Breast Cancer Care Forum

mnc · ‎17-07-2016

I was diagnosed in 2009 with HER2 breast cancer, ER and PR positive. Both breasts removed and reconstructed and have had chemo, radiotherapy and Herceptin. On Arimedex now. Kidney cancer in 2015 - kidney removed and no further treatment required. It was not related to my breast cancer. I have also last week fallen and broken my wrist. Since my first mastectomy in December 2009 my husband has slept down stairs and comes to bed for five minutes in the morning for a reluctant cuddle. I eat my breakfast in the kitchen and he eats his in the lounge. Sometimes it is the same at dinner in the evening. He watches sport / and news on the television as soon as we get home so I watch films in the study. I hate being alone at night but he just won't come to bed. He has not said he loves me. He doesn't like touching me and I really think that he is waiting for me to die. I hear him laughing regarding something on Facebook or when he is talking to his friends or family. In fact he seems so happy when I am not in the room and he is grumpy when I am in the room. I have told him how I feel but he won't change. I am alone and think I will be better on my own completely where I have the choice of how many fruit and veg I should have a day and how close to the supermarket to park! I have told him I want to look after myself so I don't get cancer again and walk whenever I can but he doesn't like walking and complains when I cook four different types of veg. He never pays me a compliment anymore. We used to be so happy but these last 7 years have been the worst years of my life. It is said that to be happy you should remove the negativity in your life and that to me is my uncaring, uncompassionate, unloving, dominating husband. I can play the piano but have to put the headphones on so I don't disturb him. Sorry for the long moan and I know no one can tell me what to do but I wonder if there is anyone else that is in the same predicament.

mnc · ‎11-01-2015

Hi I was diagnosed in May 2009 and within two years had both breasts removed and reconstructed, right side lymph nodes removed (2 out of 21 positive). Chemo, radiotherapy, Herceptin, Zoladex, Tamoxifen, Arimadex which I am still on and ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. I was told I would never have the all clear by a consultant and that has lived with me every day but it is nearly six years since I was diagnosed! Five years normally means if you have reached five years disease free then you have a good chance of living longer without it coming back. But if it did, they are bringing out new treatments all the time - thank goodness for Cancer Research.

mnc · ‎09-01-2015

Hi everyone Feel down and depressed is normal for most people with a diagnosis of breast cancer. I am on anti-depressents and still have times (like right at this moment) when I can't seem to be happy about anything. I went out today to lunch with my boss and supplier and they were laughing so much I thought to myself 'what is there to laugh about' and I was itching to go rather than sit there not moving for two hours. I was diagnosed in May 2009. Had a mastectomy in December 2009 and lymph node removal. Two nodes positive, ER positive, PR positive and HER2 positive.. Chemo, radiotherapy and Herceptin. Tamoxifen for two years and then moved to Arimex. Second mastectomy in November 2011 (my choice - no cancer). Zoladex injections and Overies and fallopian tubes removed (hospital decision) in March 2012. It is now January 2015 and I am still here although I am eating very healthly with the occasional biscuit, chocolate cake etc and very rarely a glass of wine or G and T I have stopped exercising as I have developed psoriasis (a non infections) skin disease due to stress. I had a CT scan this week for my chest, abdoman and pelvis. Keep strong, as I said I am still here and although not happy, I feel well. Might increase the anti-depressent dosage however! xxxx

mnc · ‎02-11-2011

Hi ER/PR Positive means oestrogen receptive positive(ER)and Progesterone receptive positive (PR). Tamoxifen is usually given to ER/PR positive breast cancer patients. Not too sure what your second paragraph means. My diagnosis is Diagnosed June 2009. Modfied Radical Mastectomy December 2009 with lymph node removal and immediate dorsi flap reconstruction. Mastecomy results: Grade 3 Tumour, ER 7/8, PR 7/8 and HER2 positive. Also 2 lymph nodes postive out of 21. Treatment Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Herceptin and Tamoxifen.

mnc · ‎28-10-2011

Hi I'm having a simple mastectomy to my healthy breast on 17th November as I don't want the risk of cancet again and all the treatment. I'm having a dorsi flap again with no implant and the consultant agreed instantly probably because they left my cancer for six months before I had my original mastectomy.

