Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi hay578,   Yes I opted for the double mx, I had invasive in the left side, but they also picked up low grade dcis in the right side, but as both my sister and an aunt had BC I opted to go for both - best decision I made!!   The expanders are fine, feels kind of strange when they start to fill them. Then for a day or so you feel quite over filled (if that makes sense) but it wears off.  After 2 months they are ok odd twinges now and again but overall nothing as bad as I thought. As I said before these will be replaced in 12 months with permenant ones.   One thing I would say is once the scars have healed then use Bio Oil, my consultant actually told me to use this. The other thing I would say is that you make sure you keep exercising the arms, especially if you have the lymph nodes removed (I had mine taken left side only) Also rest and get as much help as you can for the first few weeks.   ... View more

Hi,   The drains are a real pain to be honest, and because I had one either side it was a nightmare!! carried them round in sparkly gift bags!! Not painful just awful to do anything. I couldn't have a shower until they came out, so it was a quick wash down by hubby. After that still had to wait as I had what I can only describe as a giant sticking plaster across my chest until a saw consultant. The expanders are fine and have had no real pain or problem with them, I opted to downsize boobs so I now look like a have the boobs of a teenager (at least that's one bonus) Can be a bit sore at times but nothing bad at all. They feel a bit odd, really hard at the moment, but have been told will settle down as time goes on. Once I go back and have the permenant ones put in I think these will look and feel better. Consultant has also said he will take some fat from stomach to fill out and make look more natural in shape etc. All in all not bad at all, and nowhere near as bad as I imagined. I made sure that I wore quite a tight sports bra, and this seemed to help with swelling. Still wearing them now as they are more comfortable, don't rub on the stitch line. I have also started to rub in Bio Oil all over the area at night, surgeon advised this, and this seems to be helping with the scars. ... View more

Hi,   I had my double mx on 7 th May, I went in Wed morning and was out on Thur afternoon. I asked to go to the loo in the evening after surgery and they brought it to me. Was a bit wobbly on my feet but felt fine. Not sure how long you have been told you will stay in. Reading on here it seems it is different for everyone. I felt fine to go home and luckily had no problems, drains were annoying but ame out after 5 days. Only took paracetamol both in hospital and at home, so really not as bad as I imagined, I was terrified before I went in. Will go back in 12 months for expanders removed and permenant ones put in. Any other questions just ask!! ... View more

Hi Horseslave,   So glad you feel a bit better, you also sound a lot more positive than the other day.   I am sure the surgeon will tidy things up for you, I have seen posts on here where ladies have had things sorted out so both sides look the same. If he realises how unhappy you are I am sure he will do it for you!   Your GP is right, it takes time for things to settle down. I think we all expect too much too soon, we all just want to get back to a "normal" life and put this nightmare behind us.   Take it easy and take care!!     ... View more

th theHi Horseslave,   Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I think your last statement says a lot "Feeling completely overwhelmed". That is the problem, everything goes so fast and we have problems keeping up with it. We don't have time for our mind to rationalise it all and accept it. I had double mx on 7th May (did chemo before surgery) and if I am honest I have only really started to accept it in the last week. I buried my head in the sand, didn't look for 4 weeks!! People do try and be hellpful with the things they say, but if you are feeling bad then it really doesn't help and makes you feel worse. Almost as if you are a failure because you are not up and running about. I also have expanders in both sides, just to have one more expansion next week. I must admit I find them weird and uncomfortable. Really hard to sleep, seem to feel worse when I am lying down. I also think that at the moment they look strange, still a weird shape. Consultant says they will settle down over time. You haven't said if you will have it replaced with a permenant one or not? Mine will be replaced in 12 months, so I am hanging on in there thinking that they will look better! The worst is over now - well not really the whole thing is bad, from diagnosis through all the treatment. Just be kind to yourself, the whole thing has been a massive shock and it takes time to accept and move forward. Some people can do this quickly, others take longer. Do you have a good BCN you can talk to, they have seen and heard it all, and I am sure talking with them would help. Also being on here is a great help, whatever the problem, there will always be someone who has been in the same position as you. Good luck with the rest of your journey. ... View more

