Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi, thank you. The nurse I saw this evening said she believes the tape may be used to reduce keloid scars. The 2 areas are healing nicely so trying just dry dressings. My partner came with me so he could see what to do re changing the dressings over xmas and what to watch out for re infection. The position of them is awkward for me to see what I'm doing as they are near the crease line. I just went to sainsburys xmas shopping with him and I am now exhausted lol so hard not being able to help him take things of the shelf, pack and unpack. Once again thank you for responding and being so helpful x ... View more

The body odour thing is more widespread than I thought. It does help knowing I am not alone in this new territory. I went to a shop to buy a present for my twin grandchildren. It was only a medium size box but not only could I not get it down from the high shelf I also couldn't carry it to the till. I had to ask the assistant to carry it to till then wait for partner to come back. It was the only one so I knew if I didn't get it immediately it would sell in the next 5 minutes lol. I am now 19 days post op and have turned a corner. I have more mobility and can reach for things more easily. Missing hugs and all that goes with that, especially as we still have a rolled up single duvet between us to avoid accidental cuddles as I am still sore. I am still sleeping on my back mostly but have managed to lay on my reduction side without discomfort a couple of times. Every day I can do a bit more x ... View more

It is on the wound no gauze. It has been since the operation. ... View more

Hi Jilly, I believe it's micro pore tape. I avoid getting the tape soaked as best as I can when I shower and dry tape with a hairdryer on cool setting. Lol I am quite the contortionist trying not to get the bust area too wet! I was surprised at how long the tape had to stay on for. I will do as told but was curious as it seemed a long time to me. Re: The inadine dressings, the nurse at the hospital was adamant they should be changed at least every other day. ... View more

Interesting re the odour. I found a few references to it and almost all said the medical folk brushed it off and made them feel they were the only ones. I think the SLNB probably disturbs sweat glands in some cases. I had a similar problem once when I had a lump in my armpit that was a blocked sweat gland. Re using deodorant I seem to recall seeing something that we shouldn't use any until fully healed and dressings off. I have just started spraying some onto cotton wool pad and carefully wiping under armpit to ensure none touches anywhere it shouldn't. Lol I can cope with lopsided scarred breasts but not BO x ... View more

Hi, I am 16 days post mastectomy, implant and reduction to other boob. It is surreal. I was so scared and angry that I had to go through the surgery for DCIS that might never have become invasive. However, I know I made the right decision as I would have continued to be scared if I had followed the watch and monitor approach. The surgery wasn't as bad as I anticipated and I am a real wimp. My daughters cannot believe how well I look and how little pain I have encountered. I have discomfort and and it has been frustrating to have limited mobility but it's only day 16 and I am finding every day I can do a bit more. I could only have an implant because of my BMI being too high. I am relatively pleased with it so far. I feel like a teenager again with two pert breasts. The reduction is lovely but is different to the implant boob but looks fine in a bra. I am sure once swelling and bruising go down they will look even better. I am now approx a 40dd which should become smaller, I was 42j. ... View more

Just another one. The fact I can't use deodorant is one of the worst aspects for me. I hate my body odour as I haven't been without deodorant since I was about 15. The right armpit where I has Lymph node biopsy is the worst even after washing several times the odour wouldn't quite go away. Little tip I picked up from an American forum was to use cider vinegar, obviously avoiding scar areas (ouch). I place a little on cotton wool and carefully wipe then wash with soap again. It works for me. ... View more

Kettle, vases, food being cut for me. Forgetting I can't bend as I automatically bend to pick something up. Trying to get my socks on then pull the zip up on my boots. Arghhhh so many things I couldn't do but hey I am day 16 post op and I managed all those totally by myself today and went xmas shopping in town with my partner. So scared someone would bump into me though. Every day it gets a bit easier and my implant is beginning to feel like it's always been part of me. I thought I was prepared I read so many leaflets, advice pages and forum posts (hence why I did get 2 pairs of pyjamas and in a lovely soft fabric) but like so many things in life until you go through it you just don't know how you will react. The most amazing thing for me is how little pain I have experienced, discomfort yes but not pain. Sending best wishes to everyone x ... View more

Tan, I am known as "a tough old bird" lol and I normally do deal with life's knocks in an upbeat way. Everyone keeps saying how brave I am, how well I deal with what's happened but that's my public persona. my tears flow in private although I almost lost it in Tescos the other week. Just go with your emotions and deal with it in your own way. There is no right or wrong way. What matters is you go through the treatment and come out the other side. tears cleanse the soul. I wish you well x ... View more

