Surgery

Hi Blurr welcome to the forum and so pleased to hear that at least the surgery part is past for you.

Im not surprised that you feel sore today have they given you any pain relief or suggested what to take for pain if so you do need to take it as it will take the edge off things for you for the first few days at least.

I imagine they have told you to sleep with the bra on as well I found that challenging as glad to set the boobies free at night time but it helps with any swelling  and also keeps the breast supported after the surgery..

No sitting around feeling  sorry for yourself its not allowed so up you get move around and turn that frown upside down.

xxxx

Hi Blurr. I had single mastectomy and auxiliary node clearance four weeks ago today. Just wanted to say that I understand. It sucks. But as someone said to me- it’s out. The cancer is out now. Try to be kind to yourself. You’ve just had major surgery! Rest, and know that you are on your path to recovery. 

Hello Blurr,

I had a wide excision local excision and sentinel node biopsy of 2 nodes, and yes it was very painful to start with , however the drugs they gave were good , i couldn`t wear my bra as i felt this too painful but managed after 4 days The exercises also work so keep these up.

I was so nervous to do anything but felt useless just sitting around so had to go for walks, i felt this lifted my mood, however it doesn't stop the constant worrying of what the next step would be .

I have now had my treatment plan which i start Monday so it feels along time since surgery but in reality it has only been 4 weeks.

I too have good days and low days but have found a walk really helpful, it doesn't help with covid but hopefully we are coming to an end of it ?

Would love to keep in touch 

Stay Safe 

Moox1

Thanks Moo and ladies. 

I had all my nodes removed, a complete clearance... Is that bad?

I've not been able to wear the bra as its too painful and swollen, more than a week since the op. I found out yesterday that I have an infection from the op so I'm on antibiotics that make me feel a little nauseated. But at least now I know why I'm still in so much pain.

I've been doing the stretches to a tee but again it's so difficult because of the pain. plus I was only told to use homely remedies like paracetamol to manage the pain so I'm surprised to hear that Moo was given something more...

I have the infection check up the end of next week and hope to get the surgery results at the same time. Moo you must be pleased to know where you stand now, are you happy to share whats involved in your treatment and how you feel now its started?

xx

Hello Blurr,

                 I hope you are looking after yourself, and with the complete removal i think they took what they had to, and it easy for me to say with only having two removed ( which was sore enough ) that it is now OUT, so no nasties can grow. 

Have they given you tablets for the nausea ? You can ask for these just check with your nurse.

The stretches are good for the drainage and they will become easier i promise , it just a shame you have an infection , but it sounds like they are on top of it. Keep safe and look after yourself.

Yes i am glad the first Chemo session was over , was all a bit surreal as nurses fully masked and sat on my own, the Herceptin injection felt prickly to start with but soon subsided, however a rash appeared for a few days but no high temperature so no need to worry, I was very alert ( worried) on everything but this has decreased as the week has gone on, of course i will share my experience as someone might get help from it.

Stay Safe 

Moox1

Hi Moo

Sorry for not responding sooner. There was a delay on my results because of Covid (reduced cancer service), which has caused me anxiety. However I got the results yesterday, I need further surgery. I'm a bit gutted about this obviously hoping to get away with just the excision. Doc would prefer me to have mastectomy but will do re-excision if I choose. The latter might mean I'll need the mastectomy anyway but also might be enough. I'm in my early 30's and hoped to preserve my breast if possible, it's not such a straight forward choice for me as some might think. What would you do?

It also hit home about my chances of having a family, conceiving and carrying my own child. Then breastfeeding thereafter. Will have chemo but also the hormone treatment for years to come - both ruining my chances. I miscarried a while back and found it hard to reopen that door. Now I feel I've lost my chance. Other than the physical pain from surgery, this is the first time I cried since my diagnosis. I'm genuinely gutted about this. All my work colleagues are having kids, 4 children under 5 - 2 born this year, constantly sharing pics on our WhatsApp group. I feel like I'm back to the moment I found out I'd miscarried. I'm sorry, I know this support network isn't about this. Just needed to get some thoughts out. 

How's your chemo treatment going? I hope that you're coping well with it and it's not making you sick.  

xx

Hi Blurr,

Yes i agree this covid is a pain for everyone especially those waiting on important results and sorry to hear you need more surgery, on the flip side they are making sure they have it all and i know you don't want a mastectomy, have they talked to you about reconstructive surgery if you were to go down this route, maybe that will help with your decision ? Have they talked to you about frozen embryos for after treatment ? and yes i too have hormone treatment for 7-10 years after chemo and radiotherapy.

I am also sorry to hear of your miscarriage, never feel you have lost anything as we and your nurses are here to talk , please talk as this is the only outlet we have and a problem shared is a problem solved. It is also good you have cried as this is an emotion that should happen if you hadn't then i would think something was wrong, tears are completely natural and soothing in a weird way if it makes sense, Yes the outside world and friends and colleagues all look rosey but that through your eyes and you are grieving which is distorting the true picture, This doesn`t make you a bad person for feeling this way, it raw emotions and  the world keeps turning although we want it to stop sometimes,  yes it is  not an ideal situation, however you are here and your family and those who love you would rather you be here than not. It a completely natural way to feel the way you are but try not to be too hard on yourself x I am here whenever you need to chat x

Today you feel like this but tomorrow is another day and i get how hard it is as i am having one of those days , so i am going to take myself off to bed for a cry and cuddle with my daughters teddy she has given me, i can only stay strong for so long, and hoping to wake up tomorrow feeling a little better than today x The Chemo not as bad as i expected but when i have a blue day it is blue, so i am going to say Tomorrow is going to be BETTER !!!!!! xxxxx

Stay safe , Take care of yourself and  even pamper yourself abit xxxxxx