Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Tonit, sorry I have only just seen this post, don't get on here much anymore! I had my TUG in January, wore cycling shorts 24 hours for 6 weeks, never had a problem with fluid, but was kept in for 12 days as my drains were still loosing too much at the time. How did you get on with this? How is the fluid now, have you had it drained? Hope you are pleased with the results? Can I ask where you had your TUG, as not that many hospitals do it. I have since had 2 Coleman fat transfer to even i things out, but am very pleased with the results 🙂 Hope you are happy with yours? X ... View more

Hi TwinksMum, You must be coming to the end of your chemo now? I hope it has all gone as smoothly as possible! I am now 6 weeks post op, and can honestly say that it has not been half as dehabilitating as I expected! Al though I only had unilateral, not bilateral as you Maybe need. I am driving, doing housework and most daily tasks. The thigh scar is slightly lower than I was told (approx an inch below knicker line, not the cm I was told, but is very neat and will fade nicely). I am due to go back to see PS in a couple of weeks to find out about lipo fill on new boob, after the s initial swelling reduced she is a fair bit smaller than the other one! But it was definitely the best thing I have done! Discomfort (for me) was only slightly worse than initial Mastectomy. I wish you well for last chemo (if you have not already had it) and hoping that the genetics testings go your way! Dont't get on here so much as am trying to "move on", but feel free to message me if you would like anymore info. Good Luck! Xx ... View more

Hi ladies, Thought I would chip in with my experience of the TUG so far, as there is not much information to go on out there! I had my delayed TUG on 22/01/13, so 2 weeks ago today. I have to say that the couple of stories I read on breastcancer.org had me a little concerned, but so far I have been pleasantly surprised 🙂 I was initially told the op would be 6+ hours, actually took 9. Then moved to ICU for a couple of hours and then High Dependancy over night where the flap was checked every 15 minutes. The next day I want back to the ward with a morphine pump. Day 2 I got out of bed and sat in a chair, physio came around and took me for a walk on a zimmer. I sat on the loo and then walked back to the ward unaided. They then took out my catheter and removed the morphine (as I wasn't using it much). Day 3 I had a shower unaided! Should have been discharged on the Sunday, but I got an Infection in the thigh area, so had to stay in for IV anti biotics, came home on the Thursday. Since I came home I have managed on Paracetamol, anThor the last 2 days have taken no pain killers. Have not seen my scars yet, as they are still taped up, but an absolutely delighted with my new boob! Apparently I will need some lipo fil done as it is not quiet as big as the other, but in a C cup bra you really can not tell. One advantage of the TUG is that they can give you a nipple at the same time. my surgeon said it would be a separate op, but when I woke to my surprise he had done one! Hence some of the longer time in theatre - still need to have the tattoo done though. I know everyone is different, but I hope my account is useful to you. If you would like any other details or info please feel free to message me Good Luck ladies 🙂 xx ... View more

Hi ladies, I have not had it yet, but am booked in for my TUG on 22nd Jan. Have trawled the Internet to try and find ladies that have actually had it done, there is a thread about it on breastcancer.org. Good luck with your deciions Colette ... View more

Well Girls, we are now almost a year on, Nov 12! Who would have thought in those early days that a year on we would be meeting up this weekend to celebrate? Sorry that a couple of you will not be able to make it, although through FB we will be able to share the laughs, tears and fun pictures 🙂 Next Nov ladies, Keep your diaries free! I thank goodness for this forum in the early days, nice to come back for just a visit now! Good luck and best wishes to all those starting this journey, it can be tough, but is doable - this time next year you will be us. TakeCare now xxxxxxx ... View more

Hi Ladies Mujum I hope you are having a fab time, it is well deserved - relax and enjoy! Herbie nice to see you are able to log on again - hope the rads are going OK? Christine glad you have got the rads underway too, hope it all going as smoothly as possible Catherine yes I do still read the thread to see how the other ladies that are not on Fb are doing. please don't feel that you are responsible for the demise of this thread my lovely. As you know, for me it was the counsellor that recommended I looked for another point of contact for the friends that I have made on here. I was at a point where I couldn't move on and didn't know how to be "normal again" and had resided myself to the fact that it was only over for now. She said that I would probably benefit from not constantly reading posts (not this thread but the ones that we all tend to wander off into!), as people only tend to post when there is a problem and for me I was at a point where it had become the norm, rather than the ladies that recover and have moved on. I was delighted that you set up the group, as the timing was perfect for me. Obviously we are all different and this if only me personally. Whilst under going chemo, this Dec thread and the friends and support I have found on here have been a life saver. Valued you all so much and one thing that has come out of all this for me is that I have made some new life long friends - and really enjoying seeing the other side, dare I say "normal" side, of our lifes. The added bonus of course is chat on tap! lol. Having said that I do read on here to catch up with you all, but still not a fan of this new site! Thinking about you today and praying you have good news to tell us later x Glad to hear you are all doing well, will try and catch you with some of you later Love to all xxxxx ... View more

