Breast Cancer Now Forum

Haha Tina my partner says I look like a baby orangutan now. All bald at front but sticky up hair everywhere else! My eyebrows and eyelashes are completely gone. Guess it just shows how long the drugs stay in your system for ... View more

Hi all. Still haven't started rads yet. Im also still losing hair, it's the hair from my head that managed to stick around during chemo, while rest of head is growing fluff. Losing arm hair as well now. It's very odd ... View more

Hi all, yes it's a great relief having finished. I'm amazed that I'm still feeling some of the SE's though and the hot flushes are more often. Hair is coming back, it's blonde where I lost it but on the areas where I hadn't it's still the same colour. It's also coming back straight! Hair else where is growing too. Which is a bit depressing. I was put off by the mention of the possibility cancer coming back. From what I gathered they need the tattoos to stay as a reference point just in case. I don't know what colour of ink they use yet, keep joking with people that I'm getting some new funky tattoos- like phoebe from friends, a tattoo of how the earth looks from really far away! I had 2 nails come partially off, my big toe nails. My fingers are all ridges and various shades of purple,with index and thumbs lifting. I just keep them clean and painted and so far none have become worse. Gosh Amanda you have alot happening right now, I hope it all works out for you though. Vicky, maybe you should speak again with the radiotherapy peeps and just explain how you feel your trust has been broken by the unexpected rads and you would deeply appreciate it of someone explained all the steps to you, to help build that trust again? And for them to put it in writing for you,so you can reference it whenever you have a moment of doubt? Sorry to hear you are on your own again Tina but hope your spirits have risen since coming of chemo? I nearly feel like I miss chemo, just because it was the reason to why I felt sick etc, now that I still feel this way but no chemo makes me feel like a fraud? I know it can take a while to get over it, but still..feel like I have to justify why I'm exhausted, nauseous and sore to people, even though no chemo. ... View more

Thanks guys! ... View more

Hi all! Have finally just finished chemo! At long last! I spoke with my oncologist about the tattoos and having them removed after treatment and have been told they have to stay incase it comes back. Ah well. Rads don't start until end of June, which will give me time to build up my strength. Hope you are all well xx ... View more

Congratulations Gillian!! You should give yourself a wee treat day tomorrow xx ... View more

Hey guys, sorry not been around. As you know I finally got back on chemo, and these weekly ones really do build up on you. The sickness is extreme but luckily no real joint pain just tingling in fingers. My hair is growing back, fine wisps underarms and very fine on the bald bits on head. Though also getting a spotty scalp! All I can type now, but good to see you are all getting through treatment x ... View more

My rads start in June 😞 , don't finish chemo until 2nd week of May. Been pretty sick with this week of chemo, went outside today to try and tackle the garden, near threw up in the plants! Stressing me out not getting the garden sorted, had invested loads into it last year, sacrificed our summer so we could get it right, and now it's dying 😭 😭 ... View more

Massive hug to you Fred xx I hope the ecg helps out, you don't want it to show something but at the same time you do so that it shows you aren't going crazy! Hope it isn't anything serious though. I kept blacking out with fec too, and I stumbled constantly. How many more do you have left? ... View more

I've 3 more weeks left Tina! I have no idea how people can work through this, have alot of respect for them. Sadly I'm one of those who haven't done well with chemo, feel bit of a failure. However I do know that if I did work I'd be constantly trying to recover from some bug or virus. There is always someone sick due to the amount of people we deal with. And since my chemo was delayed for 2weeks just for a toe infection, I wouldn't want to think how or where I'd be now! Plus with my job, I would have to be clear thinking to not put someone at risk and fairly fit with all the running around and sadly during this treatment it's difficult to walk a small distance and my brain just doesn't work! I am pissed off about not qualifying for help,as you say Tina, there are others out there who totally rip of the system and I've worked since I was 16, never had a proper holiday because I couldn't afford it and I work hard. Not sure how phased return works, might be different for different jobs and places? For instance I don't get paid sick leave,so my phased return will probably be me getting paid part time? ... View more

