A query for those who have had surgery

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Hi,

My Mum was diagnosed with BC in August last year and has since had 7 sessions of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and reconstruction. She is doing well and we are waiting to hear if she is having radiotherapy and then when she will start herceptin.

I just feel a little concerned at the moment that we don’t seem to be having much contact with the hospital as her appointment is a week today to find out about the herceptin and radiotherapy and I don’t know what’s going on, i.e. how and when she is given the clear and what happens.

She had the mastectomy in May and had the reconstruction with the flap from the back but today said to me that her back is really tight and achy and her legs are very achy. She said they have been like that since she started chemo but just worse recently. I’m just so scared that it’s something to do with bone cancer now as I’ve read stories about this happening. Has anyone else had similar treatment and suffered with being achy?

Thanks for any help and advice.

Michelle.

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Hi Michelle,
While most of us would prefer to have as little to do with hospitals as possible - it’s always nerve-racking to feel that we are out of the loop, when our bodies are what the loop is all about. If your mum’s appointment is in a week, presumably a lot of questions will be answered then, but maybe you and she could sit down together and make a list of anything that bothers her, if she hasn’t already done that.

I’m seeing my own oncologist for the first time in weeks tomorrow and have been jotting down everything that has occurred to me in the meanwhile. Including achey legs, I might add - though my oncology nurse told me to expect this: it’s perfectly ‘normal’, though one gets sick of this word. Part of the discomfort is due to the bone marrow rejuvenating, part of it due to the fact that we move around less when it hurts, which weakens the muscles as well. I’m not very medically informed but I think that the likelihood of the aches being connected to bone cancer at this stage is virtually non-existent; she’s just been through chemo, which is supposed to deal with stray cells, at least for a while - or so I understand.

Don’t worry your mum with these kinds of unfounded fears, unless she has thought of them first - fruitless, really, especially as she is due some attention rather soon.

Cheers, M-L

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Hi Emelle,

Thank you for your reply. You wouldn’t believe how much responses help as there isn’t anyone else to discuss it with, it’s just my Mum and I, and as you say, I wouldn’t ever mention it to Mum.

It’s good to hear (well not good but you know what I mean) that achy legs is expected. I don’t know everything involved, more the immediate effects that we dealt with.

Thanks again,

Michelle.

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Hi Michelle & Emelle

I had a mastectomy 11th June and have had the worst weekend. I ended up getting an emergency script for codeine - 30 mgms - but this didn’t prove to even touch the pain and we ended up phoning NHS direct - they advised that I could double the dosage - which I did - but again it hasn’t touched the pain at all. Don’t know whether its the severing of the nerves in my armpit on the removal of the lymph nodes that is helping to cause the pain - I feel swollen and so uncomfortable - am going to see my gp this afternoon to see if I can get anything stronger for a few days.

Any suggestions???

Pammy

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Hi Pammy,

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I would definately get in touch with your consultant or surgeon if you can? We are really lucky where Mum is, they have been great with her going in at short notice if need be.

I hope you are feeling better soon and sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

Michelle.

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Thanks for your message Michelle - I did just that - got in touch with the bcn. The doc, bless him prescribed liquid morphine - which hit the spot about 20 mins after I took it - but the bcn advised gabapentin - it is particularly for elileptics - but helps with nerve ending pain - I have to have only 1 today, rising to 2 tomorrow and then the full doseage of 3 per day from Thursday. SWhen I spoke to the bcn and explained the pain etc to her she knew straight away what it was - so - good advice Michelle - thanks again.

Pam

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Hi Michelle, just to say I had the same type of recon as your mum in March and my back and front are still very tight - worse some days than others. I have been told that exercises and massage will help to stretch the skin but it can take upto a year to feel normal. I also have achey legs so yes it looks like your mum is ok but I can understand you and her worrying as nobody tells us exactly what to expect do they? That is the beauty of this site - there is always somebody who has personally gone through it to answer your worries.
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Pam,

Really glad they gave you something that worked! I know that my Mum has said all through her treatment that it’s never been that she has really felt ill, but more slight pain and discomfort so I know that doing everything possible to ease that can make one hell of a difference. I hope you carry on to make a great recovery.

Michelle x

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Thanks also to Holly…you are so right, there is nothing quite like speaking to the people on this site. It’s so helpful and everyone’s messages have really helped to ease my mind.

Thanks again,

Michelle.