On Preventative Treatment

Hi Pink Bettyl 

whilst our cancer journeys are unique, I can understand the frustration of trying to move forward… you go through all the gruelling treatments and operations and think I can now move on (I know I did), we desperately want to get back to normal and unfortunately some people think because the initial treatment is over that we will bounce back and everything is fine now! It takes time (for some of us, longer than others) I recently went through 6 months of chemotherapy, followed by a double mastectomy and reconstruction with implants. I thought ‘great I can start moving on’… wrong… even though my operation was on 1st September, I ended up in hospital on Wednesday with a serious infection in my right implant which they had to remove, I was given iv antibiotics and came home yesterday. I felt very depressed and lonely over the past few days.

One thing I realised is it’s ok for us to feel this way, we have been through a lot, we will have our good days and bad days, you have reached out by posting this, it is a very bumpy road, but you have support in this forum 

you have been through so much, please be kind to yourself, I know it’s taking longer than you thought, but it will get better. Would you be able to talk to your oncologist about your side effects ? I know Breastcancer Now do  a moving forward course, would this be of some help? There are many useful resources here too

please feel free to drop me a message if you need to talk

sending you lots of hugs and positive energy x

Hi PB,

I'm 67 as well, started on Letrozole but asked to go on Tomoxifen after 3 mths, my knee became so painful. I have osteoporosis which the first Onco refused to believe because it was only in my wrists. I like dancing, I think that has protected my spine. 

I think people know I'm not the same, I tell them when I need to and have to stop and rest, do nothing at time. It's a fucker all right. I had central chest pain on Monday, after spending 8 hrs in A & E I discharged myself. I felt it was the septum of the rib cage not the heart. I felt a bit better on leaving, I was well enough to know I didn't belong there. Such a festering pit to sit, all sorts bless them. 

The week before my back went, it even affected my bladder at night. It is hard but I/ we /you are still here. Not pushing up daisies yet, as my Ma would say. I am still dancing and it's hard but I am determined. Even if I can't do much else I am going to keep going. Some days my energy is low c/o hormone blockers. I stay in bed till 11 am if necessary meditating or similar. Use your energy wisely. This is your time to really do what is right for you. 

Christine xx

Hi, sorry you are going through such a hard time.  I felt exactly like you.  I had counselling sessions with Action Cancer which were excellent and really helped me.  I felt very low on the oestrogen blockers and the counsellor gave me techniques to use when having anxiety attacks or feeling low. It’s been a long journey and we just want back to normal whatever that looks like now.   Hope this helps. 

Hi I have just read this and I feel exactly the same word for word I just want to feel normal again but my head is screaming

Early days yet for me, just had my second chemo on Friday and felt dreadful since and the smell and taste is beyond belief.  But like you I had that chest pain, mine prior to this second chemo.  I am fairly used to chest pains as I have had Thyroid for some years and that can give palpitations and chest pain.  I was at the point of calling emergency but chose to walk around and around while doing breathing exercises.... it took a long while... I must have looked a little crazy because I even walked around my garden, in the hope that if I did drop, someone would spot me. 

Hi Pink Betty and other lovely folk here, I’m now 5 years post diagnosis, still popping the pills (Anastrozole) hopefully to reduce risk of recurrence, the fear of which is always lurking in the background for me. I’m 64, glad (and lucky) to be retired, love lots about my life but not the tiredness and achy joints from the hormone blockers, amongst other things. But too scared not to take them. Friends and family can be lovely but no one really ‘gets it’ like the people here on the forum. There’s definitely an attitude amongst many friends that it’s all over and done with now. One friend said recently over a coffee that I ‘hide it well’ (side effects like fatigue) in a sort of disbelieving way. I’m not sure then if I should moan about it more?! I just said that it’s always a huge effort to get out and about but that once I do I feel better for it. And left it at that. I really think that most friends just don’t want to hear about ongoing issues or fears of recurrence so I tend only to discuss these with one ‘best’ friend and another who’s also had breast cancer. 
There’s an article which I find very helpful - I’ll post the link, hopefully. Sending love and hugs to all, HFxx

https://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

So putting yourself through 2 Chemos and the to I’ll for more, I had one with herceptin refused to have any more, the side effects and potential damage to much p, it’s a lottery and I will keep everything crossed. I couldn’t have cold capping as my hospital don’t do it, what rubbish just to much like hard work for the NHS, so now after just one paxitaxel my hair is falling out, feel sick as this is what I didn’t want and it makes it all so real. Herceptin only causes hair thinning not breaking, why not start rosemary oil it promotes growth by massaging into your scalp,

x

iwould ask to change brand or type, my MILstarted pills 2 years ago and says she asked for a change and is now on one which affects her less.

sadlyi have yet to start and a hisband who thinks pills will be fine, we’llsee

sending you moral support hugs

What were the techniques called. I don't want counseling but I could look them up. I'm starting a singing course tomorrow at the Macmillan Horizon Centre. Working up to a performance with my dance group in Dec. Hope I have the energy. It's only 2 dances but it's on a stage.