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Good afternoon ladies. I have been so looking forward to being able to write a message. My name is Elizabeth. I was diagnosed a month ago. A small lump in my right breast. This morning I met the oncologist and chemo will begin next week I think. After 6 goes of that, I will have a lumpectomy, and after that radiotherapy. Does anyone else cry all the time? i am spending a fortune on tissues, thinking of cutting up some bed sheets at this stage. The first few weeks when I was still at work, trying to speak to people on the phone etc. were the worst I think. My anxiety was terrible. I am normally a light-hearted person and found the anxiety very hard to cope with. The only thing that worked was a glass of wine. Instant fear relief!! I am 63 with 5 grown-up children who are very supportive and I have 5 sisters as well who are great too. But there are times when I cannot speak to anyone and when the phone rings - I want to shout at it - leave me alone. I have been reading your messages, while waiting to register myself, and feel for you all and send positive thoughts. Elizabeth

I'm off to St. James tomorrow for my lumpectomy and node removal. I'm not dreading as much as I thought I would. Actually a really nice poster here told me that the lumpectomy is a doddle so I feel much better. Just anxious to have it over with now. Finished my chemo about a month ago and not a minute too soon I can tell you, its hard going sometimes but the feeling when you're finished is priceless! Can anyone cheer me up as to the level of service in St. James? How easy the node removal is (ok no lies please ha ha)? How well I will be feeling in a few days? Hope you are all feeling well and I'm sorry for moaning on but I guess I am a little nervous maybe. Anyway better go get the lunches made, won't be making any for a while (there's always a silver lining, hate making lunches). My poor little darlings will miss me so much (yeah right they will be spoilt rotten by my family so prob won't want me back!), seriously though they are a positive bunch of little kids so they will be grand, it's more me that will miss them. Take care of you, Celine

Hello, just wondering if anyone has had tram flap reconstruction - where they take fat from your tummy and transport it up to the breast site??? I would love to get opinions on this and also if anyone has had it maybe a few details on how long in hospital, how long totally out of action etc Initially when I had my mastectomy in July 2008 I said I was lucky to be alive and would happily live without a breast - However, I must be coming back to myself again (post chemo only, no radio required) as I am gunning to have cleavage again !!! It just shows - life DOES get good again !! thanks, rox

Hi all, I have decided to take part in Dublin mini-marathon on Bank Holiday Monday 7th June to raise money for breast cancer research. If you think you might be able to do it, however slowly, I'd love to get a group of ladies together. If you are interested please send me email to m_ltk@yahoo.co.uk or call me on 087-6642202. Thanks, Michelle

I met a lovely woman at the ARC center in eccles street yesterday. It is a lovely place for people who have cancer to go to. They have relaxation classes, councelling, thi chi, and lots of other stuff going on. It is also a drop in center, where you can go and have a cuppa. They have a fabulous garden aswell. Now im getting to my point...lol There is a meeting there on the 12th of April at 10.15 for young women with breast cancer. Its for anyone up to 45 ish (maybe a bit older ) I think they have it 4 times a year, im so glad i heard about it!!!! I definately want to go, and celine from here said she would be intrested. It would be a great way for us to meet up! So is there anyone else up for it?????

Hi there, I had breast cancer 18 yrs ago at 42 and was diagnosed with a recurrance in 2008, I have both lobular invasive and ductal breast cancer now. I have secondaries in lungs, and bones. I have had Taxotare chemo and continue on Zometa for the bones I have resisted Femara until now but due to lung problems gave it a try but had very bad pain and stopped it anyone out there got any any experience of Femara. Im am almost pain free without it dont know what to do. Mosaic

Hi, Having some physio to strenghten my back after various surgeries & my physio gave me a flyer about this group. For anyone sporty or wishing to learn a new sport the Plurabelle Paddlers is organising training for dragon boat races/canoeing. The exercise programme is specifically for women who have had breast cancer treatment. Suitable for those have finished treatment at least 3 months ago. They have an open day on April 17th 11am-1pm at Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre. More details on www.plurabellepaddlers.com A

Hi Every one, I'm new and nervous. My name is Lou, I'm 41 and married with 3 children in the north east and I am going to the clinic next tuesday in Beaumont. I had a breast uplift and implant in November 08 for personal reasons. I was delighted with this and it really did make an awful difference to my life as it was something I had always been very self concious about. I had this done abroad and was very happy with the level opf care received. The implant in the left breast has always given me a bit of bother in that it seemed to settle high and was a bit harder than the other one.I was worried it may have been a thing called capsular contraction [scar tissue that squeezes and distorts the implantr and can cause pain] .I had this checked by a dr and he sad it was ok and best to leave it. He thought it was too early for capsular contarction to form as the implant had been harder a few weeks after surgery and generaly it takes time for scar tissue to build up. But a few weeks ago I found a lump that wasn't there or that I did not notice before.There actually seems to be a lot of lumpy areas so it is hard to tell what is ne and what is not. I am hoping it is this implant. I am so worried as I have had pain in my scapular area in my back recently too but didn't connect the two. And new stabbing pains in the breast on occaision. I am worried that the Dr's or radiographers might not have the expertise with implants.I'm scared they will miss something or think I'm a nutter for having gone and done this operation the first place.I'm worried because I had my surgery abroad I may not be treated here and told to go back abroad.. I was coping finewith all of this until last night and then it became really scary and overwhelming and i could not stop crying and could not sleep. Now I'm imagining every ache and pain is something dreadful as I have some pain under the breast to the left as if in the chest wall. Could be stress related...I feel my chest is going to explode with nerves and stress and I'm terrified of needles and the tests if I do need them. Any comments or advice you can give would be great . I have read some of your stories and you are all amazing. Thanks a milion for reading. Hope to hear from any of you.you are in mythoughts even tho' I know none of you. Thanks . Lou

Hi, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on 6th January (the day of the "big freeze", I'll never forget that date). Had lumpectomy, lymph nodes clear (happy days!) but was devastated to be told, following more tests, that I have bone mets - shoulder, T2 spine, pelvis. Had some radiotherapy to shoulder for pain and I am due to start chemo next Tuesday, 13th April. 4 bi-weekly AC chemo + avastin, another pet scan, break, then 12 x weekly taxol. I am terrified and dreading the chemo, any reassurances and tips for coping with chemo would be welcome. Stella

I'm just over a year out of treatment and my breathing is terrible, its like I have a tightness in my chest the whole time and struggle to breath properly. Hospital dismiss it and have said nothing is showing up. Anyone else having these symptoms?