Hi I live at Attleborough, I had mx Dec 2011 and then ANC Fef 2012, followed by 6 FEC-T and 15 fractions rads. Not had recon yet.The pain after op was quite minimal, I am still numb around scar and under arm and despite doing arm exercises I still a year later don’t have full range of movement, I also developed some cording which was bloomin painful, but that has now settled down. I am now back at work full time, and just had first proper haircut!!!
Have first follow up with surgeon 22nd Feb.
xxx
Hi there, Skippy9
Fancy you living in Wymondham as I work there at the biggest employer in the town, just across the road from Waitrose - I am sure you can guess where this is. I work there on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so if you fancy meeting up for a coffee in Waitrose one lunchtime just message me and we can arrange a chat over a coffee.
In the meantime, I had my mx with immediate reconstruction in April 2011, followed by 6 chemos - 3 FEC and 3 Docetaxel, 15 rads and 18 herceptins. All my treatment, other than the rads was at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and the rads was at the NNUH. Your mx op is nothing to worry about - I was up and about soon after getting back from theatre and eating a sandwich too. As Willowcat says the must annoying thing is having to have drain bottles attached to you, but the 1st one was removed after a couple of days and the 2nd one a few days after this. I also had to keep a record of how much was in the bottles each day so not for the faint-hearted, altho you carry them around in a shoulder bag and tuck the tubing inside the bag. The tubes are quite long, but this is so you can sleep with the bottles on the floor by your bed, and even have a bath with the bottle over the side of the bath on the floor. I honestly don’t remember being in much pain or discomfort, but you will be given painkillers to take anyway. Do make sure that you do your exercises after your op, and also if you are having rads as this can cause your muscles to tighten. I have just had my recon redone a month ago as the rads had caused it to distort - a known side-effect, but this was even more of a doddle as no drains this time - just no heavy lifting or hoovering 
Docetaxel is a killer and remember that the effects of chemo are cumulative and that is why you feel worse now. Your finger nails will take quite a long time to recover so keep them protected with a clear polish/strengthener. you may also find that your eyes may water profusely too now that you have had your last one and this will cause your nose to run as well - not a good look!
As for you rads - the worst bit is having to find parking everyday at the NNUH 
! I live in Thetford so it was a daily trek up the A11 in the run-up to Christmas 2011, but before you know it you will be done. Other than doing your post-op exercises make sure you slap on the aqueous cream, not just on your boob area, but up to your neck and underarm and down to your waist too and leave off the deodorant. Use a non-perfumed soap and shower gel/bath foam and drink plenty of fluids too and try to wear something really soft made of natural fibres next to your skin - I wore Sloggi crop tops - but watch the purple ink that they mark you with as it has a tendency to come off on your clothes!
The very last piece of advice that I can think of at the mo is that if you are worried about anything then speak up and somebody will be able to reassure you and put your mind at ease. The Big C Centre is there too, but if you are having rads then you may not be able to have a massage for a while, but they do head massages which are lovely and help to stimulate the blood flow to encourage hair growth, as well as reflexology too.
Don’t forget - if you fancy meeting up just send me a message and you can see for yourself that my hair has grown back!
Good luck - I’m sure you will be fine
Mazzalou 
xxx
Hi Mazzalou, just a quick question were you having a blood transfusion in November and met someone who works in the police (my husband) when I was having my tranfusion?
I don’t do much heavy lifting or hoovering or anything at the moment!!! My fingers are too sore so thats my excuse!!!
Must agree parking is rubbish at the NNUH which you do not need on top of everything else.
Thanks for your advice
xxx
Hi Skippy9
It wasn’t me having a blood transfusion - I only went to the NNUH for my rads in Nov/Dec 2011 and had to have one of my herceptins whilst I was there too rather than have to go to the West Suffolk in Bury on the same day.
I also work for the Police at OCC, but not as an officer. Do let me know if you would like to meet up for a coffee at Waitrose before your op on the 20th of this month.
Keep smiling ladies - you’ll be fine. Trust me as I have been there, done it and got the T-shirt too!
xx
Hello fellow Norfolk ladies
I’m new to all this, having been diagnosed only last week. I have a grade 3 lump - that’s all I know about it at the moment. I’m currently waiting for an MRI scan. Was hoping to get in this week but the scanner is playing up, so appt is on 11th March. After they look at the scan they’ll decide their plan of action. I know it’ll involve surgery and probably chemo (as I’m a ‘younger woman’ they normally do chemo apparently). I’m hoping I can get away with a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy but we’ll have to see. Just hope it’s not spread too far.
I live in North Walsham so my treatment will be at the NNUH - glad to hear good things about it! So far I’ve been very impressed with the consultant and the breast care nurse I saw last week. Didn’t feel hurried at all AND got a cup of tea and biscuits!
I’d be more than willing to meet up with anyone in the same boat. I’m 40, work as a Health visitor and enjoy playing cornet (hence the name) in Cawston Band.
