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Anyone know how long you have to wait before getting reconstruction? What are the medical reasons for delaying this surgery? Am still on Herceptin till next Feb. Decision already made that I will have Diep flap but am hearing different things about how long I have to wait to get this done. Am interested in medical reasons, I know I'll have to face some sort of waiting list.

FYI everyone, looks like the results of the trial please the HSE and they will now be offering this test to see if chemo is beneficial for early stage sufferers. ------------------------------------------------ A new breast cancer test will be available to to all public patients who require it from this week onwards. The HSE National Cancer Control Programme has today approved the use of the Oncotype DX test. The test determines whether chemotherapy would be a suitable treatment for breast cancer patients. The genetics-based test means that about 30% of women who would otherwise have had chemotheraphy will be spared the toxicity and long-term side effects of the treatment. There had been speculation that the test would be deemed too expensive for the HSE to provide, however the National Cancer Control Programme has concluded that the test represents value for money and so will be available to all suitable public patients. The test is suitable for early stage breast cancer and so about 300 women in Ireland will be able to avail of it each year. ------------------------------------------------ (From RTE News website)

Mam has cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile ducts in the liver with liver metastases also. She was diagnosed in March aged 66 years.She is now really feeling the effects of the tumour and unfortunately it is palliative. I never thought about my mother going through something like this or that I would have to watch her and try and support her. Watching and waiting is the worst, waiting for symptoms to appear indicating the tumour is increasing. Noone ever tells you what it is like to wait. I wish I could forget and miss her even though she is with us.

Hi all Wow I never knew Breast Cancer was a waiting game. I have been diagnosed in July and its now October, I'm still waiting on some decisions. I have been on hormone treatment and its been great, but I can't stand the waiting game. I need to get on with my life. How do I do that when I know nothing. I am seeing the surgeon tomorrow and I'm hoping I will have some answers to my questions. Please God its gonna be some sorta plan or other. I have had a couple of job offers and I can't accept them cause I dont know whats going on............................I want to know I really want to know.. I'm desperate now.......I'm mean mama now..let me go thru the process and get thru it without too much fuss.. Sadly yours Ger

Hi guys My surgeon says I'm a tribute to Femara, meaning I've responded so well to the drug I can sell it......Here's to Femara!!! hip hip hooray! Ger xxx

Hi Would love to hear from any ladies who underwent recon after mastectomy. I had mastectomy 5 years ago and had recon done with tissues expander and implant, one year later developed bad infection resulting in removal of implant and inserting another to save my skin? it was all done so quickly and i really did'nt have much choice. Anyway now 2 years on im having more problems with implant, so i am going to see my surgeon about new recon with the Latissimus Dorsi Flap from my back. What i would like to know, if any ladies that had this recon done are you happy with the result? do you have any problems after? The reason im anxious about this is because ive have been through so much and i feel this time this is my decision completely. I would be having my operation with Margaret O Donnell. Phyl.

HI Guys Just wondering if anyone out there who has had the DIEP reconstruction feels like the new boob is very heavy and almost like wearing an iron bra all day. I am 9 weeks over the op and would have thought that it would have softened by now but it still feels like a load of playdough stuck to my chest and its not a very pleasant feeling. Was back with PS and BS and both say it feels perfectly normal and the swelling will go down. Anyone got any idea when???? Its starting to really get me down as I am battling cording in my armpit/chest/arm as well and this is not helping. Sinéad x

I was diagnosed in Jan, had 3 months of hormones followed by neo adjuvant chemo - have just one more round of that to go Saw my surgeon yesterday, was expecting the worst to be honest. My cancer is lobular and the tumour was very large (8cm). We discussed masectomies (i told her if I was losing one, I wanted to consider a risk-reducing masectomy in other breast as didn't want it coming back, couldn't face going through it all again etc). She took all that on board and said yes, they would consider doing that. Then she examined me and looked on the ultra sound and said the tumour had shurnk loads so chemo has done its job really well. She said now we may not need a masectomy, a lumpectomy could do the job. Now I'm confused. I have to go back after last chemo and have MRI and mammorgram, I will be having surgery end of November either way. I know it's good news and I should be delighted - and I am - but I fear that if I have a lumpectomy I'm going to spend my time worrying about recurrence. If I do have a masectomy I will have to wait up to 12 months for reconstruction, she said, will have to have radiotherapy first. Any advice girls?????

Hi first time posting Does anyone know if a soreness or rather discomfort in one breast should be anything to worry about? no lumps that I can find but a big history of cancer in the family. I had bloods taken for tumour markers and all came back ok. thanks

Hey, Went to the doctor the other day.. Foun a lump on my right testicle.. He said he was sure its a cyst but I have to go to hospital to make sure. Doctor wants me back on Thursday to check it out. My testicle seems to be the same size but seems like there's a lot of fluid around it. I'm really scared I have cancer. I'm only 23 & I can feel a stiffness in my back & chest pain.. Maybe it's cause I'm panicking all the time.. But I'm practically convinced I have TC. How will I cope with this.