Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thanks Gillian, I'm doing ok, rads all done and not too red, so far!   The point about infections etc if important Tina, as I had to delay a week twice, meaning I finished on the 21st April rather than the 7th so consequently, rads started later too. I got the letter with the dates for the rads between my 2nd and 3rd T, it could have still had to change if I'd been delayed again.   You could always wait until chemo is finished and you have your dates for rads, then see if you can book something last minute. If you are going abroad, check you can get travel insurance first and be sure to include everyone who is in you group on the same insurance!   Amanda x ... View more

Hi Tina J, It is normal to have about four weeks between the last chemo and rads, but it can vary a bit. You should consult with your breast care nurse or oncologist before booking anything. Also you need to consider travel insurance, especially if you're thinking of going abroad... you may be refused while you are still having active treatment so do phone a few companies and check first. It's not such an issue if you are having a holiday in this country. Are you having FEC-T? Quite a lot of ladies find the T quite hard, I certainly did and each one was worse than the previous one! The worst symptoms kick in between 3 & 5 days after and my last one saw me unable to do much at all for about a week from the 3rd day, so the first week to ten days can be very rough! (I barely got out of bed for 4 days and spent the next few days after that on the sofa) Your immune system will still be hard hit for a good few weeks, so you'll still have to be very careful.   In my personal opinion, I think it could be a bit too much for you, assuming you're having FEC-T and three cycles of each, your body will be pretty hammered by then. The main thing here is that you are going through all this gruelling treatment to rid yourself of this horrible disease and try to stop it coming back. It may be necessary to put normal life on hold for a while, to give your body a chance to rest and to deal with the treatment I would consult with your BCN or oncologist though.   I didn't cold cap and had a massive hair loss about 13 days after the first FEC. I didn't really lose anything much after that and it was growing back by the time I started the T. My last T was the 21st April and I have a complete covering of hair which is about 1½ cm long. Of course, most of my eyebrows and lashes have gone!   Amanda x ... View more

I have just finished today, 15 rads and no soreness (yet) or nausea. Try ginger, in whatever form you like, it can be very soothing.   Amanda x ... View more

Great news Sunflowers, so happy that you have been given the all clear! It must be such a relief but you are right to be 'breast aware' and I'm sure you'll be continue to be vigilant in the future.   In the meantime, have a lovely life!   Amanda x ... View more

I have mine at the end of July, I finish rads on the 13th June.   Amanda x ... View more

Nine months after being diagnosed (screen detected) I think that you two ladies are likely to be more afraid than I am! It's a horrible, scary time when you are waiting for appointments and then after the breast clinic, if you have to wait for results, that is awful too!   Try to keep away from general Googling, there are some scary places out there! This site and the forum are great, and for straight facts, Macmillan or Cancer Research are also useful.   It's all too easy at this stage to fear the worst, and fill in the gaps about the things you don't know with negative thoughts. I know it's almost impossible but try to keep your mind off it as much as you can!   Keep us updated about you appointments.   Amanda x ... View more

At first I was told to start tamoxifen after rads, but I saw my onc and she said the research shows that there is no contra indications to taking them with rads, no evidence that they interfere with each other.    I started them them three weeks after my last chemo, about 10 days before rads began.   Amanda x ... View more

Hi Charys,   My oncologist said to try aloe Vera but to make sure it was 100% aloe and this was the only one I found; https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0128PJ7T4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 like I said, it more runny I expected for a gel but it's ok other than that.    It it was the Macmillan radiotherapy nurse who said to try Aveeno, although she said they don't normally mention brands, she obviously has had good feedback for Aveeno. I chose the particular one mentioned in my previous post, http://www.boots.com/en/Aveeno-Skin-Relief-Lotion-200ml_983786/ as it seemed appropriate but there are many other types. I would suggest getting some and using on the area to be radiated straight away, just to check it out.   Both onc and nurse said use whatever you chose (and don't be afraid to experiment...aqueous cream also got a mention) from the beginning of rads, don't wait until your skin starts protesting!   Amanda x ... View more

Although I don't start rads until Monday, I have got 'artnaturals Aloe Vera gel, 100% pure & natural cold pressedl' ( from the 'bookseller') it's a bit more runny than I expected. I also have Aveeno 'Skin Releif' with Shea butter, moisturising lotion... for extra dry, irritable and sensitive skin, it seems very nice.   I'm told to start using the lotions straight away, don't wait for problems to begin. Loose fitting cotton type tops, I may resort to using a vest under things if it gets too sore to wear a bra, not a great look with one breast, but if it comes down to needing to, then I'll have to!    Amanda x ... View more

Hi Tina, yes, the SE'drag on but as we were having chemo for around four moths, I guess we'll be feeling the effects for a good few months yet!   I'm not sure which Facebook group you are looking for but there is a closed group called Flat Friends.   Amanda x ... View more

Well you're off Tina, well done! My first is on Monday, the last one is 13th June, should have been the 10th but it is the 'odd one' that won't be done on the 30th May because of the bank holiday!   Well done to those who have finished already...quite jealous, can hardly wait to get it over with!   So pleased for you Vicky, that you got the tattoo issue sorted out finally!   I am a week into taking Tamoxifen now, no side effects so for but it may be that they don't kick in for a while!   Amanda x ... View more

Hi Gillian,   I haven't lost any nails...yet! My middle toe nails on both feet have a red/purple mark from the cuticle upwards, and are tender, too, so maybe they are going to be lost!   Which nails did you lose and what happened? How long after the last chemo did you lose the first one? (Were you on FEC-T?)   Still get quite tired by mid afternoon and in the evening and have various mild SE's but nothing to write home about. Rads start on Monday, I'll be glad to get them done, as I still have a bladder prolapse & possible hysterectomy to think about...next gyno appointment is at the end of June, should find out more about what they are planning then!    Amanda ... View more

Hi sunflowers, you've been going through quite a time with all this, haven't you?! It's difficult to guess if they have found anything that they didn't see or mention when you had you're recent mammogram, the way they go about things may be slightly different in Spain to the UK.    It may be the case that someone said you could go when you should have seen the doctor or on further scrutiny, they want to do more tests.... maybe more mammograms, an ultrasound and/or a biopsy. If they do, try not to panic, it's good that they are being thorough and it doesn't necessarily mean it will be anything sinister.   When are you going for your appointment? Try to keep busy in the mean time, and don't think the worst all the time, easier said than done, I know! Be sure to let us know how you get on!   Amanda x ... View more

I think you will need to be gently persistent to get them removed, Vicky. May be more receptive about it after your treatment? It seems strange that you were told that they might need them again, they don't usually treat the same place twice. And as you said, it was hardly a positive or encouraging thing to say!   Concentrate on getting through the treatment and tackle the removal once you have recovered from that. I hope your BCN gets back to you soon.   Amanda x ... View more

Well done Nadz, it's such a relief to finish, isn't it! Knowing each day that passes, once the last set of SE's have mostly gone, that you're body can start recovering and won't be knocked back again!    Amanda X ... View more