NenaH

Thanks M. I will add full gynecological check up when I go abroad for my MRI.  In the UK it is not easy to get to see gynecologist.  Hard to believe but it is true.

SherriM I was in pain from day one and have posted on this forum in August/September about that.  I think what made it harder is that doctors denied it had anything to do with what they were doing 'as if'.  One doctor told me that it was 'impossible', another that it was something I had done, another that it was my bra.  However this pain started when irradiation started and dropped down as soon as they stopped with it.  I was then almost pain free for several weeks and last few days it has started again although not as bad.  It is strange how it starts again for no particular reason.  It is not at all unbearable and it does not stop me from doing anything.  The worst thing about it is a reminder that 'it is not over'.

In total I took about six weeks off work and I think some women do not even take that much.  My employer was also very accommodating and let me know that I can take as much time off as I need to.  I was grateful for that but wanted to come back as soon as I could.

I found radiotherapy painful (not everyone does) and felt rather vulnerable during that time. I felt much better as soon as they stopped irradiating me and was back at work full time the weekend after.  Having said that I did not have chemotherapy so someone else could give you better idea what that felt like.  Also I don't do anything physically demanding which probably made it possible to go to work when I still felt fresh from the treatment.

Christina, maybe doctors in the USA are responsive to those kind of questions but my doctor in the UK didn't even know T. interferes with endometrium let alone whether eating pomegranate is OK.  I could ask this on the food or alternative forums but find that there is not as much activity on them so fewer people share their knowledge.  2NebBoobs lack of estrogen affects lining of uterus and vagina and uretra so apart from disharge we can expect vaginal atrophy and UTIs.  Nice.  Earlier in the thread there was discussion on Ovestin cream which can help with this.  Jury is out though whether it is a good idea because it is estrogen based (albeit estriol which is meant to be the 'good estrogen').  Who knows.

Just bumping this as sounds delicious and good for us too.

I seem to remember that the author of book 'Your life in your hands' was very much against coke but curiously recommended it during bone scans (something to do coke attaching to chemicals they give us for the scan but which can otherwise remain in bones.

Thank you all.  I have one more question if you don't mind.  Since I have now booked my flight (it is non refundable) and have booked time off work and my mum who lives abroad is expecting me (I never told her I was ill and don't intend to as she would fall apart) I was wondering whether I should have MRI anyway.  I will either be in the last week of my period or would have just started it at the time.  So the time is wrong.  I guess the question is: is MRI at the wrong time of the month better than no MRI.

I have had a hard time during rads but for the most part I have remained active and positive.  I think what has helped me is that I felt I had to get on with things.  I have a ten year old and I feared the impact my illness would have on him so I pretty much continued as I was before.  I went back to work 9 days after surgery and although I took a month off during rads was back again full time as soon as it finished.  I am just so busy I keep forgetting I was ill.  I do think about it when I am on my own and then I have a need to communicate with fellow sufferers on this forum.  It is like I have a double life.  It is only here that I attend to how I feel and feel able to share it.  Thank you all for being there.  It has made a tremendois difference.  Best Nena

I live in the UK and MRI scans are not offered unless one has mets.  I have booked myself to go abroad and have it done privately but I was told (after I booked days off with work and bought non refundable plane ticket) that the best time for doing MRI scan is between days 10-15 of your period.  Needless to say the time I booked my leave is wrong and am not sure what to do.  I have not heard this mentioned anywhere on this board but it is possible that I have missed it. Any advice will be much appreciated.