Just joined your group - I had mastectomy now the wait...

Yeah. This happens sometimes. They make a prediction, then change their mind. This is because even after the plan if forumlated they keep monitoring and making changes based on the information that keeps coming in.

It can take some time to sort it all out in the mind. Have you been given a date for your appointment with oncology?

About the fluid build-up, you can ask for it to be aspirated if it is causing issues. 

Thanks for your reply ,it really is an emotional time ,I'm a really positive person cup half full but finding this really hard .Hopefully when I know what treatment I will feel a bit better ..Nice to be able to chat with someone who understands .

I fully get that. That is why I want you to have all the information you want from your oncology team as soon as possible, so that you know what is coming and when, and all other questions you have will have been answered.

I am glad you have already had the mastectomy though as this is one thing now out of the way. I had mine in November and am glad to be on the other side of it and healing.

Thanks  i hope so. I really need my initial appointment, waiting patiently for a date.

I have a lot of fluid build up which is so uncomfortable , i'm massaging the area and under my arm , does anyone else have this ...and tips ?

It does sound like it may need draining. They are sometimes reluctant to do that for fear of infection. I had to insist on two separate occasions when the nurse didn't really want to do it, and I am glad I did. Last time they did it under ultrasound guidance and she was surprised at how much she aspirated even then. 

Hi Lin, I've just had mastectomy and got my date through for my next appt which will be 3 weeks after surgery to discuss results and stage. I know I've got to have chemo so assume that will be discussed further then. I'm surprised you weren't given a date post surgery? Could you ring your nurse and chase it?

With regards to the fluid make sure you do your arm exercises as well as the massaging. 

With regards to the blocked drain what did it feel like please? I might have one drained 90mls yesterday and currently 10mls today. Side is feeling sore so not sure if blocked

Hi Lin J

Sorry to read your news. It really is an emotional time that nothing can prepare you for.

I also had a mastectomy just before Christmas. All was going fairly well until 3 weeks after the op when swelling started. My Dr said it looked like an infection but he couldn't be sure. He drained some fluid and gave me another 2 weeks of antibiotics. 

A week later and it's still sore and still feels swollen. I see my Dr again tomorrow and find out what he says. I also see an oncologist for my oncotype score.

Chemo, radiotherapy and further surgery have all been mentioned as possibilities

Its the waiting , I've been told i will have a date to see the oncologist but nothing....i'd much rather they say within 4 weeks, or  whatever so i have some sort of time scale , but doesn't look like it works like that . My fluid wasn't drained they said it would go back into my body in time and in fairness it has a bit but its a slow and uncomfortable process. they wouldn't give me antibiotics as they said it was a normal process. I wish they warned me as over xmas i was really worried.

I hope the Dr's apt goes ok 

Thanks , doing my exercises. The blocked drain meant some fluid was in the drain but the rest was going under my arm and above the operation, i keep massaging it and slowly it is dispersing . It feels very hard and almost solid and sore. My amounts reduced quickly hen it happened . I'm just glad it has started to disperse so i can put my arm down easier.