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posted by Ferntree
20 February 2022

Pain after Axillary clearance

Last reply: 25 February 2022 03:12
Hello, I’m away at the moment otherwise would seek medical assistance. Had axillary clearance done Jan 10 but my under arm is still frozen and upper arm feels Like it has an elastic band around it. I’ve been doing the physio exercises consistently but there’s no change. I start chemo next Friday. Am I ready for it? Will my arm ever improve? I’ve no idea what to expect. Really appreciate any input or shared experience. Thank you
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posted by libra1975
17 February 2022

Having a drink

Last reply: 21 February 2022 09:59
Hello, I am 46 and was diagnosed with breast cancer recently. 9 days ago I had lumpectomy. All is healing well. Today I got the great news that my lymph nodes are negative. So I am wondering if it is OK to have a drink tonight to celebrate? Not going mad, but 2 glasses of wine. Any advice be welcome.
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posted by Ferntree
13 February 2022

Chemo after axillary clearance

Last reply: 15 February 2022 11:56
I’ve had a lumpectomy and axillary clearance in early January. My focus now is physio as I don’t have full flexibility in my arm. It’s been a slow recovery. I sleep two hours during the day. I’m dreading chemo as in my heart I don’t think it’s the right thing to do - I dread the long term risk of chemo fog and fatigue. Are there any other viable options available?
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posted by DollyWest
09 February 2022

muscle pain in leg

Last reply: 11 February 2022 15:11
Partner having chemo for metastisized tumours affecting kidney, nladder liber and abominable lymph nodes. Half way through chemo ( fingers crossed we get more time) very painful cramp in lower leg muscle, doctor said it is side effect of chemo, and my partner could not heat what else to do about it, he is distressed and due to covid has to go alone. Is there anything we can do ?
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posted by Gursey1985
29 January 2022

Tamoxifen Menstrual Cycle

Last reply: 01 February 2022 16:57
Hi Guys Hoping you can help..I finished treatment for breast cancer in January 2021..In January 2021 i started tamoxifen I'm on it 1 year and hadn't had a Menstrual Cycle for 20 months.. 20 months until today that is..I started my period today and am a little anxious..Oestrogen positive was my cancer..Because I'm having periods again this this increase my oestrogen levels putting me at risk of recurrence..Apologies for the big long spiel
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posted by Blondie25
14 January 2022

Irregular vaginal bleeding

Last reply: 17 January 2022 12:40
Hi. I have been having fresh vaginal bleeding after having a bowel motion and also fresh blood after intercourse. It is usually just when I wipe, I may have some spotting after this but majority of time is at the time of going to the toilet or straight after sex . Sometimes I could also have thick mucas red/brown discharge I have been also having pain in my lower abdomen. My gp has had to rewrite my referral as a locum consultant put me on the 2 Yr waiting list instead of urgent. I now have to wait another 8 weeks because of this delay! Has anyone else been through this and results have been good? Smear test in Nov was negative but I know it's not 100% . Thanks
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posted by LauraE135
06 January 2022