Rachel x
Hello all
I’m also in Norfolk, Swardeston just south of Norwich.
I’ve had WLE and waiting for results on 6/3. I work in Wymondham (and have a Waitrose card for free coffee!)
Haven’t been to the Big C Centre yet as only had a relatively minor op so far and thought I the resources may be better used by some of the ladies who have had more of a difficult time, but i wouldn’t rule it out in the future!
I use mindfulness and yoga which has been very helpful.
Happy to meet up for a cuppa 
Sue
Hi
I’m also in Norfolk, Attleborough to be precise! Think I was considered to be a ‘younger one’ at diagnosis in 2011 at the age of 36. Had mastectomy, chemo, rads and am currently on herceptin number 12 (just 5 more to go woooooo hooooooo!) all treatment was at N&N which I must say, has been fab! My oncologist is great and everyone at the Conley centre is so friendly. The Big C is a fantastic place, I haven’t been in recently but in the early days it was a great place for information, or just somewhere friendly to ‘hang out’ between appointments. I did the scarf tying workshop and the look good feel better session, both helped hugely in making me feel confident going out with the headscarf on!!! Having four children I still had to do the school run etc so had to make the best of a bad situation!
So it would appear there are a few ‘Norfolkians’ out there
Hi Churl,
I to am from Attleborough, I was diagnosed in Dec 2011 then had treatment in 2012 at NNUH we may even have been having treatment at the same time.
Jane
Just to say that I will be thinking of you on Wednesday Susieseaside64 so if you fancy spending your coffee voucher over at Waitrose one lunchtime Tues, Wed or Thursday please let me know as I have been there, done it, and come out the other side with the scars to prove it!!! Seriously, next Monday the 11th of March, will be exactly 2 years since I ound ‘my lump’ and my world seemingly turned upside down. Here I am 2 years later with hair and a gorgeous grandson Max who was born on December 15th so life is soooo much now than 2 years ago. This Thursday is my birthday too so another cause for celebration.
Can I just extend my invitation to coffee at Waitrose in Wymondham to anybody out there who would like to meet up? Just message me and I am sure we can sort something out so look forward to hearing from you! I work in Wymondahm, live in Thetford and regularly visit Bury St Edmunds, but thankfully my visits are now social as opposed to chemo or herceptin!
As for the Big C Centre, it is a resource for everybody as all our needs differ and they have a really good selection of reading matter that you can borrow or peruse. Just by going you will be supporting the centre which will enable it to be there for future users.
Yes, there are lots of us Norfolkians out there - even if some of us are very south of the county and have their treatment in Suffolk so once again - 3 cheers for the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds where I had all my treatment, other than my rads which were done at the NNUH.
Thank goodness that we are well served here in East Anglia by the NHS
xxx
Sounds a good plan Mazzalou. Will let you know after results so can I plan again - hurray! XXX
Hi Norfolk ladies
Results pretty good today as still no invasive cells but need more clearance so have to go back for more surgery on 28/3 then rads after.
Anyone fancy descending on Waitrose cafe in Wymondham next week? I can fit in with you Mazzalou.
Sue x
Well done on your good news Sue. I can do Tues, Wed or Thursday lunchtime next week in Waitrose and then I have 2 weeks off so it would be lovely to meet up before your surgery and Rads. I can go to lunch anytime between 12 and 2 so let me know what is good for you. If you message me I’ll let you have my home email address if easier to arrange something.
Anybody else out there who wants to join us please - the more the merrier?
Looking forward to seeing you Sue - I know what you look like from your photo so let’s hope that the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland doesn’t turn up too to confuse me!!!
xx
How do I message you Mazzalou?
How do I message you Mazzalou?
Just click on messages which you will find to the left-hand side of this page near to the top under the heading People. click on the tab -New Message’ and be sure type in Mazzalou in the recipients box with the message you want to send to me. You can always type your email address in there and then we can communicate via emails which is probably much easier!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon Susie
xxx
When I click on ‘Messages’ I just get ‘No messages available’ and no tabs! Thaat’s what confused me yesterday…
Good job we are planning ahead!
Not sure if you have cracked it yet Susie but I have messaged you so you should receive an email too to let you know. You can also log in and check your messages here. hope to hear f rom you soon
Hi
If anybody else is around Waitrose in Wymondham on Tuesday around 1pm perhaps you might like to join Susieseaside64 and me for coffee.
The more the merrier!
Hi ladies another Norfolk dumpling just been dx this month I am at kings Lynn my daughter works at NNUH but I am at QEH had mx mon results next week .i am 52 married for 34 years 2 children 2and a half grandchildren
Hello nanniereeree
Love the name by the way!
I’m having treatement at NNUH and so far it’s all been good. Staff have been lovely. How has it been at QEH?
I had my second WLE Thurday - no date for results as yet. Hopefully within a couple of weeks.
Half a Grandchild??? I am intrigued…
Hope your results are ok.
Sue x