Community

We warmly welcome you to Our Online Community

Register or login below to get started with Our Online Community.

Login

Register

posted by Superwhy
10 December 2013

When did u dye ur hair first after chemo.

Last reply: 15 December 2013 23:11
I finished chemo at the end of June. I would really love to dye my hair for Christmas . I have used the vegetable oil based but just not mad keen on the colour and would prefer to just go to the hairdresser. How soon did yours coloured.
5 comments
Read the post
posted by sunshine71
12 December 2013

aches and pains on Tamoxifen

Last reply: 30 January 2014 21:47
[color=#BF0040:263li0vp]Just had a visit with pain management today. The last few weeks having awful pains in my knees in particular. I also have pains in the joints on my hands. I felt like the Tamoxifen was showing on the 'weaker' joints in my body as I've sometimes had aches in my knees before, but nothing on the scale of what it is now. The consultant, after checking, concluded I do indeed have ostioarthritsis in my knees. However, the good news is he suggested good old paracetomal can work wonders with this type of pain so going to give it a go for a few weeks. This tamoxifen is no walk in the park, excuse the pun. Its difficult but hoping to see improvements in the next few weeks. On a good note still walking though and managing 30mins most days and hoping for more when pain is under control.. [/color:263li0vp]
3 comments
Read the post
posted by deefed
15 December 2013

Floppy Fiona Lifted and New Implant In

Last reply: 20 December 2013 00:26
Hi All Been a while since I posted. Just to let you know had my operation for reduction on Good Boob (Floppy Fiona) and exchanged my expander for an implant. I am five days post op, am black and blue and to be honest not as sore as I thought I would be - hope I am not tempting fate. I just wanted to let you know for those that maybe wondering if you should go for reconstruction or for those who have expanders but never went and got the implant how I am feeling. I am feeling fecking great about my decision. Floppy Fiona is now upright and pert (I was a size DD or E) now I would say around a D. The new implant is so much for comfortable than the expander I found the pressure on the expander very tough - this is now way more comfortable. I have to have one more operation to make the implant a bit bigger as its not as big as the other one, this will be done with liposuction from tummy and injected into boob. I will also then get the nipple and nipple tatoo. Its been a very long year - but it feels So So So So So wonderful to look down now and see that I have two boobs (albeit not perfect) YET! This has been my Cancer gift after what I have been through, two pert boobs and a smaller tummy as had to have a bit of liposuction too. I feel wonderful about it all. For those considering it I for one would say go for it. The few days being uncomfortable is so worth the results. I feel I can get on wtih things now and body wise I am in a much better place than I was pre cancer. Onwards and Upwards Lots of Love Dancer and Prancer xxx
11 comments
Read the post
posted by triona
17 December 2013

Brac1 and Brac2 Gene Testing??

Last reply: 19 December 2013 08:09
Hiya, Im looking for help in getting more information or where to go to get tested for the Brac1 and Brac2 gene? My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 49 and passed away when she was 52...it had spread to the bone which she lived a fairly relative good quality of life until the last month or so when we found out it had gone to her liver and unfortunately nothing more could be done. She spent the 3 years going through Chemotherapy in various forms and thank god for her with little side effect apart from losing her hair and a little sickness. She was such an inspiration and showed so much courage throughout. Im 25 and Im really conscious on early detection and definitely a lot more aware of how important it is to get early detection. unfortunately my mother disclosed to us after getting diagnosed that she had noticed a lump nearly a year before getting it seen to...maybe the outcome would still have been the same but the question is always there what if?? I just want to inform myself more of getting tested..im aware that the chance woulkd still be there even if I tested negative but its something I want to look into and I cant seem to find out where I would get tested etc and does it make a difference that my mother has passed can I still get tested?? Any help would be greatly appreciated
3 comments
Read the post
posted by cwitch
18 December 2013

Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Last reply: 23 December 2013 14:08
Hello, I am just popping on this website again to see if there is anyone out there who has a family member with SCLC, and to see how they are getting on? I do find there are very few responses under the Lung Cancer category, so if there is anyone new that has joined since me, I am here! My husband was diagnosed in April 2013 and underwent chemo. Now it is December & he is holding his own, thank God.
2 comments
Read the post
posted by sunshine71
23 December 2013

to wish you a very happy Christmas

Last reply: 24 December 2013 10:47
Just taking time out of a very very busy day to wish people on this forum a happy Christmas time. I know it can be a difficult time for people but I hope everyone finds a glimmer of light in some way at this time of year. Last year I was bald, tired and so not able for Christmas. This year I've just put in a hectic day and my other half encouraged me to buy that ipad ive been so wanting for over a year now. But better late than never. I find it hard to spend money like that on myself but my other half reminded me 'I'm worth it'....and so I am. So Happy Christmas to all who have found support, advice and a listening ear on this site and wishing you happiness in 2014.
2 comments
Read the post
posted by michele
27 December 2013

sore boob!

