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Hi all Will be flying at the end of the month and am concerned about Lymphodema following the axillary clearance. The surgical team say don't wear a compression sleeve just drink water and get up and move around and do arm exercises. Other hospitals say wear the sleeve. Needless to say I don't want to get Lymphodema. Anyone had any experience out there recently with flying. What kind of exercise would help on the flight etc. Thanks D

Hello ladies, another new one for the board. Was diagnosed on Feb 14th, a Valentines Day I'll never forget. Don't know a huge amount yet about the type of cancer I have but what is I do know is that it's grade 2 ductal cancer, estrogen +, herceptin neg. Going for surgery with sentinel node biopsy. No MRI or CT scan at moment until after surgery if deemed needed. I'm attending Waterford. It's so confusing as so many women on here seem to be having all these tests doing first before surgery but my doc seems to want to get surgery done before doing more tests. I realise that there are so many diff types of 'breast cancer' no one fit solution for all. Anyway booked in for mastectomy next Wed March 6th. Not suitable candidate for partial as I have a few lumps when removed will result in basically the top half of my breast going so have decided that losing the entire breast may be less traumatic than waking up and finding just a bit of one left (not that I think waking up without my breast will be anything but traumatic) Meeting my surgeon tomorrow again so I'd like some advise on what questions I should be asking him? I have some questions that I know I def want the answers to but for those of you who are further along this journey than me you may be able to advise me on what I need to know. I'm the type of person who needs to be fully informed. Once I have details I can start to deal with things but don't keep me in the dark. Any and all advise would be really appreciated. Thx.

Hi there, was told today that my cancer is 'occult'. That it couldn't be seen on my mammograms but showed up on the ultrasound. Tumours can also be easily felt through the skin. Seemingly it happens in 10-15% of cancer cases. Anyone else get this diagnosis?

Hi all You might find this interesting. Aine Lawlor was talking to an oncologist about breast cancer treatments this morning. It's listed as "Saving women's lives every day". It mentions new research into a drug for hormone receptor positive tumours. http://www.rte.ie/news/morningireland/player.html

Anyone on herceptin experienced runny nose sinusy type feeling? Just recall someone saying it. I've got it now just wondering is it the herceptin or just me?

Isn't it amazing that my lashes and eyebrows were fine while having chemo and now 8 weeks out of chemo land and I've three lashes on one eye and two on the other eye and the brows are nearly gone. Dies it take long before they start to come back? Hair is good hopefully in another month I can go public!!! All this is not that important just curious. Xxx

I'm just wondering if other people are experiencing long delays in having their disability allowance claims dealt with by the dept of social protection. (have no entitlement to disability benefit as not enough relevant stamps now). I sent mine in after my surgery in Aug.2012 as I didn't even have time to think about things like money when I was hit with a cancer diagnosis. Fast forward and its now over 7 months later and last I was told was maybe April 2013 I might hear something. There are also secondary benefits like support with fuel, travel etc. which I couldn't access this winter as my claim has to be approved first. I'm finding it hard coping with the long delay and feel surely I can't be on my own. The dept says they are dealing with claims by date sent in. Just curious how others finding the system.

Hi Ladies, just an update on where I am at. Had my first appointment in Beaumont with plastic surgeon today, having been referred from Limerick for a Diep recon. He was an absolute gentleman unfortunately I didn't get on a waiting list yet as I need to see a breast surgeon too, because I want the other side removed (This should have been in the referral). I want the other side removed because it is at risk of cancer due to radioactive iodine I had for thyroid disease 7 years ago (there are medical studies which show this) and I don't want to be sitting waiting for another cancer to appear if I can prevent it now. I don't know how long it will take to see the breast surgeon, but the good news is that if he agrees to the procedure I will go on his list, which is shorter than the plastic surgeons, and I still get the same plastic surgeon to do the recon! keep your fingers crossed for me, I feel I have waited long enough already as my referral from Limerick was delayed several months because my surgeon was on maternity leave.

Did anyone else have an expander implant fitted when they had their mastectomy and then have a Diep reconstruction later? just wondering how it turned out as I was recommended to have the expander to preserve my skin, but the plastic surgeon says it might make recon more difficult and he would not have recommended it! I was reluctant to have any implant but thought it would give the best end result, now I'm not so sure! Karen

Hi. I recently had a left inguinal/groin dissection, end of January, for Melanoma that had spread to the sentinel lymph node. Last week I heard that none of the nodes removed were positive for melanoma. I know the news was great (I am grateful) but I'm nowhere near feeling like I can just put it all behind me, smile and get on with it. Does that sound selfish? I feel that's just what is expected of me! I have little other information on my personal melanoma case, to date. I wasn't prepared with questions on the day I got the results as I wasn't expecting results that same day. I have to wait 3-4 months for my follow up appointment with surgeon. I've been told that I will be seen by a melanoma follow-up person also, but again, not for another three months. I can not believe the wait! I am very anxious about being cast aside for three months, without further explanation. I feel very let down by the system, that no-one has once sat me down and spoken to me informatively or caringly about my melanoma. It is a dangerous cancer and I have no doubt that anyone who has ever been diagnosed with it has experienced the fear. There was no melanoma nurse that I could call, no information leaflets etc. etc. etc. My experience has been purely surgical. It has been a scary time for me. I have (and do still) feel very much alone on my melanoma journey. There seems to be very little support for melanoma patients, in my area at least. There is so much I want to know. So many questions I want to ask. All that said, I have a super G.P. and have found other avenues to seek out information. As for leg lymphoedema, no-one warned me, or ever even mentioned to me that I would be at risk to develop it! (Thanks to the Irish Cancer Society for sending me on their lovely leaflet on prevention of leg lymphoedema ) I would love to hear from anyone who has had a groin dissection for melanoma. I'd be interested in hearing about your personal follow up experience, time-scales etc. I'd also love to hear advice on post-op leg care etc., Do I really have to keep my leg up all the time while sitting?? I braved the cinema last week and it was a disaster trying to keep the leg up! Thanks, Annio