Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi @Frances55 - first of all welcome to this forum, I hope you are recovering well from your operation. I’m also interested to hear any more answers about people being offered MRIs. I had one at diagnosis because I had lymph node involvement, but haven’t been offered one since. I’ll make a note to ask my consultant at my next check, or my GP and would be interested if you find out any more. Very best wishes, Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Chops369 - first of all welcome to this forum, although I’m obviously very sorry you find yourself on here. You are doing exactly the right thing by coming onto a reputable site to look for information and asking for advice. Reconstruction is a very personal decision based on many factors. I had an implant with my mastectomy and would be very happy to answer further questions. Things to consider are breast size, how important the look of the reconstruction is (own tissue is I believe more natural looking, for example), recovery time (implant recovery should be quicker) and any ideas your own consultant has given you. Your surgeon may have photos of previous operations he has done - you could ask to look at those to give you an idea of what to expect. I wish you all the very best as you go forward. This forum is here for practical advice, but also moral support and hand holding. There is a lovely team of nurses on here too who you can speak to with medical questions, or again for support. You can phone them or contact them via the message boards. Evie xx ... View more

Hi Jane @Talandjane - I can’t help with your question regarding Letrozole and magnesium supplements, but I do take magnesium supplements with Tamoxifen. My GP advised this and my oncologist confirmed this was correct. Someone else may come along to give their experience with Letrozole, but I think it’s always best to double check any supplements with your GP or hospital consultant. I hope you continue to recover well from treatment and surgery and that Letrozole continues to treat you kindly. Very best wishes, Evie xx ... View more

@Mrv168 - that’s wonderful news, and thank you so much for coming back to let us know. It’s really good that they are being so thorough and double checking in 6 months, that sounds like a good belt and braces approach. But do lock away the thought of that appointment and try not to think about it until the time comes. I’m very visual and I try to imagine a big wooden box with a big padlock on it. I hope now you can move on with your exciting plans with your boyfriend. Don’t forget the forum is here any time should you want information or a chat, but hopefully you will never need to visit again (I mean that in the nicest possible way!!) Evie xx ... View more

@NKB - You’ve already had some great advice from Jill and Shi, so I’ll see if I can add anything too. Having a cancer diagnosis is a shock, and then when plans change you get another shock. So I would definitely agree with Shi - do ask your friends for help to get you through chemo, they will be very glad to help. As you say, chemo does affect everyone differently. Your team will read you a list of side effects, but that doesn’t mean you will get all of them - they have to warn you about everything though. When I had my chemo I had infusions every 3 weeks. I felt rough for the first week, the second week I started to improve but that was the week where my immune system was at its lowest so I had to be ultra careful not to get an infection, and then the third week was where I would feel more normal again. Some people have weekly infusions though - but I don’t know how that would make you feel. I didn’t work during chemo, but I have read stories from people who managed to work through chemo - so everyone is very different.  Do make sure you speak to your team if you suffer side effects as there are all kinds of medications to help. Also get yourself a reliable thermometer as you will need to monitor your temperature daily - your team will explain everything to you. They will also give you a number to call if you have problems - don’t hesitate to call if you have concerns. So I guess I would say play things a bit by ear to see how you feel, but get some support systems in place, particularly for the first week after an infusion. Also explain to your friends that they will need to keep away from you if they are unwell as chemo will knock your immune system. Hopefully as it’s summer there will be fewer bugs around and you could meet your friends outside if you were concerned. I found the support of friends invaluable when I had chemo. I enjoyed messages from friends chatting about anything other than chemo, made me feel just that bit more normal. On a practical level, stock up the freezer or get some online grocery deliveries - or ask your friends to pick up groceries for you. That’s a few thoughts to start with - but I’m very happy to answer any more questions you think of. I wish you all the very best as you go through chemo, and really hope it is gentle with you. Evie xx ... View more

