Dear and Merlin1664,
Welcome to the site none of us wanted to join. I am sorry you both find yourself here, the good part is, you have come to the right place. The support, guidance, information, you name it, anything you need you will find it here.
I will try to offer a little comfort, I know my mind was all over the place when I first started my journey, I did not know or have a clue what was going to happen to me and my life. I found this Group and the people..... friends I made here and the support where more than any family or friend could or would have given me.
I had combined lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and radiotherapy (radiotherapy given at same time as the operation), it is called TARGIT IORT - you could like into seeing if you are candidates for this treatment - it is available on the NHS but is rarely offered (internal red tape - yet in this current world situation would make more sense letting more have this treatment).
What I will say, in hope to help ease any of your fears...... I believe what you are going through now, the waiting and the fear is the worst part of this treatment. Depending on time of day you have your operation, you will most likely be out the same day. So long as you do as you are told, rest along with gentle arm exercises they will tell you to do (only simple things like stand facing the wall, arm outstretched and walk your fingers up the wall, these type of exercises, you will be fine).
I had no pain in the operation (lumpectomy) site during recovery and did not really require any pain relief.... although, I did have a paracetomal .... just to be safe (I kept waiting for the pain to come).
The worst part with regards to pain ..... and again this was nothing, just slight discomfort actually came from where the sentinel node biopsy was taken from..... this was a type of 'stringing' sensation as oppose to pain and just as it got to the point I would think 'what can I do' - it would ease off.
I could not believe that I had had surgery and had so much taken out 75mm x 75mm (nearly 3" x 3"). I am a larger lady (hmmm, I am a lady hahaha) and my Consultant said that over time my body will 'fill-in' the area..... and it has, over the months I believe we go through various stages of healing... both inside and outside.
You must keep in mind what you have had done to make you not rush about as such, from the outside you will see 'virtually nothing' - you must remember 'inside' has to heal too.
My one piece of advice, I said to my Consultant just before surgery.... please if you need to take out extra tissue - we need clear margins.
(I believe they have to stay with certain guidelines, only taking the 'minimum' required.... in case a patient was too start complaining or even pressing charges that 'too much had been taken', hence they stay to the very minimum.... I think letting the surgeon/consultant know you are okay with taking more allows them to feel more relaxed that they can take more if needed (if this makes sense).
I will also say, you will be going through such a range of emotions, people you think that are there for you most likely won't be and people you didn't expect to support you, will shock you. You might want to tell people or you might not want to.... I choose not to tell most people... we are all different, my reasons were, the sooner this is done and the less that know the quicker I can go back to being 'me'.
If you find yourself up during the night or worrying during the day, there is a brilliant thread called 'AWAKE' look out for it and go in there, most of us tend to gather in there, we go from having a laugh to offering help - the minds of information is truly amazing - its has to be as all the ladies and gents in there are 'truly amazing' they really area.
Don't feel alone - we are here for you and if you have any questions, any at all 'ask away' there will be someone that is sure to be able to help or offer some guidance.
In the meantime..... this should be the 'AWAKE' thread
Sending love and hugs xx