Last reply: 21 April 2015 16:58
I have found over the last few months that the breast I had the surgery on is very tight. I had the lump and some lymph nodes removed in February. I find sleeping at night very difficult. I try to stay on my back but I am never successful. Every time I turn I feel like I am tearing a scab from my breast. I had an x-ray on my hip also and that came up clear. Anybody with recommendations for sleeping without pain. I have not slept right through the night as I have to wake to turn myself slowly in bed. Any suggestions?
10 comments
Read the post
posted by Superwhy
30 December 2013

Anyone's hair not grow back curly.

Last reply: 31 January 2014 21:36
My hair is growing back but it's really frizzy and startin to get curly. I had really straight hair before. Now I love my hair but so don't love the curls
17 comments
Read the post
posted by Mel1
04 January 2014

Thanks for posting!

Last reply: 20 January 2014 21:54
I just want to say what a fantastic website this is. I was diagnosed a few months ago and I'm due to start chemo this week. I log on most days and read over old posts to prepare me for what lies ahead! I don't have a question as such because every query I've had someone else has queried already and people have so generously replied. So thank you to everyone to takes the time to reply, it really helps us who have been newly diagnosed. I feel a bit apprehensive but nothing near like the shock of finding out I had cancer. Those first few weeks of undergoing tests when I feared the worst we're just horrendous. I luckily I have an amazing partner and great family and friends who have helped me out and have been there for me. Hopefully with their help I will come out the other end of this and grateful to be alive.
12 comments
Read the post
posted by annieo
05 January 2014

feeling unsociable after recent recurrence...

Last reply: 24 January 2014 23:46
Hi, I have recently had more surgery for a recurrence of melanoma. It has been just over a year since my initial diagnosis and surgical treatment. I had my lymph nodes removed in my groin. My recent surgery was in early December. I found a lump in my groin which lit up on a pet scan and was removed. I don't know much about the results yet as I wanted to enjoy my Christmas so didn't ask many questions. I do know that, like many other cancers, melanoma is a big deal... I am due to see my surgeon next Friday and after that I have a follow up appointment with my dermatologist who will discuss my situation with me and tell me what is in store for me in times ahead. I did enjoy my Christmas, surrounding myself with family and home comforts, though I did have a lot of pain unfortunately due to arthritis. I realised a few days ago that I had made no effort to meet any friends over the holidays or do any socialising at all. (no-one made an effort to meet me either to be honest - cancer seems to keep some people at a distance, it seems). Anyway, I went out to meet some people from work lastnight. ( I haven't been able to work for over a year now with rheumatoid arthritis, melanoma also making an appearance along the way of course.) I found myself becoming very anxious all day about meeting them and this really surprised me. I went, thinking it would be good for me, but found that I came home early and was feeling very anxious, almost upset about the experience. I'm sure it was a mixture of emotions that came up for me. One, was that it brought home to me a huge part of my life that I have lost (I loved my job a lot and the people in it as much) and two., I felt like an outsider in their company. I'm sure they didn't notice but I found I had little to talk about that didn't involve doctors or pain, which has been a huge part of my life this past year. I tried not to refer to any of it but I did so automatically on one or two occasions. When I came home I was uneasy having spoken about my health. People, I feel don't want or need to hear my woes, especially when socialising. And I am also aware that cancer is something that a lot of people are not comfortable being around. I have suddenly realised since my recent surgery that my life has changed dramatically. I have been working so hard at staying positive and keeping that smile on my face and now I suddenly feel completely detached from the real world. I am beginning to not want to meet anybody who is not family or close friends. is this a stage i'm going through or should I be concerned? I'm hoping it is just part of living with cancer and that I will become sociable again in time. I hate the thought of having to endure counselling and face more emotional stuff but I really don't want to withdraw too much as I'm guessing that's a slippery slope ... Anne
5 comments
Read the post
© Irish Cancer Society 1999-2024 All Rights Reserved

Irish Cancer Society Head office, 43/45 Northumberland Road Dublin, D04 VX65; Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20009502; Revenue Number CHY5863; Company Number 20868.