Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Scone, I had a reduction at the same time as a DIEP at the end of August last year. I remember looking at the reduction side thinking that it looked odd as there didn't appear to be any flesh under the nipple and was quite upset by the look of it. I can't remeber when it actually happened, but know that at for at least for the last three months the breast had dropped and there is a good amount of flesh underneath the nipple and it looks like a boob to be really proud of. x ... View more

Hi I had to have two weeks of Flucloxacillin 500mg because of about 5 small areas of breakdown and infection along the tummy scar. I shared the dressing of these with the practice nurse and we used very basic inadine and guaze to dress. 3 weeks and they were healed. Its such a big area for the body to heal that I think its almost inevitable that there will be some breakdown. My DIEP boob healed really well but had a problem with the T junction on the reduced breast but again that is very common due to the natural stresses on the wound. Now on the waiting list (will be approx 4 months) for the tidy up of the DIEP as fuller than the reduced breast as well as the nipple. Then thats it!!! Karen x ... View more

Hi Rita I hope they have a bed for you and that the operation goes ahead. I had my DIEP three weeks ago and whilst the first 2 days post op were hard, I catch glimpses of my cleavage (despite the sports bra) and my heart sings. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Karen xxx ... View more

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Thanks BB Your post spurned me on to contact the hospital. The staff nurse said that I shoukd see how it goes overnight and if still concerned to contact them again to discuss. I am going to take some diclofenac a bit more regularly as had only just weaned myself off analgesia to once in the morning. Karen xx ... View more

Hi Ladies just a quick question - I am 12 days post op and starting to feel a burning/stinging sensation at the top of the DIEP. It feels soft with no redness etc so not overly worried about it (yet). Did you experience similar type/different sensations through the recovery process? many thanks Karen x ... View more

Hi all Out of hospital today following DIEP and reduction last Thursday. It is so good to be back home and in my own bed. I have to admit that it was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done but I would do it again (although I might not have said that at 6am on Saturday morning when I was at my lowest due to no sleep and not having been out of bed in a room with a tropical temp and with me having continual hot flushes). I can't stop looking down at my cleavage and loving it. DIEP side looking a wee bit larger than the reduced side but not going to worry about that as will take a couple of months for it to all settle down before any 'touch ups'. Lisa- I have been preparing myself for a year for the surgery with weight loss, Pilates and running and whilst nursing staff say I have done really well, I get tired after each burst of activity needing an afternap this afternoon. Whilst i want to get back to normal as soon as possible i am so grateful for my husband being around the next week to look after me and the kids. Karen xx ... View more

Hi Lisa I found out last week that my DIEP is booked for August 30th and will have been 10 months on the waiting list. I have been preparing myself for the op since I went on the list having lost 3 stone and running regular 5K's (I couldnt run 30 seconds before I started). Just before I got the date, mentally I was going downhill as really starting to hate myself. This has lifted me up so much and I am so looking forward to the operation, I can't wait. I know the initial recovery will be hard but doable (I have had 2 caesarians) but so worth it. I had my MRI 2 days ago and will be having preop assessment next week. I am on holiday before the operation so should be very relaxed and no opportunity to get nervous. Good luck with your DIEP and enjoy the new you xx ... View more

Hi Sharon I went for my initial consultation with my plastic surgeon and I was already aware that by BMI was too high at 34. I was told that they would not consider surgery until my BMI was at least 31-32. They have however put me on the waiting list for the DIEP with another appointment 6 months later to check that I was losing the weight. The waiting list is between 12-18 months and this is the opportunity for me to lose weight which I am doing albeit very very slowly. That 6 month check is in May and I have just about reached a BMI of 31 now so I am sure they will be happy with this. I intend to keep on losing weight so that I am as healthy as I can be for what is quite a major operation. I have lost nearly 2 stones since chemo finished June 2011 and this has been predominantly since the start of this year through watching the calories but also letting loose on the odd occasion. I do not loose weight like i used to now that I am on tamoxifen but it can be done. Don't lose heart with this. Is it worth asking if you could get on the wait list now with weight checks in the lead up and if you are not at a 2 stone loss then you just jump back a bit on the list. Karen x ... View more

Tina I so very rarely post on these threads now but do look in regularly. I have checked the threads today because I have been thinking of you and was willing for you to come back and say that it wasn't the worse. Thinking of you (and all you secondary ladies) at this horrible (the word doesn't do it justice) time. Karen xx ... View more

Hi guys I took ice cubes in to suck whilst having the chemo as it helps lessen the chance of mouth ulcers. I forgot to take in the one week and got ulcers that cycle so for me it definitely worked. Only issue is I am only now just starting to be able to have in any drinks as the thought of them took me right back to chemo. Good luck with the chemo and I will keep a look out for any meetup dates Karen xxx ... View more

Hi Purple Name of oncologist has been removed because I forgot we can't put professionals names on here. But yes, he is great and really puts you at ease. Hope the results are good for you. I have been lucky on that the only extra scan I had was an ultrasound of my liver after the chemo which sent my LFT's quite high. USS was normal and LFT's settled as quick as they rose. Ahhhh the joys of chemobrain!!! Karen xx ... View more

Loz So so pleased for you. How is your oncologist? Mine is lovely and so approachable. Karen xx ... View more

Hi Loz Nothing prepares you for the diagnosis and waiting is the worst part of it. Once you have a plan of action you will find the strength and ability to face treatment head on. I am just past my first year anniversary and look back and marvel how I did it (mx and chemo). I am Hilton in South Derbyshire and am 44yrs (my 43rd birthday was day diagnosed). Hopefully any meetup I will be able to attend as I work full time but do work at home during the week. Karen xx ... View more

Hi folks I am Hilton South Derbyshire. Just had my first surveillance mammogram having had MX abd chemo last year Karen xx ... View more

I too was borderline. Although i had two lumps/areas that totalled 5.5cm with no lymph node or vascular invasion there was never any doubt for me that I wanted chemo. I was 43 years old and knew that I had to throw everything at it. It was difficult and when I look back I can't believe that I actually got through it, but through it and to the other side we do get to. I wouldn't forgive myself if in the future if I get a recurrence and I hadn't had chemo. I too am also on Tamoxifen for 5 years. Its a very personal decision and it has to be right for you. Karen ... View more

Tina what does your team say about the main risks that I see with long term bisphosphonates, namely jaw osteonecrosis and blood clots. I see that in the study posted at the beginning of this link says that there was no occurrences of osteonecrosis in the women studied. I think the info that I have been looking at suggests that those with active cancer and treatment are more susceptible. I am seeing my Onc in the New Year and checked that he has a private practice, which he does. This is definitely something I will talk to him about. Many thanks for sharing your experiences Karen ... View more

Hi SCACO A few weeks ago I had constant tummy aches for few days and I was trying not to think of the worse (as I was googling liver secondaries symptoms!). I tried to think logically about it and about what would I have done pre BC. A couple of Ducolax and a morning after clear out and it was all okay again. I work in Staffordshire and there IS a lot of tummy bigs about at the moment, Noro virus particularly is doing the rounds. Karen x ... View more

Totally agree - lots of information and it was great meeting some really lovely ladies. Roll on the nightout being organised in a few months (Derbyshire) Karen x ... View more

Have to say, after 2 days I know that I love it!. So nice to go shopping for feminine lingerie instead of the cumbersome unattractive pocketed ones. Its so nice to look down and see my bust pointing in the right direction and not see two boobs shifting to one side. Because its still new to me I sometimes an aware of it but when getting on with life just totally forget that it is there. ... View more