I am 9 days post single mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Everything has been going well since the op, getting gradually better day by day until today! I had the drain taken out yesterday and the reconstruction has swelled to double its size and is agony! Knife searing pain all done my side. I have taken painkillers and saw the bc nurse who said there are no signs of Infection but if it continues to well and be painful to phone 111 or for to my local an and e! My local hospital does not have any breast care specialist services and if drainage is required it is advised not to have it at an and e because of infection risk. I have been so well looked after in hospital and with district nurses but now feel very alone and vulnerable. I thought there would be a post op 24 emergency service not a Friday night packed an and e to wait hours. It may be that this is normal??? But the worry is too much. Has anyone had a similar experience of swelling and pain? Thanks
How are you getting on now?
Hi thank you so much for asking, very kind of you. I am getting better, the pain has reduced significantly but it took 3 days. The swelling is the same. I saw the consultant finally yesterday and he said it is normal although the amount is fluid I have is a lot. This can take 7 weeks to go completely but will reduce significantly in the next week. The worst part was the pain and not knowing what was going on, nobody explained this part to me. We fed this back to the BCN and she apologised. Also being told to ring 111 and them then not being able to help at all was very scary. The BCN also said don’t go near A&E as the infection rate is so high there! An experience I would not want again. Thank you once again for caring x
I’m glad you’re more comfortable now, although it’s great getting home to our own beds instead of staying in hospital we can feel quite abandoned for post op advice especially on the evening and at weekends.
Hey @bluetit11
I agree - I got very little info after leaving hospital after my op. I’ve learnt most things on YouTube which actually is great for prepping for getting home - but not much use if you have a medical question /worry!
In fact my surgeon always operates on a Friday which seems crazy as you then don’t have any support over the weekend. Maybe they need to have more leaflets about common issues because also you’re not always in a good place to remember stuff after your op too 
Hope ur still doing ok 
I hope your swelling has gone down a bit and you’re doing ok . That does sound like a really scary thing to go through without support 
Big hugs 
I’m doing just fine thanks for asking x
My surgeon does Thursday and I was shocked no one even rang on Friday to check on me. Leaflet had some info and told me not to remove paper stitches. When they were still attached and itching like mad 2 weeks later I rang up to be told I could remove them and they were surprised they’d stayed on that long. I had a 7 week wait for my post op due to pathology taking a while I really would have liked a nurse appointment before that.
@bluetit11 ooh that’s a really long time to have been waiting for results as well as aftercare 
They say it’s major surgery, but it doesn’t seem to feel like you’re cared for like that!
I’m lucky then, that I’m being seen again so soon.. though it almost feels too quick to be taking the dressing off - I’m not sure i feel ready yet 
The nurses were lovely when I rang. But each time it was leave a message and wait for a callback. Only weekdays 8-4.
I could really have used someone checking it and reassuring me it was healing well.
Sorry neglected to ask @jellykatbean how she’s doing now?
@bluetit11 I signed up for the Macmillan whatsapp support - have you tried it?
They allocate you someone for 8 weeks that you can message if you’re feeling worried or wobbly. Not medically trained but it’s been really reassuring to have someone there that you can contact who will really listen - and guide you if you do need medical help.
Maybe that would be helpful @jellykatbean?
I’m probably past that point now as I’ve finished treatment but it does sound like a helpful thing.
@bluetit11 I’m really glad you’re coping ok
It sounds like some people also feel kindof abandoned after their treatment finishes but they’re still licking their wounds so to speak. It’s good to know it’s there if you need it 
Hi this sounds very good. I will investigate. Thank you.
How are you now?
Well the truth is not very well. I feel so angry with the lack of support from the breast care nurses and the whole team. I my breast is like a football, so hard and uncomfortable. They aspirated it 2 days ago and sent me home, it then leaked everywhere when I was out at the shop. The liquid was bloodstained. So frightening and no one to speak to because they close at 5.30pm! District nurse I phoned said stick a sanitary towel on it! So I have seen no one. It stopped leaking but has refilled so not sure why they aspirated. Phoned them today and the stupid nurse said we can’t do anything. It may pop and the wound may give way but this happens. If it does just dress it with sterile dressings. Any sign of infection and go to A and E. I am so shocked by all of this. I had no idea beforehand that a seroma was a risk or indeed what a seroma would be like. I said how long will it go on, she said how long is a piece of string. No compassion, care… shocking and frightening. I would not have had reconstructive surgery if I had known this. I haven’t had my cancer results yet, they are next week. The service is appalling. I am not sure what other peoples experiences in my local area have been but I cannot be the only one!
Thank you for asking and caring. It is such a weird time, starting to feel quite low. Sorry to moan 
@jellykatbean Sounds like you’ve had an absolutely awful time of it and there is nothing worse than receiving no compassion and feel brushed off by your team if you’re suffering and frightened
It’s also horrible to worry that you’ve made the wrong choice in treatment 
I’m sure you will get through this, but do phone the helplines at either Macmillan or BreastCancerNow. They will take your worries seriously and should be able to give you advice and reassurance.
I’m still really sore after my mastectomy which I thought would ease after 2 weeks and my skin feels like it’s welded to my chest at the incision and I feel like a right whinger moaning about it! You have every right to moan!
Big very gentle hug 
When was your mastectomy?
@jellykatbean Mine was July 3rd, but I was told last Wednesday they found a small 5mm area of Invasive DC amongst my large 5cm lump of DCIS I have to go back into surgery on the 24th to have my sentinel nodes taken just to be sure it hasn’t spread I was really hoping to avoid that as I have a very physical job 
I’m still processing the first surgery - I thought i might be granted a miracle and that would be it, but the cancer conveyor belt continues…
How are you today?