Hi , I just came out of hospital yesterday after having a mastectomy on my right breast and all the lymph nodes removed from under my arm , I have 2 drains in and hoping the district nurse calls today.
I’m feeling really down and my consultant has only given me a sick note for two weeks which as silly as it sounds it really hurt my feelings.
Also my right shoulder blade is really aching and wondered if any one else had experienced this and if they could offer any advice as it’s so uncomfortable.
Hello Daffodil ,I’m sorry you are feeling so down and sore .You are probably still feeling the effects of the anaesthetic which can make you feel rather depressed and the node clearance can be very uncomfortable .I think it’s standard for the hospital to only give you a sicknote for a couple of weeks they then expect you to ask your GP for further sicknotes which will just require a phone call as they will have your hospital discharge information .Im sure the district nurses will visit you as needed they will want to ensure that you do not risk any complications post op .I only had a lumpectomy and partial node clearance but I remember my shoulder being really achy and other people saying it is because of the position they put your arm im during the operation .Give yourself a couple of days and hopefully things will seem more positive and hopefully your op has meant you are now cancer free .Jill x
Hi daffodil63, sending gentle hugs. I’m sure your feelings must be hurting as you may be feeling like you’re expected to bounce back to normal in two weeks with a two week sick note. I was given a longer sick note from my hospital but I think they all operate a bit different. As Jill said, I think they expect you to go to your GP, though I’m sure you don’t feel like going to your GP every week to justify getting an extension, especially during Corona chaos too. I wish all hospitals had the same protocol in place for issuing sick notes. It may be worth contacting your consultants secretary to see if they can provide a letter for extended sick leave. The aches and pains are quite normal. I had referred pain fir some time after surgery. Once you’re able to ramp up the physiotherapy exercises a bit it will stretch everything out. Do you have any cording? That’s when you feel like there is a guitar string across your armpit limiting movement. If you do then your physiotherapist may be able to give some massage pressure to the area to stretch them out. X
I had a right mx and lymph node in March 19… I was in complete agony with my shoulder! I couldn’t sit or lie comfortably for quite some time! My surgeon did warn me that I may have trouble with my shoulder…he was right!
Keep taking painkillers and doing your exercises…hopefully it will ease off soon!