Breast Cancer Now Forum

I went for my 4th mammogram last week, usually I have been called back for an ultrasound and biopsy on my left (good) breast. I had chemo, mastectomy, lymph node removal & radiotherapy in 2013 on my right breast, has anybody else been called back after their mammogram for a biopsy and ultrasound, I'm really worried x ... View more

I was supposed to be going in for op today to remove my ovaries & Fallopian tubes due to high oestrogen levels - during my pre-op last week the ECG showed blockage in heart. The pre-op people forgot to put the ECG results on my notes. I spoke to my consultant last week and told her myself about the ECG results but she refused to look into it unless it was on my notes. It was only because I rang the pre-op people myself yesterday that they passed my ECG results to an anaesthetist who promptly cancelled the operation. He said I need to have an angiogram and see a cardiologist before I can undergo any surgery. I have made several phone calls but nobody knows who is supposed to be referring me. I keep getting passed from pillar to post. This operation was supposed to be done last year but the referral got lost in the system. I'm feeling so depressed I've been switched from Anastrozole to Tamoxifen in the meantime. I'm worried about my heart and also that the cancer will come back too. Finding it hard to cope. ... View more

Hi Girls After a failed tram flap last December I had surgery for a LD flap in February this year. I am due to have tissue expander surgery in November and would really like to know what to expect e.g: recovery time, how long before I can drive, how many drains and how long, when can I go back to work, how long before my first fill etc. any information will really be appreciated, thanks x ... View more

Had my left breast reconstruction 22/12/14 free tram flap from abdomen within a couple of day 1/3 of the flap turned black and hard. I was using Bactroban with Inadine strips covered with Guaze daily but it didn't seem to be making a difference. After 4 weeks 4 days 23/1/15 the PS carried out debridement of the affected area and now I have a KCI wound VAC to help heal faster, he thinks I will have for at least 4 weeks, after this heals he may have to do a skin graft but is not sure at this stage, PS said this could have happened because of the radiated skin causing issues with the blood vessels. Has anyone else had anything like this happen and if so, how long did it take to heal and also any tips on coping with the wound vac would be appreciated, thanks ... View more

Hi, I thought I was doing pretty well, trying to think positive most of the time and trying not to think about cancer so much but today I was told by my Oncologist that my risk of recurrence was 50%. I was diagnosed in May 2013 with invasive breast cancer and had 6 FEC-T chemo (to reduce the lumps as had 3) then a right mastectomy in October 2013 with levels 1 & 2 lymph nodes removed 9 out of 12 lymph nodes had cancer, followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy in January 2014. During the masectomy a small part of my chest muscle was also removed as the cancer was close to the muscle wall. I was hoping to have a muscle sparing free tram reconstruction this year but was told by my PS it will be sometime next year as he is waiting for my skin to settle after radiotherapy. Although I had coped with everything pretty well and carried on working (having only 3 weeks off after mastectomy) before I returned to a full time job. I am finding it harder to stay positive and fear that the cancer may come back, I was so shocked to hear that I had a 50% chance of the cancer returning. I am a single mum with a 13 year old son and I am feeling scared every day that I might not be there for him. Has anyone else been told what their chances of recurrence are? And if high, how do you cope? xx ... View more

Muscle sparing tram flap I am having breast reconstruction, and the surgeon suggested a muscle sparing tram flap rather than DIEP saying that the ms tram flap is a safer and more reliable option saying that the abdominal weakness would be the same which ever op I had. I would like to know about anyone who has undergone this procedure recently. What do you think? What should I expect after surgery, recovery time and any othe. Every thing I have read tells me the DIEP is the gold standard of reconstruction but my surgeon does not agree - I am taking his advice and agreed to have the ms tram flap but just wanted to make sure I have made the right decision. Many thanks. ... View more