Breast Cancer Now Forum

arhh Coralie ..sorry to hear that youve been a bit blue , you could have phoned me . I dont think it matters that youve had an emotional few days .. I cant say I know why it happens after such a successful op  , perhaps its just relief . I think sometimes we just get on with things and its the volcano effect ..only so much getting on with it before we have to let it go . You have had an emotional roller coaster dont forget . I remember years ago I had a D&C and I had a weep the day after ...a nurse said "Why are you crying ?" and I said " because I want to " ha what an answer but it was the truth ..  Dont beat yourself  up kiddo if you want to cry ..let it go !! And youre prob still worrying about your pending histology . Enjoy your friends .. take care ..Big hugs and fairy dust for you today xxxxx ... View more

Hi Girls  As long as your suture lines are free from infection and dry ..without any open areas . Youll be fine with a bath . just  dont have the water too hot and avoid any bubble baths or scented soap that may irritate skin .  It will too early for you Coralie ..but Schumi you should be ok .  I am a nurse and thats what I would advise my patients about bathing after surgery . Im just not great at giving myself advice ha .. I still need the reassurances that everyone does . Thats why Im in a dilemna over my tum ...trying to decide if its a strain or something brewing , but Im sensible enough not to leave it too long if it doesnt settle by end of week .  Best wishes and big hugs xxx ... View more

Omg Ali my list of to dos was so long and I was going to do everything before my op ha ..... needless to say it all still needs doing ! Ill get round to it  eventually  ... as Im sure you will eventually too ha ha . Best made plans eh !! ...  Dont worry Ill only be admiring the weeds .. and while my tum is bothering me Ill only be admiring everything else aswell .  Glad to hear youre back at work ,hope its going ok . Take care . Big hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Schumi  I will get myself checked out if it doesnt settle ...Im no martyr ha . Iv been sleeping on my side now for a few weeks ...at first I was just pushing pillows and cushions where they needed to be to relieve any pressure or discomfort . I went from two pillows under my knees to one , and now Im using two / three behind my head . I think Id be down to two but  for this damn cough so although Im on my side Im still sort of propped up a bit . I know the pillows under your knees is a pain but you might find even when you go over on your side you may still need to use them under your legs a bit . I found my tummy seemed to pull too much without having my legs raised slightly . Youll just wiggle around till you get comfy .. theres no right or wrong way .  Its mad though the things you worry about .. I was bit concerned that Id flatten my boob if I lay on it ha .. or  by being in a sports bra day and night Id end up with a pancake boob squashed to my chest lol ..  And the cream ... Im sure they said once the scabs have dried and are starting to come off .. so not on any open areas . I started with bio oil which didnt agree with  my skin , aqeous was the same and then I tried a garnier lotion that Iv used for couple of years ... all made me itch .  So after asking for advice on here .. I ended up with good old vaseline and antihistamine ( latter not needed now) . Its good to  know youre looking  at the ironing ... if you were unwell or low youd have no motivation at all ...so its a positive sign ha ... but yes youll have to resist the temptation even though its killing you ha ha .. Youll have to sport the Schumi crinkle cut  look ...and start a trend .  Speak soon . Big hugs xxx   ... View more

Thanks Mrs B .. how clever is nipple sparing ...the things you learn on here is amazing .  Not sure if a t shirt on a cold day really makes much difference to me ha .. but Ill certainly enquire about  the technique when the time comes.  Iv got my plan to have the mastoplexy when I have the nipple recon however it will be towards end of year . My new boob looks so much better than I expected it to , so once the other  is symmetrical I should be very pleased with the result . Looking good bra less sounds fab  to me . Thank you for your reply . xx ... View more

