1 week since surgery

Hi everyone 

I had good news yesterday.. my surgeon is happy all the cancer was taken out!! Still a long road ahead waiting to start radiotherapy and drugs but couldn't really have hoped for a better outcome in the circumstances!

Please take your time! My surgeon told me I could probably drive & be back to work after 2 weeks. I believed him & have been beating myself up for weeks now. In reality, it takes time to digest what you’ve been through & for your body to heal. I was on fight or flight mode from the time I was diagnosed until the operation & you have probably been the same. Going back to work for me was a godsend, to be with people & to be normal again, not having to talk about the big C. However I was not prepared for how fatigued I feel. I am not having further treatment at this stage so can’t even blame it on that. Take your time, allow the emotions to surface & talk with people outside of your normal circle. We will get there!

Hi, I am just over two weeks post surgery, and find myself struggling because I am not able to to step straight back to my normal activity levels etc.  I'm not super fit, super healthy anyway, but its little stuff, like needing to rest a while after getting myself up, showered and dressed. Falling asleep during the day, which I just don't do usually, and realising the walk along the lines that I wanted to do is actually further than I have the energy for.  It is taking some adjusting.

However, I am fortunate in that my employer is (at this time) supportive about taking time to recover, and that my GP gave me the 4m sick note I asked for - I don't know how much recovery time I will need, and as yet I don't have a further treatment plan,  but this way my employer is not expecting me back before end July, and has therefore reallocated my caseload properly, and at the same time I know that - further treatment and health permitting - I can choose to return earlier if I feel fit enough to do so, although there is no pressure or expectation.

I know not everyone has this luxury, but the one thing I do know is that my health has to come first

Hi , hooray for good news! That’s great to hear; as you’ve said, there’s treatment still to come but it’s wonderful to know that you’re done with surgery. Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi , my surgeon said the same and I was so upset afterwards as I didn’t feel remotely ready for work and it was way too painful to contemplate using a gear stick. Thankfully my GP was more humane and signed me off. Sad that we have to face such unnecessary hurdles from some professionals. Love and hugs, HFxx 

Hi , I wish I’d been as sensible as you and asked for 4 months - I was in the end off for exactly that length of time but was signed off in dribs and drabs. I was also lucky In having a supportive employer. Good luck with the rest of your treatment, love and hugs, HFxx 

Lortor that’s fantastic news !

Hi AliAlio

When I was worried about having g time off work my consultant said it was totally acceptable and she recommended I didn’t go back to work for 3 months to cover the surgery recovery, radiotherapy and after effects. I was taken aback but I can honestly say I have needed it everything took much longer to get over than I expected. I am now due back to work next week, still fatigued but manageable now - let’s see how I am once back.

please don’t rush anything everyone it takes time and you have to listen to your body. Your consultant will write you a letter for work if you need one or it makes you feel more comfortable about it 

Best wishes to everyone I. Your treatment journey x

I am also a week (nearly 2) since my surgery on 7 April to remove 9mm tumour Grade 2 invasive, ER+ but no HER2 staging as yet, and am signed off to 25 April.  I live alone and am very bored so reading too much here and on the other forums.  My follow-up is this Wednesday coming.  I had wide local excision and separate incision to take out 2 lymph modes. The original diagnosis from consultant and BCN think theoretically no chemo as original tumour so small but they found another "dot" when they put in the wire although surgeon and BCN said, depends on the cell analysis and margins that "dot" almost certainly not anything to worry about at the moment and they excised it before it got any ideas.   I am trying to be positive and everyone is saying "you're doing so well" and "take as long as you need" (I am an administrator wfh since the pandemic, going into London once a week).  I have just had a "wobble" so thought I would post here!  Should I just wait til Wed and hope for the best?  Mind in constant whirl and L breast in constant dull ache.  I have finished antibiotics, and course of paracetamol and ibruprofen ( pain not bad enough to warrant the di-hyrdocodeine).  (Just needed to vent, sorry!)

Hi, Taking one day at a time is best way, although easier to say than do!  My follow up is Thursday and like you initial advice was possibly no further treatment.  However, I was also told Id be going home same day and ended up staying in hospital 4 nights due to high level of fluid in drain, so maybe its not an exact science :-) 

I know surgery took quite a few more lymph nodes than intially planned. No longer on pain med although still on antibiotics and continuing seroma swelling which makes my right side uncomfortable, as does exercising although I need to walk outside for my own mental wellbeing.

Although not bored exactly, time does hang heavily when activities and energy levels are limited and I have to be honest and say that although I am having visitors, I wish they would focus on something other than how I'm feeling  and what I've had done so far - I don't feel the need to discuss endlessly.

I am slowly taking on board that I need ti give myself more time just to 'be' rather than 'do' and to focus on physical recovery for now.  Next step re any follow up is a focus for another day, and I will deal with it once I know what it is I need to deal with next, if that makes sense. x