Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Taggie25 Glad you are improving.  I lacked and still do patience with healing!   I had been told by my nurse that the wound can be difficult to heal there. Thankfully I was ok.  I had pressure dressings for the first week which seem to be brilliant for healing.  I did have two tiny areas around one nipple scar but they healed ok after the nurse put a wee antibiotic dressing on them. I’ve had same issues with bras!  This one is the best I found and am still waiting: https://www.marksandspencer.com/flexifit-non-wired-full-cup-bra-a-e/p/clp60439504?color=BLACK&prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip48g4r1c2%7Cprodflag_srp_ts_QP_100%7Cprodflag_srp_ts_QP_100%7Cpid_pg1pip48g4r0c1 Fingers crossed for your results. x ... View more

Hi Taggie25 So how are things and what did you decide? I’m slowly getting there. Still a bit of pain and scars are uncomfortable but not too bad.  Fatigue is tough though. K x ... View more

Hi I was diagnosed with DCIS in January this year.  Following a WLE and two further surgeries to try for clear margins, I was told I needed further surgery as the margins weren’t clear from the underside of my breast.  The surgeon did a bilateral mammoplasty - removed a large area on the left breast to remove the cancer and reduced the other breast to match.  It was much more major surgery.  My first three surgeries were all on the same scar and it is well faded now.  I still didn’t realise how major the fourth surgery would be even though the surgeon said the scars would be extensive and recovery would be 6 months to a year. Three and a half months later I still have some pain ant tightness in the larger scars.  Radiotherapy increased this.  The ‘bad’ breast is worst as I have had four surgeries and things moved around in there.  Scars are healing - around the nipples, vertical below and 10” scars under each breast.  I am glad I had it done as when I’m dressed, I have two perfect looking boobs. if you have any questions, I’m happy to help. ... View more

Hi I had DCIS diagnosed in Feb this year.  I had three surgeries to remove it and then get clearer margins.  Sadly the lower margin wasn’t clear.  I was given options including a mastectomy but my consultant and I agreed that mastectomy was the ‘nuclear option’ and we went for a bilateral mammoplasty - removal of a larger part and reducing the breast and also reducing the other to match.  I was an E cup and unhappy with my size anyway and now reduced to a C.   So I’m cancer free now and look good when dressed but not so good underneath with scars, pinkness and soreness!  I try to take the positives as much as possible. Four surgeries in five months was a lot but I’m glad that my consultant always wanted to try and conserve my breast. I’m now finished my five RT sessions and just have to be patient with my healing! ... View more

Hi svedija I was holding off replying to see how I was improving.  I have been sore but it’s easing and I still get the odd stabbing pain but less intense.  The extreme tiredness seems to have kicked in day 12.  I was hoping that when I passed day 10 and was no worse I’d be ok! I had to have a tooth removed a few days ago.  Apparently as it was a dead tooth (root removed years ago) and my body was going through so much, it decided it was a foreign body so was trying to reject it!   So I’m a bit fed up as you can imagine but I’m alive and have smaller, perkier boobs (even though they look awful underneath). I try to take the positives! How are you doing now?  Is the counselling helping emotionally? Prevention -  I don’t think there’s much I can do.  I eat fairly healthily already but I would like to lose a bit of weight. K x ... View more

Hi Svedija I had 5 intense sessions.  Pre covid it was 15 but they had been doing research for several years and reduced it to 5.  The intensity caused the reaction in my skin so quickly.  I have also been very sore.  The day I finished they changed my cream to paraffin due to the pinkness. I had my review with the nurse today who said my pink skin, pain, heaviness, slight itch and stabbing pains are all completely normal.  Thankfully my skin hasn’t peeled.  She told me to use the paraffin morning and evening and during the day just use the Cetraben for another 10 days.  The paraffin is very messy! Emotionally I’m not too bad at the minute but it’s a bit strange now that today was my last appointment.  How are you doing now. x ... View more

Hi Sevidja At my last session as I was so pink, the hospital gave me a different cream - simple yellow paraffin. Yuk! Lol. I have to use it 3-4 times a day for 3-4 weeks.  After this I can go back to Cetraben or my normal moisturiser.  I like Cetraben so will use it and will look for the body wash. I had to hold my breath 5 times at each session - one for a scan and then two for each of the beams. I am pinker and sorer than expected and have the occasional really sharp stabbing pains. The Radiotherapy Nurse told me to expect this and if the pain was too much or I peeled or skin breaks to contact them immediately and they would get me up that day.  So that is reassuring. How are you doing? ... View more

Thanks. Slapping it on by the bucket load! You too.  Ta. x ... View more

Katoo Just wondering how you have got on? I got the all clear after my fourth surgery - although I don’t look pretty underneath, when I have my clothes on, I have two lovely boobs. So the four surgeries were worth it in the end. I’m on my final day 5 of RT tomorrow!  Pre covid it would have been 15 days. 😊 ... View more

