Breast Cancer Now Forum

Maybe go in week three, and avoid people as much as poss xx ... View more

Hi Julzd, I sometimes felt like I could go to the gym, but decided against it in case of picking up infections, as my wbc was always v low. So I went for walks instead xx ... View more

Hi ladies, hope you are all ok! Just to let you know that I have had my final expansion last week. I can now wear an ordinary bra with no padding. Wonderful to have cleavage now that the summer has arrived lol. I will see the PS in early August, and that is when she will measure up for my permanent silicone implant, and put me on the waiting list for the op. The nurses think it will be next year. I have to decide whether I want anything done to my good boob. Which is pretty droopy compared to my new one. Fine in a bra, but I wouldn't want to be seen out without a bra! Some days I think well, if they are going to do surgery on one boob, why not the other at the same time, then I think it is best to leave well alone.... Oh decisions decisions. Apparently I would need a lift which would involve taking some tissue out of the good boob and moving the nipple. And probably dropping a cup size. Might just stay with having a droopy good one eh. How's everyone doing? Xx ... View more

Hi Kate and Kaya, a little update - I had my dressings off today and all healing well. Just some steristrips in place now. My first expansion will be in three weeks as the plastic surgeon is away. The wound is still a tiny bit painful so it is probably for the best. I stopped taking painkillers a couple of days ago and the little bit of pain reminds me to take it easy and not overdo things. The nurse said to really take it easy until the implant and strattice is settled and healed. I am lucky that I can take it easy with good support at home. It must be v difficult if there are kids/work etc., as there is a lot of recuperation. Hope the expansions arent too uncomfortable Kate. I am certainly hoping that I will not want to touch my good boob. The whole surgery thing is very draining, and I have useless veins. Took them five attempts to find somewhere for the anaesthetic canula. I am still black and blue! I know I will need more surgery to take the expander out and replace with the silicone implant but am really hoping that both boobs will be similar enough. Hope you can get plenty of info Kaya, and get fit for surgery. xx ... View more

Thanks Kaya and Kate, sorry haven't been in here for a while. Got my date for recon - this Thursday. For i fo, I went to an evening set up by the charity Keeping Abreast, where volunteers did a private "showing" and explained what they had had done. Very generous of them to share their experiences. Really helped me to look forward to the recon. All of the ladies were v happy with their results, all having had the different types of ops. Will let you know how I get on! xx ... View more

Good to read about your experiences ladies. I am going to have an expander implant op in the next couple of weeks, delayed recon following mx in Aug 13. Any suggestions for what to expect after surgery would be much appreciated. xx ... View more

Rest in Peace lovely Lulu xx ... View more

Hi Cassa, sorry to welcome you here, but hopefully you will get plenty of support. I am her2+ too, had mx in august, nodes clear, then 6 x FEC type chemo, no radiotherapy, and am now on herceptin. There are so many different diagnoses and the onc or your breast care nurse will hopefully explain them for you. I just wanted to get it over with, and I didnt want to delay the treatment at all. Not that there was any delay, it all happened pretty quickly from when I found a lump in June. I am 56. I too was fit and healthy, and am starting to get back there again, slowly but surely. No side effects from herceptin, so far so good. Chemo was unpleasant but do-able. It is a slog, but it is lovely to hear that you have good support too, that really helps. Hope you have healed up ok post op. There is a good facebook page, Breast Cancer Buddies if you want to chat on there, or there might be a group formed on here for the same month as you going through chemo. I find the forums very helpful but must admit I have been sticking to the facebook ones recently! xx ... View more

Well done Shelly! I have finished too, looking forward to feeling normal again. xx ... View more

How are you doing Shelly and Belle, hope you are coping alright xx ... View more

Hi Beejay, glad to hear your update, hope those se's stay away 🙂 sounds great re the mobile chemo unit, the travelling and parking for hosp is always a stress isnt it. My last fec is on. 27th jan, and then first herceptin near the end of feb. No actual date yet, and the first one will be via iv, with the subsequent ones via injection. Hopefully all at the slightly more local cottage hosp rather than the main city one. Fingers crossed. Good luck with the hair for the wedding! I didnt go for the port which was offered at the beginning (def sounds like the best option if your veins arent great) but thankfully my veins have been ok, so one less thing to worry about. Hope you have a good rest and lots of good books to take take your mind off it all. xx ... View more

Hi belle how did you get on. How all ok x ... View more

Hi Beejay, good luck with the herceptin. I am due to go on it, might find out today at the oncologist when it will actually start. Had my 5th of 6 fecs yesterday. Sorry to hear about your feet, might be a silly suggestion, but have you used Sudocrem? I used it for nappy rash with my son many many yrs ago, but still keep a little tub in the first aid box. It is great for healing spots, grazes, cold sores etc. might help to give it a try, not expensive xxx ... View more

All the best with monday Belle, I will be having my fifth fec that day, will be thinking about you xx ... View more

Hi Belle, sorry to hear you are aching 😞 I am on fec 4/day 15, and am due to go on to herceptin after fec 6. So i cant tell you what it is like yet. The onc nurse tells me that it can be given as an injection now instead of iv, and that the se's are few, or none at all. We need to have regular echo cardiograms as it can poss damage the heart though. Maybe have a look at the sept or august threads to see if anyone has experienced it already? Hugs and happy new year, xxoo ... View more

Fingers crossed for a burst of energy leamangobird! Take care of yourself hon, glad you are home xx ... View more

Hi Beejay, thanks for the update, hope all goes well. I am going on to herceptin when I finish chemo - dont have any date yet - but my hosp are going on to giving it by injection in the leg rather than iv like the chemo. Hope yours offers that too, sounds like a much quicker option. They wont allow the local surgery to do it tho due to the cost apparently. I have had one echocariagram and have an apptmt for another one at the end of jan - they do them every three months it seems, as herceptin can affect your heart 😞 the echo is very easy, just an ultrasound of the heart area while you are lying down on your side, no worries. Take care, the pair of you xx ... View more

Dear leamangobird, hope they get you sorted out soon, and shelly hope you are doing ok ? Sending hugs xx ... View more

Yes week 3 is supposed to be the good week, and yes it is probably chemo related! Knocks us for six doesnt it. Might be worth putting a call in to the onc nurse anyway hon if you are not feeling well, see what they say. Hope you have a good night's sleep xxx ... View more

Hello Leamangobird, if you have a temp of 37.5 you need to ring your onc unit and talk to them hon xx take care ... View more