Hi I'm 45 and just found out that a lump I had on my breast is cancerous, I had lump and lymph nodes removed last tues, so I'm now waiting to hear what treatment I'm going to need, My consultant has said most likely 8 sessions of chemo every 3 weeks, so 6 months in total and then radiotherapy mon-fri for a month, so i'm kinda in the unknown zone at the moment. Not looking forward to the hair loss, terribly vain i know, but my hair is very important to me like most women, I colour it blonde which will obviously have to stop. As far as I know my chemo will be given intrevenously, so my hair will most probably fall out. I am going to look into getting a real hair wig as I dont think i've got the guts to go au natural, I've also picked up a couple of bandanas to wear about the house. My partner says it doesnt matter if my hair falls out, as long as i'm here. Luckily I've found the lump very early by self examination whilst on holiday and my consultant is very positive about me getting better. I'm very wary about the next 9 months but feel quite determinded that chemo is a wonder drug and will make me better. My girls are 22 and 20 and are amazing, they have read stories in magazines about Kylie, sally from corrie etc and are determined I will just do what the doc says and get better, my partner who ive only been with for 2 years is the most wonderful guy ever, dunno what I'd do without him, he's been with me every step of the way. I was worried about losing my breast, but fortunately I had a lumpectomy which looks amazing. my consultant says put your life on hold for the next 6-9 months get better and you'll never look back, oh yeah sounds easy, but im trying really hard. I hope I'm still this positive whilst I go through my treatment (def not I hear you say) lol, but I'm a determined ***!

Hope to chat to others in the same situation xx

hi colly

just had my lump and nodes removed thursday (12th Aug) so will know my treatment shortly. I am expected to have radiotherapy and chemo but i thought radiotherapy came first, seems on here it is the other way around - perhaps I wasn't listening. I'm feeling a bit daunted at what comes next but more so for the effect it will have on the family - i worry too about not being the glamourous vital woman i was and will that change my realationship with my partner and so on. Although we are planning to get married. So much to talk about! it would appear you will be going through treatment at around the same time as me, so if you would like to stay in touch and discuss our good and bad days, please do !!! my email is simplysara1@hotmail.com

wishing the best of luck to you

sara

aw you ladies are just lovely beings.

im so sorry for your news caz n sarah, its so hard at the beginning trying to get used to this nightmare n stay possitive. but you both are doing great, n being a good friend along the way. bless my heart goes out to you both.

colly n sitesi its awful to hear you both suffering. i feel for you so much n know your pain. mine as you know was/is muscle but hurt everywhere as you do now. take ibruprofen n paracetamol cos it helps more than painkillers, well did for me. but i didnt take loads cos i felt so sick all the time. you got to keep on top though, every 4 hours. people ive spoken to say its only for the first week it hurts like that with the bones. i hope to god they are right for you poor things.

had to let you know ive been keeping my eye on you all. been so active lately n busy, will let you know what ive been up to n you'll be amazed how far ive come over last weeks.

love to you all ladies, my thoughts are with you

lots of love leonie xxxxxxx

Hi sitesi I sympathise with you, I'm in total agony and finished up spending sun night in hops as the pain was so awful and I swear I thought I was having a heart attack as felt like someone was leaning on my chest, docs say it's the steroids tat cause a reflux in the chest and Can feel like a heart attack. Paracetamol doesn't even take the edge off the pain for me so co coda mol was better but it causes constipation lol. Why don't they tell you this treatment will cause you to have unbearable pain everywhere, your finger and toe nails the tips of your ears, every bone on your face every bone everywhere so bad you think are being tortured, that way at least we know and if we don't suffer then it's a bonus, I just hope I don't have this with my final two cause if I do I'm gonna ask to be put to sleep for a week lol. Col x

Hi Colly and Everyone,

Sorry to hear that you have been suffering badly of late. Just when you think you've got it sussed, another symptom raises it ugly head, as if you haven't had enough to put up with already. Just keep telling yourself 'not long now', the light is getting bigger and brighter at the end of that tunnel.

