Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Just thought I'd share my experience. Had mastectomy 5 years ago and recon was never mentioned, waiting for results and the long wait to start treatment was all that was important at the time I guess. The first time I went to buy a bra post surgery was the worst and an absolute nightmare ......I cried in every changing room and shop,(usually still do) Guess we've all been there 😞 . Two years on I asked about recon and a referral went to plastic surgeon. Over the next 2 and half years I had 2 visits to a plastic surgeon and specialist nurse and was told each time that I was low priority as cancer patients came first and no time limit would be given.....Just wait. One NHS specialist even asked if I would consider going private.... LOL I told her that after a cancer diagnosis the private health insurance would be either extortionate or refused.(Did annoy me though). The waiting time is VERY frustrating and upsetting because you want desperately to try to move on and away from the cancer experience but can't and Donna my family would also often ask "have you not heard from the PS yet?". GGrrrr. The waiting makes you think about how you're managing your life with a prosthesis but I also found myself doubting whether to go through with the recon. However, Out of the blue I got a phone call to go for the surgery with 10 days notice. It's early days for me at the moment and still wonder if I've done the right thing...too late to change my mind now. Unfortunately there are too many cases of breast cancer these days and I think the system isn't able to cope, apparently there are a lot of surgeons who will not even consider recon. If you're newly diagnosed ask for immediate recon because it seems that you have the best chance of getting it........you can only ask. Don't know that my experience will help but ladies we just have to hang in there and count our blessings on a daily basis to try to help us cope. Jackie x ... View more

Hello Jude, I am 4 weeks post op from delayed recon. and am still wearing my luverly white stockings. was told by the nurse at discharge that I'd have to wear them for 6 weeks post-op and I nearly fell off the bed. Anyway, as I'd had been wearing them for nearly a week by that time I was quite used to them and although I also have flushes must say they're not too bad. The worst part about them for me is trying to get them on because I had IGAP so have difficulty bending far enough from the hip and am otherwise pretty flexible and agile. Nice to get them off for a shower and put on some moisturiser. Hope all went well. J, x ... View more

Hi Alex, They're great but fortunately I only have the Tamoxifen to take which is one of the reasons I kept forgetting it. Hope you're not rattling too much. Te he. Jackie ... View more

Thanks to all for your replys. I intend to look up the MacMillan site Thistle, ta for that and have bookmarked that web site Nikiya....will need to read it tomorrow night when i've more time. Just as well i've got a while 'til my PS appointment so will be able to do a bit more research. Personal choice is one thing but it's a big decision so might as well get all the info I can. Wayhay I might even end up with a wee bit of cleavage at the end of all this. LOL. That'd be a first!! Will keep you posted. Gratefully Yours. Jackie ... View more

Hi Gemdancer, I had a similar diagnosis and treatment as you but had 3 involved lymph nodes and two breast lumps. that was 3 1/2 years ago. I had a year off work and also struggled with the dilemma of whether to go back or not. I had and still do have similar thoughts to yourself. But...I try not to consider that I'm waiting to die. After all every living soul is!! So hopefully your brighter and more positive days will become greater and the darker days fewer. You don't need to comment on having HAD breast cancer on an application form for a job although you can legally be considered as having a disability since you had cancer. This I think is down to personal choice. I prefer not to think of my self as being disabled cos I don't really want that label. Applying for a new job might help you look more positively to the future. I find being at work good therapy as the days pass quicker and help to keep your mind off the negatives. You're going to be here for a good while yet so you should do what you want to do. BC diagnosis is a good excuse for pleasing yourself and making the most of everything. I'm sending you a hug and best wishes. Jackiede ... View more