Beating Breast Cancer

Life gets back to normal....or does it?!

Well, after a long absence from blogging I'm back. Where have I been? Just getting life back on track and having much needed down time. Not sure life will ever be back to 'normal'. My idea of normal has changed over the past year, but I think for the better. There's nothing like a cancer scare to make you appreciate life and all it has to offer. The phrase 'don't sweat the small stuff' is my new mantra.

It's now a few months since I finished chemo and I feel great. My hair is growing back, my energy is returning and all things considered life is pretty good. On the subject of hair....I said way back that my biggest dread was my hair growing back grey and curly....well it has and guess what? I don't care, its hair and I love it. Another added bonus is that my eyelashes have grown back thicker and much longer-not suggesting chemo as an alternative to mascara but it did it for me. I've even tried taking a spoonful of manuka honey every day but I'm not sure it's doing me any good.

I'm now on Herceptin and more than half way thro' my years course. Doesn't seem to have much in the way of side effects for me so can't complain and have even relaxed a bit about cannulation! I get my Herceptin at home and its all very relaxing compared to hospital.

I had my first annual review with my surgeon this week and was quite uptight about it although I didn't really understand why. Then it hit me....the dreaded waiting room and just being in the same clinic where I heard the worst news of my life was enough to turn me into a jibbering idiot.

Anyway, after a chat with my surgeon I have decided on a left mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction where fat and muscle is taken from my abdomen ( yes, a tummy tuck, how cool!) and shaped into breasts ( even more cool!) Can't wait.

Oh, nearly forgot. Treated myself to a black lab pup. She is ten weeks old and is causing chaos. Shes eating her way around the garden, chewing the carpets, terrorising my older dog but guess what-we're all crazy about her.

Marjory

Labels: about-marjory, herceptin, living-with-cancer, mastectomy, reconstruction

posted by Marjory @ 8:59 AM 1 comments

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Mastectomy Bra from M&S - An Update

Marks and Spencer Mastectomy Range

Ordered two marks and spencer mastectomy bras (or post surgical bras as they call them)

Great price - good quality - quite sexy

but ....

be prepared ....

... no pocketing!

The bras seem designed in such a way with the upper elastic set tighter to hold your prosthesis in place on your chest. Works great for me - smallish prosthesis. Not so sure that I would feel secure if I needed a larger prosthesis - larger cup size.

Do give them a try though - the price and quality alone means that you don't have much to lose.

Marjory

Labels: mastectomy

posted by Marjory @ 9:41 PM 0 comments

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A Mastectomy Bra From Marks and Spencer

Marks and Spencers stores set to stock mastectomy bra range

Marks and Spencer have long been one of the mainstays of the UK lingerie market.
They have also given great support to breast cancer charity over the years.

Now - from this week - they're launching a new range of mastectomy bras and mastectomy swimsuits.

The bras look great and have built in pocketing for a prosthesis. They've created a range of feminine and flattering bras which will support you after surgery and are suitable for everyday wear. The bras are also inexpensive compared to those companies who manufacture mastectomy bras as their main range.

Check out Marks and Spencer online store for more details.

You can read lots more stuff about dealing with life after mastectomy on our article resource pages.

Look under "post surgery bras" in the catalogue - check out the swimwear too.

Well done Marks and Spencer - we love what you're doing!

Labels: mastectomy

posted by Marjory @ 11:06 AM 2 comments

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