Breast Cancer Now Forum

How very sad.. RIP Sweet Lady x ... View more

Thank you ladies for all your replies x Leigh, I know exactly what you mean re the 'three words'. So sorry you now have secondaries, I wish you well with your treatment xx ... View more

Hi I would ring the hospital where you had your op, the wound could be infected.. x ... View more

Hi Northern Bird I haven't posted on the forums for over a year or so but felt the need to do so to try and put your mind at ease. I was in the situation as you are in May, I was also told they were looking into me paying the money back as after the tribunal decision I should not have had anymore ESA. As it happened I didn't have to pay anything back. I was doing exactly the same as you, sending sicknotes so really fault was at there end as it was upto them to stop the benefit and advise me accordingly, and I would have claimed Job Seekers as my job had been made redundant. I was also just getting the basic which is the same as Job seekers. I hope this helps a little ... View more

Hi I had to go for a medical a few months ago, and it was as Theresa says. I wasn't ready for the medical as it had only been a few weeks after my Mastectomy and Tram Flap recon so I found it very emotional. It was a nurse who did the medical and basically she was more interested in making sure she asked all the questions her computer threw at her than how I was feeling. Some of the questions were to do with how I was coping emotionally - she could see I wasn't coping but there you go. I found it to be a very cold experience. I have since had an interview with Pathways and found them to be more understanding. In fact I cancelled my first appointment as I wasn't well enough, the person I spoke to didn't have a problem with that and was very understanding to the point of being apologetic when I told her I'd had a MX/Recon - which took me by surprise after the first experience. x ... View more

Hi Inky Good luck with your op, not long to go now eh! I'm five months down the line and my recon breast is lovely and soft and has settled down fine. Will be having the areola tattooed in the next few weeks. You take it easy after the op Inky x ... View more

Hi I'm a D cup (sometimes bigger cup) but depends on make of bra. I had an immediate tram flap recon, the surgeon made me a matching breast which looks so lovely and natural. I wouldn't worry, I'm sure they will be able to do the same for you. x ... View more

Signet, so good to hear you sound more positive, I don't think anyone needs a partner who is abusive and who only thinks of himself, you have enough to cope with without that - you can now concentrate on you and your lovely babies. I divorced my son's dad twenty years ago when my son was ten and brought him up on my own. It is scary at the time but its amazing what our kids can get us through. All the best to you and your lovely babies. xx ... View more

Hi Smallstar I had a single Mastectomy with immediate Tram Flap recon almost five months ago. My surgeon didn't ask me to take girdles/support knickers in though he did ask me take in a post op camisole to keep the breast warm and for support. I had two drains in my tummy and one in my breast, I was in progressive care unit for three days where I was constantly monitored. The nurses had to give me bed baths as I was in too much pain to move, I was taken to a side room on the forth day and the catheter was taken out - I was then able to go to the toilet etc but I was still very weak and hence not able to shower but managed to wash with a flannel. I stayed in hospital for nine days. The surgeon kept reminding me that I'd had major surgery and one step at a time. Op was nine hours. I needed a lot of help for quite a few weeks as I was so weak, even bending to put the washer on was difficult so my son and my sis and brothers helped. I was also advised not to lift anything heavy for three months or until I got the ok from my surgeon or I could get a hernia - I did exactly as my surgeon said! My breast is now lovely and soft and looks so much like my good breast except it has scars where my diseased breast was taken out. I had a nipple recon seven weeks ago though it got infected so at mo I'm on antibiotics. My surgeon said the areola will be tattooed three months after my nipple recon so that should happen in the next five weeks. Good luck with your op! If you have anymore questions, I will try my best to answer them. Take care xxx ... View more

Aveeno lotion is really good for dry skin, I also suffer from eczema and the lotion helps keep it at bay. It is expensive to buy but well worth the money. Some supermarkets have also started selling it too. You can get more info on aveeno.co.uk ... View more

Hi Maria Oh yes, I'm still around! Good luck with your next chemo, I hope it isn't as harsh as the last one was. love and best wishes xx ... View more

Hi Sandra You seem like a lovely lady who always has something positive to say to help others - I think if you need to cry then you should because better to let it out. We all have good and bad days. I lost my Mum just over a year ago, four months after her passing I got DX - boy have I cried! You still have a long way to go and I personally don't think there is an alternative to crying, no point carrying that pain, better just to let it out. Love and best wishes to you xx ... View more