Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Choops,   Sorry you find yourself visiting the forum.   The fear is worse than the reality. You will come through this, I was 62 when I was originally diagnosed and had never had surgery before, my first op ended up being a breast reduction rather than a lumpectomy as they found more suspect areas that had not shown up on the mammogram and I was so scared not knowing what to expect. I was worried that I wasn’t going to wake up again, whereas I found I woke up feeling really refreshed. Due to the margins not being clear I had a wide local excision and then a simple mastectomy with no reconstruction in November 2017.   Being large busted I couldn’t really get away with not wearing my prosthetic which has caused problems with eczema so I had another mastectomy for symmetry last week on 2nd May which will hopefully resolve the dermatology issues.     I didn’t have reconstruction so can only comment on what I have done for my recovery. I found it worked for me the first time and haven’t really changed anything this time round. I followed the instructions I had been given, I did the exercises three to four times a day (more beneficial if you do them slowly), and if it said don’t do something it I didn’t.   I took Arnica 30C following my ops, I find it helps with the bruising and the pain. I went out for a walk every day, just a short walk initially but then built it up, it was nice to get out in the fresh air. I took it really easy for the first week and just relaxed. Watch a film or read a book, if you feel tired go for a nap, don’t overdo it. You will feel fatigued. I found it very frustrating that I hadn’t got the strength to do even simple things like taking the top off a bottle of milk. Most of the pain has been in my ribs and underarm with very little from the mastectomy site itself. I found I didn’t need to take as many painkillers as I did for my very first op, I have only been taking paracetamol in the morning and evening but have made sure I take the Arnica regularly.   As everyone is different, I suggest you make a note of when you take your pain meds, so you take them at the right time and don’t overdose, your brain takes time to recover from the anaesthetic. Take them regularly, to avoid the pain and then feeling miserable while you wait for them to kick in until you gauge how much you need. I slept on my back for the first few weeks and used pillows for support before managing to sleep on my side using the edge of the duvet to make it more comfortable. The skin around my surgery site felt strange, a bit numb but sensitive at the same time, when you think all the nerves have been cut it’s not surprising.   I ate a well balanced diet and drank plenty of fluids.   Thats all I can think of at the moment, l hope it helps, let me know if you have any further questions.   Best wishes for your forthcoming operation.   Krysbe     ... View more

You don’t sound fussy at all. I had a mastectomy with no reconstruction in November 2017 and was unaware at that time that you could have the other breast removed for symmetry on the NHS. It was my surgeon that originally mentioned it on the morning of my operation, however it has still taken a while to get them to agree and I am now scheduled for surgery next month. I get the impression that they just want you to be sure that you are making the right decision, as each time I asked I was told to go away and think about it, although I have not been referred for psychiatric evaluation, just the BN telling me my body shape would be different and that my stomach would show more.  I do have a family history of breast cancer but it is insufficient for genetic screening so they have agreed purely for symmetry. I was hoping when the new NICE guidance (NG101) came out last year that it might mention breast symmetry for those women that chose not to have reconstruction. However it concentrates on offering reconstruction with one line stating that some women may prefer not to have breast reconstruction surgery. Good Luck and stick to your guns if that is truly what you want, but be prepared that they may only operate on the one side initially. Krysbe     ... View more

Hi Fiona,   Sorry you find yourself on the forum but welcome, it is a lot to get your head round but take it one step at a time. I was diagnosed in August 2017 and had a mastectomy on my right breast with no reconstruction and it still seems surreal. At the time I wasn’t aware they would do a contralateral mastectomy on the NHS, but have now managed get an appointment for surgery on the other breast for symmetry. For me reconstruction was not a path I wanted to go down and I’m happy being flat, but you need to go with what feels right for you. At one stage I did consider getting a tattoo, but I think you need to wait at least 12 months and as my scar is not really noticeable now I am not going to bother.  I was given a prosthetic around 7 weeks post surgery by a very experienced fitter, who spent a long time going through different makes to find the best match (I really couldn’t tell the difference). I am a 34DD and initially wore the silicone prosthetic with a padded bra, but have now gone for a more natural look and wear a Been a Boob with a non padded bra as I find it more comfortable. From what I remember I think you can have a new prosthetic on the NHS every 2 years or before that if you loose a lot of weight or it gets damaged. I had already gone through the menopause before being put on hormone treatment, but have ended up going through it again as the symptoms are the same. I use a Lady Care Magnet, which works wonders for me with the hot flushes, glucosamine for the aches and additional calcium for my bones.         ... View more

