Community

I have found over the last few months that the breast I had the surgery on is very tight. I had the lump and some lymph nodes removed in February. I find sleeping at night very difficult. I try to stay on my back but I am never successful. Every time I turn I feel like I am tearing a scab from my breast. I had an x-ray on my hip also and that came up clear. Anybody with recommendations for sleeping without pain. I have not slept right through the night as I have to wake to turn myself slowly in bed. Any suggestions?

My hair is growing back but it's really frizzy and startin to get curly. I had really straight hair before. Now I love my hair but so don't love the curls

I just want to say what a fantastic website this is. I was diagnosed a few months ago and I'm due to start chemo this week. I log on most days and read over old posts to prepare me for what lies ahead! I don't have a question as such because every query I've had someone else has queried already and people have so generously replied. So thank you to everyone to takes the time to reply, it really helps us who have been newly diagnosed. I feel a bit apprehensive but nothing near like the shock of finding out I had cancer. Those first few weeks of undergoing tests when I feared the worst we're just horrendous. I luckily I have an amazing partner and great family and friends who have helped me out and have been there for me. Hopefully with their help I will come out the other end of this and grateful to be alive.

Hi all, Happy new year to everyone and hope you're all doing well! I finally met the Radiation oncologist today and he said it was basically up to me whether I have radiation or not. I told him I'd think about it and get back to him. I've finished my AC treatment but still have 12 taxol to do. I was also given the option of whether I wanted to have taxol or not. The reason being that all my nodes were negative. I decided to go ahead with the taxol as I'd rather be over-treated than under-treated and I was also told that the most recent recommendation from the US was to have it if you're young and that it should reduce the chances of re-occurrence by 1-2%. However, I'm not sure if I also want to have radiation if I'm not being told that I really NEED it. The RO said that one of the tumours was very close to the skeletal muscle and wouldn't have had the 5mm margin on one side but that he couldn't say radiation would be of any benefit to me or increase my survival rate etc. The only possible benefit is a small unquantifiable reduction in the chance of re-occurrence.....so what would you do? On one side I can't wait for treatment to be finished but on the other I want to do everything possible to reduce the chance of this coming back! Thanks Pamela

Hi Everyone In 2010 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was 36, and had a mastectomy, chemo, herceptin, radiation and tamoxofen. I had reconstruction on the mastectomy side and I am now waiting to have my real boob reduced to match my reconstructed boob. I am having this done in the Mater hospital in Dublin. I am on the waiting list now 9 months and would love to know how long were other people waiting to have this done as I will have to wait another 6 months after having this done to have my nipple reconstruction done and I would love at this stage to get my reconstruction sorted and completed. Would love to hear from others

3 months after the end of RT, I am finding my armpit tight(ish) and sore when I stretch it in the last couple of weeks. I had my check up with surgeon on Monday, and he said it's normal reaction after RT, and was generally happy that all was OK. I asked should I exercise it, he said no need it will pass, I said should I NOT exercise it to avoid aggravation, he said no do as normal. I also asked whether massaging would help, and he was ho hum noncommittal. Generally, as far as he's concerned, all's well, so what am I bothered for... Anyway, just wondering whether others here have experience this, and what they might have done to help matters? I must say it is not debilitating, just tight and tender when I stretch, which I feel in the gym, and am concerned I might aggravate. TIA! Catherine

Is it enough to attend for the yearly mammo and to go for the follow up appointment a month or two later.. in other words would I need to continue to see my onc. I was on Herceptin and also only stage 1.

Hi all, I had my reconstruction done last year and I am due to go in to get new nipple put on end of Feb. Was told ages ago that's it's all quite a simple procedure, in and out on same day. Anyone get this done? Is it sore, do they just give you a local? Can't remember much that my surgeon told me as was ages ago. Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, I had my second chemo on Tuesday, and it really hit me hard. I was so nauseous all Tues night, didn't sleep a wink all night. I rang oncology and they faxed on more anti sickness meds on we'd morning. Much better but still I feel crap. I feel like I've been hit by a train. I'm hoping the next one in two weeks isn't worse again, like the whole thing is building up with each treatment. I have 2 more AC to go and then onto to taxol. I've heard that it is not so bad as AC, Is that true? Sorry for the rant, and thanks for listening! Mel

Hi , awaiting surgery for mastectomy after lumpectomy and re-insision ops, and the margins still werent clear, so I have run out of road Just wondering if anyone has had immediate reconstruction , I have to tell the plastic surgeon next week if I want it , even thought I havent met my oncologist yet and I dont know whether I will be getting radiation or not. I believe radiation affects the reconstruction. Its all very confusion , how can I make that decision. And he didnt offer me any advice as to which method for my shape or whether I should or not Any advice is welcome