Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Bobsicle,   Sounds like you made some great progress since I last got on the internet. I'm a year down the line and when I first went back to work I was still crying all the time. I wasn't sure I would ever be able to work without breaking down in tears. Its gradually faded and now its not even an issue. I still cry. Usually at silly stuff on the telly and heartwarming stories on facebook. My work was great about my staged return and I found loads of support from my manager but not so much my colleagues, they and my friends are a bit scared of cancer to talk about it.   Hope you get on well with the counsellor.   Marion    ... View more

Hiya Blue Rose,   I went in at 7am for pre-assessment, to save another appointment earlier in the week. Was in theatre by half 8, in recovery for 11.00 where I was given extra morphine for the belly pains but home and in my pjs for 3.15pm. I was fit for work 3 days later.   Where the fat was taken from was by far more painful than the mx site. I had a lot of bruising, I'm a big bleeder any way. Have to say managed on just paracetamol once home.   Let us know how it goes!   XxX ... View more

Hi Bobsicle,   I found it difficult to approach health care staff and tell them I was struggling, I was determined to be a good patient!  Thats why this forum is so important.  You don't go into details and I totally respect that, if all you need from us is a sounding board or a shoulder thats what we are good at. My family and friends get that glazed look and I totally understand that you feel you've exhusted their ears. Like Jo the moderator said speak to them on the phone, I've had great experience of using the BCC services and they're more professional than us, no offense ladies! Oh and virtual hugs, we are good at that, so big hugs. I hope you get some resolution.  Can you please let us know how you are getting on?   Marion ... View more

Hi Ladies,   I just wanted to say your stories ring a lot of truths with me.  The angry and frustration and weight gain and follow-up care and work situations!!!! I am nearly 2 years post diagnosis and I'm still mentally recovering and I think I always will be. I'm also going to the younger womens residential in Edinburgh and I'm so looking forward to it. Has anyone else found themselves more tearful, like at TV and silly stuff?   Marion ... View more

Hi,   I'm going through fat only reconstruction or lipo-filling.  I'd had a goldilocks mastectomy and it was always the plan to fill breast with my own fat. I didn't want loads of scars, an implant and actually I'm happy living with the mastectomy. Its my other boob I hate. Its a D-cup and my mastectomy side is an A-cup, they are never going to be equal sizes from the fat transfers and ideally I'd like a mastectomy on the other side (but thats a whole other thread). I've had one round of fat transfer and it looked great after the operation but its now mostly absorbed back into the body. The skin has stretched and unbelievably the pains from radiotherapy are much less. The operation and recovery time was quick but it will have to be repeated 2-3 times. However it was painful where they took the fat out of and I bled quite a lot during surgery. I was at my plastic surgeon today after the first operation. I found out she had only put in 75mls and was very happy with my result. They put so little in to see how the body copes with fats as it could become lumpy and poisonous. I'm going for round 2 in April and I'm looking forward to the results.   Hope this helps Blue Rose, feel free to ask me anything you like!   Marion ... View more

Hi,   I've bought the book you suggested and its arrived yesterday! I'm going to the younger womans forum in March run by BCC and I'm really looking forward to it. Can't wait to meet like minded ladies and share experiences.  Have to say I didn't have a good experience of Maggies its about 30 miles away from where I live. Went in twice and left my details for someone to call me back about the groups I was interested in, not to hear anything back... There's nothing local for me and I've found these forums much more useful. I'm considering the counselling and I'd be interested as to where you were able to access this, although its because of the cancer, it seems to be confidence and intamacy that are now my biggest issues.   XxX ... View more

Hi Ladies,   I'm booked and attending the course. I'm a year post treatment but still going through reconstruction. Outwardly I'm getting on with things great but my biggest area holding me back is the intamacy and socalising with friends again. I'm releived to be meeting ladies who have gone through treatment and have some understanding of all the issues we are facing. Its not easy speaking to friends and family about this stuff. Looking forward to meeting you all. XxX ... View more

Hi Froggy,   I feel exactly the same. Dx in May 2012, spent 11 months off work and socialising occasionally, I've found it devistating to my social life. Loads of friends have moved on with their lives and I just feel stuck in a giant rut.  I want to talk about the diagnosis and my treatment but I've encountered what I suppose is fear from friends, they just don't want to know.   People have been very stand offish and it makes me avoid situations.    I've gone back to work full time, done a very difficult course and gained a promotion. In work I've pushed myself to be seen as moved on but I just can't do that in my personal life. I think it will need to be a gradual re-introduction to socialising and only accepting invites that I know I'll be able to go along with. In the past I've said yes to everything and often pulled out last minute, because of anxiety or tiredness. I think a big step forward for me has been admitting that I can't do everything, that I've got limitations now. I think I'm more tearful about this than I ever was about my dx!   Look forward to hearing how its going for you!   Marion  XxX ... View more

Hey Paula,   It seems the guidelines are applied slightly differently in each area. Glad to hear you have an appointment with Genetics. I'm sure there will be no obligation to go along with testing but it will help you make that choice. They are very knowledgable staff. Hope it goes well, keep us informed!   Marion XxX ... View more

Hi Fairfield,   I've been for genetic testing (don't have my results yet) and it was very reassuring. There is a very long wait at the moment, probably the Angelina Jolie effect!    Like you, I had no family history and was diagnosed at 34 with triple negative, then treated and a year later offered genetic testing, I beleive this is now common practice with young women diagnosed triple negative. I had a form to fill before my appointment, I then saw a geneticist. He was very thorough, he went through my form, explained the mutations involved and the implications for my health. He discussed what I might be offered if the result was positive and how the process would work.    The wait for results in my area is 3 months and its been a very long 3 months. But given the information from the geneticist I've come to decisions about my future either way.   I have a clammed up hubby too. Good luck! XxX ... View more

Hi Jacx, I am also havign a mx next week and have always been against recon as I dont want surgery on another area of my body. I have a oncoplastics surgeon and yesterday saw a plastic surgeon. There are a massive amount of options and its a very personal and individual choice as to what recon or not to have. I feel real empowered and that my choices are second from top priority (first being getting rid of the cancer). I have chosen to try lipomodelling, relatively new for full reconstructions in my area but its the best fit for me. Hope you get on well today and don't feel rushed into anything, my BN is invaluable and I know I can phone up when ever to ask some silly questions or really important ones. Maz X ... View more