secondaries symptoms??

I also go bald sometimes at school.Mainly I wear my red cap ( from Gocha covered) or scarves but these are so hot at the moment. My hair is slowly growing back - now 2cm all over but very straight!  I'm in a different role this year - I'm the SAER support teacher. A change from full time classroom teaching

! I have 36 radiotherapy in all ( 7 weeks worth, 8 with public holidays/maintenance days!). I have finished my first 3! Long way to go yet. I'm hoping it will go fast!

Take care nd let me know how you go with your radiotherapy. Ony do what you can do! Listen to your body!

Alison xxx

Alison

I work in a school too, I am a classroom based SSO in a small area school. I am on leave at present but hope to go back after easter, although my Prinicpal asked me if I can work at least one full day per week this term. Because I still have to have the masectomy it is not possible at present (this will be in next 4 weeks according to surgeon) but finances are getting scary!!  I could stay with my brother when i do radiation but that is still nearly an hours drive across the city therefore I will probably come home. I will wait and see I think.

Great to hear so far, so good!! Hope it continues. How many weeks do you have to have it for??

And when you are back at work, do you wear a headcover, wig etc??? I wear a headcover in public  but it is so hot! All the kids at school have seen me with the headcover, I wasnt sure how they would react but they seem to handle it ok. Funnily enough, I have found all my school kids really supportive and caring, I am always getting little messages from them etc. Good to know they havent forgotten me

Take care and get plenty of rest

Sandy

Hi Sandy,

So far I have only had 3 treatments. I travel 25mins to get there for all of 2 mins treatment! The whole process takes about 20-25 mins from go to who! I haven't had any ill effects so far but it's early days.The nurses say by week 3 you begin to start to feel tired as the fatique sets in. My skin is fine so far too but I'm smothering myself with sorbolene morning and night as a precaution.

Best wishes with your treatment. Is there anywhere you can stay during the week or even for a few days?

I go back to work on Mon full time so I'll let you know how I get on with the juggling act. My treatments are after school at 4.30 so by the end of the week I guess I'll be pretty tired. I'm not classroom based so that gives me more flexibility. I'd rather be working than not - brain needs the stimulation! I'm not one to sit around thinking all day!

Take care and don't worry too much. You will be fine! Thinking of you!  Please have the heat for a bit longer! Horrible! Thank goodness for aircon!!

Love Alison xxx

Hi Sandy,   I had 5 weeks radiation after i finished my chemo.  I did not have a drama with it.  It didn't make me tired and my skin held up well until the last couple of weeks when the burns started.  It still burnt a couple of weeks after the radiation as well then healed up.  I couldn't lie on that side for a long time afterwards ( I am talking maybe 18 months).  If I did it was only for a very short while as  my bones seemed to hurt, but with time it has gotten better and now 2 1/2 later it is all good.  I work in catering and I returned to work when I finished my chemo.  Sure would much rather face radium than chemo.  Hope it all goes well for you too.

Take care,   Jill xx

Joy

I get a bit of hip pain too but certainly not to the degree of the leg. That wakes me up and stops me going back to sleep each night. Most nights I take paracetomol before sleep but it still wakes me and wont settle easily, paracetomol seems to have little effect at 2-3 am. I am seeing the DR tomorrow, thank goodness because I am stressing on the results of the staging tests too.

I know they say dont let BCancer take over your life but it is very hard not to let it when it dominates so very much. Sadly, I find it easier to hide at home now, instead of socialising because we live in a small community and everyone cares: therefore I am constantly bombarded with how are you going? Where are you at. As does my children and husband. I know people are trying to be caring but sometimes it is too much especially when I am trying to disract myself with other things!

Sorry for the whinge but good to get it off my chest!!!!!

Sandy

Alison

can you please let me know how you cope physically with the radiation. I am due to start soon but have a 3.5 hr return trip to get there on top of the radiation time: i am also wondering if I should return to part time study and maybe even 2 X 1/2  days a week work. The brain is sluggish and feels the need to be invigorated!! I dont know if this will be too much or not??

As I am rural SA we get your hot weather after it has drifted across the Nullabor- please take it back, I dont like it!! LOL.

Hi Sandy,

This is Annie from BCNA's Policy Team.

Generally, one of the main symptoms of secondary breast cancer in the bone is bone pain. This could feel like a nagging ache which may increase when you are active and moving around. If you experience pain like this, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor.

However, it is important to know that this kind of pain does not necessarily mean that you have secondary breast cancer. Every experience of secondary breast cancer is difference, which is why it is a good idea to discuss any concerns with your doctor - which I see is what you have done.

All the best Sandy.

Annie

Hi Sandy, Tamoxifen can cause blood clots, so it is always advised that you cease it some time before any surgeries, so as to lessen the risk. Love Chris xx

thanks for all your comments

 

The hot flushes started just after the last dose of chemo and havent stopped, they have increased if anything.  Horrible stuff-torture especially as i am a cold frog that wears 3-4 layers in winter. Guess that wont be happening any more.

No spine pain, just in 2 areas of the left leg, right leg is pain free apart from general aches and pains. The leg pain actually started 4-5 months ago but oncologist was unconcerned. But it hasnt settled down, in fact it is more intense now and wakes me throughout the night. I cant put any pressure on it for more than 3-4 mins therefore cant sleep on that side.  I did have a bone scan last Friday but have to wait a week for the results and am going round in circles inside my head!!!!

 

I will investigate the Endep after surgery, why cant you have tamoxifen while undergoing surgery??? Seems silly that the oncologist started me on it if I have to stop it soon!

 

Seems to be so much connected with breast cancer, but I guess because it is hormone based, therein lies our problem

Appreciate all the replies,

Sandy

 

thanks for all your comments

 

The hot flushes started just after the last dose of chemo and havent stopped, they have increased if anything.  Horrible stuff-torture especially as i am a cold frog that wears 3-4 layers in winter. Guess that wont be happening any more.

No spine pain, just in 2 areas of the left leg, right leg is pain free apart from general aches and pains. The leg pain actually started 4-5 months ago but oncologist was unconcerned. But it hasnt settled down, in fact it is more intense now and wakes me throughout the night. I cant put any pressure on it for more than 3-4 mins therefore cant sleep on that side.  I did have a bone scan last Friday but have to wait a week for the results and am going round in circles inside my head!!!!

 

I will investigate the Endep after surgery, why cant you have tamoxifen while undergoing surgery??? Seems silly that the oncologist started me on it if I have to stop it soon!

 

Seems to be so much connected with breast cancer, but I guess because it is hormone based, therein lies our problem

Appreciate all the replies,

Sandy