Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Rita happy you are back home after successful surgery and now it's just a case of rest rest rest oh and more rest. i was told well before surgery that it would be a DIEP/muscle Soaring TRAM. Did surgeon not say beforehand? Mine was an immediate recon and have had confirmation that I will be having RADS. So wish me luck girlies as I have to get through 15 off the things! Date not confirmed yet. Dani X ... View more

Joan - I am positive the results will be ok. We are all here for each other. big hug. XX ... View more

Meant from the heart Lydia. Keep smiling. You have a lovely smile so KEEP smiling pretty lady. Love and hugs. X ... View more

Beryl - thanks for sharing re RADS. Deep down I know that the treatment will help in lowering recurrence rate, I just question everything. I take it your sister had radiotherapy after her recon? I'm waiting for the phone call to tell me planning day and then it will be 15 sessions of Rads.... it's a week since i started Tamoxifen and haven't felt any SE's however still early days I suppose. I read that the weight gain is actually water retention and am wondering whether diuretics may help. Have booked appointment to discuss with GP today. Any dark thoughts that anyone of us have should securely tighten them in a box and leave them there. Yes we are angry/frustrated/sad about our diagnosis BUT we have to make the most of our lives and treat each day as a blessing... We have met here for a reason and we have a bond that many would envy. I am looking forward to meeting all in November and raising a glass to celebrate our resilience and fortitude. i send love and happy thoughts to ALL my March Girls. Dani XX ... View more

MMorning well done Ceej although I'm not instilled with confidencas with your being strapped up like a chicken?? I meet rads specialist today to discuss my treatment. Not really wanting rads but was told I will need 15 sessions. He will have to convince me I need it! Lydia good luck with flying course! love to all Dani Xx ... View more

Morning Marchies Saw my surgeon yesterday. Breast healing nicely although consultant had checked tummy wound and tells me there's a knot in one of the stitches and my body's not happy about it. He has given me antibiotics just in case of infection. He's also dressed it with inadine to keep it infection free. I feel perfectly ok and he said any problems to call him. Not slept too well as I'm conscious of the scar and feels like I'm pulling on it! I see him again in 6 weeks and hopefully by then will have healed even more. Can't stand the lack of sleep! I jumped out of bed yesterday and caught my big toe nail on sheet which snapped in half and has surprised me as my toe nails have kept strong. My finger nails are getting better and ridges almost gone. I strongly advise ladies thinking of having acrylics not to as it will harm the nails even more! Best to keep them free of gels and have normal manicure. Obviously you don't have to listen to my advice. Sassy1 welcome to our thread and I can empathise with you as my treatment included neo adjacent chemotherapy so don't hesitate to pm me with any questions. Thinking about you all my lovely Marchies and hope you all have a good weekend. Love Dani X ... View more

Hello Marchies Back from Cornwall last night and although the break did me good I still haven't been able to have a full night's sleep. Developed a rash on my reconstructed breast however local GP in Falmouth said was likely a heat rash. Either way seeing PS on Thursday so will have clearer picture from him. Am seeing ONC on 18th to discuss SUPREMO trial as I need to know whether I will have RADS and of course she will prescribe Tamoxifen as my path report came back Q8 ER+ Joan - thank you for organising and paying deposit for meal. Could you inbox me the link so I can see food choices please? Xx Sockless - so glad you're recovering well and you must be pleased with path report. Mine was grade 2 3.5 cm with micromet in 1/20 nodes. Had DCIS too which is the reason why had MX.Have electric shock pains in my underarm which is annoying but I do the exercises religiously. Hope your recovery continues well. Xx I hope the rest of the Marchies are feeling stronger! Love Danigirl XX ... View more

No problem Liz, Let us know how you get on and we're here to support each other. Will let you know how I get on Thursday too. Take care. Dani X ... View more

I would call your Surgeon's secretary and try to bring your appointment forward. I would also call your GP for extra reassurance. Dani X ... View more

Hi Judes I had DIEP/Muscle sparing TRAM however mine was an immediate recon. I am 6 weeks post surgery and although I would've preferred not to be faced with choosing which procedure to go for on top of diagnosis I can say that I am glad I made this choice. I knew that I didn't want an implant and my Surgeon recommended DIEP. I needed tummy fat and as I had finished chemo I'd already put on some weight. The cons are: long hours under general, long recovery time post surgery The Pros: you have 2 breasts and both your own body, less complications with rejection and a flat tummy. Hope you get more ladies posting on here for you. Take care. Dani x ... View more

Hi Liz From my experience of DIEP I can say categorically it has not affected sensation and I can always tell when bladder is full. Don't be fobbed off by registrar and demand answers! I'm seeing my PS on Thursday for 6 week follow up and need to know for sure if the rash was to do with heat as it's now just a pinkish colour just on the side of the breast and not all around it. Let us know how you get on. Take care. Dani xx ... View more

Evening Marchies. It's my last night in Cornwall and it's been a lovely get away especially after my surgery. I'm saddened to hear that Scotties has passed away and my heart goes out to those he's left behind. God takes the special ones early. RIP Scotties. Joan thank you for asking after me as I appreciate all you are doing for us Marchies and looking forward to meeting in November. Thinking of you all. Love Danigirl Xx ... View more

