Breast Cancer Now Forum

Dear Sarah x,  Glad to read that your surgery went all ok. Well done 👍 😁 That's a big hurdle done .  Do let us know how you get on when you go for your results and further treatment . Always happy to answer any questions where I can and other ladies will too.   Take care, x ... View more

Dear Peggy Peggy,  Aw that is frustrating not to have your results. I hope your recovery is going well though.  As others have said, SLNB = sentinel lymph node biopsy.  Yes you can private message other users as Sarah x advises.  Well done for getting this far. 😁 👍 ❤️   Take care X  ... View more

Dear Jacqu, I would re-iterate what Sarahx has said,  it is quite normal for the bruising to take a while to disappear.   Yes things do move quite quickly - I think this is because breast cancer is so well understood today,  and there are clear pathways according to the type of cancer that you have.  However,  in the meantime, do take time for yourself,  particularly as you face surgery - time to look after yourself both mentally and physically, eating well, gentle exercise if you can plus time to talk to loved ones about how you are feeling, if appropriate etc.    Good luck for the 26th,  and if there is anything before then that you want to ask,  just pop in and ask,  as I and all the other ladies are here to support you.   Take care x  ... View more

Dear Peggy peggy, congratulations for coming through your surgery.  - Tick.   You are just 2 days post op, so be kind to yourself.  Lots of tv and rest,  but this will gradually increase with the days.  Just listen to your body.  Ah yes, the painkillers can do that - codeine especially.  Did they give you simple painkillers too, like paracetamol, as once the initial surgical pain wears off, you might try just omitting any constipating drugs.  Meanwhile, lots of fluids, orange juice, veg and fruit....  These first few days might be a bit of a fog - not just because of the drugs either.  You have gone through so much.  So just go with it, if you can.  When do the drains come out?  Glad that your daughter is around.  Will she be able to go with you when you go back for your results?  Adjusting to your new size will take some time - but I hope on 26th you will be pleased with the final result, although even after that, they do further settling down.  My hospital advised either E45 or Aveeno moisturiser for the wounds once the dressings came off,  so do have a look to see what you need to get in, for the big reveal day.   You've got this Peggy peggy!  You are a very strong lady.   Big hugs x    ... View more

Dear Sarah, good luck for the 20th.  I hope everything goes to plan.  Do let us know is you have any final questions, or questions about post op recovery.  You've got this!  🙂   Take care x  ... View more

Dear Ashley,  I would suggest speaking to your BC nurse or even your oncologist.  I started taking tamoxifen in the morning,  but was advised to change this to take it at bedtime.   You may be experiencing some post radiotherapy tiredness too,  and I would just say, listen to your body - if it needs a rest, just try to go with it.  It will pass.  I hope this helps,  Take care x ... View more

Dear Heather fairy absolutely, but it will lessen with time, although even then,  you will have bad days, and different things will trigger the anxiety.  I had not really given recurrence a thought until I had to have some new symptoms explored (all fine thank goodness!), because I think I was all consumed with treatment and recovery.  My oncologist was very reassuring,  as were Macmillan and as someone below recommended, Someone like me.  I also sought support from Breast Cancer Haven,  and they were very good.  I am currently attending a 5 week living well course,  and that covers things like the fear of recurrence and anxiety etc.   Another lady in a different post also said ( I am sure more eloquently than I am about to!)....that life is for living,  and we can let the anxiety/fear take over,  but that saps the mental and even physical energy for all the things we want to do.  THAT definitely resonated with me, and helped me "park" the thoughts, albeit only at the back of my mind.  I'm sure those thoughts will rear their ugly head again, especially at triggering times,  eg. mammogram time,  or when you hear news of someone else being diagnosed.  But for now,  I try to keep that troll under its bridge where it belongs.  I hope this sort of helps.   Take care, x  ... View more

Dear tdkas, I am glad to hear how well you are doing now,  and that you are back at work - wow! You have done well. 🙂 Do let us know your ongoing recovery and or treatment, always happy to support and answer any questions.  Take care, x  ... View more

