Hi Sarah,

It's good to hear that you start your injections this week, along with the vitamin D.  Does this mean that your radiotherapy can start as planed, next week? You've done well to get your cholesterol down already.

You're right, support groups seem very sparse in your area. Most are 7-9 miles away from Cannock. However, I did find a Breast  Friends Support group which claims to cover:- Burntwood, Lichfield, Tamworth, Aldridge, Sutton Coldfield, Great Barr, Erdington and Castle Vale.

Contact Us:

For help, support and information on becoming a Breast Friend member:

Breast Friends helpline (two numbers, either will reach us): 0121 424 9054 or 0121 424 9490

All calls are confidential and will be answered by trained volunteers.

General enquiries: enquiries@breastfriends.org.uk

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 all meetings and social events are cancelled
We will continue to provide support via phone and social media

Members with our patrons and new Enhanced Supportive Care nurses at the launch of our new service

Welcome to our website

Breast Friends is a support group based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. It is run by unpaid volunteers who have all been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Our aim is to help local women with breast cancer through a difficult time by offering friendship, support, emotional and practical help. From the time of initial diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond.

We also aim to raise awareness of breast cancer so that local people will seek diagnosis and treatment at the earliest possible stage.

We are a registered charity, number 1059584

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter"

The above is quoted from their website, I suspect that the group will have recommenced meetings again by now. Even if they haven't,  it might be worth phoning one of the numbers, to see if they can point you in the direction of anything local to you. You could also ask the breast care nurse at the hospital you are attending - the breast care nurses usually know of local groups. Other sources usually include your local library, or Citizens' Advice Bureau.  

I hope that you have some success with these and I shall keep looking to see if I can find anything closer.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

thank you so much for looking into the groups I really appreciate it and the information you have provided xx I am taking with BC nurses and they are helping me lots xx maybe this is something I can advise the support the more is needed in local community to where people live xx

finished my first week of RT and all has gone well. I’m feeling exhausted and tired and a little sore but moisturised every day a couple of times so all good xx

Also what was 4 weeks they are now doing it in 3 because they are doing the 4th week boost every day in 3 weeks so hopefully I only have 2 weeks to do now, not sure what happens after this Finnishes?

I had a pelvic internal and external scan because of my previous issues prior to Mirena coil fitted because of heavy bleeding and my results have come back abnormal so I now need to see doctor GP to discuss but I’m hoping it’s because of the injection prostap and my body going through the BC things are happening down there too causing changes 

still getting swelling now and again in the legs and feel and they feel heavy, not sure if this is the side affect the tamoxifen?

Hope you are well too and keeping in good spirits

the sunshine we have had this week makes all the difference 

xxx

sarah

Hi Sarah,

It would certainly be worth mentioning the paucity of support in your area to the breast care nurses. I am glad to hear that you have now finished your first week of radiotherapy and am glad to hear that it has gone well. I am sorry to hear about the exhaustion, but sadly, I expected this. I am sure that you'll be glad that your treatment has been reduced to 3 weeks instead of 4. Keep applying your moisturiser and drink plenty of fluids. The result of your pelvic scan is not the news you wanted, but you're probably best to get everything investigated at once and then you can get back to living a normal life again.

You will usually have a scan after your radiotherapy finishes, to see how well your treatment has worked. What happens after that will depend upon the findings.

I am ok thank you and am thoroughly enjoying this spell of better weather.

Jolamine xx

Hi Sarah,

I am glad to hear that you have taken some time off work to deal with your exhaustion. A walk in the fresh air every day before radiotherapy can only help you. Have you mentioned how your legs feel to the nurse? Ask if she has any advice on how to manage this.

Here's hoping that your pelvic scan showed nothing sinister! I'm sure that you'll be glad to finish radiotherapy next week and I look forward to hearing from you.

Jolamine xx