Mutual breast cancer support thread - Part 2

[lalaa]

Pigleto - here it is!

huffpuff - i'm doing dd's 6th birthday next month too! she was 6 two days ago. waiting until we get into our new house for the party....good luck!

I went to the new Breast Cancer Haven in leeds yesterday. It was a really nice resource. I have booked up sessions for accupuncture, shiatzu, councelling, aromatherapy, a nutritionalist and a herbalist. You get 12 hours of individual therapy free and as many group sessions as you like. I wish it had opened before I got diagnosed, I could have done with the extra support. They have a center in London and Hereford too here. If you live near one I recommend it. They do telephone consults too.

Huffpuff, if you have any questions about the operation let me know. I was in for seven days with the mx and lymph clearance as it is a bit more of an op than just the mx. The op itself took 2.5hrs.

I was free of bandages etc after 17 days which is pretty amazing. I needed quite a bit of physiotherapy before my arm was working normally again though and I still feel as though my chest and arm are taped up with duck tape.

Pigleto - thanks for your post. How long ago did you have your op? I was hoping to be out after a few days - i think i may be a bit optimistic!!

I am now anxious about the op and about how i am going to look and feel afterwards.

Am not having immediately reconstruction although i will consider it in the future. I am going to give myself and my family next year off and think about it after that.

Thanks for your support XX

hello all - just looking in, as I haven't been on mumsnet for ages.

I'm glad I found the sparkly new thread

Just wanted to let you all know how fab I think you all are...

wishing you all lots of love and luck

Tickle
xxx

ok now i'm getting nervous - this time next week i will be getting ready for a mastectomy. Reality is setting in

I won't patronise you huffpuff, walking down to theater to have the operation was the hardest thing I have ever had to face in my life. Waking up to find that it was a reality was dreadful. I hated being in hospital and didn't sleep for a week (they offered sleeping tablets but I didn't want to take them, I can't remember why now, I must have been mad).

Now I am pretty happy about the no boob thing. I have been able to find clothes that look good anyway. I miss my cleavage but it is no big thing, I frequently go out without my prosthesis in, I don't think anyone can tell really. My love life is better than ever.

I had my op in the first week of April and finished radiotherapy a month ago. I still get pain in my arm and chest but feel pretty good really.

Hello all.

I am in Boston for my breast reconstruction. I go into hospital tomorrow first thing in the morning, scheduled to have the op at 7.30.

I am having the TRAM flap op using tissue from my abdomen and will have a built-in tummy tuck. I met my surgeon on Tuesday and he was very very nice and very very confident, made me feel absolutely at ease with it all.

Have spent the last two days shop shop shopping! Funny to think it's now my last day having one tit!

That's great news anorak. I thought I'd need some sort of mastectomy bra, but with the reconstruction I can have whatever bra I like!

I hope your op goes well. It is amazing what they can do.

hey thats great Anorak - thinking of you XX

Please try not to worry about the operation, huffpuff. I found the coming round after the anaesthetic possibly the worst thing about it, and not really knowing what had happened.

I think actually, worse than the operation was the colitis that followed!

It is amazing how our bodies can fix themselves.

Oh sending my best wishes Anorak - hope everything went well with your operation.

Hello all, I'm back in the hotel. The op went really well. I'm very sore but gradually feeling better day by day.

glad all went well Anorak.

Going in for my mastectomy tomorrow - getting nervous now.

Will be back on next week.

Take care XX

I hope it all goes well for you Huffpuff, and you are treated well in hospital. Get people to bring you yummy food and drink if the food is crap!

All the best huffpuff x

Has anyone heard from HuffPuff?

Anorak how are you getting on recovery wise.

Best wishes you inspiring woman

Congratulations on your new boob anorak. I hope you bought some lovely clothes to show it off.

Huffpuff, I hope the op went well.

My cousin who had the mastectomy and reconstruction has been back in for some more work on her new breats to even them out and my aunty who is in remission from Peritoneal cancer (who was the one who discovered the gene spelling mistake), has to have some investigations on her bowels. The word cancer was mentioned on Friday and she is really worried . My mum is scared ridgid for her.

So please send positive thoughts, as she has already been through so much, including her mastectomy and reconstruction, heart operation and the all clear on the other cancer this year.

I do hope Huffpuff is OK and that you are healing well Anorak.

hi all!

Had mastectomy on Wednesday and got back home earlier today. Had such a relaxing and peaceful few days in hospital and the staff were wonderful.

The children are excited to have me back and at the moment i am feeling ok. Bit sore and tired and no doubt the tears will come soon.

Have to go in on wednesday for results to see if cancer has spread and to have dressing checked.

Nice to be back on here and thank you all for your love and support. I hope you are all well.

XX

Welcome back HuffPuff. Glad you are home. Hope DD has a great birthday

I am recovering well and have been out shopping and lunching yesterday and today, though I am straight back into bed when I get back to the hotel. Very sore and tired. But I have a lovely flat stomach now and I am looking forward to wearing all my clothes that have been too low-necked to wear in the last few months.

Best of luck for your results huffpuff.

Glad to hear it went well Huffpuff. Good luck with your results.

I have lymphodema now. I am going to the clinic on friday to learn how to manage it.

Anorak, I am very envious of your fantastic new figure. You will have to post a pic when you are looking fab in your new kit. You are an inspiration.

Madhouse, sorry to hear about your aunty. I hope she gets some good news.

hello all
just checking in. How is everyone?
I've just had the worst chest infection I've ever experienced and had to have a chest xray due to crackles in my right lung. Cue holding my metaphorical breath while waiting for results - but it's all clear. Was worried there for a while that it might be secondaries. Am still not 100% but when I am, am going to get properly fit and build up my immune system!
Have also just moved house. It's great to be in but still feeling a bit unsettled. Looking forward to Christmas though!