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Hi Everyone, it's been ages since I've been online, I hope everyone is keeping well. I went for implant/ expander exchange last week. I've had radiation so my worry now is that I don't get any infection or encapsulation which is a risk with radiated breast tissue. Is there anyone on here who has had this surgery and if so has it been a success? Thanks in advance!

My question : did any other husbands / partners experience unusual symptoms during their partners treatment ? my wife had breast cancer, lumpectomy, lymph glands removed, Chemo and radio therapy around 1998. During the time of her chemotherapy and radio therapy I had unusual hair growth under the armpits, I had never had it before that time or in the fifteen years since. We sleep side by side, so 8 hours close proximity exposure to chemo patient per night. The hair became coated with a heavy yellowish rubbery coating, they felt like the fibers you would find between the segments of an orange when you peel it. They were very easy to pull out and the coating went right to the base of the root. Sorry for the graphic description. Was this related to my wife's chemo / radio therapy, is it common, or an unusual occurrence . On a lighter note we used to just refer to them as my sympathy cheesestrings, yeah,, yuk She is doing fine now and has had no recurrence of the cancer, it's all a distant memory now, seldom revisited.

Hi I just wondered if anybody has gone down the road of partial capacity benefit while returning to work. I'm planning on returning to work but would definitely be unable to work full time at the minute. So I was told about this. Was hoping to hear if anybody has used this or applied and how they got on. Thanks in advance Ann

Hi Everyone I am still awaiting my breast reduction on my right boob (as I had mastectomy on my left in 2010); I am to have the procedure done in the Mater Public Hospital in Dublin. I am on a waiting list since June 2013, I contacted admissions and the waiting list department to enquire where I am on the list but they told me to contact my surgeon's secretary but when I met with my Doctor in July 2014 for my annual checkup he couldn't tell me where I would be on the list either. Did this happen to anyone else? Can anyone tell me how long you were waiting for your op in the Mater? I would be so grateful

Why would you post here? Very insensitive. Who cares about your golf clubs!!!

Hi all, 7 weeks since the op now. For anyone considering TUG flap reconstruction I just wanted to update you on my recovery. Although I still feel tightness in my legs I have regained most movement (squatting still a bit of an issue). Still a bit of tightness when I raise my arm to the side, but otherwise no issue with the reconstructed breasts. Looking forward to the minor procedure on 8th May to tidy up the scars and even up the two sides. (A bit more fat to be removed from my hips by liposuction, and put back into the new breasts!) Roll on Summer!!!

We would like to let you know about an upcoming open day as part of Lymphoedema Awareness Month, organised by Lymphoedema Ireland on March 1st, 2014 in the Lodge, St Lukes’s Hospital Rathgar, Dublin 6. This meeting will take place from 10am until 2pm. To register your attendance email [b:39ys0x1h]info@lymphoedemaireland.com[/b:39ys0x1h] or text [b:39ys0x1h]087-6934964[/b:39ys0x1h].

I've made my choice so no need for any replies! Love this site by the way - great to see other people's opinions and advice. Hi all, I'm looking for advice on choosing a surgeon for my mastectomy and reconstruction. I'm in the process of finishing my last round of chemo - 10 weeks to go! Yey. and I have to let my oncologist know which surgeon I want as I need to have a mastectomy and reconstruction in a few months. Do I choose a surgeon and plastic surgeon or do I choose a surgeon who can do both?? I'm in Cork and there are only 2 surgeons that are trained to do both. Finding it a hard decision to make!! Any tips from someone who's been through this? Thanks.

[color=#8000FF:3e1qfcfm]Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Just back from getting some new bras. Got my first ones from the surgeon, lovely white contraptions.....but wore them for quite a while as they were so comfortable and I was afraid I wouldnt find mastectomy bras as comfortable. I waited a year after surgery to get a 'proper' fitted bra and then they felt so good. Now, having lost a little weight, I went to get some new 'smaller' bras. Decided not to be sensible and didnt go for that good old 'nude' colour.........have to say feels great to have a black bra again , feels like forever since I wore one. And I feel great. So my advice is if your not sure about getting a mastectomy bra go in and try them on .......you won't know until you try and you might be surprised how good you might feel. [/color:3e1qfcfm]

I've been reading the posts about Tamoxifen - thanks as always for your great insights. I've been on it since June and apart from hot flushes every night, haven't noticed any other major side effects....except in the past week I've suddenly developed this awful vaginal itch which is driving me crazy..... Has anybody had anything similar and if so what do you do to relieve it?? Thanks Liz