Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hello Mockab, Just wanted to say hi.  I was in your shoes back in April 2018, had single mastectomy, node biopsy, then I had chemo and radiotherapy.. so a bit of everything there.  Taking each step at a time is the best way forward.  Trying to look beyond that can be overwhelming.  It is strange when you feel so well yet you know you have this "thing" going on isn't it.   I decided to remain flat on the one side, am quite used to it now, but I have an open door anytime in the future to have reconstruction if I wish. so never say never.    Take care of yourself and take things easy. Kip x ... View more

Oh the waiting is so hard isn't it.  Thinking of you.  Kip ... View more

Hey ladies, Just been reading your posts and was so pleased i wasnt the only one with husband issues.  Im 2 years post diagnosis now but during treatment hubby never showed his emotions, found it hard to hug me or discuss emotional stuff.  He was a brilliant support though and helped around the house etc.  At the time i would get so frustrated with him and its only now the dust has settled ive learnt how scared he was and he just couldn't show it to me as he had to be the strong one.  He has said that it is so hard going from husband to carer and then back to husband again..id never thought of that.  I wish he would have talked to someone about it all, and possibly he did just not me.   I had a single masectomy with no recon and its taken a while for him to look at that too.  Strangely i never had a problem with it. So husbands are a funny breed and as individual as this bloody cancer i guess.   Asda is my go to for post op bras too.  And mens shirts are perfect post op. Thanks for making me think about my husband, wouldnt swap him for the world but sometimes only another lady going through this can help.. so we are all here for you.   Kip X ... View more

Hi, Ive just sat and read through this post and was compelled to drop in.  I was diagnosed 2 years ago and you could all be writing my story.  I dont think unless you have ever received the news "you have cancer" you will ever fully understand just how that feels.  I was 48, 2 teenagers ,fit and healthy and found a lump.  Fast track a few weeks and wham..you have cancer.  Those first few weeks were beyond a doubt the worst in my life.  Waiting for tests, results and treatment plans seems a lifetime.  My emotions went from strong positive to curled in a ball sobbing and everything in-between.  I came to realise this was normal.  Letting out the tears and anger helped, sometimes just doing something else for a while.  There is no hard and fast rule for how you deal with this, everyone is different.  The one thing that we all have in common is this forum.  It is a lifeline!!  When I felt nobody could understand, someone always did on here.  So I'm glad you've found us. Im sure people have already said this but once you get started in a treatment plan you do begin to cope better.  I had a single masectomy, no recon and still haven't.  Not for everyone i know and you must make the choices with a selfish frame of mind.. what feels right for you!  I then had 6 x chemo, full node clearance, 15 x radiotherapy and now on 10 years of Tamoxifen.  Wont lie, wasnt all plain sailing..but you do it, i i worked throughout, albeit at home, and still got out and about and enjoyed life.   I can imagine having the coronavirus situation thrown into the mix must be hellish too.  So i just wanted to say, take it a day at a time, dont berate yourself if you have a downer day and keep on talking on here.. sending you all big hugs Kip ... View more

Hi Faithy, Im on Tamoxifen too, have been for approximately 18 months now.  I definitely find different brands affect me more, both physically and mentally.  I have very stiff sore joints, hips, knees, hands, feet etc.  I used to feel best on Teva brand but i believe from research and searching chemists that this brand is no longer available.  Its worth seeing if you can switch back to the original brand and see if that helps.  There are lots of ladies on here who have problems with brands too.  My nurse recommended taking supplements to help, she suggested magnesium and zjnc, glucosamine and chondroitin.  I do take these and am still stiff but who knows if i would be worse without.  Always check with your docs if you can take the supplements though as they could  react with any other drugs you take. I also do gentle yoga and that helps too. If you find a miracle cure.. let me know. ... View more

Hi Curlybear,  So glad the op is done and you're back home.  What a relief to get that but done, and don't fret about looking at the scar, do it in your own time.. No rush.  Those exercises are tricky to begin with but very important.  Just do them little and often.  I had very odd numbness and tingling around the wound and arm so don't worry if you do too... Nerves knitting back etc all feel odd. I still have some numbness but it has lessened.  Rest up as the anesthetic does take its toll too.  Keep safe KIP ... View more

