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Hi, Looking to see if anyone has advice from their own personal experiences. I have done all the online research so know what the surgery involves just interested to know about realistic recovery times after. I will need to plan to return to work as soon as realistically possible after. I have discussed some of these questions with my surgeon who is good but played down recovery and pain last time so need honest answers. She advised I would need 4 weeks off work but everything I read about LD flaps says 6-8 weeks. I will need to be able to stand on the luas holding onto a pulley or pole on the way to work when packed in mornings so need to be healed and pain controlled before starting work again. I had bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction with implants last year. Unfortunately radiotherapy has caused capsular contraction one side. My plastic surgeon has advised 2 options based on the fact I am very slim. I can try a replacement implant but moderate chance of contracture again or have LD flap but will still need small implant with flap which may also contract. My surgeon has suggested "new" implants made from polyurethane which have less risk of contracture but I have found research advising these were used until found to have slight risk of cancer due to the foam in them and were taken off the market previously. Has anyone heard of these types of implants rather than saline or silicone? What are peoples experience of recovery from LD flaps(using back muscle)? I am concerned if I go this route I will need to take a longer time off work again. If I go for the flap surgery it will be bilateral. How long did it take people to recover and get back to work? The implants have always felt very firm do LD flaps feel anything like normal breast tissue or still very firm? Have you had back pain or weakness following for lengthy period or indefinitely? I already have chronic back pain (bone scan was negative thankfully) so is just post mastectomy pain. How long did it take for the scars and skin colour to blend after flaps? Any info or advice would be very much appreciated. Many Thanks

Hi all, Just coming on here for a bit of advice or a bit of a chat. I found a lump 3 weeks ago, went to the doctor the next day. She faxed off for an urgent referral to the mater clinic. She advised me to try to go private for a mamogram if i could as it might speed things up. I was lucky and got an appointment for a mamo the next day in the mater private. I went down to the doctor a week later to see if results were in. Not good. they found a suspious area and calcifications. I had my appointment yesterday in the mater for the tripple assesment. They did an 'extra view' mamo, and scan. They found 2 lumps. One is definately not a cyst (irregular shape). They did a core biopsy on the two lumps and on a lymph node. Had a chat with the surgeon, and its not looking good. He said that they were very concerned as there were a couple of suspious areas. Im back in on the 1st of march for the results, and their plan of treatment. He did say that no matter what it was it was going to involve major surgery. I think he is trying to prepare me for the worst, well maybe not the worst, but it certainly isnt the best. Its going to be a long 10 days Any advice would be very helpful. Oh and im 38, with 4 children, so am quite concerned about the future.

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had experienced an allergic reaction to their chemo I just had chemo for the first time on tuesday and I had a reaction straight away I began to feel a tightness in the chest and a redding and swelling of the throat and it was very alarming allthoughh the staff were great and it was stopped stright away. I am trying again tomorrow on a lesser dose for a trial short time so im hoping it goes better I feel I want to get started as soon as possible Regards jean

Good afternoon ladies. I have been so looking forward to being able to write a message. My name is Elizabeth. I was diagnosed a month ago. A small lump in my right breast. This morning I met the oncologist and chemo will begin next week I think. After 6 goes of that, I will have a lumpectomy, and after that radiotherapy. Does anyone else cry all the time? i am spending a fortune on tissues, thinking of cutting up some bed sheets at this stage. The first few weeks when I was still at work, trying to speak to people on the phone etc. were the worst I think. My anxiety was terrible. I am normally a light-hearted person and found the anxiety very hard to cope with. The only thing that worked was a glass of wine. Instant fear relief!! I am 63 with 5 grown-up children who are very supportive and I have 5 sisters as well who are great too. But there are times when I cannot speak to anyone and when the phone rings - I want to shout at it - leave me alone. I have been reading your messages, while waiting to register myself, and feel for you all and send positive thoughts. Elizabeth

I'm off to St. James tomorrow for my lumpectomy and node removal. I'm not dreading as much as I thought I would. Actually a really nice poster here told me that the lumpectomy is a doddle so I feel much better. Just anxious to have it over with now. Finished my chemo about a month ago and not a minute too soon I can tell you, its hard going sometimes but the feeling when you're finished is priceless! Can anyone cheer me up as to the level of service in St. James? How easy the node removal is (ok no lies please ha ha)? How well I will be feeling in a few days? Hope you are all feeling well and I'm sorry for moaning on but I guess I am a little nervous maybe. Anyway better go get the lunches made, won't be making any for a while (there's always a silver lining, hate making lunches). My poor little darlings will miss me so much (yeah right they will be spoilt rotten by my family so prob won't want me back!), seriously though they are a positive bunch of little kids so they will be grand, it's more me that will miss them. Take care of you, Celine

Hello, just wondering if anyone has had tram flap reconstruction - where they take fat from your tummy and transport it up to the breast site??? I would love to get opinions on this and also if anyone has had it maybe a few details on how long in hospital, how long totally out of action etc Initially when I had my mastectomy in July 2008 I said I was lucky to be alive and would happily live without a breast - However, I must be coming back to myself again (post chemo only, no radio required) as I am gunning to have cleavage again !!! It just shows - life DOES get good again !! thanks, rox

HI TO ALL,, I 1ST GOT TESTECULAR CANCER BACK IN 2005 HAD IT REMOVED AND HAD 3 MNTS OF CHEMO THERE AFTER 2006 CLEAR 2007 BACK AGAIN IN MY LUNG THIS TIME 2NDRY TESTICULAR CANCER ANOTHER 3 MNTS OF CHEMO JOB DONE GONE SINCE TKS 2 ALL IN ST THERSAS UNIT MERCY HOSTPITAL CORK SO AFTER ALL THE CHEMO GOT A FIRTILITY CHECK AND NOT GOOD NO MOBILITY SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS IT NO MORE KIDS,, UNTIL YESTERDAY WHEN WE FOUND OUT MY PARTNER IS PREGNANT I AM JUST WONDERING HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANY 1 ELSE THAT MIGHT READ THIS POST................................ KIND REGARDS ADRIAN

Hi all, I have decided to take part in Dublin mini-marathon on Bank Holiday Monday 7th June to raise money for breast cancer research. If you think you might be able to do it, however slowly, I'd love to get a group of ladies together. If you are interested please send me email to m_ltk@yahoo.co.uk or call me on 087-6642202. Thanks, Michelle

I met a lovely woman at the ARC center in eccles street yesterday. It is a lovely place for people who have cancer to go to. They have relaxation classes, councelling, thi chi, and lots of other stuff going on. It is also a drop in center, where you can go and have a cuppa. They have a fabulous garden aswell. Now im getting to my point...lol There is a meeting there on the 12th of April at 10.15 for young women with breast cancer. Its for anyone up to 45 ish (maybe a bit older ) I think they have it 4 times a year, im so glad i heard about it!!!! I definately want to go, and celine from here said she would be intrested. It would be a great way for us to meet up! So is there anyone else up for it?????

Hi there, I had breast cancer 18 yrs ago at 42 and was diagnosed with a recurrance in 2008, I have both lobular invasive and ductal breast cancer now. I have secondaries in lungs, and bones. I have had Taxotare chemo and continue on Zometa for the bones I have resisted Femara until now but due to lung problems gave it a try but had very bad pain and stopped it anyone out there got any any experience of Femara. Im am almost pain free without it dont know what to do. Mosaic