Hello Louise, Silver Pixie and Bod and all our other July buddies I too miss the support you all provided, it made a huge difference to my ability to cope. Louise, I had a seroma after my lumpectomy in June but it wasn't bothering me so the nurses were happy to let it heal on its own, I couldn't face them sticking a needle in to drain it! It probably took about 3 months to go away completely. Other ladies had this when they had their radiotherapy so I dont think its a big deal -but ask when you have your planning meeting. When you go for your meeting/rads just wear an easy to move top, they will probably give you a 'dignity tunic' to wear, my hospital sent me home with it for the duration - but there is very little dignity about it! It always made me laugh as they nurses try so hard to be respectful and preserve your dignity but you still have to lie on a hard bed with your boobs on full display while they line you up, and then they cover your 'good' boob back over while you get blasted! You get used to the process so quickly, compared to chemo it is a doddle. In case no one has mentioned you will get 3 teeny tiny tattoos (I call them my tittoo's) I was most worried about this as I dont like needles but when the nurse did them I didn't feel a thing and I can barely see them. I was not going to bother with crop tops being bigger busted but after a few days the boob does get red and a little swollen so I bought some crop tops from M and S, they are sold in packs of 2 and I found that wearing 2 together gave good support so am still wearing them now (my rads finished Dec 4th). Get yourself some Simple shower gel for washing and some Aveeno cream to lather on after rads and throughout the day. If you want to use aloe vera gel its really only best for cooling down, and you must let it fully dry - I did not know this and ended up having some nipple skin peeled off by my pyjama top! Silverpixie, I do hope you get good results for your heart scan. I didnt drink before BC so it didn't cause mine, I would say if you enjoy a few glasses of wine here or there you go for it, life is too short! Bod, good luck with your continued targetted therapy and zolendronic acid, you are a star. My hair is returning, i have used my husbands haird clippers on the sides a couple of times just to even it out as they are growing faster than the top! I love having eyelashes again and my eyebrows seem to be coming back lighter. I ditched the scarves and never bothered with the wig, and everyone complements my hair, weirdly most people want to stroke it - which is strange but I go with it!! Started Tamoxifen back in Dec, 2 months down, another 9 years and 10 months to go, so far so good, no new side effects to report - still having the hot flushes at night from the chemo tho which is the most annoying part. Im just trying to lose the chemo 'padding' I gained from all the chocolate eating during treatment - have lost about 5lbs, need to lose quite a few more though to get back to my pre-treatment weight. Stay strong ladies, you are all doing great and I think about you often Love Helly xx
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