Well ladies and Tony, I had an appointment to see my oncologist today and have been given the all clear, no more treatment, that's it finished. Was told to go and live my life and will see him in six months. He also told me not to try to run before I could walk so to speak, as this nine month journey has taken it's toll on my body and will take about the same length of time to get back to normal level of fitness I had before this event happened. So all I've got to do now is try and get fit LOL but it is getting better, as each week goes by I don't feel as tired.

Patricia x

That's really great news, Patricia - really really great news.

I wish you all the love and luck with this next step, and hopefully the hell you've been through will all become a distant memory.

You'll soon get your fitness back. I'm trying to work on mine but discovered that age has crept up on me - aches and pains everywhere!

Do what the onc says - get out there and live and enjoy your life - every moment of it.

Much much love

Shents x

PS To all you other lovely girls - Patricia is right. Keep going Keep going Keep going - you will get there - and all these damned symptoms of the treatment - baldy heads, sore mouths etc etc. are all temporary. You can do it!

Hi Patricia,

Haven't posted on this discussion before, I used to speak on another one, but I was just reading through your post and wanted to congratulate you on your fantastic news. It is such a relief to get that news following the horrendous nine month journey you have been on, and the sun is shining to boot. Great stuff.

Soon enough your treatment will seem a dim and distant memory as you get on with living life to the full. From my experience, I finished my treatment 7 months ago, and like you had the all clear back in July, each day I just get stronger and stronger and have now gone back to regular exercise and feel so good, I can't tell you.

I hope that our positive comments will help others on the site going through their treatment, as it is a journey (hence my log in name) but one that can be reached. Good luck ladies & Tony with all your forthcoming treatment.

Take care. Love and best wishes.

Hi girls

So sorry that you are having a rough time right now, you have really made me sit up and stop moaning to myself, Colly I asked the nurse about your treatment and she said that yes it does cause aches and pains but just to keep speaking to your doc and try to get a handle on it, not much help I guess wish there were something I could do to help you all,

Went to Physio today and they have said there is nothing more they can do so thankfully that is one more hosp appt I dont have to go to, also bought myself a bob wig in a dark colour, talk about looking different! I think my husband thinks its his birthday at the mo.

Im trying desperately to think of words of wisdom to help you get through these dreadful times but Im just hitting a wall, so just know that Im sending you my love and prayers to each and every one of you and wishing you with all my heart a pain free time.

All my love

Lee xxxxx

l

Hi Colley and all,

I was in so much pain last night (chest) my husband rang the emergency doctor who to my dismay send 2 paramedics. Andy said he thought I was having a heart attack and I must admit so did I at one stage. They wanted to take me to hospital but I managed to persuade them I would be OK at home. Thankfully after being given pain relief the pain gradually went away. I have to see my own GP tomorrow to try to sort out my medications. At least I know that this king of pain is common - although I wish it wasn't - through hearing from all of you and what you are all going through as well.

Just 3 more times and this will all be finished - can't wait. Now though Im really hoping Andy won't have his reversal until November (my month off) so I will be OK to look after him. He is so well at the moment but another op is bound to put him back a bit.

Hope all of you will feel better soon. I don't normally drink but I have told everyone I fully intend to get legless at Xmas!!

What,s this I see ,coming through the light at the end of that tunnel? Its Patricia !!!

Well done and what a lovely boost for everyone to hear your news.Good luck to you and keep healthy.

Rose xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hope you go from strength to strength,isnt it strange how quickly the horrible days fade,keep going forward.:love:

Rose xxx

Hi Patricia, im over the moon for you thats fab news. Onwards and upwards living life to the full. Hope you'll come on every now and then and let us know how your doing. Once again congratulations babe.

Sitesi you had exactly the same as me i thought i was also having a heart attack, not a nice pain, still dont feel gr8 but hoping back to normal by the weekend.

Lee thanks for asking your doc hope you dont get affected same way as me. Thanks to you other girlies too. Ntnte xx

Hi Patricia, im over the moon for you thats fab news. Onwards and upwards living life to the full. Hope you'll come on every now and then and let us know how your doing. Once again congratulations babe.

Sitesi you had exactly the same as me i thought i was also having a heart attack, not a nice pain, still dont feel gr8 but hoping back to normal by the weekend.

Lee thanks for asking your doc hope you dont get affected same way as me. Thanks to you other girlies too. Ntnte xx