Breast Cancer Now Forum

Pleased scan went well and results were as good as could be. Good luck with op and recovery x ... View more

Yes I'm in the same boat as you. I had bi mx with recon & SNB in January and cancer cells were found in one of the 2 nodes removed. I'm having 8 x FEC then removal of all lymph nodes. I asked if I could have nodes removed 1st as I just wanted rid but was advised that it was better to have chemo 1st. I feel just like you - I wish they'd all been removed at once as I found the sites of SNB the most painful and uncomfortable part of the operation, but apparently lots of women have had this done unnecessarily. ... View more

Hello Don't worry - I have an occassional tickly cough which typically happened during my MRI, then to make matters worse my hair fell onto my face and made me sneeze! The results were fine though - thank goodness - the thought of laying motionless listening to forgettable hits of the 70s for what seemed like an eternity is a bit too awful to repeat! I didn't like the dye either. x ... View more

Hello Paula I had exactly the same surgery as you on Jan 7th. I too was very healthy and had a hectic lifestyle pre diagnosis; I just cannot come to terms with how my life has been turned upside down. I recovered really well from the surgery and I think was slightly euphoric initially as the terrible fear of the surgery had gone. However hearing I would need 8 x chemo, rads and full node removal then completion of reconstruction ie approx 12 months + of treatment has really taken its toll on me. I find tears rolling down my cheeks without warning and cry at the slightest problem - I just can't cope with anything. My bcn said it was good to cry - what has happened is very traumatic and life changing and if you hold it in you will really suffer later. I read a great quote on this site that has helped me it went something like ,'Every tear that falls, a little bit of hurt falls with it.' I did talk to my GP re taking something to help me cope, although normally I am anti-drugs, but he was reluctant as he didn't want me to become addicted to anti-depressants as I had enough on my plate but to go and see him if things get worse. It's very early days for us and hopefully things will get better. I must say since I started chemo 3 weeks ago I haven't been quite so weepy - perhaps because I feel I'm taking steps to erradicate this horror that has changed my life so drammatically Love & hugs xx ... View more

Yum yum - I'm going on the pate treatment too!!! ... View more

A friend of mine who sadly has had cancer twice and needed chemotherapy on both occassions swears by Life Mel Honey as she used it throughout and never missed a chemo session. I have bought a jar - will try anything. It is quite expensive at £37 for a small jar but it lasts a month. Just got to keep my partner from spreading it thickly on his toast! (http://www.lifemel.co.uk. for list of stockists or order on line) I also have an injection the day after chemo - Pegfilgrastin (Neulasta)to help keep white blood cell up, but I'm not sure if its available in all health authorities - ask your doctor. All the best ... View more

Dawn - I would ask for a 2nd opinion re nipple tattooing. My surgeon is doing it himself and everyone i've spoken to/read about have also had nipple tatooing done by their surgeon. Chrystal - I believe the nipples are always removed. ... View more

I had a bilateral mastectomy with implants under the muscle 7 weeks ago. I was absolutely terrified beforehand and really wished I could have spoken to someone before I had the surgery. The operation was virtually painfree - I was advised by my BC nurse to accept any pain relief offered, even if I thought I didn't need it, as it is harder to control pain once it rears its head. The results are amazing-scars below breast line and up to nipple but already fading fast. Word of advice - take it easy until scars heal as I got carried away and did a bit too much and opened up the wound. I am going weekly for 'pump ups' where Dr puts in approx 100mls of saline - this is pain free although feels a bit tight for a day or 2. I had very large and heavy breasts so am opting for small ones! Once the chemo is over I will have silicone implants inserted - think I can choose the shape-followed by work done on the nipple. Even such a short time after surgery the results look better than I could have ever hoped. I have seen many photos of completed reconstructions using this method by my surgeon and others around the country and they all look good. Good luck - will be thinking about you. ... View more

Thanks for bringing that to our attention - Signed petition - now will ask family and friends to do so too. ... View more

I too have dense breasts and the lump I found in my right breast was not picked up by the mammogram. Because of the problems reading the mammogram and ultrasound I had an MRI scan that picked up all sorts of 'lumps and bumps'- I've had a history of cysts all my adult life. One of them in my left breast turned out to be a tiny grade one tumour so I was so relieved to have had the scan. I have had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and made a great recovery. I hope I haven't added to your anxiety - I just want to put your mind at rest that anything untoward will be picked up by the CT scan. I am so relieved mine was picked up now rather than later down the line. Will be thinking of you x ... View more

Thanks so much for all your advice. The holiday is booked for the 3rd week after my 3rd chemo and if SEs are similar for each one I've felt fine during that week this time round. We booked this holiday to Lanzarote a year ago and are staying in an apartment so would cook our own meals - my ONC was concerned about eating out. Having bloods done tomorrow ready for round 2 on Tuesday so will be keen to know what results are, particularly of white cells. Thanks again. ... View more

Thanks for all your advice. Your worries are mine - particularly fear of infection from plane but thought would seek 1st hand experiences. The Manor House sounds lovely - will have a look at that. xx ... View more

So pleased I've found this thread. I too had sentinel node sampling and cancer cells were found. I have been so frightened since hearing this news, so have been reassured by other people's experiences. What worries me now is that I'm having 8 x FEC before having rest of lymph nodes removed - If I'd had a choice I'd have had surgery first because psychologically think I could cope better knowing they were out. ... View more

Hi Rozita So sorry you've had such a rough time - Will be sending you positive vibes for Thursday. Lots of love & hugs xx ... View more

Hi Steph I'm on day 17 now. After some hair fell out 2 days ago I didn't sleep all night as was so worried that I'd wake up to a pillow full of hair. Today I've noticed more falling out but in 2/3 strands at a time. I have followed advice on this post and not washed or brushed my hair - very glamorous but I don't care! I've got thick hair in a shoulder length bob so hope that even with thinning it'll be ok. Have a wig & scarves ready but would give anything not to have to wear them. I had bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction 7 weeks ago but the hair loss is upsetting me more. Got 2nd dose next Tuesday so am living in hope. Lots of love & hugs xx ... View more

Oh crikey - sorry I'm so gormless - thought I'd started a new thread and I'm back on yours Muffet! Better luck next time xx ... View more

Has anyone been abroad during chemo? My OH & I have a holday booked in April. My onc said that if I felt ok I could go and he would organise chemo dates round holiday. I am in 2 minds - obviously would love to go and OH really deserves a break - bless him. However i'm scared of what would happen if I was unwell etc. Would be really grateful for any of your experiences Thanks & love & hugs xx ... View more

Thanks Muffet will follow your advice xx ... View more

Hello Muffett Your Spanish holiday sounds fantastic - I would love to join you all as I feel really isolated - and you all look great fun! Unfortunately for various reasons couldn't do it this year but hopefully another time? I hope you don't mind me asking, but will any of your friends be having chemo at the time of the holiday? My OH and I have a holiday abroad booked (pre DX) for April. I will have had my 3rd chemo by then. I've asked my onc and he said if I felt like it I could go and he'd arrange sessions round date. However I'd like to hear from ladies who have actaually been abroad during chemo - how they prepared for it, how they coped etc.. Have great time - what a brill thing to look forward to - your pool-side pamper session makes me drool!!!! Thanks and best wishes xx ... View more