Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lorrainer What brilliant, exciting but scary news! Im pleased your long wait has ended. I can't help with you question about the op-Im waiting for a tram flap at same hospital ,Im sure someone will be along to advise you on here,and Ill be watching your experiences with great interest. Best of luck with your op. Cathie ... View more

Hi If youre an ebayer, theres 1 on sale just now at £6 currently-I was recommended to get 1 so have been using for coupla weeks-so far so good!! (Megga weird tho) lol !!! ... View more

Hi Aggietop Sorry you had to find yourself here, but as muffett says, it is doable. Its incredible how lots of people remain sane through this awful process, but keeping a journal will help you get a perspective on the whole journey. I ve been writing down feeling, appts, peoples reactions-really everything thats happened since dx. Its now 6 months since dx and I can look back on what Ive written and see how far Ive come. We are incredibly strong when we need to be Take care ... View more

Hi claude I completly understand your anxieties-the waiting can be as bad as the results in some ways. I was dx at a one stop clinic in Oct 09 and found that to be really helpful. All tests and result in one day. Last week I had another MRI and now have to go for ultra-sound/biopsy next week on other breast and the waiting is absolutely horrible.I so much preferred the one-day process-at least you know. I am so much more worried this time round, even thou I had a clear lump last time - no sign of a lump this time. Im thinking of you all who are in this predicament and hope you have good outcomes. Cathie xx ... View more

Hi Becky, Ive been on Tamox since Dec and also experience similar dizzyness, and funily enuff, its worse this week and Ive had a heavy cold too!! Hope you continue to be reasonably side-effects free but why dont you run it past your BC nurse, as Im going to check with mine Take care xx ... View more

More evidence!!! I read a little article yesterday about this topic. There has been a study at Northwestern Uni in the U.S. It suggests that the hippocampus-the area of the brain that is responsible for memory-automatically 'rewires' itself at certain times of the month, dependant on hormone levels. They found a womans memory peaks when oestrogen levels are at their highest-so it makes sense that tamox will impact on our memory/thinking processes- Im thinking 0f keeping the article, laminating it and give it to anyone left looking bemused when I dry up mid sentence!!! ... View more

Hi There, Welcome to the site, but sorry you need to be here.Saying that, Ive found this place and all the lovely people on it a great source of info and friendship. Im in Stranraer, so not so far away from Ayrshire-In fact, Im attending the BCC Diet/Exercise event tomorrow in Ayr. I was dx in Oct last year and had a mx on one side. My nodes were clear and so I was 'lucky' to get away with Tamoxifen only. Im back at work and doing ok-so there is light at the end of the tunnel-its just a scary, lonely journey sometimes. If you fancy a chat sometime, feel free to message me-Im in Ayr lots for shopping!!! Take care Cathie x ... View more

Hi everybody Have you tried ASDA? I got one for £6 and its great!!Comfy with deep sides and washes up smashing. I got mine on line as its a nightmare trying to sort thru the store, as the post surgery packs look just like other ranges. But avoid the bra with wee dots as it dos'nt fit as well and its padded slightly. For more special post surgery, try 'all about the girl' website-matching bra and pants-georgeous!!!! x ... View more

Hi everybody Re prosthesis-I bought a swim one from amoena, but at £35, and I dont think it looks right as the 'other side' is flatter due to less support than bra. Tried it out when away for weekend where no-one knew me and it stayed in place !!!! Good idea to try the 'softee' -Ill give it a try. I found some georgeous undies and swimwear in 'about the girl' website-not cheap, but lovly!!! ... View more

Tigerstripe, thats fantastic news! Im so pleased for you and glad you havnt had to join this awful club. Take care of yourself x ... View more

Hi Lola I could have written your post, as you sum up perfectly my experience, tho I havnt had my recon yet. That people think you are 'better' and if you have been 'lucky' enough to have avoided chemo/rads, then whats wrong with you? But its definately not that simple. The grief of my experience has just started to hit home now its been 5 months post-Dx. I wish you well for the next part of your journey tomorrow.take care x ... View more

Hi everybody Great to hear from you-I do love this place for the mutual support and honest veiws!! Seems there are huge variations in the quality of info-I dont feel so stupid now about my own lack of knowledge!! I have found it hard to get my head around everything thats happened and would love to have a 'report-style' summary of the whole damn cancer journey which I could read and digest when Im more ready to take it in and question it. x ... View more

Hi Mags Found your post really interesting. Ive just posted a question about info as I have found by reading in here,that it varies so much what people are told throughout the journey of diagnosis. Ive found loads of really helpful general info from lots of places,specially here, but abput my own situation, I feel ill-informed. x ... View more

Hi Girls Re Swimsuit buy, Ive just been looking for one and managed to get 1 for £15 on amoena-online in their sale section. They also do a swin prosthesis, although its £35. You could look in e-bay as I saw some lovely ones there for not bad prices, and m &s do them online too. Good luck with your swimming, thats what Ive decided to do to get a bit fitter and loose a bit of weight 🙂 ... View more

Did you get a blood test done, as I beleive this is the only accurate way of determining if youve had the menopause, and so decide which treatment is right for you. Id go back and discuss, we are the only ones who can advocate for our health and you are right to be cautious. Cathie x ... View more

Marita Im so sorry to hear of your troubles-how scary and disappointing for you, but I cant offer any helpful advise 'fraid. Even tho Ive just been to see the plastic surgeon to discuss my own recon, this technique never came up in any of my research/discussions with others. Did they say why they opted for it? Cathie xx ... View more

Ive been using a great cream product by Vichy-both before and after surgery which decreases production of sweat for up to seven days- but to be honest, Ive never thought of wether its suitable due to lymphodema risk-maybe another question for my BC nurse!!!! They also do a brill sensitive roll on too. ... View more

Hi Curtainqueen, My own BC surgeon who referred me to SJH said they have an 18 week rule-you can read about it here-( http://www.18weeks.scot.nhs.uk/what-is-18-weeks)-so maybe you could quote this to the appointments clerk. I know,( cos I wanted to delay my op till I can get paid sick leave,)that they are very aware of this target ad I spoke to my plastic surgeons secy very recently and we are looking to delay my 'entry' onto the waiting list because of it. Hope it all works out for you, Good luck. ... View more

Hi Ann 04 Isnt this neck pain a pain in the neck! Im having a lot of trouble with it and have started getting some back,neck shoulder massages to see if theres any relief. Have been worrying about it and hoped it was just a SE - im on Tamoxifen since Dec.Other joints are troublesome too,hands and knees. Might try some of the ideas in ths thread, but made an appt for GP for a wee bit of reassurrance. Take care Cathie x ... View more