New to all of this!!

Thank you, I feel totally overwhelmed by it all, and even though I'm staying positive and am so lucky to have wonderful friends and family, they don't know how I'm feeling. So I had to reach out to others who are experiencing the same things as me. I hope you're recovering well x

My lumpectomy was 3 weeks ago and it's still a bit uncomfortable to sleep but much less painful in the last few days. Hope your pain eases soon

I had the same procedure as you, New2itall, but a few weeks before you.  I was in a lot of pain in the first few days after my operation (initially it had felt like someone was poking 28 needles into me!) but over the coming days I noticed that gradually I was needing to use fewer and fewer painkillers.  When I got my biopsy results had my dressings removed a couple of weeks later,  the surgeon arranged for me to have some fluid drained from my breast which made things more comfortable.  Now, 6 weeks later, my scars have healed (but there are still a few scabs and it can be itchy), I rarely feel any pain at all although my breast is still tender, parts of it feel numb, parts feel 'solid'.  I gather this is not unusual. 

I have found it helpful to write about things which helps me process my thoughts, feelings and emotions particularly when I don't want to burden my family and friends. I've blogged about my experiences on this site if you're interested in reading more (https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-blogs/b/cancer-and-cakes). 

Wishing you all the best, I hope that this forum is helpful for you to share your feelings, particularly as there are so many people who have been there too and really do understand what you're talking about  xx 

Thank you for replying, I hope you are recovering well, it's so good to hear that you are in less pain now. I'm not sleeping properly at all, so that doesn't help, feeling tired all the time!! I also can't take pain killers or anti inflammatory, so I'm just plodding on!! I know I will feel better in a few weeks time. I'm normally 100 miles an hour with everything I do, I'm not used to coming to a standstill x

Thank you for replying, I'm so glad you've explained how you're feeling. My poor boob is so painful, like you said, sharp needles going through it, then it's still completely numb in parts, then I've got pins and needles. The lymph node removal is the worst pain. My consultant said she had to dig deep I've got a 1 inch scar under my arm, and a 4 inch scar across my chest, the bony part. I'm trying to do the Baps App exercises as much as I can but keep feeling overwhelmed. I find myself sobbing for no reason. I think I haven't processed it all yet because its all happened so quickly.  I'm so glad you're on the road to recovery. I'm so happy to have found this page. My family and friends are lovely and so supportive but they've never been through anything like this and just don't know what to say x

Don't forget Macmillan have great specialist support - online chat or by phone, if you do feel overwhelmed. And that is quite normal by the way     

Thank you x