Hi all Haven't posted on here for a bit. Still seems to have teething problems and very slow, like Anne have been a bit lazy and using FB much more as it quicker! Work is going really well, very tiring but am enjoying being back in the swing of it! Mujum, sounds like you could not have had any better results! Sounds like everything was about the best outcome it could be, am so so pleased for you, you can go off and really enjoy your hols 🙂 Anne really pleased that your liver is back to normal, totally get where you are coming from regarding making a decision to not have last one! I think you are doing the right thing for your own peace of mind. Sue I can't believe that the nurses will even come and give you the Herceptin if you travel in your camper! What a service eh? Loved the Teddy Bear plaster lol Fi hope you have got on OK seeing PS today? must get the news later. If you are not around on chat tonight I just wanted to say I will be thinking of you all tomorrow xx Linda you daughter sounds like mine with her hair! In the last year mine has been Blonde, Black, Post Box Red, Purple and is currently boring old brown lol. Glad to hear it all resolved! See you recently over at Greenwich, I am off to lunch there on Thursday, is my old stomping ground - like many things when they are local you take them so much for granted. Glad you had a nice day. Kym, such a decision, take all the time you need and I know you will come to the right decision for you. Is a lot to think about and a lot to take in. Catherine the soup sounds delicious! Don't worry about the other half of the kitchen, it will still be there tomorrow. Kathleen I can't believe that your rads will be all done on Wednesday! Seems to have gone very quickly, not for you though I expect? Grace are you getting though your check list of jobs? lol. Also helps keep the mind occupied! Don't over do it though, you still need to be well rested for Monday. Herbi what bad timing for your son! Grrrr.... you think she could have held on till his exams were over! After seeing his photo on FB he won't be on the market for long, her loss! Debbie (or Bridget) still giggling over chat last night. Was lovely talking to you all,I actually had tears rolling down my face - OH thought I was crying! Catherines poor lodger lol. Christine your poor Hubby, reading about our nether regions hair growth - but I am sure he has a gsoh. Well scrolled back as far as I can on this page, really not getting on with this new layout! Hope to catch some of you tonight (Mujum give it another go!) Love to all xxx ... View more

Oops, will delete that - think you only need to read my drivel once! ... View more

Hi Lovely Ladies Can't wait till all the glitches are sorted on this site, I am finding it really slow to load etc, and maes pop on to do a quick post quiet a task. Thank goodness for FB! Thanks Catherine so much for setting up the group - love the name :). Christine you can set your privacy settings on there to suit yourself, it is a lot more private than here for example as this is a public forum, so you don't need to worry about others reading your posts. Hope you enjoying some really nice quality time with your mum, how much longer have you got her with you for? Mujum, do you use it? or would you consider setting up an account? You can use your alas on here and noone else would now it was you. How long after your rads finish are you off to Greece? I bet you can't wait, holiday did me the world of good. Hope you are doing OK? Herbie, I do hope you are feeling a little better today? When I finished chemo and had a mini melt down my BCN referred me to a cancer counsellor and had first session last week. I have never been to a counsellor before, and really didn't now what to expect. Know it is not eveyones cup of tea, but I did find it really useful. Helped me get my dark thoughts into perspective and suggestions on how to move on and learn to live with the new life post BC. Don't know if it is something you would entertain or have on offer, but maybe useful? Sue like you said I too expected to feel elated it was over, but felt like an anti climax. There is a good paper written by Clare Crombie called How are you feeling? that explains all the emotions we feel, if anyone is interested here is the link: http://www.cancercounselling.org.uk/northsouth/extra4.nsf/WebResClient/48EC9FE6875AFE378025735B00613F1F/$FILE/article5.pdf?openElement Sue a 6K walk? You and Fi put me to shame! Anne I have everything crossed for you with your bloods today, third time lucky 🙂 Hope you still not feeling teary honey? Just creeps up on you dosen't it? Sending you a big hug xx Grace lovely to "see you" on FB, feels like we all old friends when you can put a face to the name doesnt it? Your day yesterday sounds lovely! Julianna, dinner tonight? Enjoy! Missed the FB chat but I see you put a picture up of your nails - they look in such good condition! Would you like to scratch my beard? LOL Debbie how is the Maggies course? Would you recommend it? Kathleen, you are never grumpy! Hope you and OH are on better terms today? Did manage to get a quick peep at the photos. What a handsome family you have, and you looled stunning. There was a couple of pictures where you were looking at the Bride and Groom and you could just see the love in your eyes 🙂 Loved the colour scheme! Fi although you don't officailly go back to wor for another 2 weeks, you seem to be putting in quiet a few hours! Hope you enjoyed your weekend away? I had a lovely day at work yesterday, everyone was so pleased to see me and so welcoming. It was great to do something "normal" and talk about wother things for a while 🙂 Some of you may have seen the pictures on FB, the girls in my office decorated my desk with banners, balloons, flags and flowers saying "Welcome back" - needless to say I blubbered AGAIN! Well must go, started the bathroom and hour ago and been distracted again Hope rads going well for those of you that have moved onto them Hugs to all xxxx ... View more