Hello ladies Iweek going to be 6 weeks on Minday since my surgery andwounds healing well. We're in Cornwall enjoying the hot weather although went to local GP as had rash on my reconstructed breast. Doctior said it was a heat rash and to take Piriton... I'm seeing my PS on Thursday so hope he says the same. Will let you know how I get on. Hope all ok. Dani X ... View more

Hello Marchies Apologies for not posting sooner and in reply to Joan I will be joining you in the evening too in our November get together. Am recovering well from surgery and wounds are healing although can still see couple of stitches that haven't fallen out yet. Been told they will at some point. My next appointment with PS is 13th however my OH is taking me to Cornwall Wednesday for 5 days and am grateful of the time away for change of scenery. I have oncologist appointment booked for 21st but am looking to get it brought forward as I want to know more about the clinical trial SUPREMO with regards radiotherapy. We celebrated my OH's birthday this weekend and safe to say he is recovered after much alcohol induced partying! He said it will be a birthday (and year) he will never forget. To all who are recovering from surgery stay strong and to all who have finished Rads or about to embark on first course well done on getting this far. Enjoy the Indian Summer! Love Dani XX ... View more

Carmy I feel so bad for You but am with you. Please don't worry and remind yourself that all the treatment you're having is to make you better. I remember when I was a little girl I was vitamin deficient as I wouldn't eat very much and as much as I hated having injections (in my bottom) I got through it. I know the picture that they have painted for brachiotherapy is bad BUT you will get through it! I know you will. Don't be scared as we are all there with you. Just as Wintersocks has got through her surgery and just as we all have got through our treatment, you will get through this. Sending you love. Dani XX ... View more

Carmy, What a pleasure to read your post.. You sound truly a selfless and sensitive woman and I fully intend doing the Camino next Summer as part of my re-evaluation and healing. If you are unable to come to UK to meet up with us then I'm sure we can plan a trip to see you? Lots of love and big hug. Dani XXXXXX ... View more

Dear Marchies Have been reading posts whilst recuperating from recent surgery... Some posts have been quite sad to read and others very uplifting. I wanted to share this very informative article with you as I can relate to most of the content especially since my diagnosis back in February I have re-evaluated my life... Something I probably would never have done in deed but only in thought. The diagnosis has made me appreciate so much more than I ever did and I want to help/volunteer the best way I can for those who are unable to cope with the realities of breast cancer. http://bit.ly/PgaCaZ I have made a to do list of things I want to accomplish one being Camino de Santiago - http://www.followthecamino.com/ It's a pilgrimage that I will dedicate to all breast cancer survivors and victims. I'm also looking forward to meeting you all in November. You're all in my thoughts. Dani XX ... View more

Morning Marchies Healing process after big surgery is going well apart from the odd heavy feeling in recon breast. As I have been told to rest and do nothing it's a very frustrating time as I just want to get on with my life and days just merge into one. The affected armpit where all nodes were taken is still tingly and numb but have been told the arm exercises have to be done religiously so try to do them at least 3 times a day. Everyone tells me how well I'm doing and that they're surprised I'm up and walking so well. It would drive me crazy not to be able to at least walk to the shops and back so have made a pact with myself to go out for at least half an hour a day to keep me sane. Today is the day I don't have to wear dressings and I hope the scars heal even quicker as the tummy scar is pretty red still and although I've stopped being squeamish I want it to start fading away. To each and every Marchie I send love and hugs. My thoughts are with those who are having/have had a particularly rough time. Remember that as each day passes we are a day closer to being healed and being ourselves again. Love Dani XX ... View more

Hello Marchies Firstly may I say hello to Scottie and to say sorry he has joined our club but he's in excellent company! I never experienced the dizziness but I echo what my other fellow Marchies say and to speak to your oncologist about your symptoms. WS - Well, had call from BCN this morning and they all agreed I was borderline for radiotherapy still 50/50 BUT they want to know if I'd be interested in participating in a new trial called SUPREMO trial. I will see my oncologist in 2 weeks (date to be confirmed) to discuss further. When are you back from London? Wish I was there with you. All the best for next Tuesday and must say how from one hospital to another how much they vary in their practices. I came home on the 5th day with all 4 drains and although they were a pain I wanted to be home rather than stay in hospital. KQ - well done on reaching the end of that blasted chemo. I'm on my iPhone and will take me an age to scroll back to all posts BUT I send my love and virtual hugs to all and hope the journey is getting easier... Take care Dani XX ... View more

Hi Lyn Just received call from BCN who advised me that the MDT had a meeting this morning to discuss whether or not I need radiotherapy. I had 1 lymph node involved out of 20 and 1cm clear margin away from the skin at the site of the tumour. The tumour was in my milk duct 3.5cm and DCIS 5cm. She told me the team agreed that there was still 50/50 chance of radiotherapy and asked if I'd consider going on the Supremo Trial. I will be seeing my oncologist in 2 weeks to discuss however I am 14 days post MX and recon so still recovering. Will have to discuss with oncologist before I makeantsy decision. Dani x ... View more