Dear Peggypeggy I hope that your surgery went well today.  Do be kind to yourself when you get home,  and listen to your body.  You may feel quite wiped out - if so, just rest and follow any advice the hospital gives you.   You are likely to feel quite swollen - this is normal.  But if you have any excessive pain, high temperature or ooze,  then contact your team straight away, as they would want to see you.   I hope you have someone looking after you? Especially for things requiring lifting or stretching above your head, which you have likely been advised not to do? During this time, do eat regularly,  and always add in healthy snacks if you flag, eg. peanuts, or a glass of milk, as your body is healing, so needs both the calories and protein.   Do try and do the shoulder exercises - I do mine when I get up, at lunch time and before going to bed.  It's sort of my routine now.   Do let us know when you are due to go back for your dressings to be removed/ results day.  That can be quite an emotional time, because it will be the first time you will have seen your new look, and it also will determine the plan going forward.  Tears are fine.  And they may be a mixture of tears of joy and sadness.  But we are here to support you.   Just remember, You've got this!  Big virtual hugs, Take care,  x     ... View more

Fingers crossed. Do let us know how things go.  Big hugs x ... View more

Dear Sarah  I'm glad you've made a decision. I hope the meeting with your surgeon goes ok.  Let me know if you want any further details about anything. You can PM me if you prefer.  Take care. Big hugs x     ... View more

Hi Sarah,  Firstly welcome although I know you'd rather not be part of this club!  The ladies on here are all wonderful. Don't apologize for lengthy posts .....this is the place to rant/moan/cry without fear of judgement.  Like you, I was diagnosed at screening, with no palpable lump. Picked up early. Grade 1.  I had a therapeutic mammoplasty and reduction on the good side for symmetry all at the same time. My tumour was underneath and would have caused a divot and mis shape so they had to do the mammoplasty for cosmetic outcome on the cancer side.  I decided I would have both done and don't regret it. I was big busted and very petite, and now am happier with how I look. Yes wouldn't have wanted cancer to have got this, but hey, why not?  I hope this helps. Always happy to answer any questions.  Big hugs x ... View more

Dear Poacher,  just wanted to say I had a therapeutic mammoplasty and both sides were operated on for symmetry. Yes the risks were explained, ie longer healing time, nipple necrosis etc because they have to tell you these things. .....but I am now 7 months down the line and don't regret my decision. I had no problems post op and everything has healed up beautifully.  Happy to answer any questions.  In the meantime though, big hugs. You've got this x ... View more

Dear PJWOOD I would echo what LouJP and Evie have said,  especially about being kind to yourself and the exercises.  You are ONLY 2 weeks post op for breast cancer.  So your body is still healing.  Emotionally, it is quite normal to feel like you are on a rollercoaster.  Just try and go with it, and under no circumstances beat yourself up about it.  Cancer sucks, and as my oncologist said, as she passed me the box of tissues due to my blubbing, to be told you have cancer is one of the worst things to hear.  For me,  going through treatment, appointments, covid tests, self isolation kept me busy.  It was definitely afterwards, that I thought, "what the hell just happened??".  I want to reassure you though, that it does get easier.  I am now 6 months post op,  and I can now talk about my breast cancer without being emotional.  I think my message is - give yourself time - time to heal, time to recover both physically and mentally.  And in the meantime, be kind to yourself.  Do let us know how you are getting on. Big (gentle!) hugs x  ... View more

Would echo LouJP - I was single, in a pandemic and diagnosed with BC.  You can do this!  And meanwhile, we are all here to support you.    Don't hesitate to come back on here for support.  Take care x  ... View more

Hi Rannie I am glad that you shared your story on here,  albeit not a place you would wish to be.  But welcome.  All the ladies on here are really supportive, and just "get it".   I had a similar experience to you last year - I am 52 and on routine mammogram picked up early IDC, and I remember the radiologist saying "it is treatable and curable".  But it still felt like a ton of bricks had fallen on me.  I am now 6 months post surgery,  and doing ok and am back at work.  Like you, once I knew the treatment plan, it helped me to focus on things.  Do you have a date for surgery yet?   Practical tips: I would also recommend in the meantime, looking after yourself,  including healthy eating and gentle exercise as and when,  (it helped my mind not go into overdrive),  and stock up the freezer for post op.  Do you have family/friends around you for post op?  I needed those who I could blub to,  and those who I could talk to about anything BUT breast cancer.   Your surgical team/BCN will give you information about shoulder exercises post op.  Try and build these into a routine, eg, when you are making your coffee in the morning.  They are very doable.   Do let us know how you are getting on, and in the meantime,  big virtual hugs x      ... View more