Mass found in colon

Last reply: 07 January 2022 12:06
Hope this is okay to ask here, I'm looking for some guidance re results. Sorry if this is long winded! 15 months ago, I had my gallbladder removed. Prior to surgery, I really cleaned up my diet as I was quite overweight (mainly bc I was so sick if I ate anything fatty) and upped my fitness. I lost near 2 stone in 2 years. When I had it removed I felt amazing, the gallbladder pain was completely gone. I started to eat a bit more freely and stopped loosing weight but also wasn't gaining. Fast forward about 6 months from gallbladder removal, I started to feel sick again. I had loose stools daily, serious urgency for toilet and colicky pain all over my abdomen. I put it down to my body getting used to no longer having a gallbladder. Then I noticed I was loosing weight, I thought great as I had wanted to lose more. The stomach pains and the lose stools just kept getting worse. I could barely leave the house without fear of where a toilet would be. My stools are often very dark (not black but dark) and tarry, with sometimes mucus. I put off going to the dr for many many months as I had a very sick family member who was my priority. My family and partner all had a chat with me as they were concerned about the weight loss, I was down 2 stone in less than 10 months with basically zero exercise and vomiting on and off and still having toilet issues that were getting worse. I made an appt in November with my GP(it was my first time with this GP as she is new to the practice). My GP said that the weight loss, toilet issues and pain were slightly concerning. She sent me a referral for ultrasound, colonoscopy/EGD and bloods. All bloods were normal, incl. coeliac disease. Ultrasound was also normal apart from gas obstructing parts of pancreas. I then had my colonoscopy mid/end December. I was given the report/finding sheet after but not much was said. There was a total of 16 biopsy taken, no polyps found but they did find a mass at cecum, 2-3cm away from appendix. It was said that I need a CT TAP to characterize and that I need to see my consultant(I haven't met him yet as the coloscopy was in a different clinic and my appt was rushed through) with biopsy results and CT results by February. They also took FLT bloods, U/E, FBC, which worried me bc they didn't seem to do that for anyone else. I completely put to back my head for Christmas and didn't give it a thought. I rang my GP yesterday for my results. She asked had the DR discussed and I said that I received the findings but no one talked me through them. She went on to say that only some the biopsy results were back and that they were normal. She then asked me did I know a mass was found and I said yes should I be concerned. She said well yeah it is kind of concerning, which absolutely floored me as I had just been ignoring it so far(coping mechanism) I then said I haven't received a CT appt and she urged me to contact my consultants secretory asap. I rang the secretory today who was very nice and as soon as I explained to her she told me the biopsy results has just come back this morning. And that she will arrange my CT and APPT for as soon as possible. I was happy enough with that but then started thinking about it too long and thought okay if they have the biopsy results then surely that will tell a lot and they should let me know. So my questions are: 1) Would it be appropriate to ring the consultants secretory again and ask where and when I will receive biopsy results? as I'm so anxious I just want to know now or would my GP also have them now, would it be possible to ring them for the results? 2) If biopsy is (hopefully)good news why would I need a CT TAP? is this standard to organize CT TAP regardless? 3) What are the possibilities this mass could be? 4) Has anyone else had a similar experience? I cannot imagine waiting much longer for results bc its driving my crazy since I spoke to my GP Sorry for being so long winded! Anyone reading this with concerns for their health, please please go speak to your GP, do not put it off like it did.
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posted by shaunthesheep80
14 October 2021

Terrified of a test

Last reply: 15 October 2021 16:35
Recently had a smear, which was negative. GP referred me to gynaecologist. This happened previously due to cervical ectropian. Went for appt today expecting a colposcopy. But it was a consult. GP saw dark lesion on vagina, and consultant booked a biopsy for two weeks and mentioned ruling out melanoma. He said it was rare, but didn't mention any alternatives for what it could be. This was totally unexpected, and I am freaking out. Stupidly googled it. I have 2 young kids, thinking the worst. I'm terrified
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posted by Oak
07 October 2021

Period after several years

Last reply: 13 October 2021 16:46
Hi, I was treated for BC in 2021/13 - involving surgery, chemo and radiation followed by tamoxifen and then letrozole. I came off letrozole in January. my periods never really resumed after chemo and so I would say it's at least 5 years since I've had any period, including spotting, etc. My blood-work from 2/3 years ago indicated I was in menopause. This week I have a full on period with a good bit of discomfort in the area of my stomach where my uterus is and involving my left ovary. I'm wondering if this is common and could it be my body adjusting to coming off the hormone treatment. I've had some pain in my non-effected breast which I went to the GP with and have an appointment in the Breast clinic early next month. I'm wondering will I just wait until then or should I have the occurrence of the period checked before then? If it's common I'm happy enough to wait. Thanks for your time. I'm 50 years old.
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posted by Fifil
04 October 2021

Presence of precancerous cells following LLETZ

Last reply: 13 October 2021 16:42
Hi, I had my first abnormal smear about 8 years ago. I've been in and out of the Colposcopy clinic since then with only one normal smear in that time. I recently had my first LLETZ and got my results which confirm presence of precancerous cell (as they expected). No cancer cell were found. I another smear in 6 months. I'm very worried. It's alway been low grade changes. They think use of steroids might be the reason my body hasn't dealt with this it's self! What happens if there are still abnormal cell in my next smear? Thanks
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