@Mrv168 - Sorry I didn’t have a chance to reply properly earlier. Did you mean you are due to get your results Sunday afternoon? I will keep everything crossed for a reassuring result. Try not to read anything into having an appointment booked - every hospital has its own rules and I would be surprised if receptionists were allowed to give out results. I’m sorry to hear that your boyfriend’s grandmother is sick, and wish her well too.  When I joined this forum after my diagnosis I remember some wonderful advice one of the ladies in my chemo group kept reminding us about - to take one day at a time, or even one hour at a time when things get tough. I’ve never forgotten her words. I’m here if you would like to chat. Otherwise I’ll be thinking of you and please come back and let me know how you get on. Hugs, Evie xx   ... View more

@Mrv168 - just thinking of you and wanted to send you a hug. Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Abi7 - I’m not sure I’m qualified to be able to give you an opinion on which option to go for, much as I wish I could. Every diagnosis is very individual, and our bodies are all different, so there isn’t a “one size fits all” answer unfortunately. From something you said in a previous message I’m wondering if you live in the US? Doctors there may follow different guidelines to the UK. Of course I may be wrong in my guessing, and apologies if I’ve jumped to a wrong conclusion. If I were you I would make a list of questions and sit down again with my doctor and try to get him/her to help you come to the right decision for you. It’s a bit of a cliche but maybe ask them “what would you advise your mother/sister if she was in my position?” You might also want to consider giving the nurses on this site a call to chat through some options? Their number is at the top of this page. I am also happy to listen or help you chat through options if I can - and I’m sorry I haven’t been able to be more help this time. Please don’t hesitate to ask any more questions. Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Mrv168 - first of all I’d like to welcome you to this forum, but I’m obviously sorry you have found yourself here. The waiting time is probably the hardest, as our minds will always race ahead no matter what we try to tell ourselves. I’m not medical so I wouldn’t like to try to diagnose your situation, but I would say that from my experience on here I’ve seen many stories where lumps have turned out to be benign.  We’re here to hold your hand as you wait for your results, so feel free to offload or chat as much as you need, or if you just need a hug. See if you can find something to distract you while you wait - perhaps watching some easy to watch box sets, or spending time with friends. And lots of treats and self kindness, whatever it takes. I really hope you get the reassurance you are looking for and please do come back and let us know - if you want to of course. Sending hugs, Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Rannie - that’s really great news, and thank you very much for coming back to update us. Wishing you all the very best as you move forward. Don’t forget this forum is here any time you need it. Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Abi7 - first of all a big welcome to this lovely forum, although it goes without saying that I’m sorry you find yourself here. Unfortunately it’s not clear which messages you are replying to - not your fault I hasten to add, just the way the software is on this site. So I’m going to jump in and offer my help if I can. You are very welcome to ask me whatever questions you would like, so fire away. I’ll start by summarising my experience. I had my surgery about 5 years ago. I had chemo first, then a right mastectomy, an implant, and then radiotherapy. Mine is a solid implant, I’m not sure what it’s called but it doesn’t expand. Initially my consultant wasn’t keen to do an implant if I was having radiotherapy but then he came up with the option of a “pre-pectoral implant”, so it’s sits on top of the muscle, rather than underneath it, in some sort of Braxon sling and that is supposed to cut down the risk from radiotherapy. I’m giving the medical terms so that you can google if you’d like more info - or want to ask your own consultant about these options. Please do stick to safe, reputable sites if you choose to google. Looking at some of your questions - I had the implant done at the same time as my mastectomy. I believe it healed in about the same time as a regular mastectomy. I think it was about 3-4 weeks before I could drive again. My implant doesn’t quite match my real breast, but I’m used to that now and it doesn’t bother me any more. I even them up with a small breast form. If I had my time again I would discuss the sizing of my implant in more detail with my plastic surgeon to see if we could get a better match. He did offer to put an implant in my real breast, but I decided against that. Yes the loss of feeling was odd at first, but again I’ve got used to that - it’s a bit strange when you hug someone and I’m a bit conscious that they can feel my rather “firmer” breast! I’m sure that’s all in my head though. It certainly doesn’t affect my day to day living, I’m actually only really aware of my implant when I see myself naked. I exercise pretty much as usual - I have adapted my exercise on medical advice, but at the classes I do many people also adapt the exercises because of some injury or other. I always planned to have the nipple rebuilt but I’ve actually never got round to doing that. After my breast healed I wasn’t sure I wanted any more surgery - but also other things got in the way.  I hope some of that helps to start with. But please ask as many questions as you’d like and I’ll try to answer. If you are speaking to your consultant you might want to ask to see photos of previous operations so that you can see what to expect. If you want to reply specifically to me - you can either just use my name at the start, or the “@“ sign and that will bring up a list of names and you can choose to tag me, as I’ve done with your name at the start. My very best wishes to you. Evie xx   ... View more

