Community

Hi All My name is Dee and I am the newbie Breast Cancer Chic! Diagonosed four weeks ago had first chemo yesterday, am in Vincents under a great team. Am just finding my footing - chemo went ok yesterday feel a bit drugged (how unusual!!) Woke and got up at 4.45 this morning buzzing - does this last throughout chemo - nobody ever mentioned problem with sleeping while on chemo - I was looking forward to getting more sleep. Will be great to talk to people here and get the truth about chemo I feel its a bit like labour no one really tells you the full story. Thats it have a great weekend and chat to you all soon.

Howdy all!! It's day 24 in the big brother house, and so far my ct, bone scan and MRI are clear. Feeling a little better about things and reality/ normality is beginning to land but am eating like a pig so must scale back- not good!!! Anyway just a question.....(s!!) Doc said on Friday that he's taking me in for a sentinel node biopsy on Thursday- if clear I will prob have an immediate reconstruction when in for my mastectomy on November 8th. Surely the ct/ MRI would give them a fairly good idea as to what was going on in the old lymphs???? Is the sentinel node biopsy painful? What should I expect? Thanks again guys!!! N xx

Hi all The night before I have the taxol I have to take 20mg dexamethasone at midnight and another 20mg at 6am. I find it sends my pulse racing constantly and really it doesn't stop doing that until 5 days later. If I walk upstairs, it gets even worse. Did anyone else follow this protocol and have a similar reaction? Thanks Jo

Only u gang here are the only ones that can appreciate the sleepless nights and pounding heart that's become me over the last 12 days. I am in Eccles st. this thurs morn for my results of a core biopsy. I'm 39 so the statistics are pointing towards a good outcome. But I can't cant can't cope with the wait. My biopsy was on 9th oct. so I'm assuming if it was anything suspect they would have been in touch????

Hi All, I'm a four+ year Prostate Cancer Survivor and I'm running the Dublin City Marathon on Monday next. My main aim in running this, my third Dublin since surgery, is to provide inspiration to those facing Cancer in their lives. I'll be running with a "Cancer Survivor" strip on my singlet and hope to run around 3:20-3:30. There will be lots of other Cancer Survivors out on Monday, along with thousands running to raise funds for Cancer or running in memory of a loved one. Come on out and give us your support on Monday morning! [url:2tluw33l]http://www.mycharity.ie/event/john_quigley_ics_dublin_marathon_2012/[/url:2tluw33l]

Hello, My experiences in the world as a cancer patient are all listed below. It was a tough year but so far I, with the help a surgeon, an oncologist and an army of wonderful nurses I have come out the other side. I feel altered but normal enough. After the chemo ended (Jan of 2012) I was very toxic with a body in complete turmoil. I had an itch all over my torso and this was harder to live with then all the chemo and ops put together. I was also unable to sit still for more then a minute. I remember being very upset when I couldn't get through a little book with my 3 yr old on my lap. I had to walk up and down the room whilst talking to people. I also looked like a chipmunk as a result of putting on weight after the steroids. I then did a detox diet which someone close to me (in the medical Field) designed and as a result, my itch vanished, my excess weight went and I felt non-toxic again. Joy of Joys, I could once again sit and read a book with my child on my lap. That diet and that man are pure brilliant. I truly believe that if you want to cleanse yourself post treatment, a full on detox is so necessary. It is now 6 months later and my diet has slid back to somewhere between super healthy detox and not great. The reason i write is because I am now having a warm tingly feeling all over my body which has intensified in the last fort-night. It is not unpleasant but it is quite intense when I sit still and am not moving. I intend to phone my oncologist tomorrow for advice but I want to know has anyone else experienced such a sensation. Thanks in advance for some advice Breast Cancer, Practically triple Neg Non-ductal invasive 6 x tc Masectomy to left Breast 7cm + tumour 5 x CMF Ovaries and Tubes removed in July 2012

Hi there everyone! I was just wondering what everyone thought about dairy v soy products in the ol diet?? I've read so many conflicting views and opinions on this, was just wondering what the general consensus was?? Thanks xx

Hi Guys Wondering if any tips on how to beat indigestion. I literally feel someone is squeezing around my heart indigestion is so bad can hardly breathe. Had it the other night as well it got so bad actually got sick twice - its like acid reflux or something and the next door neighbours can hear me burping. I got some anti-acids from chemist which dont seem to have done any good. Is this normal when going through Chemo? I have had heartburn and indigestion before but this is really painful. Trying to eat tiny amounts as often as possible. Any hints appreciated. People keep saying eat this eat that - but need to get a list together of what fruit and veg really arent acidy. thanks! Burp Burp

Hi Guys Well its finally happened day 12 after chemo - was sort of stupidly thinking maybe it wont happen. Literally pulling my hair out at the moment. Had an hour of tears on my own and feeling sorry for myself. Then realised an hour later that it really didnt help me and I felt worse. So now its all systems go, gonna get shaved by my hairdresser on Monday and get my wig sorted. Went on a shopping spree on annabandana they have fabulous prices around £6 for a lovely chemo bandana some other places are outrageous with prices around £20 plus for a scarf!! This for me is the second worst thing on this Cancer trail apart from hearing that I actually had cancer. A lot of women say bald is beuatiful with my head - mmmm dont think so. Its a huge shock I think when it happens and it really makes it real. Sort of think OMG will look sick. Great thing is though (apart from eyelashes and eybrows it goes from other places in your body so no more waxing!!!). I am 47 (mental age around 20) and for my age its amazing I have no grey hairs - the worst thing for me would be if it grew back grey as it would be such a shock. Hairdresser reckons it wont and a couple of people I have asked said so as well so fingers crossed! Hope all is well with you guys. Dee

Hi, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer on 17th August. It was like a bolt from the blue. I am attending Vincent's private and I cannot praise them enough. Both my surgeon and oncologist are female and are wonderful people I will be indebted to their expertise for the rest of my life. It's all positive, got it early lymph nodes are clear. Does anyone know if the chemo side effects get worse the more you get. I've had three and have three left at three week intervals. The first two were ok just very tired but this one was not good. I felt sick and the feeling in my mouth was dreadful and tired and restless. I just feel its taking me longer to feel 'normal' again. I have my chemo in a Monday and take anti sickness steroids until Friday then on sat/sun I am out of sorts for a few days. Just read here that the third one is the worst and the remaining three may not be as bad. Oh please tell me they won't be as bad as the last one, I hate feeling like this. Can't wait for Christmas Eve which is my last one. Only thing I cold stomach last weekend was Bovril!! I will so appreciate feeling well again. Mary Diagnosed early stage breast cancer 17th August Have undergone 3sessions of chemo out of six every 3 weeks.