Hello everyone, I’m new to the forum but have found some of the topics really useful.
So I had a lumpectomy two weeks ago and had lymph nodes removed.
I was very positive and pragmatic but since the operation i found that ive had nothing but issues and its really got me down.
Ive had an infection in the arm pit wound which was pumping disgusting brown liquid all weekend. Thankfully the antibiotics have kicked in now and its looking better.
Ive also developed an issue whereby the arm pit where ive had the lymphs removed from is pouring with sweat and I absolute stink of BO.
I can literally wash it and within 5 minutes its smelling as if i havent washed it for weeks.
Ive managed to shave it so that theres no hair keeping the smell in but its an ongoing thing.
I felt so positive initially and now i feel really weepy and fed up.
I know its only a minor issue and im trying to keep things in perspective but i think this may be the straw that broke the camels back so to speak!
Your post is very similar to one I was about to write! I also had my lumpectomy and lymph node removal 2 weeks ago and await my results on 18th June.
I have remained relatively positive until today when I seem to have hit the proverbial brick wall. I have developed a seroma which is uncomfortable, but I am assured is very normal. My fatigue is off the scale but I have seemed to do well until now.
So please don’t think you are the only one, we are fighting this together. Maybe some of the longer members could provide some reassurance
I had terrible body odour after surgery and during chemo and thought it was to do with the drugs. It could be the drugs from surgery, painkillers nd the antibiotics.
I also swapped my Mitchum deodorant for a natural eco one called Wild. I have the sensitive and it works wonder. I read some where that if you stop anti perspirant it can take 2 weeks for you’re body to adjust and you can get very smelly.
I notice you said you’ve shaved, I’m hoping it was with an electric shaver as I was warned not to use a real blade because of risks of cutting yourself and causing infection which can cause lymphoedema ( higher risk if lymph nodes removed).
Fatigue is real, be kind to yourself, rest when you need to, get help from others. My emotions are all over the place and I’m a year from diagnosis, still having Herceptin every 3 weeks, Letrozole daily and zoledronic acid infusions for my bones every 6 months for the next 3 years.
This forum is a very supportive place to share and offer support.
You could call your breast surgeon team or breast care nurse to chat this through. Or BCN nurses
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As you are new to the forum here are some other useful links
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Younger Women Together: For people 45 and under. You can choose the support that suits you: online, one day or 2 day residential events. Find an event.
Moving Forward: Finishing treatment can be hard, and it can be difficult to move forward with your life. You can access our support online or face-to-face. Our online information hub and Moving Forward journal provide extra ideas and information. Courses run over 2 weeks, with 2 3.5hr sessions. Or trained facilitators and volunteers are there to help. Find a course near you.
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BECCA: Our free app is your pocket companion to primary breast cancer.
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Secondary breast cancer is full of uncertainties. But you can count onLiving with Secondary Breast Cancer to be there for you, no matter what. You’ll be able to talk, listen and learn with people who understand the challenges that secondary breast cancer brings. Our groups are open to people with a secondary diagnosis. Monthly sessions, facilitated by a therapist, are held in a variety of locations across the UK and online. Find a group. And if you are 45 or under? Our Younger Women with Secondaries Together events provide information and support
LiveChat: Open to people with a secondary diagnosis. A private chat room where you can talk to others in a similar situation.
Access Fund – all our events are free, but if you need help getting there or accessing our services, let us know. Email us at accessfund@breastcancernow.org or call 0345 077 1893.
No, I’m not a ‘sitter’ either so doing nothing doesn’t come easy!
I feel like I have told everyone pre and post op that I was doing fine I can’t possibly feel like this now.
At least if we are both feeling like this it must be normal… ish. Think we’ve just both misplaced our positive pants today x
It’s impossible to feel positive all the time so don’t beat yourselves up . Everyone expects that you will feel great after surgery but the relief only takes you so far and when you you have a complication it can really bring you down and it’s frustrating when you want to get back to normal activity and you just can’t. The whole process of being referred , then waiting for diagnosis then waiting for treatment and trying to absorb everything is exhausting and stressful even before you get to anaesthetic and surgery - not surprising if you’re exhausted. I didn’t have an infection or a seroma but I did feel that some deodorants including ones I used to use didn’t work as well as before . I wanted to go to a natural deodorant and Wild is the best one I’ve tried so far and I’m still using Dove because that still works .
I also tried to rush to get back to normal activity and fell over and sustained a rotator cuff injury which still flares up 2 years on. Find a way to be kind to yourselves , rest if you can listen to Headspace ,try to catch up with good friends if you’re able .
Welcome to the forum, we have all been there now we are here for you, so sorry you are have a few. problems at the moment.
Firstly, we done for getting this far with your surgery and treatment, what I would like to say most of us diagnosed with breast cancer, which is always a shock because we are not feeling poorly and then comes along the treatment which can be painful and uncomfortable, making us feel very upset, anxious and tired.
Please take good care of yourself, one day at a time, breast cancer treatment is not a walk in the park, but I promise it will get better, just sit down when you need to relax, maybe a cup of tea with that special friend.
Hi cbd.
So sorry you’re going through this.
I would talk to your Oncologist regarding this matter, they really do listen & advise, even if you think it’s a minor thing. Or as said in another reply, try the Nurses on this forum. We’ve all been there & all had different problems along the way. You will get there !!
Keep posting, this forum does help.
Hope you get sorted.
x
