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

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

Hi Linda, Im so sorry to hear about the loss of your niece, life is so cruel, what age was she and was it breast cancer she had,? Theres a lot to say for catching it early, but unfortunately its not always possible. Hope you're feeling well in yourself. Take care chat soon x

I am so very sorry to hear about your neice.The only good thing to hang on to is that she did not suffer for long.Hope you find a way of coping with this devastating news.

Best wishes,

Rose xxx

Hi Lonie,

Hope your aches and pains are easier in this lovely weather.I had a blood transfusion today and feel much better..We are going away for a week so dont panic if you dont hear from me,we are going to a cottage on a farm with the children and grandchildren and they have lambs and animals for the children and quad bikes for the big children !!

Hope all you ladies have a good weekend,

Rose xxx

Hi everyone sorry its been so long again, just came out of hospital yesterday after having my reduction on the right side, still a little sore and swollen but very hopeful for the future, Welcome Linda and I too am so sorry to hear of your bad news, my thoughts are with you.

Caz how the devil are you and those lovely pert boobs of yours lol, Colly sorry to hear about your night sweats I have to admit that I haven't had anything like that but hey ho there is always time....We have all come through this journey together and I feel so privaleged to have made this journey with all you ladies, for those who have just joined us you are in good hands and an abundance of wisdom and experience.

Take care all you lovely ladies and of course you too Tony never a day goes by when I dont think of you all.

Lee xxxxxxx

Hi Lee, nice to see you back and that youve got nice pert boobs, lucky you, aprt from your op, hope youre feeling good in yourself? The night sweats are starting to dwindle now that my body is getting used to the Tamoxifen. Rose glas youre feeling better after your transfusion, Leonie, I know what youre up to through face book lol, hi to you all and hope you enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding, Kate looked gorgeous. xx

Hi Lee, nice to see you back and that youve got nice pert boobs, lucky you, aprt from your op, hope youre feeling good in yourself? The night sweats are starting to dwindle now that my body is getting used to the Tamoxifen. Rose glas youre feeling better after your transfusion, Leonie, I know what youre up to through face book lol, hi to you all and hope you enjoyed watching the Royal Wedding, Kate looked gorgeous. xx

hi everyone. I havent been on for a while as radio is making me so tired, 3 more and 3 boosters and im done - so to speak. The left boob has risen by an inch and so now i am lopsided. i spoke briefly to my breast nurse and she just said 'most people aren't symmetrical' i burst into tears after putting the phone down. i too am fed up with hearing 'it;s better than the alternative'. i am going to see a pycologist tommorrw at the hospital, and after losing my tooth and being told the hospital won't fix it, a lop sided boob is just the icing on the cake.. i look in the mirror and have aged 10 years, put on weight and i could go on and on. i remind myself of all the support and issues each of you have had, the tears and triumphs and it kicks my butt back into gear ready to face the world. So, i did an hours callanetics today whilst mister was out and felt so much better physically and emotionally afterwards. The issues i have are so insignificant compared to some of the threads on here, but as we all know, the issues we have are multiplied as they are all a consequence of this dreadful disease. It makes them bigger than they would be if we were in 'full health',  I am doing ok, but find it hard to deal with so many issues - hence going for help - which is another reason for not being here, but i wanted so much to hear fro, caz and hear all about her new boobs!  special love to nina colly and rose xxxxx

Hi Sara and all

Sara u know by now that u can always come here and sound off !1we have all had those days so we know how it feels !! think about how far youve come your on the homeward stretch and soon u will have more of your life back. In the mean time exercising is great to lift spirts and make u feel healthier. so good on you !!

I saw occupational health today to talk about going back to work "phased return" I cant believe how freaked I feel about goin back scared I wont be able to do my job, am gonna go back in couple weeks bite the bullet . Unfortunateyl my knee op isnt overly successful but I cant face any more drs at present so i will just see how goes .I too am trying to lose weight but the bank hols celebrations have not helped coupled with i have no discipline when it comes to food and wine !!!!!!!!!

hope u feeling better but dnot be so hard on yourself for getting frustrated !!

love to all have been keeping eye on you espec those on facebook xxxxxxx

big love and hugs xxxxy

Hi Sara, Nina and girls and Tony

Hope you are all well, Sara what you're going through is normal, believe me lol, I used to look in mirror and cry because I had no hair, no eye brows or lashes, these were the worst for me as I had lovely long hair and really long lashes, the boob being a bit deformed really doesn't worry me, its slightly different, more pert than the other lol and the colour has changed because of the radio, like a nice tan on one boob, but im back at work, and going to gym now and then and starting to feel better, the weight gain is only because of the steroids, you'll soon loose that.

Nina, you'll be fine back at work, I feel as tho Ive never been away lol and I was off 11 months.

