Hi Pat. I hope your op goes ahead this time as I know you just want to get it done. I am really swollen under my arm but I think this will get better through time. I will keep taking the pain killers meantime. I still have one drain in but that comes out tomorrow. I also get my results on Thursday this week. I will let you know how that goes after your op. I will talk to you before then.
if anyone knows of anything that helps with the swelling, please let me know.
Thanks x
Hi Melrose15 and all the other wonderful ladies on this thread. I have dipped in and out of the forums over the last few weeks having been diagnosed with BC on the 25th March. Stumbled across this thread this morning and as I also had an MX and ANC on the 17th april thought I’d come on board.
Melrose15 seems like you and I are in a very similar position I had to have an MX as I too had 2 lumps in opposite quadrants and a positive node.after the initial shock and then ongoing stress of scans and waiting for results (clear thank god) I feel in pretty good shape. I meet with my surgeon on Wednesday afternoon for post op results which I’m pretty scared about, feels like the last hurdle before the long road to recovery.
My one question is did anyone here have a problem with seroma/ fluid build up after their drains were taken out? To be honest my drains didn’t ever seem to do a great job. One was taken out after leaving the hospital - I was in 1 night. The other after 4 days as it started to leak. I already had quite a build up of fluid around the scar area before drains were removed which has increased but the nurses have said unless it gets unbearable better to wait for my post op appt on Wednesday and see if my surgeon wants it drained. I look like I’m growing a new boob - which is weird!!!
That aside and the odd down day I’m feeling pretty well/good and wanted to wish you and everyone here well, I don’t know yet what my post op treatment will involve but very likely Chemo and Rads so would be great to have a few online friends to join me on the journey I think the support we could give each other would be amazing.
Melrose15 and any of the other ladies on this thread if you want to ‘compare notes’ or offload your stresses with someone going through the same thing PM me.
Xx
Hi Aly, lovely to hear from you.
Ive had my wound drained twice now as it become unbearably painful. Such a relief once it’s been drained. The bcn also removed my dressings however I’d had a reaction to the plaster and had blisters. She dressed it again and I have been given extras so atleast I can bath and shower then redress the wound. Today was my first outing with a bra and softie 
really pleased I made the leap as its really boosted my confidence.
I have my results Thursday. Hoping alls gone ok and I can move on with the treatment. There’s a thread called ‘May moonbeams’ with ladies starting chemo in May. Come along and join in. It’s so lovely to have support and talk to others going through the same.
Where are you based Aly?
Xx
Thankyou Emma, I’ve discovered May Moonbeams and posted on there and saw your also on that thread. I can see its going to be an amazing source of support over the next few weeks/months. Good to hear you got your wound drained but sorry that you’d had a reaction to the plaster. My dressing comes off on Wednesday, desperate to see what’s going on underthere as well as getting it drained. Thankfully it’s not been too painful but think that’s because I was an E cup before and there was plenty of room for the fluid to collect!. I’ve worn the bra and softie a few times and it definitely helps with the confidence / normality, it’s been funny trying the get the stuffing level right. I’m based in Hackney east London and having my treatment at Barts.
Good luck for Thursday,
Aly x
Hello Kathleen and Symcha, thank you for your good wishes, my op is going ahead this Thursday 2nd May, help!!! they passed me fit yesterday, I still have a slight cough and feel achey but they say it is not on my chest, so they know best. I am really nervous now, I just want it to be Friday, I expect you all felt they same. I hope you are feeling more comfortable Kathleen and the swelling has gone down, onwards and upwards as they say. Take care. Pat Xxx
I had my op on the 3rd and went home the following day with my drain in I had to empty it twice a day then on the 5th day they took it out in clinic and since then I have had it drained twice a week by the nurse last week there was very little left after she drained it and now I don’t think there is a great deal left to drain off I shall go and see my surgeon net week so maybe she will drain it again its good to see you are all feeling better and moving on from your ops lots of hugs
Hilary
Hi Ladies
Just wanted to check in. Pat and Assisi I hope you are recovering as well as can be expected.
Its interesting how different hospitals work. Some have drains, some don’t. Some drains stay in for 3 days, some 5. Some hospitals drain the fluid others don’t. I wonder how they determine what they believe to be best practise?
I’m on day 17 post op and having had my wound drained twice the fluid that remains seems to be subsiding. I am still on pain killers especially at night. Have to sleep propped up on three pillows and on my back.
The hypersensitvity in my arm is eased by gently massaging E45 cream in twice a day. I can lift my arm to the side slightly higher than my shoulder, however it’s easier to the front. I definitely am unfit to drive or return to work. I’m hoping to see a big difference in the next week as its seems to be a slow healing process. I don’t know whether thats because I had an ANC or that’s the case with all mx cases.
My wound is healing nicely except for a blister that was a reaction to the dressing, this seems to be refusing to heal.
I am hoping I make a May Moonbeamer as it feels like we are forever waiting for the next episode to start! And I’m keen to get a move on!
Take care. Big gentle hugs xx
Hello everyone, well op over and so far so good. I had MX and reduction on good side, I stayed in 3 nights, my surgeon wanted me to, she redressed the good side on Sunday and was over the moon with the results. I came home later that day, I did not need any painkillers for my wounds, just had a few paracetamol to help clear my head because of my cold. I have worn a bra and softee since leaving hospital, I feel tired because i can’t sleep very well, due to having to lay on my back. I am going back for a wound check tomorrow and get my results on Monday. My sister has come from the Isle of Wight to pamper me, which is lovely, I am not allowed to do anything!!! Hope all you girls are ok, the biggest message I have taken from this site is that it is all doable, we have to be positive. Take care eeveryone love n hugs Pat Xxxx
Hi Pat
lovely to hear you’re doing well. I can’t believe you’ve been wearing your bra and softie. You’re much beaver than me!
Are you pleased with your uolifted boob? I had a breast reduction when I was 19. I remember feeling so happy with my new pert C cups. Now my good boob is beginning to drop through lack of support! I’ll be hoping for an up lift when i have reconstruction otherwiseotherwise I’ll have one saggy 40 yr old boob and one pert 20 yr old one!!
Hope you’re recovery continues to be good and your results are what you want to hear. if you need chemo I’ll probably see you in Junes thread when it starts
Gentle hugs
Emma xx
Hello Emma, thanks for your good wishes. I am fine, I get very tired and I don’t have a lot of energy but otherwise it’s all good. I love my new boob, a ‘c’ cup I don’t think I’ve ever been that size, my Surgeon grafted my nipple back on and was so pleased with her work, she showed all her team. I am worried about my results on Monday and just hope it’s what I want to hear.
I am sorry your chemo has been delayed, if you’re anything like me you just want to get on with your life again. It will be good though that you are with me when I start mine.
take care love Pat Xxx
Hi ladies
just checking in to see how you’re all coding after your ops xx