Breast Cancer Now Forum

Definitely Nioxin - the one for thinning hair, but don't use it until you have a bit more hair. I used to massage my scalp with Olive Oil - the BP variety or Almond oil is fine too.It really helped with the growth. Watch out for the sun this summer too as it's easy to forget that there is nothing there to protect your scalp. Hope this helps K M ... View more

Possibily not - Cocodomal or Dihydrocodiene may be a better option, most of the pain will come from where the take the fat from, probably the top of your thighs!  Expect a lot of bruising in that area, so get some arnica in advance! They should send you home with plenty of pain relief when you are discharged. Also find some really baggy pj bottoms or trackies as anything tight is really not an option. Good luck K M x ... View more

You weren't just "peeing red" were you? FEC has some colouration in it that makes this happen, usually your chemo nurse will warn you though. Mind you if it didn't happen the first time round why should it do it the 2nd! Might be worth mentioning it the next time you have Chemo or phone your BCN for advice. ... View more

I think if you only had a few removed SNB (sentinal node biopsy) you would be ok as you still have some in there. ANC is clearance so you are more at risk. I will have a look at this site as it sounds like a good idea. Thanks for flagging it up K M x ... View more

Firstly remember that not all chemo drugs make your hair fall out. If  you are getting Fec-T it will though but it will start growing back when you are on the T part of the treatment. So  it all depends what your are prescribed. I am also in Scotland and we are given a prescription which covers up wig of up to £200, although they are synthetic they are really good. If the salon/shop you go to don't have the wig in stock, they will order it in for you and it usually comes within a week. There so many choices of styles and colour that they can't stock them all. I would start by looking at a few websites for ideas first of all to let you know what is out there. It will help you narrow down your choices. Trendco are a good one to browse through. Like you I wanted it to look like me, it is harder if you have really curly/wavy hair though. I bought scarves etc too, but actually hated wearing them outside as I felt like too much of a victim, so they were a waste of time and money for me - I sold them all on eBay! I think we tend to fall into the wig or scarf categories. Obviously I did without anything while at home though. I am having chemo for the second time at the moment but am trying the cold cap as I don't want to lose it all again. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me. Hope all goes well for you K M x ... View more

Hi - I had this problem 3 years ago whilst having my first lot of chemo Fec-T - it happened around the 3rd dose. I couldn't straighten my left arm at all - and it never recovered. I then got the vein cut in a local operation, it wasn't sore and I was quite relieved to be honest - it "pinged" when he cut it!  I am not saying this will happen to you though. I am now having different chemo for the second time - for 18 weeks - weekly and so far I am still using the same arm as I did last time. Not sure if it will last though - so I may well have to have a PICC/Hickmann put in too. I was speaking to another patient with one last week and it looked really good and not nearly as bad I had expected it to be. If it is possible to see someone else with one at your hospital that may reassure you and is better than seeing photos etc online! The lady assured me that her chemo was so much easier because of it.  Your veins will get a bit better once you finish the FEC part of your treatment, but in the meantime keep massaging it with oil and use the heat if it is painful! I did find it very weird having one arm shorter than the other and it was really tough (the vein I mean) it felt like a small bone and was a great party piece as people liked touching it! Take care K M x ... View more

Yes I have but i onlyhave an implant on one side. I can't do the crawl properly anymore (not sure I could before) it is just a big splashing about and looks ridiculous, so I stick to breast stroke. I do find swimming a good exercise especially if you have had ANC - better than doing those exercises on dry land! Happy splashing! K M x ... View more

I had similar pains in my arms and legs and the only painkiller which helped was Tramadol - it will get worse with each cycle, so perhaps you should ask your GP or BCN for a prescription.  I am sure you will not need to have to take it for long, but we all have enough horrible side effects without suffering needlessly. Hope things improve for you soon. Remember you also have the build up of FEC in your system too. Take care K M x ... View more

I had this twice with two recurrences and I think they use it if it is hard to stitch. once was on the underside of the breast and the second time it was right up the middle between the 2 breasts in the cleavage area. That one has healed up amazingly quickly, don't be tempted to pick it off too quickly though. Best thing is to rub the area with baby oil first thing in the morning and last thing at night and after a while it will peel off itself! Mine was black and I was a bit worried at first but the results have been really good and the end product doesn't depend on your surgeon's stitching ability! K M x ... View more

If you are now on day 54 then you are well past the 60 day date anyway, so I doubt that it will make much difference starting your chemo later on. It is a lot of money to lose and also a special day that is a once in a lifetime event, so go for it! Sometimes you just need to feel "normal"!  You could ask for a change on oncologist you know? I am facing chemo for the second time and was at real loggerheads with my first one (female) - my new guy is lovely, so patient and takes so much time to explain treatments etc. With my other one - it was in out and sign on the dotted line! and heaven help you if asked questions!  I would speak to your BCN about changing as this one does not sound good at all, and you will probably find that you are not the first person to have changed. Enjoy your sunshine and wedding.  K M xx ... View more

