Someone to chat with

You're going well Mona. Each day you are getting further away from the BC. I am over 3 years now and I am feeling the best I have ever felt There is life after BC and I know you will find it too. I found that my support group was crucial to my cure and I can't stress to people enough that you need to have someone to talk to that has been through it all. Family and friends can be really helpful and supportive but they don't fully understand or appreciate what you are going through.

Take care,

Lynne

I have bought my swimmers!!! I went shopping Thursday night and bought a lovely black and white pair. They haven't seen water yet but that is the next step. I haven't had togs for many, many years and this year my grandkids can go swimming with me for the first time! I love my new shape even with the scars! Sop there is life after BC

Good for you Lynne,

Just in time for swimming. Excellent.

Chrissy

Hi Chrissy. I , very unexpectedly was called in on a last minute cancellation so have had my reconstruction. I had a few problems with the piece under the breast dying off so i have a weenie sausage hard bit inside but overall I am so happy. It is quite a bit smaller than the left side but I dont mind. I just love my new shape and I even intend buying a pair of togs!!!

I hope your op goes well. All the best,

Lynne

Hi Lynne,

I live in Bundaberg. I am about to go to my GP to request a refereal to my breast surgeon to remove the other breast.  I asked my McGrath Nurse about it and my Oncologist and they both said because I have a size F breast I am very lopsided and the breast surgeon should not have a problem with removing it. It will probably be November this year. I am looking forward to it actually because I have a lot of pain in my back for compensating for the weight of the other breast.

I hope this is a help to you.

Take Care

Chrissy D xoxo

Hi Debbie,

I was almost 53 when I was diagnosed with 2 tumours and invasion into the lymph glands. I had a total mastectomy of the left breast and chemotherapy. It is not the way I would have like to celebrate my son's wedding but I attended bald. (Wore a hat to the service and the wig to the reception). Seven years on this week and going strong.

If you send me your email address I can send you a few pics of then and now.

It is very energy sapping, but take all the assistance and help offered. You will see another side of people, and accept that you need a bit of help just now! That was hardest thing as I am very independent and a "super woman"- or so I thought ha ha. I felt guilty for my family and betrayed by my body.

We really have no choice but to go through whatever surgery and treatments they offer and DO attend counselling/psychological sessions if you feel the need. Also Look Good Feeling Better was amazing!!

You are not alone, and the gilrs in BCNA, and there are many thousands of us, are here!!

Thinking of you, chin up,

Mandy

I had a lumpectomy and full node clearance back in 2003,followed by 6wks radiation.I was supposed to take Tamoxifen but it didn't agree with me then.I tried for 10wks and also tried other drugs but they made me feel dreadful.I was only 47 and hadn't hit the menopause yet and that might be why I couldn't tolerate Tamoxifen.So after 7yrs cancer came back in the same spot.Even though they got clear margins in 2003, must have been a stray cell lying around.I really didn't think I'd be in the unlucky 8%that gets it again.Even with a mastectomy there is a 1% chance of it coming back on the scarline apparently.I've had some chemo and am now on Tamoxifen since last August.It seems to be agreeing with me this time.I'm not having reconstruction for the time being cos I'm paranoid about a recurrence along my scar.But don't let my insecurities influence you!

                                                                Tonya xx

 Thank you, it  is such a concern to me at this stage knowing what is the right way to go. I will  be glad when I finally get to speak with the oncologist next week, I am just going on what my surgeon told me. Big hugs Debbie. xxx

I am just on the tablets as well and I am hoping that is all I will need. My oncologist said there is no guarantee but she is very hopeful that it won't come back and the tablets should be enough. Sending you good thoughts and lots of positiveness :)

Tonya,

 Hope you do not mind me asking did  you have a mastectomy in 2003, and did it come back in the same place?.Mine is estrogeon+ve as well. Were you just put on the tablets?. My lymph nodes ( 15 ) were all clear as well. Just concerned  that it might come back if I only go on the tablets. See my oncologist next Wednesday 20th. Trying to gain as much info as I can before I go. Thanks Debbie