Breast Cancer Now Forum

Tallulah - I'm doing the breath hold & have done 12 sessions.  It's very easy and I've had no problems.   Hwin - I too am dithering about the bisphosphonate as I too am only just menopausal and very fit & active.  I'm mainly concerned about the effects on the kidneys.  I have an appointed with the oncologist this evening and will ask him to convince me!   pecan - oestrogen is everywhere; in our food, water etc etc.  I have very little body fat but my cancer was ER+8.  I agree it was probably growing for years and feeding off my ovaries' oestrogen but to avoid a recurrence I'm happy to take the drugs. ... View more

How are you getting on, Newbrunette?  Just popped in to big up the M&S bras.  I've got several of the extra high impact sports bras and also several of their post-mastectomy bras.  I think they're really supportive as well as great quality and value.  I'm not running again yet (mastectomy in February then 6 months of chemo) but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...  Three weeks of radiotherapy starting next week and then I'll be looking to start a gentle jog as soon as I get the green light!   Best of luck to you xx ... View more

Hello. A decent wig should not blow off in the wind!  I have one although I don't wear it very often as I like the baldy look.  It has little adjusters inside a bit like bra straps so that you can loosen/tighten it to suit your head.  It started off pretty tight but now I've "worn it in" and it's pretty comfortable.  I wore it on the sea front in a pretty strong wind and I had no worries about it blowing off. ... View more

Hello RunningMum13 and all, Just started docetaxel and feeling completely rubbish, thank you!  Hopefully temporary.  I've been trying to keep walking, although slowing down a bit during the 3rd & 4th FEC as heart rate all over the place.  But the gorgeous weather helps my mood and I just focus on getting through the treatment so I can get running again.  As ever, reading about others' progress is inspirational so feel free to brag about runs you've done! xxx ... View more

Hi Splinters - sorry to hear that you're here!  Every oncologist is different, of course, but I imagine there will be a specialist nurse in the appointment with you.  The oncologist should explain what kind of treatment plan you will be offered, including the drugs, the number of treatments, whether you will have chemo first or surgery first, the likely need for radiotherapy and when you might have this etc.  It's worth taking a friend because they will remember things that you don't remember and may have questions that you haven't thought of.  Also handy to get the friend to ask the doctor/nurse to repeat things that you may not fully understand.  Try to write things down.  Best of luck. xx ... View more

I caught a cold & cough from a relative after my 2nd chemo but it was totally fine.  Kept an eye on my temperature but it didn't rise and to be honest it was just like having a bug in "real life"!  I've been careful about hand hygeine and not mixing with obviously poorly folk but otherwise have live my life as normal. ... View more

I started chemotherapy 5.5 weeks after surgery, but I requested a week's delay as I felt I wasn't quite ready.  I wanted to be as fit as possible before starting.  Time from diagnosis to mastectomy was just under 6 weeks but there was a bit of to & fro because I also had additional biopsies and SNB prior to mastectomy.  The MDT discussions were crucial and they only meet once a week and have to wait on results of tests.  I thought it was all quite quick but you're right, every case is different!  Best of luck with your treatment. xx ... View more

Hi Skells just thought I would mention an app that I use to remind me to take my pills.  I've had so many drugs, all starting and finishing on different days and needing different dosing times, with or without food etc.  Chemo brain doesn't help!  The app is free and it's called Medisafe.  If you're the kind of person who has their phone on them most of the time it's brilliant.  Although it's no help if you've gone out for the day and forgotten to take the pills with you!  Hope you're feeling better. ... View more

Hi Sam DIEP is a reconstruction technique using tissue from your stomach area. ... View more

Hi Sam WLE is another way of saying lumpectomy.  ANC is another way of saying lymph node clearance. ... View more

Marie I'm so sorry that must be prety shocking.  Did you discuss this possibility during the consenting procedure?  If not you have a cause for complaint.  However it has happened now and the surgeon will have done what they thought best for you at the time.  I have a tissue expander because I'm having radiotherapy, so there is potential for it to damage to any permanent reconstruction.  The expander is being slowly filled and I will have permanent reconstruction sometime next year.  The good thing about expanders is that they will stretch your skin to the required size but at a rate that your body can cope with.  Yes the early days were uncomfortable but actually I'm now becoming friends with this object, even though I will be glad to lose it next year!  Just be religious with your exercise and massage regime, as this will be the key to your recovery. xx ... View more