Hi Mysticalmoo,   You will find the fight you need, we all have had to do it in one way or another.   I have completed 8 chemo and now surgery, and when I look back I can't see where  I got the strength from, but you just do it!!   Good luck and make sure you fight your corner, this is your life. I think sometimes that although the teams helping us are excellent and understanding, they don't understand really unless they have been in the same situation. No one an really understand, and that is why this forum is so good. We have all been there and all had the same sort of problems.   Good luck!! ... View more

Hi there,   Just thought I would reply to your problem. I don't write often, but do read regularly.   I have just had a double mx (7th May). I opted for this as I had invasive in the left, and also very small DCIS in the right. I also lost an aunt and my sister to BC.   Luckily my surgeon never questioned my decision, but I would say that if he had I would have gone ahead with a second opinion. So I think this may be somthing you might want to consider.   The whole thing is hard enough without having to fight with the team that is supposed to be helping you!!   You must do whatever you feel is right for you, and if that means putting up a fight then do it. All that matters is that you get well and have peace of mind.     ... View more

Well I now have my date for surgery - 7th May. He has agreed to double mx without any argument at all, will have recon at the same time. Not sure how I feel, I think reality has really hit home now and the enormity of the whole thing has finally kicked in. Worried about how I will feel once I wake up and find out that something that has been part of me has gone, and has been replaced by something else. How will I feel once I see the new me?? ... View more

I think I would feel that I hadn't done enough to stop it coming back, especially if it is genetic. I would always be wondering if I had made the  wrong decision just because I was scared. I know there are no guarantees in this, but I feel by going through with it I am giving myself the best chance. ... View more

Hi, Sorry it has been so long, been really busy with work and life in general. Feeling fine, due my 3rd chemo on Wed. Only 6 more after that, but hopefully will still feel as well as I do now. Hair did start to fall out but that seems to have slowed down and almost stopped at the moment, but not being too optimistic about it. With chemo all could change overnight. So I think I have got away lightly at the moment with chemo, knowing how some people react to it. Will keep in touch and let you know how things are going. So does that mean you have completed all your treatment now, apart from the hormone stuff? ... View more

Yes well I have enough fat bits to inject it in to!!! Will wait and see how this blood test goes, hopefully it will be ok this time. But if not will do it myself. ... View more

Thanks for that Biddlybee, How have you found the self injections? They did say to me that I could have a district nurse come round and do them, but to be honest would prefer to do them myself. I can then do them when I want and not have to wait around for someone. Also with working times might not be suitable. ... View more

Hi Ladies,   Sorry it's been a while since I came on here, but time has flown by. Due my 3rd chemo next Wed. Luckily for me I have been fine - no sickness etc no side effects at all (well at the moment, you can never say never with chemo) Tired in the evenings but I suppose that is to be expected. Only problem I did have was my blood test before last chemo, came back low so had to have it done again the morning of my planned chemo. Funny but it had shot right back up in 2 days - not sure how that works?? Have said I may need to have injections if the same happens this time. Other than that feeling fine, did start to loose my hair after 1st chemo, but that seems to have stopped now, not sure why. May manage to keep it till after Xmas. 31st December start Taxotere and I donlt think the hair will survive that, well not from what I have heard, unless any of you ladies know different.   ... View more

By the way very much a strictly girl!! ... View more

Hi there,   Sorry it has taken a while to reply, been busy this week. Been back to work and felt much better for it. Not sure how long I can carry on, but will keep going as long as I can. How did the results go on Thursday - hope it was good news for you!! Hope you are still ok, I feel fine now and hope it lasts. Next chemo on 30th October. ... View more

Hi HelenWig,   Hopefully you won't need the transfusion. Take it easy this weekend and eat some good food to build  yourself up. Everyone have a good weekend and take it easy!! ... View more