i sure will,
hi all had my WLE and node biopsy yesterday at 11.30am and was home at 7pm. all went fine just feels very uncomfatable feels very heavy,
that is great news Jellymould 
Best wishes
Liz x
That’s great news, glad to hear it. I had my mastectomy and node removal about 2:30pm yesterday but got to come home about 1pm today. In no pain if I don’t move which is nice, but putting on my own socks is a no-no as is standing up straight. Hearing about how it all went and when the chemo will start on the 11th October (got all my finger’s crossed). Nice in an odd way to know someone else is going through the same thing at the same time - just glad that it’s out of me (in the most part at least I hope).
Hugs,
Phil.
hi phil goo to hear your ok, i dont know what my results were yet, changed my dressings and had a nice soak in the bath tonight, feeling almost human again. not as uncomfatable now i have removed the pressure bandages. will keep you posted as to my pogress
Hiya all,
just checking in. Glad to see the ladies who have had ops are doing well
my arm is still very sore like sun burn and I have been given amytriptilline to take. It eases help pain and helps me sleep.
Jen - seroma is all drained, my BCN did it for me. dont think I have much fluid left in there now. my arm is still not ok enough for me to drive so its driving me a bit mad. No independence. I am used to driving myself t have my appointments or to have my herceptin.
I keep being told its early days, but I am not very patient!
on the plus side my eyebrows and eyelashes are back. And I have a full head of hair. Albeit about 1 cm long. I am so gad it’s back ( although needing to shave legs again is a chore!)
see surgeon on Monday to get my pathology results… Finally…
love to all,
Rae
x
Ahhh and re the softie. They give your stuffing. Kind of like the stuff cuddly toys are stuffed with. I didn’t have enough at first and tried using cotton wool. Lesson learned there…don’t.unless you want to go for the really lumpy boobed look
my BCN sorted me out with some more stuffing. I now match.
Hi Phil and jellymould - glad to hear you are both home after your ops. Wishing you both a swift recovery. I’m impressed that you’re able to get back on the computer the next day. I like to wallow in bed and entertain visitors after my ops.
Hi Rae - thanks for the advice about the stuffing. Glad to hear you have an excellent BCN too. Hope you get good results on Monday. I don’t get to chemo until after the surgery results, which I hope to get on 17th Oct. Mind you, I have seen my consultant on 3 ocassions and I expect him to say - go to next stage, and every time he has told me I need more surgery. Argh! Hopefully he will say go straight to chemo this time. I did not realise that some people can have the chemo before the mastectomy. How long did you have the chemo for? Do you have to have radiotherapy? I do, after the chemo, so next year sometime. Good to hear that your hair is returning, shame about the leg haris though. I have been told that I will need Tamoxifen, but won’t need Herceptin. Not sure when that will start. Sorry that I am so nosey about the detail.
You are not nosey, and I don’t mind answering questions at all.
i had chemo first to shrink my tumour before surgery a it was quite big. 5cm by 4 cm.
Well the chemo I had was FEC-T. And it was every 3 weeks. 3 lots of FEC and 3 lots of Tax. Is that what you are having?
They are very different. the FEC made me feel quite sick. I am sure you will have a meeting about your chemo. Just be sure to ask for all the meds you need. If you need any advice I am more than happy to share my experience. Drugs I was on etc…
i will find out if I need radiotherapy on Monday, but I think it’s likely. It will be for 15 days. Every day…fun, fun, fun…
i am having herceptin. As I developed a clot during my chemo I am on blood thinners. Looks likely I won’t be able to have tamoxifen due to the clotting issue. I will need zoladex and letrozole instead.
Fingers crossed for no more surgery for you. Another tick in the box, and you can move forward
Rae
x
Hello Rae,
Hope you don’t mind me joining in this discussion…have just found this site!
I had my op on 7th Sept (and also had chemo - FEC - first) so have been really interested to read about your experiences.
I’m struggling a bit with the exercises, its really tight under my armpit and like you my upper arm is rather tender to touch. Havent been able to wear a bra yet, I still feel tender under the armpit. And I had a small leak from the wound which needed dressing, so wasn’t too practical! Thank god for camisoles!
Are you now managing light household duties? I’m trying to do more - as much as my daughters will allow! - but do find it hard to lift my arm and havent yet been able to get my arm up very high, although I can now (just about) wash my hair with 2 hands. At least its real short (growing back after chemo).
