Breast Cancer Now Forum

It's good that they have given you some antibiotics just to be on the safe side. Just try to rest and I'm sure everything will be fine. I have never liked the term 'flap' either, but I think they just mean the disc of the skin that has been transplanted and not the whole boob - that's my understanding anyway. I made a joke that they must have used a melon scoop to get it out of such a small whole and was told 'something like that!!!!' I have actually seen a You Tube video of the procedure since having my operation and it really is quite amazing what they do (not to be watched beforehand though lol!!) - my curiosity got the better of me and I'm not terribly squeamish 🙂 I found that my boob took quite a while to settle into some kind of shape that wasn't doughnut shaped, but it is definitely very much like my normal boob now - just no nipple, but that doesn't bother me at all. LB, I have increased my exercise since the operation too. I play badminton once a week and try to walk briskly for 30 minutes every other day. I also try do either Pilates or a session on the Wii Fit too. So, I guess I'm a little way to what they are recommending. Must try harder lol 😉 Anyway ladies. Get lots of rest and take care of yourselves. Mandy xx ... View more

Hi Carol, How did you get on with your appointment today? Hopefully, all ok and nothing to worry about. I had a leak from my tummy wound too, but it's healed up lovely now. It's expected that you're going to be tired. As Em said, our bodies have been through so much in such a short space of time. First there's the emotional trauma. Then our bodies are cut open in 3 different places with things being moved around. It's a lot to handle, and you need to rest as much as you can. Your friends and family will be happy to help out, so let them 🙂 I used to find that I would get tired just making a cup of tea some days!!! Em, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I hope you are feeling a little better today, emotionally and physically. What you've gone through, and still going through is so much. You both will get through this. I was exactly where you were this time last year. I do still get 'down' days and I feel sad and sorry for myself, but I remind myself that things could have been so different. That's easy for me to say now, but it really does get better. Keep smiling and take care Mandy xxx ... View more

Good evening Duffer56. 1 week on today!! How are you doing this week? You've not given us an update for a couple of days, and I was just checking that all is ok with you 🙂 You were right with the emotional side of cancer. Unfortunately, my sister was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer the month before me (my poor parents!!!). She absolutely fell to pieces and we all needed to be there for her to support her through the first few weeks. As a result I didn't really have the time to 'ponder' on my own diagnosis and I also felt that I had to be stronger than ever so that my family didn't go through everything again. It was only at my 6 week check with the consultant when he told me that everything was clear and no further treatment was needed that I just fell to pieces. I hit rock bottom and found it really difficult to pull myself back up again. I think I cried for pretty much a whole week. This also coincided with my impending return to work and I was so self-conscious that I didn't look 'normal'. However, with the support of my breast care nurse and a VERY good bra that hides any imperfections I managed to climb out of the emotional hole that I found myself in. I hope everyone else is ok this evening 🙂 xx ... View more

Hi everyone. Duffer56, you are doing so well. You seem to be doing so much better than I did. I was still taking codeine by your stage of recovery! I remember really suffering with my stomach, but I was never told to wear your Bridget Jones' knickers - maybe they really are helping. Everyone is different though - I'm perhaps just a bit more of a wimp than the average person lol. Gillian, I too am sorry to hear that your LD recon failed. That was my biggest worry, and I should imagine everyone's worry regardless of the type of recon that they have. Even after a year, I still worry about things going wrong, although I realise it's a bit silly to do so. Especially as I'm not a natural 'worrier'!! Em, I agree with LB. Leave the housework! It's not worth hurting yourself for, especially as you have been through so much already. At the end of the day, we are all still here to tell our stories, and that is worth celebrating 🙂 Take care everyone xxx ... View more

Hi Duffer56 It is lovely to get home again, isn't it? Everything just seems so much better, despite any pain or discomfort. Just remember to take it easy. You may not be in pain, but your body has a lot of healing to do. Take care xx ... View more

