advice please

Hi Petal (i love the name!).

I came out of hospital yesterday having had a mastectomy on tuesday. I dont have any useful advice but we might be able to help each other...lol

I came out with a horrible looking white bra, and a softie boob. Ive been looking at the catalogue the breastcare nurse gave to me, but sure I havent a clue! She did say that some normal bras can be altered to hold the softie, but Im not going to worry about that for now. Im wearing a fluffy bathrobe at the moment, im trying to wear the bra as little as possible until I heal. Hopefully I will heal quickly.

I should be starting chemo shortly, I think about 6 weeks, so you might have some advice for me

Also Arc house in eccles street have monthly meetings for young women with breast cancer (under 45ish), if you are in the area and the age group-ish... It the second monday of every month. Its great there being able to ask people questions who have gone through it themselves.

Take care of yourself.

Hugs

Thank you for your reply, been catching up on your posts and I think you are pretty AMAZING with what you've been through. Sleep rest and good grub(as my mam would say) will stand to you as you move through this journey. If I could do it, anyone can, I am the biggest whimp going, terrified of needles/doctors, even going into the butchers (white coat syndrome) scares the you know what out of me. I would address the chemo maybe two weeks before you start, (the hair thing) in case you need to match it up. Hope that doesn't upset you. Get well for the mo. I did try the arc once, wasn't in a good place that day, need to go back. My family mainly my sisters were an unbelievable support and still are to me. Hope your well today. Vitamin e oil and Bio oil I use on my scars, helped the healing process.I shall sign off for the mo, have to keep checking my spelling, think we need a spell check here .

Take care of you

Hi Petal
I have the permenant boob in the bra (gosh it's heavy lol) I found some nice bra's in M&S also Oxendales (on line). Maybe you could take a look. Some of the other girls will no doubt come up with other places for you.
Evelyn x x

Hi Petal,

Hope you are doing ok. I have had some numbness on occasions in my feet post chemo but otherwise ok and does not bother me too much. I know some people get quite painful feet but think this improves over time.

Regarding the complementary therapies, I think massage you have to be careful with if you have had lymph nodes removed. If you attend any of the cancer support centres they do complementary therapies and know what ones you can have. I found reflexology very relaxing. A friend finds reiki gives her energy.

All the best
A x

Hugs Avalanche & Evelyn

Thanks ladies for your replies, It's great having a network of support and advice. Should have done this ages ago, better late than never.

PETAL X

Youre right it is better late than never. I was the opposite, the minute I found the lump i was onto the computer to find advice and support. It is great being able to pop in and out, wether Im feeling good or not.

Hope youre keeping well.

hi ladies,

i am nearly finished after a year long treatment, had modified radical mascetomy on the 11th of May last year, chemo, radiation and avastin every 3 weeks for a year.

now that i waved bye bye to cancer i am looking upwards and onwards, i have the last go of avastin today two weeks and will then get my schedule for follow up care. i bought some bras in m&s but they are underwire and i am finiding it very hard to snip it correctly to get the wire out without ruining the bra. i bought some granny bras from the hospital as they are quite old fashioned. i used to have one in every colour and probally more than one in my "Penny's is king " days, but alas those days are on hold.

i found a very good underwear shop in limerick that sold me a few beautiful ones with thin straps. (staple colours, black white and beige though is the draw back).

i got the back neck and shoulder massage from a sports thearapist in west Cork that has patients with lymphademna, the swelling of my arm and underarm area greatly reduced, and my neck and shoulders are not as stiff.

i also go for reiki and i find the lovely lady i go to is for the birds in a nice way, she belives in guardian angels and the power of visualisation, like lightning bolts going through your body, healing what is good and sapping what is bad. i deceided to start this before finishing active treatment and it always makes me smile and serene.

i also got a hydro facial done and a mini pedicure and manicure but without doing any cuticles etc on left side, my feet are still very sore, especially the heels but acqueas cream is great, lashings on at night and great relief in the morning.

i think they should start paying me for all the product and brand endorsements that are going on here. i thought i would never again see a pain free day as every part of me was sore at different times but i have to say either i am getting immune or time is a great healer which would have maddened me if someone had said that a year ago while i was gritting my teeth trying to put on a jacket .

Hi Petal,

Glad you joined in, its great to see this online group growing and everyone helping each other out. Of course, it would be better if none of us needed any support (ie, never had cancer) but what can you do? If you are given lemons, make lemonade!!

On the bra front, what surgery did you have? Lumpectomy/Mastectomy/Wide Local Excision? Some shops have good lingerie departments with nice staff who are used to measuring and helping someone who's had BC and breast surgery. However, it can be hard to find them OR know which member of staff is experience, etc. I live in Drogheda and our local cancer support centre has someone who comes in regularly to measure and fit bras specifically designed for women post surgery. Once you are measured and familiar with what you need, you could just order it online. I think the company is called Almacare. I would imagine ARC do the same. They have a good selection of bras and swimwear, etc. Do you have a sister or friend who would come with you for the measuring and fitting? This would put you more at ease and maybe even make it fun.

http://www.almacare.ie/

Regards,
Flo.