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Hi ladies Wishing you all a happy new year! Thinking of the "new" improved me for next year .... lol ..... hair short, grey and curly but so novel to have hair!!!! How long post chemo before you can colour it and does it have to be a specific type of product. Don't want to end up with it falling out;-)

I'm finished treatment 2 years now. Am having my usual 6 month check up with the oncologist. Have had bloods done, and ct scan. Appt is on the 10 th of jan. I just seem to be extra worried this time that something is going to pop up No reason, I feel well....it just feels like a ticking bomb. I know it's ridiculous. I just needed to say it though. I don't want to mention it to friends/ family. Does the fear ever go away

[color=#804080:zkv9l8bn]Its been a while since I've posted but I've been busy....with the treatments for cancer. Its seems to take up so much time, like a new full time job. But I am getting there...wherever 'there' is! I've now had my double mastectomy,lymph nodes removed, my reconstruction(phase 1 might add, I have very high standards ) and I'm well into my chemo treatments. I've finished my 4 AC which I hope never ever to have to go through again. Side-effects - I had so many unfortunately yet have spoken to people who tolerated the AC very well. I'm onto the taxol weekly chemo now which is a walk in the park compared to the AC, which is a huge relief. My veins didnt hold up great so got a portacath in which unfortunately has an infection around the incision site right now so on antibiotics again and had to find a vein in my hand for chemo this week as the portacath couldnt be used due to the infection. But the main thing is I'm moving forward and getting closer to the end of all this treatment. It really hit me around St.Stephens Day that I'm really going through all this. I'm not sure why that day but maybe it's something got to do with how much has changed for me since last year. This time last year I had breasts, hair on my head and not a clue of what a cancer diagnosis involved. Fast forward and all has changed. Its a lot to take in and I dont think I really had the time to take it all in......nearly 6mths since my diagnosis and its starting to hit home a little. I suppose I'm getting fed up and tired of looking at hospitals and the little glitches that happen on treatment. I've become so knowledgeable about things like veins, infections, scars etc its crazy. A whole new world. I just hope this time next year I can say its all behind me, well the hard bits anyway. I know I have to live with this for the rest of my life and my life will never be the same again. But here's hoping 2013 is a year of good changes and happy times for me. I want to get through this and still have a smile on my face.....I don't want to be bitter or angry that this has happened to me-because that's just it. It happened to me, I didn't ask or plan for cancer. It is so random and I just happened to be next. [/color:zkv9l8bn]

Hi all, Didn't get to wish you all a Happy Christmas, so just wanted to get in on time today and wish everybody a very happy and especially healthy 2013. Let's hope it's a new era for us all. I will commence my chemotherapy next Tuesday (8th) for 16 weeks, followed by radiotherapy and then tamoxifen for 5 years, but it's all to reduce the risk re-occurence, not looking forward to it, think losing my hair will be more traumatic than me losing my boob! But I suppose who cares what we really look like, once, we can beat this damn disease. Wishing you all the very best! Much love, M xx

Hi, I had a mastectomy six months ago and had an expander insterted. I'm currently waiting to be called to have it replaced with a silcone implant. Two weeks ago I noticed a raised red rash around the scar area, slightly itchy. Should I be concerned considering I'm hoping to be called for surgery in January. I have appointment next week with my Oncologist should I mention this to him? Thanks

I face the chemo boys next Thursday Jan 10th. Proper planking it now.... Suddenly it's all a horrible reality. Yikes!

hello all, I've just finished chemo/taxol number 9 .....3 more to go ! They nearly didn't go ahead with wednesdays treatment as I have pain in my feet and hands . It feels like my nails are coming off . Can't walk for long as my feet get very sore. As for my nails fingertips if I hit off something lightly it is very sore . They put me on lyrica which is helping a bit and also take tramodal for the pain .I am lathering on the organic shea butter and almond cream and have also bought clear nail varnish to try protect nails . The burning feeling that I got at night has eased I can now put blankets on my feet !I know I'm nearly there but really don't want this to get worse , I've read about coolants and Glutamine ?anyone tried these or anymore tips . I think I'm stressing ! S

Hi Guys Have been having problems with bad back pain since before Christmas. My GP gave me the usual, difene, paracetmol and anxicalm. I always suffered with back pain prior to being diagnosed in Jan 2011, but I am now stressing that there may be some nasty lurking in my body. Finished all my treatments in July 2012 and am now on Tamoxifen. Had my 3 month check up with Oncologist in early Dec( prior to back pain ) and am not back until March. Should I just keep taking the meds for the back pain in the hope that it will eventually go or should I talk to my oncologist. Any advice would be greatly appreciated Thanks Sinéad

Hi All Finished the four AC and now starting 4 Taxol. Just wondering if anyone has done the Taxol after AC and if so did you find it different the symptons afterwards? Is Taxol worse or better do you think? Please be honest I can handle it Thanks in advance girls for any feedback. Dee

Well gals I went and now only have five more to go! It wasn't as bad as I thought although I spent the day staring around like bambi caught in headlights!! Finally got to meet dee in person which was brilliant!!! Dee you're even more inspiring in the flesh and you're brill!! So now we wait and see what happens!! Dee keeps telling me it'll be ok!! Mary thanks for thinking of us!! Anriocht you were so right! I am wrecked!! On the way.....