Hi
I have been reading posts on here for a few days now.
I was diagnosed with BC on 1 Nov - had to go for further scans on liver, bones & chest (which have all thankfully come back clear). I am scheduled to go in for a right mastectomy and removal of all lymph glands next Tuesday.
Have read all the books, spoken to breast nurse (but can never actually remember the questions I want to ask when I’m with her lol) but I’m still not sure what to expect in terms of how I’ll feel afterwards, how quickly recovery period is etc etc
All I know at the moment is that after the op, I will have to have 4 - 6 months of chemo and possibly radiotherapy, but obviously until they get the damn thing out I don’t know exact treatment plan yet.
My hubby and kids (girls, one 21 and one 9) are coming to terms with it now (the kids better than the husband if I’m being honest) .
Any comments, advice etc etc would be really appreciated. And by the way - I am so glad I found this site - just from the posts I’ve read so far I have gained so much info and feel so much more positive! So thanks x
Hi Margaret.I had BC 2 yrears ago,nov 9 2005.Yes,it was my 2nd year yesterday!!!
I had mastectomy and lymph node clearance,4 out of 21 nodes were cancerous.The information that you would have been provided by your breast clinic is really of help.You need to take each treatment as you go along your journey.Focus first on your operation.I did not feel anything after my operation.I stayed in the hospital for 5 days only because of the drainage…fluid level from your wound.It will determine your length of stay.Hopefully it wont be too long.You need to be calm and relax.It will help your body to heal quicker.Eating antioxidants,fruits and juices will help you recover quicker.You will be taught on physiotherapy and arm exercises so as not to develop lazy muscles nor have any lymphodoema.Take each daya as it comes. I was able to go up and down my hospital bed by myself but you will have the ward nurses to assist you whenever you need it.Dont worry about the next treatment…you will have a 4-6 weeks post operation recovery before they start your chemo.They will analyze further in the pathology dept the mass/lump and lymph nodes taken from operation to determine how long your chem and if you need radiotherapy.Focus on what is on hand first.If you are nervous or have anxiety,if will affect your recovery.A lot of rest and no body contact whilst you are sore from the operation.I will tell you later as time tells about chemo & radiotherapy.
Thank you for that Rose. I must admit anxiety levels have been going through the roof, though I do feel a lot calmer now. Fortunately. everything seems to have happened so quickly that I haven’t really had time to dwell on things.
At the moment I’m trying to be positive, and keep telling myself that I’ll be back to work in no time lol - fortunately they are being being very supportive, even more fortunately - I work for the health board that are treating me !
I’ve been told that, depending on the drains as you say - Friday will be the first day they will consider letting me home - so fingers crossed!
Just want to offer my support. By coincidence, I too work for the health board where I am being treated and they too are being supportive. I am having chemo before surgery, then rads.
It is definately all a shock to start with but you just have to take each treatment as it comes. I have one more chemo to go and I see that as me being finished stage 1 of 3 stages (have surgery then rads to go after that). Yes sometimes you feel absolutely crap (for me mentally more than physically) but it is all dooable as they say and we will all get through it. This site is fantastic - just being able to write down how you are feeling and picking up hints and tips helps so so much.
Just want to send hugs and say that I am thinking of you
Take care
Fiona
x
I am not sure whether you have requested a Breast Cancer Care Resources Pack but you may find it helpful to read, it is filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. You can download it from the following link or you can ask for a copy to be sent to you via the helpline:
Hi,
Margaret i have been reading your questions with interest and thank you Rose for your response. I was diagnosed on the 29th november and have my mastectomy on the 15th. My father in law has booked a family holiday in St Lucia from the 23rd December for 2 weeks and I am so desperate to go. Do you think this is possible Rose? My BC nurse seems to think it may be okay depending on my recovery.
Liane xx
Hi Liane.
Do you mean you were diagnosed 29 oct and mastectomy on 15nov?If I got it right, so you are planning to go on holiday on23dec…thats approx 5weeks after mastectomy.It all depends on how you feel and how quick you are to recovering.Dont forget that flying is tiring too.I had mastectomy 5dec05,had chemo from 13jan06 to 31july06 then radiotherapy from Aug to 30sep06.I was very tired after the treatments but felt so low that i have to be brave and flew to my parents and brothers abroad in Nov06 for 6 weeks to recover and flushed out the toxins in my body.A hot climate helped as I sweat like a pig from head to toe.I did not do anything but eat,sleep and rest for 4 weeks literally!!!It did me good.Judge it on how you feel.You will still be sore and try to avoid crowded places.You wouldnt want to be bumped into by anyone for sure.
Let me kow how you get on.Take care to all of you.
I am now trying to just think of it in stages - I think earlier I was trying to deal with the whole process (not that I know what that is yet) but it just isn’t possible to think of it like that. It’s like anything else I suppose - if you break it down into little pieces it somehow becomes more manageable.
I have downloaded some resources katie, and ordered others - the postman will be weighed down lol thank you.
Good luck with your treatment Fiona, and for your op Liane - I do hope you will get to go on your holiday, wish I had something like that planned - I’m still trying to figure out if I’ll be well enoough to cook the turkey lol
And thank you Rose it is nice to hear from someone who has been through it - I know we won’t all have the same experiences on our journey, but it does help xxx