Hope everyone else is doing ok, Ive got a wee intimate question, hope my friends on here dont mind answering for me lol- since my chemo, the physical side of my relationship has dwindled away and I really dont know how to get it back, I think John feels like he became my carer instead of my lover, things are quite strained between us and Im hoping and praying that everything will be fine, but Ive got a horrible feeling it may not. I was only with john just under 2 years when diagnosed and he has been there for me morning noon and night for 1 year now, before diagnosed we had a great social life lotsa fun etc, but he's kinda done all the socialising on his own for past while as i just didnt feel up to it, didnt want to be seen out with no hair or with a wig, sorry to go on and on but I really dont know where to turn to, and Ive read so many stories on here where partners/husbands have walked out, I honestly couldve said a few months ago john would never leave me, but now im not so sure. Sorry for sounding off but need some advice please xx

hey col, i know where u are coming from, and think i can help but dont want to explain or go into detail here - we all lke to keep certain things personal. please mail me at simplysara1 @ hotmail.com

there is light at the end of the tunnel babe and it can be both fun, sexy and romantic again xxx

Dear Colly

I'm so sorry you are feeling like this at the moment, you have come so far and have been my inspiration, I cant say what is going to happen as indeed none of us can but I can say this, Talk to him, tell him how you are feeling, If he is a good man then he will listen and he will reassure you.

I too felt like you, I found out I had cancer the 1st time only 4 months after I started dating Steve, then just when we think everything is ok ..BANG! it comes back, and this time its worse than ever, cos this time I was going to loose my breast, hair and ability to have anymore children.

I remember saying to Steve.."Look if you want out I will perfectly understand, this is a huge commitment to make "  to which he replied "I'm going nowhere, not now, not tomorrow and not ever" I still sometimes wonder if he wishes he had taken the easier option, but I try not to dwell upon it, you and I are both coming out the other side now and our hair is growing and our lives are coming back together, the physical side will take time, but I am sure it will come back, it maybe that he is just trying to be thoughtful and mindful of how you are feeling, for months I wouldn't let Steve see my body naked and if we made love it would be under the covers and in the dark, but slowly but surely we have gotten more comfortable with the situation and whilst it still isn't ideal it certainly is getting better.

I'm sure that your feelings are part and parcel of this dreaded illness, don't let it win girl your so close to the winning line.

Thinking of you always

Lee xxxxxxx

Hi Lee

Thanks for your post, I know Ive come so far and to be honest I thought everything was great, dunno if Ive just took John for granted, presumed he'd always be there for me, it was just something he said the other day re my appointment this fri, he just came out with, he hoped and prayed everything was ok as he didnt think he could handle another year like the one we've just had, he's the one that slagged off the other men who walked out on their partners, but now he seems to be giving up instead of being supportive, he loves me, and fancies me but to be honest i just think he's scared, I tried talking but that was all he said, hopefully weve just hit a sticky patch and everything will be ok. Thanks again xxx

Oh Colly I do hope this is just a glitch hunni, You have been such a support for me and others in here.

My own hubby hasnt even mentioned my cancer, We came home after results I asked if he was ok He said uh huh I asked if he wanted to talk, and he asked What about!!!!! So Ive been here on my own and have not spoken again about it....So I have not had the support from him He may have his thoughts about it but hes never mentioned it. To be honest I wouldnt care if he walked out and thats the truth Sometimes I wish he would lol lol

Anyway Colly You hold your head high gal. Your a lovely lady xx

I am stunned that the lovely and beautiful ladies that have assisted me and others through cancer are having to question their partners loyalty and commitment when they need it most. I am lost for words but just want to say that am here for you all.

Nothing more to say.

Much Love

Tony xxx

It is tough "hanging in there!" I never questioned my "stay-ability" with my partner as she went through the various stages of her treatment. At the same time I was training for my first London Marathon and where I would drive her too and from hospital, talk to her about "stuff" and be there when times were low, she'd kick me out in the freezing rain to make sure I got my training runs in! The joint result? We are together, she's two years clear and a couple of weeks ago she was there to see me "get round London."

I am not, for one minute, suggesting everyone encourages their partners to run a marathon, but finding a joint interest away from the illness really helped us. It wasn't going to go away like a cold but we tried our best not to let it rule our lives.

Phil x

hi ladies

glad to hear some have had their boobs sorted out. you lucky buggers! sara ive been lobsided since before cancer but its much worse since radio n have had a fillet? (cant think what its called) since january or so. surgeon wont touch my boobs til pain is bearable. dont know when that will be but my pad makes me feel better in clothes. im sure if you asked about it bc nurse would make app for you to get one. that would be one thing off your mind. i hope you start to feel better soon.

im so glad you are feeling better rose n hope you all had a lovely week away with your family. just what was needed for you! good news about the tranfusion making you feel better too. hows your heart been? n chemo tablets? the sun definately made me feel better but keep over doing things n then cant move for a couple of days. so quite pleased its not so warm so i can rest a little more! had a couple of days when i cant get out of bed n dont like them. i'd like to say that walking is easier but i dont think it is much. arm feels better due to med but im as docile as ever cos of it!

im sorry to hear the knee op wasnt a great sucess nina. i dont blame you for not wanting to have more surgery either especially knee ops! ouch. the next one is knee replacement isnt it? im sure you will be fine when you go back to work hun. youre thinking about it too much. just take your time.

oh colly was sad to read your post. im sure he didnt mean anything by it, i mean who would want to go through it again! as you start to feel less tired n more confident things will fall into place. will chat with you on facebook hun.

hope everyone else is getting on ok. by the way im smoke free for over 3 months now. still cant believe i smoked through chemo n the side affects i had mind! ouch.

love to you all. leonie xxxxx