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Hi Have pain and slight swelling in my hand starting between my thumb and index finger for a couple of days. Pain is now starting to travel up my arm now. I have not injured it in any way there is no cuts or anything on my arm. Am wondering is this sign of lymphoedema or am I just being paranoid. Also planning on flying next week are there any precautions I should make for flight? Would appreciate any advise. Thanks Madge x

[i]Was[/i] watching a programme 'embarrassing illnesses' and there was a bit bout checking yourself. So did that Sunday. Found a small pea size hard ish lump attached to the sort of testicle. Ok, slightly worried...I know the first thing to do is go to gp...but thankfully haven't been to doctor in over two years. And I know the doc is just going to refer me on to someone else. So is it possible to just go straight to someone else and avoid gp? Just seems pointless paying the money when they can't do anything!

So I had the first AC chemo today. Very stressed going in. I tried drinking loads of water but I was in such a knot that I must have shrivelled my veins cos couldn't get one! Had to go for crook of my arm which is apparently not best choice. It all went fine but have been feeling a lot of nausea since I got home. Took the tablets but still feel seasick. Ate crackers but still feel same. Any ideas?

Hi , I had a lumpectomy and 5 lymph nodes removed on 9th July. My questions are : when can you begin to shave your underarm, and should you use an electric or regular razor. Also when can you start to use deodorant and talc. Is it better to use deodorant spray or a roll on. I know these questions seem silly , but as a newbie to breast cancer I just don't know the answers. Would be greatful for replies.Thanks G

Here i am 11 weeks post surgery,3 months post chemo and the realisation that i had breast cancer has hit me!!!!even writeing this and looking at the words,i cant quite take it in.Everything happened so fast after diagnoses that i dont think i ever allowed myself to take in what was happening. I spent most of my time worrying about my husband kids and family and their reactions than myself.Then all thru chemo felt so guilty that i had this and was inconviencing everybodies lives and taking up their time.Then once i finished chemo it was into surgery which im still recovering from slowly.My son made his communion in may main thing that got me through chemo and i turned 40 in june. I think having those 2 events to focus on helped at the time along with the positive head.Unfortuneatly i have too much time to think now and although i know i have been lucky in many ways i just cant help but feel cheated and angry.I dont know who i am anymore i only know that who i was is gone and she went the day i was diagnosed!!! Please tell me this is normal feeling.I know that i can ring the breast care nurse but to be honest since all the main fun ended i felt cast off i cant even get app with oncologist(who i have only met once pre chemo) xxxx

Hi all I have a mop of brown tight spirally curly hair and it's turning out difficult to find anything like it. Ive already started the chemo so maybe only a week left with own hair! Has anyone seen anything like I'm describing anywhere.? Thanks J

Hi, my mind in in a whirl, every thing happened so fast. Still trying to crasp it all. 18th May mammograms, recall 24th May, ultrasound and biopsy 12th June, results 26 th June, invasive ducal carcinoma, grade 2 stage 1, er and pr positive.9th July lumpectomy and 5 lymph nodes removed, results 20 th July. They were able to remove all of the cancer and the margins were negative also lymph glands negative. They were delighted to tell me I no longer have breast cancer.I am to have hormone treatment , (chemo ? Will know next Friday )and radiotherapy, to prevent the cancer returning. I am so lucky it was caught so early. My mind is all over the place, don't think my mind fully understood that I had cancer. Feel delighted it is gone but feel guilty that I am so lucky. The nurse said it will hit me all of a sudden as the mind and body has been through so much so fast. I know I still have a tough road ahead but my mind is more at peace. Has anyone else been through such a whirlwind experience. Would love to hear . Wishing all my friends here the best of luck. Thinking of you all. G xxx

Hi my mind in such a whirl even sent this first to the wrong topic, sent to treatments instead of breast cancer. Every thing happened so fast mammograme, 18th May 2012, call back 24th May, ultrasound and biopsy 12th June results 26th June, invasive ductal cancer, stage 1, grade 2, lumpectomy and 5 lymph node removed on 9th July. Got the results on 20th July. Invasive ductal, stage 1 grade 2, margins and lymph nodes negative, er and pr positive. They were able to REMOVE ALL OF THE CANCER. I am so lucky. The treatments wil be hormone and radiotherapy, ( will know Friday if chemo needed, but they don't think so) all to prevent the cancer returning. I know I still have a long road ahead but it feels lighter with the past results.I feel so mixed up, delighted the cancer is gone but also guilty cos I am the lucky one. The nurse said it will all hit me one of these days as my mind and body had so much to go through so quickly. From getting the news that I have cancer to getting the news the cancer has been removed 3 weeks and 3 days. What a whirlwind. Would love to hear from anyone who also got the cancer removed and had treatments, Thinking of you all. Ps I still have one hairless underarm and one hairy one, on stronger painkillers and antibiotis now as also got an infection. Love G xx

I've posted a few comments under topics started by others. I love the fact that I can read the comments and relate to them. But I'm just wondering if anyone else feels as I do. I attend all my appointments, deal with any pain I have but I still feel that this is happening to someone else. If I had to tell someone the date I was diagnosed or had my lumpectomy I would have to look it up on the calender. Its as if I'm blocking all this out of my mind. After the initial shock its as if its not happening. Maybe its a good way to deal with it but I'm kinda afraid that it will hit me some time soon.

Hi girls, can't sleep. Such a big discussion to make by next Friday. Going to my own Dr for advice on Monday, but would love to hear some advice from my breast cancer friends. Went to see my oncology Dr last Friday. Lovely Dr he talked about my treatments and gave me lots of %. I think the final outcomwins to be made by me. Anyway it goes like this hormone benefit 6.6 without relapse in 10 years, chemo 6.5.without relapse ,combined therapy 10.6 without relapse. They feel the hormone treatment will be enough as the difference is only 4 %, I want to best treatment to stop cancer returning, so I keep thinking gosh 4 % is still 4% better off. As I am otherwise healthy, so what if I feel pure crap for 6 months in order to live longer. I would walk on hot coals in order to live longer. Would love to hear what others think. Well must try to get some sleep. Night all. G x