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Hi everyone, I am just at the final hurdle and will be getting my nipple reconstructed in the next couple of months, via the cut and twist method. I am just wondering did anyone then go to a tattooist for your tattoo or did you get it done in the hospital by a nurse. I have seen some realistic tattoos from tattooists and some say the hospital ones fade quickly but salon ones won't, just don't know what to do. Any advice please or pics Thanks in advance

I had my lumpectomy early June17 for triple negative breast cancer and have a date to start my chemo next week. I have VHI cover so opted to use this cover for various reasons. I am now told by the hospital secretary that I need to have scan or scans prior to treatment, but as I am unfortunately insured with VHI they will not cover this part of my treatment. I am feeling so stressed at the moment. Has anyone had this experience and how many scans might be required? I believe the cost per scan is in the region of 500euro. Can I have scans as a public patient and the chemo through VHI? or does this not work? The Breast check and surgery was done at UCHG and I met my oncologist there also. Galway123

Hi there! I was diagnosed with stage lll invasive lobular carcinoma in my right breast back in April of this year so I had my unilateral mastectomy the day before my fortieth birthday in May (how memorable). I'll be finished my chemotherapy next week and radiotherapy will take me up to the start of December. I'll then begin five years of hormone treatment and the rigorous screening programme for the dreaded "return". So I'm very much in the middle of treatment and feeling the challenge of this journey with cancer. I'm Irish but live in Spain since 2012 and since being diagnosed, I have really felt the "loss" of my country and my people, which is one of the reasons I like reading the threads on this online community. Having cancer is a lonely enough place to be because I find most of the general population just don't realise what you're going through but missing the connectivity with my own Irish kin seems to have compounded that loneliness. In saying that my family have been a great support, and I have been accompanied for almost all my journey so I'm really not complaining. Anyway as a way to cope, I started writing a blog, which has been a life-line for me and I wanted to share it here, if by any chance, it could be of support to anyone else, on this journey with me. You can find it at: www.thecancerdiariessite.wordpress.com It's a cumbersome address, I know, but I'm not too savvy when it comes to techy stuff. I made a mistake when setting it up and must find a way to change it soon. Well I wish you all well and I hope to meet you on various threads. Déleanbh

Hi, I found a lump in November, had a mammogram in December and had a return visit yesterday. Had another mammogram, an ultrasound and a core biopsy. I was told the person who performed the biopsy was very concerned and that he felt there was a cancer there. I will be returning for results on Monday next and meeting the consultant. Are they usually close to the mark when they mention cancer or is there a possibility that the results could come back as benign?? Many thanks for any replies. Mona

Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has had the Diep Flap Reconstruction in Beaumont Hospital? I am under Nadeem Adjmal. I saw him during the summer and I am on a waiting list but just wondering if anyone knows how long this list is or waiting times etc??? Would it be any faster if I went privately using VHI? Also any tips on what to pack for hospital too please Really eager to get the reconstruciton done and move on with life. Thanks, Greeneyedlou

I found a lump the 12th of February this year, I was told by a doctor it as a blocked duct (as is be to young to get breast cancer) I was given anti inflammatories and told to come back on the 12th of March, because every lump has to be checked no matter what it is.. I went back the 12th of March, it was a different lady doctor who checked this time, she wrote up a referral for Galway straight after she had checked my breasts, She had told me the inflammation was gone and the lump was still there, I wasn't told much else only to wait for my Galway appointment and go from there My symptoms fairly added up as I have experienced quite a few of the symptoms of Breast cancer Should I be worried or not considering I'm only 19 should breast cancer be a possible outcome for me or not?

Hey ladies, Firstly I have not had any diagnosis of breast cancer just been I a whirlwind of doctor after doctor and no answers.. So I now have appointment for breast clinic Monday coming have had chest x-ray today to rule out other possible causes. I have been dealing with very severe outer left breast pain for almost six weeks now shots of pain dart from the outside of my left breast to my nipple and then right to the centre of my chest I get a sudden stab of pain. I have been unable to even sweep a floor and feather like touch leaves me in tears. Infection has been ruled out. I initially went to my GP over a bulging vein in my left breast that only appeared when I lay down felt kind of silly for going bit now I am very glad I did. When she examined me I had little pain she explained she found what they call a mouse lump. She decided to do one last check and when applied pressure to the area I was suddenly in alot of pain. After I left the surgery the pain just shot out of nowhere absolutely crippling me for weeks now. My underarm is quite tender and all that general side of my breast and underarm is obviously swollen. I haven't been able to put on a bra for weeks and have to hold my breath through the really bad shots. I guess I'm writing here to see if anyone has experienced anything like this. Any advice would be very much welcomed. Thanks so much!

My mother is recently experiencing varying levels of memory loss and cognitive impairment. I have been told that the reason for this is a bad reaction to the bone injection Denosumab, so they have stopped giving her that. They have also taken her off Pabliocyclib as they plan to begin radiation on the brain, though this is being hugely delayed for some reason by the hospital. Can anyone help me out as to how radiation could possibly help with her memory loss/cognitive impairment? Has anyone had a similar experience or a loved one who has had similar treatment? I only see how it will make it worse.

Hi there, I am 36 with two young kids currently living in New Zealand. We were planning on moving back to Ireland when I found a lump last month and was diagnosed initally with Grade 2 triple negative but changed to grade 3 ER positive after my mastectomy last week. I had 1 lymph node involved but also has drained to Internal mammary nodes which they could not remove so I will definitely be having chemo and radiation. Flying home next week to get my treatment started but not sure what to expect next. Have had MRI prior to surgery and had CT yesterday. What other tests did you do before they decided what kind/length of chemo you were having? I am anxious about delays in starting treatment. Any advice would be much appreciated x

Hi there, I really need some advice from someone who may have had a DIEP Flap. I had my original surgery 2 years ago and I'm wondering if anyone else has a crooked tummy???? I have had a few procedures in the last 2 years to remove dog ears, fill the breast as it went flat, and scar revision but I still have a stomach that isn't symetrical. Where I had the reconstruction on my left side, it sort of looks like a bulge and my plastic surgeon is blaming everything but himself! He even went as far as to tell me I was overweight (which I'm not!). Is very hard to find information relating to Ireland on the internet so if anyone can offer me any advice I'd really appreciate it as I'm very depressed about it and I thought this would be the best part of the whole 4 years of cancer, mastecomy, etc....