is going well? Stresshead - did you hear about trial? Regarding your question re insurance.. I had family insurance before I was diagnosed.. (With the police federation).. They will now cover me but only for non breast cancer conditions.. I have an ehic card which covers me for treatment in EU countries.. And tbh if would be cheaper just to get the emergency treatment and fly home on my own steam.. So I take the risk.. I always ask my oncologist is she feels it would be OK and so far she has agreed. 😃 😃 I won't stop going, but just err on the side of caution slightly... I hope everyone else is ok.. And looking forward to the Xmas period - Stresshead I hope your daughter has a.lovely birthday.. 🍰 Love to all, Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi.. Janice - my boys are 11 and 9.. So still in the 'really excited mode' when it comes to Xmas.. Youngest still believes in Santa.. The eldest has now been disillusioned by his friends at school..☹☹ It is a double edged sword having young kids.. I worry about them and how they will cope and what i will miss (but don't we all worry about that with our families??) but it also means that I cherish every moment we have together.. We laugh now more than I've ever done with them before.. I leave the housework and other chores so I can be with them.. time is so much more precious.. I used to put this time off, cleaning house, gardening.. Like most busy parents do, not now... And it has made us so, so close!! I work in the emergency services and know first hand how fragile life can be.. I have at least got the opportunity to cherish mine... Just read that back and it sounds so 'sloppy' :-), not meant to be and I'm sorry, how I feel 😕 To say im bursting with excitement about Disney is an understatement!! I'm like a little kid myself.. 😄 😆 😄 Janice - what I nitemare having to ring round and arrange your bloods.. I get mine done via 'health care at home' - a nurse comes to my home to both take my blood on Monday and give me chemo on the Wednesday.. It is so much easier, especially having kids.. They ring me the day before and give me a time (normally with a buffer of around an hour).. Not sure if they can offer you this service in your area? I'm in Staffordshire. Cress - your dog sounds brill.. I'm so looking forward to getting ours.. The boys have named her 'Roxy' and I'm reading 'how to raise the perfect dog' by the dog whisperer.. Making the boys read bits too, they need to be responsible dog owners.. SS - I hope you starting feeling better soon.. And that you can get your puppy - watch out for the puppy farms they are horrendous - is your brother looking after you?? Marirose/Stresshead - I hope your dressings are helping to easy the pain and itchiness from your mets and the chemo starts having some effect so you can get some relief... My mets are just big blotches at the moment, with a couple of lumps and some thickening.. Luckily mine don't itch.. Just sore/painful.. DBNO - hope eribulin is being kind to you.. Oh well - back to Xmas present wrapping 😄 🎄 🎄 😋 Wolfie xx ... View more

Hi ladies.. I'm sorry you all seem to be having a bad time at the moment.. I do agree with you all it is horrible to be able to see the 'cancer'.. We can see it growing/spreading and for me it's the not being able the forget about it, it's there all the time for me to see.. It also hurts me when I cuddle my boys, and that just breaks my heart.. Stresshead - hope you hear about the trial soon.. Bumpkin - hope the trial is going well. DNBO, SS, Belinda - hope Eribulin is treating you well?? Janice - I too am very grateful that you started this thread.. Anyone one I've missed, I'm sorry (still trying to catch up).. I wish you all the best.. Still, on to the good things in life.. I'm off to Disneyland on Thursday!!! Got to get the train at 0430 hrs.. 😬 But im sooooo excited.. The boys still don't know we are going.. How excited are they going to be 😃 😃 😃 We've also decided that get a puppy!!! The boys have chosen a King Charles spaniel, and we are bringing her home after we get back from Paris.. You can imagine how hyperactive my little boys are at the mo, with Xmas coming and a new puppy.. Didn't get them to sleep until 2300 hrs last nite!! I LOVE being a mommy.. 😆 😆 I hope everyone gets good news so that we can all enjoy xmas before facing the new year.. Love and hugs to all.. Wolfie.. ... View more

Hi Ladies, Thanks for your concern.. I'm fine.. Just needed to take some time out.. Had probs at home, not cancer related this time - more to do with men!!!!! I've been to the oncologist today, says I'm stable so not brilliant but I'll take it.. I have been keeping up with everything in this thread.. Sorry I've not been around to add my support to all those who have gone thru some bad times.. I have been thinking of you all.. I'm now getting back to my normal self, so hopefully will be posting more 😀 Wishing the best to everyone.. Wolfie.. ... View more

Hi ladies SS - I'm sorry you've been in hospital again.. But I'm hoping that this time they have sorted it and you will be so much better when you've recovered from the operation.. Glad that you have such a good bunch of friends round to look after you... Your brother also sounds absolutely lovely... You are an honorary member of the skin mets thread, we love your posts as well!!! Big hugs and sending you positive vibes, hoping your strength returns quickly.. Belinda - sending you hugs... I'm having my third cycle this week, appt on 25/11.. Like you mine will be stopped if not working - we have to believe!!! 🙏🏻 Hi and best wishes to everyone else.. Wolfie xxx ... View more

Hi julzd.. I'm sorry that you've not yet had a reply to your post.. Friday and at the weekends this forum does seem to go a bit quiet.. All I can say is that you are going through the worse time at the mo.. It hits you very hard and your mind needs time to accept what's happening.. Take deep breath and take just one moment at a time.. Spk to your family and close friends and accept any help offered.. This time and your feelings will settle down and you will get back to a form of normality... When is your next appt with your oncologist?? You will feel so much better after that, when you know what you are dealing with.. They will let you know your treatment plan.. And once that is in place you WILL start to function again.. We all know how hard and dark the place you are now in is.. But there are ladies on this forum that have been living with this disease for 10 years.. Another thing I will say is don't google.. It is no help and the statistics and treatments are so out of date... I don't have lung mets.. Mine are skin and lymph... A lot of the ladies on the forum hang around the bone mets thread, you are more likely to get a reply from someone with liver/lung mets if you post on there.. I hang around on the skin mets thread... Is there any chance you can get hold of your GP/out of hours.. They maybe able to give you something to cope until this initial period is over.. I took diazepam for the first week or so, just to help with that first shock, body blow your dealing with.. And the whirlwind of diagnostic tests that come thick and fast at first.. I'm so sorry that you have had to join us here.. Keep posting there is so much support and information that you will get from the lovely ladies on here.. They were my lifeline, and still continue to support me!! I'm sending you loads of cyber hugs..... Wolfie xxx ... View more