Breast Cancer Now Forum

I had a tram flap recon and I've never had a mammogram on this breast. Hope I never have to have one on that side as like Ostrich I don't fancy having it done, ever. ... View more

Hi everyone - I had my tram op at St Johns 13 weeks ago. I am heling well apart from an abdominal seroma which I have had drained but has filled up again. I suppose I'll need to phone the dressing clinic and go back next week. I still get tired easily and my tummy feels VERY tight all the time - especially after sitting still (eg in the car) so I think keeping active is the best thing. I had a nipple graft at the same time as the op and it looks fine. It came from the other nipple which is unaffected - i thought it might leave it numb. I suppose I need to start thinking about going back to work but I am enjoying these lazy mornings! Louise - Hope you get on OK with our mutual hero CR when you go back. ... View more

It's sad to think that society judges people for what they look like rather than what's on the inside. We don't all have to be the same, and should respect people who have chosen to be different or who just don't conform to how the media presents beauty. Pauline (I've got off my soap box now!) ... View more

Ok well a little update.... I have to go in for another US to take a focused look at the area of concern. They are hoping that the mass will show up on US so I do not have to have an MRI guided Biopsy. So i am hoping to get that done on Friday and then if I need the MRI guided we have to wait til the 7-15 day of my cycle, which i still do not really understand, but whatever. Thank you all for your kind words and for the support. You are all little blessings for me. Oh ya I go to the dr tomorrow for the Breast Cancer Gene test. Have any of you gotten that done? And if so, how long does it take for results? ... View more

Hi I had mx and recon march 06 after lobular stage 1 and 2 tumours in breast showed up, i have been told that i can have the other breast removed within the time of my care programme (8 yrs to go). i am wating for genetic testing to be completed and i know that this will play a major part in making my mind up for me, its a tough call but some people feel that why wait to see if it returns and better to take the necessary steps before it does. I know that for me it will be weird as my recon has not worked out and will be removed in about a year so i have gone from flat to inflated and back to flat, my breasts are important to me but peace of mind is too, surgeons do have a bit of an issue and seem to think that you cannot be feminine without them which for some women is rubbish I know that since being diagnosed i have learnt to fight my corner and despite having to nag my surgeon for over two years he is finallly realising that yes this is my body and if i get it wrong then okay its my call,everyone is different and its a huge decision but no-one should be made to feel like they are wrong . I have never been away from the doctors since march but they are there to support you, hang on in there lynn and make sure you have someone with you when you go to gp/clinic take care Debs x ... View more

Hi maggie,i had double tram too,and the front,where the flaps are do feel colder than the rest,i am over a yr post op now,dont worry yourself,it seems to be quite normal. x ... View more

Thank you for your comments it has certainly given me something to think about, I will ring tommorow and have a chat but I think that I will stick with the Zoladex injections for the next 6 months and then have another think. Its coming up to the 1 year mark of dx and maybe I need to pass that point first. Shonaugh thanks for your email will reply soon. Thanks again I dont know how any of us any manage without this site. Love and hugs Karen ... View more

Thanks Girls! It's good to know what to expect and anything said would never put me off!! Nikki x ... View more

After a year on tamoxifen I still had terrible aching joints like I had had a good kicking, and had trouble getting down stairs in the mornings, when apart from the aching and rigidity in my joints it was also as if someone had applied soap to the soles of my feet. I felt all the treatment had turned me into an old lady even though I am only 45. I then started taking extract of olive leaf every day, which was recommended by a 70 year old friend who found it helpful in restoring her mobility after her hip replacement. After about ten days all my aches went and a few months on I feel like my flexibility has vastly improved, plus the boiling soaking night sweats have diminished to an occasional simmer - much better! I stopped taking the olive leaf tablets for a few weeks when I ran out, and the sweats and aches returned, so I'm convinced that it is the olive leaf extract that's working. I now take the olive leaf extract capsules and tamoxifen at night and because my sleep is less interrupted I am much more lively and cheerful in the day (and daytime sweats now only happen once or twice). I finally have the energy to exercise, which is improving mental well being and is dealing (slowly) with my tamoxifen tyre. I'm also trying to find a solution to my hairy chin (and neck!!). Laser hair removal gets rid of the black spikes (for about 2 months) and waxing gets the blond ones, but lasering is really expensive and waxing painful. Thanks for the facial buffer tip - I shall try that. What a palaver! But it's all worth it - we may be fat and hairy, but at least we are still here! XXXX ... View more

you are very welcome.yes, she was brave to show them off,i had tram done and even tho i am happy with it ,it is not as neat as hers. ... View more

