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Hi everyone. My first post here, this is all really new to me, so I might be asking really stupid questions for a while. Diagnosed in October, age 41 with 3 kids. Due for mastectomy next week, after 2 lumpectomies that surgeon wasn't happy that everything was cleared. Also had lymph nodes removed (2 tested positive). Struggling with all aspects of this, but one of the things that's mostly on my mind at the moment is the chemo and specifically the hair loss aspect. I am resigned that my hair is going, when i start the chemo probably in a couple of months time. I am unsure about whether to go for a wig or not. Some of the shops suggest you go in 6 weeks in advance to order the wig, hence my post so far in advance. They seem so expensive and many women seem to hate wearing them? Just wondering if I should even bother with the expense, or just go with hats/scarves etc. I have longish hair at the moment, if I do go for a wig I am not interested in trying to replicate it, it seems more hassle to try to get the same style and does that mean I'm waiting until my hair has grown back long again before I ditch the wig. The synthetic wigs look like wigs (to me) and I know the real hair wigs are more expensive again. I guess my question is honest opinions on whether you think wigs are worth the money.

I got the worst news a 39 year old women with a 5 month old and a 22 month old could get....news that I had breast cancer. I can still vividly remember sitting with the Brest surgeon in Beaumont and him telling me that my tests and biopsys had confirmed that I had a tumour. He was rambling on talking about having to have surgery (lumpectomy) and I had to stop him and ask him if this tumour was cancerous. I don't think I heard anything thereafter. I spent much of December secretely crying, wondering whether I would still be alive in12 months time. When most of the world was ringing in the new year of 2009 I was experiencing near panic as I had a difficult road ahead of me. In the last five years i have had lumpectomy, mastectomy, infections, delayed chemo, rads, drugs, reconstruction, lift on the other side....the final bit of the journey will hopefully be nipple and finishing the trial I am on. To honour the day that was in it, I got my hair cut. It has been cut many a time since it started to grow back after chemo, but it felt extra good today. I don't ever forget the fact that I had BC. It is a part of my life. Life is pretty good now. Kiddies are nearly 7 and 5 and a half. Am so long back in work I nearly forget I was missing for 20 months (was on mat leave when diagnosed). I have met some amazing people along this road I ended up taking. Some sadly had passed away due to BC. I do think I am a stronger person having travelled the road. For those of you recently diagnosed or in treatment, while it might be pretty crappy now, rest assured that the days will roll into weeks and the weeks into months and the months into years. Love to ye all, Lindylu

Hi, I hope you all don't mind me offering, but I have five lovely headscarves/wraps that were hardly worn & I no longer need... I thought I'd offer them here if anyone needs them? I don't want money or anything. All are freshly laundered and modern-styled blues/greens, suiting someone "pale & interesting" like myself! These things don't come cheap when most of us end up unable to work etc. for a number of months. I'd be only too glad to pass them on rather than chuck them out Send me a private message and I'll email you a photo if interested.

I finished chemo at the end of June. I would really love to dye my hair for Christmas . I have used the vegetable oil based but just not mad keen on the colour and would prefer to just go to the hairdresser. How soon did yours coloured.

[color=#BF0040:263li0vp]Just had a visit with pain management today. The last few weeks having awful pains in my knees in particular. I also have pains in the joints on my hands. I felt like the Tamoxifen was showing on the 'weaker' joints in my body as I've sometimes had aches in my knees before, but nothing on the scale of what it is now. The consultant, after checking, concluded I do indeed have ostioarthritsis in my knees. However, the good news is he suggested good old paracetomal can work wonders with this type of pain so going to give it a go for a few weeks. This tamoxifen is no walk in the park, excuse the pun. Its difficult but hoping to see improvements in the next few weeks. On a good note still walking though and managing 30mins most days and hoping for more when pain is under control.. [/color:263li0vp]

Hi All Been a while since I posted. Just to let you know had my operation for reduction on Good Boob (Floppy Fiona) and exchanged my expander for an implant. I am five days post op, am black and blue and to be honest not as sore as I thought I would be - hope I am not tempting fate. I just wanted to let you know for those that maybe wondering if you should go for reconstruction or for those who have expanders but never went and got the implant how I am feeling. I am feeling fecking great about my decision. Floppy Fiona is now upright and pert (I was a size DD or E) now I would say around a D. The new implant is so much for comfortable than the expander I found the pressure on the expander very tough - this is now way more comfortable. I have to have one more operation to make the implant a bit bigger as its not as big as the other one, this will be done with liposuction from tummy and injected into boob. I will also then get the nipple and nipple tatoo. Its been a very long year - but it feels So So So So So wonderful to look down now and see that I have two boobs (albeit not perfect) YET! This has been my Cancer gift after what I have been through, two pert boobs and a smaller tummy as had to have a bit of liposuction too. I feel wonderful about it all. For those considering it I for one would say go for it. The few days being uncomfortable is so worth the results. I feel I can get on wtih things now and body wise I am in a much better place than I was pre cancer. Onwards and Upwards Lots of Love Dancer and Prancer xxx

Hiya, Im looking for help in getting more information or where to go to get tested for the Brac1 and Brac2 gene? My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 49 and passed away when she was 52...it had spread to the bone which she lived a fairly relative good quality of life until the last month or so when we found out it had gone to her liver and unfortunately nothing more could be done. She spent the 3 years going through Chemotherapy in various forms and thank god for her with little side effect apart from losing her hair and a little sickness. She was such an inspiration and showed so much courage throughout. Im 25 and Im really conscious on early detection and definitely a lot more aware of how important it is to get early detection. unfortunately my mother disclosed to us after getting diagnosed that she had noticed a lump nearly a year before getting it seen to...maybe the outcome would still have been the same but the question is always there what if?? I just want to inform myself more of getting tested..im aware that the chance woulkd still be there even if I tested negative but its something I want to look into and I cant seem to find out where I would get tested etc and does it make a difference that my mother has passed can I still get tested?? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hello, I am just popping on this website again to see if there is anyone out there who has a family member with SCLC, and to see how they are getting on? I do find there are very few responses under the Lung Cancer category, so if there is anyone new that has joined since me, I am here! My husband was diagnosed in April 2013 and underwent chemo. Now it is December & he is holding his own, thank God.

Just taking time out of a very very busy day to wish people on this forum a happy Christmas time. I know it can be a difficult time for people but I hope everyone finds a glimmer of light in some way at this time of year. Last year I was bald, tired and so not able for Christmas. This year I've just put in a hectic day and my other half encouraged me to buy that ipad ive been so wanting for over a year now. But better late than never. I find it hard to spend money like that on myself but my other half reminded me 'I'm worth it'....and so I am. So Happy Christmas to all who have found support, advice and a listening ear on this site and wishing you happiness in 2014.

I have found over the last few months that the breast I had the surgery on is very tight. I had the lump and some lymph nodes removed in February. I find sleeping at night very difficult. I try to stay on my back but I am never successful. Every time I turn I feel like I am tearing a scab from my breast. I had an x-ray on my hip also and that came up clear. Anybody with recommendations for sleeping without pain. I have not slept right through the night as I have to wake to turn myself slowly in bed. Any suggestions?