That's fantastic news!! Absolutely well done you. Xx ... View more

I can just imagine!!! I never had to wear any compression knickers - I guess each health authority does things differently. Apparently, they only make you wear them here if you have any form of liposuction. I did find that the clothes that I brought in to go home with didn't fit round my tummy though - you do swell up quite a lot!! I kind of assumed that because they had removed my 'mummy tummy' then I would be thinner than before, but ended up walking out of the hospital with my trousers half way round my backside haha!! As you say, not very dignified. But, I don't seem to recall that I cared that much as the walk to the main entrance was quite a way and me, being me, decided that it wasn't that far and I could walk myself. If they offer you a wheelchair - accept it lol 🙂 Are you getting around ok now? Or still struggling? I remember one of the health care assistants being really strict with me and me getting cross with her. She was adamant that I could stand up straigher than I was doing. I'm not usually a rude person, but I seem to think that I had something to say about it!! Even now, it can seem as though my skin is really quite tight around my stomach. I think my skin was so stretched from pregnancy, there wasnn't much left to stretch any further. It was weeks before I could stand straight upright. You sound as though you're progressing really well. Try not to push yourself too hard though 🙂 Take care xxx ... View more

Just to update this post, mammogram all clear - yippee!! 😄 Take care everyone xx ... View more

Lol - that's funny. But how great that you have that communication channel. Mind you, I think I was quite happy to sleep for the first day haha. Anything for a rest 🙂 Another piece of advice, which they may have told you already, but at some point, you will need to cough/sneeze, etc. If you roll up a towel and press it against your tummy, it helps. No, I didn't believe them at first either, but it does actually help. I don't blame you for keeping the catheter in. Try to get as much rest as possible. It really will help with your recovery. x ... View more

Hi! I'm surprised to hear from you so soon. I'm glad all is going ok for you. Don't forget to keep your breast nice and warm 🙂 Yes, they don't let you rest for too long. I was only in for 5 days - Op on the Monday and home on the Friday. Don't rush it though. If you can benefit from an extra day's rest, then stay there if you have the option. When you get home, you try to do things that you shouldn't!! The surgeon wanted to send me home on the Thursday, but the nurses said it would be better for me to stay the extra night, so I did. Take care xx ... View more

Hi Duffer56, I just wanted to wish you well for tomorrow. Don't forget, the first 24/48 hours is so important to keep your reconstructed breast warm. The room should be almost verging on being uncomfortable, but it has to be warm to keep the blood vessels open to help with the 'plumbing' 🙂 Oh, and try not to be too brave. Accept the pain killers - it will help you to heal. Following on from LB's remark about how the breast feels in the early days (months!). I too felt that way, and even now, 13 months on, it can feel quite strange. Your breast will seem a VERY strange shape to begin with, in both feel and look of it. Mine has settled down now and from a profile, they look pretty much the same. The recon is just a bit fuller, but I have had 3 children so my natural one is a little 'saggy' lol. It will take several months though, so don't worry too much about the shape. To add to LB's comments, I have some feeling back in all of the areas of surgery, including my breast. Nothing in the middle 'disc' of the breast, but around the areas. Some days this can be very sensitive and uncomfortable, but it's quite nice to feel it wobble - very strange!! But it's all sensations that you will get used to 🙂 LB, I agree with you - my tummy button is a lot higher than before!! The surgeon in Hull re-positions the tummy button and sews it back in the shape of a heart. It's actually quite sweet, as the skin around it is a different skin tone, so it almost looks a bit like a heart-shaped tattoo. I shall be thinking of you tomorrow. And of your family too, as I think it's really hard on them as the surgery is such a long time. Come back and let us know how you're getting on as soon as you can. We'll all be here for you xx ... View more

Hi Duffer56 I suffered quite a lot with the biopsies that I had - actually very sore for weeks, especially the vacuum one that they did. I found that I had problems with it right up until my Mx, so I really wouldn't worry about this sensation at all. It is 'normal' to be paranoid - you're going through a pretty tough time. As the song goes "Things can only get better" 🙂 x ... View more

Good luck for 15th! Emotionally, you will feel better once you have had it done. Physically, it may take a little longer, but you will get there! I really wish you well. Try to keep positive xxxx ... View more

Hi Diamondlady I'm sorry to hear about your daughter - it must be such a worrying time for you all. At least it's getting checked now. Regarding travel insurance. Even 10 months after my surgery, they increased my premium. I did pay the extra, but I was in two minds whether to or not. The thing that I find so frustrating, is that I don't have a breast there now for anything to go wrong, so why should they charge extra!!?? I think if you choose not to pay the premium, then you are not covered for that particular problem, but covered for everything else. I hope all goes well on Wednesday xxx ... View more

