Breast Cancer Now Forum

@LMH @Hi Louise, I seem to be getting there. I’ve been told by my nurse that those bumps are the ones I need to massage and to apply good pressure but I have to be honest it feels really weird and makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, which is strange considering all the other things we’ve had to endure I think I am doing it for a little longer than I was to begin with, scars on breasts are looking good tho but I really which I could take my bra off for one night, I’ve still another week to go wearing day and night…. can I ask are you still in the bras you got post op or have you branched out into anything else yet? like you girls on here I also needed a couple of courses of antibiotics but hopefully now properly on the way to recovery. Some days I still feel quite tired but I think that’s my blood count waiting to see results tomorrow, I am definitely moving around more easily and I do think the swelling in abdomen is going down but the area can still feel tight at times.  I’m in Glasgow and the heat here is crazy (definitely not used to it) so can only imagine what you are going through in London!  Take care and keep us updated re nipple x ... View more

@Artura I have kept nipple on healthy boob, it was just moved up and honestly I was worried that there may be issues with it but that had been the quickest part to heal, it’s kind of blown my mind.  don’t get me wrong the whole thing has been difficult and it’s a massive thing for your body to cope with but I have to say in my experience it’s been better for me mentally that it was all done at one time. I think one of the things that has been hardest for me is actually realising that this will hopefully be the end of procedures and surgeries, I have since my diagnosis struggled with looking beyond the next step, appointment or result and so this part the physical recovery is for me incredibly emotional which I hadn’t really considered but I have to say that so far I am more than happy with the outcome my boobs feel like they are part of the new me, having no nipple on the reconstructed side isn’t really an issue for me and I’m not planning on having any further surgery to create one or have tattoo but I know this is something that they have advised I can do at a later date if I wish. My goal was to have a body that was healed (I had issues due to radiation which caused a problem with my wound after my treatment back in 2020) and to be able to have boobs that were a similar size so I could wear a bra and clothes comfortably and I do believe that this has been achieved. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions no matter how mad they may sound in your head, someone here will be able to offer advice or at least tell you of their experience. X ... View more

@Artura  I was exactly the same in terms of chaotic house, I did some deep cleaning, organising and delegating before hand to try make things as easy as possible for the time I was away and also for my return home.  From this thread one of the best pieces of advice I had was to have a selection of different sized bras and bra extenders to help when I was very swollen post surgery. I had a reduction on healthy boob at same time and whilst it seems like adding more to a complex situation the reality is there were other surgeons working which meant for me anyway it made sense for all to be done at same time as it didn’t add any time to my hospital stay etc. My surgery was just over three weeks ago and whilst recovery is difficult, I have come to accept it is going to take time and there is nothing anyone can do to speed that up it’s really just a case of getting through each day and taking notice of things getting a little easier each day.  Wishing you all the very best x ... View more

@KazzaH @lisa89  I absolutely love the idea of a cuddle space, this I think will be of massive benefit!  You are so right there are odd moments where I feel tempted to do something that I really shouldn’t be, it’s very difficult especially when like you it’s in your nature and life to care for others and the tables are turned. Sending you lots of love x ... View more

@lisa89  I am almost 3 weeks post op and overall everything is going well. I’m so glad that we have this space to share our experiences and hopefully get some tips for preparing… I found the pre op time very difficult I was terrified and I think the unknown can play a huge part in that, I was also very worried about how long I would be away from home and my son who is 6.  Due to my bloods I was in hospital for just over one week, they had initially hoped I would be home after 5 days. I am having my wounds checked twice a week at the moment and I still taking things very slowly not really ventured anywhere apart  from my appointments. I am managing to hug my son very gently and he seems to be coping with the fact that I am limited for this period of time. I think the best advice I could offer is to try and focus on the planning aspect (organising for help with food, house, kids etc) as best you can and doing what you can for now to spend time on doing all the lovely cuddly fun things you can.  the main thing to remember is post op it’s going to take time and unfortunately none of us can cheat at that. we have got to this point which is a massive indicator that we are amazing warriors so try use the same mindset when approaching this step!  xxx   ... View more

@LMH @Thank you so much for this, I really didn’t think that I would feel so weirdly about everything once the surgery was done I don’t know if it’s just my brain playing catch up with my body because I feel distraught at times, thankfully I do have support from family and my husband is amazing. I’m so glad to hear the progress  you made so far it really helps to keep me encouraged. I think my first night home I slept amazingly well and then after that not so great but could be the heat also I think maybe I’m taking my medication too early, I may try change that tonight and see if any difference. Xxx ... View more

@KazzaH @LMH  I know the area you mean I don’t have a hole or gap there but I was advised to keep an eye on that area (which physically is rather difficult) from a mirror as apparently it’s a point where three separate part are fighting over blood supply which can weaken the area and lead to healing taking a little longer in that area. I know that doesn’t help much but from what I gather it is a common thing and as long as your team are aware of it, they will know how to manage it x ... View more