Hi @rjh18 , and thanks @Jill1998 for tagging me. I too am sorry that nobody replied to your post at the time, but I really hope your wife is recovering well after she completed her chemo. Did she have a CT scan? I think I had a CT scan with an MRI just before I started chemo - but that whole diagnosis time was a bit of a blur so I couldn’t be 100% sure what scans were done, or what they were called. I just agreed to anything that was offered. If there are any other questions I or others might be able to help you and your wife with, please don’t hesitate to message again. I also had the same ER+/PR+/HER- diagnosis, had chemo, surgery and radiotherapy. If you hit the “@“ button you can then tag someone and get their attention to make sure the message doesn’t get missed. It’s tough being the one supporting the person going through treatment, so if we can help you too please ask. Hugs, Evie ... View more

Hi @sunshine1806 - I’m sorry you haven’t had a response yet to your question, and I didn’t want to read and not comment. Unfortunately I can’t help with your question but I hope that I can bump it up to the top of the list again and see if anyone else can help.  You might want to consider talking this through with the lovely nurses on here? Very best wishes to you, Evie xx ... View more

@JoanneN - if you want to hug a message, at the foot of the message you should find 2 buttons. There is one pink button saying “reply” and another orange circle with a white heart in it, and next to the orange one it gives the number of “hugs”. If you want to hug a message click on the orange circle with the white heart. I hope that makes sense. Evie xx ... View more

@omil - it’s a very touch decision, so you are doing exactly the right thing and asking others for their experiences. I am also small breasted and I chose to have an implant when I had my right side mastectomy. Unfortunately it’s slightly larger than my original one, but I use a small insert in my bra on the left side to even them up. I’m happy with my decision and also happy to answer any more questions if that helps at all. Very best wishes to you going forward. Hugs, Evie xx ... View more

@Blackcurrent - first of all, welcome to this forum. Your question is not at all trivial, all questions are valid and important, no matter what the subject. I’m not sure I can help personally, but I didn’t want to read and go past without comment. I wonder if you could speak to the surgeon you have just seen - you’ve seen him privately and he may be able to write a letter explaining that this surgery is medically necessary. Insurance companies can be tricky to deal with. They may have misunderstood the reason for your surgery and thinking that it is cosmetic perhaps? After that, maybe ask to speak to someone more senior in the claims department. Very best wishes to you, Evie xx Just a few thoughts. I hope that I might bump up this thread and that someone else may come along with some thoughts or advice. ... View more

@helen39 - I agree with your first post that I think many people leave the forum once they finish treatment, but it’s so lovely and reassuring to hear from those further down the line. Please do keep in touch with the forum as you go forward, even if you post updates infrequently. Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Libster75 - first of all welcome to the forum, I think this is your first post. I wonder if you have read this article by Peter Harvey - http://www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf Evie xx ... View more

Hi @Rannie - speaking from experience I know my own anxiety skyrockets around my annual checks/mammogram time. All rational thoughts go out of the window and my mind goes into overdrive. Also the first one is bound to bring back memories of diagnosis. There could be any number of reasons why your appointment has been brought forward - perhaps a cancellation and your surgeon would rather fill all appointments back to back so he can finish sooner. Perhaps he’s operating and needs to leave his clinic sooner. I’m just speculating of course. Try to stay focused on what you do know - that you had clear margins, a clear mammogram 8 months ago - rather than letting your mind race ahead. Easier for me to type than put into practice! I really hope you get the reassurance you are looking for on Friday - please come back and update us. Big hugs, Evie xx ... View more

@helen39 - have you come across this thread? Sending you big hugs and good wishes as you continue to recover. Evie xx https://forum.breastcancernow.org/t5/Recovering-from-treatment/13-Years-Out-Popped-in-to-say-Hello-to-you-all/m-p/1400481#M49616 ... View more