Breast Cancer Now Forum

hya,   I did go swimming 2 weeks after chemo finished ( 4 FEC and 4 TAX) wanted to get into the water before I had my operation felt great but picked up verucas, and toe nail infection.   Would not advise it until your immunity is back to normal level.   It's just yet another thing to deal with at a time when you do not need anything else !   Hugs BerthaB           ... View more

Hi Caroline, Have dropped you a PM with a list of stuff by Day.   Kind regs, BerthaB ... View more

Hi Britbox,   I found the initial diagnosis the most worrying and stressfull time. I had invasive cancer and lump in lymph nodes, my husband has been very supportive and we have a step by step approach !  Don't worry about the next treatment just step through the one you have now. Had Chemo, 2 lumpectomies and then Mx . Just had delayed reconstruction Tummy op on just over a week ago.  So I now have 2 boobs again...   Can not say I am a size 8 and I eat when I am worried , add steroids during Chemo and you can guess I but on a few stone but....... I have  just used my Baby / Chemo belly to reconsruct my breast. If Ihad not put on the weight I am not have had enough for my larger breast.   Hope all goes well with treatment and keep taking it step by step. Berthab         ... View more

Hi Michelle, I have dropped you a message ,   I had my op on the 10th September the Tummy one.   If you have questions let me know. BerthaB ... View more

Hello, I have just had a Tummy reconstruction on 10th September , found some threads and I think one lady did a blog of here experience but can not find it on the new web site !   Drop me a PM with any questions and I will respond while it is all fresh in my mind at the mo.   Kind regs, berthab ... View more

Hello,   Just had my op on Tuesday 10th  september got back home tonight. delayed recon of right breast only at oxford radcliffe.     the first few days were the worst when lots of stuff is attached and you can not move far.  Then after day 2 things started comming off oxygen drain catheter . last drain at 5PM.   I was also put under a hot blanket which was unpleasant but tollerable for a good result. 3 drains 2 in Tummy and 1 in breast. the main issue I had was waves of feeling realy sick , but they gave me something to stop me feeling sick and it settled.. Tummy feels more tight than painfull.   Good luck with you op and hope all goes well for you whatever you decide .   If you have other questions your welcome to ask but best to ask me now while it is fresh in my mind !    kind regs BerthaB   .   ... View more

Hello I am about to go through this recon next week.   Unsure where you are but there is a BRA group I attended in Oxford.   They happen monthly normaly Thursday evening. ( there is one tonight !)   You can mail them on oxfordbreastreconstruction@gmail.com   At the meeting the consultant goes through the various procedures including DIEP Flap and  ladies who have undergone similar surgery are rather brave and do a show and tell. You can discuss and ask questions.   I was unsure if was going to help but it did and answered a lot of questions.   Kind regards, BerthaB   ... View more

After 5 weeks of no driving ---I am happy cos I can drive again !!! Met a friend in town and gave her a lift home with her shopping made us both happy. good chat on the way. ... View more

Hi Lisa Sorry to hear you have an infection. I have had a similar experience. I have been told you can get an infection up to a year after an operation ! Shocking. I had MX operation January 2012, had radiotherapy which finished Begining of April . Then at the end of May I noticed a red patch which was very painfull, and I started to feel very unwell. I was seeing the GP for something else and showed her, she looked at it and decided it was an infection and gave anti B. I was a bit supprised at it did not occur to me that I could get an infection at this late stage after the operation but thought it would clear. by the next morning it had spread across the operation site and got more and more painfull, my temperature went up and I went into the out of hours doctors as I was concerned the Anti B were not working. Apparently it takes a few days. Then I woke up that night and it had opened up and leaked. Yeuch ...... had to go back to the out of hours doc for a dressing. The good thing was the pain was almost gone ! They did a further operation to open up the area of infection so it can " heal from the inside ". I now have dressings every 2 days while it heals but it is getting better slowly. 8 weeks to completely heal after the op. Glad you went back to the hosp, hope the Anti B kill it off for you. Let us know how you get on . Kind regs, BerthaB ... View more

wow, that's brilliant... !!! Congrads on the final. ... View more

Hi All, Struggling with the web site as well. Just managed to find it. can not find June Chemo thread from last year as well. Could not find this one when I did a serch put in Rads and March but nothing found ! I also put in the word infection and found nothing.. at that point I gave up ! Hope you are all doing well. I have a post Rads infection ........... bit of a suprise as I finished begining of April . Hope to find this thread again soon, but can see no way to add it to my profile page ! ... View more

