Breast Cancer Now Forum

hey ladies,    hope all is well with treatment.  I have had my radiotherapy and rang the bell 🔔 last week. I’m actually not sure what has actually went on in the last year 🤯 xx ... View more

Awww excellent news Jem, it really is a great feeling. I said after my last one that I was going to embrace the side effects as it would be the last lot o would have to endure, def made it easier.  Have you decided on a surgery? Hopefully be a better kind of normal at the end of June.  they had just reduced the visiting times when I was in hosp but I was only home a couple of days when visiting stopped all together. I don’t think o could have coped almost 3 weeks without seeing the family. Although, like everything else with this journey, u just put ur head down and get on with it.  Radio is a bit of a pest as my hubby is away working and I have the 2 small kids at home. So planning sitters in the current climate is not easy. We r having to take 2 cars to the hosp, me in one with the kids and the other my in-laws. I leave the keys with the in-laws and they stand outside my car and watch the kids from there. What else can you do 🤷🏻‍ ♀️ Xx ... View more

That would of been better as I’m an hour drive to the hosp and an hour drive back 🙄 nevermind, it’s only 15 times 😂 Thanks, I will do. Hope you have a nice weekend xx ... View more

Aww that’s good that he/she done a great job.  And scarring is fading. Yeah left side too. That’s me all marked up for it. Just a countdown now to get started xx ... View more

How did u find radiotherapy?  Aww hopefully not too long till you get to wave goodbye to them. That’s a pest about those appts being cancelled if that’s what u are waiting for.  What surgery did you have?  I have a small lump came up, surgeon seen it so I’m back to the breast clinic on Monday for ultrasound and poss biopsy. Although as surgeon has said I have no breast tissue left, it will give me peace of mind. They are pretty sure it’s fat necrosis.  ... View more

Aww, it’s a great feeling to get past the half way mark. How’s your arm? That’s a fair sized blood clot. The PICC is great, I had one in after getting my DIEP, I ended up with an infection and my veins were shot. I was dreading getting it out in but it was actually no problems. It will be a wait off your shoulders having that in instead.  I defo found the docetaxel harder.  Yeah all good to go, start radio 2 weeks today. I’m getting my full 15 sessions. I believe in some places in England it’s 5 sessions now.  I still go in every 3 weeks for my herceptin injection, zoledex every 4 weeks and zometa 6 monthly. Still waiting to hear what tab I will be on xx ... View more

Thank you, at the beginning u never think u are going to get to this part and finally I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. what stage of treatment are you at? Xx ... View more

Hi,  How you doing? That’s a pest about appointments. None of mine have been cancelled so far.  My recovery from my DIEP has taken an age, still have a small wound and that’s been since my surgery at the beginning of March. Seen surgeon and he said in an ideal world I would have had another washout due to the Seroma but because of covid it’s not possible 🙄 just finished a course of 2 antibiotics too due to it.  had an appt yesterday at the radio dept for pre treatment planning. So they are happy that the wound is small and I will start my 15 sessions of radiotherapy in 2 weeks time.  How are all you ladies getting on?  xx ... View more

Hi jemmalou101,   how are you doing?  Sorry for the long reply, just received this just now. So I had my op 2 weeks ago and currently still in hosp. The DIEP has been successful (so far) took a bit longer than anticipated, I was in theatre for 15 hours but only because the surgeon was happy with his first attempt of joining the blood supply. I also had a full node clearance which would have added time.  I was doing great after surgery and by Saturday home had already been mentioned, all drains were out and I was managing to walk on my own.  Unfortunately by the Sunday I had spiked a temp and my breast was really red and hot to touch. Surgeon said it was a saroma and was just very unlucky that it had happened. I had to go back to theatre on the tuesday and have a washout and then again on Thursday for another washout. There were talks about going back to theatre again but my (new) drain has started draining really good volumes so they are hoping that’s enough. I’m on IV antibiotics but my infection markers are coming down all the time so hopefully they will be stopped soon.  So my breast is a bit swollen but overall I am more than happy with the results, I actually can’t believe how natural it looks (minus a nipple). As for my stomach, it’s really not cause any problems, I thought it would be really painful but it’s more just a tight feeling. (When I came out of surgery I had this thing they called a bomb, it was tubing that ran along where the surgery was done and it delivered local anaesthetic every hour, it really was amazing)  All in all I am glad I made the decision I did, even though I have been longer in hosp.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask, it’s best going in with as much info as possible xx ... View more

Ah, I actually know nothing about radiotherapy. Just taking every step as it comes. I think it’s about 10 weeks after surgery I start.  I’m  presuming I will be the same as it’s also my left side.  How much more have you to go? I am mon to fri for 3 weeks which is a pain as it’s an hour drive away, but has to be done.  mom presuming everyone is 3 weeks too? Xx ... View more

