Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi FizzB, I've had tattoo on my mx and it's one of the best decisions I've every made. I had mx with expander implant and then later a silicone implant. I was always proud of my scars, but now they're beautiful too. I didn't have a nipple tattoo as my boobs are not symetrical and felt rather than make it look like a boob it would provide another reference point to show the imperfections as it is a bit wonky! lol Anyway, there are some things to consider which I found out along the way. 1. I had radiotherapy and had a lot of skin removed during the mx so that, coupled with the expander means the skin is very thin in places. I warned the tattooist, but even he was surprised. There are different tools, a lining tool and shading tool. He started with a lining tool, and normally would pass over the line 3 times, but due to the thin skin he couldn't because as he did the line, the skin stayed open so used the shading tool for the line work as well. This means the edges aren't as crisp as they would be elsewhere on your body. We also changed the colouring from block colour to a water colour effect which worked really well. 2. I went for a line/abstract type design with vines, leaves and butterflies as I didn't want to hide the scars, just distract the eye from them and the lumps and bumps. It worked even better than I could have hoped and as the cancer had developed into skin cancer at the nipple, it means I can easily check the mx scar for any changes which could have been hidden. 3. Be prepared to need to go back a couple of times with a few weeks gap in between visits to see how it settles.   I call my mx boob, frankenboobie as it really does have a mind of it's own if I move my pec muscle and I was self conscious wearing strappy tops, now I'm using communial changing rooms and wearing bikinis!   As for caring for it shortly after the tattoo, you need to keep it covered with clingfilm. I used micropore tape to hold it in place and don't wear your best white bra for the first few days. I'm a vegetarian and apparently they tend to 'leak' more! It's a little sore, but the bonus of the mx is alot of areas are numb 😉   If you haven't done so already, go for it and take back control! xxx ... View more

Hi Ladies, My nemisis is also the fatigue aches and pains/flu like symptoms and have recently discovered the idea of trigger point pilates following a visit to a physio and it's really helping and wanted to share. It's basically self massage using balls and rollers to apply pressure. There are lots of videos online to get the idea, but swap the knobbly rollers and balls for smooth ones to reduce the intensity so it's not painful and you're well away. I use a childs rubber ball and focus on my thighs and bum. Simply lying length ways on the roller with it running down your spine is glorious. It releases tension in the neck, shoulders and chest without straining.  It's making a huge difference, I'm not waking up in as much pain and I'm finding it easier to move around. It'd be great if I could afford a regular massage, but this is a close second, I can do it whenever and makes me feel like I'm doing somthing to help myself to recover. Definiately worth a look. Best wishes x ... View more

You're doing great to be back at work so quickly SML, it's frustrating it's not just a matter of slowly improving, lots of ups and downs. Everyone wants the 'old' you back so be kind to yourself. I must admit I welcome the check ups as it makes me feel more secure they're looking after me so I don't need to worry. I have lots of lists pinned up so everyone can see, things I used to love so I can tick them off when I can do them again, new things I want to do, a calander dedicated to physical activities I have done and a fatigue rating to help pacing and my favouite a chemo bonus list, the top of which is chemo got rid of the varruccas I'd been pagued with for many years! The courses are good for giving strategies to cope, have a look on the macmillan website, support groups in your area or coping strategies online, not just cancer related, but for stress and traumatic events. Were only human after all! As I said before, you're doing great x ... View more

No problem Jan, I should say I'm using my husbands hair trimmer with a no.8 comb on it. I also loved wearing scarves with a lovely sparkly broach or a trilby hat for a bit of extra confidence. Enjoy the party, everyone will so pleased to see you looking well x ... View more

