Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi I'm 4 weeks tomorrow post diep and full axillary node clearance. I'm very pleased with the result, my reconstructed breast looks very natural. Apart from no nipple you wouldn't know it had been done! The scar from the flap is big but as I've had csections it doesn't bother me, it's not visible with knickers on. Please feel free to ask me any questions as I found it hard to find positive diep stories but I was in hospital with another lady who had diep and she like me is doing great! Chloe x ... View more

Tor I've had Fec-T and am going to have a mastectomy and lymph node removal. I've been offered immediate reconstruction using diep flap, I was advised that was the best option as then it is one op. I would question it as the waiting list for reconstruction is very long and you don't want to have a second operation in a year or so. ... View more

Hi Happybiker I'm waiting on the final results of another MRI and depending on those results I'll be having a mastectomy with DIEP. My surgeon was very knowledgeable and says the DIEP has the most natural result, although the recovery seems quite hard for me I think it's the best solution in the long run. ... View more

Thanks all, I am surprised at such a short stay!... ... View more

Thank you Seagull, you're right that until you've experienced what we have you just don't know. I'd probably say things similar if I hadn't gone through it! Re ovaries, he didn't go into to much details as my oncologist is quite "let's deal with things as they happen" but from what I can gather there was 2 options, monthly injections to stop my periods or have ovaries out. They prefer to take out ovaries and as our family is complete they advise that, I believe it's to stop me releasing any hormones that could encourage the cancer back. So at the end of this I still have an early menopause to face.... ... View more

Hi all Cycle 6 of fec-t is next week so in prep of seeing the surgeon I had a mammogram and ultrascan yesterday. The results were full response to chemotherapy and they couldn't see anything left but the marker coil... obviously awesome news that the chem has done its thing. Family are ecstatic and saying things like "get the champagne out" but I don't feel like that! Yes of course I'm amazingly grateful that I'm going to live and it's worked but i just feel flat, it's like yes it's worked but none of the horrible stuff will stop. I still have to have 1 more chemo, surgery, radiotherapy. Then they want to remove my ovaries before the 5 years of medication. People keep saying it will be over soon and things like this time next year, but with BC I don't think it's ever truly over. It feels wrong not to be joyous given not all are as lucky as me ( I also lost my Dad to cancer) Can you all understand what I'm trying to say? X ... View more

Hi Julie I'm due my last T on 7th March, surgery then radiotherapy They've also said I'll need to have my ovaries removed at the end of it all. I've got my scans on 28th Feb, then meeting with surgeon on 6th March. I'll find out then if it's a lumpectomy or mastectomy, I'll be having axillary clearence too. Family keep asking me when I'll have surgery, chemo nurse said 4-7 weeks after final chemo. I'll be glad to get a date.... I hate not knowing what's happening and when. ... View more

Surprised not supposed ... View more

So I met oncologist yesterday after cycle 5 of Fec-T and he confirmed he can no longer feel any lumps!!! I'm meeting with surgeon on 6th March after some further scans to discuss what type of surgery (2 lumps were found in one breast and confirmed spread to nymph nodes). Then onto radiotherapy but I was supposed to be advised that after rads they would like to remove my ovaries and then place me on medication for 5 years as removing ovaries is the best course of treatment to ensure along with the tablets it will help prevent it come back. Anyone else having the same? ... View more

My nose continuously runs and often without warning!! Lol... I've read it's a side effect of T and not having nose hairs!! ... View more

Thanks Jo, hope your energy levels pick up x ... View more

Thanks Fiona, I'm a very much need to know inpatient person so I hate all this waiting and seeing, family and friends ask me when the surgery is and it feels strange having to tell them I don't know! X ... View more

Also forgot to mention surgery will include axillary clearance as it had spread to lymph node/s ... View more

Hi Fiona I've had 3 Fec, 1 T and 2 more to go. It will then be surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy still to be decided) then onto radiotherapy. The SE's for T have been more copiable than Fec but have definitely lasted longer, its taken 2 weeks to feel back to normal. I have 3 young children so hate feeling ill for so long after so am hoping that perhaps because my lumps have shrunk so well they may reduce it but it worries me that anything less than 100% could effect it being treated/coming back. Did they say if it effects its treatment? X ... View more

Thanks Seagull, my lumps too have shrunk so will see what they say. X ... View more

I've read a few messages where people mention the 5th cycle (T) being reduced to 80%, is this a special reason or the normal? My 5th is on Valentines Day (very romantic) and I was hoping if they reduce the SE's won't be so bad.... ... View more

Dragonfly, I too went beetroot with no temp (not a good look) and had hot and cold sweats... shivers etc. When I spoke to Chemo unit they seemed to think it may have been the steroids??? No definitive answer but it lasted a couple of days and made me cry I felt so rough. I'm hoping next time I can chat to them and see if there's a solution... ... View more