Community

[color=#800080:26ikcwnv]I was unwell prior to my cancer diagnosis but slept okay. Since my first surgery and tough recovery I've had very bad sleep. I've practised good sleep hygiene. Ive had sleeping tablets prescribed by my gp when I've reached exhaustion breaking point, but only for very short use. Basically I'm nearly 3yrs on and sleep is no better. Life is very good for me now. I practice mindfulness which keeps me sane..... and happy. My life is coming back together with my partner getting work after taking time out to care for me (I was very unwell at times) and then unemployment. We're in probably the best place we've been in since my cancer diagnosis nearly 3yrs ago now. I'm looking forward and busy enjoying the simple joys of motherhood. I've tried everything suggested. Ive walked, I've cut out day time naps, I use lavender to relax the room, I relax to music etc etc. I strongly feel my inability to fall asleep;my tendency to wake up, bright as a button at 2am only to be tired by 6/7am just as I'm needed for younger children; is linked to my medications and I feel it has to be a side effect of one if not more than one drug. I'm currently, on the advice of oncology, but my gp prescribing, on my 3rd week of taking a 5mg tablet to sleep every night and boy, is my life different. I now wake up refreshed, ready to face the day, feeling alive and more human than I've felt in months, if not years. THE PROBLEM-sleeping tablets not recommended to be given long term to a person of my age. But I feel like screaming, living life so tired and mentally exhausted is no way to live either. Oncology felt that with all the treatment changes, along with a bout of cellulitis in my lymphoedema limb, I was well overdue quality sleep, they felt if I was mentally & physically feeling refreshed I'd feel stronger to cope, which is what has happened. My question is why do gps look at sleeping tablets like an enemy when tiredness and exhaustion is a very real enemy to me. I can't stop my medications and feel it's the cause of my sleep issues. So what do I do. After nearly 3yrs I've tried most things and looked at sleep hygiene. I need my sleep and if it's by the help of a tablet, then please. I can't live a life with no regular sleep.....my youngest is 6yrs old, youngest of 4. I'm a mum, a busy mum like so many. I just want the bits of my life back that I can have......it's so important to me. Anyone else have issues with lack of sleep. Thank you [/color:26ikcwnv]

Hi there, My oncologist referred me for a scan of womb and ovaries as I am on Tamoxifen and now I have received a letter telling me that I am being referred to a gynaecological consultant. I'm not sure why and am wondering if anyone else has received a letter like this? My GP says that something must have showed up in the scan. Is it possible that they just want to do something like a D & C? Any feedback please? Thanks Resolute

Hi all, just looking for info for an american lady with stage iv bc who is coming over to Swords for a family holiday this summer. She wants to stay here for a few weeks but will need to have her port flushed while she is here, otherwise they'll have to cut their holiday short and return to the US. Does anyone know if it's possible to have this done here and how would she go about arranging it? Many thanks

I was diagnosed with Breast cancer in May 2013 and had chemotherapy first, followed by right breast and 16 lymph nodes being removed. Since my operation I Have tightness under my arm and in the area where my right breast was. I have had loads of physio, been to Pain Speialist and had a number of injections for nerve pain but this unberable tightness never goes away and is particulary uncomfortable when I go to bed. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what, if anything can help. Eibhlin

Hi, hopefully someone out there can tell me their experiences with taking time off work for reconstruction. I had a right mastectomy in March 13 and because I didn't need chemo or radiation I was able to put my name on the list for reconstruction with Dr. Ajmel in Beaumont Hosp. I was finally called for my surgery in Jan 14 but they cancelled on me just days before. I wasn't called again until May but by then I had started a new job, which I love, and as I had only been there 8 weeks I really felt that I couldn't leave work, so I passed, which meant I was off the list. I'm in the job a year now and I really want to put my name back on the list for the surgery as I feel I won't really be me until I get this finished. Loosing my breast has really hurt my self esteem. The company I work for are fantastic, but they don't know about my cancer and I don't know how to broach the subject of needing 6-8 weeks off for surgery. My job is quite specialised and I'm the only one in the company that does it so it wouldn't be as easy as someone else stepping into my place for a couple months. Can anyone tell me how they juggled work and surgery? My husbands work isn't steady so we really need my job and and jobs in my field don't come come up very often so leaving this job and hoping to pick up another isn't really feasible either. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thx.

Hi everybody I had lobular cancer and was initially told I would need to have an mri rather than mammogram every year as it is more accurate for lobular cancer. However now I'm only having a mammogram. If anybody could tell me how they are followed up having had lobular cancer I would be very grateful.

Hi Ladies, I completed my AC and have 7 of my 12 Taxol treatments over me and I am just wondering if the side effects get worse near the end. I am feeling pretty good since I started the Taxol and have been able to get on with life much better after finishing the AC. I have put on a half stone since starting Taxol which is due to my increased appetite. Did anyone else experience this? When will my hair grow back? What is the radiotherapy like? Any answers or advice would be very welcome. I am starting to get more emotional about what I have been through only now. looking forward to hearing from you. Chrissie

Hi all, I'm three years post diagnosis (followed by chemo, rads) and I have delayed recon surgery date in less than three weeks for LD flap with implant. I'm excited and scared! Did anyone have this procedure and regret it? Also, due to medication side effects I had to give up my favourite exercise of walking and decided to learn to swim as a new form of exercise. Now I'm actually good at swimming and find it great exercise. Also, it feels like mindfulness going up and down the pool, calms the head when I have to concentrate on one, two, take a breath! So I'm a bit worried about the potential weakness from messing with the back muscle and maybe ending up not able to swim. I'd be very grateful of any comments or advice. I'd rather know the good, the bad and the ugly in advance! Thanks, Jo

Hi I had a mastectomy in 2010 on my left breast and in 2013 I was put on the waiting list to have my right breast reduced to match my new boob. I received a call yesterday from the hospital stating that I will be called in the next month for my breast reduction operation. I am just looking for advice on what bra to wear after the operation. And also should I go down a cup size or just buy a bra for the size I am now which is a C cup. Would love any advice

Hi all I hope everyone is doing well. Unfortunately last week, 11 months after finishing active treatment I was diagnosed with bone mets. Right now I'm really really annoyed with my Onc and considering moving hospitals. If anyone had treatment in Beaumont and would recommend their Onc, could you pm me please? Maybe he's right & what happened would have regardless of where I was treated but I presented to him with node negative breast cancer 2 years ago and while under his care it has now spread to my liver and bones. I'm just so angry and upset right now and at least want a second opinion. Tia x