Hi Suzie,

I did write a reply to you earlier but I have just realized it didnt post.

With regard to the radiotherapy your about to start, I had 37 sessions for my prostate cancer. I didnt suffer any real side effects as I used Immodium Instants and found them very effective. The other side effect was a little tiredness which started towards the end of the treatment period. I did as the nurses advise; when I felt tired I just went and had a lie down for 15 to 20 minutes and I was okay after this.

I understand from what you have written, you have allready started you Tamoxifen and I belive this could be one of the reasons your feeling low. I was also given hormone therapy (Zoladex) and this can cause mood swings and can also make you feel low. In my case, I would have tears in my eyes when I heard something sad and for a man found it very embarassing.

I wish you luck with you treatment and that your soon feeling better. Take care, sending kind thoughts your way, Brian

HI Brain , No not started Tamoxifen yet the radio T is starting this week thur fri ( which im annoyed about as going to the ladies race night fri as a last going out thing for a month whilst i have the 3 weeks solid of radio T) today they said the drugs will start towards the end of the last week..... still dreading it.

Suzie

Hello

Sorry you are feeling low.  I had chemo from the Feb to May and radiotherapy in June.  I went on holiday in August, and although still tired from the chemo, I had a good time.  I have taken tamoxifen for 3 years, and yes I did put a bit of weight on, I am now back to my normal weight.  I also had hot sweats, but I manage them, and I feel it is worth it.  I think we go through a lot of ups and downs during treatment, and it is all very emotional.  

I had little problems with radiotherapy, apart from a slightly red breast.  I remember having the radio and then going shopping and a walk along the sea front.  

Please keep posting if you need any support, it is certainly a roller coaster of a time.

Diane xxx

Hi Suzie,

I just wanted to say my thoughts are with you. It's incredibly difficult. Stay strong. It will only get better after the treatment.  Claire X

Hi Diane, I not so worried about the Radio theapy after having an infection after the lumpectomy and on antibiotics for 3 weeks it was soo sore, red, peeling, painfull so I can't imagain the radio t to be any worst than that.

I am more worried about Tamoxifen... did you see any other side effects like the ones mentioned hair thinning etc or sickness. I am so desperate for my holiday with my mum whos been my rock and my kids oct nov but i do not want to go away feeling crap. I have already gone throu peri menopause symptoms last year so i have experienced the sweats (  more embarrasing than anything else) friends can never understand why ive never got a coat or wearing flip flops in winter ! its like cooking from the inside out isnt it ! at home its better to manage but it can be quite upsetting when you go out and your a bag of sweat on a night out.

Suzie

Thankyou claire.

I just feel my family dont understand.... My own sister said to me other day your not deformed ! you got your arms and legs. you had a cancerious lump and now its gone... I just dont feel like that. In my mind i feel that lump has been removed but ive been marked for cancer again in the future. I cant stop thinking about going through this all again in 5 or 10 years time. 

I have Lobular cancer and aparently its v hard to detect. it was me infact who bought the attention to the doc because first i suspected a lump and was dismissed and secondly i noticed a breast shape change, my family and friends seem to think a cancer lumpectomy is nothing to worry about " at least i still have my breast" but no doubt about it lumpectomies are very disfiguring too.

Suzie.

Hi 

I think after the diagnosis of cancer, no matter how you are treated,  it takes time to come to terms with the diagnosis.  It is a great shock to most people, and unfortunately some people cannot understand this.  I aso had lubular cancer, found through a mamogram.  It is hard because I keep thinking how will I know if it comes back, but the hospital take great care of me.  Time really is a great healer.

Tamoxifen has not caused any sickness or hair thinning, in fact, after taking it for 3 years I have little effect. I do think this drug is worth taking, it feels like an extra insurance for me.  Women have been taking it for many years, and lot of research has been done.

Take care and keep posting us for support.

Diane xxx

HI Diane. I do feel the same with it being a lobular cancer its harder to detect, do they keep a closer eye on you than  normal ? One mamo a year does not seem enough to me as a mammo could be done in say Jan and then all year to grow before its picked up a year later.

I am glad to actually read something positive about Tamoxifen as nothing i had read was good. 

I am worried as I read over the docs shoulder in my local surgery that one of the consultants had written reoccurrance 10 years. ! I am seeing him next tues whilst im in the hosp to discuss what he found and to know more about the type i had and if i can do anthing to stop fueling it in the future. I will change my whole diet and lifestyle if i had to not to have it again. Im told also they cannot do radio thearpy in the same breast twice so if it came back in the same one next time It would be a mascetomy. I just dont want to go through this again. EVER !

Did you have anything done after to correct the mishape ( im assuming you had a lumpectomy ?) im only 45 and its changed the way i dress and how i feel i look ( even thou friends say they cant notice with clothes on. I know....)  Im also v lopsided now too so i feel i need the other one pumped up a bit lol but i do  not want to do anything that would shadow any thing that might develop in the future if i got it again. so many questions. No wonder my brain cant sleep.

Any advise would be appriciated.

Suzie. xx

Hi

I only have a mamogram every other year, but I am checked over every six months.  I have to accept that it may come back,(mine had spread to one lymph node), hence the chemo, but I am very positive that it will not return.  A good diet is good for us, it makes you feel better, even if you have never had cancer.  As the years go by you will feel better, and more able to accept it, although now it is very raw for you.

I had a lumpectomy, and had a reduction on the one side.  Although you can see the scar, the surgeon did a good job, they are both very similar in size. You could discuss the shape with your consultant?  I had very large breasts, but they now look much better now!!!

Diane xxx

Hi Diane, what do you mean by checked over every 6 months ? like a feel or a scan ? How long has it been since you had the operation.

I had no lymph nodes detected spread and margains clear ( thankfully) and recomended 3 weeks solid of radio Thearpy and 10 ! years of Tamoxifen.

I am pretty heathy anyway I never eat take aways and ready meals but I am open to any new suggestions they might offer me with diet. I am cutting right back on the drink and now allowing myself one bott of wine to last all week ( rather than one night) hard thou when out with friends as they want to buy me drinks I have to now install into them my new regime.

My breast not hueg 38c but the one is lop sided and the lumpectomy one is much firmer underneath with the tumor was removed and obviously theres this big scar and well looks like a shark has taken a bite of it.

I know no one can see outwardly but i feel so self concience. I loved wearing dresses bit of clevage which i stil have thankfully but the thought of being intimate with someone now and letting a man see it after 7 years seprerated is filling me with horror.

I think I do need a chat with the consultant, the Cancer nurse said before the op maybe i could have some LIPO ! I Dont know how they can do that really. The thought of more pain dont fill me with joy either. i think Id ideally like a lift of the other one so equal and  the side bit taken off so it dont have this gaping big hole in it, id rather a big scar than this crater !

Suzie