Hey Tina, I had the exact se as you in the first cycle of T, I was suffering from nose bleeds, that after blowing a stuffed nostril it would be bloody gunk then would free bleed for minute. I'm back on weekly T now, very tired already. I'm only received SSP, was told no to any of the benefits us with cancer are meant to have help with. It has been a struggle. I'm not to go back to work until a month after treatment and then it's to be phased, due to the nature of my job, because of immune system will still be low and se's still happening. Problem is think my ssp will be finishing by then. My employer has been wonderful but I am leaving them short staffed. Quandary. ... View more

Chemo has been delayed again due to infections not clearing up. Gutted. Need this treatment over. This week has given me a taste of what's to come when chemo free and I'm not sure I like it. Been super depressed, keep telling everyone I'm ok but I'm faking every happy moment. Glas tonearm you finally got some decent sleep Vicky and to finally taste something! Good to hear from you Gillian, I've been informed that the se of radiotherapy don't start appearing until week 2, so will have fingers crossed for you xx ... View more

Hi all! I'm well jealous you are all on your last one! I have 4 more left, as long as my infections have cleared up! I got my rads ct apt through today, but had to ask them to move it due to my chemo being put on hold. Seems I'm getting 20 days worth of rads instead of the normal 15. Vicky I completely understand where you are coming from. This treatment has completely knocked me for 6 and all the house decorations and my garden are all failing due to it. Makes me frustrated seeing all these things waiting to be done but I'm too weak to do them. My partner is hardly here too, so that makes it even harder. He's here for the first 3 days of chemo but then away for the rest. Even if he's here and just working a normal day he misses the main events so to speak as they occur during the day, and then he is too tired to do the work I'm dying to have done. Even when my mum is here, nothing I wish to be done gets done. Argh, frustrating! To help get over that, I do try and take heart in the little things I achieve, even if it's just getting dressed. Tina, I've put on a stone since chemo. Feel like a whale! None of my clothes fit me now and since getting my hair cut super close (which is great and freeing) I kinda feel less like a woman, especially one who is in her early 30s. Ah well it's a sunny day, so I'm going to sit in the garden and hope this nausea passes(might be off chemo for a week but man these antibiotics are harsh) ... View more

Hope today went well Amanda! Good luck Tina for tomorrow! My chemo has been cancelled tomorrow due to the infection I have in both big toes. On antibiotics now in the hope it goes away! ... View more

I know what you mean, was just saying to a friend there that I feel like since diagnosis I have lost a bit of myself because it's all been about treatment, there hasn't been time for fun or a social life. I've struggled with chemo,rarely had good days, and now that it's weekly I feel pressured to do what I can, housework wise, on the 2days that I feel good. I feel like I've just turned into this boring out of touch woman.hate it ... View more

No Vicky, you shouldn't be sorry, I was being true when I said I'm happy that despite my inability due to this that others will be able too. It makes me feel better and hopeful xx Good luck with the royal. I do hope something positive comes out of it for you. ... View more

I sound like a right cow there. Don't mean to! ... View more

Hi all, hope you had a good easter? I sadly was too unwell to enjoy it and partner is away,but feeling better now, just in time for the next weekly dose. Talking about weight, I've gained nearly a stone so far. which means nothing fits me, can't afford new clothes, and my mood is getting less sunnier, but I think that's due to being by myself. I'm shaving my head tomorrow as the hair I have left isn't doing anything but being a mess. Hope the fertility works for you Vicky, sadly I won't be having any of our planned children due to this but I'm happy that it will work out for someone else xx Good to hear Tina that you have been having a good week! And the last cycle?! That's great xx ... View more

Oh Vicky. I'm sorry to hear you have been messed around like that! Surely they would have needed some form of consent? My toes have been feeling tender since my last fec. Since the first T they got loose, now with this weekly one it got all pus and squishy, so removed part of it. Getting my head shaved next week, as I'm now just walking around with tufts sticking out of my head. Look like a tubby old lady or something. ... View more

Well...That's a toenail gone ... View more