Post op & twice the size

Hi
I had my WLE & SNB nearly 2 weeks ago and at first was fine, now I’m huge on the one side due to bruising of the muscle anyone else had this problem and how long can I expect to be like this anti inflammatories don’t seem to be working. Don’t get my results until 6th am I worrying about nothing?

Hi
Had WLE & SNB on April Fools Day - difficult to get people to believe you, when you have an op that day and are going to be radioactive and blue! Went home with my drain still in and when it came out I grew and grew. It reminded me of breast feeding (if you have experienced this) so it did not bother me at first, but then it even hurt to have my arm down by my side and sleeping was terrible because the weight of it made it ache unless I laid flat on my back. I tried to lie in the bath but too big to get submerged on that side. Are you sure it is not still fluid? Mine just suddenly started to ache less and then gradually deflated like a souffle, a blue souffle as I cannot get rid of the colour. It helped if I did gentle exercise but did not do much else with that arm and didn’t lean on it. Hope you feel better and fingers crossed for your next visit. I am going on the TACT 2 trial and am waiting to hear on 6th what delights I will be having over the next 6 months with the chemo.
Take care x

Hi Lily200
Nice to hear from you yes I do remember the breast feeding feeling and you’re right. The BCN checked and said it wasn’t fluid just badly bruised muscle- just my luck! The swelling is beginning to subside a bit now and its just the burning sore sensation down the top part of my arm and in my armpit thats frustrating, I’m doing the exercises but I feel really sore and wearing crop tops, bras or anything like is very irritating still I’m coping with it and am just waiting for tues for my results. I haven’t heard of theTACT 2 trial what is that?

Hi Dozey

Had my WLE and SNB 10 days ago. Wounds healed OK but like you now got the burning and sore sensation in armpit and down my underarm and painful when I put my arm by my side. Very sore in bed at night so still taking a pain killer before going to bed. I’m also still doing the exercises. Managing to wear a very soft bra. If no better tomorrow going to ring my BCN. Getting my results on the 9th. Good luck with yours on the 6th.

Claire xx

Hi Claire
Thanks for your comments Im glad I’m not the only one feeling the burn, I e- mailed the BC nurse on line on this site and she rang me the next day she was very helpful and not to depress you but she said it could last up to 12 weeks! I’ve been recommended to put loads of aqeous cream on and I’m doing that, it cools it for a bit and keeps the area moisturised which I’m told is good if you have to have radiotherapy. Hope your resultds are good on the 9th will let you know mine after tomorrow.
Take Care
Maggie x

Glad to hear that the soreness in the arm in normal - my upper arm feels like its been trampled by an angry herd of elephants (mind you that might be what happend in surgery!!)
The wounds have healed well - and i’m fiding Aloe vera works wonders with the skin & soreness. And Arnicca for bruising But I too have to take a pain killer before bedtime.
Its so frustrating - when will it end?
I’m sat here wishing time away - results day again on Wednesday.

Leesha

Hi Maggie and Leesha

Going to try the aqueous cream tonight and going to get some Aloe Vera tomorrow. 12 weeks!!! Don’t know if I can stand it! Will be thinking about you tomorrow Maggie and you too Leesha for Wednesday.

Claire xx

Had my results great news I’m clear now lymph nodes not affected it was stage 1 have just got to have radiotherapy and hormone treatmentthen yearly checks. Asked specialist how long I can expect to feel stringy sensation and burning on arms and she said it’s variable but can in some cases be up to 6 months but regular exercising helps to get it back to normal. Thanls Leesha for the tip on Aloe Vera and arniocae cream my bruising has almost gone but will get some anyway as it’s still bruised internally.
Take care both I will keep logging in to see how you’re doing and hope that your results are as good as mine.
Maggie x

Great news Maggie, now you can celebrate and get on with your life!
Take care
Claire xx

Thanks Claire hope your news on friday is just as good I’m rooting for you, be strong I’m sure that keeping positive helps.
Keeping my fingers crossed
Maggie xx

Great News Maggie - am glad
Mine results had a miced bag
Good news was the lymph nodes are clear
Bad news the tumour was 5.5cm and grade 3 plus the srrounding tissue seems to be showing extensive signs of precancer.
Has a choice another op. to shave yet more out and then wait another 10 days for yet more results of which there was less than 50% chance of the margins coming back clear.

Or go for masectomy - So now booked back in for 23rd May - So will need to stock up on Arnica & Aloe Vera (have been given so many aloe vera plants now lets hope I can keep them alive - I’m not very good with plants)

Funny thing is by giving me the choice I feel slightly more in control.
Unfortunately I dont get away with no further treatment - so have chemo & radiotherapy to look forward to too.