Hi ladies, I’m having a super emotional return home, can’t really stop crying for very long, still very tender and reliant on my meds. I did have my last drain removed today and due to return next week for another check of incisions etc. they seem pleased that all is as it should be, I just really am struggling to Find comfortable positions and anything to focus on!  re the nipple situation, I basically told them during my consultations that I was really not all fussed about having one on new boob basically because I just feel it’s not really that important to how I feel about the boob, but I can get that’s not everyone’s feeling. Maybe I will change my mind but for now I’m quite happy just to try and find a way back to being pain free, comfortable and able to smile 😊 xx ... View more

@LMH @KazzaH  thank you both, surgery seems to have gone well, I’m am incredibly tired, achey, badly bruised have quite low blood pressure, and may require a blood transfusion the morning but to be honest I’m just so delighted this first bit id over! So surprised at my cute my wee bobbies! Your support I feel has given me confidence.  Can’t wait to get my life back and make it new Xx   ... View more

@KazzaH @LMH my op is scheduled for Tuesday coming, I can’t tell you how helpful your posts are regarding your experiences. I’m just very keen now to have it done and finally feel like I’m truly on the road to recovery. ❤️ ‍🩹 x ... View more

@birdbrain ah thank you, I shall look into the bras and also the arm pillows, these sound fab! Xx ... View more

@LMH @Thank you for that, I think I have some extenders so will definitely look them out. I will try to work out how w to msg you privately and get back to you if I have any success. hope you are still doing well considering, take care and thanks I am sure I will think of something else to ask. Xx ... View more

Thank you so much for posting this message. it’s reassuring to know there is someone out there going through what I will be and that my nerves and concerns are normal. I’m glad you seem to be doing well and sounding so positive. if and when you get a chance or feel up to it I wonder if you could advise on what type of underwear  you were advised to have for post surgery, I have a rough idea but being a big boob lady just bow and not really knowing what size I will be is making planning a little awkward, I suppose there will be swelling and dressings anyway so knowing a true size will be difficult, sorry for rambling… im so grateful to you for posting. Thanks xx ... View more

I had grade 3 TNBC, my treatment was successfully completed, chemo wide local excision and radiotherapy-in 2020 unfortunately my breast developed a complex abscess six months after my treatment was complete & despite several surgeries my breast tissue will not heal. I now have a date for surgery for DIEP as it’s felt this is the only way for my body to heal and put an end to recurring infection. I am incredibly nervous and definitely frightened, I have a six year old who has seen me go through all these treatments, infections and sepsis I just wish I could talk myself into believing this is best for him too, that I have this done, heal and can live, I genuinely don’t care what I look like. The recovery time also concerns me. X ... View more

So sorry you feel this way but you’ve sort of made me feel less like an absolute nutter! I also was diagnosed 2020 (February), 1st post treatment mammogram was clear and I was told officially I showed no evidence of disease, from that moment for a fleeting second I felt almost relief and by the time I got to the car park it was as though someone set a stopwatch or timer on my life. In March of that year I had a complex abscess in the breast where cancer was and despite removal this hasn’t healed and I now face a mastectomy as despite several operations my tissue will not heal, I’m still regularly reassured by all of these medical people that there is no cancer, but I’m so disappointed that one thing I promised myself I would do after treatment was live in the moment for the moment, I suppose pandemic hasn’t helped but it just feels like constantly anticipating the next appointment and it fills me with such pain and emotional anxiety. Sorry I’ve not been much help but know your not alone x ... View more

Thank you so much, I was just so glad to be able to reach out to people who’ve been on a similar path to me, hopefully healing continues and pain lessens every day xx ... View more

Thank you so much for checking in on me, I had surgery on Saturday afternoon to drain the abscess, my wound has been left open and is being checked regularly by my breast care team thankfully I got home on Sunday night, I’m still very sore but so grateful to be home and back with my baby boy xxx ... View more

Ok so I was admitted to hospital yesterday morning have been out onto two type of IV antibiotics and pain killers, I feel like my skin may fall off, it’s absolutely boiling hot to the touch, rough, puckered and almost like my pores are crater like, finally got an ultrasound today was advised a small collection could be located approx an inch below the skin which would need to be drained! anyway doc stopped by around 3pm ish confirmed they would attempt aspiration and I’ve not seen nor heard from him yet, so despite being fasted on three separate occasions no attempt to aspirate has been made, although a nurse has just informed me doc indicates in notes he would do guided aspiration by ultrasound, same old story no one knows what’s going on or when, and I’ve to take some comfort I knowing that while my pain levels are sky high and I’m apart from my 5 year old son they have booked me the first available breast clinic on Tuesday morning at 10am, I can’t stay here until then with cellulitis and some kind of cyst just bubbling away!!!!! I am heartbroken why can something not be done sooner, should I look into going private?   i don get how I managed to come through all of my treatment and just as things were supposed to get a little easier I’m now back at the beginning x ... View more

Update im in hospital on I’ve antibiotics infection has spread will be admitted to surgical ward shortly. x ... View more

Julie,  sad to hear your having to walk the path like others! I would however suggest that it’s good you have a choice to make, maybe focusing on the control you have in terms of this will help with your decision. I fully appreciate none of us wish to have walked this path but I do think there is a positive aspect to having a choice!  also you have time to speak with others on the forum who have had the same experience or options presented to them hopefully they can offer you more support.  xxx ... View more