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Hi folks! Hope this finds you all well on this beautiful day!! Can anyone tell me how they got around not being able to use spray deodorant and shave under their arm during treatment?? I feel I'll go crazy without my deo as its the first thing I reach for after my shower and if I can't shave under my arm what are my optioins?? It's these SIMPLE questions that keep me awake at night Thanks !!

Hello everyone! I recently received a beautiful card from a close friend of mine in Oz and I hope you don't mind my sharing it with you .. it read.. [color=#4000FF:1y70ytv7]Be gentle on yourself today.. Lightly blow your cares away.. Honour all the things you're feeling.. For within you lies the path to healing..[/color:1y70ytv7] Resolute

[color=#8000BF:jxk3sn92]One year ago today I was on my way home in the car to break the news to my family that I had, indeed, got breast cancer. I can hardly believe I'm one year on from the diagnosis and have experienced some medical treatments that I never dreamed of having. I've also had to slow down my life, and my mind. I've started to look at myself in a whole new way. Before (cancer) I was a stressed person....woudlnt admit it then but can see now with hindsight. My life was busy and so fast at times. Then I got my diagnosis and suddenly my life was thrown upside down. The treatments were unfortunatly hard going for me and it was a long time from July '12 to my last radiotherapy in May '13. Now, however, the big treatments are over and I'm trying to settle into this new life I have now. Its not like my old life in so many ways. My arm and my hand tend to be swollen. My foot is sore with peripheral neuropahty, a side effect of chemo. And I have more breast surgery ahead of me in the future. And yet I can say I am happy.I have a quieter, slower life now which is nice. It allows me time to enjoy life rather than race through it. I am trying new things that I wouldnt have dreamed of before (cancer)......relaxation, mindfulness, accupunture, reflexology. I love experiencing new things that help me to learn what its like to make time for myself and to look after myself. I can't see myself going back to the old way of life I had before cancer. This life after cancer is pretty okay right now. I have ongoing medical issues but I feel strong now to cope with them and to still enjoy life. Nobody said life would be perfect or easy...I can vouch for that. But nobody said you can't be happy when life is far from perfect or eas[/color:jxk3sn92]y.

Hi guys.my father has stage 4 bile duct cancer he has been given only months to live I haven't really seen too much on this forum about bile duct cancer but I was wondering has anyone had any success with any herbal things or. Natural products. I've read a little bit bout the healing properties of wheat grass and even breast milk....has anyone else heard anything bout these two ..I know this probably just sounds like desperation but I would be willing to try anything to prolong his life and I am pretty sure he would too.. Xx

Hi all. This is my first post on here, I am hoping to find some answers from people who are going through similar issue as I am finding it difficult to get information from the health professionals. I have had two abnormal smear tests and so was referred on for a colposcopy and biopsy's. I was then informed, after waiting 12 weeks for the results, that I had to have a repeat colposcopy 8 weeks later to "confirm results". I have been trying to put it to the back of my mind since then. My appointment is for the 18th of July but then there will be more waiting on more results. Has this happened to anyone else? I thought the colposcopy should have indicated what the next step should be. Also I have been experiencing urethritis from intercourse. It has happened four or five times in the last three months. The symptoms are increase frequency to urinate, urinary retention due to swelling of the urethra, pain when urinating. The GP has given me Valium at times to reduce the swelling and allow me to void my bladder with some ease. She has also put me on antibiotics for 28 days. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar? Could this be related to the cervical issues or just a horrible co-incidence? The GP seems willing to dismiss it but it has been happening far too often now. I have been with the same partner for 7 years so I find it difficult to accept that all of a sudden for no reason this is happening every time we have intercourse. We have given the healing times longer and longer in between bouts of this urethritis but it hasn't made any difference. I will of course bring this up in the clinic at my appointment but in the meantime I would really appreciate hearing other women's experiences?

I finished tch chemo 3 weeks ago and have a wedding on Saturday. Am actually bridesmaid. I am kind of feelin a bit sorry I agreed to do it. Am feeling quite self conscious of my wig and pics in general. I was thinking of gettin my nails done as they a by yellow and have been painting them myself. But they are quite short. Don't seem to be growing. Was thinking of getting shellac nails or gel nails done. Do u think as I have finished chemo it's ok to do.. Hope ye are all enjoying the sunshine

[post edited by webmaster] The Irish Cancer Society does not support unfounded theories of cancer or unproven alternative treatments.

I have health insurance coming to me soon. can anyone tell me roughly how much should I put aside to pay for chemo and radiotherapy treatment. for breast cancer.

Hi Members Im Misey from Dublin. I have been living abroad about 23 years, and recently decided upon returning to Dublin to live. I worked out my plan that once i finished my education in Copenhagen, i would put my flat up for sale, and then make my move. Things were panning out fine,until i went to my half yearly check and it was discovered the cancer is back.....i almost reached the 5 year mark of surviving breast cancer. The doctor seems upbeat that they can cure me, but tell me that i have a chonic illness and need to have herceptin rest of life. God knows how long rest of my life is!! Anways im still going with my plan to move back to Dublin,though now its seems much more complicated. I dont have the energy tothink about all the paper work i will have to contend with. The chemo is giving me a lot of side effects puha. Would there happen to be others who moved back to Ireland, willing to share their experiences?? Have a good sunday,kind regards Misey

Hi all, we just found out my wife has breast cancer and are waiting on an MRI scan to get more detailed information. however, my question is this. They found the cancer under her arm (following a GP visit when she found a lump). As I understand it, this would indicate a spreading of the cancer from the breast to the underarm. However, during the standard mamogram and ultrasound of the breasts they did not find anything (Hence the MRI). Would I be right in my understanding then that this would indicate a stage 2 cancer and if so, what can we expect next? I fully understand that everyone is different in their diagnosis and situations, but I am just trying to get my head around this. I don't think she is aware that it is possibly stage two so I am just trying to find out for myself first if she is at any "higher" risk. Thanks in advance for any help and advice.