Hi well hopefully you are having the op today,. Or tomorrow.  You may be physically alone but mentally we'll be there sending virtual support.  Let us know how it goes. Big hug  kip ... View more

Hi all,  just wanted to add to the already great advice given.  I had a mastectomy, no recon, and also node clearance although that was a separate surgery.  My mastectomy was pretty straight forward and I was home within about 6 hours, same with the nodes. As mentioned by the other ladies I didn't need pain killers just rest and remember to do the exercises to get the arm moving again.  I can imagine having this to deal with along side the restrictions of Covid 19 must be doubly hard.. But don't feel afraid to reach out to the forum. There's always someone around on here.   I remember so many on here tell v me that once treatment started I would feel more in control and they were right, so hopefully you'll get dates for surgery soon and can begin. To move forward. Take care Kip ... View more

Hi ladies,. Just wanted to add ive had the shielding letter too and i finished active treatment in dec 2018,. Had chemo and rads and on Tamoxifen.  Ive checked with my oncology team and advised i am not classed as extremely vulnerable and can have my hour exercise as per everyone else.  They have been inundated by people getting these letters who do not fit the categories ,. She thinks they have been filtered by using the words, cancer chemo etc.    It was very worrying to receive it though ... View more

Hi Tansy,  yes I had full mastectomy.. No recon.  Still remaining flat and happy with that.  Its not for everyone though and a very difficult decision to make.  I have to say my scar, although long, is very neat and fading quickly.  I didn't panic about looking at it,  after my op I immediately checked they had taken the right one and was surprised by the piece of tape over it.. Was expecting bandages padding etc.  No stitches, just glue and before I left hospital (6 hrs later!). The nurse gaved me a soft prosthetic to wear in a soft bra and off I went.  Now I have knitted knockers which are soft and light and I ding notice they are there.   KIP   ... View more

Hi Tansy,  glad all the support and our stories are helping.  It's a passage of rights. . I had so many lovely ladies who told me their stories when I was diagnosed and it helps to know others got through it doesn't it. Jane has pretty much told you everything I did too, keep up with the exercises to get movement back after surgery. And I was the same with chemo, ropey for a few days each cycle but you get through and I still managed to work and go out.   Oh and just wanted to say, the op was only 2 hours long and I was home within 6 hours of going into hospital... not a 6 hour op.    I had the drain in for a few days, but it was no problem and the nurse came round to take it out, easy peasy.. didn't hurt at all. Keep strong, you'll get there and once you have the plan in place you will feel much better. Kip x ... View more

Hi Tansy,. Ive just read your post and it took me right back to my diagnosis in 2018.  Sjnce then ive had masectomy, no recon, chemo, node clearance and radiotherapy..and now coming to 2 years clear.  The beginning of this journey is just awful..processing the diagnosis the tests everything is overwhelming BUT youll get through it, just take is one step at a time.  Take any help you can, my hospital had lots of help groups and things , reflexology etc. All helpful.  Im on tamoxifen too, for 10 years..not without its side effects but im living life , working full time and feel great.  And as for looking at the masectomy afterwards..  i was soooo surprised just how neat and tidy it all looked..healed quickly jn fact in and out of hospital in about 6 hours... And now i dont really think about it..its my battle scar and shows just how toughh us warrior woman are. Bug hug Kip ... View more

Hi lilyb,. You poor thing.   I used Igloo gel for my ulcers as well as salt water. Its available off the shelf.   It may be worth seeing if you have oral thrush,. Mine was really sore and i was given fluconozole to take each cycle and it certainly didnt get so bad again.     Speak to your hotline, i did and they gave me a prescription that day.  Ice lollies or ice-cream may help with the mouth too, or i found fruit tea was nice.  Tonic water was refreshing too.     Kip xx ... View more

