hi im 36 mother of 3 n diagnosed dec 23. ive had 2 ops n 5 of 6 chemo n finding it very hard at mo. feel so peed off n cant get rid of that feeling. would love to chat. x
Colly,I had 17 lymph nodes removed from under my arm .Because they have to cut through nerves it does stay numb although some feeling does come back.It is best not to use an open razor because if you nick your skin and it becomes infected your arm will swell.Perhaps you can invest in an electric razor or epilator.The strength thing is normal,I have problems pulling or pushing things although I have nut suffered from lymphodema I did go to a class and was given advice.e.g. do not have blood tests or blood pressure taken on the operation side,wear gloves for gardening and when cutting food to avoid infection Youand if the arm does swell elevate and ring hospital if it is really bad.
You are not vain,just human and now is a good time to pamper yourself with lots of moisturising creams.Good luck and if I can help please pick my brains (wont take too long,as you have all said the chemo plays tricks with your mind).
Thanks for the advice, I thought that would be the case with the razor, at the moment I cant put my arm down straight by my side, bur I suppose it was only over a week ago I had all the lymph nodes removed, so still feels quite sore and numb. Catch you soon col x
Hi girls only me again, with another question lol. If my consultant is quite happy he's removed all of the cancerous lump and all of the lymph nodes and he's happy with his margins, which is obviously the surrounding area, then why do I still have to have chemo, I could understand if there was something there that the chemo could kill off but I'm confused, anybody able to help with this? Col xx
I was told like you that they have got 'it' and my lymph nodes were clear but still had to have chemo and rads. The oncologist said that this was to improve my chances of it not returning and improve my survival rate and to basically mop up any stray cells. Now however low the percentage rate of benefit to having this treatment is, I'll take it! As anything is better than nothing in my mind and have to say the oncologist made my day when he said I was still young! Don't exactly feel like it at the moment though.
Hi Patricia, hope this finds you well today, yeah Consultant did say all thais to me, but I've heard of so many people who have had mastectomies, lymph nodes removed and just radiation, all very confusing, and like you because 'I'm young' lol this is the best cure, suppose I just need to get on with it, take 7 months out of my life and get over this. I live in a town called East Kilbride which is about 10 miles from glasgow there are no wig shops here so I need to go into glasgow to have a look, John and I going in friday, should be lots of laughter and tears, he wants me to get a black afro, ive said i will if he does lol. Got hair appointment 14th june 3 days before chemo starts, so i'll prob get a short bob to start with and take it from there, the thiness I might be able to handle, but not baldy patches, that would be awful, anyway my mum coming up in half an hour and im still sitting in my jammies, i should really move myself. Take care, catch up soon xx
I too had 3 months chemo and 5 weeks radio after mastectomy.Apparently it is in case a cell or two has managed to slip through so zap it before it causes trouble.
Go mad and have a funky wig,mine was better than my own hair and I saved a fortune on shampoo and hair dye.!!!I think there is a maggies center in Edinburgh,they are really good and can help with make up,relaxation and fill in forms.They are all free .We have one in Swansea that I go to and it is good to meet others in the same boat as you.
its tough all this cancer lark n very confussing. its all unknown territory n as awfull as it is u do get used to it. i take each stage as it comes n find out about the next when i need to. as for having chemo, its the best they have to offer n gives you the best chance. you dont want any left n even contemplate going through it again. got to think about how we would all feel if surgery was the only option!? before you start try n get your head round it cos it will be a lot harder once you start chemo .
i like you was terrified about losing my hair. thought it would be the hardest part for me. had it cut to chin lenght bob before new year then cut short longer at front a couple weeks before chemo to try to get used to it (hated it though). then did the 'brave thing' as you call it, n shaved it off. its not nice having such a change in the mirror etc, but the worst is being so cold. you see, theres more to it than just the vanity side. i couldnt wash n dry my old hair, havent got the energy.
my cancer is her2, too much protein n a nasty ******. had 16 lymphnodes with tumour out of 24. i didnt n wasnt advised to have a mastectomy, like you. its my last chemo on thurs. spoke to doc today n they said more you have the harder it is on the body. at least i know now its normal to feel like i do. ive just tried to go along n not find out about next week n really try to not think about the whole process really. its different for everyone as you must of heard a million times.
really enjoy having people to talk to n so glad we have this page now. my family are so suportive n i adore them but need to talk to you guys. takes your mind off yourself too n you know your normal, ish anyway! will post tomorrow before my last chemo! must reply to patrica, shes perked me up that lady. take care n our thoughts are with you through this hard time.
Hi Lonie and all you other brave lot on this post,
Its been nice to read all your thoughts on here.
Just wanted to say that I had my last chemo a couple of weeks ago, and I didn't expect to, but I cried my eyes out when the nurse said - 'well, that's it!'
I guess it must have been a whole mixtures of emotions - with relief being the biggest one of all.
I really do feel that someone has lifted a massive weight off my shoulders. Tonight, I have glugged and thoroughly enjoyed my first couple of glasses of sparkly, and on Saturday I am taking the family away for a much needed break in Scotland before the radio starts.
I am also drinking to the fact that there is news of a vaccine for breast cancer on its way. Hoorah for these wonderful scientists because if they can help prevent our daughters and grand-daughters from getting this bloody awful thing in the future, then won' t that be just fantastic.
Good luck and best wishes to you all, and Lonie - enjoy the moment tomorrow when your nurse says, 'well that's it!'
