what the hell is happening??

Hi

I am sorry you're going through such a hard time right now. Could you try to ring the macmillan nurse here or your GP? On leaving hospital did they give you any number at all? Failing that they do give you a bunch of leaflet and expect you to self educate! Sunday isn't great as you cannot find any support!

You poor girl, its such a scary thing to go through. They do say do not get the scar wet as they should have been in waterproof dressing...otherwise it may get infected. So in doubt I would not remove anything till you get to speak a nurse. Try tomorrow morning. 

As for the diagnosis, we have all been dragged mentally through the gutter and back! If you need to cry then cry. Be kind to yourself and ride out the emotion. I promise you the next day will be better and you will be able to face the day. Breathe and take a step at a time. Seems like you went from diagnosis to op in 2 secs. And didn't have any time to actually process anything! Look at it this way, the lump is removed now. Then ring them again for next step. 

You will be able to get through this breaking it down in small chunks of information than feeling overwhelmed like you have no control, trust me when I say we totally get this feeling you have.

Keep smiling and here for you

C x

Hi

I had a lumpectomy in August and had a drain in. I was told I could have a shower (even with my drain), I'm sure a quick shower would make you feel much better and you could even stand facing the shower leaving your dressing dry if you needed to. 

My surgeon removed my drain and dressing after 5 days and then there were just steri strips which she said would begin to lift off over the following days.

I too had very low blood pressure and had to have extra anti sickness meds after surgery.It's a very scary and worrying time, I found my way of dealing with things was to read everything I could and join forums to find out how other people were coping.

I hope you begin to make a good recovery. Take care x

Hi Lumpy001

i had a lumpectomy in March and was able to shower 3 days after my operation.

Hi there, how are you doing this evening? It's a scary time and, at least for me, it was all so new and confusing.   I had a lumpectomy and no drain and I was told I could shower after a couple of days, but not to get the dressing wet. I removed the dressing after 2 weeks.  The hospital should have a cancer care team that you can call, but failing that, the Macmillan helpline is superb. I think the main thing to watch out for is an infection, so if the area is warm to touch, painful or if you have a temperature.   Best of luck with your recovery x

Hi lumpy001

So sorry you are going through all this as well. Just to say I had my lumpectomy in March And I was able to have a shower after a day or so but was not allowed to take plaster/dressing off until I went back for my review 2 weeks later. I’m they told me it’s because they  don’t want you getting an infection in the wound. It should hopefully have a waterproof dressing on it but if you get any problems call your bc nurse. Hope you manage to get in that shower soon - it will make you feel so much better oh and smell better!  My tip is to do the exercises they give you as well - they really do help. 

Also, if you want to know what all the diagnosis means there is a good booklet you can download from breast cancer now which I found really helpful in explaining it all.   here the link if helpful breastcancernow.org/.../bcc161-understanding_your_pathology_results_web.pdf

Hope you start to feel better soon. Lots of love xx

If I were you I'd "drop in" to it.  The Breast Cancer Nurses where I am have given me booklets, told me how to prepare for major surgery, how to recover, and checked the wound. I was told not to get dressings wet under any circumstances. I left them alone. Have you a number to book an appt or else take up their offer and drop in. It is bad that they have left you so unprepared. Let them sort out your dressings and check you are OK. Going back to work depends on how you feel really and if you need any further treatment. The Nurses or your Surgeon will need to talk to you to tell you if they got clear margins and whether they need to do anything else. You seem to have been left all alone, which is sad, and frankly wrong. The tumour you had removed will have been examined by Pathology and the nodes as well, and your Consultant will have to call you back to discuss the results and tell you what the next bit of the Plan is. I received a ton of letters from mine, sent to my G.P. with all details. You are oestrogen positive, which is common, so very treatable. You might need hormone therapy because of this - ie a tablet, as your cancer "fed" on oestrogen - as did mine. Have you a relation or good friend you could take with you to worm some answers out of the medical staff ? 

It is what it is

Thank you for the link. Very helpful indeed.

Hey V

It still surprises me, how the cells feed of oestrogen. It also surprises me that I feel well generally up till discovery of the inverted nipple, I haven't had a clue!! Now I seem to feel every niggling ache and pain now.

So Lumpy, you're not alone in all that you feel....most ladies here have gone through what you have too....its shocking to hear and digest. We have cried our eyes out. Live in fear, sleepless nights! More shocking is the communication. I try to keep on top of appointments to keep pushing things forward as quick as I can. Even though some are better at booking you in than others, I also feel the BCN are slightly less supportive, no one rang to actually check how I was after the news! 

Take a step at a time. And hopefully all the ladies rallying around you here will help get you through what is needed now.

C x

Morning

I do feel I am now taking the time to process what everthing is and means, maybe I should have done that before the operation but it's a lot to take in, I will take your advice and ring Macmillan this morning.

The emotion is the worst isn't it.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Hope you have a good day

Cath xx

Morning

Thank you for taking the time to reply,  I am starting to take one step at a time rather than doing/learning/reading all at once.

Have a good day

Cath xx