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Hi SGL, just to say that that was me the same week of last year (though not the herceptin). Hope you find some good pals to travel with you along your journey, and remember those of us who've already walked it are cheering you on and wishing you well.
Thank you so much for that Revcat, hope you are doing ok.
xxx
Can I make a little mention of a charity I came across just before I started chemo. It's called Little Princesses, and it makes wigs from human hair for UK children. You can donate your hair if it's 10 inches or longer, it then gets sent to China where it's made into wigs for UK kids. I found it useful to make something positive from something negative, my way to stick up a middle finger to cancer. The web address is http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk.
Best of luck to everyone who's starting in September. It's not going to be easy, but it's necessary, and you will get tons of support on here from others going through it.
CM
x
Hi Stargazerlily
Just wanted to wish you and anyone else starting chemo in September lots and lots of luck. I'm just about to have my last dose next week having started in May. I have found the support on this site so valuable and I know you will soon be joined by lots of people going through the same as you. It feels like a long haul, especially at the beginning, but you will get there.
Love Rachel x
Hi I am starting on 6th Sept. Having chemo every other week 4 x AC and then 4 x PAX what ever all tha means!! I going to give the oold cap a go but to be honest I hate the cold and don't know if I can be bothered with the extra time involved. I had a lovely facial today and off on hols before the chemo starts. At least something to look forward to. Chin up and best foot forward as they say. Love to all Angela xx
Hi,
I am due to start chemo in September, not good for someone who has a needle phobia!! Can I ask are you having a picc line put in SGL?....
I will find out what date I start early next week, I am really scared..
Thank you for your encouraging post Rachel...
Jay X
Hi Jay
I also hate needles so know exactly what your going through. I had my back drained on Friday and she had to it twice as she couldn't get the fluid out!!! I am having a line put in but not until after my 1st chemo as no time before my hols. Don't know about you but I'm sick of it all already and only just started on our very long journey. I'm also having a bone density test on wed and seeing the WIG lady!! such joy!! My Chemo starts on 6th Sept. keep in touch x
Hi Ginge....
I know what you mean about being sick of it all already, its like being on a rollercoaster that you cant get off of, nothing is in your control, I just feel like running away from the whole thing to be honest! I have an appointment with the oncologist on tuesday, so I guess I will find out more then, I honestly dont think I will be able to sit there while they insert a picc line, I'll be out the door before they get near, thats what happened when I had the needle biopsy!
Where are you going for your holiday?...
Hope to hear from you soon...
Jay X
I'm another starting chemo on 16th September. Have managed to have both haematoma from original surgery and now seroma from axillary clearance so more needles than I bargained for. Not at all keen and dreading venflons for the chemo. Mostly stressing on the hair issue, it all sounds such a faff to use the cold caps but I really like my hair, think I may decide when I see what the wigs are like. For my bone scan it was only a little needle so hopefully the same for you Angela and I agree that I am sick of it all so far and there is still such a long way to go. Looking forward to getting to know you all. Julia x
Hi Jay and Julia
I'm off to Crete with the family. Its my Dad's 80th god bless him and we had to delay the holiday due to op. Hopefully my back will be OK and not fill up to much excess fluid as it's not a nice sight with a big lump of wobbly skin poking out my T shirt!! I know what you mean about the cold cap I don't know whether I can be bothered as it puts so much time on the whole chemo exercise an I just want to get in there and out again but worth a try. I think my hubby is looking forward to me getting some wigs he says get 3, a blonde, brunette and redhead and then he'll get a different woman everytime he comes home. Dream on I say!!! By the way where does everyone live and how old. I live in Old Coulsdon in Surrey not sure if I mentioned this before so apologies for boring you if I have. Married with twin girls aged 14 and I am 44. Keep in touch. I'll let yo know how the WIG experience goes. xx
Hello September ladies. A July girl here!
Just wanted to say to Ginge, I'm doing 4 x AC and 4 x Paclitaxel (Taxol) too. Are you on the fortnightly regime? It is very doable and so far I've had very few side effects.
PM me if you have any questions at all. I've also used the cold cap.
x
Hi All...
I too have a seroma Julia, not very pleasant, I didnt have it drained,I think it is slowly going down...
I am not sure whether to go for the cold cap either, to be honest I cant see past the picc line right now!!..
I am 45. divorced from Brighton, I have four kids, 27, twins of 24 and a lad of 12, I also have 6 grandkids! I live in Brighton....
How are your 14 year olds coping with all this Ginge?....
Look forward to hearing from you soon....
