Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Lynn I'm down near Lanark and I had a mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in September 2008 at the Royal in Glasgow. I also had the same team as you are having, Mrs Lannigan and Mr McKay. They are brilliant! I am very please with the recon (LD) and it matches near perfect once I'd had the reduction and uplift on other side (March 2009). All the best. Carol ... View more

Hi Carriemitch I can't believe I originally posted this a year ago today! I am now into my 3rd year of taking Tamoxifen. I still get the odd pain in my coccyx when I've been sat down for a long time and I still use a wedge shaped cushion at work. The pain has eased off though. I think Anne is correct when she says that it may be down to the changes in hormones. What finally relieved my pain was a specialist massage while I was on holiday in May 2009. I had 2 full body massages, given by someone who had been trained to work with cancer patients. I told him where I had problems and I can honestly say that the problem has been no where near as bad as it was. Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi Jan Thanks for the pointers about APS & Wochardt - at least I know which 2 to avoid! AstraZenica has lost the licence to produce the drug - not sure why and my local pharmacist has confirmed he's had a letter stating the same. My lovely GP has just written me a 6 month script while there's still supplies. Maybe you could ask for the same. At least it gives a little time to try other brands to see which suits. Best Wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi I am also happy with my LD reconstruction. I had a mastectomy and an immediate recon in September 2008 at the Glasgow Canniesburn PS unit with both a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon working together. I do get a little 'tight' feeling across my back where the muscle was taken, but it's not painful. I have also had nipple reconstructed using the skin already there and you wouldn't know any difference when clothed/swimming cossie. I didn't bother with the nipple tattoo though because by then I'd had enough! I hope everything goes well for you. Carol ... View more

Hi Bex I have also had a new 2nd primary with different characteristics. In 2007 a tumour in right breast which was hormone positive (lumpectomy, chemo & rads), then in 2008 triple neg tumour in same breast (mastectomy this time). Best wishes with your treatment. Carol ... View more

Hi Louisa I also used the cold cap while on Epi. I was on a trial that meant I had Epi evey 2 weeks rather than 3 (diadnosed May 2007). My hair started to 'thin' out on about day 19 after the first treatment. But I did not lose all my hair and didn't need to wear my wig. My hair did thin, but I think I only saw this and to everyone else just looked normal. I was also advised only to wash my hair maximum twice a week and sleep on a satin/silk pillow. I hope the cold cap works as well for you. Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi Lulu They have no idea at all - just unlucky. Onc only said that this was rare and less than 1% chance of it occurring! I'm also taking Tamoxifen for the first diagnosis (on it for past 18 months) and was told to continue to protect remaining breast. I had been referred to genetics as there had been several different cancers in the family (lost Mum, Dad and a brother), but found no links. Carol ... View more

Hi Lulu I also have both types - diagnosed June 2007, aged 43 with hormone receptive, HER2-. I had lumpectomy, chemo and rads through to Jan 2008. I was then diagnosed for a 2nd time August 2008 with new primary triple neg in same breast. This time I have had a mastectomy with immed LD recon and no other treatment. What treatment are you having/had at the moment? Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi This article was in the Daily Mail recently. Worth a look. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1172176/ME-AND-MY-OPERATION-My-breast-rebuilt-stem-cells-tummy-fat.html Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Thanks for your comments ladies. Louise, I got a coccyx cushion from Argos for my seat at work. I must say it has relieved it a little so thanks for the suggestion - but oh how I wish I could get rid of the pain altogether! Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi Jules I had a WLE back in May 2007, but I have recently undergone a mastectomy and immediate recon in September this year due to a new tumour appearing. I have had a LD (muscle taken from the back) recon. I chose this option because the recovery time is less and I wanted to return to work asap because of the amount of time I had to take last year while having chemo (thankfully I don't need chemo this time). I was out of bed and sitting up in a chair the next day and I can honestly say did not experience any pain as such. Expect to be in hospital for about a week. I was showering and washing my hair after 3 days. Nine weeks on and my arm is fully mobile and I am looking forward to going back to work next week. My arm does get tired (had all remaining lymph nodes removed) if I overdo it and I can now also sleep on the recon side without any discomfort and my back feels a little tight sometimes. I wish you all the best for whatever option you choose and I can say that I am really pleased with the results of my LD flap. I hope this helps. Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Hi Ladies I read this report also and wondered whether the drug was working for me as I've been taking it for a year now and I've had no side effects whatsoever. I had cancer return in the same breast in July 2008 just months after completing treatment for original diagnosis in May 2007. Carol ... View more

Debs I'm so sorry to hear that you are experiencing problems post op. I'm sending you loads of cyber hugs. What are they doing about it? Take lots of care, Carol ... View more

Hi Anniemay I had a mastectomy and an immediate LD recon on 18th September. I am overweight and also a DD cup and I was not told to lose weight before the op. All the best for your operation. Regards, Carol ... View more

Hi Debs The name on my letter for the LD recon is Dr Scott (or should that be Mr?), but I believe he is part of Mr McKays team. When I went for my pre-op assessment last week I was shown where the wards were (48 & 46) but not actually taken round them. The nursing staff were great and very caring (they also mentioned the food was rubbish!! and advised to take in biscuits and cuppa soups). I check in tomorrow at 11am and don't mind saying that I am very scared! The op is first thing on 18th. Maybe we'll bump into each other if I'm still in when you get there? Sending you very best wishes for your own op. Where about Glasgow are you? Take care. Carol ... View more

Hi Debs I'm due into the Glasgow Royal Infirmary the week before you with my op on the 18th September. I'm hoping to be out on the 24th though as the 25th is my birthday! Best wishes. Carol ... View more

Thanks for replying Dot. Another question... Did anyone have chemotherapy after having an immediate recon as I've seen posts on here that mention that an immediate recon wasn't possible because of having chemotherapy after surgery? Thanks. Carol ... View more