Hi there

Luckily I only needed radio x20 which ended September . It's not hit with tiredness like I was expecting & put this down to being a huge gym goer before this all began. Done phased return to work & back fully now they've been amazing. Had 2nd scare few wks ago found lump in other armpit but scans show just a reactive lymph so all good. Just starting to get back to some sort of normality & can't wait for this year to end as it's been such a rollercoaster.

So enough about me, how's your mum getting on? X

Hi SD1

How are you? I'm glad you are doing so well. It must have been such a scare for you, but I'm a big believer in talking to the angels, they are always by your side to provide help and support at our times of need. I know what you mean, I just want to forget 2018 altogether it's being a tough year for myself due to other circumstances & then it was a complete shock to learn my mum had cancer.

It took a long time to learn to cope, I was a complete mess all year, but I'm learning to cope better now but it's still a long few months ahead. My friends at work have supported me through this year, I don't know what I'd have done without their advice, shoulders to cry on etc.  My mum is doing well, obviously she is fed up with all the doctors hoking & poking at her but I just keep reminding her that it's for the best & she is getting better.

We have had a few set backs to be honest, infections setting in & high temperatures so the oncologist consultant has decided a few times to cancel treatment on the day at the last moment which is really annoying as her bloods were all ok so it's prolonging the whole process by a month or so. The hospital is around two hours away so the travelling is taking its toll on everyone at this stage. At the moment she's having bother with her right foot, it keeps swelling up around the calf, ankle & foot. There's no pain so it must be a side effect from the chemo she's receiving. It's a rare side effect but it's not causing concern yet at least.

Mum is on the weekly treatments now so we've got 5 more weeks to go with the chemo. That will bring us up to early December fingers crossed so long as there is no further cancellations. We are going to a radiotherapy pre-accesment appointment on Monday, don't really know what to expect. Oncologist  is very pleased with mums chemo & has booked us in to visit the radiotherapy department. We've been told that the radiotherapy will be daily for 4 weeks starting 27th December. 

Hopefully then mums hair will start growing back, she is still very depressed about losing her hair, but there's nothing we can do about this at the moment. I'm hoping that her hair will be back for a wedding in March 2019. How is your hair coming along since your treatment finished? Do you have any advice to help hair growth from your experiences?

So hopefully by end of January all this crazy madness will be finished, we can't wait & mum cannot wait to get her pic line out! If you have any help or advise about getting through the radiotherapy for the next month, I'd welcome any advice or even questions that we should be asking at our pre-accessment on Monday.

It's not easy but the end goal is to get better, stay positive & enjoy life because I've learned a lot this year that life is precious, nothing lasts forever & for myself I've learned that there is more to life than work, that I do have an inner strength (something that I never thought I could cope with has happened now & has made me stronger). I will keep you in my prayers..

Thank you for your support, Ger xx

I'm in my late 70s with triplenegative breast cancer. After surgery all is now clear. Is it worth having chemo with all the side effects or should I just have radiotherapy. Has anyone else of my age have an opinion

Hi, I too an in the same position as your Mum.  I have stage 3 cancer and have already had 4 rounds, every 3 weeks, of chemotherapy, unfortunately I started losing my hair in the third week of my first chemo, but your Mum can try the cold-cap and if attached properly she may not lose any hair, it is worth trying.

My lump was 31mm and now is less than half and I am having a lumpectomy on the 30 May and depending on the dye and wire I may only need the initial lymph node removed.

Depending on what they find from the lumpectomy I will need 4 more chemo sessions if cancerous if not then radiotheraphy.  My onocologist has suggested this treatment as I agreed to be on one of the trials for the hospital, so far so good.

The best person to ask is the breast cancer nurse assigned to your mum, she will walk you through all the treatment involved.

I wish your Mum a speedy recovery, the main focus is to stay strong and have the mind-set that you will bet this.  Best wishes to you all.

Hello Sd1

I have read your progress and it sounds great.  I have grade 2 breast cancer and a lump of 6m in size (you can't even feel it)  I having a lumpotomy on 5 th November and have been told that I will need hormone therapy and radiotherapy and maybe chemo.  Sounds pretty much like your story.  Can you tell me what grade cancer you had please.  I know I have to wait for my results but I am hoping things go like yours appears to have gone.

I am really hoping I don't need the chemo.

Would love to know how you are getting on.

Thank you so much.

Hi Swiggins

hope you're ok & keeping positive. I had grade 2 also & it was 19mm so still small. Luckily caught it early. They took the lump & some surrounding tissue & it was all clear. Lymph nodes clear too so it hadn't spread. That was the best news ever. 
 

I had 20 radio sessions which is done mon to fri. A bit daunting at first but treatment only takes a matter of seconds & you're back home again. I took the whole time off work & couple of weeks after just in case tiredness hit but it didn't. I didn't need chemo & hope you don't either. Then on tamoxifen for 5 years, just over a year in now. 

I feel absolutely fine, doing everything I did before my diagnosis. Still get a bit paranoid but that's just natural. 
 

so good luck with your op in 5th & if you need to know anything else don't hesitate to get in touch

sue

xx

Thank you so much for your quick reply.  I was hoping you would say all that and I am hoping my outcome will be the same.  I think I am much older than you I am 62 but fairly fit.  I've been hitting the gym more and do lots of walking in preparation for my operation.  I've had the flu jab and I am avoiding people as much as possible as I don't want to catch anything.  You are a breath of fresh air.  I am fine most of the time then a feeling of doom comes over me.  Silly I know, I have to give myself a taking to.  Did you put cream on your breast before and after radiotherapy and if so which cream did you use?

Thank you again.

6mm, just re read my post!  silly me.  x

No problem at all & im glad if I can help in any way. 
I was 46 when I had all this but the fact you're keeping fit & positive will help. I think that's what got me through plus a very supportive husband. 
 

I read that if you feel like crying, screaming, angry just to let it flow & I did!! I cried quite a lot but it was good to get it out of the system & I still get a little emotional every now & then. I think that's just part of it all. 
 

I was advised to use moisturiser during the radiotherapy & Was recommended to use non perfumed. I used E45 & slapped it on! Luckily I didn't suffer from any sun burn type effects like some ladies have. 
I used bio oil for a while way after radio had ended but the scar is not an issue so I stopped, its part of me & tells a story in my life. 

Onwards & upwards & you'll get through it, day at a time

xx
 

Thanks for all that info.  I thought bio oil would be good, you have confirmed that.  I'm not a body beautiful person, I've got stretch marks and like you say it is part of your life story.    I freaked out the other night but got over it.  I have a very supportive husband like you and if anything this has made us stronger as a couple.

I loved the fact that you went off to Majorca at some point, I knew then you were a positive person, just what I needed.  

Thank you so much.