Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Janey, I had a hickman line fitted 4 years ago. It was def more that a local because i don,t remeber them doing it. A friend of mine didn,t have anaesthetic and she said she wouldn,t advise it as it was quite painful. Having it removed i seem to remember was local and once you have the initial injection, you just feel pulling sensations, no real pain. Hope this helps Rosie x ... View more

Hi Elinda, Thats very interesting. I bought some coconut oil back in 2007, because I had heard somewhere it stimulated hair to grow back, so i used to rub into my head. I don,t know how true that is, my hair would probably have grown back on its own anyway! However, its now out of date so i will buy some more. Rosie x ... View more

Hi ladies, Thanks for all the info. I priced the Dermatix at Boots and it was 29.99! I will be heading down to my doctors next week! I will also check out the Diprobase. Ann, you made me laugh about reading the labels. I have prescription glasses that i need to bring out for occasions like that. Its so irritating isn,t it? Thanks again, Rosie x ... View more

Thanks Dotchas, I will look into the Dermatix gel. There are probably paraben free moisturisers in places like Holland and Barrett. I def won,t be using the E45 on my scars now. Rosie x ... View more

Hi beetle, I was offered the cold cap at first. When i actually went for the chemo, the nurse there put doubts in my mind about those 'little blighters'.Although no one can say for sure. So with that in mind, plus the extra 4 hours i would have to be there (its long enough anyway), i opted not to have it. My hair started coming out after the second and third chemo. I bought two nice wigs (the nhs paid part). I even had a comment from a complete stranger on what a nice colour my 'hair' was! I found i could get ready in half the time i used to take! That was four years ago. My hair has now grown back as before, fine, straight, and still takes me a long time to style, i e rollers, tongs etc.. Good luck. Rosie x ... View more

Hi there, I had ld op with expander implant in october. I was in hosp for a week. I needed to go back to hosp 3 times as fluid built up on my back, but it was easily drained and is very common (u cant feel it). Expect to be quite tired at first, keep doing the exercises they give you in hosp, and when wounds are fully healed, rub vit e oil or similar on them every day. I was driving after 5 weeks, and feel fine now, just need a few minor adjustments in the coming months. I did go for extra physio to help with my shoulder/arm movements, but you may not need to do that. Take care, and good luck. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your experience. Hope you are recovering well. Did your consultant advise you not to do certain things during your recovery time, or are you able to carry on as normal? I wonder if anyone knows the advantage of swopping saline implants for silicone. Take care, Rosie x ... View more

Hi Anna, One of the consultants did tell me early on that i would have the implant changed for a different shaped one (the one that suits a more mature woman! - although he didnt say that!) However, it was my own consultant who seems to think the shape at moment is fine. I actually dont, because my natural one is a bit smaller at the moment and not as rounded. I dont know how he plans to move the implant over - one of a long list of questions. With regards the silicone/saline, i thought silicone were supposed to be softer and a more natural shape, but saline were more prone to wrinkle and are heavier (thats just what i,ve read) Like you, i would be interested to hear other ladies views on this. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Anna, Thanks for that. It is very similar to me. Do you know yet when you will be having this op. Perhaps we can compare notes! Take care, Rosie x ... View more

Hi Truffle shuffle, Glad everything went well eventually for you, and it was not the expander causing you problems. Just wondering as i believe you had your op last may, are you keeping your expander in permanently? Have you had your port removed? I was led to believe i would have my expander changed for a different shaped permanent implant, then when i saw consultant in Dec he said he may not change implant, but would move it slightly over and then remove port, and 'tidy' me up! I'm slightly concerned about this as i feel the implant now is more rounded than my natural breast. I dont see him again till end of march, so will know more then. Take care, Rosie x ... View more

Hi there, I had right ld with implant 3 half months ago. Three and a half years ago i had mastect with lymph node clearance. It is a very big decision to make, but for me, as i am slim, it was the only option they recommended. I would say do your homework and let an oncoplastic surgeon do the job, not a general surgeon. My arm movements are getting better all the time and i have just started back swimming gently (never played tennis). I have not yet gone back to jiving, but did do about 4 mths after mastect. Good luck, Rosie x ... View more

Hi Looploo and Anna14, I had ld recon with expander implant in October. I was worried about arm movements and such, so i asked doc to be referred to a physio. I ended up actually being referred through the breast unit. I really think this has helped me a lot, with the sort of exercises they help you with. Might be worth a try. I also rub oil on my recon and back scar twice a day and today i have been swimming for the first time since op. It was a strange feeling so i took it easy, doing half lengths then stopping, but was pleased that i had taken the plunge, literally! Truffle shuffle, will be interested how you went on at clinic, as i too have an expander. Hope it went well. Take care, Rosie x ... View more

Hi CharlieChoo, I had ld with implant 9 weeks ago, was in hosp 7 days then drains came out. I was automatically made an apt for 2 weeks later, where they drained a build up of fluid on my back and checked the wound. I was told, if, between check ups, my back gets uncomfortable, i should ring for ano apt to get it checked and drained if necessary. It did and i had it drained another 2 times. It sounds to me like you need to be seen if its uncomfortable. Insist that you are seen and dont be fobbed off. I know they say inserting a needle can cause infection, and they dont like to do it too much, but lots of ladies have it done for quite a few weeks. Good luck Rosie x ... View more

Hi Fiona, I had ld flap with expander put in 7 weeks ago. My first inflation was also done two weeks after op, with 50mls saline. That was fine. Two weeks later another 50mls - that wasnt fine, tightness and feeling of cramp in side after for days. They were going to make me ano apt for 2 weeks, but luckily my plastic surgeon came in and said, we have to take it slowly, so i go in another month. However, i will not let them put another 50mls in and will suggest half as much, as now i know what my body can take. It is your body - you make the decision. Good luck. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Mounties, What is your next op? Is it to have expander changed for a permanent better shaped implant? That is what is going to happen with me, although i have no idea of time scale. I,m a little concerned that i am going to be lopsided for quite a while and wondered how to disguise this. Did you have that problem? I will have to get my hubby to massage scar also, tho not yet as the whole area is still too tender for anyone but me to touch. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Mounties, Just seen my b c nurse, who reassured me. I didn,t have any saline taken out, but need to really massage the scar on back now as it is a bit puckered. I had a few other little niggles that she addressed. I don,t think i could have stood having so much in like you did in such a short space of time - ouch! B c nurse did say, next time if i,m not comfortable having so much put in, then say so. You helped to reassure me, thanks. Rosie x ... View more

Hi Mounties, Thanks for replying. My back is still very tight, so will go to see my bc nurse next wk. Can I ask you how much you had put in at each expansion and how far apart each one was? Its very difficult isn,t it because you want to know that what you are feeling is normal, but i suppose everyone is different. Thanks again. Rosie x ... View more