Breast Cancer Now Forum

I've been on nolvadex D for 4 years 3 Months, I am no longer able to get this as its been taken on the prescribing list. My Onc said that I can finish as he feels the first 3 years are the most important. I am a happy to take his advice and look forward to less hot flushes, more energy and hopefully a little weight loss. I have recently lost a stone through diet and exercise and need to lose another 1/2 stone to get back to pre bc weight. I think the best advise is to listen to your body and your Onc. ... View more

Having just logged on for the first time in 6 months I am shocked and saddended to read of JaneRA's passing. Jane you were always on the end of the keyboard ready to give a informed answer to a query/worry when I needed it 3 years ago - I am so far one of the "lucky" ones to have no reacurrence and I hope that this site gets another JaneRA who can help as many women that you have over the years. RIP Jane you were an inspiration to many xx Clare ... View more

Cheap drinks and crisps thats ASDA price, cheap toys thats fisher price, cheap tart....thats Katie Price ... View more

Hi Rosie I had recon (DIEP) just over a year ago and have been thrilled with the results and everyday I thank the surgeon for giving me back the shape I had before BC, I'm 45 so just a little younger than you but age should not come into it, I had comments like "have you not been through enough" but I was determined and knew it was the best thing for me. Also after having mine I persuaded my mum to go for it she said she didnt want to be bothered at her age (69) but after seeing the difference it made to me she went ahead and had an expander, like me she has not looked back, it was liberating to dump the prothesis and put on a bra without having to fuss around getting the prothesis in the pocket. Its a very personal choice and you must do want is right for you. At the end of the day we all deserve the right to look how we want and if a surgeon can restore our boobs then I'm all for it. Best Wishes Clare ... View more

Hi Claire Me too - cant believe it after all the crap we go through and just when you think you can move on - bang this happens. I'm really gutted all I want to do it look like a normal 45 year old, not much chance of that now, one tit, one reconstructed one without its topping!!! and a bloody bandage stuck on your arm. I'm trying to be positive with a sense of humor as this has got me through the rest of the journey. Try and have a good christmas - stick some tinsel on your glove love!!!! Clare x ... View more

Thanks Bahons (sorry dont know your christian name) The swelling in fingers happens quite quick and they look more pink than normal hand!!! Your advice reassures me regarding the tightness. I am a great believer in listening to others in the same boat who experience similar problems. Thanks Again your posts are very much appreciated Clare ... View more

The sleeve was provided by the BC nurse, not very confident in their management of lymphoedema so thats why I bypassed the system and went to the specialist nurse/physio. Its still making my arm feel cold and fingers slightly puffy, not sure if I should wear or not? Clare x ... View more

Thanks everyone for your replies - today I spoke to the Lymphoedema Nurse at the local hospice and explained I was not happy with the fit and brief explanation of how to do the simple lymphatic drainage, she said I needed a referral from either the Gp or BC nurse, I phoned the GP and he is happy to send letter to the Hospice to get a appt, phoned back again and have appt for 12th Jan to see the specialist. I know its not the correct way but sometimes you have to push to get what you want. I feel happy today and know I am doing everything possible to help myself, I really want to make sure the lymphoedema stays at the mild stage. Today I had my yearly appt at the Oncology clinic, when looking around at the other ladies there were a lot in a far worse situation than me and this made me think that life is pretty shitty and we all have our problems but mine didnt seem quite so bad as they did yesterday. Thanks everyone Clare ... View more

Hi Kate Great to hear your feeling a little better , you are constantly in everybodies thoughts, your such an inspiration to all of us. Keep fighting Kate xx ... View more

Sending you a big cyber hug, I hope they are keeping you comfortable and you'll soon be back "kicking ass" Kate Clare (S) ... View more

Hi Cora I too had my DIEP at Salisbury under the care of Mr Tiernan, in my eyes he is a god!!! I am so pleased with the results and have to say it was much easier than I had anticipated. Although a long op - worth every minute, the recovery was slow but not painful. I have just had the other side lifted/reduced to get a perfect match. Mr Tiernan said at my first consultation that he could give me back the shape I had before and thats exactly what he did. I have not looked back since the op and feel I have my femininity back (minus the nipple)!!! just waiting for tattoo now. I am from East Somerset but as you probably know you can be referred to anywhere you want. Clare ... View more

Hi Kris I am hoping to go back to work the middle of next week which will be a total of 2 1/2 weeks off, I've got to see Occupational Health on Tuesday and will probably be redeployed for a few weeks as my job involves lifting. I feel fine but boob still tender and a little swollen!!! Shell - I know what you mean ab about the scars, I decided when my Surgeon popped to see me just before I went into Theatre not to have the nipple reconstructed and will have a tattoo instead, I didn't want my DEIP'ed boob to have another scar and didn't want to risk any infection. I had the mastopexy and dog ear scar tidied up on my tummy. ... View more

I had my uplift on good boob last Friday but decided against the nipple at the last minute, I have decided to have the tattooing done but not the nipple as chickened out because I didn't want the surgeon to cut my diep recon!!!! Not sure what made me do this but am happy with the uplift/reduction in the good boob, came home on Sunday very little pain not had to take any medication since Sunday morning. I had a general anaesthetic, bit woozy when I came around but soon back to normal pretty soon. Now sat at home bored out of brains cant wait to get back to work (never thought I hear my self say that)!!!! I intend to go back after 2 weeks off. Hope your op goes well Debbie will be thinking of you. Chingford - I agree with you makes you feel complete and the end of a long road - take care Clare (S) xx ... View more

To Dahlia This is the email address I sent my rant to!!!! editor@express.co.uk If a few more people emailed perhaps they would think before they put the next article in, the reply I had from his PA was equally condescending - what do you think? Dear Clare I have spoken with the Editor regarding your e-mail and he is sorry that you have taken the article in this way. This was most certainly not the intention of the article. We still think she's beautiful, indeed the article mentioned that she still turns heads. I too suffer from cancer, but it certainly didn't offend me. I do hope that you remain in good health, it certainly gives you a different outlook on life. Kind regards Janice Janice Vye PA to the Editor and Deputy Editor, Daily Express Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6EN Tel: 0871 520 7476 Fax: 0871 434 2704 ... View more

This is a copy of the email I sent to the Editor this evening!!!! To the Editor I have just opened my newspaper and seen a comparison picture of Koo Stark. I read the article and was shocked to see that she had suffered from Breast Cancer in 2002, if like me she has been on medication since her mastectomy to keep her cancer at bay then she has probably put on a little weight due to the tablets. Why do you have to sensationalise and print pictures like this in your paper? Can you imagine how she must feel if she saw this picture? Having battled cancer I would think this is the last thing she needs 6 years down the line. I am disgusted by this kind of journalism - yes, probably because I also had Breast Cancer and am very sensitive to this issue. Please do not patronise me if you bother to reply to my email by saying you are "sorry". There is absolutely no story attached to this article and I feel you have portrayed a comparison of her now and then which is probably beyond her control. Did you know that most women taking medication for breast cancer have to take it for 5 + years at least and most of us put on weight due to the fact that we have an early menopause because the chemotherapy stops our ovaries from working. Perhaps before you do the next article or picture feature on some poor unsuspecting individual you should investigate the medical implications of what they may have had and why they may look like they do now. I have never written to a newspaper before and I am so upset by this article, I cannot begin to imagine how Ms Stark must feel. I would welcome a reply and look forward to your comments. ... View more