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I'm just wondering if other people are experiencing long delays in having their disability allowance claims dealt with by the dept of social protection. (have no entitlement to disability benefit as not enough relevant stamps now). I sent mine in after my surgery in Aug.2012 as I didn't even have time to think about things like money when I was hit with a cancer diagnosis. Fast forward and its now over 7 months later and last I was told was maybe April 2013 I might hear something. There are also secondary benefits like support with fuel, travel etc. which I couldn't access this winter as my claim has to be approved first. I'm finding it hard coping with the long delay and feel surely I can't be on my own. The dept says they are dealing with claims by date sent in. Just curious how others finding the system.

Hi Ladies, just an update on where I am at. Had my first appointment in Beaumont with plastic surgeon today, having been referred from Limerick for a Diep recon. He was an absolute gentleman unfortunately I didn't get on a waiting list yet as I need to see a breast surgeon too, because I want the other side removed (This should have been in the referral). I want the other side removed because it is at risk of cancer due to radioactive iodine I had for thyroid disease 7 years ago (there are medical studies which show this) and I don't want to be sitting waiting for another cancer to appear if I can prevent it now. I don't know how long it will take to see the breast surgeon, but the good news is that if he agrees to the procedure I will go on his list, which is shorter than the plastic surgeons, and I still get the same plastic surgeon to do the recon! keep your fingers crossed for me, I feel I have waited long enough already as my referral from Limerick was delayed several months because my surgeon was on maternity leave.

Hi all Had a bad week, this is one problem, I'll write about the other one in a min. I've been having shoulder trouble for ages, on left side only. Previous to diagnosis I was having physio. Since the mastectomy was also on the left side, the problem has been worse. I used to go for back massage regularly and couldn't wait to have one after all the treatment, last radiation was end Dec. I got the go ahead from Breast Care recently to have shoulder massage with light pressure only. So on Thursday I had a shoulder massage. It was mainly light pressure except for a few knots in my shoulder at the back. The problem now is I notice my front chest area, around where the radiation was done is after swelling up. It's not painful but slightly uncomfortable and feels squishy if I poke it. Could this be lymphoedema? Related to the massage? Or something else? Any suggestions like apply heat or cold or anything else? Thanks Jo

Here is the second item on my bad week list I had a gynae appt this week and I thought I would fly through it as all my gynae troubles seemed to have gone away as a bonus side effect of the chemo. However, I was stunned to find that I was already written up for a hysterectomy and ovaries out. It's not that I've had the genetic test, it's because of all my previous gynae troubles. I was just getting myself together after all the surgery/chemo/rads and now I'm in bits again. I'm very weepy even at the silliest things. Can anyone who has had all these surgeries offer any advice please? I feel like there won't be any female bit of me left. And it won't be good news for missing-in-action libido

Hi ladies I have my first mammo in the morning since all treatment ended and recon.Have to say nerves are shot am sick with worry.Anyone know if they do both good breast and reconstructed one or just good one?Just wondering what to expect.Im sure all will be fine but you know that niggle!!! XX

Hi All, quick question for anyone who had an implant or expander fitted. I feel like one of mine has slipped slightly off my chest wall. It seems to have moved about an inch off centre, but I can't tell if it was always like that or if I am being paranoid! I have a little bit of pain there, but I am full of aches and pains. Just wondering if anyone else had an expense like this?? Not sure if this is something that I should be concerned with or if anything can really be done anyway Thanks ladies!

HI Girls Its been so long since I have been on this have no reason why really apart from the fact that.....emmm.... what did I say? My brain is mush! Met with plastics last week (or week before) really wanted a recon with mascetomy. Decided to go for it even though I am having RT so they are unsure if it will take. This is the way I want to do it give it a lash and if it fails I will do it again later! Cant believe 6 months of chemo will be over tomorrow - yippee yippee yippeee Op 23rd April. Sorry to see we have two new people here minefield and leitrim? I am too lazy to check the names again I too had invasive lobular and am doing great - minefield I just pm'd you as you sound quite similar to my diagnosis. Thats it girls - hopefully getting pumped with poisin for last time - thankfully it has so worked for me and the tumour is really shrinking and all happy xxx

ahh ,so typical , I got my first chemo Tuesday ,the nurse is coming in the morning typo show me how to give the injection ,now what to do about the following , hubbieb has a big heavy cold (soon to be flue) my youngest had vomiting Tuesday night and wasn't too well yesterday ,won't be in school tomorrow. when are my worst days regarding picking up infections ,will I buy a face mask and wear it when around them ,just jokeing ,advice welcome ,

Well girls I'm here in Lanzarote and the weather is beautiful. I brought the wig and some summer hats and apart from shielding my head from the sun I've worn none of them. I got the thumbs up from hubbie to go without. I have very little hair but enough. It felt soooo good , the freedom of feeling your hair, the little bit I have. We then got a text from some people we know from home who are over training with their triathlon club and they wanted to meet us for a meal the other night. Ooooh quandary do I put the wig or hat on or do 'I go for it' so I went for it. They thought I looked great. Don't know what I'll do when I go home to the cold, I love my look but I would like to get a vegetable dye in as I'm grey!!! Not been able to read without glasses, plunged into the menopause & brain a mush, no not adding grey hair to that. Besides my mother is 80 and blonde, she couldn't have a grey haired daughter , wouldn't be right!!! Lol Can I put a photo up here??

Hi girls, had my mast Wed last week and when I went back on Tue to get dressings changed there was a large buildup of fluid under my incision which had to be drained. Was told as I only had sentinel node +1 taken that it shouldn't happen again. But it has and I'm back to hosp in the morning to have it drained again. It's causing a huge amount of discomfort & pain! Don't even want to wear the foob as it puts too much pressure on the area. Anyone else come across this prob and how long did it take you to right itself?