oh darling... am soo so sorry to hear that. Completely know where you are. I'll pm xxx

Hi guys, I was just wondering how everyone in this thread is doing .... we're a year older and wiser. How's it going?

xx

Glad to hear you're progressing well - how's your hair doing?

Also, how many lymph nodes did you have removed?  I understand that cording can happen at any time but the risk increases with the number of nodes removed ....? . I only had 1 node removed but every now then I get odd little "pulls" under my arm/armpit, they last a few days and then it changes for something different.  Who would have thought the side effects would be ongoing ....?

Also, the boob that had the radiotherapy STILL itches, though I keep it moisturised and there's nothing to see, but still it itches! Weird! Xx

It's good. Started to grow back around May time and is now in a pixie length. I haven't dyed it yet worried it will look too bold with short hair. 
 

I only had one removed so that's why I'm unsure if it's lymphedema. I feel like my boob feels completely different to the other. Seems harder and I still get aches and pains in it, do you? 
 

when did you finish treatment and how's your hair? X

I finished my radio in September 2019, and I didn't lose my hair as I didn't have chemo, only lumpectomy and radio. 
 

I often still get little twinges in my boob and sometimes it's uncomfortable in bed when I lie on that side.  I think mine is also slightly harder than the other and also my nipple is much paler than the other one, but I do consider myself massively lucky as the discomfort as really minimal compared to what others are going through.

I do hate being on tamoxifen though.  18 months in, loads of hot flushes, aches and pains, brain fog, tinnitus, weight gain ..... I can't wait to get through the next 3.5 years! How are you getting on with it? Xx

Yes chemo was so hard but I think having done it now it's made me such a stronger person. On the other hand though I'm constantly worried about every ache and pain that I feel in my body. I'm constantly thinking it's come back. I would have never even considered this before I found the lump but now my immediate thought turns back to the day I found out. I do think it scars you mentally. 
 

I'm currently having acupuncture for the hot flushes. I've got 8 sessions that's part of my complementary therapy that my breast nurse referred me for. During chemo I also had 6 sessions of reflexology which was fab. Have you asked about this? I think she referred me for reflexology as I was incredibly anxious during chemo and it was a nice little break away just for me. I had a 5 month old at the time of diagnosis.

on the tablets though I find my joints ache a lot. I'm on weight watchers at the mo as I put on so much weight when on the all the tablets for chemo. I've lost two stone but have another 1stone to go for my friends wedding next year as a bridesmaid. I also want my hair to be longer!!!

did you have much time off with work? I'm finally going back the end of the month after leaving for maternity 20 months ago x

Well done with your weight loss - that's amazing!! Keep up the good work!

I did actually have some free complimentary therapies - reflexology and massage - I was entitled to 6 free ones so I started taking them a couple of months after I finished my radio.  I had the 5th one booked in but it got cancelled due to COVID so I've left it for now. I'm a therapist myself so I know how beneficial these things can be!

I didn't have any time off work because I work from home and I'm also semi-retired now so there was no pressure in that department.  However, if this had happened 3 years earlier I would have been pressured into returning to work ASAP, no doubt about it, so it's really good that you've been able to take this time off to allow yourself to heal.

And yes, every little twinge or sensation makes you wonder if it's come back .... it's only natural to worry.  When you return to work you will probably feel exhausted and possibly have more aches and pains.  Go with it, you'll be fine, and I'm sure your colleagues will be so pleased to have you back safe and sound xx

Hi girls

So lovely to hear about both of your recovery. So much that resonates with how I'm feeling and I don't really have anyone to share these worries about it.

As you might remember I used the cold cap during chemo,  and retained about 40% of my hair which was enough to keep me a little bit sane, but I was completely bald on the top of my head but those trendy bands managed to disguise that a bit. Thankfully though it means it's bob length now with what looks like a toupe on top. I really struggled with how I looked during chemo so I'm relieved that it's behind me and now my hair has grown back thicker and I love it.

Agree about the tamoxifen. I hate it. The hot flushes are rubbish and I feel like I've aged 5 years in a year and the aches and pains make me think I've got bone cancer already. I'm seeing a physio at the moment for the aches in my back which has really helped. I'm under no illusion that after 5 years they will want me to either do another 5 or find something else they need to do to keep it away, but of course that's better than it coming back so I dilligently take it.

Well done on the weight loss! Chemo didn't make me put on weight for some reason, I would lose 4 kgs each cycle and then put it back on in the last week. I think that was water retention though. But being on tamoxifen has defintely meant I can't eat like I used to. I like to keep to the same weight and I have found it harder plus I just feel a bit saggy everywhere!!

I had a strange operation where they used a flap of my back to reconstruct the breast as they had to remove so much tissue, so sometimes when the children lean on me it feels like they are resting on my back. I guess the nerve endings don't rewire the brain!

Hope lockdown is keeping you safe and sane. Weren't we lucky to get through the majority of our treatment before it began! xxx

Hi All, 

So nice to hear from you all. 
 

To update you, I had a lumpectomy and rads last November and on tamoxifen for 10years. For me, I was a little traumatised and shell shocked to say the least after it all happened last year, plus with a baby it was definitely one of the hardest times in my life. 
 

Went back to work in January and that's been OK, although I want to retrain and take a different path at some point. I have struggled mentally, thinking that it will come back throughout this year and how do they know it's gone.. but had quite a bit of hypnotherapy the last couple of month and it's massively helped me and thinking so much more positively now. 
 

So far, the tamoxifen has been OK for me. I really have to watch what I eat though so changed my diet. If I look back to where I am now, can't believe it happened to me last year. 
 

It is very hard post treatment, so good to hear your stories and how you are doing! We should be very proud of ourselves for navigating through this! 
 

Lots of love