Breast Cancer Now Forum

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Hi Anita, so glad you managed a good sleep, I find it helps more than I realised, and quality family time is precious. I am sorry you and your family have had such a rough time and your emotions are all entirely understandable and valid, it takes time to process things like this and worrying is always a part of it, but please try to do the things that are important to you and dont spiral down with worry, it will not help you. You come across as an incredibly brave and strong lady and that and the support of your family will carry you through, good luck with everthing and this forum is fab and so are the people:) hugz jayne ... View more

Hi Anita, so glad you managed a good sleep, I find it helps more than I realised, and quality family time is precious. I am sorry you and your family have had such a rough time and your emotions are all entirely understandable and valid, it takes time to process things like this and worrying is always a part of it, but please try to do the things that are important to you and dont spiral down with worry, it will not help you. You come across as an incredibly brave and strong lady and that and the support of your family will carry you through, good luck with everthing and this forum is fab and so are the people:) hugz jayne ... View more

Hi butterfly, and welcome, there are lots of lovely ladies and support here for you and if you are ever wanting to chat the helpline staff amazing! If you are also a facebook user there is a fairly new group setup by tors (Vicki), there are over 100 younger ladies on there, I have found this foruma and fb fabulous. The group is private like here but only for those diagnosed with BC, so you can rant or anything on there. It is called 'younger breast cancer network uk secret group' use both and dont be afraid to ask anything we are all in similar situations, in lots of different stages (I have just had the NED this week (no evidence of disease) after lymph removal and a mx with immediate recon). Stay positive and good luck with everthing, best wishes, Jayne ... View more

Hello Bob and Rosie, so sorry to hear you are here but welcome, there is a tonne of support here and you are not on your own. I echo what saffronseed said, although I have no personal experience of this if Rosie would feel up to joining the 'younger womens breast cancer network secret group' on facebook, she can send a message to vicki (tors on here) and she will add her to the group, its totally private and only for those with BC. There are a number of ladies on there who she can ask about their experiences with fertility questions and worries, there is an active thread on fertility at the moment. I have had a lymph biopsy, where 2 were removed (both clear), have had an mx (1st Nov) and just found out I dont need further treatment, I am 45. You can also ask for a second opinion too if you feel that would help. I asked for a second opinion, it was still within the north west where I live so easy to travel to and although I was not looking for a different answer or to move my treatment, it really helped me to feel that I understood more about what was happening/what options there were and what was to be done and ultimately I felt more empowered. It is different for everyone and everyones treatment is unique to them and their situation. I wish you luck and peace while you are waiting, its always the most horrible part but it surprisingly goes quickly, lots of hugs to you both, Jayne ... View more

Hi Anita, firstly let me say that for me a touch of googlitis really helped me feel empowered with more knowledge once I had had my referral, however do be VERY aware that google works on key words and tags and to the layperson you may not get a balanced view, there are lots of mild diseases too!, so please please come off google if it is scaring you and ring the helpline here, they are FAB. For me I had a BC of the nipple which is NOTinvasive and has been treated successfully since being referred end sept 2012 and i am cancer free now, so even if it turns out to be the news we don't want you to have, cancer is unique, we are unique and there are many who have very short cancer journeys, it's amazing what they can do. We are here to support you too. Good luck, and hugz, Jayne. ... View more

Hi Emma, sorry meant to send you hugz too! ... View more

Hi Emma, sorry to hear you have worries, all totally reasonable, its easy to say try not to worry, most lumps are not cancer, but i know its not so easy to actually do that, the BCC helpline is fab for sounding out or just chatting through how you feel. For your sore nipple, my understanding is that eczema (and things like dermatitis and adoneamas) are very common. Have they given you anything for the eczema/is it responding to treatment? ... View more

I had tingling down my arm to my fingers and an ache after the boy oh biopsy, think its to do with there being alot of nerves there and it depends how easy it was to get at the nodes you had out, it will likely settle but always call you BCN as they know the best 🙂 ... View more

Hi Hay123, for the FB link you can search on 'younger breast cancer network (uk)' then send a message to Vicki Manchester, she will then add you, it's private like this is :). For me the node biopsy actually was better than i could have imagined, I was apprehensive about having an op and this was smaller than the mx so sort of got me familiar with being in hospital, and how I would be post op/recovering, my lymph were clear 🙂 New boob looks more pert, slightly larger version of my other one, its swollen still making the implant higher, but is expected to drop more to a sort of pear shape natural one. He has also said all along that I could have an uplift on the other side if I wanted to match/if it doesnt even up as they cannot guarantee what it will turn out like, but to be honest at the moment it doesn't bother me in the slightest. It doesn't move like my natural one yet but again it's swollen a little and the sensation is different, with bra or clothes on you would know at all what I have just had done, hope this helps and good luck, Jayne ... View more

