Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Kelley ---I had an imediate lat dirsi recon and had a really good quick recovery. All was well and I went back to work after 4 months. My problems started further down the line. They are not completely resolved but bit by bit I am getting back to my old self. It is two years today since I went in for my mastectomy so I am feeling quite relieved I have moved on so far!!! Suex ... View more

---For Mcgle ---Good luck with it, whenever you decide to go back. Suex ... View more

Hi Kelley ---It was getting a lot better but I had a bit of a set back with recon problems and had to have another operation in November. Then I had another lump scare in my remaining breast, so it all knocked my confidence again. It made me think how easy it would be for everything to go pear shaped again. But like they say if at first you fall off the horse, get back on and try again(sorry am horsey as well)! I am getting back to full strength again slowly but still have a few problems with my recon. There is nothing like children to make you snap back from a\" feel sorry for myself day\" though!!!!! Suex ... View more

Hi mcgle ---Found your post about teaching interesting. I went back to teaching 4 months after my mastectomy and found my confidence had gone, I had lost the ability to plan and organise myself. I was ok with the kids because they just carry on as if nothing has changed. Thats the wonderful thing about being 5 or 6 years old, very few worries and I found they just brought me back to reality!! 18 months down the line now and I feel like I am still not completely back to my pre bc self. I have lost the sparkle and energy(ho ho) I used to have. I am getting there but it seems to be taking a long time and I am hoping I will get there in the end. One strange thing I have noticed is I keep forgetting how to spell the simplest of words!! I have a dictionary close by especially in literacy hour!!! I am sure you will be ok but it will be getting that first day over with that will be the worst. The thing I think was the hardest for me was that you have to give it your all, there is no gentle breaking in process. You are there with 30 children to teach and no one can lighten the task. It is all or nothing!!!!!! Suex ... View more

mamogram ---Looking on the mamogram they showed me lots if white specks with more in some areas than others but the dcis was more or less scattered throughout my breast. From the path report it seemed that some areas were more aggressive (they said it was comedo form) than others. I was told I had no choice but to have a mastectomy because it was so wides spread. There is some thing about it all that I cannot get my head around though, no matter how hard I try. I don\'t know why it did not show up in the mamogram 8 months earlier. Can dcis appear that quick? Suex ... View more

congratulations ---Glad it is over for you time to treat yourself I think!!!!!!!!!!!! Suex ... View more

yes ---Have just been put on tamoxifen and was told by doc to be aware that there is a slightly higher risk of DVT when taking it. Unfortunately there is very little chance I will be flying to warmer climes in the near future!!!!!!!!!!!! Suex ... View more

Good Luck ---Just wanted to wish you luck for your interview. I too am a primary school teacher. I had a lot of time off due to a thyroid illness, then bc and reconstruction and to top it all I had trouble with recon and had to have a further operation. I just felt awful. I try to book hospital appointments in the holidays but so often the hospital change them because consultants want to be off with there children(and who can blame them)! I had an appointment last week at the hospital(booked specially for half term) to check another lump but unfortunately they did a biopsy so I have to go back for results on Tuesday. I am not looking forward to telling the head I need the afternoon off!!! Although I have to say work has been very supportive. I hope all goes well for you I will keep my fingers crossed. Suex ... View more

hi ---Know what you mean! I was told I was lucky to have dcis and only a mastectomy. I myself, would rather not have had anything. Don\'t get me wrong I know it could have been a lot worse and I know I got off very lightly (thankgoodness). Although I am waiting for test results at the moment so I just hope my \"luck\" doesn\'t run out!!! Before I started with bc I also had a severe thyroid problem so I feel for your daughter. It is such a difficult condition to go through. I don\'t think there is a part of your body which it doesn\'t affect!! Anyway all the best to both of you suex ... View more

I agree Prescription charges are far from fair. I have thyroid problems and when it was overactive I had to pay, then they gave me radioactive iodine made it underactive now I dont have to pay! So luckily I got all my prescriptions free when I had the treatment for bc. But I don\'t understand the reasoning behind which conditions qualify for free prescriptions. Is it because the medication will be needed for life? Suex ... View more

still there ---Just went onto this morning and the article is still there under the health thread, I thought they had taken it off!!!!! If they had anything about them they should replace it with an apology!! ... View more

---I have read the diary on web site and understand why she is having chemo. Sorry that will teach me to miss bits of programs ! ... View more

confused ---Because I did not see the whole article I missed what sort of bc she has. I thought I heard her say something about it not being invasive???? I am just wondering if it is not invasive why she is having chemo?Or did I hear them wrong. Anyway I should be really looking forward to my afternoon at the breast clinic!!!!! (sorry for the sarcasm)! Suex ... View more

Yes ---I am just killing time waiting to go to the breast clinic this afternoon (new lump to check) and I just saw the back end of the article. I know what you are saying I was speechless and I only saw the first bit. My immediate thoughts were that she will not be saying it is the best kind of cancer to get in a few months time!!! I would say count to 10 but probably a hundred won\'tbe enough!!!! Suex ... View more

hi ---Thanks for that have just read your other post. I am going back to clinic for a new lump looking at this afternoon so I will ask them about it!!! Suex ... View more

tests Just been watching Richard and Judy and they were talking about Herceptin and HER status of bc and it got me thinking. Is it only invasive bc that is tested for all these things? Or would they test DCIS? I only remember them telling me it was comedo type but nothing else. Anyone know any more about it? suex ... View more

Hi I seem to be on a roll tonight this is my third post!! While we are talking biopsy, has anyone gone through the experience of a stereo biopsy? I had one after the initial FNA and core biopsy. All the best to you all Suex ... View more

Hi ---Again well done on your first post. I also know what you mean. I have implant in my left side and there has been no checks done on this side since it was put there, except a quick feel of the implant at checkups. I have quite a bit of pain in the side with the implant but because I had DCIS the docs think there is no chance of any cancer returning there. I have to trust there judgement I guess but I tell them at every visit I still have pain! They seem to have decided it is now in my mind!! All the best SueX ... View more

Hi Mole It is interesting to hear the info on DCIS I had it a couple of years ago and because it was wide spread I had to have a mastectomy. The one thing I have never understood is how it developed so quick. It was 8 months between my two mamograms. The first was totally clear, 8 months later it was so bad I needed a mastectomy. I am picking your brains here but do you know how quick it can develop? Sue ... View more