I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this, I am 27 found a lump last week and have been referred to breast clinic on Thursday. I am petrified and I still have a chance of being lucky. I have found myself analysing every inch of my body to the point that I’m convinced I’ve just found a dodgy mole above my hip in the same side as the breast with lump, so now my head is being all stupid. 

I hope you’re appointment went well today and it was some positive news. Thoughts with you xxx

Hi Kmj,

Welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your lump, but glad to hear that you have been referred to the breast clinic and, that you are due there on Thursday.

Don’t forget to let your GP look at your mole, as this will need to be referred to a dermatologist if anything suspicious is noticed. It can take longer to get an appointment with a dermatologist, so the sooner you see your GP, the sooner you’ll be seen by one.

I do hope that all goes well on Thursday, but please don’t expect to get a definite diagnosis straight away. You will possibly have tests done to see if your lump is malignant or benign. The results of these tests then take 1-2 weeks to come back to the clinic, so you are likely to have an anxious wait for that time.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mejules,

This certainly terrified us, but his surgery is over now and all seems well. He still hasn't got the feeling back in his fingers, but this might still return sometime in the next year. Regardless, we feel incredibly fortunate that we still have him.

From previous posts , I gather that the second chemo can be the most challenging. I am so sorry that you have had difficulty getting through the down days, but hope that these are fewer as you move forward with your treatment and, that, with time you get more good days like today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi everyone

Just thought I would pop in, round four has been a bit of a tough gig for me. Struggling to get any sleep because of the joint pain and lower back pain. My taste buds are gone and I don’t feel like eating tbh. I’m definitely going to ask for some stronger painkillers for the next round, but at the minute I don’t want to have round 5 even though I know I have to have it.  Sorry for the download but it’s driving me bonkers.  

Hope ypu are all ok.

WL

Hi I am the same waiting for operation hope I’m not going to lose both m6 breasts I was it sleeping go to a lady doctor ask her for dizapane to relax you until your treatment is finished doctors are strict about it as they are addictive but my doctor gives me 14 a month that way can’t say I would get addicted I only take it if I can’t sleep I am on codiene for pain but take a sickness pill as with me they can make you feel sick as I am getting wee pains from tumour now tell surgeon today good luck x

I spoke to the helpline and they have admitted me to hospital as a precaution, want to keep an eye on my wbc levels and make sure they come up again, and an X-ray on my back to check if there is any infection there. 

I’m a little bit scared tbh, as even though I’ve been through every scan possible, I worry that something else will pop up, which I know is irrational but my mind is working overtime at the minute.

Fingers crossed it’s something of nothing. 

Hope everyone else is ok. 

WL

Hi Woollylamb,

Sorry to hear that you are finding things hard at the moment. With the pain you are having, it sounds as if you need stronger pain killers for next time. I can understand why you don't want to go through round 5. Many people feel like this as their treatment advances, but it is still wort perservering.

I don't envy you being in this situation, but we are always here if you want to chat.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Wollylamb,

I am sorry to hear that you have been admitted to hospital as a precaution, but it sounds as if this may be the best place for you at the moment.

With more tests on the horizon, I can understand why you're scared, but it is best to check out what is causing your wbc levels to fall and, also why your back is so sore.

Our thoughts nearly always run away with us when waiting for tests and results, but I sincerely hope that nothing untoward is found.

Remember that we are always here for you.

I have my fingers crossed for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL , so sorry to hear you finding things tough at the minute . I’m glad that you are in hospital getting checked out this is the best place for you now . I also find that I get a bit down with each treatment but I look at it as one step nearer the end and I cross off the treatments on a calendar this is good for the kids too . 

I too still worry about every little ache and pain and I mentioned this to my dr he told me it’s perfectly normal to have aches and pains on chemo . I would love to give you a big hug so sending you really good positive thoughts and I will say a prayer for you . 

[@Jolamine]‍ I hope your son is doing well and he makes a full recovery, you must have got an awful shock . Hope you are keeping well also , you are a fantastic woman with all you have to deal with and still take time to talk to us too . 

[@mejules]‍ hope you are keeping well too . 

Thinking of you all and sending positive thoughts. 

Take care 

J xx

hi

Quick update. I was discharged on Wednesday , they’re not sure what caused my temp to rise, nothing came back on the tests. Think the back pain is just the side effects of chemo so I’ve got some stronger painkillers for the next round and was sent home with antibiotics.

So just taking it easy for the next week until round 5, hopefully it will be bette than round 4.

hope all is ok with everyone.

x

I am so pleased you got tested out your mind at rest I know chemo takes a lot out of you as it kills bad cells but also your good cells just rest eat healthy black grapes is especially  good for stopping cells spreading I am always looking 5hings up in google having cancer in my breast a second time think after my heart assessment b3 in for operation in 2 weeks *** myself hate getting put to sleep you got antibiotics as well for your temperature glad  hope next round slot easier take care x

Hi Woolylamb,

Thanks for your update. I'm glad to hear that you are back home again. I am glad to hear that the tests you had showed up nothing untoward with your back. It's not good news that this seems to be the result of chemo, but it's the better of the two options.

I'm glad to hear that you've got stronger pain killers for round 5. It sounds as if the antibiotics are just precautionary. I can understand why you're dreading  your next session, but hope that it all goes better than your last.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Woolylamb,

Thanks for your update. I'm glad to hear that you are back home again. I am glad to hear that the tests you had showed up nothing untoward with your back. It's not good news that this seems to be the result of chemo, but it's the better of the two options.

I'm glad to hear that you've got stronger pain killers for round 5. It sounds as if the antibiotics are just precautionary. I can understand why you're dreading  your next session, but hope that it all goes better than your last.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

hi everyone, hope all is well.  