Belle Please ask why you can't have a DIEP. It is superior to the Tram and doesnot compromise any muscle and althoug a longer operation, the recovery is quicker and less painful. In my area, they no longer do Tram either pedicle or free, unless there is an insufficient blood supply. This happens very rarely and usually only with people who have smoked. If your surgeon cannot do a Diep, you have the right to be refered to a surgeon who does. Regards Kelley ... View more

I had mastectomy then recon,and spent a fortune trying to find the right bra,infact I can start my own market stall on bras that are brand new.Anyway after trying marks and spencer etc I found the best ones at sainsburys,5 pound,they do have bones in but are comfy ,lacy,look nice and give real shape to the recon,they only had them in black and white,just thought i would share that x ... View more

Hi all I was in quandry about different types of reconstruction and did a lot of research. I knew that I definitely didn't want an implant and in some ways it made my decision easier - even though the surgeon tried to discourage me from that form of surgery. 5 months down the line after a DIEP flap op - I have no regrets. The breast is still a bit hard under the nipple and I did have to go back into hospital with a post-op infection, so it was not straight forward. But I am pleased with the results and glad that I don't have anything artificial in my body. Hope this helps, although it sounds as though the decision has been made. Lotty ... View more

Hi Emily I was on zoladex for 2 years and am still on tamoxifen. My onc told me to use contraception whilst on tamoxifen on its own, but as the zoladex puts you into a false menopause it would be ok not to use it. Then we looked at the manufacturers leaflet which said to use contraception. He was very puzzled as to why so got in touch with them. They said it was because of a risk of ectopic pregnancy. I have to say we didn't bother with contraception and I think the onc was shocked when we told him!. I suppose my age and the fact that I only got pregnant once when we were trying were factors. I'm now 51 and finished zoladex 14 mths ago. We use condoms now. I rather hoped that I would have been through the menopause at the same time as the zoladex but no such luck! I had a period 3 weeks ago! As Debbie said - just follow their advice. Take care fantan ... View more

Hi waitingangel, thanx for the info, BRI is only about 40 miles from where I live, so will ask to be refered there. They do do the actual tattooing at Salisbury hospital where I had my reconstruction, but I would have to pay about £250 as not covered on NHS, although not quite sure quite why it costs so much !! Thanx again Cher x ... View more

Thank you Allison for being so kind. You have been a good friend to me, along with many others, and I won't forget that. We have all got to know each other very well through facebook and Lolly is such an inspiration, and it has been a pleasure getting to know you and her. Love Jules xxx ... View more

Think all this means there is no connection? But interesting nonetheless. Love ... View more

Hi Marita Thanks for the information about your recon. It sounds like an option worth considering. I hope all goes well with your chemo. I had 8 cycles of TAC before my surgery. It wasn't nice but my tumor was quite large and grade 3 and already in my lymph nodes so I felt reassured that any C cells anywhere else in my body were getting a good blasting and if that didn't do it I had 20 rads for good measure. For me it was difficult not being able to drink tea or coffee as it tasted revolting. I was very nauseous and vomitting for the week after chemo so my Oncologist changed my pre chemo steroids. This did nothing to help so after the 4th cycle he gave me different tablets called Emmend. I only had to take 3 tablets. The first was on the day of chemo about half an hour before chemo. I was really worried that it wouldn't work and I would be violently ill whilst having the chemo. Amazingly these new tablets worked and although I did feel a bit off colour it was a lot better. I hope you don't feel too bad with your chemo. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Cora ... View more