Sorry last message was so long! Meant to also say that I was soo nervous about my lymph biopsy too! I was really worried about the radioactive dye injection first (I had to go to one hospital in the morning for that and then over to another hospital for the lymph op at lunch time) but actually she said it would sting for a minute but it honestly didn't! I laughed because it was so easy for me! And the recovery for the lymph op was great, I had 2 sentinel out in the end and the funny thing was how grey I looked from the blue dye and my wee was bright blue for a few hours! Drink plenty of water, it helps get it out of your system 🙂 ... View more

hi hay123 just wanted to say i was recommended the strattice and was going to go for it, although fairly new in the uk, it has been used a lot in the US, not so much in the uk for BC, mainly for hernias. Perhaps ask your surgeon how many he/she has done (Mine had done over 25). I had researched in to it and was very happy and felt very lucky to be offered this method as it is much less invasive than the DF, although there is a minimaly slightly higher risk of infection than not using porcine, (you can ask what the exact %risks are), this is very minimal from my understanding and is not because it is strattice, but just because it is a foreign body being added in, the same with the implant. As I had asked a lot of question at the apt, the surgeon kindly looked into other options and there is even a newer one, which is veritas bovine membrane, from a cow rather than a pig. It is thinner both oath give excellent results, was the first time for him to use this. I decided to go for veritas although I knew it was higher risk being his first one, but as it is very similar to strattice and I thought even if it goes wrong I could advance some knowledge for others after me. I also asked to meet the sales lady from Baxter who supply veritas and did so while being prepped for surgery, and this was fab. I had my left mx with veritas on nov 1st, out the same day with 2 drains and have recovered well with no infections (Was given 2 wks of precautionary antibiotics). I would be very happy to go with either strattice or definitely veritas again if I ever have to have the other mx, I am sooo pleased with the recovery and the shape is amazing, even without a nipple duels was due to the pagetts, so nit sre if you get to keep yours. I had pagets and small amount of DCIS and found out today no other treatment required, which is fab. I have a nearly 3 yr old and 6 yr old. I had the op on the Thu during kids half term, was home that night as I mentioned. I was very mobile even with the drains in (had 2 for 5 days) and got used to carrying them around and was off the painkillers very quick. I would just suggest you ask as many questions as you want, my surgeon has been FAB, every time I go in with my iPad full of questions he is really happy to be asked. Good luck with your decision and the op. I am part of the younger women's Facebook group if you want fancy chatting on there as well as here. There is a piccie of me coming out of hospital:) best wishes, Jayne ... View more

Just my four penneth, to me they are sexualising young women, it is outdated and not appropriate for a 'news' paper. Now if there was a BC awareness campaign which celebrated and highlighted imagery of both men and women who have had an mx on page three in a positive manner, then that could be classed as news and make more sense..... Just my view;) ... View more

Hi KG, so sorry to hear of your situation and I send you virtual hugs, you are not alone. the helpline on here is fab too. I have a nearly 3 and a 6 yr old and am 2wks post mx, your babes will keep you going but accept all the help that you can. I echo the kind and practical words already said, it is especially important to get your support network around you, i dont have much family but my friends have been amazing, even other mums who i barely knew have been so helpful. My breast care nurse is great too, she always says the right thing. for your engorged milk, seek advice as given already above, I have seen products also that help with painful breasts (Lansinoh have brought one out that you can heat or cool) though I have no personal experience of this I'm afraid. however i did have engorged boobs and this may seem funny but when i was breastfeeding and painful boobs, i used dark green cabbage leaves against my boobs with a layer of frozen peas then between the cabbage and my bra.... good luck with everything and just to say I found the waiting hardest, once treatment was started I was so relieved, it's not a stroll in the park, but its not always sombad either! bear in mind there are many types and stages of breast cancer, mine has been early stage and hopefully yours is too. Good luck and try the Facebook group, I have been using it more than here (although this is great too) 🙂 ... View more

just wanted to say 'hi' to Phil and Derek, it's nice to see blokes out there. Derek, i had the radioactive dye a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't painful and quite hilarious having a radioactive sticker (that black and yellow logo) popped on my breast! I then had sentinal nodes removed that day, be warned your wee looks like a strong loo cleaner and you will look grey for a while as it colours your skin. Then followed by my mx last Thu, all went well. My nodes had come back clear so had a recon of veritas bovine with implant, am 6 days in and had the last of the drains removed yesterday, I have been very positive throughout this too. I was out of hospital the same day and pretty mobile considering. I have had my treatments in Leigh and Wigan (north west), my consultant and breast nurse are amazing. Good luck to you all:) ... View more

Thanks so much tors, have just sent a message on facebook now:) ... View more

Just wanted to say that our friend was told the same thing (in terms of sperm count) and it is definitely worth looking after yourself, they now have a 2 month old wonderful boy, Conceived naturally (they bth ate healthily and gave up alcohol, and used the temperature thingie to track the most optimum time for her). This must be a difficult time for you both with so much going on, but remember it only takes one sperm to get through! For now also remember that statistics are just that, they are numbers that help create averages and baselines. I was a 'late starter' having my first at 39 and 2nd at 42, each person is unque and each partnership is unique. I wish you luck with both the op and results and your future together. cyber hugs to you both, Jayne ... View more

Just wondered if there is anyone in the Wigan/Bolton/Warrington or similar areas who fancies a meet up? I am 5 days post mx with recon, had last of drains out today so am much more mobile, I would love the chance to discover little cafes that do delicious cakes and where I am not in danger of boring or freaking out my family and friends! Cyber hugs to everyone:) ... View more

I echo everyone's words and am so so sorry you are having a horrendous time, but just wanted to say I had a mastectomy 4 days ago, I was out the same evening well am healing well and when i woke up i looked at myself as soon as i could focus, i was so surprised how good i looked. This is something you can get through, your strength of character shows through your desperate words, it is hard for you but I want to send hope and positive vibes. Good luck. ... View more