Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Bookish,  I can sympathise with your sleep issues.   I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction of my left breast ten years ago.  The long incision on my back where they had removed tissue/muscle, etc., for the breast reconstruction was very uncomfortable but not too painful.  The only way I could find to get any sleep was to prop myself up in bed against the headboard with a substantial pillow behind me to rest on.  Even when the incision on my back healed and I was left with a scar I still propped myself up in the same way. Maybe not lie-ing flat on your back but propped up, as I have described above, may give you some relief.  Worth a try.  Warm wishes xx ... View more

Dear Prem, so pleased that you have found the numerous responses to your original post helpful.  I do hope it re-confirms that we are here for you and many of us are in similar situations regarding breast cancer diagnosis and self-isolating during Covid.  I hope the meeting on sunday is of additional support for you and uplifting too.  Do let us all know, meantime we're thinking of you. Stay safe and keep positive.  Warm hugs and much love, xx ... View more

Hello, reading your post made me very sad.  You have coped with medical challenges so well and the outcome is so positive.  Feel proud of that achievement and remind yourself you are now well and being monitored by the medical team.  The weekend was a release of all that pent-up emotion and crying is not a bad thing.  Allow yourself that emotion.  Be kind to yourself you're only human ! I've been in isolation since the March lockdown, but fortunately have a brother & his wife who are my support bubble.  You qualify to have someone for support if you're an adult living alone so check out who that can be. I was diagnosed with early breast cancer in 2010 and had a mastectomy of my left breast and immediate reconstruction.  It was aesthetically very pleasing.  The cancer was confined to that breast so no need for radio- or chemo-therapy.   I was prescribed Letrozole for the following 5 years and had no adverse reaction/side effects.  Maybe contact your medical team to look to see if there's a comparable medication which makes you feel brighter ?  You shouldn't need to suffer unnecessarily.  Ten years later I remain well and very happy and every day thank God for that early diagnosis.  I am very fortunate and a survivor. You are too.  BIG hugs and best wishes for remaining positive.  I'm here if you'd like to keep in touch. xx   ... View more

Hello, so sorry I've only just read your new message. I believe the skin used for creating the new nipple for my left breast was part of that breast rather than grafted from elsewhere in my body and was certainly not taken from the other (right) breast which was cancer-free. You'll appreciate that 10 years is a long time to look back on now. I would reiterate that the result for me is still aesthetically very pleasing.  My advice is be guided by your own consultant/surgeon.  They are the experts. Thinking of you and wishing you well. Warm wishes. xx ... View more

Hello strangely upbeat (you should be !).  My situation is a little different to yours.  I was diagnosed with early cancer in my left breast in 2010 during a routine screening.  Within a few weeks I saw a very supportive consultant/surgeon who discussed the various options.  I decided to have a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction of that breast.  The cancer was confined to the breast so I fortunately had no need for radio- or chemo-therapy.  During the surgery they removed the original nipple but created a new one from a flap of existing skin (not sure exactly how - sorry).  The new nipple didn't have the same "pertness" but looked aesthetically very pleasing.  In due course they arranged for tattooing by a qualified NHS nurse of the small area surrounding the nipple to give it a pinkish colour  (I could choose the actual shade).  That procedure was quite sensitive as you may imagine but the result was amazing.  Now 10 years later the colour has faded somewhat and the nipple is a little flatter.  However, I'm a lucky survivor of this disease and remain in good health and look amazing... and of course very upbeat ! I hope this helps.  Your own consultant/surgeon will I'm sure give you the very best advice.  Warm hugs xx ... View more

My decision to undergo a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction of my left breast was based on the very good & re-assuring advice given to me by my Consultant.  Having both procedures naturally lengthened the surgery time but when I awoke from the operation I still had 2 complete breasts with just a small covering over the nipple area. Psychologically I still felt very feminine and I could then immediately begin the recovery and healing process. As I stated in my earlier post, I was most fortunate to benefit from this decision and 10 years later am in very good health and look amazing. Best and warmest wishes for your own journey.  Stay positive and very safe and let me know how you are.  xx ... View more

Hello Carmen, in 2010 I was diagnosed with early cancer in my left breast during a routine screening.  Within weeks I had a mastectomy of my left breast with immediate reconstruction.  The cancer was confined to that breast so there was no need for radio- or chemo-therapy.  I was very fortunate. The original nipple was removed during surgery but a flap of skin was left to recreate that nipple during the breast reconstruction.  It was not as prominent as a normal nipple but aesthetically was very pleasing. Some weeks later when the breast had settled down the surrounding area was tattooed to give it some natural pinkish colour.  The tattooing was a rather sensitive procedure but well worthwhile.  This was all carried out on the NHS and part of my reconstruction/recovery process. Ten years later the tattooing has faded a little and the nipple somewhat flatter.  However, the breast still looks amazing with no scarring.  I was so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have the immediate breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy.  Not everyone has that especially if there's a need for radio- or chemo-therapy.  I hope this helps.  I wish you well on your own journey.  Stay safe.  Warm wishes.  xx ... View more

Hi I'm new here too.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010  after a regular breast screening.  I was very fortunate.  It was early stage cancer and I received such 1st class support and advice.  Within weeks I had a mastectomy of my left breast and immediate reconstruction.  I made a full recovery and continue to live a healthy life.  I have worked for a well-known Cancer Charity for the past 5 years but am on furlough at the moment so thought I would use this extra time to get involved and share my journey and experience with other ladies.  I'm sending much love and BIG hugs to everyone reading this and needing support.  You are never alone. ... View more