Breast Cancer Care Forum

Good Evening all you April ladies . For all you ladies who finish treatment on the 26th , you are doing great 👍  Tomorrow you will be 2/3rds of the way through . Keep smiling we are nearly there 😘 ... View more

Hi Kimberley, well that’s a surprise , you having treatment on Bank holiday !  I don’t know if I’m jealous or not . You will be finished before me . I hope you had a lovely birthday 🍰 have a great holiday , if we don’t speak before. Good luck with the rest of your treatment ( I think I am envious). i will keep you updated .  Barbara x ... View more

Hi Kimberley, no I haven’t seen him since 🤣🤣🤣 but let’s just say he had it coming !! I still keep giggling. I am finding that my energy levels are changing on a day to day basis . This week , Monday Ok , Tuesday , tired and miserable, Wed , buzzing , today ok but at 6pm absolutely shattered . So pleased tomorrow is Friday . The nausea is subsiding until I get tired then it hits with a horrible metallic taste . Just snacking now as I really don’t fancy a meal.  Hoping to work again tomorrow but only 7.30 - 11am as all appointments are now midday or very early afternoon .  Hoping you have a lovely Easter break and enjoy the 2 short weeks xx ... View more

Hi, How is it going ? Day 4 done, tired and very little appetite still . I am just snacking and not eating a full meal . Nausea is subsiding 😃  Still working this week , all week I hope 🤞  I travel with loads of files which I load in and out of the car everyday , just in case I don’t make it in 😂 My brain is definitely affected , I verbally abused my idiot neighbour yesterday morning in the car , for completely blocking my view , then as I pulled away I realised that both rear windows were fully opened and he heard every word ! 😬😳🤣.  Let me know how you are getting on , I am starting to feel tender tonight 😖 Barbara x ... View more

Ha ha , you could be my sister from another mister ! I too yawn all day at work 😂😂😂. I leave about a hour early so that I’m not falling asleep whilst driving . I can leave earlier if I feel I need to , they are great about it and encourage me to rest .  I intend to work from home 2 weeks into treatment as I know I can function better at home than at work . I can always have a power nap when I need to 🤣. Don’t you think that work helps you to cope better . Tiring I know but so worth it !  Water intake is increasing , as are toilet visits!  ... View more

Thank you , could be coincidentally and the Letrozole could be the culprit . I will mention it on Monday ( session 3 ) . Meanwhile I will up my water intake to see if it helps 😊 ... View more

Hi Bracken I understand your concern as I initially refused both chemo and Letrozole much to my Oncologists dismay .  My tumour was Oestrogen positive and had spread to lymph nodes. I was fortunate enough to have my tumour re anaylsed as part of a trial and was advised that I would not benefit from Chemo but would have my chances of recurrence reduced more by having hormone therapy ( Letrozole) . Having that 2nd opinion changed my mind and I have agreed to Letrozole and Radiotherapy, but on my terms !! Having done my research it seems that if you can maintain the same manufacturer of Letrozole , you can help keep the side effects down , so I have done the leg work , found a pharmacist who will order my brand continually . This is an independent pharmacy as the big chains are not able to order any brand , just those on their list 😖. I have been taking it for 4 weeks and the side effects are limited to nausea and tiredness .  I am not a person who will just agree with the medication / treatment prescribed and will question the decisions made .  My Oncologist has re assessed my risk with the current medication and treatment which raised my survival rate from 55-76% over 15 years . Chemo only was 62%.  I just hope that this gives you a little bit of help  with your research . Feel free to ask if you have any questions 😊 ... View more

Hi Angie  just read your post which made me laugh about your easy boob access 😂😂  I was offered a blue jacket thing which was so complicated with Velcro and ties .  After the explanation I said what’s the alternative and was advised it was a a modesty sheet to which my reply was “ I’ll go commando , there’s not many people in this hospital who haven’t seen my 1 and a half boobs “ It may my doc and nurse laugh 😂  ... View more

Hi Angie and all April starters.  Started on Thursday so I have had 2 sessions , today felt really sick and started to vomit . Not a great deal in my stomach as I have totally lost my appetite. Has anyone else experienced this ? I asked about anything I need to do at my first session and was told to moisture 3 times a day with E45 or Simple.  No mention of fluid intake or anything else , no mentions of deodorants !  I have started Letroxole , on week 4 . That’s a whole new thread , not side effects , but availability. Would love to hear how you are getting on 😘 ... View more

Hi Anika,  how is everything going ? Have you had surgery ?  Results for me were 2 weeks from surgery at check up stage x ... View more

