If you are meeting the surgeon before oncology then yes, definitely do ask the question. I’d go ready with points which reflect why you believe it would apply to you so he/she is aware that you are somewhat knowledgeable about it.
Wishing you well xx
Day 13 after surgery
Happy Healthy New Year to us all!
I just wanted to see if anyone has had these issues……
When doing my exercises I still can’t lift my affected arm straight up in the air above my head without pain….
I have a pulling pain in my arm, it’s coming from by bicep area more than under my armpit or from the incision.
Should I be able to lift my arm up straight by now ?
I’ve been showering or flannel washing, but this armpit smell is getting me down….
I’ve been using a aluminium free deodorant since yesterday but I can still smell it…. Please don’t tell me I’m just smelly ?
I’ve never had BO in my life!!!
Xxxx
You do make me 
Positive Pants . It’s probably that either you haven’t been able to wash quite as thoroughly as normal to spare your wound or that your new deodorant isn’t as effective as your old one or a combination of the two. I had to try a couple before I found one that suits me which is Sanex aluminium free stick though I do sometimes revert to plain old Dove .
Yes I also found a tight pulling sensation in my upper arm and armpit at the stage you’re at now . To be honest I still get a bit of discomfort in my upper arm nearly 2 years on if I don’t exercise my arm enough .Keep at it , stretch til it hurts but gently - don’t be gung ho with it . I decided at 21 days post- op that it was time to restart cold water swimming and honestly it felt like something was tearing ( luckily it wasn’t ) .
Happy New Year
Joanne x
I’m at the same point as you, 13 days post surgery. I too am finding the exercises hard, especially since I had frozen shoulders beforehand, but my range of movement is definitely even more limited now. However, there are tiny improvements every day. Just got to keep on doing the exercises religiously. It’s the only way through. Not much fun though.
My armpit is also unpleasant, but I’ve just had my dressing removed today, so I hope that I can gently clean my stinky pit in the shower in the morning and that I’ll be able to apply some deodorant for the first time! I think I’ve a bit of cording under my arm. My breast cancer nurse is referring me for some physio to help with that.
My scar is really long, and quite high up, and it’s like a smile, so there’s that I hope it fades quickly. My breast cancer nurse told me.toasaage it with Bio Oil, which I will be doing. I’ve been massaging my armpit and arm several times a day since the surgery, as I have all sorts of pins and needles in my arm, armpit and weird fizzing in my elbow since having the axillary node clearance. It’s the only fizz I’ve had over Christmas! I’ve completely gone off alcohol. Probably a good thing.
BC really is the gift that keeps on giving!
It’s good to compare notes. We are going through this together😘
Bless ya @casey4jc 
I’ve been out for a little drive today, it wasn’t too bad. A bit stiff!
I’m going back to work on Thursday, but I’m more worried about my afternoon nana naps.
Yeah I found giving my arm a bit of a massage helped the arm pain. I don’t have bio oil but I’ve got some scar serum.
I’ve not used it yet.
My lumpectomy still has the steri- strips on and I don’t know if they are ready to come off.
I’m going to phone the BC nurse tomorrow and just ask about this arm pain. If there is anything I should be doing that might help it. It’s the reaching and stretching that’s a killer.
I took the Christmas tree down today. Putting the house back to “normal” and this crap hasn’t gone. My anxiety over the surgery results is very real 
Xxxx
I know. More waiting. It’s hideous. My anxiety is a roller coaster alongside the BC roller coaster. Like the Duelling Dragons twin rollercoasters I went on in the states years ago. 
You’ve got this though. You’re awesome, and funny. Don’t lose yourself in all this. That’s what I have to keep saying to myself too.
Surely Nana naps are allowed at work? 
Scar serum sounds useful. Where’s that from?
Karen xxx
Hi everyone its good to hear everyones experiences and realise im not the only one going through this,i get my results tomorrow from my second surgery ( 4 weeks ago) hopefully clear margins this time or if not ive been told mastectomy. Im 42 and diagnosed end of September. Fingers crossed for everyone waiting on results,the waiting is the worse…
Wishing you luck for tomorrows results
Thankyou x
Wishing you good luck for tomorrow @missedna 
@casey4jc Thank you for your kind words, and support xxx
The serum is from Boots
Leigh
Xxx
How are we all ?
I’ve had to get my boob drained off today as I had a bit of a fluid build up. It didn’t hurt too much and the Dr did say if it happens again my body will absorb it.
I only phoned to ask about my arm pain and also mentioned should my boob be so solid still…and they said to come in so they could have a look.
Good news is they said the scar is looking good and healing well, they got rid of all them sticky tape marks all over the place.
I went into the well-being cancer centre next door and booked onto some reflexology 
and Reiki….hope this is going to help my stress and BP 
Xxx
Hi @positivepants1 ,yeah good news, all clear and no more surgery:grinning: booked in 16th to discuss chemo now as was recommended although now changed to discuss,not what i wanted but will obviously do whats needed 
lots of thinking to do before then. Hope everyone else doing well x
I know it’s not the best discussion to have, but make sure you have thought it all through and go armed with any questions that need answering.
I’m 47 years old with IDC grade 3 and Chemo hasn’t been ruled out for me. My results day is the 11th and I’m scared….but I know I need to do what needs to be done 
Leigh
Xxx
Same here Leigh. My results day is Monday. Hoping for no surprises.
Still don’t know if I’ll have chemo, but assuming I will as at least two lymph nodes were involved. All removed now and my arm is getting more mobile every day, so small steps.
Here’s to a weekend of relative normality before we get the news. Hoping for no fresh he’ll 
Hi
I had two lymph nodes involved so had the rest removed which were all clear. So now waiting for oncotypedx test result to see if chemo is beneficial or not.
Hope you get good results on Monday
Xx
Thank you.
Great news for you! Hope you avoid chemo. I’ve just been assuming that having two lymph nodes affected meant the rest probably would be, so this gives me a bit of hope
Have lovely weekend
Karen x
I assumed exactly the same and was taken aback when they said no more was found, fingers crossed you will be the same
Xx
Hi Everyone, I know it’s a few days since this message. I spoke to my surgeon and BCN. They have both said that they discussed the Oncotype DX and the MDT meeting and it was agreed that in my situation it wasn’t necessary. The BCN also said that it was likely insurance wouldn’t cover it if the clinicians didn’t feel it was necessary. My problem is that from what understand, I think I would be offered the test under the NHS. The care I have received so far has been amazing but I just want to do all I can to make sure I am getting the right treatment for me. I could stretch to pay for the test . However, though we have private healthcare through my husband’s work and are lucky not to have significant financial difficulties ,we also aren’t wealthy and still have a big mortgage and two young children so three thousand is definitely an eye watering amount for us. I am going to raise it when I have my oncologist appointment
a week on Friday. However, I am really not sure what to do.
Dear Casey,
Well done forgetting this far. I’d like to wish you lots of luck for Monday. Fingers crossed for a good outcome. Look after yourself take one day at a time. Lots of rest (easier said than done).
Health and happiness going forward
Hugs Tili 