Hi, I think what you are feeling is entirely normal - whether you have a partner or not. I remember feeling strange when standing outside the hospital door after my last Rad and thinking "what do I do now"? It was as if I had been cast adrift to fend for myself in the big wide world. Unfortunately since then I have had to go back to the hospital many times, as I have had numerous recurrences, operations and now facing weekly chemo for 18 weeks. I have worked through most of this, and can understand what you mean about work merging in with social invites, get togethers etc. It must be tough on your own. Is there any way you could start a small business working from home, or even selling stuff on Ebay for example? Maybe join a few clubs that don't cost a lot of money and meet some new people. A romance might spring up when you least expect it!  Equally so, new friends from unexpected places too. You have survived a lot, it is a struggle, I have now had 3 years of it and still not come out of the other side. But it sounds as if you have so don't waste this gift of  life - get out and live it, I am sure you have lots of opportunities yet to come, and wish you all the luck in finding them. K M x  ... View more

Hi Loobyloo111 - Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I am replying to you to keep your thread bumped up  on the forum. I haven't the gene myself but I was in hospital having my MX with someone who had it and she has since become a close friend. I know that her recon was saline implants/expanders. She was off work for around 4/5 months, mainly because  both sides were done together,  she needed to drive to work and as she lived in a rural area. It might not be as long as that for some other employers though. She has definitely recovered really well and is back to many of her old activities. Hopefully someone with first hand experience will be along to help you out soon. She also gets given an MRI each year to check that all is well - wish we all got offered that! Take care K M x  ... View more

I had mine a few months after Mx and LD flap - it was made from the breast skin (back skin) sort of like origami!  - it was huge at first but is now very flat (1 year on), it looks fine and does "finish" the breast off. I was offered the tattooing around it but one side of the scar didn't heal well so cancelled that appt and just doing without. I would be too scared that a silicone would come off at work (I work with teenagers)! It was done under a general and was not sore, I got lipo done at the same time, my surgeon said that he could do more lipo on the nipple to plump it up at bit but at the moment that is too much hassle - the nipple op was not sore at all but the lipo operations are sore. Hope this helps K M x   ... View more

Hi Cocolily - I have sent you a private message x ... View more

I had nipple recon 6 months after LD and Mx and I certainly didn't have to pay for it? I am sure there plenty of other ladies on here in the same situation. Please feel free to Private message me if you would details of where I live etc. Keep badgering them, I really can't see this to be true! K M x ... View more

There is nothing worse than having an op cancelled at such short notice, that is horrible news. I have never heard of fat of this kind being used before either and find it a strange option. You did say you are overweight so why does he not want to use it straight from elsewhere on your body, where you will have peace of mind as to its origin!  Let us know what happens and stay strong K M x ... View more

Sometimes if the muscle from your back is not big enough you would get both a small implant and the LD flap muscle sits on top of it.  Has that idea been suggested to you at all? It all depends on the size of breast that needs replicated. If you opted for an implant I would imagine you would keep your own breast skin and nipple, whereas if you had the LD flap then you would lose these. The LD operation is certainly do-able so it is something to consider, however if you are not very big then an implant may be the easier choice. I have both so it is hard for me to imagine one without the other! Please feel free to PM me if you need any more details - just click on a members name to send a message. Hope this is a bit of a help to you, I am sure others will be on to share their experiences too, Take care K M x ... View more

It definitely depends on who you work for. I worked through all of my chemo and rads, despite having 25 rads treatments and having to travel a long distance each day. This also meant I had not used up very much of my sick pay.  However, when I wanted to come back to work after my Mx on a phased return I wasn't allowed to do so on full pay. My GP then signed me off for longer as I wasn't prepared to lose money over this decision. I would definitely speak to HR of your company or you line manager as it really does differ from place to place. Good luck. K M x ... View more

SNB is Sentinal Node Biopsy, ANC is ancillary node clearance (all your lymph nodes taken), WLE is lump only removed Wide Local Excision, Mx is Mastectomy. I think there is a list of abbeviations on the home page of the site, you'll soon get the hang of them and be using them yourself. Feel free to PM me if you need to know anything. I have had LD flap, ANC, Mx and WLe - take care and keep popping on for help and advice and even for a good old moan! K M x   ... View more

Hi Bella60, Yes I have had this too - sometimes the scar tissue sticks to the ribs, and that causes the tightness and horrible pain too. I had lipo done to alleviate it, and although it helped for a while, it eventually wears off and the cycle starts all over again. My op was the same as yours with the LD Flap. It could also be caused by nerve pain too and you could ask for special tablets for that. Feel free to PM me if you need any more info/details. K M x ... View more