Hi Angie , I had surgery lumpectomy and lymph node removal with six out of 16 nodes affected. I was told I would have chemo followed by Radiotherapy and offered a trial . I opted for the trial , my tumour was sent away re-examined and I was told Chemo was not necessary just hormone treatment and radiotherapy.  I have started the hormone treatment  and first radiotherapy is 4 April. Had my planning and am attending at ADDENBROOKE’S  Cambridge . Still holding down a full time job and intend to continue through treatment even if it requires me to work from home . I am happy to be your buddy and discuss anything with you. Barbara ... View more

Hi Tracey,  Were you offered the Optima trial as your experience does sound very similar. wishing you a quick recovery from your treatment. Keep smiling , it will be worth it.  Look after yourself and stay in touch x Bebe ... View more

Hi Michelle , I can now accept that the fatigue is really going to get me . my employers are great and have just told me to do whatever I need to . I am just going to try and go in where possible and work from home when it’s not possible.  But I might book a weeks leave for the peak , just so that I don’t feel as tho I am taking advantage . Ridiculous I know but you can’t help how you feel , especially when they have been so good and understanding. i am pleased to hear you are through the other side and wish you all good wishes for your continuing recovery Yay to Optima , I am so pleased I opted for it x ... View more

Hi Badboob, My next appointment next week is with the Optima nurse and Oncologist , I will try and behave myself . If I fail , I can always blame the fatigue at 10am  😂😂😂😂. Hope it is going Ok for you x ... View more

Hi Jill, Thank you for your reply .  I really had not considered that the appointments could be all over the place😳.  I want to stay working for my sanity , I am really not good staying at home as my attention span descends to zero . I need my work !!!!! I will try to balance attending and working from home the best I can . I will let you know how it pans out . Also I have 4 Audits over the next few months , ha ha ! That could be interesting , me sleeping through my auditors summing up ! 😂😂😂 ... View more

Hi Monica,  Thanks for your reply . Looks like the fatigue is set to continue then . i will just judge each day as it comes , trying to make the effort to go into work or work from home . I am very lucky to have that option . i will prepare for the cough , have once been a smoker I am sure that my sins will punish me 😂. Power naps are the best , just not at my desk !!!! ... View more

Hi Anika ,  At Addenbrookes, After surgery you get your discharge letter which has your next appointment with the surgeon already booked . Two weeks after surgery .  I hope that everything goes well for you .  I think I will just try and carry on as normal with work during and after Radiotherapy, they are so good , I will try and balance out going in and working from home depending on how I am feeling . I have been told by my Bosses , just do whatever you need to 😁. I do think I am very lucky to have a very understanding  office who are genuinely concerned about my health . Having a weekend away before treatment which I think is going to help 😁😁 ... View more

Hi Michele, Quick update. The Optima trial nurse called on Monday and said I would not benefit from Chemo 😊😊😊. I can’t tell you what a relief that was ! I am going to need hormone therapy drugs for 8 years and radiotherapy appointment is next week . CT scan came back clear and my seroma has been drained for the third time and I think it’s now sorting its self out - phew 😅  Not sure how many sessions of Radio will be needed until my appointment , but I am worried about the fatigue side of things. It’s now a month and 2 days since my operation and I have been back at work for 2 weeks ( desk job) but by 3pm I am exhausted and go home usually for an hours nap.  Work are absolutely fine with my reduced hours but I worry it will get worse with the radiotherapy. Did you or (anyone reading this ) suffer with this prolonged fatigue or is it just to be expected ? Bebe  ... View more

Thanks Michele. its lovely to hear that there actually is an alternative route and I hope that it has been successful for you.  I intend to get some more info on my lymph node results and would be grateful if you don’t mind me asking you questions.  I do get the impression that they are concerned about the lymph nodes leading up to the neck need more investigation , hence the CT scan and the Oncologist saying that Radiotheraphy May be required for 3 rather than 2 areas. How are you now ? Xx ... View more

Hi Nikki, Hello from a person with the same dilemma. I agreed to the Optima trial yesterday , offered after 6/16 nodes affected. Lumpectomy for a 12mm  stage 3 . I was horrified when told my node removal would require chemo or the chance to opt for the Optima. Oncologist could not comment or help me to make my decision and wanted my answer in 3 days ! I decided that if the tumour/ lymph nodes were being looked at again , it was worth going for , now I am waiting to see what the outcome will be , chemo or hormone . i also had to attend a CT scan for chest , abdomen and pelvis , so if that shows any more spread I will not be eligible for the trial. Scary stuff.😳 what did you do ? I see that your post was January. I would love to hear if you opted for it .x ... View more