Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello again ladies! I've had my first saline injection and have got about half a breast recon now. Can't wear my prosthesis as it makes my half breast look too big. Yes my surgeon has offered me a tummy tuck after he's finished the lipo. Apparantly I have atleast two more ops to go and the fat he's moved from my tummy and behind has stayed put which is great. Good luck to all of you going through this procedure. XX ... View more

Hello again all! 🙂 I've been for my first app for fluid injection to my expander (50mls in addition to the 100mls put in on insertion) and the nurse said it all looks very good and soft. So far none of the fat inserted has dissipated which can happen. The places from which fat has been removed from are slightly slacker in tone but my surgeon says this is to be expected. And I can have a tummy tuck when the whole process finished if needed. So fingers crossed things continue to go well. All the best to everyone. Sabraan ... View more

Hello Ladies I'm in the middle of reconstruction using this method. Have had two lots of fat transfered to my masectomy area and also had an expander put in with the second lot last week. Still feeling sore and the op took nearly two hours so that amount of anaesthetic knocked me for six. I'm seeing the surgeon this Friday so I'm hoping he'll be pleased. Apparantly the first lot of fat (180mls to be precise!) he moved stayed in place which is a good sign. And luckily I don't have very large breasts and have plenty of fat - I knew all that chocolate was going to a good cause! 🙂 XX ... View more

Hello again! My back's alot better now and I'm off the pain killers. Still have some massive bruises but that's to be expected I guess. I'm seeing the plastic surgeon next week so I'm hoping he'll be happy with the results and can give me an idea of how many operations I'm going to need. Lots of love to all you lovely ladies! Lucinda ... View more

Hello! I'm recovering at home after having this proceedure for the first time yesterday. Had a 9 hour wait which was a real pain but am pleased with the results. I've had fat taken from my upper stomach and my rear and am very sore but the painkillers are taking the edge off it. I've also had bad back ache which has kept me awake but I'm hoping will be better tonight. I didn't know about having to wear magic pants but woke up from the op with some already on!! My plastic surgeon wants me to wear it for at least a week but having read these posts, I'll keep it on for three! Thank you ladies for sharing your experinces Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello ladies! Well I'm about to have my 4th chemo this Thursday and am absolutely dreading it. My last one was dreadful and really difficult to cope with. Had dire nausea for two weeks (along with constipation, the dire rear etc which everyone gets I know), felt like I'd swallowed bleach all the tine and was so exhausted. Saw an oncologist yesterday and agreed to try another reduced dose (by 10%) with increased doses of all my meds. I haven't seen the same oncologist twice (seen four different ones so far!) so not getting much continuity of care! Phoned my breast care nurse when I was at my most desperate and she said to speak to the chemo unit so not much help really. Everyone around me says I should keep going for the kids' sake but they don't have to go through it do they? The onc I saw was rather inexperienced and had to check with the consultant but he said the six doses are best if possible, so I was very interested to read what other oncs are telling my fellow ladies. Good luck with your onc tomorrow lily and all the best to all the other ladies on this thread. Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello Lily! and the other ladies of course! So sorry to hear you're in hospital gain - poor you! Hope you're better soon. Very good advice not to soldier on thinking you can cope with a temp. I've got a bad cold but don't have a temperature just feel lousy. going to have an early night now. lots of Love to everyone and get well soon Lily! p.s I knit alot and find it helps get me through the worst of the chemo which has been y awful this 2nd dose XX ... View more

Hello lilythepink and all you other lovely ladies! So sorry to hear you've had an awful time with your second dose lily. Glad you're on the mend though. oh and I hope you manage to kick some arse with your social services and get some support asap! I'm having my second dose of chemo tomorrow and I'm dreading it. I feel really quite well now apart from the spots, no hair and tiredness. It's like knowingly booking yourself for a bout of gastric flu with various other ailments added for good measure! Off to have my prosthesis fitting now so catch you all later. Love Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello lilythepink Thinking of you and hope your chemo went as well as it can and you've managed to have some rest since you got home. love LucindaXX ... View more

Hello Lilythepink and all you other ladies! So sorry to hear you've been so let down by the nhs where you are Lily - it is very hit and miss regionally I think. The only dvd's I can think of are disney ones or Ice age - or is Up out on dvd yet? 'Cos my two year old girl sat through all of that in the cinema - on my lap but she was transfixed! I'm a week behind you in my chemo doses lily and am dreading next week's 2nd dose as I felt so ill for a week or so after my first and as you and other mums know, you can't explain why you feel so awful to little kids. I've developed a case of blooming awful spots - anyone else got those? Off to my nhs wig fitting tomorrow which I'm hoping will be more fun than I'm expecting! Lots of love to all you stong women going through various stages of torment, Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello again ladies! So sorry but I can't make it after all. My child care has fallen through and my phone calls to my friends have not been very successful. Am very gutted as I was looking forward to it. Hopefully next time. LucindaXX ... View more