Hello all, How did you get on Sandytoes with your appointment. Hope all went well ? I have only 2 Rads to go then finished. V Tired but ok other than that. Hope you are all doing well and getting back to your lives .. Hugs BB ... View more

Hello All, Started Rads on Thursday 8th March.12 sessions Mon, Wed, Fri. Had second one today but had to get off the bed after 3 of the 4 fields. Cramp down one side of my back .. ouch... Rexi - I realy wanted to finish rads before the easter school holidays so I have been calling regularly to start. Had to wait for Seroma to go down but was lucky re infection. Good to hear you have also started RADS Work, I am already Part time 3 days a week. They have given me a few bits to do but not much. Lorna - good to hear your are getting back to work. enjoy the next few months before the next appointment .. no one prodding and poking you for a while. SuperT - finished Rads , congrads on the new job, 22hours a week sounds just perfect. Sandytoes - Hope the Scan goes well and your heart is recovering. Must be a bit scary. Another holiday, great news, lots of relaxation and chilled times for you and your hubby. Worthks - Trying to get back to my life but still so tired, lots to do that I have not done for a year, our paperwork is in a mess and most of my clothes I can no longer wear ! Thats my update done ! Hugs to all. BerthaB ... View more

Hello All , Had my planning appointment yesterday . Start on the 8th March.. Add me to your Rads in march list please. Do I need to start applying cream before the first appointment has anyone been advised to do this ? Hugs, BerthaB P.S. Hi Rexi my Chemo buddy glad to see you are about to start ! ... View more

Hello All, Sandytoes, Glad sis is ok and you enjoyed your hols. Sore joints .. mm sounds familiar. Have my Rads planning on Wednesday AM. Sloshing all stopped now and healed well so ready for it . Rexi , how are you doing do you have your appt for Rads yet ? Hugs, j. ... View more

Hi Lorna, I don't use facebook but thanks anyway. Also tired, don't think I can keep pace with everyone else. Going into the office tomorrow must wash wig. Kind regs, Julia. ... View more

Hello All, Rexi, I think we were typing at the same time during my last post ! Sorry to see you still have an infection how frustrating. Hope it clears up soon. I also canceled my holiday booked 2nd week in April for school holidays. When I booked it I was mistaken in thinking ... operation in December rads jan / Feb be perfectly well and ready to go in April ! ... oh no ... Re Rads apt. I do not have a date for the planning appointment yet and even if it was next week I would have to delay as I still have fluid so could not go to it yet anyway ! I am also worried about not starting it yet.. wondering what is going on in the area where boob once was. I have returned to work last Tuesday ... mmmmmm.. Thought I would have a slow introduction, but no.... ended up with a project Tuesday PM. I was part time and expect to remain so not full 100% back. It was good to be back but realised I have not done my job for a long long time, very slow and feel half my brain is missing... Sandytoes hope your having a great holiday ! Hugs, BB ... View more

Hi All, Sandytoes, sorry to hear about your sister, hope all is well and she gets her results soon to relieve all the worry. Relax and enjoy your holiday, you deserve a rest My bone Scan for ostioperosis was ok some issues but don't think I will need any treatment. pam glad you had a good holiday and managed to get away from it all ! Katie re alchohol, have not noticed but have not drank that much recently due to ops and antibiotics. I will look forward to testing this once I am off this course and let you know !! Lorna Self adhesive boob ,, have not seen the options yet, just still using my softie after last op. My mum has found a knitting knockers knitting pattern.. yes she has made me one and posted it on Friday.... virtual hug to all, BB ... View more

Hi Girls, I did not shave mine. Was a bit sensitive on the scalp while it fell out. Other than that not too bad. Ended up with a tuft at the front and some at the back which eventually fell out. My hair has now started to grow back but..... I have one original long hair left I call it Samson ... This Hair has stayed with me through 8 sessions of Chemo and 2 months of Surgery... Will be quite sad when it finaly falls out. Bertha B. ... View more