Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy

I was worried about anaesthetic as well as its 38 years since I had any when I had 4 wisdom teeth out. It was totally fine. No after effects and was awake and eating toast 2 hour after I went into theatre. Good luck hope you get op today once it’s out you feel much better in yourself xx

I had my lumpectomy at the end of March and a re-excision early May for some extra clearance.  I too was worried about the op as I have never had surgery ( I was 64).  However all was fine, the staff put me at ease ( I was convinced for some daft reason that I wouldn't survive the op )  .  However I was quite heady and feeling like I had a hangover for about 10 days or so after my 1st surgery,  so at the 2nd one I told the anaethetist this and he said that some people have a reaction to the gas-and so he would just give me drugs and no gas.  It was totally different, no after effects at all.

Im a DD cup and so i have worn my post surgery compression bra up until about a week ago. In fact going back to a normal bra has been a nightmare because a) they are so uncomfortable after the support bra's and b) one of my boobs is a bit smaller and doesn't fill the cup.

I am now looking at non underwired bra's, but they just don't give the support ( unless you go for mega wide tops that look awful with strappy summer clothes).  But I will go to a specialist shop to be properly measured once my radiotherapy is out of the way  as there may be more changes to come, and try a bra filler from Evenly.

I was cautious with driving and left it about 4 weeks after my surgeries.

Hope all goes well for you x

I got a fab post surgery bra in M&S, they measured me etc. unfortunately they only had 1 in my size and I can’t get on line . I’m surviving with 1 and washing every couple of days. Everyone on here talks about pain, swelling etc and it may be because I  have small boobs I haven’t had any, but also I have not been sleeping in bra and only wearing  it if I go out I don’t bother in house. My after op nurse said don’t bother wearing one if you don’t feel like it so I haven’t. ( every nurse tells you something different) autograph in M&S do really nice ones x

Thanks so much to everyone for all the lovely positive encouraging messages, I feel a lot better hearing how everyone found it and that recovery is better than we think. I appreciate the practical advice too, I'll go off and pack a little bag now. I'm still smiling at the thought of Andrea's tuna sandwich and bourbons, I'll be thinking about that tomorrow and looking forward to it :) Hope your swelling goes down 2209 and you start to feel more comfortable, amazing that although you're in pain you still found time to reply, you're all lovely and you've really helped me a lot Hope you continue to heal nicely in every way, and keep in touch xx

That's made me happy to hear you're absolutely fine now after 2 weeks of bruising and soreness.

Did you do the exercises even though you were sore? I tried to do them yesterday but couldn't, mainly due to my sentinel cut which isn't in the middle of my armpit, it's more in the entrance of mypp armpit. I will have a try again but with all the swelling I don't know how ill get on, when I bought my bra it was so comfy now it's just digging into me everywhere because of the swelling, I'm going to go for a walk now to see if that helps and get everything moving, will make a short one though 

Hi 2209

I did do the exercises, though I was sore and couldn't bear to move my arm much. I just did them very gently and gradually over 2 weeks it has got much easier and I'm less stiff although not absolutely perfect (still slight soreness holding me back a bit). I will keep working at them.

I had so much bruising and swelling initially, that I had to go for a really soft sports bra, which maybe wasn't supportive enough,  but anything firmer was downright painful! I'm feeling so much more comfortable now after nearly two weeks and don't need regular pain relief anymore.

My armpit cuts are in a similar position to yours, and lower than I expected. 

Hope you are feeling better soon, you will get there! x

Hi Silvabell

Thanks for replying, I haven't had a good day and a half so that's why I didn't reply. Think I was getting an infection but looks like my body has fought it off. Still very swollen and bruised, don't think I'll be wearing any sleeveless tops this summer 

Definitely going to try to do the exercises today as I'm frightened of becoming stiff, hopefully I haven't left it too long.

Take care x

Hi

Sorry to hear you are feeling so sore. I guess the pain and its levels may differ person to person, but I found the lymph nodes removal significantly more painful than the lumpectomy. It also took the longest to recover. By week four, I really had expected it to be all better, and felt p’d off when it didn’t. Being realistic, I guess there’s a reason for the 6 week recuperation period. I had a collection of fluid under the wound site, so that may have accounted for the pain, I’m not sure.

If you are worried, speak to your surgeon at your post op  appointment. In the meantime, keep using the heart shaped cushion under your armpit…that thing went everywhere with me, like it had become my emotional support dog! And don’t suffer in silence. 

I wish you the best of luck with your treatment and recovery. ️

PS- do the exercises. I know it’s scary when it hurts that much, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy they were (just felt weird and tight for the first 4 or 5 attempts). Your arm will thank you for it after…

Morning 2209,

How are you feeling this morning? Glad you are fighting off the infection, are you still in pain or is it getting better? I was in quite a bit of pain after my surgery last week but it's feeling better and like you I'm trying to do the exercises, gently and slowly, just the ones marked 1-6 on the Breast Cancer Now leaflet they gave me.  I couldn't do number 6 but did the others slowly. Can you chat with your breast specialist nurse? At my hospital we leave a message and they always call back within 24 hours. Take care