Hope no-one minds me moaning, I’m just feeling a little sorry for myself today.
Went into hospital for a bone biopsy yesterday on a tumour they’ve found in my leg. Everyone’s really hopeful that it’s benign (my lymph nodes were clear, so it would be pretty unlucky to be malignant) but they said it was quite big and they needed to know for sure. It was my 4th general anesthetic in 10 weeks so I felt fairly relaxed about it, especially having been told it would be a day case. What they didn’t tell me, unfortunately, was the fact that I would need to be on crutches for 6 weeks. Combined with the fact that I’m still trying to get over an infection, seroma and cording in my arm, this now means I can barely do anything at all other than sit. It’s really frustrating, not least because I’ve been told that I won’t be able to pick up my 18 month old toddler until I’m off crutches, which is going to be both upsetting and a logistical nightmare. I had anticipated feeling fairly ropey when I start chemo on 22nd August but thought I’d have at least a few days first to relax and try to pretend everything was back to normal.
I know I needed the biopsy and would have had to go ahead with it anyway but I just wish someone had told me about the 6 week recovery time and not just about the biopsy itself – I naively thought I’d be up and running (literally) by the end of the weekend, if not before. Instead, I’m spending my wedding anniversary today being a very grumpy and immobile patient. My poor husband…
Ultimately I know the main thing (by far) is that the biopsy results are good (fingers crossed) and 6 weeks is a small price to pay. It just feels like something extra to deal with that I really could have done without.
Ah well, onwards and upwards. At least I’ll have lots of time to read and email people…
Hope everyone else is having a happy Saturday and enjoying the sunshine.
Hannah
x
Hi Hannie,
No one certainly minds you moaning on here, thats one of the great things about this site and these forums!!
Having read your post I can totally understand how you are feeling sorry for yourself right now, and no one on here would blame you! I can only imagine how difficult it would be to have to rely on crutches for 6 weeks, let alone with a toddler to deal with too!!
‘Happy wedding anniversary’ by the way. I know it is far from ideal and you can think of much better ways of spendin it I’m sure but I do hope you are able to have as good a day as poss.
I wish you well as you await the results of the bone biopsy. I think we can all agree that waiting for test results is the pits but I hope it doesn’t get you too down.
Please keep in touch and be sure to let us know how you are doing,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Hannie, Just a practical suggestion - to go about on crutches cannot be good for your arm so soon after that surgery. Would it be worth pursuing the use of a wheelchair to take the strain off your arm. I know the red cross often loan them out and I am sure there are other sources.
Dawn
Hi Dawn and Kelly
Thanks so much for your messages – as seems to be the way with BC (for me anyway), I’m up one day and down the next. Thankfully today is a better day – I’ve even managed to lift up my toddler with one arm and while standing on one leg – slightly wobbly and only possible because he wanted a hug but it made me feel much better about all of this. My little boy also thinks the crutches are fantastic and keeps stealing them – I think he thinks they are giant hammers.
Dawn – I completely agree that using crutches probably isn’t doing my arm any good and thank you so much for the suggestion of where to get a wheelchair. Unfortunately our house is so little and has so many steps that a wheelchair isn’t really feasible but I’m hoping to speak to my breast care nurse tomorrow to see what she suggests.
Thanks again for all your support. Just got to keep hoping for more good days and for a good biopsy result – fingers crossed…
Hannah
x
Hi Hannah
Dawn’s right on trying to stay off the crutches. I am still on crutches after a badly broken leg with complications and have lymphoedema in both arms as well. I was advised by the lymphoedema clinic to minimise the use of crutches as much as possible as this worsens my lymphoedema (easier said than done). Wheelchair is a good idea for going out in the sunshine if you have a willing pusher. The red cross loan them out for free (2 months max). I also found a trolly very useful (so in my case I got get away from eating in the kitchen). Your hospital or council should have an Occupational therapist who should be able to organise one for you.
Good luck with the results and hope you’re back running after the little one soon.
Roberta
xx