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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 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

Anyone know where I can buy a compression sleeve for flying? Six months on from surgery, I still have a touch of lymphodoema and someone said I should wear one of these when I fly to Portugal. I've seen stockings in chemists, do they do ones for arms too?? I don't have time to source one online really as we go Monday. thanks in advance.

Hi all 2 chemo yest and wasn't as bad. Firstly I took 1/2 a sleeping tablet in the morning, then I managed a litre of water by the time it was time to go in and I wore extra clothes and had a fleece jacket wrapped around my arm to keep it warm. And hey presto, my veins showed themselves this time!! The after effects ok so far. Did have some nausea but the new tablets seem to have held it at bay. Also, I took sleeping tablet last night so slept through whatever going on People who know me would be amazed I took sleeping tabs, I'm the healthy freak, when I'm anywhere new I do tours of health food shops, and won't even take a paracetamol for a headache. Well, I've decide now, it's time to fight fire with fire! Good luck to all on chemo. Josephine

Hi all Is anyone else on this trial? I'm due to get 1st injection today. I couldn't face it on day of chemo on wed. I feel so ick today I don't feel like it either. I'm told I'm the last person into the trial. Hard to make decisions about these things. I'm afraid to be in and I'm afraid to be out of trial. Anyone any thoughts Josephine

Afternoon all, Only lasted 5 out of 6 chemos. Should have had the last one today but they decided not to go ahead. Have been on Taxol and Clycocystamide on a 3 weekly cycle. Questions for all you ladies who have been through and finished chemo.... How long before your hair starts to grow back? How long before chemo brain passes? (feeling stupider by the minute:-)) How long do you still have chemo symptoms for? Had reimaging done last Friday and will have all the results on the 10th. Anxious as to how the chemo has worked. It has certainly given me the side effects .... lol ..... but has it actually affected either of the 2 types of cancer I have remains to be seen. Surgery set for Sept - just waiting on the date now. Still absolutely hate, hate, hate the thought of it. Any tips from anyone who has been through it without immediate reconstruction gratefully received. Thanks to all Dane