Jay X
Hi ladies can I join in recognise a few name on here SGL and Revcat (from duston)...
I'm due to start chemo sept but don't know what i'm having or start date yet! I am HER2+ and was told I would have it after chemo not alongside it but maybe I misheard! My mx almost 4 weeks ago now and have seroma drained once 750mls and it's filling again but more slowly. Planning risk reducing mx for healthy breast then bilat recon with free TRAM flap when this is all over in Leics, my hospital is Northampton.
I'm 35 and have 2 children jessica 7 and Sam 4 they are coping so well but I worry the worst is to come and will really test them esp with my son starting school and he has some special ways to make transition harder for him x
Not planning on trying cold cap but been experimenting via you tube with scarves in preperation.
I am prob having a porta cath so it's a line under my skin, minor op prior to treatment but then no more needles in arm and safer than a picc line for my little boy who can have aggressive tendancies with me being his biggest target.
I feel a bit in no mans land at the mo as doing waiting game again but SGL we will have similar treatment around the same time so do keep me posted and best wishes to everyone on here.
Choc muffin my hair is very fine and needs a good condition, but love the idea of littleprincess will investigate this
Big Hugs all round xxx
Port is the best way to go in my opinion .. my veins packed in after chemo 3 and since have a port and its brilliant.. can't even see it under the skin and no more stsbbing looking for a vein.. good luck with your treatment .. its not as bad as you imagine but it does get harder towards the end... x
For those of you with needle phobias, a central line does seem the way to go. I had a portacath inserted, and that still involves a needle (they have to get access to it somehow) so perhaps a PICC or Hickman or Groeschong (sp?) which have external bits and pieces that you either tuck into your bra or strap to your arm with a bit of tubigrip. A bit of a nuisance but NO NEEDLES, as they even take blood from your line, and it also saves your poor veins from the trauma of chemo. I have a friend who finished chemo months ago and she's still got junkie arms, poor thing, so I'm a great advocate of central lines.
Best of luck to you all, and I hope those of you going on holiday first have a lovely time.
Thank you for your replys, they all sound horrific to be honest...
I am seeing an oncologist for the first time tomorrow so I guess I will find out more then, a picc line was mentioned but I cant imagine sitting there while they thread it up my arm!!....
Not much of a choice eh!...
Jay X
Hi guy
I think I'm having a Portacath fitted - you might think I'm a bit vague but haven't had the guts to get all my notes out!! Girls are copng fine sometimes I feel like just sitting down and weeping actually howling would be good but might frighten the neighbours!! Its all s**t isn't it shame we can't all have the chemo together in the same place. Can't believe the time all finished will be nearly Xmas how scary is that!! And then the Radiotheraphy starts.!! anyhow one day at a time eh. Love to all and everyone XX
Hi Friends...
Xmas seems so far away right now!...
I just feel like running away to be honest, its all happening so fast, I cant get my head around it all! I know everyone says be positive but its not always that easy, at least not for me....
But as you say Ginge one day at a time....
Take care All..
Jay X
Hello Ladies. I didnt realise there had been so many replies as not been on much over the last few days.
I have not been offered a picc line. I am wondering whether I should ask, as I will also be having herceptin for a year and I really dont want my veins to collapse.
It will be nice if we can all support each other.
And Sandipantshell, that sounds like a good idea to me.
xx
Hi everyone.
Not even thought about Portacath, I'm a bit like you Ginge not really looking at the notes and info, if I don't look it may go away. I live in the Pennines, Yorkshire and have three girls 19, 22 and 24, two oldest living away and the youngest travelling. They seem to be coping well although I have always kept a positive spin on it with them whilst at time wanting to howl how bloody scared I am and could they please pay me more attention. In fact that is how it is generally am fine fine fine and then come home and weep and rant to the dog.
I guess we just have to try and enjoy the lull before chemo. I have my first appointment with the oncologist on Thursday so will know more what is happening then. 750mls from a seroma makes me feel pathetic for whinging about mine Sandipantshell, glad that it is filling more slowly now, mine too and Ginge for taking yours off on holiday with you. Hoping you have a lovely time.
It will be nice to support each other, shame that we all live so far apart.
Let's go forth and have a good day xxxx
Hi all...
I am the same as you Lucy, keeping a positive outlook on it all infront of family and friends, and falling apart when i'm alone!....
I have my first appointment with the oncologist today, so nervous, dont even want to go, just dont want to hear what they have to say....
But once again I have no choice, as it isnt go to go away....
Have a good Tuesday everyone...
Jay X
My best wishes to you all as you start in the foothills of what I called Mount Chemo. It is daunting but you will get there, one step at a time.
