Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Sandipantsshell I've actually just read your post on the July MX thread and was amazed that you could get out the same day - that's going some! I'm glad I didn't have to though - I was not looking forward to dragging those drains around at home for days. And when the nurse took the second one out on the fifth day it hurt like b..ery. And she was really good at doing it so glad it wasn't the local GP who may not have been quite so experienced. Got home on Sunday night and parents and husband had cleaned house, (we'd only moved back in a week before op) and cooked roast dinner, a gin and tonic was waiting for me - so yes thanks - got home fine. I remembered something else to take in; a light hearted book. I made the mistake of taking in something a bit miserable and hard work. xx ... View more

HI easybee I've just had an MX - in fact I'm still in hospital on day five but getting let out this evening. In early May I was diagnosed with a largish (size seems to keep changing according to who I'm talking to) lobular cancer in my left breast . There was never any chance that I wouldn't have an MX although I was put on Tamoxifen for a six weeks to see if it would shrink the tumour - it didn't much so here I am. I'm really sorry you're on this site too - it's such a shock isn't it? And so hard to come to terms with losing your breast I have found. I think everyone thinks I'm fine about it all - mostly I am. But not really and I don't know that I'll ever not miss my breast. I'm not as large as you - 32E - but I have quite a small frame so they're prominent. I too elected for immediate reconstruction because I couldn't cope with the idea of no breast on one side. They can only do a temporary recon at the moment because it's likely that I'll have chemo and radiotherapy in a few weeks time and that would damage the tissue around the recon. So I've got an implant in, which they'll start pumping up in a few weeks - hey ho. Better than nothing is my view. I found huge solace in communicating with women on this site when I was first diagnosed. In fact I posted a question about reconstruction and had immediate replies. There seem to be pros and cons to all types of recon, and some women seem really happy with the results and some not. The key thing from my surgeon and the Breast Cancer Nurse is that I'm never going to have one that looks or feels the same as the one I had. That's hard to hear, but I'm starting to come to terms with it. As my husband keeps reminding me - it had to go - Or I would! So faced with that choice you just have to make what seem the best choices for you. And I would rather be alive than not...so. Reconstruction here I come. I may well have a reduction or a lift on the other side to make them match. I've found the whole experience to be a whirlwind of various emotions and an introduction to a world of hospitals, illness, operations that I never expected to deal with. Who does? But in fact the last week has not been as bad either physically or mentally as I thought it was going to be. I wish you all the very best xx ... View more

Hi I read this thread before going in for an MX last week - still in - day five - waiting for drains to come out. Second one is out today and home this evening - Hurrah! The list on this thread was really helpful, lots of other women didn't have ear plugs, or headphones or an eye mask and I found these invaluable. Hospital is quite noisy and I'd have got a lot less sleep without silicon ear plugs and an eye mask. There are a couple of other things I'd add if you're thinking you may stay in longer. And having met a few women here who didn't expect to be in so long - not from breast cancer but for other things I'd pack as if you were going to be in for a few days just in case. 1. 3 sets of pyjamas in case you're in for a few days 2. A small towel for drying your face 3 A flannel 4. Some crystallised ginger. ( I bought some because I like it anyway and it was the only thing I could eat without being sick for the 24 hrs following op) 5 Some lavender oil - or some other essential oil you like for sprinkling on your pyjamas or pillow. Just to give you a nicer smell around you 6 A pen! 7 Some body lotion for after your shower/bath. to rub on your legs when you get to take the tight socks off once a day. ... View more

Hi I'm having my MX tomorrow and my pre op assessment today. I've been told by both surgeons I've seen that I should have only the implant recon tomorrow as a temporary measure because I'll almost certainly need radiotherapy and this will damage the tissue so not good to have a full recon at this stage. But I've just read from a couple of you that you had full recon and then rads - so perhaps I should have the whole lot now? Any ideas? Thanks ... View more

HI I'm due for an MX next Tuesday and am having an expander implant so I can have more recon later after rads. Can anyone recommend any exercises they found particularly helpful apart from the ones on the leaflet they give you to get mobility back, fainter scars etc after the initial op? And thanks for the posts by the way, I have still to decide what sort of recon to go for in however long away that's going to be - I have quite a journey til then I think, so one bit at a time I suppose. It's so good to read other people's experiences x ... View more

Has anyone tried using aloe vera straight from the plant? I remember someone being told to put it on their child after severe sunburn and you just break a bit of the plant and put the gel that oozes out, onto the area. I then did the same thing and it was fab. Anyone know if it's OK to use that if it's the alcohol in the cream that's the problem? Can I ask how long after the op you all started massaging/oiling your scars? I'm having an MX on the 19th and I'd like to get something beforehand to use afterwards. Did you ask the doctor for the Dermitrix is it called - before the op? Thanks Alison ... View more

