Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Sandra   Thank you for your reply.   I had my original implant removed and had a more natural implant inserted on 5th June (not an expander as per original implant)   Very smooth op, no pain only tenderness, final stitches out this Friday.   So far, I am glad I took that desicion to have it done, more natural look although my other boob probably needs a lift now, but that can be sorted out with bras  .   Only time will tell I guess if all OK and do not get any infection for it to be rejected.   Kind regards   Lisa   ... View more

Hello All   I had a mastectomy in July 2016 followed by an immediate reconstruction of a BECKER™ Expander/Breast Implant, however, after finishing chemo and radiation my implant is hard and uncomfortable.   I have discussed this with my breast cons. over the months and due to have symptoms of a Capsular contracture http://www.aurora-clinics.co.uk/breast/capsular-contracture-after-breast-enlargement-what-is-it-and-what-can-you-do-about-it/  my cons. is going to do a reconstruction putting in a more natural implant in the next month.     My only concern is that should an infection occur than the implant would be removed and I would have no breast until a time when using my own tissue could be implanted. So should I have it done or just put up with it as it is?   Has anyone else had issues with their reconstruction and had it redone.   Would really appreciate feedback, thank you   Lisa   ... View more

Hi Ladies   Just checking in to see how everyone is doing?   Had my check up last week - all clear on right breast.  Although I am getting pain under my arm where I had the masectomy and going back in a couple of weeks as may have a scan to put my mind at rest!   Still doing Ok on  Letrozole no side effect, no weight gain  although I have been feeling really low these last few weeks, not sure if it is the side effects of the tablets or the anniversary of losing my left boob   I am finding my partner really irrataing, again not sure it's the tablets are just a revaluation of our relationship?   Still have a  hearing infection 2 months on, tuns out due to getting an infection it has caused me to have a perforated  eardrum and a  Polyp and slight loss of hearing! Another dose of antibotics and hopefully in tme the hole will close up without the need of surgery!    I would still be interested in meeting up around mid September if anyone is interested?  I think we agreed Birmingham would be the most central location to meet, athough I am based in kent.   Anyway enough of me, look forward to hearing how you are all doing.   Take care   Lisa x ... View more

Hi Ladies   Just checking in to see how we are all doing??  I guess some of you will start to have your first mamogram since your op?  Mine is scheduled for the 7th July.   I have been getting a lot of pain under my arm on the breast that I had removed, is it possible to get something come back in that area?  Also my breast seems swollen or inflated so not not sure again if something is causing this to happen?  Not mentioned to anyone yet but will discuss with my surgeon on the 7th.   Hair has grown back really nice and in some sort of style! although grey, will go for a small tidy up some time  this month, but generally happy with it and cannot believe that I actually like it short after spending years trying to grow it a bit longer!   Cannot believe  that a year has gone by since diagnoised and all the chemo and rad treatment seems like a blur now.    Apart from the breast pain I am generally very well, apart from an ear infection or something going on with my middle ear, now waiting to have an CT scan to find the route of the problem, been going on for over a month and also have slight loss of hearing!  It''s great getting older isn't it           Anyway, look forward to hearing all your news.   Take Care   Lisa x   ... View more

Hi Cathy,   "The plastic surgeon want to 'tidy me up' and give me a nipple at the end of the year but I'm not sure I want to undergo surgery that will only be cosmetic. We'll see."   Mine wants to do the same taking a big of fat from my tummy to fill out hollow breast tissue but not sure whether to have any more done as to be honest it's not something you have on display nobody knows whether there are any imperfections there or not only you, but time will tell! ... View more

Hi ladies,   Glad to hear that eveyone is getting back to normal or as normal as possible .    Well have been to see the fabulous musical "Beautiful" in London a treat from my lovely friend.  Been on holiday to Cala Bona in Spain over Easter weather was great.   Hair growing back nicely and have lots of comments how it suits me really short  It's growing back white and dark grey which I expect at 62 and even the bra assistant in John Lewis thought the colour really suited my skin tone, so I guess not all bad.  I am still using using http://www.viviscal.co.uk/viviscal-gorgeous-growth-densifying-elixir twic a day and I am sure this has speeded up the hair growth and I have also been putting it on my eyelashes and they are better than before I started this journey!.   Did anyone have a reconstruction surgery?  If so just wondered how you are getting on? as after radiation I find it quite uncomfortable especially at night.  Also getting pains under my arm and sometimes in my collar bone, so my mind goes into  overdrive!.  I ams also coping with chronic lumber pain on both sides and awaiting an MRI scan!   Apart from all of that life is back to normal.    Does anyone have trouble findng the right bra to fit?  I went to John Lewis on Friday and paid £31.00 for a bra that was one size smaller under the bust and one cup bigger than I was buying but the bra fitted beautifully, they only offer it in skintone so not sure if other bras of this size will fit.  I am sure that my reconstruction has shrunk slightly as I seem to have a gap in my bra that is not very nice and don't really want to wear anything inside the bra, so any ideas would be good to hear.   Mamogram due on the 7th July I am sure this will come round soon - not looking forward to it.   Been on Letrozole now for almost 3 months and have to say I have not experienced any side effects from taking it - any one else had an issues with this if you are taking it?   Keep posting ladies, good to keep in contact so see how everyone is doing.  Cannot believe it will be a year next month when first diagnosed!   Lisa x         ... View more