Hi lillyb,. Ii cant cant imagine how hard this is with a newborn i have the biggest admiration for you.  Youve been given great advice already but i just wanted to add that the manuka honey for a sore mouth is great and i also made a botttle of cooled boiled water with salt in and regularly swished that around my mouth.  You can get a mouthwash called Difflam too, you can ask the hospital to provide some for you for next cycle.  I developed mouth thrush on occasions and the hospital  would give me some medication for each cycle and id start that as soon as i felt a tingle. If you're having the self administered injections too they can cause fluey type aching but should ease as soon as the injections stop.  Dont hesitate to call your chemo hotline if you feel too poorly as they may be able to help you.   Keep a note of how you feel each  day as it may be a pattern for next time. And you can then start treatments before they take hold.  I found day 5-6... Emotionally tough and the mid week worse for symptoms but things picked up again. Rest all you can...kip ... View more

Hi Reddi,  lovely to hear from you. Seems you have been so busy but glad all faring well.  As Feenix said it's coming up to mammo time for a lot of us... Just trying to keep calm and carry on. Good luck with the job Kip ... View more

Indeed. No truer words ever spoken  Kip ... View more

Hi hope,  definateky agree being alive with one boob is much preferred time the other option. You sound like you've got some support for after the op which is great, I felt a great relief to get the C out and moving forward with treatment but do expect the emotions to hit you, it's usual after anesthetic without the added stress of BC so just be ready for it if it happens.   It's good you'll be drain free before you going home. One less thing to worry about. Ill be thinking of you Kip  ... View more

Thanks ladies it's comforting to know its kinda the new normal to feel like this makes a big difference..kip xx ... View more

Hello Wonky, I know these posts were from a couple of weeks ago, but I have been avoiding the forum a bit as I have been feeling a bit "wobbly" myself.   Had a really good couple of months, where I felt positive and upbeat and thought Yup I can do this.  Then out of nowhere the fear, the gremlin, the wondering all came back.  I am putting it down to different Tamoxifen brands but I'm sure its a state of mind we are all having/will have throughout the coming years.   Not sure how you deal with it, I've tried lots of things too and sometimes I just have to say things out loud to myself, repeat the things the doctors and nurses have said and try to make sense of it all.  Its tough.. no doubt about it and like you I've not asked too much about my cancer.  I know it was the invasive ductal type, grade 2 and some small bits in the lymph nodes.  At the time I didn't want to know more, just cracked on with the chopping, poisoning and then burning treatments!  Very barbaric when put like that I know.. Lets hope one day they look back and say "crikey do you remember when we used to treat cancer with poison and burning!".   I'm glad you seem to be dealing with it a bit better now.  Although there are no answers to how we can live with the fear.. it really helps me to see I'm not the only one. Thanks for your posts. Kip x ... View more

Hi hope,  I was diagnosed in April 2018..and sounds similar to you.  Initially one lump but after mri some other areas of speckled nasties so full mastectomy.  I chose to remain flat and still am, and happy too.  The op itself was very straight forward.  I was in theatre at 9am and back home by 3pm on same day,  one strip of plaster and a drain.  The drain was in for 3 days but manageable and was easily removed at home by nurse.   The wound healed quickly.  Just remember to do the exercises you get given as soon as possible as they help to get the movement back.  Take it slowly at first but do them as far as you can. As for the sentinel node bit.. If it's what I had it was an injection the day before surgery of a dye which f in nds its way to the nodes and when you are under anesthestic they can see the sentinel node as it shows  up blue, that way theyknow which to take.  It didn't hurt just like a blood test. A few tips for post op,  front fastening shirts and a soft post op front fastening bra, I got mine from Asda online,  take a cushion to put under your arm and under seat belt for journey home.  A triangular pillow helped with sleep at first as you can't lay on your side for a bit. Hospital gave me a heart shaped cushion to pop under the poorly arm which makes t comfy too.  But all in all just rest up but also try to have a little stroll every so often as it's good for circulation.  It won't seem like it now but you'll get through this,  I've had 2 ops chemo and rads and am out the other side... We've got you, hang in there you are not alone x Kip ... View more