Oh no Ann, I really feel for you…
To them it’s just another day at work and I guess they don’t realise how we get ourselves psyched up for these things.
Take care, hope you’re getting the lovely sunshine where you are.
Anna xx
Thanks, Anna. Yes, it’s beautiful here. I think I shall go for a walk later. I have been trying to go for 30 minutes each day, to build up some stamina. Normally, I drive everywhere!
Ann xx
Hi Ann
I could have come out day after surgery but was so comfortable and they were happy for me to stay another day which I think I probably needed. My hospital is good old NHS and the staff on the ward I go to are wonderful. My drain was taken out today so the nurse only had to call the once and because I knew they would take it out (not enough fluid draining out) I clamped it off a while before she came.
It came out quite easily thank goodness. Now I have to wait for the results - the hardest part.
I understand your let down feeling today as every time you have an appointment you want it to be another move closer to that end result. I guess if the person you will see on Monday is better then it really is worth the wait although it is very frustrating. Keep us posted with how you get on and try and think positive. I have tried to be really positive even though most sentences include ‘hopefully’. I also try to find something funny in everything that happens a good laugh is very healing.
Jane
Thanks, Jane. It’s good to know what to expect at all stages.
Yes, it helps to have a laugh. I am also finding a walk each day is helping to lift my mood. Not sure if I shall be up to it after surgery, though. How are you feeling? Hope you heal quickly. Take care.
Ann xx
Hi Ann,
Look forward to being able to get some excercise again, the anaesthetics (Can’t spell that) floor me and just as I am feeling up to it I have to go in for another one!!! Never mind it won’t be long. I have put a bra on today and taken off the stretch binding that I always have put on in the hosp. I have quite a collection of them now but as they are put on in theatre they won’t recycle them I guess in case of germs etc. I bought myself a sports bra from M and S as it has no real cups, no underwires and very little to aggravate my wound. I really feel pretty good except for trying to lift my arm and my armpit is all numb at the moment. Very peculiar. Still this is ‘hopefully’ my last op for a while so I look forward to having proper time to heal. I can’t say that I have really been that incapacitated after any of my ops. Its nice to be looked after for a while though but with schools back I was quite able to carry a load of dirty washing and put in the machine today. No pegging it out on the line though!!
Whatever you decide to do you’ll be fine, its not as scary as waiting the results!!! Take care, good luck Monday, Jane.
Jane
So glad things are going well. That is good going to be doing the washing already. You said you seem to have cleavage, so did you have reconstructive surgery as well? If so, what sort? I have avoided looking into that yet, in the hope that it might not be necessary. I can only cope with one step at a time.
Ann x
Hi Ann,
Love your picture, it looks so peaceful, is that where you live?
No my surgery was not reconstructive, my consultant wouldn’t do that yet as I shall probably have to have radiotherapy first. To be honest I really can’t think about that yet anyway. I just want to know everything is out or zapped if necessary before I start putting anything back there. I hope that doesn’t sound bad but I want to be happy that everything is sorted before I have to think any further. I am quite happy with what I looked at today although bruised and swollen slightly. It seems like there is an area left close to the cleavage which looks like if I wore a low v neck top, it would look as if I still had 2 breasts with a crease in between. Its hard to describe. I know someone else who had the same although I have not seen it.
It is a very difficult time for us all and we have to put a lot of trust in those who are looking after us. I know from what I have read here and elsewhere that not everyone has been as lucky as me in that respect.
I guess your decision hinges on what happens Monday, are they trying to pressurise you one way or another as yet? When you have all the information then you will be better able to make a choice.
Take care, Jane
Jane
No, I don’t live there - I wish! It is somewhere in Cornwall. I love having photos of beautiful beaches and scenery on my computer as wallpaper and screensavers. It cheers me up if I can’t go there - the next best thing.
I have not seen anyone since the result of the MRI scan, so no-one has put any pressure on me, other than to suggest a mastectomy. I was so shocked, so being given the chance of two further biopsies to make sure seemed the best way for me at the time. I am not sure if I shall be able to find out much tomorrow but I shall try. Then the results clinic is on Thursday, and surgery the following Wednesday. I have tried to put it to the back of my mind, but I am getting increasingly tense!