Cheers,
Stevie b
hi all feel so well today, 2 days post op and ive got my bra on, feels so much better im not cuddling my breast as my bra is supporting me
Hi Stevie b and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support and shared experiences here our helpliners are on hand to offer a listening ear, support and information on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 sat
The following link will take you to some further information from BCC which I hope you will find useful:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Stevie,
Of course we dont mind you joining in
I too was struggling with the exercises, but after talking to some other ladies from here i was told that its very early days. I was told to be kind to myself. I do them, but if it really hurts i dont push it. I guess we are healing inside…and there is a lot going on.
I was told it will be a good 6 weeks after surgery before the healing starts to settle down.
I do wear a bra (non wired) and my softie.
My arm is still sore and tender and i know i have some nerve damage. I am just hoping time will help. I am doing my best to use my arm as much as i possibly can, as normally as i can. I can only get my arm about shoulder high when walking up the wall as it feels really tight. I think you are doing really well managing to was your hair…
As for housework, i am not lifting anything too heavy with the mx arm, but i am doing most other things. Just no heavy lifting. Still cant reach in to the top of the wardrobe with my mx arm, and putting washing on the line is a struggle…
I have been told i need to be more patient…baby steps rather than expect miracles…
Hope you are improves soon… are you still taking painkillers or any other meds?
Rae
x
Hello StevieB - I am new here too but just joined in without asking first. Sorry ladies. My mastectomy is in 2 days.
Hello jellymould - glad to hear you are on the mend. Make sure you do your exercises. Are you a nurse that you work 12 hour shifts? My sister is a midwife who works 10 hour night shifts.
Hello Rae - thanks for the detail about chemo. The cover for the bcn last time I saw the surgeon, was an oncology nurse. She said I would probably have 3 x fec and 3 x T. I also managed to attend a local breast cancer support group and met a lady there who recommended the port in the chest rather than having to find veins in her arms every time she went to chemo. I was thinking about this as the veins are rubbish in my left arm, I was a blood donor (platelets) for over 26 years and they always had to take from my right arm each month because of having better veins there. Unfortunately, my right boob and arm are affected and hence the consideration for a port.
I’m well impressed with the size of your tumour. Mine was only 2.8cm hence the surgery first (all 4 of them), then chemo. It’s amazing how different we all are and how our treatments vary depending on our personal circumstances.
Am starting to get a bit wobbly about the op on Thursday. I did not like staying in hospital for the last two ops (first one was a day case). I did not like being with all the sick people on the ward. Also worrying about what bras to take. Whilst I have the new M&S with pockets for the softie, the bcn said it might feel too tight if it’s new. I did buy a couple of cheap Primark ones with no wire after the 2nd op, and she suggested bringing these to hospital. But my softie will fall out, I said. She told me to bring some safety pins. I also bought a could of cheap crop tops which are really comfortable after surgery. I think I am getting bra obsessed to distract me from my anxiety about the op. I’m sure it will be fine. Will be busy tomorrow washing the bathroom carpet (had a flood in there recently) and cleaning up before my mum moves in to look after my boys.
Hi again Rae - what results did you get yesterday? Will you have to have radiotherapy?
hi jenny yea im a night nurse, work with the elderly. still doing my exercises every day, feel great. hate this waiting for the results though.
Just a quickie - Jenny12m - my BCN suggested bra extenders - worked a treat for me and now my swelling has gone down I don’t need them anymore
Best wishes all
Liz x
I was diagnosed on the 7th/9th/12 , had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed from left breast on the 24th/9th but on the 27th i had terrible pain suddenly my breast went so hard and under my arm, went straight to hospital and had surgery again that night , had haematoma was kept in and on a drain, got home on the saturday and on sunday had another bleed and fill the bleed came through scar had a drain and back down to breast clinic next day with another needle drain at the moment i have a fill but its not so hard and bearable i hope it stays at bay until tues when i go for my results, anyone else torchured with haematoma i am worn out xxx liz
Hi Liz and welcome to the BCC forums
I am sorry to read about the problems you have had since surgery, if you feel it would help to talk to one of our helpliners they are available 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays on 0808 800 6000 for further support and information
I am posting a link to further support ideas and information from BCC which you may find useful over the coming months:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/treatment
Take care
Lucy
hi liz i too had a WLE and lymph node biopsy, but mine all went smoothly came home the same day no drains and healing nicely, you sound like you#ve had a rough time of it, hope it goes well for you