Hi Bernienb - finally getting round to replying, apologies for the delay. Now that I am back to work full time I simply don't know where the hours, days, weeks go, I am just so busy. I continue to be well but Tamoxifen hot flushes are the bane of my life! I suppose I was very near menopause so perhaps that it why it seems to have really triggered it off. Other than that though there doesn't seem to be any other Tamoxifen side effects. My friend who has just finished her 5 years has agreed to continue to 7 as it has been no issue for her and her oncologist thinks she might as well continue.  Mine suggested I try acupuncture and I have had weekly sessions since Xmas, do think it has eased the night flushes a bit. However it is very expensive so not something I can keep doing. I understand that I should be able to move to maintenance sessions in a while- monthly. It has actually relieved my pain from my hip as well so it has been useful. I am trying very hard to think about myself more often than previously and I am working much closer to my working hours now and not feeling guilty when I go home on time. Also trying to eat better been making packed lunches for a month now and actually moving away from the computer to eat! Having cancer does make you rethink priorities a little. To be honest there are days and weeks now when I don't even think about having had cancer. My baby boob is beautifully healed - just looks a bit smaller and a bit less full. My nipple is painful to touch occasionally which makes me a bit protective of it but all my scars are pale and becoming very less obvious. I am thinking of going to have my radiotherapy dot in between my boobs lasered off - it sits there constantly looking at me and spoils my cleavage. I think my oncologist though I was mad but she said I could have it done after 6 months! I am glad to read that all is well with you- what did I tell you ! Life goes on- we are the lucky ones!       I would say that everyone forgets fairly quickly what  you have been through, sometimes that is good but sometimes not so. Continue to be very kind to yourself, take holidays spend time with love ones, cherish every day. It was lovely to read that someone else had been helped by our conversations, made me feel very emotional. I don't suppose I will be on here very often now but will post mammogram results in May hopefully all good news. Take care Bernienb and thankyou xx

Hi Fraseh, I was very touched to read that our conversation had been useful to you. Where are you now on your journey? I have found this site so very useful, I am one of those people who has to read and read and read, for me knowledge is power. I know some people prefer to not know but not me! Finding Bernienb and having someone outside of my family and friends to connect with was such a precious thing and I have really loved talking to her and surviving together- I know I always say it but we really are the lucky ones. I hope that all is going well for you , it is a journey of ups and downs, small joys and tough moments but I wish you well. Happy to chat any time xx

hi Raynera, how are you getting on now? I was pleased to read that our conversation had been useful, I remember so very clearly the endless waiting and the anxiety that causes. Everything felt so much better when all the questions were answered and all the results were in. I found it so much easier to get on and deal with everything once I knew what I was dealing with. I hope that you are managing to stay positive and that you have good support. This is a brilliant place to off load your worries and find support. I was very lucky to find Berninb - she has been wonderful to talk too. Please come back and chat again if you need to, take care xx

Hi great to hear from you and I know its kind of a time thing to get on here etc. Glad to hear you are getting on well and I will definitely take your advice on board - really have to re-think the way you run your life and making time for yourself and not getting stressed out by inconsiderate people and things.  It's hard though not to take things to heart and if you are a worrier - I guess we have to change things.  I am going back this Wednesday to see the Cancer Care Nurses - it is an information appointment etc.  But I need to raise an issue as I think the boob is a bit swollen and feels as though there may be fluid inside.  I may be imagining it and then I thought maybe it's water retention before my period and during, but it isn't going down.  It just feels a bit heavier if you know what I mean.  I also have an appointment in March with the genetics department at the hospital.  My dad had colon cancer and died over 16 years ago.  My Gp referred me to the genetics department to see if they would investigate whether it was an inherited issue as his brother has had it, and various relatives all died from it on both of his mum and dads side.  They have asked permission to run tests on his tumour (which is now 20 years old and that is amazing).  However, I wasn't expecting to go and see them for another few months so maybe they have found out whether there is a genetic link or not.  My sister is going to come along with me too so it will be interesting to hear what they say.  I'll let you know, but there is no link between my breast cancer and my dad's bowel cancer.  He was very unlucky and although he visited the docs a few times, they sent him away with treatment for piles.  He was never the type to go to the doctor, so this should have rang warning bells.  He had chemo and radio and a few ops but they told him it was aggressive and he fought very hard for three years.  It was awful for him as he just wanted to live and had not even retired.  We still miss him and think of him every day - he was a truly lovely man and it sounds corny, but everyone loved him - no one could ever say a bad word about him - just an honest and kind man.  The good ones always go first and I know he is helping me and my family all the time even though we wish he was still here so much.  Take care and we'll catch up again.  Take it easy and thank you too!  xxxx

That's so weird.  Just thought I should log on and catch up.  How are you?  And your message was there. How are you doing?  Have you had any check-ups?  I had a mammogram a week last wednesday but no results as of yet.  Feeling effects of Tamoxifin - eyesight has deteriorated a bit - but am getting them checked regularly as worried that the tablets are causing this.  Apart from that am okay and dealing with everything.  What about you?  So good to hear from you? I really hope you are keeping well?  Please let me know - I think about you often and hope you are okay. xxxx

Thank you for this as this was identical to what I had on Wednesday this week. I too cried with relief when it was all over. I then went down for surgery where a blue dye was injected to show up my lymph nodes. 

I still I’ll have a turquoise area around my breast. Do you know how long this takes to go?

Any where up to a year altho it will have faded a lot before that. 

I was told the blue mark is usually still there at your 6 mth check-up but is often gone by the 12 mth one.