HI I was diagnosed at the end of April, going for MX on 19th July. I too have felt really really tired and thought it was just that I"m doing a lot - got married, went on holiday, back to work and now moving house - all since diagnosis. Was wondering if it was psychosomatic as usually I have lots of energy, but how pleasing to read that it's not just me. But no one mentioned to me at the hospital that I might feel more tired than usual and not to worry - it's normal. So once again, I'm very pleased to have logged on here. This forum has been invaluable to me since diagnosis, hearing what so many other women are going through really helps. Hope that doesn't make me a bad person! Alison ... View more

HI Thanks very much for that. I've ordered the DVD and downloaded the exercises...I have a bit more of an incentive to do these as opposed to using the gym membership that I"ve had for a year and used twice. Thanks everyone xx ... View more

HI I have done skin brushing in the past but stopped when I was diagnosed because in my head I thought it might move cancer cells around my lymph. This may be and I hope is complete twaddle because I'd like to do it. Can anyone assuage my fears? Thank you ALison ... View more

HI I have done skin brushing in the past but stopped when I was diagnosed because in my head I thought it might move cancer cells around my lymph. This may be and I hope is complete twaddle because I'd like to do it. Can anyone assuage my fears? Thank you ALison ... View more

HI I have done skin brushing in the past but stopped when I was diagnosed because in my head I thought it might move cancer cells around my lymph. This may be and I hope is complete twaddle because I'd like to do it. Can anyone assuage my fears? Thank you ALison ... View more

Hi Old and lumpy That's really helpful and no one at the hospital has mentioned these exercises. YOu say you printed out the exercises that you're supposed to do..where did you get this list? I'd love to start. I'm having an MX on the 19th July - I could get a couple of weeks worth in! Does anyone else have some good tips for getting over an MX? Mental or physical? Dawn I was feeling sorry for myself for having to have an MX and then read your post and your worries about whether or not your liver has been affected. I will now get a grip and get to packing boxes for a house move in a week's time instead of crying. I hope it goes well for you and it's not that it's too small to pick up - it just doesn't exist at all. Thank you. Alison xx ... View more

HI Thanks everyone. That Macmillan site is very useful and I didn't know about it so thank you. It seems that the non muscle one is called a 'free' flap and one from the abdomen is a 'free DIEP flap' . So I feel a bit better informed now thanks! I'm dreading the whole thing really so it's very comforting to read your posts, especially the ones saying that it's going well. I've been fine for the last couple of months but now that I have the actual date I keep bursting into tears. I think it's not so much the op - once you've got over the fact that a horrible mutilation is about to happen. But it's the loss of control of your body and your life. And I find that hard to cope with. As everyone here says, reading what other women in the same position have to say is helpful and comforting beyond measure Alison ... View more

HI Does anyone know of a similar product that you can get on prescription - what with us getting free prescriptions and all? It sounds good - my eyelashes are crap anyway. ALison xx ... View more

Thanks Ruby, That is helpful actually. I'll ask if that's what they're talking about and about the mesh option. There's so much information given to you that it's only afterwards that I think of questions. How are you feeling? Is three weeks long enough to not just be feeling sore?! Thanks very much for replying. Alison xx ... View more

HI I was put on Tamoxifen six weeks ago to try to reduce the size of my tumour before having an MX. They didn't have much of an effect - did reduce the tumours a bit, although I've read other people's posts that said they did - so it really varies. But I haven't had any side effects at all really. I felt a bit sick for the first few days - not sure if that was their fault. But after that felt completely fine. Had one period as was due, the week of starting to take them, but then nothing afterwards. So reactions seem very mixed - but if it stops the growth.... Good luck with everything xx ... View more

HI Vallee, Thanks very much for posting that. I've been given the date for my MX today -it'll be the 19th July. And I've opted for a partial immediate reconstruction with an implant. I'm having radiotherapy in all likelihood at some point, so that's what's on offer for the moment. I'm really pleased to read something positive about implants! The thought of not having a nipple does freak me out a bit though I must admit. ... View more

Dear Scotchlass and Pinkrose Thanks very much for getting back to me, in fact they've now decided to try endocrine treatment to see if they can shrink the tumour - but I'll probably still have to have a mastectomy. I've come to terms with it, more or less - thanks to reading your posts and others. But it's delayed for a little while! Your comments were of such comfort to me Thank you Alison ... View more

Hi I've just been diagnosed and have to have a mastectomy. I'm getting married at the end of May but have been told I can put it off until after then. Hoping to delay it until after a holiday too! i'm due to meet the surgeon next week and discuss what sort of immediate reconstruction can be done. So far it's been recommended that I have an LD flap. I'm writing up lots of questions to ask. One of them which perhaps I can ask some of you about, is how helpful is it to do lots of exercise beforehand? I'm really worried about scarring on my back, almost as much as I am about losing the breast. I'm an E cup, but only a small back so really worried that they'll need lots of skin to make a breast....perhaps I should get the other breast reduced so they don't need to build such a large one? Any thoughts? I can't tell you how helpful it is to read your experiences. You feel very alone even with a wonderful partner and friends. Although actually most of them aren't going to be told til after the wedding - i don't want any long faces. Thanks so much for posting. Alison ... View more