Hi SML, I'm 6 months on from T-FEC chemo, I then had radiotherapy and tamoxifen, but may be able to reassure you that it is ok, you are normal, it's a pain in the bum and ok for it to annoy you. Did your hair/nails grow quickly prior to treatment? Mine did and it's not much longer, although I'm using my husbands hair clippers now to keep it short as, as soon as it gets chance, it seems to want to go into uncortrollable curls. I can see it's filling in, but there are a lot of very short stubbly bits which have not grown from my first 'buzz' when it was falling out, but it looks like a haircut choice now, doesn't cost me anything, doesn't need styling and I can see it improving. The fine hair (lighter colour) isn't growing yet so it looks a bit darker than it used to. so it you have lighter finer hair... I used the emoliant cream on my hair as a shampoo and leave in conditioner until very recently and now use coconut oil as a leave in conditioner which is great. I thought my nails were going as they half lifted off, but they reattached themselves?! Cutting them short and using a nail serum really helps. Any sort of detergant, be it soap or cleaning products really dries them, so I use disposable gloves all the time. Also eating enough protein and drinking lots of water helps the hair, nails and skin. I'm still using my own moisturiser concoction of emolient cream and baby oil as moisturisers take off the top layer of dead skin to give the smooth feel and don't really add any moisture and actually made my skin dryer overall, so the hand cream may not be helping. Hope something in this helps you x ... View more

Hi Elsa, its great to hear your well through you treatment. Have you had a consultation with the plastic surgeon? They will look at you objectively and advise you where you have enough skin etc to make the best reconstruction. I haven't had a DIEP as there wasn't enough flesh, if I'd have known I'd have eaten more! I have known others who have had this and they are all happy with the results, looks and feels natural, they have lost some tummy muscle strength, but the tummy tuck aspect was a real bonus. If you are happy the way you are, don't feel you have to have reconstruction and don't feel as though you have to decide right there and then. ... View more

Hi Mac, glad you are well through your treatment. I would agree to do the stretching, we tend to hunch our shoulders forward when in pain and it creates tension in our backs, neck and over the top of the shoulder. I've found aqua aerobics to be brilliant for gaining strenth and mobility. The warmth and support the water gives really helps to loosen things up, just take care not to over stretch to start with. It's so good, I feel the benefit for the rest of the day. I treated myself to a new padded costume, some hold their shape better than others so you need to try it on to see, as well as checking there are no seams rubbing sensitive bits. I've also just started to do pilates, which is quite hard work to be honest, but again as long as I'm careful I can feel the benefits 🙂 Good luck! ... View more

Hi Jan, congatulations on completing your treatment 🙂 It may be worth popping into your salon when it's not busy, as mine offered me free hair cuts until my hair was more 'normal'. I've found coconut oil to be a good leave in conditioner, its solid at room temp and liquifies when you put it in your hand. Cheap, no chemicals and good for your scalp too. As your hair begins to grow and you get more you won't notice the grey so much, it's about 1 cm a month so depending on how long your hair is you can judge how long it will take to blend in, personally I went for a very short cut so it quickly looked like a deliberate hair cut choice, no need for hair dryers, combing or styling and lots of new dangly earrings. 🙂 ... View more

Hi Sara, sorry to hear you're suffering, tax can have some nasty side effects. I too had steriods for a bit longer, but did also need to take tramadol for the pain. I think my fingernails hurt on the 3rd treatment, as if they'd been trapped in a door, I remember using a knife to cut the tablets out the blister pack because I couldn't push them out! I thought they were going to come off as they started to lift, but 7 weeks after finishing, they've stuck themselves down again, so who knows. I found having saucy food and soups easiest to eat, especially as I had to watch out for constipation from the steroids and painkillers! cook for you life is a great website to get ideas about what to eat, I found gnocci, tinned soup and rice pudding saw me through. I could taste more if the food wasn't too hot, many people said eat cold food, but I couldn't taste that and needed a bit of comfort. I tried chewing gum, but found sugar free sweets the best to get rid of any bad taste. I also had a steriod mouthwash which really helped stop the sores and calm the cracks in my tongue. Fortunately the taste did start to return back to normal very quickly after chemo finished, some foods took a little longer. Keep eating to stay strong and hang in there x ... View more

