Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Shelly, Really sorry to hear this. I had a wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy, so I'm afraid I can't give you any advice on the mastectomy but there is a thread somewhere on this which you may find helpful. I did have a reconstruction though, because of the size of the chunk they had to remove from my breast and Angiepops is right, it does take a while to heal, so give yourself plenty of time and do not rush back to work before you are ready. Also, good advice to make sure you take button up pjamas, and tops for when you leave hospital...it was a good couple of weeks before I could raise my arm enough to get any tops on over my head. You will get lots of information from your hospital about post op exercises, and it is important to do these, to get your mobility back, even if they hurt!! I felt overwhelmed by all the information I was given, about the op, chemo, radiotherapy, tamoxifen etc etc, all in one go when my brain was in a mess. I put all the booklets on the shelf and didn't read any of them for quite a while. I hadn't found this site either, and in a way, ignorance, (denial probably), was bliss. Little by little I took the information in. Take things one step at a time and accept all the help and support you are offered, after your op. In the meantime, concentrate on you, and make sure everybody else does too. Spend the four weeks building yourself up mentally and physically. I was pretty healthy before my op, I do alot of exercise and eat quite well, and I really think this helped in my post op recovery, (though unfortunately it didn't stop me getting Cancer in the first place). I don't know about the Facebook group..but think I have read there is a Younger Womens group. Hopefully someone can help you find this. Take care XX ... View more

Hi Shelly, I think this is just how a lot of men are!! The head in the sand approach was also the one my husband took, but he was there when I needed him and I'm sure your partner will be too. I got my biopsy results on the same day, but I think in general hospitals do not like giving results good or bad, out over the phone. If they've already booked you an appointment I suspect their policy is to wait to tell you then, as a few days or even weeks here or there does not make much difference to a cancer diagnosis, (at least not to the hospital...the waiting can be awful for us!). If it's good news, there may still be other test/treatments to discuss, and if it's not so good, they will be able to support you and talk it all through. Well done on trying to keep positive, let us know how you get on on Friday..we are all here for you XX ... View more

Hi Shelly, How are you? I hope the soreness has improved. I think you said you were getting your biopsy results about now.It's a horrible position to be in, but once you know what you are dealing with, and what treatment may be needed, it really does get a bit easier to cope. Sending you my best wishes. X ... View more

Hi Shellyjm Really sorry to hear this news, and that you now have another week to wait. I know how slowly time seems to go when you are in this situation. I hope you are getting lots of support from friends and family. It sounds as though you've had the full battery of tests today so make sure you let yourself be looked after for the next few days, and have a few little treats and lots of hugs. (But gentle ones - it can be bit tender for a while after these tests). Keep posting if you need support - do you get the results a week today? XX ... View more

Good Luck Road Runner!! And thanks for all the support and advice you have given to us. x ... View more

Hi Shellyjm, Just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow's appointment. Fingers crossed it will be a good outcome and you can put all the stress behind you. (If the news isn't so good there will be loads of support for you on this site, and from the BCC nurses). Let us know how you get on. Thinking of you and everyone else going through the awful waiting time, XX ... View more

Hi Gilly, I'm currently on Tamoxifen, so don't really know too much about the side effects of Letrozole, however, the aching teeth and jaw sound very similar to symptoms I had during Chemo. My Onc dismissed it as she'd never come across it as a side effect of FEC. I now think it was a result of feeling stressed and anxious. I was seeing an Osteopath for various other aches and pains and she agreed and said quite a few people get this symptom, perhaps due to holding a lot of tension in their jaw when stressed, leading to the aching. You say you feel like you're wound up...maybe the Letrozole is causing this and being stressed is causing the aching? Really hope it settles down and that you are feeling better soon. ... View more

Hi Shellyjm, The two week referral time is standard policy for all new breast lumps. It does not mean your GP thinks it is cancerous - no one can tell you this just by feel. Eight or nine out of all referrals will turn out not to be cancer, so although I know it is easier said than done, please try not to panic. The waiting time is truly awful. It does help to try and keep busy - plan a few nice things to fill the evenings and treat yourself. I would advise against too much googling. A lot of information is really scarey, and/or out of date. If you are tempted to, stick to this site, or Macmillan or Cancer Research UK. These are reliable and accurate sources of information. As Lucy BCC suggests, it may be an idea to ring the helpline. The nurses there are so helpful and have calmed me and reassured me on several occasions. Let us know how you get on next Thursday. ... View more

Another convert! Worldwide insurance for £73.50, and only seven minutes on the phone. I will email Macmillan. Thank you Nina for letting us all know about this. ... View more