I had my last dose on 31 December 2010 which was great as I reached the 'summit' of my mountain last year. Hoping that you all stay well as you climb, and that you find lovely travelling companions, as I did.
Sandipantsshell, give my love to Duston... I'm 13 years older than you and left in 1981, so I guess we never met back then.
Hugs and prayers for each and every one of you. Go girls!
Hi Jay
How did you get on today - did you find out when you are starting and what type of chemo you are having? My friend Bridget who is goin to join the thread saw her's yesterday and is starting Monday.... Saw my consultant today and he took some lovely pics of my breasts - I'm sure they will turn up on facebook at some stage!!! LOL -Let me know how you got on love Ginge xx
Hi Ginge...
Hope you're ok, I have no date as yet, I have to decide whether to go ahead with the chemo or not (I wasnt expecting to get a choice!), I fall into a catergorie where they recommend you have it but they dont say you must have it, she said I am probably clear but they cant be 100% sure, I will definitely have the radiotherpy, and the Tamoxifen for 5 years, the chemo is to give it everything we can throw at it, if I go ahead it will be 6 X FEC every 3 weeks, I need to ring on Monday to let them know what I decide, of course my family and friends say its a no brainer, my friend said if I dont go ahead I will think every ache and pain is the cancer returning! My head is even more mixed up now than before I went!! I cant even see past the picc line which she recommends for people like me.
When are you off to Crete, What part are you going to?...
Have a nice Wednesday everyone...
Jay X
Hi Jay
I think it is a no brainer as they say - You will kick yourself if you didn't have Chemo and it came back - you'll always be thinking what if??? To be honest they shouldn't have given you a choice just said this is what's happening. I was going to delay my op to go on holiday as it's such a big hol my Dad's 80th and 10 of us going) but all my family said why wait what makes it spread from one day to the next "GET IT OUT" so I did. The weeks fly past so I'd ay go for it hun. Whats he worst that can happen LOL!! hasn't it already!! We are off to Hersonississ - all inclusive resort - haven't started packing yet and at hospital most of the day today - Girls are off to Thorpe Park but hey I'll be on that plane suitcase or not. Deep breath another day ahead. Nothing a glass of vino doesn't dull at the end of the day!!! Have a good one and make that phone call then its not hanging over your head over the weekend. Ginge xx
Hi Jay,
Think I'm in a similar position as you! I had a WLE and SNB, 3 weeks ago and a 2nd WLE a week ago (not enough clearance). At my first post op appointment, my surgeon threw in the chemo curved-ball by saying you will talk to your onc about the pro's & cons (I've got grade 3 but no lymph nodes involved) so like you I've been mulling it over.
As Ginge has said, there should be no choice they should just say "you need" and I think you cope with it better! I've decided I will have it but want it before radio (if there's an option that is!). The thought of it fills me with dread but I want feel I have done as much as possible! I have suffered with cold sores since I was a child (although they have improved as I get older) - I hate to think what I'll be like on chemo!!
As for timings, I will know more on Thursday when I meet the Onc for the first time! I'm hoping they'll let me go to Spain for a week towards the end of September!
Let me know how you get on!
Axx
Hi Ginge and Annie..
Thank you for your supportive replies, I know it sounds crazy that I am even thinking about not having chemo, but like you said Ginge it would almost be easier if I didnt have the choice, the way my luck goes I would probably be one of the unlucky ones if I dont go ahead!!
I had the lump and 5 lymph nodes removed on the 29th of July, only one lymph node was involved, and the lump was grade 2.
Hope you get on ok at the hospital today Ginge...
Annie let us know how it goes tomorrow...
Take care Jay X
Will do ..I need to get to the bottom of what type of cancer it actually is this time! Was a bit thrown off guard last time with the 2nd WLE and chemo talk!!!
Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing hey?!!
Axx
Hi Annie
Mine was grade 3 and 1 out of 18 lymp nodes affected. They did the test on the lymps to see if they were affected and took 3 out 2 days before surgery. One of the 3 was cancerous so they took the rest out but I keep thinking what if they took 3 others out that wasn't and decided I didn't need to have the rest and left the one affected one!! Its all a gamble but I think you have to take the best hand offered to you. Well I'm off now to drop the dog off and on my way to hospital finishing off my day with Tesco - Great!!! Catch up soon girls xx
Hi Ginge,
A very sensible argument indeed - I'm going to go ahead with it!! OH will be in for a shock when I start but I'm trying to prepare him (as best I can!!)
Have a great holiday!
Axx