Hi Kip, Shi asked me to pop on here and let you know about the magnets. I've been wearing mine for months and I don't think it makes any difference but I'm still wearing it in case it's making even a tiny bit of difference 😂 I do find I sometimes get stuck to metal things if I'm not careful (like my work pass or handbag) 🙄 I tried acupuncture first but that didn't do anything either and I'm now taking sage tablets to no avail. That's not to say that none of those things would work for you. The best things I have to deal with the flushes are foldable fans (I have a few in different bags) and the cool pillow and they were also the cheapest 😂
Good luck with the rads, they're nowhere near as bad as the chemo 😊
Ouch Jacqb!
That explains a few things..... my left breast and connecting bit to my arm is what is so enlarged - was so much bigger that I didn't fit into my clothes, but I think it has reduced a bit now as I said before.
I mentioned this to my oncologist last week, and she advised the same as you, about the gentle pressure, but didn't want to have a look at it. I was concerned that it might be breast lymphoedema, but I have radiotherapy planning next week, where I hope that might be ruled out. Its good to be able to chat through things on here isn't it, and to swap experiences as and when we need to. I'm sat here doing a bit of 'gentle pressure' liquid pushing out as I type with the other hand!.... I will also try to dig out the exercise sheet with the details as well.
Georgie xx
Kip,
I found it interesting that your team had been similar to mine about the seroma business.....
I was told that I would likely have a seroma, but that I shouldn't worry, because the nurses or the surgeon would drain it after the surgery. My particular surgeon does not even use a drain on anyone, but I was reassured when they told me they would drain anything that popped up.
So I called and made an appointment for this with BC nurse when a swelling began, and she said she could not drain much, and to wait to see the surgeon, which I did, and then he said that it would disappear on its own over time, and that he did not want to introduce another opportunity for infection by draining it. So I never had anything drained, and this was in June! I think it may have reduced slightly, but I'm not sure it's going to go away completely. The affected breast is now at least 2 cup sizes bigger than the other side! My op was a full node clearance plus lumpectomy. I know we are all different, but has anyone else had this?
Georgie x
Oh thanks for the heads up on the exercises, makes sense I guess... mental note to self... do the exercises!
Hope you get some answers regarding the complaint.
Hi Everyone, firstly let me just say I did feel a bit wary about posting my news yesterday as I am aware that some of you are still in the throws of chemo and all the other problems going on... please forgive me if it seemed crass but I'm rooting for you all, and will be waiting for you all in the rads department to compare tattoos!
CDC - good for you making a complaint.. without people like you making a stand these things will continue and it never ever should happen! I am sure it won't affect how they treat you at the hospital, if you had been listened to and treated correctly in the first place you wouldn't have had to make a complaint. I'm glad the chap on the phone was sympathetic and shocked to hear your story, just goes to prove that what has happened to you was horrendous! Be strong, you are doing this not only for yourself but for all those women out there who are facing the same challenges! I hadn't heard of Tamoxifen reducing the breast density but I will efinately mention my concerns it when I come to have a mammogram and will make a nuisance of myself until they do an U/S if I feel I need one!
CDC - hope chemo goes ok and the tingles don't get worse.
Knicker Magnets - hmmm, I'm not sure I believe they can do anything, but if I get to a point when I think I need one I might try it! I wonder if you would set of the alarms in an airport? Could be embarrassing. I had a massive hot flush last night and haven't even got the Tamoxifen yet!
Seroma - my nurse checked me over and it is going down so she didn't want to risk an infection by draining it, Just said to start exercising more to get the movement back before scar tissue sets in. I've got to get my arms up and behind my head for rads so must work on that.
On a different note - whilst with my Surgeon and nurse yesterday we were chatting about donating blood and my Surgeon confessed that she can't stand the sight of blood!!!! Crikey talk about the wrong profession...she said she donated blood and when she saw it she fainted!! The nurse then said she is needle phobic and can't ever donate blood as can't stand the thought of a needle! What a pair! Like to see them getting through chemo then!
take care all
Kip
@Shi Thanks! But ages til I actually start rads -- don't finish chemo til early Dec, then surgery, then recovery, then rads in Feb/Mar(?). But I like to plan ahead.
Hi Ladies,
I’m from the September thread but was just looking at your comments below re menopause. I had a partial hysterectomy 9 years ago & started with menopausal symptoms a few years ago. I thought I was past that but having started chemo, the night sweats have come back with a vengeance. Until tonight, I had never heard of the magnet thing, but I have bought a cool pillow. It’s effectiveness is limited. It’s ok at the beginning of the night if you can stand the faint smell of rubber, but it does warm up during the night & gets a bit sticky. I’m always willing to try anything, but maybe you don’t need to spend too much on one - mine was from Boots by JML.
I did however try the tip of using 1/2 an effervescent vitamin c tablet before going to bed - just let it melt on your tongue. I didn’t have my first hot sweat till 4am which is a result for me. Also they’re great for helping with normal thrush, so results all round.
Best of luck with everything x
@RedRose Ouch. I hope that if any of your nails do come off, it's at least less painful, and that they grow back swiftly.
@Georgie Gee I'm taking note of Sally's retort, as I can't think of anything cleverer or more satisfying to say in response to such an unthinking question. I also enjoyed the Titty Gritty blog post that @Linda mentioned. (I guess one upside of having most of my friends and all of my family in the US: most of the time, my support network is weighing in by email, so they have the luxury of rereading before hitting send.)
How did your Herceptin injection go today? Are you feeling better about radiotherapy? I know I feel better about what lies ahead for me on the RT front after hearing from Shi and others.
@Sally You are amazing. I've been trying to work throughout, but docetaxel is kicking my arse, to use the native parlance. (Is "arse" okay to say on the forum? Or should I be asterisking it out? I truly don't know.) I am in awe that you only missed your chemo days! (And jealous!)
@Kip A p.s.: How's your (suspected) seroma? Is it going down?
@Kip Congratulations on your results! You must be thrilled. A bit startling to hear that chemotherapy can frazzle the lymph nodes, however... No one mentioned that this might happen before I started. Good luck with the radiotherapy planning -- it sounds like you will be done with RT just in time for Christmas, which is lovely. FYI, I've heard that your period might restart up to 12 months after finishing chemotherapy; after that point, it's very unlikely that it will restart again.
A magnet in your knickers???? The first thing I thought: another barricade to bedroom antics! A quick little bit of googling has me quite skeptical: https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/magnets-for-menopause#does-it-actually-work
I have heard acupuncture can help with hot flushes, and meant to mention that side effect before my session on Tuesday at The Haven in London. I'll have to remember to mention it next time. (They offer a few sessions for free, so I'm trying it. Seems to help with my tingling hands and feet for a few days -- placebo effect, sensory distraction, acupuncture actually working? Who knows. Hot flushes would be a real test.)