Breast Cancer Now Forum

I had breast cancer in 1994 and found another lump in the other side last June. I am a gene carrier and have had 6 cycles of chemo followed by a bilateral mastectomy, full node clearance and immediate reconstruction using a DIEP flap. The op was 6 weeks ago and wenT very well. I was in theatre for 12hours and in hosp for 5days. Had 5 drains in and a catheter but still managed to get out of bed the next day. It was not painful, but breasts felt very tight and i have a massive scar across my tummy where they took the tissue. My recovery has been good. I needed to have fluid drained from my tummy twice. I have just started driving again and going for a walk every day, but cannot do any strenuous exercisefor another few weeks. I was told that recovery takes 2-3 months in total. I have to wear sports bras 24 hours a day to help the shape of the new breasts and massage them with E45 to help soften them. I have to have radiotherapy for 3 weeks in feb, but I am hoping to ease back into work a few hours a day by Easter. I am struggling with the emotional side, can't seem to stop crying about everything when I should be looking forward to cancer free time? ... View more

Hi LB, My hip scar is horrific too and has taken me a while to get used to it. Along with two reconstructed breasts I feel that I have a totally different body than I did before. My hair has still refused to grow back much since I finished chemo in Oct 2012 so when I look in the mirror - who is that person? Hope that you are recovering well from op and you are pleased with results. Charbs x ... View more

Hi nannabarb, yes I am on tamoxifen but only started taking it about a month ago. I will have to keep my fingers crossed. I agree that it is good to see the ' head honcho' every now and then, you do get decent answers to your questions and that builds up your confidence in the treatment being given. Have you had really cold feet and hands too? Mine go numb at night they get so cold, and I had hoped that it would have go away by now. ... View more

I too had the dreaded docataxol for 3 cycles last year and FEC for 3 cycles, finishing in October. I used the cold cap for all 6 cycles and was pleased with the results at the time.I had my long hair cut short and washed it gently with baby shampoo throughout, using no styling products or heat treatments. It did thin out, but luckily was very thick to start with so the results were pleasing. My ONC said that the success depends on the cap fitting really tightly and being left on for the recommended amount of time, which is different for each drug. Unforunately since I finished chemo my hair has continued to fall out at a steady pace. I thought it was due to stress as I had to have a major op in Dec, a bilateral mastectomy and recon. I can see from reading these posts that the hair loss may be due to the chemo after all. It is a shame as I am hoping to get back to a sort of normal life but cannot feel back to my old self without much hair! ... View more

I had a double mastectomy with node removal and immediate reconstruction using my tummy tissue 5 weeks ago. The op was carried out after I had gone through 6 cycles of chemo, but I am pleased that I had it done. The results are very good, one breast had to be made smaller to match the other as I have had surgery before and this breast is a bit misshapen but improving all the time as it softens. It all feels quite tight still but I do feel as if they are a part of me. I was in hosp for 5 days, suffered no pain only discomfort and normal painkillers did the trick for me. I still need them at night to get me off to sleep as it is uncomfortable to turn over or sleep on my side. I was walking around the day after the op. I wore hosp gowns all the time I was in as the nurses needed to check the new tissue and the blood supply, so it was easier for them to access both breasts. It is important to keep the whole area warm while the new tissue establishes itself so I wore thermal camisoles over my sports bra when I got home. Good luck. ... View more