Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hiya Herbi Im a multi focal girl but interested in knowing more about the potential added risks of having more than one tumour , but I found this info which might help you a little. Hope you get the answers to your questions-have you got a BCnurse you could chat to? Best wishes Cathie http://foodforbreastcancer.com/news/number-of-tumors-should-be-considered-in-staging-multicentric-slash-multifocal-breast-cancer ... View more

Hi Fever Great to hear youve had a successful op and that you are starting to heal well. I had mine on 29th June in Livingstone with a wonderful surgeon and Im pleased with the results too. The nurses had me in a bra after a couple of days. I wore a firm non wired bra a size bigger than my biggest boob for support and Ive got 2 quite different sized breasts too!. I didnt experience any pain or problems but I think a bra which is a bit more 'long-line' would have been even more comfy.After this time, the blood supply should be quite well established-I worried too as my new boob is much cooler to the touch than the other, but its doing fine! Im due to get some liposuction on the bigger boob early next year to better match them, as I dont want to bother with an uplift. As for the pants-they recommended light control pants-I got great ones from tesco which are higher in the waist to leave your scar free. And to be honest, if they are TOO firm, it can hurt your tummy just trying to get them up!! Best of luck with future healing-and dont forget your exercises!!!! Cathie xx ... View more

Hi again Found the link: http://share.breastcancercare.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=26870 ... View more

Hi Susiecoul Im nearly 4 months post recon and Im using bio oil which has def softened the scars, but Ive heard of silicone sheets which work well on healed scars too. They are in chemists but I dont know much about them. I also heard about another kind of plaster and Im sure I kept the message so will forward you the link if I find it. Good luck with your op Cathie x ... View more

Mornin Another baby rash cream is Bepanthen- very soothing and recommended by a nurse. Hope you cool down soon Cathie ... View more

Hi Twiggypuss Ive had the same feelings and also know some others who are equally reluctant to 'face their fears'. As you say, totally illogical, but if youve been through BC, totally undertandable. Im disappointed that your BCC nurse hasnt been of more help. My friend gets hers checked by our nurse due to same fears. I think time may help as I am checking now, some two years after DX, but maybe chat to the helpline for more support? Dont beat yourself up about it, but try to think of the benefits, like peace of mind. Take care Cathie x ... View more

Hi Sorry to hear youve had problems getting info about our own bodies and treatment, but I had exactly the same issues. Mostly my surgeon dismissed my requests as 'she had explained everything' but when I later got a copy via my BCN, I found I had invasive cancer, which I DIDNT know, so def fight for what is your right. There was some quite technical info in the report too but there is a great wee booklet via BCC which helps to explain the terminology, as well as the helpline nurses. Good luck Cathie x ... View more

Hi Arty girl So pleased you are getting near to the recon part of your recovery.I too had a TRAM recon on 29th June and its been a great option for me.Glad there is a specialist nurse as I think that would have been helpful for all the more practical info I needed, such as what undies to take into hospital etc. I did as much info gathering before I went for the 1st consult and basically my surgeon asked what my choice would be and I said Id rather hear his recommendation first-thankfully he said TRAM so I was very pleased!! Ive got plenty of tummy fat so no probs with the doner tissue.I think it depends a lot on your cup size which op is suitable. As for the uplift, its def a part of the service I was offered so you should hopefully be the same. My surgeon was also a plastics man, so he was very interested in the aesthetics and my new boobs match very well even this early, so Im probably not going to bother. I was in the theatre for approx 10 hrs, in recovery for about 14 hrs and then in a single room(so they can keep you HOT to aid blood supply to new boob).I had a catheter in for four days and drains for 6. I got out of bed in 2 days and started physio then too(very important) I was surprised how quickly I got mobile and the staff are good at getting you moving generlly. I am 5'6 and am now 14st 6 ilbs after loosing about a stone and a half but I concentrated on getting core fitness improved by swimming and gym and I def think that helped. No driving for approx 6 weeks-I did 1st short drive y'day and was fine. Im so pleased that you have been so successful with the weight loss-not easy so really well done. The surgeon will advise about further loss and may check your BMI, if youve had other tummy surgery and if you smoke. I know Ive droned on a lot, but I found the info I got from others at your stage so very helpful to prepare for this big step. Best wishes Cathie x ... View more

Hi Maureen, Great news after that wait!.Im the same as Sharon and had a TRAM on 29th June and it all went very well. I agree that getting mobile is the biggest hurdle so getting the booklet from the Physio will help. My best tips would be: -Cotton button up nighties, tho youlll be wraring their gowns for first few days if you have a cathether. -My Kindle-fabby as its so light to use -Nice body wipes to freshen up until you can shower. -Dry shampoo -Big knickers with a bit of support -Firm wirefree bra -Tracksuit was great as comfy after first few days Im sure there are more tips out there, so others will be along to help Its certainly the best decision I took and the 16 month wait was well worth it. You def need to remember to take lots of rest and dont lift, vaccum etc for at least six weeks Cathie x ... View more