Hi all Not overly impressed with the new site at all yet, hopefully jusy teething problems. Takes me ages to egt on and ages to load each page (if I don't get thrown out) will try the Ipad next time. Hope you all doing OK? Good that so many of you have moved on to rads and not experienced to many problems 🙂 Managed to catch up breifly with Catherine on FB chat today. Hope you are having a lovely weekend away Fi, think it is terrible that you have been left in the lurch like that by your onc! I have an appointment with mine next Friday - will see if I get discharged from him too. Debbie some people just expect us all to be back to normal and get on with it after chemo don't they? I do hope you and your head manage to sort hours that you are both happy with, but don't be pushed into working longer that you feel comfortable with. Interesting about the toothpaste Linda Anne what a pain you couldn't get the line in before chemo - you really haven't had much luck with this last one have you? Christine the bread on FB looked delicious - what hidden talents you have. Haven't worked out how to scroll on this yet, but Hi to Kym, Linda, Kathleen, Sue, Mujum, Grace and anyone else my brain won't let me remember at mo. Will have to work out how to use this lol. Gonna try and bookmark this page now so I don't loose you all. Night night all xxx ... View more

Hmm not sure about new site. Several unsucessful attempts to try and log in yesterday. Very quick check in as I have appointment at Guys today with counsellor. Had 6 month check with surgeon yesterday, all going according to plan and referring me to East Grinstead for the reconstrucion. Anne, so so sorry you have been delayed again, must be so frustrating especially as it is you last! Does that mean that you might get your line in before you get chemo? Sending you a hug. Love to you all, hope you doing OK? Will have a proper check in later and catch up with you all, best go get myself in gear now 🙂 xxxx ... View more

Hmm not sure about new site. Several unsucessful attempts to try and log in yesterday. Very quick check in as I have appointment at Guys today with counsellor. Had 6 month check with surgeon yesterday, all going according to plan and referring me to East Grinstead for the reconstrucion. Anne, so so sorry you have been delayed again, must be so frustrating especially as it is you last! Does that mean that you might get your line in before you get chemo? Sending you a hug. Love to you all, hope you doing OK? Will have a proper check in later and catch up with you all, best go get myself in gear now 🙂 xxxx ... View more

Hi Marvelous May's Sorry to gatecrash, just popping in from the December thread, where most of us are just finishing chemo. As it is the 1st May just wanted to wish you all luck on this part of your journey. As many ladies have confirmed, the actual reality of your first infusion is not half as bad as the anticipation, and IT IS TOTALLY DOABLE! You will share concerns, experiences, advice and laughs (which does actually happen) with each other along the way, but also gain great strength, motivation and support too. If you need any other advice or support Re hair-loss, SE's etc, just pop into any months thread and anyone will be happy to help. Look after yourselves, YOU CAN DO THIS x ... View more