Hi Coralie  Youre still sounding bright which is great . I expect you and Schumi have found yourselves a nice comfy speck to sit and watch TV lol .. well I hope you have , not that I wish you to become couch potatoes but I discovered theres not an awful lot else that you can do sitting down most of the day . And you do need to rest to recover .  If you read my thread to Ali you will see Iv developed a discomfort , Im keeping my fingers crossed I havent strained myself . Ill be pig sick if I have because Iv been pretty cautious  and for now  itll be back to being super cautious again ! . Big hugs girls Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Ali  Its prob as Coralie says .. itll stay with us . But I suppose its trying to train your brain not to dwell too much on what was before .. I am not a worrier  by nature  at all but I have found myself thinking if they find anything in my other breast Ill have to have the tissue from my back ... Whats all that about ?? Im not even fully recovered from this one .!! So I guess yes thats what happens and hopefully with time the thoughts of what if and next time ( cant believe I even think this ) will go away .  My recovery is going well , Im doing all what I should be doing and trying not to get too cocky .. I did notice today that I have got a discomfort in my upper tum off centre left side ..three fingers down from ribs . Im hoping its a bit of muscle strain and not a  slight hernia or something forming. Iv had no problems at all since coming out of hospital . I will be keeping an eye on it and Iv put my corset back on . The trouble is Iv had an irritating cough snce new year and Im hoping it hasnt caused a weakness . Other than that Im ok . Cabin fever setting in a bit ..I feel so well in myself so Im itching to get back to normality and pottering around house doing ..not a lot and it  is starting to drive me nuts . Iv done a good bit of lunches and wandering around shops ha .. and Im not ungrateful but Im looking at garden thinking I could be out there pulling the dead bits out.  Aswell I could be sorting the loft out and giving the house a good clean ha ... the normally boring jobs suddenly seem important and exciting ha . Anyway keep chatting Ali ..its good to hear how youre getting on  Big hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Deverstated   I wanted you to know that Id read your post . I really cant express how sorry i am that youve had such a rotten journey and for so long . Im sure that you have approached everyone that you could for help and support so I honestly cannot offer any advice . I can only say I am listening ... Big hugs Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Ali  dont think Iv been called a warrior woman before ha ...that s a first . I know what you mean though we're a tough lot and we dont give in ! Its fab to be able to come on here and chat to each other ..keeping one another  other going . Youre sounding positive  Ali , which is great to hear .... and Im certain youre a warrior too . Big hugs xxx ... View more

Hi Poppyfields  Hope you dont mind but theres a lady on here asking if anyone knows of nursing agency in Marbella .. my geography of Spain not great . But I thought of you straight away ...Im sure youre in Spain , forgive me if Iv got it wrong . Shes on the just diagnosed thread . Steph xx ... View more

Hi Maxi  First of all Im sorry that you have found yourself on here but trust me if youre going to get any comfort it will be on here ..that might sound strange but it really is a comforting place .  No youre definately not going mad ..its sounds as though you feel everything is surreal . Im sure thats pretty normal too . I felt my journey was surreal and even now Im 8 weeks post op mx and diep it still feels unreal that I had BC .  I initially thought the serenity was a phase and it would end and I would break down and cry but I havent ! .  I dont even think about what I feel now let alone worry about it . Im just concentrating on getting my fitness back so I can return to work and hopefully normality .. I was asked today if I thought differently about life now and I said that I didnt know .. and truthfully I dont know .  All I do know is when I was diagnosed I did hear the word cancer loud and clear ..but it didnt change me as a person and everything was out of my control so all I could do was trust what Id been told , listen to the options and make my choices and believe that Id made the right ones . The only other thing for me was to get on with my life as best I could and ride with the good and bad days . I was very fortunate in my journey compared to many many women on here . Nevertheless I completely understand how you may feel its all a mistake and this isnt real ... I hope that youre ok . Its good news that the node biopsy was clear . You are being listened to ..keep talking Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Pineapples and Maria  Iv been reading your threads . I really am sending you best wishes and hugs . Cant imagine what youre feeling I can only guess its a very scary place  . I was very fortunate that I have only needed surgery but Iv met lots of women who have also walked in your shoes and some still are ...its amazing how strong they are and there is /has been light at the end of the tunnel . Good luck girlies ..thinking of you xxx ... View more

Hi Girlies  Thank you to those who offered me advice . Just thought Id let you know what sorted my skin out in the end . I went to doctors and asked if a hydrocortisone cream would be an option . She was not keen as she felt the steroid had too many risks to thin the skin , so she gave me a strong antihistamine . I  also started to apply good old vaseline . Now a few weeks down,  the rash has faded and no itch at all . Im not brave enough to attempt any other hydration cream so its still vaseline and  as it is greasy I bought some mens cotton hankies and cut them into squares ... I put a piece over my boob inside my bra . ...so hey presto no greasy bra . It works for me !  I would never have thought to try vaseline only for this site . I guess its all trial and error but its so useful to have options to try and who could be better to ask other than the girlies on here . mwah Steph xx ... View more