But I am always of the opinion that ‘the glass is half full’

Good luck for friday Claire thinking of you

Leesha

Hi Maggie and Leesha

Got my results today - good news, although the tumor has been upped to a Grade 2 (10mm) have got clear margins and no lymph involvement. Waiting for confirmation from MDT on Monday that I won’t benefit much from having chemo but will be having rads and Tam as er+/pr+ but prob not having Zoladex. (Have got inflamation in lumpectomy wound so on antibiotics for a week).

Leesha - good news about no lymph involvement but sorry you’re having to have additional surgery. Have you decided which option you’ll go for? Are you able to discuss all the ins and outs with anyone? Keep your chin up Leesha, thinking about you and sending positive vibes your way.

I’m not much good at growing plants so can’t offer any help on that one but my Mum has an aloe vera plant that she keeps on the window sill in the kitchen which is in full sun and fairly hot - seems to be doing OK. Perhaps some of the ladies here can give you some advice!!!

Maggie - hope you’re getting back on a track a bit now. What a rollercoaster, eh? I feel totally shattered now. How you doing?

Take care
Claire xx

thanks Claire

Due to the improbability of clear margind being found - decided masectomy one op not two already had two so far in space of three weeks!!!

Have decided not to reconstruct straight away (due to rad treatment) but its def a possibility especially as they will reduce the other one to match (ace )

Luckily I do have a very good network of folks around to chat to and laugh with.
Am ok and def on a positive note at the moment - almost as if by choosing I have a little control.

Leesha

Leeshad & Valkyrie
Hi both Leesha sorry to hear that you have to have to have further surgery and am sure it will all go well for you and it’s good that you have a good network of friends around you to support you. I will be thinking of you and wishing all my best as I know how lucky I am only having to have radiotherapy and hormone treatment I got the arnica and aloe vera by the way thanks for the tip.
Claire, glad that you have had good news and even though its been upgraded to 2 there’s no lymph involvement so that’s a positive. Do you know when you’re starting your rads yet? I am waiting for my appt to come through so we may be going through it at the same time we’ll have to compare notes!
Take care both speak to you soon
Maggie xx

Thanks Maggie - Looks like I need to go and stock up on Arnica again!!! should get discount for buying in bulk!!! Good job my sister-in-law works for a health food shop and I use her 10% discount!!!
Am having a really positive weekend - Kids away competing (I can’t drive horsebox at moment so they are in my brothers capable hands!!) I managed to do all the other horses yesterday by myself and didn’t feel frazzled. So off to do them again today then out for lunch with a friend - just what the doc ordered!!
Have a good weekend all

Leesha

Hi Maggie

Have you got a date yet to start your rads? I’m not certain now whether I’ll be having just rads because the Multidisciplinary Team are not decided about whether my hormone tests on the core biopsy are positive enough to benefit from just rads and Tax (er 30%+ pr 50%+) so they’re running the test again this week on the lumpectomy tissue to see if the % has increased. If it’s not then I’ll be having chemo :frowning: I find out on Monday afternoon. Still playing the waiting game.

Take care
Claire xx

omg - heads in a whirl - surgery bought forward to tomorrow - got to be there for 7.3 in morning!!! what an ungodly hour!!!
101 THINGS TO SORT - most important of all rearrange my hair appointment for another week (that hurt!)

be glad to get it done dont get me wrong BUT…

claire hope mondays results are positive and chemo not on the cards.

Leesha

Leesha

Only just seen your post so hopefully surgery will be over now and you’ll be recovering back on the ward. Hope all went well for you and you’re not too sore. Take care and hope to you hear from you soon.

Claire

Valkyrie
Hi Claire Hope results are good on monday and that chemo isn’t needed I’m still waiting for appt for rads like you say it’s a waiting game. Good luck
Maggie x

Leesha
Hope surgery has gone well and that you’re not feeling too bad. Never mind the hair yopu can get it done as soon as you’re feelinng better the main thing is to get you back on track. Take care nad let us know how you’re getting along
Maggie x

Valkyrie
Hi Claire have you had your results and how were they? I do hope you haven’t to have chemo. My rads referral got lost but I had a phone message when I got hoe today to ring them so will do that in the morning and hopefully can get the ball rolling only problem is I go on holiday on 14th so doubt whether I’ll get it in before then. Hoping you are ok
Take care Maggie xx
Leesha
How you doing? hope all is ok with you Take Care Maggie xx