Chele Im SOOOOO pleased for you !!!!(even if you are nursing a battered boob 😉 Sleep well tonight Cathie xx ... View more

Chele Right there with you tomorrow-best of luck Cathie, ... View more

Hallo Can I join in-not that I have any wonderful answers, but good to know there are others awake at the dead of night 😞 Maybe we could have an insomniacs anonymous thread for the wee small hours 🙂 I had some sleep issues before my DX, but since then (Oct 09) its gone into overdrive. I, like most of you, can get to sleep but at least 6 nights a week, get up again anytime between 2-4 hrs later. Ive tried many remedies,sleeping tablets,tapes, blackout curtains etc etc and just havnt found an answer, so maybe between us, we can solve this awful conundrum!!! My latest attempt, following advice of my GP, is to take Venlafaxine 300mg per day, as he says that its my low mood which is the problem-I didnt think I had a low mood, but hey ho!.I take my Tamoxifen in the morning and my GP says insomnia is one of the S.E, but thats also one for Venlafaxine too. The effect has been to make me sleep just the ssme, but I worry about it less!. Strangely, I used to sleep a bit better when back at my old family home-probably the 'womb' like emotion of being back where I grew up. Anyway, ladies, hope that you can find some peaceful rest soon. Best wishes Cathie x ... View more

Hi there Sorry you are finding yourself here, but it's good to know what may be in front of you. Where you attend for the appt depends on how it will go. I can only say that I was at a 'one stop shop' where I saw the junior consultant first, she checked history and did an exam of breast. She then moved me on to have a scan, then I had a mamogram as by then they had seen something of concern. I waited a couple of hours and then had several biopsies done. These were relatively painless, using an ultrasound to pinpoint the 'suspicious' areas, and a short 'nip' to get a little sample for testing. The day started at 10am and by about 3.30 I had my diagnosis. The odds are 1 in 8 of a positive diagnosis, so hopefully you will be in the clear, but I know the worry wont go away for you till you go through this stage. Any other questions, pop back in and ask away, there are so so many ladies here who will get you through this and I know I couldnt have managed without them and the helpline(open weekdays see details at the top) Best of luck Cathie xx ... View more

Hi there I had a TRAM on my right side 5 weeks ago following mastectomy in Oct 09 and it was the best decision!! Im pleased with the results and was so very lucky to have a fabby surgeon. Id say you need to consider the surgeon as Ive heard some ladies say they havnt has a plastic specialist and they are the ones I feel have the best results. I would ask to see/meet some of their prev patients and see some pics too. I had my prefered option in my mind but I was pleased when he suggested the same as I hoped for. I had plenty tummy fat so it worked well for me, but you need to consider your home circumstances, such as young children to care for, or transport as you cant drive for a few weeks. The tram isnt generally offered if you have had prev tummy surgery, are quite overweight(although Im 5.6 and 14.7 stones and was taken no probs) and a non smoker, tho that may apply for other kinds of surgery too. I also had the one to one chats with someone BCC put me in touch with. She was matched very well to my circumstances and was so helpful with info and questions to ask. The helpline would set this up for you. There are also leaflets and some BCC events about recon surgery you can attend. I went to one and it was great. Im sure there will be others along with great help too so best of luck with your decision. Cathie x ... View more

Hi Wanted to add to the others and say thats what we are here for. Offload, rant,moan- this disease entitles us to all of these things. But hope you find some peace of mind too..... Take care Cathie xx ... View more

Hi To add to others replies, I went through the new body scanner at Manchester airport and was worried so I got a letter from my GP to confirm I had a prosthesis in case I was stopped. I went through fine and there was an area which looked as if it was for private searching. Cathie x ... View more

Hi Janesi So glad youve found a place to get support and advice-I know I couldnt have managed since my diagnosis (DX) without this place.Im not TN, but there are lots of ladies here who Im sure will be along to help you. I am 52,DX Oct 2009, had mastectomy, no chemo etc and recently had my TRAM reconstruction which has gone great. Im on Tamoxifen and doing really well. I too have a teenage son who was very frightened by my news as my mum had only just died of cancer. I understand how the family feels but there are lots of people on here who are doing well, so, although we are all so different in the details,there is hope too. There are some excellent publications from BCC that might help you all, so give them a ring. Best of luck Cathie xx ... View more

Hi Chipper Your story is so similar to mine. Im 52. on Tamoxifrn for nearly 2 yrs and have developed the same ache in my right hip. I had an xray but there was nothing significant found. Ive been on a drug called Celebrex for a number of years for pain in my hand and knee joints and it control this really well but they dont seem to help with my hip. Im also trying ibroprofen to ease discomfort in bed, but its so annoying to feel otherwise quite well and have this niggle.BTW, I also had a DEXA bone density scan 3 yrs ago after I had a minor fall and ended up with an arm broken in 5 places! so it was to check if I had osteoporosis-thankfully clear. Dont know if it would have picked up anything on my hip. Good luck for finding a solution. Cathie x ... View more