Hi Coralie  Its a shame youve come out in blisters . Oddly quite a few women say they get itchy skin , some like you wonder if its a reaction to medication . I had some blisters where I had the clear plaster holding pump and drains in place . Later I ended up with itchy skin around suture line on tum and on boob . Its only just calmed down about a week ago when I started on a antihistamine and plain old vaseline to hydrate . So def keep on with the piriton otherwise itll drive you bonkers ...as Im sure you dont need me to tell you ha . Speak soon ..you seem to be doing really well ..keep it up love n hugs Steph xx   ... View more

Hi Coralie  Youre doing fab you really are ...cant believe youre on here chatting . Thanks for bra tip .. Im not actually having a problem at moment with what Im wearing as i finally settled with sports bras . Im just in dilemna about when to return to normal bras and should I continue to wear a bra in bed . I never did  before so its a bit alien to me and Id rather not .  Hi Schumi ..yes please any advice you come across please share . I guess its prob down to once scars have healed and individual preference . But if there is any guidance I will follow it ...dont see the point of going through all this extensive surgery and then risk hacking up the wonderful results . My daughter has double cups like you had ..and I know she would love to go down a few cups so Im gauging you on her and she does have discomfort too ... so Im glad youre happy with your outcome . Im not too bothered about under wired bras Iv always worn them ,  for me that s not the issue . But I am pleased with the result regardless ...the plastic surgeons are incredibly gifted and I am so grateful .  Big hugs Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Schumi  Im butting in on your thread Im afraid . The subject of bras !  Its the one aspect that I havent quite got my head around . Iv had a recon and have been in sports bras day and night since .  I tried to get some pre op and it was a disaster the cups were ok but the swelling around me wouldnt allow them to fasten . So they ended up a waste of money .  Im still in sports bras but very soon Ill be  getting back to work etc ...so what is the advice about type of bras ...when to stop relying on the sports bras .. how long to wear them for bed .. When is it ok to go back into under wired bras . I have asked these questions before and nobody really came forward .  Any ideas or advice welcome Steph xx ... View more

Flipping heck Coralie ..no mercy there 12 till 8  on day 1 !! . Thats pretty cruel ha . My hospital was obviously soft .. I dont think I did 8 hours after 5 days .  Anyway glad you havent had to go back to theatre .. I think youve had enough anaesthetic lately lol ...you cant be greedy .  You sound as though youre doing amazing . Big hugs Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Rosie  Its good to be able to share experiences thank you . And yes I too get tired even though I do sleep well at night . My tiredness comes if Iv exerted myself in the day .and twice this week Iv been out wandering around the shopping centre and eaten out ...it catches me out the following day .  This made  me wonder if Id be ready to return to work in four weeks ,.so I changed my goal to the end of March now instead of the beginning and as I said concentrating on my exercise and fitness until then .  I hope you get some sleep soon and the diep procedure works well for you . Good luck with your recovery . I always have a little look on this site .. although my journey has been less traumatic than lots of the ladies ...being able to come on here has been a massive support . So I can only say thank you Steph xx ... View more

Hi Rosie  just read your post .. poor you still struggling all this time . Its bad enough youve had to go through the failed implants and now to have a diep with no sleep . Im nearly 8 weeks post op from my diep and Im beginning to realise how very fortunate Iv been . I now sleep like a baby again and Im getter flatter in the bed and sleep comfortably on my side ...still using a few extra pillows . I did have some issues with itchy skin .. now resolved with vaseline and odd antihistamines . Thanks to advice from the ladies on here .  Im now working on my exercises and trying to stretch the scar tissue . Stomach still tight and tightness under my boob . Physio asked me how I was doing ? I said I think  fine but how do I measure progress ha I dont know what Im gauging on .  Anyway Im being good and getting stuck into them so I can resume normality . My 15 year old grandson has just come in and found me on the floor lol .. needless to say he justs thinks Im mentally unbalanced as he cant get the neccessity . Steph xxx ... View more

Hi Poppyfields  Glad to hear you sounding positive and in good spirits . Fab news that all is going well . Big hugs xxx ... View more