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I am just about recovered from a weekend spent at the "relay For Life" event in Toomevara, co. Tipp. it was a fantastic weekend and if there are similar events in your area I would encourage you to participate. (There are links on the Irish cancer society home page) If you haven't heard about it, relay events happen across the world. In Ireland Teams raise funds for the Irish cancer society through local fund raising and sponsorship. over the weekend the teams walk in relay for 24 hours (because cancer never sleeps) The event opens with a "survivors" lap then we are treated to a meal, entertainment, treatments so we feel really special. we don't have to stay all night but I did as my family had entered a team so we put up the tent and camped. The most moving part of the event is when the candles are lit round the track in memory of loved ones lost, or celebration of us, the survivors. sorry for rambling on, but we all benefit from the support of the community and this event really helped me feel that support. Karen

I am 6 weeks post surgery . Before being diagnosed I did kettlebells 3 times a week and circuit training. I really enjoyed both. Both physotherepist and breast nurse agreed I can't go back go kettlebells . I feel up to gettin back into some sort of exercise. Now I am to start Radiotherepy in 3 weeks. Would I be silly to sign up to a couple of weeks classes to beginners yoga or Pilates with starting radiotherepy soon.

Hi there I haven't been on here in a while as I returned to work in January following 18 months of treatment. All was going well but I just seem to have hit a wall. I am really tired, the hot fulshes from the Tamoxifen keep me awake most nights and the joint pain is awful some days. I was wondering if anyone else has had the same experience. I feel totally disconected from my family and friends and cant really talk to them about this because as far as they are concerned I am " fixed". Is this just a temorary blip and should I just give myself a good kick up the butt??? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Sinead

Hi Ladies Finished my radiation today so "all" thats left is to get me a new boob and lift the old one. Fingers crossed this bugger stays away. Nearly a year since diagnosed. Been the worst and the best year of my life. This forum has been great to meet all you fab ladies. I'm celebrating tomorrow night with Wicklow Lady who is having a fund raiser for breast cancer in the Grand in Wicklow tomorrow. If anyone is free be great to meet up. Thanks for all your support. Dee

Hi all I have been a member for a while now but this is the first time to post. I have a few worries at the moment but first let me just do a quick recap of what has gone on so far, I was diagnosed in February with IDC and had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy. Margins were clear and nodes were clear oncotype dx score was low so no chemo. I also had to have a full hysterectomy as I had problems in the past with pre cancerous ovarian cysts. Finished rads nine weeks ago and had no problems with my skin at all which was great. The problem is a few weeks ago I noticed that my boob was swollen and very tender and sore. Under arm is also quite sore, swollen and when i lift my arm over my head it hurts right down to the nipple. I also noticed the skin had thickened and there was pitting. could this be a reaction to the treatment after all these weeks???? am i just being paranoid???? any advice on what i should do would be great. went to see my GP today but she is on holidays for two weeks and i don't really want to talk to anyone else. thanks a lot susieqnolan5

I am about to start RT next week for 4/5 weeks. I'm reasonably chilled about it, but concerned about the management of skin and exercise. I'm back to full fitness after surgery in late June, a regular long distance runner (10 to 18 k at least twice a week + 90 mins cardio in the gym at least 3 times a week + a wee bit of core strength - have had to give the weights a miss as too early re. surgery). I expect I will have to adapt my exercising again, but would really like to hear about how women here who do exercise to a reasonable intensity have managed their skin during RT? I have said elsewhere that I find exercise essential to keep my head straight through this little adventure of ours, and was quite upset some weeks back when my consultant radiographer basically told me I could forget about exercise for the few weeks. I hope everyone here is feeling good today! Thanks in advance for all tips! Catherine

I had a lumpectomy at the end of July. The last 2 days my shoulders are Quiet sore. I rang the breast nurse and she thinks I have just done to much and the shoulders muscles are sore. I rested yesterday evening and did very little all morning and the shoulder is sore again. Don't have any swelling. Anyone have this.

I have booked to attend both days of the conference. I am coming up from north Tipp so will have to stay over. I am looking for accommodation for the Friday night but the only affordable option is a shared dormitory in a hostel. I just wondered if any of the Dublin ladies going to conference would be able to put me up for the Friday night? Looking forward to meeting some of you there. Thanks, Karen

Hi all Just wondering if there are any good stories out there regarding fertility after chemo? Im a little worried. Diagnosed at 29 years old and finished ACT in November 2012. I've had no period since second chemo in July 2012 and still no sign of it. 2 weeks ago My FSH blood test was 114 when it should be 10 ish in someone my age. It's getting me down. With triple negative cancer there was no more treatment from oncology so I feel a bit in limbo now especially when chemo is causing this. Ann

Hi all another question for ya, I am a little worried about the exchange surgery to swap my expander for Implant. It has taken me 9 months but I am finally (just about) comfortable in my own body again, and getting used to these hard lumps of plastic in my chest,but I am afraid I won't like the final implants. Anyone who had the surgery I would appreciate any feedback, anything at all!!! Cheers thanks ladies for all the support I really would be lost without ye!! Xx