mnc · ‎23-10-2011

Hi I would like to join with any meet-ups and live in Stevenage. MNC

mnc · ‎02-10-2011

Hi everyone I haven't been on here for a while as I have been feeling ok apart from horrid stomach upsets. I am having a risk reducing mastectomy with immediate dorsi flap reconstruction on 17th November 2011 - almost two years to the day when I had my necessary modfied radical mastectomy. I am not nervous and am doing this as I don't want to go through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or herceptin again. Has anyone else done the same thing? xxx

mnc · ‎22-08-2011

Hi I had a mastectomy and immdiate dorsi flap reconstruction on my right brest in December 2009. Had chemo, radiotherapy, Herceptin and am on Tamoxifen. I saw my consultant on Friday 19th August 2011 who said my mammogram of my left breast was clear. However, I have decided and spoke to the consultant about having my right breast even though the mammogram was clear, removed and reconstruced as I do not want to live with the worry of having cancer again nor do I want to go through chemo again. I am 52. As my consultant said on Friday, I won't need to have my lymph nodes removed as my mammogram was clear so no lymphodema in my left arm, only in my right. Just waiting for my appointment to come through for the plastic surgeon who did my reconstruction two years ago. This has been an easy decision. xxxxx

mnc · ‎18-08-2011

Hi. I've had mild lymphodema for a year ever since a banged my hand on the bracket on a car roof box when I was trying to help my complaing husband put the rubbish out. The lymphodema nurse told me to wear a sleave and a glove but the sleeve made my hand even worse so I just wear the sleeve and have got used to it. I treat myself thought now and again by not wearing it when I go out and I definately don't wear it at job interviews! I sleep with my arm propped up on a pillow and in the morning it is almost back to normal again. I also squeeze my hand into a fist and then push my fingers out a bit like if you were counting in fives fast. I move my wrist in circles for several minutes and sometimes I think I feel the swelling going down there and then. I also religously moisturise my arm and hand every night with aequeous cream. I almost think of the glove as protection for cuts and insects bites as well as safety from getting knocked again. Good luck.

mnc · ‎02-08-2011

Thanks J - your little post has made me feel better and I have laughed!! xxxx

mnc · ‎02-08-2011

I had a mastectomy in December 2009 and then FEC-T Feb, March and April. Started Herceptin in April and had radiotherapy in June 2010. And Tamoxifen started in July 2010. My husband has said that my cancer is taking over our lives because I still can't accept that I have it although I am at work. The problem is, and I have told my husband this is that he just doesn't and hasn't supported me and feels that we have to pretend it has never happened. He is cold and unaffectionate and it has changed since my diagnosis in June 2009. I reminded him that in his divorce papers of his first marriage that his ex-wife said that he did not support her emotionally when she had to have an early hysterectomy. My husband has said he just doesn't should his emotional feelings and can't support me as I 'should just get on with it'!!!!! Am I being unreasonable? Two days after I came out of hospital after my mystecomy, dorsi flap reconstruction and lymph node removal he went to play golf! He left me to struggle out of bed and expects me to be exactly the same as before my diagnosis. His family are great so I don't know why he is like that. I have suggested a marriage guidance councillor and he has said that they won't help. After from this I am quite happy although my sister never phones to see how I am - does everybody find that once the operation is over then people think you are ok emotionally? Can a negative husband cause me to improve emotionally over time? On the positive front although I am putting on weight I feel happy when I am with my family and children but as soon as I am just with my husband I feel depressed. He talks and piles his affection on to our CAT!!!! I can hear him laughing at what he is reading or the TV while I am on my treadmill in order to ensure this desease does not come back - ever. Sorry to rant - at least I have some great friends and a lovely new friend who also has had BC. Best wishes to you all xxxxx

mnc · ‎03-03-2011

Hi I had FEC-T last year. The FEC was okay but the Tax was horrid. Afte the first session which left me in pain and although I was on Gagapentin that didn't help. But the onoclogist reduced my next doeses by 20% and that helped a wee bit - I felt I could continue and did. Good luck - the worst thing for me was and still is waiting six months to have a mastectomy from my original diagnosis! Diag. 06/2009, mastectomy and Dorsi Flap reconstruction December 2009. ER 7/8 PR 7/8 HER2 Positive and 2/21 lymph nodes positive. Chemo, radiotherapy, herceptin and tamoxifen.