I don't think there are many surgeons that perform the DIEP reconstruction. There wasn't the expertise at my local hospital, so I had mine at Castle Hill hospital in Hull, which is about an hour away from where I live. The down side was not many visitors, but this was a plus side also as I found that I was so tired, especially after visiting hours (it's actually quite tiring talking when you're not at your best!!). Once I was discharged, the care was transferred back to my local hospital as they work as a team. I do hope that you are managing to still enjoy your holiday. I found out my results 2 days before going on holiday too. I took all the information and books with me so that I would be able to read up on things if I wanted to. Do you watch Friends at all? There was an episode where Joey hid one of the books in the freezer. The books that I took became lovingly know as the 'freezer books' lol 😄 . I do understand your nerves and anxiety. It's only human nature to be worried, and you're not abnormal in any way, but try to enjoy the rest of your holiday anyway. Take care xx ... View more

Fortunately, life does carry on :). I'm glad that you're having a lovely holiday; it really will help you to relax. I'm not going to lie, it's not the easiest of journeys, but it won't be too long before all seems 'normal' again. In my experience, it's a different normal, but it's not so bad. I had my first mammogram today, 1 year later. Our hospital is really good and you get the results on the same day. It's good news. Nothing to worry about and I don't have to go back for another year 😄 I hope all goes well for you. Please keep us updated on your progress xxx ... View more

Hi Emma I had a DIEP reconstruction in February 2012. I was in hopsital for 5 days. I would say the first 2 weeks is the worst and I was pretty much living on ibuprofen, codeine and paracetamol to keep the pain at bay. I found the stomach area to cause me the most discomfort and I found it difficult to move around at first. But, I was driving and back to work after 6 weeks. It's not the easiest operation, but 1 year on, I'm pretty much back to full physical health (mainly due to my laziness). I even went skiing in February of this year, which is why I chose the DIEP over the LD Flap, because I was advised that you can lose some strength in your arm. Regarding the comment by your surgeon, I was actually given different information to that. With the LD flap, I was told that I would need more surgery and probably need implants. And due to that, they would need to be replaced periodically. I have only needed the one operation - the size of my reconstructed breast is pretty similar to my normal breast (albeit a little more pert, after 3 children!!). But, I am very happy with what has been achieved - plus I got myself a little tummy-tuck in the process 🙂 I hope helps you some xxx ... View more

Hi Diamondlady. If I dare say, DCIS is non-invasive and you should be ok to leave it for a few months. I was diagnosed in February 2012 and didn't have my operation until April 2012. I too went on holiday, and wanted to have the time to decide what was the best option for me. My breast care team said that this was ok to do too. Mandy xx ... View more

Hi. I'm actually 1 year post DIEP this week 🙂 What a year that's been!!! If I can advise anything, you need to keep your breast nice and warm post op. They gave me something to lay over the top of my breast for at least 48 hours after my operation - I'm sorry, but I can't remember what it's called in medical terms, but it was a piece of thick cotton wool/gauze padding, about a foot square in size. They did refer to it by a name, but I was a bit out of it on morphine to remember the name lol!!! It is really important to keep it warm to keep the blood vessels open and flowing. They should check it often during the first 24/48 hours. I just remember being paranoid about my breast getting cold haha. I was back at work after 6 weeks, and able to drive. I wouldn't say that I was back to full physical health by then, but I was fit enough to go skiing in February this year. I would say that there isn't anything that I can't do now. I do pilates on a gymball (which is GREAT for building your core strength back up, not for a good few months post op though), badminton and jogging. It really doesn't take too long to get back to 'normal' life. I hope that all goes well for you with your operation, and I hope you have had a fabulous holiday. xxx ... View more

Hi Gillian I'm so sorry that your recon failed; I can only imagine what that was like, as it was one of my biggest fears (out of everything!!!!). I was diagnosed on 12th Feb 2012!! How bizarre we were diagnosed a day apart. I hope that the DIEP is a success for you. I feel so lucky that my recon was a success, and is one of the reasons I am not having any further surgery. Don't really want to 'tempt fate' 🙂 Try not to feel anxious about your mammogram, although I know it's difficult. Let me know how you get on, if you like. Mazzalou, you are so right. What a fabulous expression. I must try to remember that 🙂 Take care all of you xxxx ... View more