Breast Cancer Now Forum

I don't have personal experience, but I do know that you can get special swimming prosthesis. I think they are quite expensive though. Ann     ... View more

Hello Sarah, I remember being aware of this too. Maybe we are just looking at our breast with a bit more interest? However I suggest you phone your BCN to ask or perhaps contact one of the advisers on this site? Always best to ask if you have any worries at all. Good luck with everything. Ann   ... View more

Such lovely news! Well done and how lovely that you will continue to offer support. x ... View more

Hello there, and thank you for the reply. This is kind of what I expected with wait times. Back on the roller coaster, as always its the waiting that is the most awful bit. I wish you every bit of luck possible and I will let you know how I get on. Regards, Ann   ... View more

Hi there,   Not sure what surgery you had? I had a mastectomy and immediate recon and although you can do most activities by 6 weeks this is not to say you are recovered by then. It takes so much longer to feel anything like normal. My nurse always said 6 to 9 months, but now two years down the road she is saying with a smile, well it is only two years! However I think at this stage the tiredness etc is more to do with the meds. . Everyone will be different, but just go easy on yourself and if your body tells you to rest then that is ok, just go with the flow!   I am sure others will be on here with more information and different experiences shortly.   Good luck   Ann   ... View more

Hello,   I had a nipple recon one year after breast reconstruction. I was in hospital just for the morning. No pain at all. Tattooing started about 8 months later and I had four sessions over two to three months. I was given local anasthetic cream but I am going to be honest and say that one area always made me jump. But all quite bearable. I found it well worth doing although I wasn't going to bother initially. It does just finish things off nicely. Good luck Ann   ... View more

Hi Emma, Glad of was of some use to someone!   I too am at the clinic on Christmas Eve, 08.55am! And here is me thinking I would get a lie in on my first day of holidays.   I am just in for my annual check, mammogram and scan, but wish they had given me another date. Still at least I will have the rest of the day to myself. Otherwise I might have been in bed at lunchtime.   Once again, good luck. I will be routing for you.   Ann   ... View more

Hello Emma,   I've had a couple of core biopsys and they are not painfull, they apply a local anasethetic. You may be a little tender for a day or so, but hardly anything. I would suggest you have someone to drive you home afterwards.   I just stressed out a little both times and was a bit wobbly! But thats just me - a big scaredy cat, without cause!   Good luck, Ann   ... View more

Hi Lolly   I have been on them for two years and am ok. You need to take them with calcium too. Were you prescribed these?   Having said that - most of the female members of my family are on them (but in their 70s and 80s) and have many problems. They have all been switched to 6 monthly injections or yearly infusions which they have no problems with.   Worth giving it a go and seeing how you get on.   The worst part is the half hour needed to take them one morning a week!   Good Luck Ann   ... View more

Hi Lynny   Sorry you got this news. But now you know for sure. It kind of takes some of the stress away. Strange isn't it? Good luck with all your treatment. Its going to be a roller coaster ride but you will get there.   Ann   ... View more

Hi Lynny. Just hoping and praying that you received good news today. If not, remember all the ladies who will be here to support you. Ann x ... View more

Hi Lynny. I can only give my experience in that they could tell from the mammogram and did the biopsy for confirmation of the type of cancer. However they told me straight away that it was cancer on my initial consultation. I was then ushered through for the biopsy and had the full results a week later, along with an explanation of my care plan. Good luck with everything. Ann     ... View more

Hello Dianne, I was diagnosed with the same 20 months ago. Had to have a mastectomy with immediate recon. No chemo or rads required. On Letrozole and although it causes side effects I am back to normal otherwise. There is light at the end of the tunnel believe me! Good luck with everything. Ann ... View more

Hi Keeks,   With regards to WTC, you can work 16 hrs per week providing you received ESA up until you start work (or you have been awarded PIP). The rest of the criteria surrounds previous year and current year income. If you have a partner their income would also have to be taken into account.   If you do phone for a claim form please remember to tell them you have been on ESA and make sure you put on the claim form that you are a disabled worker otherwise it would be rejected.   To check the amount you would receive there is a calculator you can use on the gov.uk website (Tax Credit calculator).   Regards, Ann ... View more

I have had two core biopsys over the past eighteen months. First time I had an appointment the following week for results, but they knew it was cancer. They just needed to find out what type. The second one I had an email about three days later telling me it was clear, followed up by a letter a week or so later. I think you will be ok to drive although I was glad to have my hubby with me to do so. I went into a little bit of shock both times. Mostly because I was nervous and there was no need as there was no pain! Thats just me though. Good luck. Ann   ... View more

Hi Cindy This is all perfectly normal ..... the timescale and the worrying! You will have so many appointments to attend before admittance that you will wonder where the time went. I also got told that nothing much would change in three or four weeks, and I believe that. Good luck and best wishes. Ann ... View more