Breast Cancer

[jacey]

My little girl (even if she is 32) has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, she has her operation tomorrow. She has opted to have the glands under the arm removed too. Of all the questions she's asking ,she now wants to know, will that armpit still sweat after op. ?? Does anyone know? Thanks.

[jeanette1976]

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter.... I'm 30 and my mum has had it twice at 51..... the first time when she was 36 and the other time was 2 years ago, where she hd a masectomy... I'm sure she left her gland in though, so sorry I can't answer.

I wish you and your daughter all the best. XXX

[jacey]

Thankyou Jeanette your kind words mean a lot :-) you know what I'm feeling like. Hope you and your mum stay well xx

[daisy48]

jacey, My cousin had breast cancer and her lymph glands were removed. She still uses deoderant so in her case her sweat glands are still there. Its a horrible thing cancer. I wish your daughter all the luck and better health in the world. Daisy.

[campbellking]

Have never thought about it, but as it's the lymph glands they remove rather than the sweat glands, I don't see why not. Good luck from me, and make sure she does her shoulder exercises afterwards.

[jacey]

Thankyou Daisy for your reply, yes I found out from another patient that they still work and also to avoid the normal deodorants as they contain aluminium! I believe there is a Japanese one out now thats safe. Might be an idea to tell your cousin :-) Well she is in recovery now and I shall see her tomorrow, so will have to paint on my strong face :-( Thanks again.

[jacey]

Yes Campbellking you are right :-) and yes she will certainly be doing her arm exercises, a friend of ours had same op. 7 months ago, her arm was useless to start, happy to say she is now driving again and playing badminton :). Thankyou for answering and for your kind wishes.

[Disco_Diva73]

I do hope everything works out well for your daughter. I'm 32, and my mum suffered breast cancer last year. As she's having the lymph nodes removed, the sweat glands will still be there.

My mum was advised against using deodrant for a while afterwards, but she was having radiotherapy as well. When she did go back to deodrant, I got her an eco-friendly one from Boots (think it was a Japanese one) without parabans in, as parabans have sometimes been linked with cancer, but not sure how true this is, so hope I haven't scaremongered!

Also, all the other advice about the arm excerices is great, as this is really important. My mum was given a photocopied page of the excercises she had to do, and it really helped her recovery. I'd like to wish the best of luck to you and your daughter, and am thinking of you both at this difficult time x

[jacey]

Thankyou Diva, yes I think we are talking about the same deodorant. My daughter will also be having chemo and radiotherapy (thereby losing her long blonde hair,) small price I know, but it does hurt us, especially women I think. I know they do these 'cold caps' now , but don't think they're very successful. I don't think people really realise what a very difficult time, the victims of this awful disease have to go through, until it hits one of their own. I didn't. Although the likes of Kylie Minogue, have fortunately heightened awareness. Thanks again Diva for your k ind words. I hope your mum stays healthy and happy and you too xx

[Disco_Diva73]

Touch wood, my mum's been fine. She has blood tests every three months, and has been on Arimidex, which is apparently a good drug to be on, and she's been quite upbeat within herself.

When mum was diagnosed, I found the Breast Cancer Care website really, really helpful. You can ask for advice, join in chat rooms, and everyone is so friendly. I was very down at the time, but chatting to people who'd experienced the same thing was really helpful for me.

As you already probably know, you're also advised against using any soap/bath foam/shower gel etc on the area that's being treated with radiotherapy. Your daughter may find that she gets a 'sunburn' type of rash on the area that's being treated, and mum found that pure aloe vera gel (100% if you can get it) worked brillantly. Drinking lots of water helps too.

Do let me know if there's anything I can help with, because I know from experience what a difficult time this can be. Take care, and lots of love and best wishes to you and your daughter xx

[jacey]

Thankyou Diva, I will get back to you if you don't mind, if I have any questions. You sound like a good daughter just like mine is :-) I'm going to my bed now as I only had an hour last night. Goodnight Take care xx

[daisy48]

jacey, I hope you had a well earned rest. I think I'll look for this japanese deoderant as Thank God I was given the all clear last friday about a lump in my left breast. I dont like the thought of aliminium in my system. We're all wishing your daughter well and are here for you anytime. X

[veritymoon]

jacey my best friend used a cold cap and had really good results worth a try .i hope your daughter is ok x

[jacey]

Thankyou Veritymoon. I have just been on the phone to my daughter and strangely enough she was just saying that she'd read an article in a mag. about 3 younger women's
experiences with Breast Cancer and all 3 of them had saved their hair by using the cold cap, so that had cheered her up,saying that, she has stayed very 'up' throughout it all
so far, she had her drain out after 6 days (just one under arm ) she goes to have her stitches out and another consultation tomorrow, they have to decide if they're going to start the chemo before or after christmas. Everything seems to be going so fast now. It only seems like yesterday I heard the original diagnosis. Anyway thankyou for taking time to reply xx