Hi Ladies   Just checking in, god it's so diffcult to find this thread, with so many posts!   Sounds, as if most of  you have now completed treatment and settling back in to work routine shortly. Although I expect it's a bit scary if you have been out of the work place for quite a few months to make the adjustment to return.   I work for my partner, so have been able to work from home or go  to the office, we have an office in a multi office business centre so it has been easy for me, not sure how I would be coping if I was in full time employment.     I am pretty well almost feel as good as before I started this journey.  I still have a very painful shoulder which I am taking pain killers for especially at night when it appears at it's worst.  Not sure what has caused this but if it is still there in June when I see my surgeon I will discuss it with her.   Have been using http://www.viviscal.co.uk/viviscal-gorgeous-growth-densifying-elixir nad can see a definate improvement in hair growth I have also been been putting some on an ear bud and putting in our my eyelashes and they have really grown.  Also started using http://haarwachstum.plantur21.de/en/products/nutri-caffeine-elixir.html   Trying to pluck up the courage of going out without anything on, I think I have been hiding under my scarves for too long   My hair is coming through dark grey and also white.  Does anyone know when you can colour your hair, dont want to do it yet until I have a full head of hair again, but just wondered if there was a timescale?      Anyway ladies keep well and keep posting  xxx     ... View more

Thanks Rosie & Sue for your replies.   Sue it's weird about the shoulder pain, i shall monitor and see if it settles down now rads have finsished.  Although I do have bone pain in my hands and wrists so not sure if that's from taking Letrozole.   I felt quite emotional today, not sure why as it means no more on going to hospital apts for a while just check ups.   It will be inetresting to see how the next couple of weeks go as nurses did advise today that the area could get more sore and may also feel more tired   Thanks Rosie for the recommendation of "Beautiful" looking forward to it..   Perhaps July time we can sort out about meeting up in September as we will need a central location which is best for all of us.  I will keep it posted on this thread, as I am getting lost on the forum with so many threads running.   Lisa x      ... View more

Hi Ladies,   it's good to hear all your updates, and pleased that most of us are finally at the end of our hospital tretament.  It's been a long 9 months. I finish my rads on Tuesday   So far no side effects, except for the usual redding of the skin, but other than that all Ok.  I have had a nagging pain in my shoulder joint on the side I had my mx and never had pain there before and 3 weeks in it is still there and now quite painful.  Having to my your arms in the strurips everyday hasn't help so I am hoping that the pain will settle down, of course your mind goes in to over drive wondering if the pain is something else going on!   Like Auntieanna, I am surprised how quickly my hair is coming back through, although I think the dark grey and white hair is a very popular colour   Hopefully in about 3 months I will be able to colour it again.   I was talking to a lady at one of my apts and surprised how much hair growth she had and she said that she had been using  http://www.viviscal.co.uk/viviscal-gorgeous-growth-densifying-elixir  so I bought some at Holland & Barrett and also bought the shampoo as it has get one buy one and get one half price   I am using twice a day to speed up the process She also had quite long eyelashes and she said that she had also been putting it on her eyelashes.    I wish you all the very best going forward.  My friend who has been so supportive throughout my chemo and my rad tretament has treated me to see "Beautful'" The Carole King story http://www.lovetheatre.com/tickets/3990/Beautiful-The-Carole-King-Musical?nst=0&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LOVEtheatre-UK-SG-BMM-Eng-DT-SE-Beautiful%20The%20Carole%20King%20Musical-Tier%201&utm_term=%2Bmusical%20%2Bbeautiful&utm_content=Beautiful%20The%20Carole%20King%20Musical-Musical in April and then I am going away with a friend over the Easter break to Majorica to hopefully put some colour back in my checks"   Wishing one and all a happy rest of the year and hope all goes well with you.  If anyone still wishes to meet up around September time, I happy to organise this, so just let me know.   Take Care   Lisa x       ... View more