Hi Jemmalou,  There wasn’t much options for me, unless I had the mastectomy and then recon later. But we are the same, a 2 year waiting list when I decide on recon, plus the surgeon also said that they would have to look at maybe looking at pig skin as all excess skin would have been removed  at mastectomy therefor when it came to recon there wouldn’t be enough skin.  I am an E cup so yeh op Isi g muscle from the side wouldn’t be enough and they would need an implant under it, but obv the implant is not an option if I want recon before radiotherapy. The nurses and surgeons all felt that the DIEP was the right choice to make, but I must admit I was put off slightly with the length of time in hosp and also the recovery. Prob made harder as my youngest is only 4. Im sure which ever u decide will be the right thing for you.  hi shablah,    how long does radiotherapy take everyday? I hope your skin isnt too sore for long.  I always find it strange that the stuff that makes u better, also makes u feel awful. Xx ... View more

Hi jemmalou   its always a good feeling to finish another part of treatment, especially chemo.  I got my date yesterday, 3rd March so not too long to wait.  I am having a mastectomy with DIEP recon and full node clearance. I wasn’t allowed implant as I’m having radiotherapy afterwards.  what’s your thoughts on surgery? Xx ... View more

Hi lilyb84 Glad to heat ur little one is doing well.  Just thought I would let you know my experiences about the cold cap. I have finished my chemo and awaiting surgery (supposed to have surgery last week but was cancelled due to infection)  I used the cold cap throughout my chemo (I had 7 sessions in total) yes it does add time on to chemo, infact it doubles the time almost, but for me it was totally worth it. I found it uncomfortable for the first 10-15mins and then you don’t feel it, so if u decide to go for it, just aim for getting past the 15mins. Probably the most annoying part for me was the strap to hold it down. I still have my hair, although it is def is thinner but I had really thick hair to start with.  Hope all goes well with your chemo xx ... View more

Hi guys,    I got a phone call last week, I’m in for my surgery on wed (recon with DIEP flap)  total mixed emotions. I’m a bit concerned though, I have an awful cough just now, I’m just hoping that it won’t be delayed xx ... View more

Thank you, had my CT scan last night and have the pre op tomorrow.  I actually have been on a bit of a downer since, I knew it was coming just didn’t think it would be so quick. Trying to get organised but I feel like I am going round in circles. Xx ... View more

Total surprise, I thought it would be another 2-3 weeks away. I have my CT scan tomorrow and pre assessment on Thursday. Starting to feel real now.  xx ... View more

Just had word today, I will be getting my surgery next wed but will be admitted on the Tuesday. I really do need to get organised 😬 xx ... View more

My goodness,, you would have thought they would of had you in the night before?! How long do they think the op will take with both procedures?  I bought the pjs from Asda, they cane the other day, they are great actually. I also bought the Asda post op bras and I must say I’m impressed. The breast recon nurse was telling me that after surgery the ward staff check your recon breast every 30 mins to check that blood supply is good, not sure how long they do that for. This is when she advised me of front opening pjs so it was easier for staff to check.  haha, perfect opportunity to catch up. I will need to sort out my iPad and get some decent stuff on it.   xx ... View more

I have been told to expect it to be a recovery of 6-8 weeks,, I’m hoping that really is worst case and it’s more like 4, but the nurse said no driving for 6 weeks 🤷🏻‍ ♀️   We are thinking it’s going to be the week of the 24th as that’s when it looked like there would be theatre space. I suppose my bloods would have needed to recover from my chemo too, so possibly good timing. I’m hoping to find out this week though.  mare you organised for going in? I have bought a couple of bits for my bag, not sure what I will all need xx ... View more

Hi Sam,    How are you?  I was diagnosed with IDC grade 2 (oestrogen pos and HER2 pos) which has spread to lymph nodes. I started chemo in sept and completed it in dec, however I had to go back last week for a final round due to the fact I should of been seen by surgeon and have had surgery by now. (I sure why this has happened but would have left me too long between chemo and surgery).  I was in last week to see breast and plastic surgeon along with reconstruction nurse to go over my options. I too will be having he DIEP  as implant not an option due to me having radiotherapy afterwards. I will also be having a full node clearance at the same time. I am an E cup and I believe they are hopeful that they can match up but may need some ‘tweaks’ at a later date.  The surgeon told me that he has done the surgery in 6 hours before but has also had one last 16 hours and to expect to stay anything from 5-10 days.  I am a little bit frustrated as I still have no date for surgery as the departments are all still trying to get one that fits all of them. Im a little bit apprehensive as to whether this is the right decision but given my age (35) I feel I might regret not going for reconstruction at a later date. I have spoken to several people who are delighted with the outcome of the DIEP and who have said they were more uncomfortable than sore afterwards.  xx ... View more