Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hello Ladies   I had LD recon in October 2011 and have since had 2 fat transfer ops and a reduction to healthy side for symmetry. I went back underwired bras about 8 months post op (LD) and have not found them uncomfortable. I didn't go back to my pre dx bras as I was much smaller after all my recon ops. I do find that I need to buy the post formed? cups, I get them from M&S about £18 per bra they make up for the slight difference in size. I did buy post surgery bras for quite a while after all my ops as they were slightly padded and non underwired. It does take a bit of time to get back into 'pre op' bras again after  months of sports bras .       ... View more

Hello   I used to massage my arm also but didn't have a parcular technique. I also used a wheat bag and hot water bottle as I had read previously they could reduce cording. 3 years post chemo, I can only see my cording in certain lights.   Good luck   Jude   x ... View more

I've not had the same experience but a similar one. I didn't get on with my onc from day one and didn't think I could go through such a traumatic thing as chemo is with someone I didn't gel with, he was very offhand, didn't acknowledge my husband at all, didn't ask me anything about myself at all, (yet when my very attractive wonderful friend who came to all my chemo sessions with me was present he asked her all about her life!!!). I did ask my chemo nurse if I could switch oncs but she persuaded me to stay with him as professionally he was highly rated. I did and to be honest I haven't seen him for nearly 3 years post chemo, I always see his registrars so for me that is a good result. It might be worth you asking if it's possible to switch oncs - you have to be comfortable with your onc going through such a horrible time.   Good Luck   Jude   x ... View more

hello   I went in yesterday for my nipple reconstruction. A really simple operation and the local anaesthetic wasn't a problem at all, it was so nice to come out of an operation and not have the sickness and grogginess of previous ops. The op itself took about 40 minutes, I was aware of the PS inserting needles into me to numb the area but after that didn't feel aware of anything at all. Had no pain post op, didn't need any painkillers and a good night sleep.   The big thing now is to ensure the nipple doesn't flatten. I'm wearing a foam protector over the nipple and will for about 3 months. Has anyone any suggestions as to how they prevented this from happening at all?   thanks   Jude ... View more

Hi Angiepops   My case not the same as yours as I didn't have rads but when I had mx I was told by my surgeon that an immediate recon was not advisable in case I did have rads after chemo. My BCN afterwards told me my surgeon should never have advised me that way, I had mx and chemo and waited 18 months from mx to have my LD recon. I've had various fat transfers in the last 2 years so my whole experience has been about 3.5 years - I'm having a nipple recon this week. The delay caused me no physical probs as didnt't have rads, but psychologically I found it difficult without a breast for that long. Good luck with your ops   Jude   x ... View more

there are numerous ways to construct the nipple gk so I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice. I know he's dong mine from the skin graft he took from my back when I had the initial LD reconstruction.   As far as a time line goes I had mx in April 2010 and then LD recon October 2011, a fat transfer in July 2012 and in Feb 2013 another fat transfer and a reduction to good side. For me the process has taken just over 3.5 years.   Good luck to you all and I'll report back after my op on Thursday.   Jude xx ... View more

Hello   I had an LD recon about 2 years ago and they grafted an elipse shaped piece of skin from my back to my breast and my PS has said he will do the nipple recon from this piece of skin. I will report back to you, I think though there are alot of different ways to do this. Good luck with yours next year. ... View more

thanks for that Dana, very reassuring.  I don't have much feeling anyway on the recon site so I'm expecting it all to be very bearable. yes, hopefully next year the tatooing will be the final procedure then I'm good to go!!!   Jude x ... View more

Yes i agree with all being said and it's been 3 years since I finshed chemo. I have never been able to eat paninis since having one during a chemo session and being so ill for days after it - it was the chemo not the panini which made me ill but the associiation is still there!! I can still freak out at the noise my shower makes - it's the noise the machine I was hooked up to having chemo made. Really strange isn't it how these things stay with us. Jude x ... View more

Hi Annie Not sure if you can prevent cording. I got mine after 1st chemo and followed all advice given, which was as you say, stretching and keeping the arm massaged. When I got home from chemo sessions I'd put either a hot water bottle or a wheat bag - one you warm up in microwave on the arm. My chemo was 3 years ago and you can still see the cording line. Sorry not to be more helpful, good luck with everything. Jude x ... View more

Hi Naz I'm so pleased for you, I have read your previous posts about your failed reconstructions and how it has affected you physically and emotionally and it's been painful to read, this is such wonderful news that you have met such a gifted PS who has given you your confidence back. Jude x ... View more

Hi Jill Hope you don't mind I've private messaged you. Jude x ... View more

Hi Camac Try also : hatsforheads.co.uk this is online facility set up by people who suffered hair loss through chemo, they've designed really nice hats designed to cover the areas of your head which alot of standard hats don't so it's not obvious you've lost your hair. They do a great range of caps, hats, scarves and bandanas - just something a bit different. Like Jill I went to the Headstrong Ladies who were lovely, but as I have a very small head didn't feel alot of the scarves suited me so I went for the hat option. Jude ... View more

Hi Sinfully D I did find out the same day. I went for mamogram after I'd discovered the lump, I was given an appoint within 2 weeks of going to my GP. On the day I was diagnosed I had mammogram, after this I had an ultrasound and this confirmed I had 2 separate lumps, so then I had a biopsy. The results of the biopsy were given a week later but the consultant told me very abruptly that I had 2 breast cancers and I would need an immediate mastectomy. I was in Elm House from 9-2pm, but the last few hours were spent with my breast nurse who was so practical. That was the worst day of my cancer episode I can honestly say once I'd been given the diagnosis and got over the shock, I coped with the next stages alot better. I would advise you to take someone with you, I didn't as I hadn't even told anyone not even my hubby that I supsected I had a lump so the shock for him was immense. Don't hesitate to ask anything at all that you can think of which might help you. Jude xx ... View more

Hello there Ladies I was dx in April 2010 so have experience of Clatterbridge. I had an mx in May 2010 and then attended oncology for 6 months when I had chemo. I have since had a delayed reconstruction but had that over in Whiston. The new centre at Clatterbridge is a huge improvement on the old Elm House, the mammogram area is superb now. All the breast specialist nurses a invauluable in their advice and support, I don't know how I would have got through those first dark days without my nurse Jocelyn. Oncology also had had a revamp, I'm there for an outpatients appointment tomorrow so will be keen to see the progress there. You are in wonderful hands at Clatterbridge and the more down the route you go the less the fear of cancer. Please feel free to ask anything at all. Good Luck Jude ... View more

HI Barbara My PS advised me to gain weight for my fat tranfers after I had my initial LD, I was a size 8 and he said it gave him nothing to work with, over a 2 year period I put on a stone. I have hopefully had my last fat transfer so in the last month have lost weight not sure how much but I can get into clothes I've not got into for 2 years and feel much better as for my build the stone I put on didn't feel comfy at all. Everybody thought it was a wonderful task to be told to put weight on, but I've always eaten really healthily and been an avid exerciser so psychologically I found it very difficult . Good luck with your future ops. by the way, I've just returned from holiday and for the first time in 3 years I wore a bikini, I never thought I would be doing that again, felt so confident with my matching pair after 3 years of wearing a prosthesis. Must admit some of my scars were visible in bikini top but I'm sure I was the only one who noticed. It was a great feeling!! Jude x ... View more