Breast Cancer Now Forum

Oh my Sarah, you will feel rough after your experience. Listen to your body, you have had extensive surgery and the body and mind need time to heal. I am glad for those that sail through the experience but many of us don't. That is why these forums are so good so we can see that we are all different in our reactions and reach out when we feel we are sinking. We are not super women and we shouldn't attain to be. I personally still find having a shower, massaging and getting dressed is a marathon but every day it is getting quicker. (I am still in awe of my upright pert boobs so spend a few mins just admiring them lol) I want to be able to "do it all" again but realistically I cant, so little steps for now. I just tidied the spare bedroom which had begun to resemble a laundry with piles of clean clothes everywhere. A task that would normally take 5 mins or so took best part of an hour lol. So I am content for today as I am going to tackle one major task a day for now. I am now off to hairdressers to get rid of my granny grey, boy has that come through in the last 12 weeks! Take care and give yourself time to heal. I am glad that sharing my experiences helps. X Stella ... View more

Thank you everyone for advice. I feel so much better again and almost forgetting I had major surgery. Just walked almost 3 kms and about to take the car out for a spin to see how I get on. I think I was just having a bit of am emotional wobble which translated into physical symptoms. I have just been able to start massaging my scars and I think that just somehow made it all finally so real and tangible. The positive aspect is now I don't have enormous breasts I am already physically able to do so much more. My lifestyle is more healthy as I have addressed my diet too. Obviously, I would rather have my natural body back but I do believe in looking at the positives and life is going to get better. Anyone in the early days post surgery, trust me it does get much better for me week 5 was the turning point and week 6 into 7 I am feeling so much more capable. Positive thoughts to everyone on this unwanted journey. X ... View more

Thank you Ann. It helps so much to hear from others. I had mastectomy and immediate implant plus reduction to the other breast. I think I may be expecting too much of myself too soon. X ... View more

I kept mine on for about 2 weeks in total. Once I was more mobile during the day, about day 8, I just wore mine at night. I found them so uncomfortable and couldn't wait to get them off. Every day you will feel a bit stronger. It's a slow but steady road to recovery. Look after yourself and get well soon. X ... View more

I had right mx and implant under chest muscle on 4th dec 2014. My BMI was too high for diep plus I have had hysterectomy so I did not have to agonise over a decision. The first 2 or 3 weeks it felt very uncomfortable but each day it feels more like part of my body. It feels and looks ok apart from no nipple, which I will have sorted later. I also had reduction done on left breast and in clothes they look very even although the reduction side is currently about 2 cup sizes bigger. Very strange having 2 very pert boobs c/d cup after huge j cups lol. Decision wise I was always going to be led by the plastic surgeon as I think they do know what is best for you as an individual x ... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with DCIS in right breast after routine screening September 4th and had mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction and reduction to left breast on December 4th. I too went along for results convinced there would be nothing wrong. I was in shock and denial for several weeks. Probably still am! Laughter is good, my partner and I have laughed uncontrollably at times and cried at others. Many choose not to have reconstruction and are content. You must do what is right for you. It is a strange period whilst you wait for dates and treatment plans. The good thing about DCIS is that in the majority of cases after mastectomy no further treatment is required. I wish you well and the forum is a great place to find out information and support from people who appreciate your fears and concerns x ... View more

It's devastating news but you will get through this, this forum is great for hints and tips as well as somewhere to let off steam. I had my mastectomy on 4th dec I also had implant and reduction to the other boob. I was petrified but it was nowhere as bad as I thought it would be. Pain is minimal but do take painkiller regularly as offered. Just paracetomol from day 2 was sufficient for me. Mobility is an issue for the first 2 to 3 weeks. You will need help as you can't lift anything. I personally struggled to lift a plate at first. Listen to your body it will tell you when you can't do something. Everyone is different in how they heal and react. If you want to cry then do, there is no shame in allowing yourself to let those emotions out. Tears are in place of the words we can't find to express our emotions and are cleansing. The scariest bit is probably right now as you come to terms with your diagnosis. The kids will adapt because they have an amazing capacity to deal with life. Lots of hugs and cuddles. I wish you well on this journey none of us planned to go on. X ... View more