Hi Zelda, a good way to remember is you'll be taking some antibiotics and antifungal tablets during your lowest point and you'll notice that you don't bounce back quite as much as you get to the end of you treatment so it becomes even more important. Your own hygiene and food prep are the most important, I found those disposable antibacterial wipes really useful around the house for door handles, taps etc. I also used aquesous cream every time I washed my hands as the hand washing can be very drying, particularly as it seemed like I was washing them a hundred times in a day! I also changed the hand towels and dish cloths more regularly. It's worth the effort. Good luck x ... View more

Hi Jinny, unfortunately tax does cause bone pain, are you sleeping on your right side? Mine was worse in the larger bones to start with, but ended up all over after a couple of treatments. It lasts a few days, but you can take pain killers, no paracetomol, I ended up taking tramadol. Mention it to your onc at your next meeting particularly if it doesn't settle. Are you moving onto FEC after tax? ... View more

It's ok Gill, we all know it's not easy. I've just finished my rads which involved my chest wall, ribs etc so all the info is fresh in my mind. The rads stop the rib bones from replenishing so as time goes on they become less dense and are prone to fractures/pain and hormone treatment can add to the effects and speed it up. We're all different so the onc said they can't predict what will happen, so it's another thing they'll keep an eye on, hence the scans. Please feel reassured that the pain doesn't necessarily mean bone mets. Best wishes x ... View more

Hi Hobo, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time, you are not a failure, look how far you've come already. Are you able to contact your bc nurse to see if there is local professional support for you to help work through this. It's clear the job isn't working for you at the moment, but they will be able to help figure out if you need physio and help you with forms. I'm sorry I can't be more help as I've been looking for posts about other people who have changed jobs to help shed some light for me. I've just finished rads after mx and chemo. I'm trying to work out what to do about my job as I'd only been in a new job for 4 months before I was diagnosed. So I'm going to be starting from scratch again when I return and I'm not sure I want to go through all that stress and work such long hours any more, particularly as I originally changed jobs after 15 years because of the stress/workload. I'm starting a course in a couple of weeks which is designed to help individuals get back to a full life following cancer treatment be it emotional, physical or psycological welbeing. I'm sure there will be something similar near you. It will work out xx ... View more

Hi SB, Your body has been through a lot and takes effort and time to recover so don't be too hard on it. I was very active before treatment as well and try not to look at the loss of muscle tone too much. My dr has told me to chill out and enjoy a rest after all the treatment and give my body chance to recover. I've had mx, chemo and now rads. I have managed short cycle rides (no jaring) and I plan to start with kettlercise when I have more stamina. I was told the side effects would peak 2 weeks after rads, but to take it slowly for 6 weeks. I'm holding onto remembering the high from working out and what a hit it will be when I can exercise properly again and enjoy watching the muscles transform. A little patience now for long term gain. ... View more

I've just completed my rads, left side following mx and chemo. The oncologist said the heart is the most mobile organ in the body so the breathing technique is not always necessary. You can ask to have a look at the scan, it shows all the beam paths through you and they'll have it for evey treatment session as it has all the measurements on. I also had a look at the scan showing the area they are treating to help get an idea for suitable clothing for comfort and keeping the sun off. Just packed all my summer tops away so I'm not tempted to wear anything with a lower neckline or arm holes next year whilst I can see the reason! ... View more

Hi Tracy, I'm 41 and have been on tamoxifen about the same time as you, just finished chemo and halfway through radiotherapy. My oncologist reassured me that my body is used to basking in lots of happy hormones which have been suddenly stopped, it will get used to it but may take 3 months. She did say I'd start feeling more resilient in about a month so hang in there. Physical activity and eating regulalrly is helping. Cycling is less jarring than walking and the more I cycle the easier walking is. ... View more

Ooops, I forgot to add about cycling....I found gripping and moving my arm more difficult so I wasn't confident about having to stop or move quickly because of others. The dr basically told me not to put myself in situations that would make me use reflex actions to react. I didn't swim for ages as I find chlorine very drying and wanted to look after the new skin. ... View more