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Any advice, positive experiences (or otherwise!) appreciated. Just about to complete radiotherapy after having breast conserving surgery in January. I have been advised to start taking herceptin re aggressive cancer type but am afraid of possible side effects. I've had negative reactions to a variety of medications in the past and not sure how to proceed for the best.

Looking for other people on this drug. How are you getting along on it?

Hi there, I finished Chemotherapy at the end of February and finished Radiotherapy on 22nd March. I am worried that my hair won't grow back. I am becoming quite anxious about it. I didn't lose my eyelashes or eyebrows, which I am very grateful for, but I only have a very small scattered bit of white hair on my head. I was OK during my treatments but now feeling quite low and miss my lovely blonde curly hair and worried that it will never come back ever again. Has anyone any advise to suggestions on how to help the hair growth along? Many thanks

I'm hoping to hear some people's experience with DIEP reconstruction. I have to make a decision quite soon whether to have reconstruction while having a mastectomy. I'm 33 years old, with 2 young children and I'm concerned about the risks and recovery time.

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing ok. I had a lumpectomy in November. Everything went well and I am progressing through treatment. Just completed 20 sessions of radiotherapy. My main problem is infections in the breast! Had a bad infection over Christmas - 6 weeks after surgery. Second infection in February during radiotherapy! And now into my third infection. Strong antibiotics each time! Finding recovery very difficult with all these infections! And I’m wondering how many more I’ll encounter! Has anyone else experience of post-op infections please? Thanks for any info.

Hi I am just wondering ,I have done 5/6 chemos (wasn’t given last as side effects were too much) had my first herceptin injection on Tuesday ,which was day after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy . My question is can herceptin cause oral thrush? I suffered dreadfully with it during chemo and have it again now . Any advise greatly appreciated .

I am due to have a mastectomy next week, and have been given the option of a DIEP bipedicle flap reconstruction. I ride horses for my sport and hobby and it is an important part of my life. I have been advised by the plastic surgeon that my stomach muscles will be weakened by the surgery as they cut through them to perform this surgery. My concern is whether I will be strong enough to continue riding after the surgery. If I can ride, even after several months off, then this is ok. It's the long term that i'm concerned about. Unfortunately the surgeon cannot advise on this, so I was hoping that someone on this group may have had the same procedure done & that they can let me know how they are physically since. Thank you, Olivia

Hi I am a 27 year old woman. I recently found thickening on the top of my breast a few really hard tiny bumps near my arm pit swollen collar bone blue vein sticking out around nipple dip/flattening near armpit which seems more pronounced then the other side I had a small lump on the same side 4 years ago but no mammogram was done all symptoms are on the same side I have absolutely no pain or discharge My grandmother and her grand mother had breast cancer so somewhat of a family history, I went to my GP 15 days ago and they referred me to the Mater breast clinic as urgent. I know pre Covid urgent cases will be seen within two weeks and now it 4-6 . I literally feel like my world has been turned upside down. the feelings I have are totally debilitating. Does anyone know if my age will have an impact on the waiting time for me? I already am finding it extremely hard to cope with the fact it may be a 4-6 week wait. I am trying to convince myself it's nothing serious but with my collection of symptoms I just have a gut feeling. I just feel so overwhelmed right now - whatever it is could be getting worse and I am doing nothing about it.

I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I have to have a mastectomy, I am thinking of having reconstruction on the same day. Has anyone done this? What was your experience?

Hi, I am 46 and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Last Tuesday I had surgery to remove a 2 little tumours and a big cyst. They also took a sample from the lymph nodes. The breast seems to be healing well, but I find it hard to cope with the pain in the armpit. The area is still numb and swollen. The pain is going into the shoulder and sometimes down the arm. The painkillers don't do much to relieve the pain. And I am only able to sleep about 4-5 hrs before I wake up again. Any advice?