What surprises me is how little the experts tell us about what to expect during the recovery period. . My new best friend is Mr Google lol I have learned so much that stops me worrying about the different sensations I experience. I found a thread on here regarding Pink Pilates classes, specifically for folk with Breast cancer, just a short drive away that I was totally unaware of. I would of thought the breast nurses would have shared that information. Maybe I expect too much. Thank goodness for this forum and the lovely folk that contribute x ... View more

I found placing my palm across my chest definitely helps the burning to subside. It's probably due to nerve damage and slight pressure maybe soothes jagged edges? Yet, my implant boob has little sensation as I found out this morning when my other half placed his freezing cold hand on it. The reduction side did feel it!!! Glad he's retained his sense of humour lol. Love him really x ... View more

One of the weirdest sensations for me is when I have a cold drink and I feel as if the water is trickling down my chest. I suspect that is nerve damage. I am just over 4 weeks post op and I think I am surprised how much the surgery has affected me as I have had very little pain, the discomfort especially the sunburn feeling is worse some days than another's. I just want to feel normal and able to do everyday things again! Hopefully your pain can be controlled, living with constant pain must be awful, sending you positive vibes x ... View more

Hi Roseka, what a nightmare for you, my biggest fear is infection and further surgery. I have just come back from a shopping and feel sore, almost like the implant has slightly moved. I am sure just a 15 mile journey wouldn't have done any damage. Seeing practice nurse to check wound tomorrow but I have got some fresh blood on surgery bra from that area. I just want to heal and get my old joy of life back. I just want to be me again. I am sending you and others on this journey positive thoughts. X ... View more

Getting such news is never easy but just before xmas is extra not nice! Just take each day as it comes and let it all out when you need to. Once you have a treatment plan you will have that to focus on. The early days are surreal as you come to terms with what is happening to you. I send you positive thoughts and remember this is a great place to come and share how you feel. X ... View more

Hi, I haven't had nerve pain that I can't cope with as mine passes quickly. However, I have seen forum posts whilst researching where people have reported amitryptiline worked for them. I am sending positive thoughts and hope you manage to control the pain x ... View more

Hi, I got my results xmas eve after mastectomy 4th dec. I was not convinced about surgery for intermediate DCIS as diagonosed from biopsies. Results showed areas of high grade and papillary carcinoma in situ and 7cm in total. As my previous mammogram 3 years previously had shown only a small spattering of calcifications that required no follow up or interventions I now know I made the right decision. As it had grown that much in 3 years and areas were high grade I am now of the belief it was highly likely it would have become invasive. I look forward to the day when research has discovered which of us would definitely go on to develop invasive breast cancer thus saving drastic surgical intervention. X ... View more

I would say about 4 - 6 weeks based on my experience. I am 3 weeks post op on xmas day and I am doing ok. I still find going out in the car is uncomfortable as both my implant and reduction side "bounce" on uneven roads. I have only just been able to start bending and stretching and sometimes it pulls. What I have to remember is that a lot of internal healing going on as everything knits back together. I am fortunate in that my partner is being very supportive and doing lots around the house and I have accepted the dust etc will have to wait. You will be ok and get through this a stronger person. Just go with the flow listen to your mind as well as your body. Remember it's ok to cry or laugh. Good luck x ... View more

Hello, the waiting is the worst part in my opinion. I would say allow yourself to cry if you feel you need to and take each day as it comes. There is no right or wrong way to deal with the diagnosis and the emotional turmoil that follows for some of us. I used to scour the forum and Internet looking for answers and advice. Some was useful and some wasn't especially stumbling across images I just didn't want to see lol. I was very angry that I had a non invasive cancer yet had to have a mastectomy for something that may never become so. Yet grateful that it was DCIS which meant no further treatment will be required. I am incredibly squeamish and never want to know how they did what they did during my operation. I had mastectomy, implant and reduction to the other boob on 4th dec and am recovering well. The bit I was dreading was surgery and pain but it was surprisingly ok. I have had worse period pains, however when I did have pain I asked for pain relief rather than be brave. The lack of mobility for a couple of weeks was and still is hard to deal with. I am very independent lady and hate having to be reliant on others. Do take all offers of help and accept you just can't do things no matter how much you want to. I wish you well and don't forget ask for help x ... View more