Yes I’ve been told that fatigue normally hits majorly 10 days to 2 weeks after RT finishes - looking forward to that! 😞 I’m taking it very easy at work but if I need to, I will take leave as I haven’t used any this year due to 6 months sick absence. Take care all. ... View more

Hi I am having my last of 5 (more intense than 15) sessions tomorrow.  It’s been ok - just a bit scary the first time - fear of the unknown.  I had to hold my breath for 25 second blocks as my cancer was on my left side so holding your breath protects you heart. I have a very pink ‘suntanned’ boob which is a bit more tender.   I haven’t experienced chemo but from what I understand it is definitely a lot more challenging! My hospital gave me Cetraben to use twice a day although I have used it three times a day as I am so pink.  They recommend continuing for 2-3 weeks after RT is finished.  It seems good and very moisturising and I see it is available on Amazon. Hope that helps. ... View more

Hi Sharon I had a WLE and unfortunately they didn’t get clear margins so I needed two further ops to get better margins.  The surgeon went in through the same scar each time which was good so similar healing each time.  Unfortunately for me, one margin wasn’t clear at the bottom of my breast and he couldn’t go any closer to my skin so I had a bilateral mammoplasty - removal of a much larger area in the cancer boob and reduction of the other boob to match.  I am definitely in more pain in the one that had four surgeries and I have more scars as it is major surgery. It is partly to do with having  four surgeries and the surgeon having moved things around to get the right shape. Although it’s been tough, I’m still glad that the surgeon kept trying to conserve as much as possible each time.  You seem to have recovered fairly quickly from your op so you shouldn’t be any worse if the surgeon needs to do a second op.  Everything crossed that you won’t need it. Hope that helps a little. ... View more

Hi I just started radiotherapy today.  I also started back at work today!  Having been through four surgeries since February, I would be going onto half pay if I hadn’t returned to work.  I have missed work and have a very supportive manager so I’m taking it easy. Although I knew there would be side effects, I wasn’t expecting the burning, etc on Day 1 of 5.  So not sure how work will go or if I will eventually have to take time off work again, How are you getting on now @mel1989 ? ... View more

Hi I just started radiotherapy today.  I didn’t have chemo but have had four surgeries in 5 months so I’m exhausted.  So far, I have a very ‘suntanned’ and stingy boob but hoping that things don’t get too bad.  There is lots of helpful info on Breast Cancer Now and MacMillan websites which might help. I’ll be interested in other peoples experiences though. ... View more

Hi Solimar I feel your pain - so tomspeak I have had four surgeries starting from February this year with the last surgery being a bilateral mammoplasty.  I went back to work for a month before the latest surgery.  I am almost 9 weeks post surgery and due to start radiotherapy next week.  As I am about to go onto half pay, I am having to return to work in the middle of my radiotherapy.  I’m worried about the side effects and am still in pain and very tired. I’m lucky though that I manage a great team and my manager is very supportive (will make lots of allowances!) so hopefully I can cope. Your employer does have to make allowances for you as you are now classed as DDA.  So hopefully a chat with your management and Occupational Health asap will help.  Once people including your students are aware of your health situation they will be understanding and supportive. x ... View more

I have DCIS.  I had a WLE in Feb followed by two further surgeries to get better margins.  Unfortunately without complete success.   I was given options by my surgeon of mastectomy, or reduction of breast and mammoplasty on the other to make it match. I chose the second option and had my fourth more major surgery last Friday. My surgeon always encouraged me to go for the least invasive and not the ‘nuclear’ option of a mastectomy.  I would always wonder if it had been necessary.  I’m glad I went this path and that my surgeon was always keen to preserve as much of my breast as possible.  It has meant four surgeries and there is still the possibility of a mastectomy but at least I’ve tried!  Hope that helps a little.  xo ... View more

Hi @eeyore58  It is only natural to be nervous.  I had surgery in Feb and had never had surgery before so it was very scary going through the whole process and being in an operating theatre.  Everything was fine.  I have since had further surgery in March and going tomorrow for round three - hopefully the last - same day as you!  It is scary but definitely much easier than the first time now that I know exactly what happens and how I felt fairly ok afterwards.  You will be fine and this time tomorrow it will be all over.  Big hugs. 🤗  ... View more

Hi i was diagnosed with DCIS as a result of a routine mammogram and then biopsies.  I had a WLE four weeks ago.  While my consultant was on holiday, I was told I needed a mastectomy which was a huge shock.  Now that my consultant is back, he gave me options of a further WLE or mastectomy.  Based on what he said, I have opted for a further WLE to see if we can get better margins.  As he said there is no way back from a mastectomy so I think I need to explore further surgery first.  I think I would be willing to try a few times rather than a mastectomy/reconstruction which is such a huge operation and I know would seriously affect me mentally. I am definitely scared and don’t know what’s ahead but one step at a time.  Hope that helps.  x ... View more