Well the surgeon should have an opinion - after all it's in their interest to keep the breast healthy.  I've been having very small fills every 6 weeks but that's because my skin is thin with very little fat protection.  I've found it helps to write down all my questions beforehand, and take a friend/relative to write down the answers and make sure all the questions get asked!  Also we make sure the answers are clear and repeated where necessary.  Never forget you only get one chance to do this, so take all the time you need.  You are entitled to receive good care.  There may be perfectly good reasons why they have not mentioned massage or moisturising.  And if the shiny skin concerns you they should be able to explain/reassure.  I do know that any redness, swelling or signs of temperature are warning signs.  Good luck with your appointment. xxx ... View more

Hi Melia, I think it is very individual, as you say.  Likely depends on the size - the expanders come in different sizes so obviously can take different amounts.  I'm small and my maximum will be less than 300ml but some will fill to 800ml or more.  If you're not feeling pain I would imagine the filling rate is OK.  However I am surprised you've not been advised about massage and moisturising.  I have massaged and moisturised twice a day since 2 weeks post-op and I am now nearly 4 months post-op.  My plastic surgeon said I should continue throughout the time that the expander is in my body.  The expander is a foreign object and the body will constantly try to create scar tissue around it, hence regular massage is essential to disrupt that process.  I guess if you're not having radiotherapy and/or the expander is going to be permanent, that might not apply to you. ... View more

Hi Daisy, if there is a chance you will have radiotherapy on your right breast, I would ask about potential damage to a DIEP reconstruction.  It would be a shame to go through this surgery, only for the tissues to be damaged by rads.  This is why many places will offer temporary reconstruction as MrsMerton mentioned. ... View more

Yes, my CT scan was clear. xx ... View more

Hey Carole.  I'm so sorry, I know how tough this is - definitely not what you wanted to hear.  I've been down this road, as have many others on this forum, and we all pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and throw back our shoulders to meet the next challenge.  I have no doubt you will be fine as you have the right attitude.  There are positives if you squint your eyes and look hard enough!  I've even found positives about being hairless - like others say there is no bad hair day, no shaving, no plucking, no waxing, no clogged bath plugs, no hours spent blowdrying and straightening.  Getting ready to go out takes very little time!!   I had a CT scan to check other major organs for any spread; I think this is standard and should happen soon.   Please don't frighten yourself with the internet.  I've found horror stories everywhere but personally I've had nothing awful happen.  The chemotherapy is tolerable, my team are great, I am positive about the future.   My one piece of advice would be to ensure you have physio input, do your exercises religiously and if you are not happy at any stage, put yourself first and ask for/demand help. xxx ... View more

Hi Ezzie, As you might have gathered by now, every hospital does things slightly differently.  I can only give you my experience.  I was advised to purchase a particular bra and bring it with me on the day.  I took it to theatre and the surgeon (or someone!!) put it on me, so I woke up with it on.   I have the expander which is in two parts.  One part is already filled with silicon, the other gets gradually filled with saline to stretch the breast skin.  Mine was filled with around 100ml saline in theatre and has been topped up twice since.  When I woke up there wasn't a huge amount of difference between the new breast and my other breast so I haven't needed anything else other than post-mastectomy bras and now I am wearing sports bras.   NHS provision of prostheses, bras, wigs etc seems to vary so it makes sense to ask your Breast Care Nurse what the local arrangements are, as well as what to expect about how different your breasts are likely to be after surgery.  It is her job to tell you these things.   Best of luck. ... View more

Thinking of you today Carole M.  Let us know how you get on.  Put yourself first for a change and be demanding - whether it's pain relief, information, support, explanation, etc.  Best of luck. xx ... View more

Hi CaroleM, really glad you've got a definite date now.  Agree it's been too long!  You sound very similar to me in terms of size of tumour, DCIS, hormone status etc.  Breast cancers mostly grow very slowly indeed (5 years to get to 1cm), so I would try not to fret that the delay has compromised your outcomes. Keep positive as you are, focus on clear lymph nodes but always know that if they are not clear, it just means a change of plan not a death sentence.  Best of luck. xx ... View more

Good tears though, RunningMum, eh? xxx ... View more