Dear Dexy, I hope your appointment with the oncologist this week is helpful.  It certainly was for me,  they explained everything,  and follow up after radiotherapy has also been useful.  I have blubbed at most appointments,  (see my previous posts),  and am only now at a point that I can tell people that I have had breast cancer, without welling up.  Crying is fine.  Better out than in! I wanted to pick up on the thread about work - My radiotherapy finished in Nov, and I was definitely NOT mentally ready to go back, and my gp was fab, and signed me off for another month.  Having cancer changed my outlook completely, and I was left wondering what I wanted to do with my life going forward.  However,  I treated it as a bit of a stop gap, while I got my head straight,  and went back to work at the end of January.  Returning to work was a milestone in my recovery.  I can honestly say though,  that work is not my priority anymore.  It is ME.  My wellbeing and happiness.  And having been back at work now for 2 months, has made me realise, that work will always be there, and it is as if I have never been away.  Breast cancer might temporarily stop you doing things,  but I am now 6 months down the line from surgery, and am back doing all the things I want to,  and once the ***** pandemic is over,  I am hoping to go and do some travelling, see my family,  and do all the spontaneous things that we can't currently do.     Whilst I would not wish this on my worst enemy,  I can now say, I am proud of how I have come through it.  I hope this helps, and big hugs x   ... View more

Dear coffee friend, yes, as Evie has said,  all the best for your forthcoming surgery on 6th.  You will be fine.  Let us know how you are, once you feel up to it.  Who is looking after you post op?  Hopefully someone who is calm and practical (I did not want anyone fussing,  but needed someone who would cook my tea!).   Take care, x  ... View more

Dear YV4820 You take care now,  and always feel free to come on here as and when you need to.  We are all here to support you.   Big hugs x  ... View more

Dear Peggypeggy,  of course I don't mind you butting in.  More importantly, a big virtual hug - it is not necessarily a group that you ever wanted to be in, but welcome anyway.  I am sure you are feeling like you have had a ton of bricks land on you.   I don't mind sharing my story - do see below as most of it is there.  But just to confirm, no I did not need a mastectomy,  and due to the small size (it was caught early),  low grade and no lymph node involvement,  I only needed radiotherapy.  Radiotherapy was doable.  The whole process for me was very thorough and slick,  and I had time to think through my options (to have symmetrising surgery on the other side, at the same time, if I wanted or not).  I had to have the cancer side refashioned, as the cancer was underneath, and would have caused a divot, and pulled the whole breast down and out of shape.  I am also fairly young and fit, which is perhaps why I was offered the surgery  that I was.  If it had been a straight forward lumpectomy,  I would not have needed the mammoplasty (the posh term for refashioning) If you are happy to,  do tell us a bit about yourself and your cancer type - is it oestrogen/progesterone positive?  What is the HER2 status?  If you have not been informed of these yet, don't worry, (you will soon become an expert!), and your team will know, and will advise what treatment is best for you.  Everyone's cancer is different,  and will be suited just to you.  Well that's the clinical stuff - perhaps I can ask What support do you have around you?  I reached out to friends and family, as at the time, it felt like my world had just imploded.  I needed to have people who could say, "you've got this",  and keep me calm,  and those who would just treat me normally and talk about general life,  as a form of normality.  I really learned that it is helpful to have both.  Do you have a date for surgery yet?  I found working on my health (including my mental health) and fitness prior to surgery helped.  I also engaged with journalling and mindfulness activities, including daily meditations etc.  It really is a lot to get your head around,  so do try and be kind to yourself.   There are some really good support avenues out there - don't be afraid to tap into these. You will probably be assigned a breast cancer specialist nurse,  and I could ring mine anytime.  This website and forum has been great,  as were Bosom buddies.  Macmillan also have a help line.   I am now 6 months down the line,  which I find quite unbelievable - I tell you this, to assure you that you  WILL get through this.  It's a crappy time,  but you will come out the other end.  We are all here to support you, so don't hesitate to come on here again.  The ladies here just "get it", as they have been there.   Well,  I hope this helps.  Take care x   ... View more