Breast Cancer Now Forum

I have just posted on the April 2015 thread & thought I'd post here for old times sake. Still all good friends 'speaking' every day in our closed Facebook group & meeting regularly. S x ... View more

Hello April 2015 I am an April 2012 chemo bunny & thought I would hop in & say hello. 3 years ago I was where you are now, awaiting my first chemo terrified & very sad. Today I am well, have fab hair & am training for a triathlon. The best thing I did during treatment was join this forum & meet my fellow bunnies. Your chemo buddies will support you when times get tough, be your best cheerleaders & make you laugh. 18 of us are still in touch, still 'speak' every day & meet up at least a couple of times a year, we are friends for life. We have also completed the 10 mile Pink Ribbon Walk in 2013 & 2014 and will be walking again this year, chatting & laughing all the way round. Chemo isn't easy, but it is doable & the support you will receive here is invaluable. Take care of each other. Love & best wishes S x ... View more

I have had double mx & don't plan to have a reconstruction and use Amoena contact foobs ( when I'm not flat). They are great, don't notice I am wearing them & much less weight on my shoulders. One side does come a touch unstuck when I sweat but they don't move around in my bras. I still wear post surgery bras in the main because I find the fit better. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend x ... View more

My right breast path was fine, but I had become obsessed with self exam & was convinced it was riddled with dodgy tissue!! I find being flat quite liberating, broadens my choice of clothes & less backache!! Sometimes I wear stick on prostheses, but mostly I go flat. bTW I am 51, so similar in age. S x ... View more

Hi I had an occult breast cancer in 2012 & had a left mx, chemo & radiotherapy. I was always concerned that my right breast also had a tumour not picked up by imaging so asked for a right mx. It was the best thing I did, balanced me up & gave me some peace of mind. I am not planning a reconstruction and am happy being flat & fabulous. I am also on the Facebook page which is great. You can also ring the BCC someone like me service who can put you in touch with a volunteer who has had to make similar decisions to talk too. Also get a copy of this months Vita magazine as there is a great interview with a young woman who has the BRCA gene & has had a double mx. Good luck with your decision making. S x ... View more

Hi I used a beanie boob in the pocket of sports cropped tops ( the ones with removable pads). Lighter than silicon but don't ride up like a softie. I got mine from website All about the Girl & also use them for swimming. S x ... View more

Hi I also live breast free & am not planning reconstruction. The Facebook page is a great resource for us flat & fabulous girls xx ... View more

Hi I have had double mx & have chosen to live breast free. Personally I didn't want further surgery & actually find it quite liberating. I have adjusted my wardrobe and sometimes wear false boobs, but mainly go flat. There is a private Facebook group called Flat & Fab ( UK) which is a great resource plus the BCC Someone like Me service can put you in touch with someone similar to talk too. S x ... View more

Hi I had an occult bc in 2012 that didn't show up on imaging & the only cancer found after Mx was a 4cm lump in my lymph node. I was completely paranoid that there was cancer in my other breast not showing up. My surgeon wouldn't do bi lateral Mx as he wanted me to deal with the cancer 1st. But as soon as I finished active treatment I we t back & after a pysch appointment he agreed to surgery. I had a planned Mx at the end of 2013 and the pathology was fine. I don't regret it for a moment even though I lost a healthy breast. My surgical team never dismissed my fears just said they prefer to let you deal with a cancer diagnosis 1st & not have a knee jerk reaction. I would go back to your team & express your very valid fears again & ask for a pysch consult. Good luck S x ... View more

hi fellow gig goers. I thought I would post & let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel! Last year I went to the 3 day Sound City Festival in Liverpool 6 months after finishing chemo & lasted to 11pm each night. This year 12 months on I have managed to stay out until 2am each day & seen over 21 bands!!   Hang on in there girls it gets better!   S x ... View more

Thanks Sara12, you have summarised my thoughts exactly. My life is richer for meeting my Bunny friends. Two years ago I was terrified, but having the Bunnies with me every day made things much easier. S xx ( mods please could you move to the monthly threads section. Thanks) ... View more

Hi   I am an April 2012 chemo bunny & regular gig goer. I regularly went to gigs at small & large venues during chemo. It did find I needed to sit down as my treatment went on. I went to Festival N6 3 weeks after my last FECT & managed fine, dancing into the early hours. It was important to me to maintain normality & not feel deprived, so would recommend going for it. Two years on from diagnosis & I go to more gigs than ever, if it looks even vaguely interesting I go!   Good luck.   s x ... View more

Hi   I had a risk reducing mx in November last year after my 1st mx in March 2012. I have chosen to live breast free as fortunately I haven't really missed my breasts. Most of the time I don't wear protheses but do wear beanie boobs in my swimsuit & bikini. It is quite liberating to have the choice & yesterday someone who didn't know I'd had the op said to me ' I love your new look'! I didn't have the heart to tell her the cause of my new look. I am just turned 50 but love designer clothes & dressing up.   everyone is different though & you know what suits you best so listen to your heart.   S x   ... View more

Hi Lulu I had a 4 week break from tamoxifen whilst I had risk reducing mx & my sweats got much worse, I also broke out in terrible spots!! I'm back on it again and sweats have subsided. I was peri menopausal before diagnosis & am now convinced tamoxifen is moderating some of my symptoms!! You are not the only one! S x ... View more

I had a right Mx on 1st Nov, 18 months after my original left Mx. Before surgery I had to see the psychologist to check I had thought my decision through. The surgery was much easier than 1st time round as there was no need for ANC & I knew what to expect. The path report was clear & the scars are very symmetrical so look fine. It is liberating not having to wear a bra & 3 weeks after surgery I was dancing at my 50th birthday looking fab breast free in a Vivienne Westwood dress. I am so glad I took the decision. S x ... View more

I am a primary lady who followed Marilyn on twitter, was hugely inspired by her and carried a ribbon with her name on at the Blenheim Pink Ribbon walk this year. May she rest in peace free from pain. S x ... View more

In the end I just went for it. Went on holiday 2months after the end of chemo & when I came back left the wig behind. In my head I had much more hair than I actually had. No one in work batted an eyelid & commuting to & from work I didn't notice any odd looks. I do think brazen it out with confidence even though it is tough is the best approach. Good luck xx ... View more

I had left Mx in March last year & will have right Mx on 1st November. I am happy with Dolly my Prothesis & can't get my head around implants or having flesh relocated to form a breast. Luckily I am confident in my body . Am having my 50th birthday party 3 weeks after surgery so have bought a fab draped Vivienne Westwood dress to wear with no falsies. It hangs really well on my flat side so am very happy. Sx ... View more