I’ve just thought to ask, is anyone using arnica cream or tablets before their mx? Apparently it’s supposed to prevent too much swelling and bruising.
Hi there, friends - thinking of you whilst you wait.
Yes to arnica tabs pre and post surgery. Not sure about cream 'cos wound needs to be kept sterile - any medics/nurses out there? I expected loadsa bruising but didn’t have it.
Ainsworth, a central london homeopathic pharmacy are v helpful - ainsworth. co.uk tel no 0207 935 5330. i rang them pre surgery and they sent me an ‘anaesthetic mix’ for post surgery + some 200c arnica pills. I was worried re post anaesthesia vomiting so asked the anaesthetist to make me a ccktail heavy on anti-emetics which he did and NO probs.
What nobody told me was that a few hours after surgery my temp would shoot up and I’d sweat like a pig - normal, I’ve now been told but was worried at the time. Also the next day the tips of my fingers all went white - the beloved didn’t tell me I also had big white circles round my eyes! Also normal I’m told.
From experience, I’d say treat yourself gently and rest following the op. If you have drains fitted, put them in a bag hung round your neck or over yr arm - that way you won’t forget they’re in and leave them on the floor and walk away until they pull - ouch! Try and walk upright and do the b…y exercises.
Don;t think any of you are near me (West London) but, if you are, let me know, Barbara
Hi Ladies, hope you are all well.
Penny, I love your sense of humour - it really does help to be able to laugh about things. It sounds mad but my husband and I spent most of the time laughing when I was having my chemo and then herceptin. I think the nurses thought we were a comedy double act!
I must admit that I’m taking the mx and recon a bit more seriously - just like the rest of you I’m getting a wee bit scared about it all. I’ll be thinking of you guys next Monday, my date is the 29th.
I’m off to Wales tomorrow to see my family and then Sheffield at the weekend to see my in-laws after going to Manchester airport en route to pick up my husband. So if I don’t manage to get onto the internet anywhere - good luck and I hope that your ops go well.
By the way Penny, love your idea of a pajama party! Think I might just have to have one as well!
Will also be looking into the arnica tabs as I am still swollen from my surgery 8 weeks ago (I have a seroma), so hopefully they would help.
Best wishes, Sue xxxx
sue496 have a lovely time with family and just enjoy xx Yes im nervous but making light of such a serious subject does help and it also helps my kids see that even when times are crap a good laugh does wonders xx
Hope you are all ok keep me posted how your gettingng on. According to the surgeon i will only have to stop in hospital overnight as long as there are no complications xxx
Penny
Just checking in to see how everyone’s doing?
I had my bone scan yesterday (and actually fell asleep while they were doing it) and then the meeting with the anaesthetist, so am all ready to report to hospital at 10am on Monday for mx in the afternoon. They told me I could eat a light breakfast before setting out for hospital (a 2 hour trip). Hooray… I knew there was an upside to being diabetic!
Caught sight of myself in the bathroom mirror last night as I was cleaning my teeth, and couldn’t help thinking about how different I’ll look in couple of days.
We’re off for a meal with friends tonight at a fab local restaurant, a kind of going away party for “naughty boob” (as we have christened my soon-to-be-gone left boob, as she failed all of her tests and exams). I plan to wear something outrageous!
How’s the decorating going Penny? Hope you’re holding up OK for Monday. What time is your op scheduled for?
Cathy xx
hi kittiekat not sure what time my op is but i have to be at the hospital for 7am. But they do normally keep you waiting around for a while. Decorating gone on hold for a while it will still be there when ive recovered been focusing on getting house clean beds stripped washing all done so i dont have too much to worry about when i am discharged. Yes im nervous to be frank im thinking about buying extra knickers for the shittigng myself moments!!! Im sure ill be fine its just not one of my favourite things, i have also got to tackle my cigarette smoking im down to 6 a day from twenty but dont seem to have it in me to give up right now. The extra stress of everthing i expect. My bags almost packed although i was contemplating packing a bikini sunglasses and flip flops and pretending im on holiday instead of having surgery but i reckon id end up in a stright jacket !!!
Hope all is well big hugs xxxx xxxx Penny
Hi penny
just want to say I’ll be thinking of you tmrw. Good luck
vickie
x
Hi Penny - all the best for tomorrow, I’m thinking of you. Make sure you’ve packed a good book or a DS or something to get through all the dull waiting around bits - and to keep you company at night if you can’t sleep on the ward. MP3 player would be useful to drown out the background noise.
You’ll be home before you know it. Make the most of today - have a drink and a cig, go for a drive, do something fun to occupy yourself (because you are SO worth it, hehehehe)
Take care hun
Sophie
(aka monoboobed near Salisbury)
Best of luck Penny.xx
Good luck for tomorrow
Marguerite
all the best xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Best of luck, Penny.
Hi
Just want to say good luck to you all undergoing surgery this coming week or so.
I’m one month down the line, had my MX 15th Dec, I noticed your thread and just wanted you too know I will be thinking of you all.
Take Care
Jo x
thankyou for all your support. Im sure ill be fine its just the fear of an operation would of loved a glass of wine tonight but ive stuck with tea boring boring boring lol xxx Operation tic tac tit here i come xxx
Penny xxx
Just got back from visiting family with no internet - so just want to say I really hope all went well with your mx today Penny and Cathy - I was thinking of you.
Jo, hope you are doing well one month down the line.
Take care ladies
Sue xxxxx
hi well its done and im still in hospital!!! not as bad as i thought it would be the fear of the unknown i would say is the worst.not had too much pain after a little tighta little sore but im ok xxx will post as soon as im not so tiredxxx
penny & tic tac xxx
Great to hear that it’s done now Penny. Hope you are back home soon xx
Really pleased it’s done penny, well done, it’s scary but you did it. X
Have a good sleep if you can
vickie
xxx
hi how is everyone doing after surgery not had alot of energy to post xxx
penny
Hi Penny
I’m still a bit stiff, although the phantom nipple twinges have at least stopped. I’ve had a seroma, which they drained, but has come back with a vengeance. It looks almost like I’m trying to grow a perky little new boob, albeit one that extends to under my armpit.
Not that I’m about to complain about any of that though, because…
I went back for my results on Wednesday, and they were better than I dared hope for. They took 25 lymph nodes, and every single one of them is clear! The mx had clear margins, the tumour was exactly 20mm, I’m positive for both oestrogen and progesterone, and negative for HER2.
To say I’m thrilled and relieved would be a bit of an understatement!
So no radiotherapy needed, and they are not sure that I would profit from chemo either. They are going to retest a sample to see if they can get a “score” that would push the statistical results one way or the other, and let me know next Wednesday whether chemo is needed or not.
How about everyone else, how are you all doing?
Cathy xxx