Anne Sorry have missed so much, why are you having 2 on Friday? xx ... View more

Fi Real quickie The tender area around your rib, I have something similar and it has been on my mind. Is the first rib just under where the bottom of your bra comes. Can't say painful but just tender (like a bruised feeling) but the tissues feels a bit inflamed/lumpy around that area. Is that how yours is? PS I forgot to put my mobile no. on the info to Catherine, so if it is OK I am going to text you ladies with my no. xxx ... View more

Julianna my first regrowth was a colorless fluff, but the dark stuff followed very quickly, Now have 2 lots of hair lol. Don't worry about dieting at the mo, just get yourself back fit and healthy for now - diets will still be there manana, next week, next month 🙂 x ... View more

Hello all Sorry been trying to catch up with a weeks worth of posts on and off all day (in between the washing and a long line of visitors) but my poor brain won't let me keep up! Pages and pages of posts in a week - feel like the new girl in class again lol. Debbie sorry to see you had another spell in hospital, hope you are recovering well now? Got to say you look amazing in your new picture. Thinking of you tomorrow. Kym is your transfusion Wednesday? No wonder you have been feeling so tired! I thin it was Christine who had a new lease of life after hers, still have an image of her skipping across the car park! Fi when are you next seeing your surgeon? I have my 6 month check with mine on Thursday, am hoping I might get some more info regarding reconstruction then. Wish there was a seminar like Sue went to near here, the more I read the more confused I get! Not spoken to surgeon since the op, but when I mentioned about a Bi to him he more or less told me that it wasn't an option (much for the same reasons as your breast surgeon neighbour). Did say that they would do cosmetics on the remaining boob to match it up to the new one though Julianna. Kathleen hope you have managed to catch up on your sleep now? I see you have been worrying a little about starting the Tamox, I have been on it for 3 weeks now and although early days I haven't had any problems (touch wood). Some ladies don't seem to do too well on it, but the majority are fine. Think the other problem I had was nothing to do with the Tam. Mujum the recipe sounds delicious will have to give that one a try. I have just got a slow cooker for when I go back to work, kids have got so used to having a "proper" dinner cooked everyday while I've been off. Good Luck for tomorrow Christine good news that you are able to move your arm slightly higher, it does take time. I still have odd sensations and slight stiffness now, but nothing restricting. Hope you enjoyed your Sunday. Grace I didn't see Deal or No Deal, but a good cry sometimes does you the world of good. Linda, good u had a nice eve with daughter on friday (I'm with you on the large glasses.....although not filling them as much as I was). You been very busy indoors, I did something similar after chemo, wonder if it is like a new start type thing? Interested in your comments re V Fest, my daughter going this year and guess who has got the job of driving them and tents up there?, from the sounds of it that will be a task! Ask your onc any concerns you have Linda, I think we are all slightly paranoid about any changes/aches/bumps/swellings etc (and who can blame us under the circumstances). Think it is totally natural and am sure the are totally used to it, am sure is nothing, but don't fret about anything just ask to put your mind at rest. I still paranoid with the gland in my neck, don't think we will ever be as blase about niggles that we used to ignore. Herbi hope your am appointment goes OK, what is the trial you are on? Sorry I know you prob posted about it already but having trouble keeping up. Hope that Catherine is having a well deserved break and the weather is not putting a damper on it. Julianna, Sue and Anne - I am totally confused now. When I scroll back to see who is doing what I look for photos, and I can't tell you 3 apart, lol. Julianna hope your feeling a bit more comfy down below, hate that itch that you cant scratch feeling! Anne very impressed by your medical terminology, I can't even remember the door code to get in the building at the mo! Do you plan to return full time? Sorry to anyone I have missed, or important issues I have missed, has taken me 2 hours to try and catch up, but don't think I've been too successful! Will try and get some photos up on FB, had a great time - even found a secluded beach to go topless on - that is the head gear not the bikini ladies 🙂 Off to Westfield tomorrow - need some new work trousers as mine are falling down. Hugs to all, missed you ladies xxxxxx ... View more

Thanks Debbie, love your new piccie - looking stunning :)x ... View more

Hola Lovely ladies 🙂 Well arrived back this evening, had the most fabulous week. Weather was just right, a lazy week doing nothing but eating good food, drinking the odd wine and lazing on the beach. Just what the Dr ordered, now feeling relaxed and refreshed for the return to work. Can see I have so so much to catch up on, will try tomorrow (knackered tonight), but just wanted to drop in and let you know I am back. Hope you are all good, and missed keeping up with you all. speak soon xxx ... View more