Breast Cancer Now Forum

Thank you for your handhold Stresshead, it's been a hell of a long week so far even though, realistically, today is the earliest I could get the results. I'll try calling my BCN at lunchtime if I haven't heard before then, like everyone else at this stage of the game, I just need to know....  Sue xx ... View more

Dear Carolyn and FF,  Thanks so much for your replies, it's lovely to get such support from you both. Thought I was coping well this time round but the mind games really kicked in last night. Managed a whole 2 hours sleep in the end but after a frantic day at work I am banking on rather longer tonight. Hoping to be able to report some good news in a few days time. Thanks again  Sue xx ... View more

Hi Kathy, so sorry to hear you are still suffering, it's really quite shocking that you have had to put up with this for so blooming long, have you not had a referral to a pain management team? I am almost two years post treatment, so much more recent than you, but the pain is constant in one place or another and gets worse with any kind of physical activity. So far under the pain clinic consultant I have had escalating doses of Gabapentin and also four nerve bock injections but sadly none of it has worked. Going back in a couple of weeks time to see what happens next.. Like you, it is a constant reminder of what's been and what could be in the future. I got the 'these things can happen' speech but am determined that one way or another it will be sorted out so that I can move on. It is not a quick process by any means but I keep being told that there are plenty of options and I just have to try each one til a soultion can be found.  Take care of yourself and will keep everything crossed that we both find an answer. Sue xx             ... View more

Hi Rubycat, mine should be middle of May so not long after yours. I view it as just another appointment to go to and am not anticipating any issues to arise. I am still trying to resolve severe nerve & tissue pain with little success so far so am concentrating on that for now.  Take care  Sue x ... View more

Hi Blueleyla & Rubycat, like you both I was shown to have osteopenia at my initial bone scan almost 2 years ago now and advised to take calceous. I have taken it twice a day, 7am and 7 pm, ever since with no noticable affects to my teeth regardless of what and when I eat or drink. This is my personal experience and not a medically based one but I hope it helps.  Sue x ... View more

Hi Emma, as the others have said, you should not feel any pain during the treatment at all. Like Ann, I had soft music and pretty pictures playing during my sessions and on one day, after they'd been in to line up the machine to do the second side, I acutally fell asleep! Sue x ... View more

Just seen your message, thank you!  Despite all the tablets, the mammogram was extreemly painful and I burst into tears when it was finished, how embarrassing! They have scrapped the one stop shop at the hospital so I was told that I would get a call back 'in the next few days' only if they needed me to go back. No call after two days so I am hoping this is good news? Will probably call my BCN anyway if I have not heard from them within a week. Very sore and swollen still but, hey ho, at least it is done now.  Sue x ... View more

Thank you for your reply Bibi, I have the cocodamol ready and also Gabapentin which I take anyway.I attend a one stop shop at the hosptial and it also happens to be the breast consultants clinic day as well so should the need arise all is in place. I guess the disappointment at the failed injections is just adding to the worry but as you say it should all be over very quickly. Thanks again  Sue x ... View more

Hi Pollyp, just wanted to say that I went on a Moving Forward course last Feb/March and it was brilliant! Not only do you get expert advice on how to cope with all the various issues, both physical and emotional, but you also get to chat and compare notes with everyone else attending the course. As with this forum, you come to realise that you are not alone in worrying about 'stuff' and that it is normal to have these fears. Our particular group still meet up on a regular basis for coffee or a meal even now and we are planning a 1st anniversary get together to celebrate how far we have all come. For me personally the course was great and I really hope you get the same level of comfort and friendship from yours. Take care  Sue x ... View more

Hi Emma, it all depends on your skin type of course but I used 100% Aloe Vera and also Diprobase at least three times a day before, during and for a long time after my 3 weeks of radio. I drank a lot of water to keep me hydrated and had warm rather than hot showers. Wearing soft cotton tops helped too. Wishing you all the best.  Sue x ... View more

Hi Annette, just want to wish you all the very best for your results appointment today. Take care  Sue x ... View more

Hi Daisy, as the others have said, it is quite usual to get either a seroma (lymph fuild build up) or hematoma (blood build up) after a sentinel node biospy. I had a seroma the size of a squashed orange under one arm which my particular team were reluctant to drain as this can cause infection and they usually just build up again anyway. Mine eventually calmed down on it's own and is now, 18 months later, just a small painless lump under my arm which is not a problem at all. Take care and I hope all our replies have helped reassure you.  Sue x ... View more

Great news Dotty!! I know what you mean about ageing but at least now you can concentrate on your recovery. Take care of yourself  Sue xx ... View more

Hi Dotty, I hope you have managed to speak to someone about your worries today and that you have been reassured? Loved your tale of the E45, good to see you haven't lost your sense of humour! Take care  Sue x ... View more

Hi Dotty, not sure if this will help but I developed a seroma after surgery which came up again at the end of my radiotherapy. I had it drained and tested and was advised this happens quite often as a result of the zapping when the breast tissue trys to heal itself after treatment. You may also find that your boob feels hard and lumpy in places which again is normal. Do try not to worry and I hope your Breast care nurse can reassure more in the morning. Take care  Sue x ... View more

Hi, I hope yesterdays appointment went ok for you and that you now have a treatment plan in place? Take care  Sue xx ... View more

All the best with the MRI and I'll have everything crossed for you on Thursday. Whatever the outcome it is very resassuring to find out what they are going to do about it and hopefully it will put your mind at ease a little. I hope you will be taking someone with you and it's always to good to write down any questions you may have beforehand as you may not take in everything that is being said at the time. Take care  Sue xx ... View more

Hi there, I remember all sorts of 'phantom' aches pains during this same initial stage last year and I was imaging all sorts but they all disapppeared once I had been given my treatment plan so I put it down to stress in the end. Hang on in there and all the best for Thursday, Sue x ... View more