Hi. It looks like this discussion thread has been going a long time and i hope i will be able to join the community here. I was diagnosed with breast cancer just after xmas and have had a mastectomy last week. I have a secondary tumor in my hip and possibly in my head so will have to face chemo and radiotherapy although I dont know the details as yet. I would love to make friends on here who i can both support and find support from on this journey. I have 2 grown up children and they have surprised me recently as to how supportive they can be. It certainly is a case of role reversal in my house. Chassis x x

Hi Chassis

Welcome to the place no-one wants to be.Hope you are coping with the mastectomy and glad to see you have support at home.I had mastectomy 4 years ago and have recurrance in the lymph glands in my neck and chest .I have been on chemo for 2 years to contain it and like you have 2 grown up children and 3 grandchildren ,so plenty of reasons to fight on.Hope you have a good medical team looking after you.What part of the world do you live in?We are a well scattered lot on here.

Stay strong.

Rose xxx

Hello again Ive just been reading all about your choices. How did you get choices? I certainly didnt. I was told- 6 sessions of chemo,  then op ( dunno what theyre gonna do tho, I know its about the lumps in lymph gland) either lumpectomy or breast removal???? then 5days a week for 5 weeks radiotherepy. I thought this was standard proceedure.

Hi Linda

Sorry you need to be here but welcome.I wasnt given a choice really,things were explained to me and I was told "this is what we think would be the best treatment for you "and I went with it.Chemo to shrink the tumour,mastectomy more chemo and radio.I,m glad i wasnt given a choice.You could ask your oncologist what he would do if you were his wife or daughter. Not everyone suffers the same effects during chemo and at least you know that you have done everything to prevent it coming back but it your decision.

Good luck,let us know how you get on

Rose xxx

Thanks for your messages.  It seems everyone is different when it comes to treatment.  I had two lots of surgery first and all the cancer was removed without having to have a mastectomy.  My cancer was completly hormone receptive and my lymph nodes were free of cancer.  All good signs!!! Then I went to see the Oncologist where my treatment plan was definitely radiotherapy and anti hormone treatment but 'because I come into a grey area' I was given the choice to have chemo if I wanted - hard decision!!  I know if I really needed it I wouldn't be given the choice.  I have written a list with for & against however so far I seems to be struggling to thinks of many reasons for chemo and have lots on my against list.  I have all the statistics...but unsure whether these are a help or a hinder lol!  The oncologist said that just last year I would not have been offered the option of chemo, but due to my age (58) and size of the tumor (3.1cm) they are presenting it as an option.  Anyway have until Wednesday to make up my mind.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply & hope all is going well for everyone!

Linda x x

Hi Linda

I did post a response on here to you the other day but its not here,I probably pressed the wrong key me and computers are not the best of friends lol its a tough decision to make I think you doing the right thing writing a list.whatever your decision I'm sure you'll get a lot of support and help off the lovely ladies on here.I know I did they have been an absolute god send.keep in touch and take care ( hope that all made sense got a bit of brain fog tonight lol)

Donna xx

hi Linda,I too was a gray"area" even thought I had to have a full masectomy in the end.I too think it's a good idea to ask your oncologist for their advice,mine told me it would only give me less than 5% better chance of long term survival and in my shoes she would'nt bother.After three lots of surgary I was pleased not to HAVE to have it,I've finished my radio now and am getting back on my feet.Good luck Nettyxxx

Hi Ladies (and Jeff)

I had a lovely holiday in Brighton.... and have come back relaxed and ready to fight a bit more.

I did notice that we have some new ladies on this post.... Welcome.... not the best way to meet people for sure..... but better people you will never meet..... the ladies and gents on this post really helped me get through my darkest days.... and I hope you will let us help you do the same.

Well... I had my pre op assesment this morning... all went well with that.... but a couple of things happened that did make me giggle.

When i had to get weighed... she says, "well done Caroline, you have lost over a stone since last time"...... suddenly i realised and told her to hang on while i took my big silicone fake boobs off and then I got back on the scales.... she looked at me in surprise and said "actually you have lost over 3 stone since last time"......... nice to know that my useless ex husband was good for something... even if it was only causing me to lose weight..... lol.