I have today found a leaflet with exercises I was given ages ago but it says don't do the exercises if reconstruction is involved without a physiotherapist or surgeons ok. As I had a reduction to the other breast as well I think I better speak to someone firstly. I have been thinking I might look at Pilates in the new year. Good news is I have chased up my results (2 weeks post up today) and although I don't see the surgeon till xmas eve the BCN has intimated all is ok which means I won't need any further treatment. X ... View more

Hi Tan, I found the worst part mentally was waiting to find out results and treatment plans. It is a scary journey and it is allowed to be scared and to cry. My advice is not to measure yourself against how others deal with it. Some take it on the chin and some crack. My friend never once cried on her 2 year journey. Me? In the last 2 months I have caused severe flooding in Kent with my tears. Take care x ... View more

Hi Roseka, glad to hear the pain is easing. I haven't been given instructions for any exercises, I am wondering if I should have been? I think I will ask at dressings clinic tomorrow. I do feel a bit like I have just been abandoned since leaving the hospital. From reading various posts it seems some BCN's are better than others at post operative care. X ... View more

Happy christmas to you too. I read this board every night when I can't sleep, I suspect many others do too. It has helped to read others stories and occasionally post myself. I wish you and everyone else on this journey a good Christmas and the best for 2015 x ... View more

Thanks for encouragement. Feeling really yuk today, probably everything knitting together, the reduction side is also sore for the first time. I know it will get better. Took surgical bra off for an hour or so that was bliss. Lol partner says oh one boob is bigger than the other will you be getting another op to sort it out? I think my reply would be against community guidelines lol good job I love him!!! X ... View more

I am now 13 days post mastectomy, implant and reduction. I was doing really well so decided not to take pain killers last night as sleeping tablets had also run out. Boy, am I stupid! Today, I am in a lot of discomfort, tired because I didn't sleep and overwhelmed by everything. I haven't had an appointment through for results and just not in the right frame of mind to chase up breast nurses. Hopefully once painkillers I have just taken kick in I will find some oomph! I do think we try to be superwoman but I for one am going to totally give in and accept it is going to take weeks and not days to recover. X ... View more

That is good it was found. Wish you a speedy recovery x ... View more

hi Roseka, I am 10 days post single mx, implant and reduction to other boob. My implant boob is very tight but I have had very little pain. However, I haven't done much yet!!! I have made a conscious decision to listen to all the advice and take 4 weeks minimum trying to do as little as possible. It is difficult watching the cobwebs grow and dust pile up but that can be cleared in the spring. Walking, or should I say gently strolling out for 15-20 mins is ok but I do get tired quickly. I think there is a danger in underestimating what our bodies have gone through. I hope your rest and recuperation will help the pain to subside. sending you and others on this unwanted journey lots of positive thoughts. X ... View more

Good luck Matty. I am now already one week post surgery. I am just taking cocodomol as a mainly precautionary measure just before bed time. Although tonight everything is a bit achey. It feels like it's healing, knitting together. The bruising seems to b easing off but the swelling around the sides is still a pretty awesome sight. It's almost like having 4-5 boobs. I just hope that is normal and will die down in time. I would advise having a nurse or close friend/relative with you when you first look fully at your body after the operation, I had only seen the top half to nipple height and they looked gorgeous pinky and perky nobody had warned me about how livid the scars would be nor the extent of bruising and swelling. Tomorrow is the start of week two on the road two recovery. Today I managed to shower and dress myself, dry my dressings and hair and evn put a layer of lipstick on before heading off for a short country walk with my partner and our little dog. Also stopped for coffee and chat at a neighbours. Was a good day but for me exhausting lol x ... View more

It is such a scary time. I was diagnosed Sept 4th with 6cm area of Dcis and wham life turned upside down. Lots of tears and some laughter too. I am sooooo squeamish my children used to wait for dad to come home if they were bleeding, or if serious get a neighbour. However, I coped with my sentinel node biopsy ok and last Thursday I had mastectomy, implant and reduction to other boob. I was so scared but what choice do we really have? The surgery is ok, you will be in such a deep sleep you won't know anything. If especially nervous ask them for something to calm you right down before surgery. I only used the morphine drip twice, but if in pain use it asap no one will think you are a wimp. I decided to take advice from others and took the paracetamol every time it was offered which I am sure keeps twinges at bay. As I said I am very squeamish and only looked full frontal today. For me, that was a bad experience but I had to do it. There is a lot of bruising and swelling but they look great in my bra. So I will cope by just not looking at myself full frontal for a while and just admire my very neat small boob outline (I was 42 j and estimate I am now 40c/d) plus I have lost half a stone so a couple of positives there. None of us set out willingly on this dreadful journey but at least we have many fellow travellers to stop and chat to when we get weary. I wish you all the best, Stella x ... View more