well, got there, and was really worried, and just before we went in, hubby took my hand and squeezed it tight, then said to me ‘you know, this isn’t forever, it’s temporary and you’ll soon be how you want to be…that’s what they told me when i lost my eye’…now, it made me cry because, he has NEVER told me that about his eye before (and we’ve been together for 40 years nearly, and he’d lost the eye (childhood accident) long before i met him.It made me cry and i realised, finally, that he really does care about all this and will be there whatever happpens.In fact my bcn decided to leave my dressings in place, as she thought they were all clean and dry. so they will come off at clinic on Tuesday, when i also get my results.She did have a look at my reduced left boob, and when we came out, hubby turned round and said ‘crikey, we’re going to have to be careful of that new nipple…it’ll have my eye out, it’s a beauty!!’ 
Now, i don’t think he was joking and even if he was, i don’t care…it was an act of pure kindness and love, and i simply adore the old fool! So, let’s see what Tuesday brings…we did discuss what happens if surgeon has to go in again and bcn seemed to suggest that it might be necessary (hubby picked up on something she said too, but it might be us just imaginaing the worst!), and that i’d need to arrange how quickly it could be done as the surgeon has a long list.Still. no point worrying too much until/unless it happens.feeling good today!
Hi all,
Glad to hear from everyone that they are home and okay. I have been staying with a friend for a bit. Despite my worries I was sitting up eating toast an hour and a half after I got back to the ward.
I have had my results and the margins and the 2 nodes were clear and I too am waiting to see the oncologist and go on to radiotherapy and hormone treatment. The underarm is still quite sore at times but the breast one is healing very well, although I feel as if someone has sat on me!
Narnia, so good to hear that your husband has been able to talk to you about everything.
Eliza xx
Hi all, feeling a lot better now, both wounds are healing nicely and went back to work for the day today which was lovely. I have broke up for the christmas holidays now and looking forward to the new year.
Have been taking Tamoxifen for a week now and so far having no side effects so very lucky.
Just waiting for the dates of my radiotherapy treatment now in January.
Hope everyone is ok, and just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Sandra
xxx
Hi Sandra and everyone,
I too went back to work for the day yesterday - although it was mainly a Christmas lunch! Good to see people again.
I’m still waiting to get my appointment to see the oncologist.
My underarm wound is still quite sore and I haven’t yet got back full movement of that shoulder, but I an doing my exercises and hopefully it will improve over Christmas. Can anyone give me an idea of how long it took for them to get full movement, please?
Merry Christmas everyone!
Eliza xx
Hi Eliza,
I have not really had any problems with movement in my arm right from the word go. I don’t know if this is common for everyone, I guess Im just very lucky. I did my excercises for a few days, but didnt have any stiffness so just did some ironing, thats a good one to do instead of those ones on that sheet. I have full movement back just soreness under my arm around the wound. Washing your hair in the shower aswell is a good one. Just try and do a little bit more each day that you didn’t do the day before. My trouble is I can’t sit down, Im very active normally anyway, it killed me resting those first few days, and thats how you can get stiff.
Hope this helps
Merry Christmas
Sandra
xx
Thanks, Sandra.
It probably hasn’t been helped by the fact that I’ve had problems with that shoulder in the past. Ironing sounds a good one as it feels productive, although I was told not to for 3 weeks (vacuum cleaning and hanging out washing too). Anyway, the 3 weeks are up so I’ve started again and hopefully that will help too.
I know what you mean about not being able to sit down although I used the first few days to catch up on a reading backlog so felt I was doing something useful.
Eliza xx
seroma… the lump around my wound is getting really big, how long can I leave it before I need to go get it drained.?
I can manage the pain with painkillers, but I want to make shure Im not doing any harm by leaving well alone.
Hi anniemac
If you give the helpline a ring one of the nurses will be able to give you some support on this one. Lines are open today until 5pm, calls are free, 0808 800 6000
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Annie - I have the same problem, pretty sure I have a seroma as I’m getting more swollen, not less and it’s painful if I drop the painkillers. I can also hear the fluid sloshing around in there which is quite alarming! It’s been a week today since my surgery. I’m finding it harder than I expected to get mobile as the weight of it when I’m standing up pulls and makes it worse - I can’t wear a bra because my underarm wound runs exactly where the top edge of my bra goes. I’m seeing the practice nurse at my GP’s surgery this afternoon. I’m torn between leaving it well alone as I can cope ok so long as I stay on top of the painkillers, and getting some relief by draining it.
Hi all.
Gennie and Annie my seroma went down after I had it drained once but came back. The sloshing around is uncomfortable and heavy but believe me it will be absorbed back into your system. It is still early days for you both, just look after yourselves and try not to worry too much it is quite normal. If it is really uncomfortable your breast care nurse will be able to help. She drained mine and got 40ml from me, but after a few days it started to come back so I persevered and it has now gone completely.
I had my op 6 wks ago this thursday and am now back at work with full movement of my arm and no pain. Make sure you just look after yourselves and get the rest, you really will benefit from it.
Take care girls
Sandra
xx