Hi everyone, I had my mastectomy on Tuesday and I am doing well. I have only taken one pain killer since being home and my drains are doing well. Should I feel so good?
I have got to go back Friday for my results and I am worried it has spread past my lymph nodes. I had them removed as when I was tested it had effected the one they took biopsy from. Anyone offer any advice. Thanks
Hi
I had lymph node clearance as rogue cells were found in one node . I waited three weeks for results after lumpectomy looking back I don’t know how . In the end those cells turned out to be all there was - massive relief . Wishing you the same and good luck x
Soniat, the worrying is just part of this disease . Quite natural for you to wonder, what if…but until you are told something different then hang in there that everything is ok. I also did really well after my op, and my drain came out in record time. The trick is to stay positive, and that way you are more resilient. Good luck for a speedy recovery. X
Hi Sonia
It’s great that you feel well after major surgery - not everyone is knocked for six. So enjoy it and try not to look for things to get anxious about (though I will never drink a raspberry smoothie again!).
You can be reassured that, if they’ve done an axillary clearance (removing some or all of the lymph nodes), there will be no more risk from that area. I wasn’t even offered radiotherapy in that area. They initially test the sentinel node and remove some or all nodes if that biopsy comes back positive. Mostly, none or a small number are affected but I was unlucky - I had 19 our of 21 nodes affected. Better to know than not. This factor influences the range of treatments you have and the further tests they may do, such as a CT scan and a bone scan, because obviously they need to check there’s been no spread. If there has, the treatments are further adjusted. I’m writing this so phlegmatically when the whole experience was a mini-hell but that’s the value of hindsight 
all sorted :)
You are at the early end of what will feel like an interminable process but you’re already showing the resilience that makes it easier to get through so good luck with what lies ahead and I hope you get good results on Friday. Focus on those exercises for now!
Jan x