Hello Ladies! I've been given three days' worth of steroids (four tablets twice a day) to take for every dose of chemo - although the chemist wrote the wrong thing on the bottle so I took them on the three days leading up to the chemo! The chemo nurse was cross but it was too late by then, so had to take more steroids with the chemo and some more the day after. They certainly stimulated my appetite and have put on some weight but trying not to focus on that and just concentrate on looking after myself as much as possible. I did get insomnia with the steroids too but have been prescribed sleeping tablets which helped. My hair hasn't started to fall out yet but my scalp's very sore and tichy like I've overdone it with the hair dye! I've had constipation which wasn't fun and have on going mild diarroea now which's manageable. I can't eat any fruit or drink water as they taste horrid so am eating lots of veg to make up for it and taking some supplements to counteract the effects of chemo. Lilythepink, I am so sorry to hear of your dreadful problems with the insurance company - what low lifes to put you through this when you're going through this awful stress with your health. I live near Bristol so am going to the "looking good feeling great" workshop at the BRI in the city centre. Rozita - I was sent home after my MX with two drains in and no help emptying the bags which was a horrible job. Also found sleeping very difficult as it was so uncomfortable. After a week and a half they were taken out I had lots of swelling which I wanted drained but my consultant said it was best to leave it to be absorbed by my body and reduce my risk of infection. Seems there's lots of regional variation in how women are treated post surgery with drains in or out etc. I don't know if really helped, but a fried gave my a moss agate pendant to wear and it seemed to go down fairly quickly after I put it on. I'm quite into alternative medicine but know it's not everyone's cup of tea. Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello Ladies! Well I am grateful for lilythepink for starting this thread as it's lovely to read comments and support from women going thru what I am when I am if that makes sense! Had my first dose of TAC chemo last Thursday (14TH) and still feel awful. Like you, lily, I'm having to deal with kids and school runs etc when feeling dreadful. My SE's so far are constant nausea, aching all over, tiredness, insomnia and my tastebuds are wierd and everything tastes odd. Except for nuts and cream cheese. I haven't vomited which is such a blessing as I get very distressed and faint usually. There's been some constipation but lots of nuts and fruit seems to have eased that. ous lives we lead! I decided not to go for the cold cap as was told it didn't have a very good success rate by my onc but have had my hair cut short ready for the fall out! Do they do those "looking good feeling great!" workshops where you are lily? and the other ladies on this thread? I'm booked into one in March and am really looking forward to being pampered and shown how to draw in my eyebrows! I'm due to have a PICC line fitted before my next dose of chemo which is on the 4th Feb. I'm not looking forward to having it fitted but understand it'll be better for me. Got to go now - does anyone else find it really hard to spell, type or even talk?!! Lots of love Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello! Well it went ok but took hours with the new patient chat and having the hours' break between doses. Quite worn out by it all. Just nauseous and weary today - have arranged for my toddler to be taken off my hands so I can rest lots. Having it in my hand wasn't too bad but yes think will alot easier when they fit the PICC lone in a couple of weeks, thakns for that bit of positive info Julia. Not sure if I'm up to giving myself the injection in my stomach today - think my get the district nurse in! Love LucindaXX ... View more

Hello Ladies! I'd love to meet up with you all. Started my chemo yesterday so hoping I'll be more than up for it by the 27th - just very nauseous and tired now. Have not long had my MX and my diagnosis two months ago so this is all very new to me. Looking forward to hearing from your experiences. Love Lucinda XX ... View more

Hello again! sory not been posting for a while. Beem feeling like a recluse for past few weeks and not been up to much. I'm srating my chemo tomorrow and am nervous but trying to be postitive. Had a call yesterday from a oncology nurse to say I shoud've been in to have a special tube fitted in my upper arm to have the durgs administered. They had forgotten to tell me so we're using my vein in my hand tomorrow then having the tube fitted later, A huge thank you for the support I've been given from you lovely ladies and to all those who contributed to the tips for getting though chemo. Lots of love LucindaXX ... View more

Hello again! Well I found out my tumour was 28mm and a grade 3 which shocked me though I don't know why. I had cancer in one of my lymph glands too. I'm seeing the oncologist on Monday and my doc recommended chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Not looking forward to any of them to be honest and am still in a state of grief about the loss of my breast. I know I'm lucky to have had the cancer taken out of me but still feel like a freak. Silly I know but i'm working through it. The posts on coping with the different treatments are proving very useful too. All the best XX ... View more

Hello ladies! I had my op and it was seemed a success though I was told incorrectly in recovery that my lymph glands were clear! Also I apprently lost alot of blood so my blood pressure was too low for a couple of days and I wasn't allowed home til it was back up. And I reacted badly to the anaesthetic and spent several hours post op vomiting up all my pain killers! I have my histology appointment tomorrow which I'm trying to remain positive about but am actually dreading. I also still have a drain in and can't have it out until my output is 30mls a day or less. So far it's only gone down to 125mls so got to put up with it for a while yet. But - I am glad it's over and hope the cancer's been beaten for now. XXX ... View more

Sorry, I mixed up my Janey's but my love goes to everyone who's going through this. XX ... View more

Hello Janey123 I had my operation last Monday and have the histology appointment tomorrow which I'm dreading. So you have my every sympathy and I empathise totally. This is horrible situation to be in but we can get through it. I keep telling myself I'm stronger than I think which sometimes works! All the best and fingers crossed for a positive histology report for you! XX ... View more