Then she was saying that I could fetch a bra in to hospital for extra support if I wanted to..... so I said "Can you tell me what size bra I am going to need? and I will get one"... she just laughed and said "good point, Most of my ladies are only having one side done so we know what size it is going to end up"

There is not much more I can say now except.... NEW BOOBS IN 2 DAYS... WOO HOO

Sorry but I am dead excited...... Lee, good luck with your surgery on the 26th honey... I will be thinking about you

In fact I will be thinking about you all because there is no way I would have got this far without all of you

I love you all

Caz xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi caz I just wanted to wish you luck for your operation and I'll be thinking of you

Love Donna xx

Lotsa love and luck coming your way Caz xxxx

Hi Caz

Lots of luck with your new pair!!!!  Lucky you, fingers crossed this time next year i'll be looking out my low cut tops and wonderbras!

Enjoy, hope they look great for summer.

R xxxxxxxx

Hi Linda99

I'm currently 1/2 way through my chemo treament (had no choice), already had mastec' in Jan, got radiotherapy in June - I had the choice of whether or not to have radio', with the help/advice of my husband and family we decided yes, now i've just got to decide whether to do 3 weeks or 5, (juries still out on that one!!).  I've then got a reconstruction hopefully early next year and 5 years of tamoxifen!

Before you start treatment, the word chemo sounds as bad as the word cancer! I know it can be horrendious but it can also be copeable.  I am bold - but I still have eyebrows, eyelashes and arm hair, I have my chemo (TAC) on a tuesday, on wed i'm ok just a little spaced out, thurs, fri can't do a thing except lay in bed, go to the loo, grab something to eat - normally bread, cheese and plain crisps (don't feel like eating as have a constant morning sickness feeling but this fades and has gone by the next tues). Sat, Sun still don't feel great but I start picking back up then by the next tuesday I start feeling pretty normal. Then it's life as normal until my next dose.  Basically, if it ups your percentage and stops this vile thing coming back - then why not go for it, it's not great, but for me it's 1 week out of my life every 3 weeks, 6 times and like I said i'm 1/2 way there already!!!!  Have a chat with your family see what they think.

Sorry to bore you with my 'c' life story.  Good luck.

R x

Hi Linda99

I'm currently 1/2 way through my chemo treament (had no choice), already had mastec' in Jan, got radiotherapy in June - I had the choice of whether or not to have radio', with the help/advice of my husband and family we decided yes, now i've just got to decide whether to do 3 weeks or 5, (juries still out on that one!!).  I've then got a reconstruction hopefully early next year and 5 years of tamoxifen!

Before you start treatment, the word chemo sounds as bad as the word cancer! I know it can be horrendious but it can also be copeable.  I am bold - but I still have eyebrows, eyelashes and arm hair, I have my chemo (TAC) on a tuesday, on wed i'm ok just a little spaced out, thurs, fri can't do a thing except lay in bed, go to the loo, grab something to eat - normally bread, cheese and plain crisps (don't feel like eating as have a constant morning sickness feeling but this fades and has gone by the next tues). Sat, Sun still don't feel great but I start picking back up then by the next tuesday I start feeling pretty normal. Then it's life as normal until my next dose.  Basically, if it ups your percentage and stops this vile thing coming back - then why not go for it, it's not great, but for me it's 1 week out of my life every 3 weeks, 6 times and like I said i'm 1/2 way there already!!!!  Have a chat with your family see what they think.

Sorry to bore you with my 'c' life story.  Good luck.

R x

Hi Rach, I totally agree with you, chemo is not quite as bad as people think, i too was completely bald, lost all my eye lashes and body hair, I had FEC, that def makes all the hair fall out, I too only felt bad a few of the days. Not be lonf now till your treatment is over, stay positive, I had lumpectomy May last year, chemo june-oct then 6 weeks of radio which finished Jan, all the best Colly x

Hi all, missed your sunny comments so glad to see you are all in good spirits -can't wait to hear from caz when she is back with new boobs! for those of you with bad flushes, especially if you have had hormone tabs, ask about clonidine - it helps and was in a breast cancer magazine called  amoena which i picked up from my hospital. If you can find www.amoena.co.uk go take a look. It is a magazine that is so positve! anyway i have been given the tabs to try - so after nights of changing sheets etc., anything is worth a try. i'll come back and let you know the outcome.

