Hello Helen. 
I noticed that you'd not had a reply to your post so wanted to stop by and welcome you to the forum. I'm really sorry to hear about all that you've been through in the past few months. It sounds like it's been a difficult time. 
Did you have your phone appointment with the Consultant yesterday? How you did get on? 

If there's anything that you'd like to speak to our nurses about then you're most welcome to call them, even if it's just to talk about everything that you've been through. They are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Sending best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator

Hi Jenn

Thankyou for your reply, yes I did have a call fom my consultant and I am overjoyed to hear that my ct scan was clear and the 4 more lympth nodes she removed were also clear of cancer.

I still have to have chemo, radiotherapy and hormone tablets to treat my breast surfice tissue, got a call from an ongoligist yesterday who informed me chemo will be starting at the end of April.

So waiting for info through the post to get my head round as it, as it all sounds daunting. 

Thank you again for your reply.

Kind Regards

Helen.

Hi Helenjay,

I am delighted to hear that your consultant was the bearer of good news yesterday and, that your CT scan was clear, as were your lymph nodes. Your treatment may sound daunting, but you will probably feel better once you start to treat your breast surface tissue.

I am glad to hear that the oncologist is sending you some information via post. None of us like this stage, but it is a necessary evil. You will have a trying few months, but then you will be able to pick up your life again - it's well worth it in the long run.

Please stay in touch. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thank you for your reply, I think by looking into some info, that yes it's going be a necessary evil and i believe i'm going to lose my hair but hey.... it looks terrible at the moment and my roots need some attention :))). 

I will stay in touch as i've read some amazing thing's on here and I hope to share my journey with you all.

Take care Jolamine 

Kind regards

Helen xxx

Hi Helen,

I'm a fellow Lobular breast cancer patient.  Keep strong, you will get through all of this, there is life at the end of all the treatment.  I had a 5cm lobular beastie, mastectomy and 8 lymph nodes gone. Yep implant, and all good but I too had infection, IV antibiotices and on Letrazole. Hung on to my implant.  Keep focusing on each day and do not look too far ahead. Your team will look after you and you will come through this.  So sorry you have to endure this with Covid-19, take it easy.

Wishing youall the best with the rest of your treatment.

Best regards

Cagsie

x 

Hi Helenjay,

I am so sorry that they couldn't save your implant, but given the choice between that and sepsis it's no contest. Are you planning on having another reconstruction later on? It's not the end of the world if you don't. I have managed well for almost 10 years now without reconstruction following a double mastectomy.

I use different types of prostheses for different activities and cope fairly well. Unfortunately, my possible donor sites were deemed unsuitable, due to previous non-cancer related operations. If you have to go through chemo, have you considered wearing a cold cap? It doesn't work for everyone, but some people do manae to save their hair this way.

Don't worry about how your hair looks just now. A lot of us, myself included have been caught out with this lockdown. If this goes on for as long as they're talking about, my short bob, will be down around my waist and will be totally grey!

How are you feeling after this extra surgery? I hope that you are recovering well. You say that you are due to start chemo at the end of April. Don't be surprised if this is rescheduled, as most hospitals are not doing any chemo or scans at present. This is because chemo reduces your immune system and can leave you more open to infection. I sincerely hope that this doesn't happen to you.

Do please keep in touch. You will find this site very supportive as you travel your cancer journey.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

Thanks for your message and yes my consultant did say that she can reconstruct, will have to wait a year though. Being a sixe 42 f.... i wasn't concerned about losing my breast as always wanted smaller one's and she managed to reduce my implant to a d cup

I've been given 2 softies prothesis from the hospital but not getting a good match as i'm wearing a post surgery sports bra, so have no support for my remaining one ! my poor son (he's 23) has the job of telling me how I look and what need's adjusting :))))

When I spoke to my oncolonist, he told me about the cold cap and asked if I wanted to try it and I've heard it can help, so I said yes. If I do lose it, I'll be coming out after like a silver fox !! :)))

He also said that i will be having chemo at the end of this month, in a private hosptal, still within the nhs, keeping me away from the main one. When I was admitted to have implant removed, I was in a ward on my own, due to the virus just starting. It was more painfull then first one due to having more lympth nodes removed and i've been left with alot of cording and no feeling from scar to my armpit. been reassured that this will return.

I will keep in touch Jolamine and thank you again for the chat.

Kind regards 

Helen

xxx

Hi Helenjay,

I was a 44C, so I know what you mean about wanting smaller breasts. That's what I like about not having any implants. I can choose how big or small my breasts are when I'm using prostheses.

I found that I was quickly able to wear an M & S Total Support Post-Surgery bra after my lumpectomy. It gave a lot more support than the sports bra I wore immediately after surgery. M & S also supply a soft and lightweight  breast form for only £10.00. These come in 4 different sizes and might give you more shape and a better match for the other breast.  I found that their sizes were larger than average and, I can get away with a medium size.

I have not had chemo, so have no personal experience of the cold cap, but other people on here have given up using it as they found it too sore, so be prepared to be brave!

I'm glad to hear that you will be getting your chemo in a private hospital. Knowing this should mean that your treatment will go ahead.  I would expect your last surgery to be more painful than the first, because it followed the first one so quickly. It can't have been much fun being in a ward on your own and, presumably without visitors.

Don't worry about your cording at present. I had a lot of cording after my double mastectomy, but met a nurse specialist in the Haven, who helped to get rid of this. She used skin manupilation, which was really effective. She also used this on old scar tissue (of 10 years duration), which I had as a result of an open choliestectomy. You too could find this helpful, once your tissue has healed.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I have a M and S post surgery bra, with a zip but didn't know that they sold breast forms, so will definately looking to order one of these.

I was allowed one visitor on the second surgery and went home on the day that it was announced that we all had to stay at home, so it's been along time for me as i'd been home recovering from my first op.

Im glad you told me about the cording manupilation, it feels like there is a long line of hard tissue where the drains were, so hopefully I can get this sorted later. 

Thanks again for your help x

Kind regards

Helen

xxx