Well 5 down and 1 to go. In 3 weeks time I will have finished chemo....yippee.

oncologist couldn’t find my lump today so I’ve been referred for an MRI to check the size and whereabouts of it.  So I’m taking that as a positive, even though I hate MRI’s. 

Not looking forward to the side effects over the next week or so bit just need to get on with it.  Starting to think about doing something to mark the end of the chemo before I have my op. Maybe a hot air balloon ride as a family, it’s on my bucket list of things to do and the weather might be good enough for one in September.

speak soon

WL

Hi Wollylamb,

I'm glad to hear that you've got no 5 behind you and hopefully, without any nasty side-effects this time. How fantastic that your oncologist couldn't find your lump today, so here's hoping that your MRI doesn't find it either. I don't like MRI's myself but it'll be worth having one if it confirms your oncologist's findings.

A hot air balloon ride as a family sounds like a fantastic way of celebrating the end of your chemo, or would be if we can ever get this rain to stop.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

That’s great takes the stress of you I’m getting my tumour removed on 3rd September 2 biopsy thank god right breast was just scarring from operation 9 years ago I had breast cancer then now. I have it in the left the mammogram section said one swollen lymph node but I got ultra scan 2 weeks ago no cancer under arm thank god still *** myself hate getting knocked out  I have had this tumour since 1 st week in June was pea size when I found it surgeon felt it 2 weeks ago just over the inch he said 3/4 weeks  be glad although I will ask to get more sedated this time I wish you well a hot air balloon lol no use for me terrified at heights but I like your spirit I’m glad like myself keeping positive good luck my friend hope you get best results you can get good luck x

So a few ups and downs since my last message.  The downs....I ended up being admitted again after my 5th cycle due to a temp spike again, and it was over the gorgeous bank holiday weekend! I have a feeling that this will happen again for my 6th cycle next week.

Had my MRI, I cried as they asked me to take my wig off which I wasn’t prepared for, sounds ridiculous but I had worked myself up so much that it just came out.

Not had the results of the MRI yesterday but met my surgeon today, he did and ultrasound and couldn’t find the tumour, and said I had responded brilliantly to the chemo, so much so that if the MRI confirms this then I have a choice between a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and I can have immediate reconstruction which was never an option before.  This was just the boost I needed before I head into next week.

Hope everyone is ok, would be good to hear how you are getting on.

WL

Hi Woolylamb,

I am so sorry to hear that session 5 caused you to end up back in hospital. What a pity that you didn't even get out for that lovely weather. Here's hoping that session 6 is less dramatic.

 Have you got your MRI results yet and what have they shown? It will be really great if it coincides with the findings of your ultrasound.

To be able to choose between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy is more than you expected, so it must be even better to hear that you can have your reconstruction done at the same time, if you need one. Of course, if you have a lumpectomy, you may not even need reconstruction.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that your MRI results concur with your ultrasound ones.

I am on holiday at present with limited wi-fi access, but am thinking of you and hoping for more good news.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi woollylamb big jean jolamine and all 

sorry not posted for a while . Have struggled with chemo on the low days. Didn’t want to drag anyone down with me especially if you are on good days x had my fourth chemo yday. They thought I had a clot in my arm as I’m getting a random skin rash where I thought I’d been bitten a few weeks ago but it keeps coming back and spreading up the arm. They weren’t concerned about rash but just by my join on the elbow I was quite tender so they wanted me checked out. So after having. Blood test which came back positive then luckily the sister at the ward pulled some strings to get me fast tracked for a scan on the arm I was given the all clear. Had been in for chemo at 930 got it started at 230 but it’s done and that’s the main thing. Slept and today it’s just the normAl sicky and tired feeling x I can’t believe how sick I feel but still have an appetite . I have put on so much weight I dread to think what I will end up being. I’m worried re money as my wage wil half this month how I pay the bills, two children birthdays coming up and the other dreaded x word Christmas! X counting the days til the good days return on this cycle then they change the chemo and then it’s every two weeks not thre. Dreading it as I guess just as I’m feeling ok I’m back in for next cycle but I’m looking at it that it will be over quicker x hope you are all sending my love to each and every one of you amazing inspirational women/men xx 

Hi Mejules,

I am sorry to hear that you have been having such a hard time with chemo. Have you mentioned how sick you feel to your care team?  There are a number of different medicaments that can be prescribed for this. If one doesn't work for you, it's always a good idea to try another.

Finance can be a big consideration for many cancer patients. There are some benefits available, and not all of them are means tested. Most hospitals have a Macmillan advice centre within them. They can help you to decide what to apply for. If they don't have a presence in the hospital, you can phone them and arrange to meet up.

I also found the.local Citizen's Advice Bureau very helpful. I do hope that you get some help from one of these sources, as you could certainly do without money worries on top of all that you're going through.

I am glad to hear that your arm scan didn't show up anything untoward. Here's hoping that all this chemo will be worth it in the long run.

Thinking of you and hope that you get some of the better days back soon.

Kind regards, 

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

No MRI results yet, I’m seeing the oncology nurse before my chemo tomorrow so she may have them.

How is your son?

WL

hi Mejules

It’s good to hear from you, I have been thinking about you over the last few weeks and how you are getting on. 

Sorry to hear you are having such a pants time with your chemo. Please don’t feel that you would be dragging us down, we are here to listen, even if you just want to have a rant and a moan.  It’s ok to feel low, I do sometimes as well. I’ve got my last chemo tomorrow and I’m dreading it as I’m worried I might end up in hospital again....

Sending you a big hug.

wl