i am having a few issues with my hands, so damn clumsy and have been so very busy with the kids, but i am around and feeling ok. radio is 18 sessions (3 a boost) but with breaks for all these bank holidays i am still three weeks to go and only 8 in! but two thirds of the way through treatment and almost half way on radio can't be bad. shame about the sunbathing and swimming ban thou - espeically with the great weather!

love to you all

sara

Hi sara, hope youre well, just read your post and I would be willing to try anything to take thse night sweats away, I just read up on clonidine and its more of a sedative, is used for treating tourettes, psyciatric disorders and has something in it that causes sedation, so I'll let you try them out first lol and see if they work. I used to take my tamoxifen at night, but Ive changed it to first thing in morning and I must admit my night sweats are def not as bad x

Hello all you luvverly ladies.

I haven't been in touch for a while as been locked away in my bedroom in a lot of pain....since I have discovered Zomorph, Oramorph and Amitryptaline I am a lot better and ventured into the world of the living for the first time in 3 weeks.

I will try and keep in touch more and hoping that you are all okay.

Much Love

T xxxx

Hi Tony, glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better, take it easy tho, think when we feel better we tend to over do things. Happy Easter to you and your family x

hi Tony - glad to hear you are feeling better, it's half the battle as we all know !

Ok, ladies, these tablets, i have been taking a low dose of 25mg one each morn and one each night before bed. I have had no night sweats - or not any that have woken me up - and even in this intense heat - no flushes! I do feel like a flush might take place but nothing more. I do not feel tired, or have any  side effects. I was told it could take two weeks to see any results - in my case it was almost instant. I have gone from between 20 and 40 flushes and 5 -15 sweats (in a 24 hr period) to two mildly sweaty flushes. I do know everyone is different but the flushes and sweats for me were dreadful and unpredicitable - i  often felt quite ill with them. i was told to take two tabs in the morn and two at night to give me 50mg but i worried about side effects and so started on a half dose so to speak. the tablets work by basically regualting the way the veins/ blood reacts during a flush. It made sense when it was explained to me! Anyway , i have learnt and got through so much hearing about things you all tried so i couldn't not share this one! For me, it is a miracle drug!

much love to you all and a very happy easter !

sara 

why are you taking it morning and night? Are you still enjoying taking the drug?

Hi everyone

,

The moderators asked me to have a look at the thread as they felt we might be able to suggest some information that would be helpful.  One or two members have mentioned methods of controlling sweats and hot flushes with drugs.  Don¿t forget to check with your doctor before changing the dose you take.  Drugs like clonidine can sometimes be helpful at managing flushes and sweats.  Clonidine is usually used to treat migraine or blood pressure problems.  We have a section on our website which mentions it and other methods for  coping with sweating   which you all might find helpful.  And soon we will be adding a new section on managing symptoms related to hormonal problems.

I hope that's of some help.  Take care everyone

Martin

Hi Colly, Tony and Ladies

Hoe this finds you all well, Tony it's so good to hear from you and glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.

Colly I thought I would let you know we lost our niece last Monday (18th April) that is why I have not been on as had to fly over to Spain and got back early hours Sunday Morning. It was 2 months from being diagnoised to her passing away. On her second lot of chemo she just started bleeding from everywhere, they finally got that under control and then she had a bleed on the brain, it was caught to late so they announced her brain dead and the life support got turned of once her daughter arrived to say her goodbyes. It is so wrong someone so young and so much to live for, unfortunatley we could not get over in time which i will always regret although I spoke to her on the telephone befor she had her complications, something to be greatful for.

I will speak to you all soon and Caroline hope you op went well was thinking of you, Lonie when is yours as I am sorry to say I cannot remember what with everything else going on

Take Care all

Littlesis (Linda)

hi linda

aw im so sorry to hear about your neice. how awful this disease is! words just arent enough when life can be so cruel.

our troubles are insignificant when faced with what some people have to go through. im sure caz will be fine. tony has been suffering, though quietly. n im fine, no date as of yet. i hope your fingers are feeling a little better n hope they can help to make them feel more normal.

be thinking of you n your family n sending lots of love your way.

love leonie xxxx