Community

The Irish Cancer Society’s Annual Patient Conference “Supporting people with breast cancer” takes place on the 29th September 2012 at Dublin Castle, Conference Centre from 9am - 4pm. For further details and to book your free place please visit: http://www.cancer.ie/breastconference or contact Valerie Abbott on 01 2310518. Lunch is included. If you would like to speak to a specialist nurse about breast cancer call freefone 1800 200 700.

hi all im new my wonderful sister who is 48 met me for coffee recently and told me her breast cancer is in the bones and her time is limited .I do not know a thing about cancer and i am totally struggling .I am hoping she is wrong can anyone PLEASE tell me the truth .She began with breast cancer 2 years ago ,had chemo then breast removed and radium after the operation it was discovered that they did not get a clear wall dunno what that means it travelled to liver where she had modules ,she has got small dose chemo but has never beeen totally away from chemo.Now her bones can anyone please shed some light please .She is so amazing and told me where she wants to be laid to rest ,Im not ready to loose her and am so afraid of telling my daughters who adore her ,please can anyone tell me what i dont know

Hi anyone out there have the above test done? I recently got results back and I fall into the middle grey area, do I have chemo or not, choice is up to me, a nightmare. Currently there is inconclusive evidence to show it works for those who fall into the middle bracket. Any takers. Mimi

Just wondering if anyone is starting chemo this month. Just had first infusion on Monday 3rd and was surprised the infusion only lasted 45 mins. Didn't think too much about it at the time, but, reading other forums for diagnosis same as mine, the infusions were 2 hours plus. Anyone shed any light please? Also thinking (not complaining!)whether that is contributing to side effects so far only mild fatigue? Maybe I'm jinxing myself and will be hit by the mother load on day 5.....yikes! Oh and appetite through the roof! Like "hangover belly" constantly! Was told that might be the steroids and should calm down. Here's hoping. But I suppose if the chemo does its thing, I'll deal with a few extra lbs and baldness.

Hi, my partner of 25yrs has been diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer 5wks ago he is 47 yrs old ,we were told it was inoperable and palliative chemo his only option.The cancer has spread to his pelvis and has also blocked his right ureter causing damage to the right kidney,and is sticturing his lower bowel he has a temporary catheter in place draining his kidney.He had his spleen removed after an accident when he was 14 has been fairly healthy but over the years has been very ill with minor infections.The oncologist agrees this is an issue but still thinks chemo will help and said J would have only 6months without chemo, we live 60 miles from the hospital treating him and my major fear is that without a spleen he has absolutely no back up 4 infection .He agreed to the chemo when we saw the consultant but now is thinking of refusing.Is there anyone who has experience of having chemo in this situation?We have less than 2wks before treatment due to start.xx

pain in my hands and feet is unreal I was plagued by constant pain in my hands and feet when standing or resting. Burning sensations, electric shocks and feelings of sharp objects sticking into me. Everynight I'd spend hours trying to get to sleep. I have severe neuropathy, then out of the blue, , my eye lashes fell out and the pain in my hands and feet escalated drastically I was prescribed Lyrica. This removes the pain but does not repair the damage done by the chemo. I was very concerned about the side effects, especially the dizziness, as I am pretty unstable for a few minutes when I stand up. I was terrified of having a bad fall and ending up worse off. I am on lyrica for years any way but not helping this pain my liver is fine but they had to rule it out got home from hospital at 6pm long day again my chemo is stopped my body cant take the toxins anymore back 3 weeks hoping then I can have surgery has been very tough onn me since I started my oncologist said she needs time to talk things over with my surgeon I got some answers today I am high risk for the reacurance and it comes back in the lungs she finally told me today spoke to all my family and they cant handle it so I really am having a tough time have been so sick now I just have to wait cancer of the breast my cancer is called triple negative is the name of it if you want to look it up I know and it wont get better till they decide what to do now I had a lot of bad days and on the bed a lot as my mobilty went so I can barely walk but I have a wheel chair and a walking frame to help me they gave me 3 TC 1 ac AND 1 TAXOL I am having my sugery on wednsday 12th this week having one breast off cant have Re construction Dx 4/19/2012, IDC, 6cm+, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2- Dx 4/19/2012, IDC, 6cm, Stage II Chemotherapy Taxotere

Hi all I've had the 4 AC treatments and am changing to Ta*ol on wednesday. Now I'm terrified all over again! I had got used to the pattern with the AC. The doctor said the ta*ol may not be as sickening but there could be 'other side effects'. I was afraid to ask what! But of course I looked up the net, bad idea. Could anyone calm me down before Wed? Thanks girls. Josephine

Hi ladies Am set for a bit of tidy up surgery next week.Am sick at thought of general again even though its only a day case!Surgery is on my new boob and to tidy up scar on tummy.Just wondering as i need to decide whether or not to get the other 'good' boob lifted to match.Im very undecided as its another surgery,more scars and recovery again,but mainly im afraid to mess about with it'if it isnt broke dont fix it'.I am so confused this just doesnt get any easier. Anyone else had a lift done?How did it go?any advice appreciated. xxx

Is there anyone out there who has been diagnosed with Bladder Cancer? I was diagnosed with this just last year - which came as a terrible shock to me. My husband and I were away from home at the time and I had an episode of very heavy bleeding which frightened me. (We spent almost an entire night in an A&E and I was told that this was a 'bladder infection,' given antibiotics and sent home for further investigation in my nearest hospital. The later diagnosis shocked me as I have never smoked even one cigarette in my life. (This, apparently, is the primary cause of this type of cancer.) I am female (just 58 at the time of diagnosis) and have always been very healthy and fit - don't drink either. I feel that this is an environmental issue (I live on the East coast) and would like to be in touch with others who have been diagnosed, with a view to doing my own research into the whole area of this type of cancer. As it is often referred to as an 'elderly man's' disease, I would also like to hear from women out there who have been diagnosed. The youngest lady I have been in touch with is just 25. Any response would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Ladies Overwhelmed by the idea of how you cope with the normal and cancer. Set for surgery on Monday then radiotherapy. Pressure to return to work (financial) but that involves a commute and am the sole carer for a 4 year old as husband works out of the country (thank you recession). When did you return to work post cancer. Did your employer allow a phased back approach etc. Thanks in advance for any shared experiences. Dane