Breast Cancer Now Forum

I had a mastectomy 6 years ago. My husband and I also have other health issues. We have had difficulty getting health insurance - some insurers just won't insure us, others cost thousands. We now use the Post Office - but they won't insure pre existing conditions . ... View more

Hi I am doing ok. I had breast cancer 4 years ago. I had a mascectomy. I used this site conctantly and it helped me so much t hen. I went back for a check up this week, still ok, but I decided to visit the site again. What about you? Liz ... View more

Hi How are you? I am from Newport. What part of South Wales are you from? ... View more

Meggy, Tina and Fab Forty Good luck to you all. I hope your ops go well and you recover quickly. I had a mx last June for widespread DCIS. It wasn't fun at the time and I went through a range of emotions, but I now feel very well and lead an active life. Your ops will soon be over and you will be on the road to recovery. Paula - I hope you are recovering well. I will be thinking of you all. Liz ... View more

Lizzie You have expressed everything I have been feeling and my family too in the last 6 months since my diagnosis. Well said. Thanks for putting it into words. Liz ... View more

I am glad I have read these posts. I wear a prothesis and have never thought about security at an airport. I haven't flown since having mx. I have wondered what will happen when body scanners are introduced. There must be something we can say / do to avoid the embassassment of body scanners. Liz ... View more

Hi I had DCIS - widespread and a mastectomy in June. I was told it may, or may not develop into invasive breast cancer. I am very grateful that after the mastectomy I needed no further treatment, but I still have to come to terms with having one breast. (I chose not to have reconstruction). I still worry about recurrance in my other breast. Everyone is different. Maybe it is still early days for me. I feel last year was a hard year for me. My best wishes go to everyone. Liz ... View more

Hi I agree - you need to go back to your breast cancer nurse and get all your questions answered. Its a good idea to write down all your questions and the answers you are given. It is all very confusing. You will receive a lot of support on this site. The waiting is the worst. I had a mastectomy last June - for widespread DCIS. I chose not to have recon. I recovered quickly thank goodness. I wish you all the very best. The op will soon be over and then you will start your recovery. I wish you all the very best. Liz ... View more

tearfully ... View more

Thanks for the link. The badges are horrible. I have had a mastectomy but would not want to wear a badge advertising the fact. What makes me proud is that when I wear my prothesis people can't tell it is false. I think there are far better ways to make people aware of bc issues, to raise money and support people who have bc. Liz ... View more

Hi Signet You seem very confused. I can only make suggestions. As I understand it - with secondaries - you don't get the all clear - but you can be at a stage where you have no cancer cells in your body. But at some point they will return. I wonder if this is what your friend means. I think you are doing the right thing by contacting your breast care nurse. It really is impossible to understand everthing they tell you - first time. Ask if they have any literature you can read. This site is a good place to rant and rave - there are loads of us who can understand how you are feeling. Good luck. Liz ... View more

Hi I have posted how I feel on here before - but if it helps. I had a mastectomy last June. I chose not to have reconstruction - I didn't want to be in hosptial for one minute more than I had to. I wanted to get over the op as quickly as possible. I have a prosthesis which I am happy with and wear pocked bras. I am happy with the way I look - when dressed. I don't think people can tell which is my real breast and which is the prosthesis. I hope this helps you. Good luck. Thinking of you. Liz ... View more

Hi You are bound to be worried . The worst time is waitng for results. It is a long time until 11th. I suggest you find things to keep you occupied. I don't know anything about the symptoms you described. You may have nothing at all to be worried about. Not everyone who gets a recall after a mammogram has breast cancer. But whatever your results - you will get plenty of support on this web site. Thinking of you. Take care asnd look after yourself. Liz ... View more

Hi I had a mastectomy in June this year. I was offered reconstruction but chose not to have it as it meant longer in the operating theatre and a longer recovery time and I don't like hospitals. I was told if I chancge my mind I could have reconstruction some time in the future. I did not get on with the "softie" they gave me at the hospital. It kept riding up and I felt lop sided. I am very happy with the prothesis. I have a light weight amoena one and wear it with pocked bras. I am 55. I feel happy and confident with the way I look. I spent quite a bit of money on a pocketed swimming costume and swimming prothesis so I have taken up swimming too. I do wonder if how I feel is down to my age and if I would feel different if I was younger. I hope this helps. I would like to wish you all the best whatever you decide. Thinking of you. Liz ... View more

What a lovely poem. Thankyou for sharing it. Merry Christmas to you all. Liz ... View more

Happy Christmas to everyone on this site. Wishing you all the very best. Liz ... View more

Thinking of you all at this sad time. I didn't know Debs but have read many many of her posts and have found them helpful and comforting. She was an inspiration and will be sadly missed. Liz ... View more

Hi I was diagnosed with widespread DCIS end of April this year. I had a mastectomy in June. At the time I did not consider any other option. I would prefer one breast and the certainty that I do not have breast cancer, or anything that could develop into invasive breat cancer. (I have lost two members of my family to breast cancer). I was offered reconstruction - but chose not to have it. I did not want to be in hosptial for any longer than necessary. I recovered quickly. I am happy with my prothesis. I know people can't tell which is the real breast (even my hubby gets mixed up soemtimes). Six months on - I feel well, but get tired, have been back in work since the end of July. I play badminton every week, and now go swimming weekly too. Sometimes I also go to the gym. Whatever you decide - I wish you all very best. Liz ... View more

Hi My story is different, but I can offer support. I am a teacher - year 1. I was diagnosed in April with DCIS, I hd a mastectomy in June. i am now back in work. I love internet shopping too. If I can be of any help to you - I will as I use this web site regulary. Good luck. I am thinking of you. Liz ... View more

Hi I was diagnosed with DCIS in April, I had a mastectomy in June. I was in hospital for 4 days. I felt rough for a fortnight but then recovered quickly and have been back in work full time since September. I was lucky - they removed everything with the mastectomy so I have needed no further treatment. Take one day at a time. You will get a lot of support on this web site. I wish you all the very best. Thinking of you. Liz ... View more