Hi. Recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Going thru chemo at the moment and then surgery after - Not mastectomy. I however want to request a breast reconstruction. I haven't been able to touch my breast since the diagnosis, apart from bathing. Is this common and is this a reasonable request? Plus how can I really advocate for myself. I feel like I am asking for something that may not be medically needed but I cant bear my body
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see you having to find us.
I am so sorry to hear that you are going through treatment foe breast cancer. A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress on you and the family but talking with people who are on the same journey can help a lot and will reduce the whirlwind wind that is rushing in your head and help find answers and support.
As my cancer journey was rather different you may like to follow this link to our Breast cancer forum where you will connect with people who understand the journey you are on. You can ask the folks questions about treatments, what to expect and how to just get through this.
Follow the link and join the group by hitting the ‘Join the Group’ tab just under the main group name. At this point go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts.
The best way to get support is to go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab just under the main group name. Set up your own Discussion and Introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you have in this first post.
We also have lots of general Cancer experience groups you can have a look at..
You may find our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.
We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’ section where you can post questions to our mostly Volunteer Experts but please allow 2 working days to get a reply.
Our Online Information and Support Section is a good place to find some great pages covering the cancer diagnosis, treatment and information pages covering most types of cancers.
Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support Groups in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.
When you feel up to it think about putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself.
To do this click on YOUR username, look to the left and select 'Edit Profile'. Put as much or as little in your profile and you can amend it at any time - you can see members profiles by hitting our forum names.
All the best ((hugs))
Hi and a warm welcome to the online community although I'm sorry you've had to find us.
Having not had the type of cancer that you have I can't answer your questions but I can point you toward the very friendly and helpful people over in the breast cancer group.
To join this group just click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens. You can then post a question or introduce yourself after selecting 'start a discussion' and respond to existing posts by clicking on 'reply'.
When you feel up to it, it would be really useful if could complete your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
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