Glad you are doing ok. I assume you still have some pain, though. Are you taking anything? Do you have to see anybody to check the scar, or change dressings? What about stitches? Sorry for all the questions but I really don’t know what happens.
Best wishes. Ann x
Hi Ann
Thinking of you today, let us know how it goes.
My actual wound does not hurt at all now. It is covered in steristrips (don’t know if that is how you spell that) and then a clear waterproof dressing. This has been the same for every op so far. You can see exactly what is going on underneath which is reassuring. Stitches I assume are the same as before and dissolvable or similar, I have never had to have stitches out so far!! The dressing is checked the Thursday after the op and usually taken off then and left off. Obviously this time with a bigger wound that may be slightly different. If I am at all worried about the healing I can contact my BCN or GP or even hosp ward that I was on. Lots of backup. I have lots of yellow bruising around the wound and around my armpit. That is the bit that aches the most. I have some swelling below my armpit and above where my breast was. That is a little uncomfortable but all I take is paracetamol. It really isn’t that bad. At night I go to sleep cuddling a pillow to my chest which then allows me to sleep on my side, keeps everything in place and takes the worry out of my husband turning and knocking me while he is asleep!!! It also supports my arm and I found this comfortable when I had my smaller surgeries too.
Ask away any questions if I can help I will, this is what this site is all about. I am feeling a bit nervous now as my results should be available soon. I am so worried that my nodes have been affected since June and my SNB which was clear then. Also how much they found in the tissue taken away. Still one day at a time.
Take care,
Jane
This is driving me mad! Had another phone call this morning (Monday), but was in the bathroom at the time. Number withheld, no message. Rang the hospital - engaged. Finally got through and they said, could I go in between 12 midday and 1pm, instead of 11.15am. I know itis only a trivial thing but I was worked up for it on Friday, when they cancelled and I was worked up for it today. I thought they were going to cancel again. All this waiting and messing about is screwing me up.
Rant over.
Ann
Jane - I think your message crossed with mine. Thank you so much for the info.
Which day are your results due? Do you go back to the hospital to have the dressing taken off and get you results at the same time? The pillow sounds a great idea. When I had the first core biopsy, I found I could not sleep on my side because of the breast moving. A bit of pillow support would have sorted that.
You are being so helpful. Thank you. Ann xx
Hi Ann. Am back after WLE and SNB on 9th Sept to read the posts and wondering how you are doing Ann since you sent me your good wishes. Can see that you have had some changes to cope with and hope the biopsies today have gone Ok and will keep my fingers crossed for the results on Thursday too. Four sets of X’d fingers, one for you, one for Jane, one for everyone, struggling with this journey and one for me too, as results of Lumpectomy and SNB expected on thursday. Am recovering well - paracetamol and sunshine have helped. Home the day after. The waiting was/is the hardest as many have said. Wish I had had your advice Jane re pillows and bras beforehand. My good wishes to you all
Hi Ann and Upseydaisty,
Glad you are feeling ok Upseydaisy, What I didn’t tell you both is that my pillow I cuddle every night is called Edward Cullen!!! Don’t tell my husband. The Twilight saga is really keeping me together over the last couple of weeks. My daughter thinks I am disgusting as Edward is only a 17 year old Vampite and I am 51. Little do these 13 year old girls know!!! I keep telling myself he is really over 100 and that makes it ok. We all have to dream.
I think Thursday is a big day as my results too are due that day.
Ann, hope you got seen in the end yesterday and you can now move on a step. Let us know.
Watched the doc on BBC Scotland last night re 3 wonderful ladies having breast reconstructioin etc. It was very informative and I have to say the tummy tuck as well as new boobs sounds very nice as mine had definitely decided to take a trip south over the last few years.
Sad news to wake up to about Patrick Swayze, what a battle he has fought, at least he is pain free now wherever he is.