Hi Eliza, Hope everything is alright and you are recovering well from your surgery yesterday.    I initially expressed an interest in having my other breast removed for symmetry at my post op appointment, but was told to go away and think about it. I mentioned it again at my annual review and was told to speak to my BCN and make another appointment in 3 months time to discuss whether I was still happy to go ahead. I saw my consultant in early February and he has booked me in for surgery in May, he didn’t put me on the waiting list in the end as I was happy to fit in with them and wait until the winter bed pressures were over and not coincide with any routine mammogram screening clinics. He did seem to imply that if he put me on the waiting list it might never happen, so it sounded like the flexible approach worked in my favour. It’s taken a while for me to get a date but I’ve got there in the end. Due to the size of my remaining breast unfortunately I can’t really go bra less. I found the warmth from my prosthetic and the stress of the annual review caused my eczema to flare up, which resulted in my mastectomy site being very red and itchy on the day of my appointment. I have found my consultant to be very supportive of my decision, it has been more the BCN that has tried to dissuade me. There is a website called “Flat Friends” who also have a closed Facebook page which you may find useful. Let me know if you want any hints or tips to help your recovery. Take care Krysbe    ... View more

Thank you Christine. I’ll start doing pelvic floor exercises and see if that helps. ... View more

I’ve been on Letrozole for 13 months, and apart from the hot flushes ( which are less now I’m wearing a Lady Care magnet) haven’t been too bad. Has anyone else developed frequent urination and how far through treatment when it started? My GP doesn’t think it is the Letrozole due to the amount of time I’ve been taking them and all the tests she requested have come back negative thank goodness. ... View more

Hi Lynda,   Thank you, I’m glad you found my post helpful. It is a difficult decision to make what to do, but you need to go with what feels right for you. The assumption seems to be that if you have a mastectomy you will want reconstruction. I have huge admiration for those ladies out there that have reconstruction, but for me it didn’t seem the right choice. Truth be told I’m a bit of a coward and have never really been a great fan of my boobs (too big), so the thought of the additional surgery and longer recovery time to match something I didn’t like seemed pointless.   I can only go from a non reconstruction point of view, but there are posts on the forum in the going through treatment/surgery section which you may find helpful.    Flat Friends have a website and Facebook page which offers lots of support if you are thinking about no reconstruction.   Good luck for Monday and remember the decision needs to feel right for you.    ... View more

Hi, I’m originally from Coventry, but now live in West Sussex. ... View more

I am so sorry to hear about your daughters experience, it was awful for both of you.   I used a post surgery bra the day after my surgery as I’m a 34DD I needed to support my other breast. Once I had had the dressing removed I put a breast feeding nursing pad next to the wound as I still had some stitches that hadn’t dissolved fully. The pad stopped the stitches from catching on the fabric and prevented me from getting sore until I had healed. I initially used the softie I was given in hospital but found a Knited Knocker more comfortable. These are provided free to ladies that have had a mastectomy, link to website below. https://www.knittedknockers.org     I started to rub Bio Oil into my scar once it had fully healed (around 6 weeks) and you can hardly see it now.    Hope that helps.   ... View more

I was recalled following a routine mammogram in August 2017, and was diagnosed with grade 2 breast cancer following a biopsy. Only one tumour showed up on the mammogram but a scan on the morning of my surgery revealed an additional 2 tumours which were later confirmed as grade 2 as well.   ... View more

Sorry to hear you are having problems with Letrozole. I took 1g of glucosamine before I was diagnosed with BC for joint pain and carried on taking it when I started the Letrozole just under 12 months ago. I have increased the dose to 1.5g which keeps the aches and pains away so I am able to exercise and have been lucky not to put on weight. It does seems to depend which brand you use as to how effective it is, as I am allergic to crustaceans so use the vegetarian variety. I usually get them from Boots which are only 500mg per tablet,  but as I had increased the dose I tried the ones from Holland & Barrett which for me didn’t seem to work. I took them for about a week before I woke up one morning and could hardly move I was in so much pain in all my joints, switched back to Boots brand and after taking them for about  5 days was back to normal. If you do decide to give them a try check with your GP first as they can interact with some medicines.   Hugs Krysbe ... View more

Delly the triangle was a bunch of flowers, not sure why it’s changed as the picture was there and still is when I go to edit my post. Good luck for your results on Thursday Miffy. Fantastic news that your driving Annig. Hugs xx ... View more

Hi Annig, so sorry to hear your news, what a huge shock for you. Sending you flowers, love and hugs. ... View more

Well done from me too. Give yourself a pat on the back for your perseverance you deserve it, the exercises are hard work but definitely worth it. Years ago when my mum had her op she ended up with a frozen shoulder and I just remember how much pain she was in as there wasn’t so much emphasis on exercising then. Get plenty of rest as well. Xx   ... View more