Hi Sue, Make sure you get as much rest as you need, as unfortunately for a lot of people the tiredness peaks about two weeks after rads finishes. However, if you can manage it, a bit of gentle exercise each day ie a short walk, (although it may be the last thing you feel like doing), can actually help with the fatigue. ... View more

So glad to hear everything was OK Vicky. Your plans for the afternoon sound lovely; fresh air and exercise in a beautiful place. Very good for body and soul, have a lovely weekend. X ... View more

Vicky: Good luck with your scan..I too had back pain after finishing treatment and similarly, my Onc decided I should have an X ray. Cue instant panic and a miserable wait over Christmas/New Year, but all was fine. Really hope all will be well with you - try to concentrate on happy things to take your mind off the worry while you are waiting, I know however, that this is much easier said than done! ... View more

Hi Moorcow, This is lovely to hear! I'm fourteen months from diagnosis and at times wonder whether the aches and pains and tiredness will ever go away...your post has given me hope. I too have found pilates helpful, although I'm not a swimmer, I am back running and doing lots of walking and totally agree that exercise is really beneficial. Thank you for posting, and I wish you even more improvement over the next three years. XX ... View more

Hi Sunshine Lilly, Well done on getting through Chemo. I remember when I finished..it felt like I'd been set free. Please take it easy for a while though, especially as they were a bit reluctant to treat you. Let yourself be looked after and get lots of rest. I found rads much, much easier than chemo. Tiring and irritating going to the hospital every day, but certainly none of the horrible side effects associated with chemo. You really have done the hardest bit now. Have a lovely Easter ... View more

Hi Spooky Moo, that link made interesting reading. The idea seems generally good, but like you I do wonder how long it will be, if ever, before our hospitals have the resources to implement this. Like so many other people, I feel abandoned. I finished active treatment in September, and for the first couple of months actually felt pretty good mentally. (Physically worn out though). I think this was euphoria and relief at having finished. Now, I feel increasingly wobbly, partly I guess because everyone assumes I am back to normal, have been "so brave" and I find it difficult to admit to my nearest and dearest I could do with some support. I think this revelation would suprise them.... I get the impression that once the Oncologists have, (hopefully), stopped us from dying, they are not really too interested, or probably have no time, to consider the remaining wreckage! BCC and Macmillan are great, but need seeking out. Hospitals actually putting a package in our hands would be marvellous. Out of interest, did anyone get or have the offer of, any specific emotional support through their hospital? ... View more

Hi Jlr, I had a Picc line for FEC chemo. My Onc didn't really give me much choice, telling me the FEC, (Epirubicin particularly), would "kn***er your veins". I too was anxious about having it inserted; more nervous than about having surgery! However, it only took about 20 minutes and was more or less painless, with local anaesthetic. Once in place it did take a few days till I was unaware of it. They advise putting a hot water bottle on the arm a few times a day at first, to keep the veins dilated and help it settle. It made chemo easier - no hunting for veins. I saw lots of people in the chemo suite where the nurses were really struggling to get the cannulas in. Also, pre chemo blood tests are taken from it. Hearing stories from other people who's veins really suffered, makes me glad I had it. Downsides are: you need to be careful to keep it dry when showering and can't go swimming. Also, it needs to be flushed every week between chemos, to stop it blocking. Some people have this done at their hospital, but I went to my GP surgery, where the district nurses did it. Hope this helps ... View more

Hi Sue, The "boost" is extra sessions, usually five, where the treatment is targeted specifically at the site of the tumour bed, (where your lump was removed). I think it is done as extra protection against recurrence. Sorry to hear you are already in discomfort after two sessions. Hopefully you have been given advice by your treatment team on skin care. Most advise using ony aqueous cream, but it must be done frequently. I used it two or three times a day. Also, you can use it to wash, as you should not use harsh soaps/shower gels/soak in bubble baths during treatment. They should check your skin before treating you, but do tell them your symptoms, as sometimes they will give you different creams. Don't suffer in silence! Good Luck. ... View more

Hi GBC, This is a very interesting question; I was unable to get a clear answer on this from any of my medical team when I asked, (had a similar problem when trying to get guidance about exercising with a Picc line). I wish I'd asked Revcat!! Lots of good advice here. I had WLE and partial reconsruction but only three sentinel lymph nodes removed. I did Pilates all through my treatment, though obviously had to work up gradually to doing some of the exercises, and don't do the plank much. However, I do now do push ups and quite a few overhead exercises, with hand weights. All OK so far, but really don't want to risk lymphoedema, so I will check this again with my Onc. I wonder if it is a question of building up gradually? Anyone else any ideas?? ... View more