Take care everyone,
Jane
Jane and upseyedaisy - Yes, I finally had the biopsy yesterday. Sorry about the rant, but I was so screwed up. Even when I got there, I had waited an hour before they realised that no-one had informed the relevant doctor that she needed to attend. Anyway, the doctor said that one of the areas was right next to the original lump and so not worth investigating. The other was a very small shadow, and even with the ultrasound, she could still not be sure what it was, so biopsied it. I am still keeping my fingers crossed that I only have the one area, in which case, maybe I won’t need a mastectomy - the eternal optimist, me!
Jane, you have been so helpful, answering all my questions. Glad your op went well, upseyedaisy. It is so good hearing it from people who are just one one step ahead. Thank you, both. Do hope the results are good for us all. Fingers crossed.
Only just found the link to the BBC Documentary. I shall watch it later.
bbc.co.uk/iplayer/search/?q=My%20New%20Breast
Yes, I was really upset about Patrick Swayze, too.
Love Ann xx
good luck to all having results today
my surgery is tomorrowxx
Thank you. Good luck to you too. Hope all goes well and I shall be thinking of you all.
Ann xx
Ann,
You have had such a lot of waiting to put up with , I bet it’s doing your head in. At least you are now several steps closer to knowing what’s going on. Keep taking those optimistic baby steps and look after yourself.
lincslady,
LOADS of LUCK for tomorrow. It seems you have got your head round it and are ready and up for it with your op!! Look forward to hearing from you afterwards.
Lots of love
Anna x
Hi girls,
Sorry I have been absent for a couple of days, been having some tearful, feeling grotty moments. I am sure you know all about them. I’ve been in a bit of pain too due to the swelling but that will pass. 98% of the time I am good but every so often it catches me, particularly around result times. I think I am always scared what they are going to knock me back with this time. Well, results are good, glands still not involved thank goodness but they found quite a bit more lobular cancer so mastectomy was definitely right decision in my case. They found around 11 cms altogether over the 4 ops which is quite extensive. Bad news for me now is chemo which I really wasn’t expecting. That hit me as I was only expecting rads. I have to see the oncologist yet so it is down to his decision whether it will happen or not. I am getting my head around it and I am sure it is a good thing its just scarey thinking about it.
Ann, the dressing did come off today and I managed to wear my normal underwired bra as it didn’t actually bother my wound. The prosthesis fitted in it really well so that made me feel good. I did have a smaller dressing put back on as the wound is still a little pink amd may get rubbed but that will probably be fine in a day or so. Any news on your rsults yet?
Upseydaisy I wonder how you got on today?
Lincs Lady good luck for your op, we’ll all be thinking of you!
Well, I feel lots better talking to you all, its hard to explain your feelings to friends and family who with the best will in the world do not understand quite how you feel unless they have been here.
Love to you all,
Jane
Jane
So sorry to hear you have been feeling down, Jane, although understandable. I am glad your results were good. Did they say why you have to have chemo, if your lymph nodes are not affected? Is it because of the extent?
I was relieved to be told that the second biopsy was clear and that I can get away with just having a lumpectomy. The cells are very strongly hormone receptive, too.
How did all you other ladies get on today?
Good luck with your op, lincslady.
Love to you all. Ann xx
Hi everyone,
Feeliong much better today. Swelling still a little uncomfortable but bearable!! Quite normal apparently.
Yes Ann, the reason for chemo if the oncologist decides it is necessary is because of the amount of cells they found. As I am 51 they say I am still young and would benefit from it. Well who am I to argue? I should see him in a week or so.
I am so pleased to hear your results, wow you must be really glad. Now you can see your way forward, any date yet for surgery? That will be plain sailing compared to the build up of appts, biopsies, results, waiting times etc. Hope your hotel is as good as mine!!
Make sure you rest up afterwards you will get tired easily and make everyone else do the housework, cooking etc. It won’t be for long. I managed with my ops to get out of hoovering and ironing for the summer and nobody realised that although I am left handed, had op on left side but iron, hoover and do a lot of things right handed!! How naughty.It does them good to help out a bit occasionally. They appreciate us more. I actually find it really frustrating not to be able to do normal things, at the moment my left arm is still fairly useless but everyday you can do a little more.
Love to you all,
Jane