mnc · ‎20-02-2011

I was diagnosed with DCIS in June 2009 and was told by my Breast Consultant that he wanted me to have a long life and that I thought I would want a mastectomy as soon as possible. I said yes I did. Six months later, yes, six months later I had modfied radical mastecomy. My diagnosis was now: Two tumours grade 3 HER2 positive ER and PR positive Two lymph nodes out of 21 positive If I had had the mastectomy done straight away, then it would have just been a diagnosis of DCIS. I have had 3 FEC and 3 Tax, radiotherapy, Herceptin (on no. 16) and I take Tamoxifen. I have been told that I can never have the all clear!!!! So the delay has made a huge difference to my life in that without treatment I was given a 65% chance of surviving five years. Best wishes to everyone. mnc

mnc · ‎28-01-2011

Many thanks - I'm doing my weekly shop tonight at Sainsbury's so I'll try Rimmel Nail Rescue.

mnc · ‎28-01-2011

Hi I am also Grade 3 and Her2, ER and PR Positive and had my port put in after the second chemo as my veins were too small. They did know this when they first saw me but I had to wait for an appointment at Mount Vernon to have my port fitted. It was done under a local anesthetic which was great as no wooziness afterward and all I can say is I LOVE MY PORT. I have free arms when having my Herceptin, the needle just goes into my skin a tiny bit it is not like having a horrid needle in your hand. I have had no problems either with it in fact I'll be sad to have it taken out as blood tests are a doddle with it. Good luck. xxx

mnc · ‎27-01-2011

Hi I finished Chemo at the end of May 2010 and have had radiotherapy. I have been taking Tamoxifen since June 2010 and have just had my 14th Herceptin. I lost all of my fingernails or I lost half of a nail during Chemo. They grew back but now they are heavily lined and each nail is half white like a french manicure but half way down the nail. Anybody have anything like this? One oncologist said it may be due to the chemo which I finished 8 months ago but the oncologist I saw on Monday 24th January before my Herceptin has made an appointment for me to see a dermatologist. Any views are welcome. Diagnosed May 2009. Modified Radical Mastectomy with full lymph node removal December 2009. 2/21 lymph nodes positive. Two tumours Grade 3 and HER2 Positive and ER/PR positve.

mnc · ‎07-12-2010

Hi I was diagnosed with breast cancer last May and had a right modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using muscle from my back - no implant. In January 2010 I start my chemo 3 fec and 3 tax. I had three weeks of rads and I'm on my 11th herceptin. I'm also taking tamoxifen. My results after the mastectomy were grade 3 tumour, widespread DCIS, 2 nodes positive out 21, HER2 positive. Radiotherapy was a breeze and apart from a bit of swelling that is the only side effect from it. I'm glad I had radiotherapy as I felt that the oncologist was doing everything to help my 5 year survival rate of 65% . Good luck.

mnc · ‎12-11-2010

Hello everyone I have added to a Hertfordshire post about meeting up but it does not seem to have gone any further. Would anyone that lives in the Stevenage/Ware/Welwyn etc., area like to meet up for moral support if needed and just to chat about life in general? Let me know. xxxx

mnc · ‎08-11-2010

Hi I'm in Stevenage and finished Fec and Taxotere at the end of May, just after my 51st birthday. I've had radiotherapy and am now on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. I'd like to email/meet like minded people. Look forward to hearing from anyone.

mnc · ‎28-10-2010

Hi I had 3 FEC which were ok and 3 Taxotere which were horrid - the pain. After the first Tax I told the consultant I didn't want any more chemo but they persuaded me to have the does reduced by 20%, it was a tiny bit better and then they started me on Herceptin and I forgot about Tax and waited for the Hercepting side effected - and I have had any. I am now on my 11th Herceptin on Monday only another 7 to go. I've had radiotherapy which was after my chemo and am also on Tamoxifen. I am HER2 positive ER and PR positive, grade 3 tumour and 2 out of 21 lymph nodes positive. Mastectomy and reconstruction in December 2009

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