Ruthus,
I got back from hospital on Wednesday. Operation went fine, but I’m very stiff and sore down my left side. Lymph nodes tested negative for cancer so great news.
Will be going back to see the consultant next Wednesday to see what happens next.
Never want to go through anything like that again! The first night and day after the operation were awful. So sore, tubes everywhere, unable to move without any assistance, so bored as unable to do anything. The next few days were better as tubes gradually came out, the pain eased and I was able to move around. Had lots of visitors, which helped. Loads of cards arrived from friends and I was next to the window so had them all along the windowsill. 5th floor so good view of Crystal Palace, Tooting, Croydon and St Helier.
Girls are gald to have me back but still can’t do anything for them. My mum and dad are here until the weekend so are doing all the cooking and school runs. Can only sleep propped up as it is too painful to lie down.
Hope all is going well with you and your recovery is fine.
Valentine
Hi Valentine
Just logged on for the first time. Great to hear from you and glad all went well for you. All went well with my op too - surgeon very pleased. First 2 days grim as sick from anaethetic. Then once up and about it began to improve. Totally agree - something I want never want to go through again!!
Had no appetite so couldn’t eat all the lovely stuff that everyone bought in. I was on the 5th floor too - had my own room and wonderful views over Reading to watch the rain and the lightening. The staff were amazing - the nurses just are the most incredible people and made me feel cherished and secure. They all came to sing me happy birthday with a cake on Tuesday and my daily visitors kept me feeling very loved. Came out on Thursday along with my last drain - you did really well to come out on Wednesday.
I have had so many cards, flowers and gifts that it makes me choked up. Seeing the children was the best feeling ever - I missed them dreadfully.
Am sore now but moving around ok. I do get very tired so plonk down for a sleep at the drop of a hat. Went to a seroma clinic this am to be told that I don’t need to have fluid drained so that’s good I think. My shoulder is very sore but the nurse this am says she thinks I have a ‘winged shoulder blade’ which is common apparently and will settle down. It all looks very good and the bruising and swelling is settling down. I will see my consultant tomorrow (Tues) for results of everything and then future care plan so am keeping all crossed and for you too for Wednesday.
Really glad you’re doing well. Very gentle cyber hug to you - cheek to cheek with no back patting!!
lol
Ruthus xxxxxx
Yes - why do people hug so hard? Even when they think they’re being gentle. I need a badge saying “All love, no hugs”
Still it is great to have visitors. My living room could win first prize at Chelsea Flower show.
Can now get comfortable lying flat in bed and last 2 nights have slept right through. Still need my afternoon nap though.
Glad you are home now. We had a takeaway and toasted in Coke for the first stage of treatment being over.
Have been lead to believe that chemo is unavoidable, so am steeling myself up for it.
Good luck for today.
Valentinexxx
Hi Valentine
Hope you had good results today. Glad your sleeping too - think that’s v important. Afternoon nap compulsory!!
I went in yesterday to have some good some bad news. The good is that they believe it is all DCIS which is non invasive cancer. However the bad is that they have not got it all and I have to go back in for another op this Friday - eek!! I was starting to feel partly normal again and now will have to rewind - they want to do a WLE. Then will get results another week after that - so still don’t know final treatment plan. So went to hospital this am for another pre-op assessment. I managed to persuade them that I don’t need to be there til Fri am as they wanted me in Thurs pm - it’s my twin daughters birthday this Thurs so that was a big no no!! I told them I’d get up in the middle of the night if I have to just as long as I can be here for my girls.
Your takeaway and coke sounds good - I think it’s a good idea to stop and take stock at each stage. Not sure which one I’m at at the mo but confess to having some red wine last night as I was a tincy wincy bit pissed off!! I am keeping everything crossed for you.
Now all the bruising has settled down and dressings are off I can’t believe it all looks so good. What do you think? I do feel a bit like my ribs and boob are really tight but i guess that will settle down. They don’t think that there a problem with the shoulder so it’s certainly easier to lay and sleep now than it was at first. I just hope a revisit will be ok for it but hey when you have no choice you just have to get on with it. I am told it’ll be a 45 min op so hopefully the anaesthetic will not make me so bad this time.
So I’m getting there bit by bit. Really hope all good with you.
Ruthus xxxx
Ruthus,
Totally sympathise about more surgery. It must be a real blow.
I must confess I was really upset the first time I saw myself in the mirror. My breast is so swollen, the nipple is missing and my back is scarred and bruised. My husband assured me that he loves me as I am, and would prefer me healthy, rather than “whole” and cancerous. Lovely man. My girls have also seen it and reacted as if it were normal, which has helped me to accept it too. The last dressings came off yesterday and it does look slightly better for that. I’m also feeling better today. I managed a small amount of ironing, this morning and will soon be taking my daily walk to the corner shop for a paper.
My cancer was graded a 3, but they are sure it is all out and hasn’t spread to any lymph nodes. I will be back in 2 weeks (my duaghter’s 12th birthday!) to see the oncologist and discuss chemotherapy. The good news is no radiotherapy, but then it will be Tamoxifen for 5 years.
As you say one thing at a time, and I’m planning a small celebration after each round of chemo.
Hope the surgery gets it all this time and happy birthday to your girls!!
Valentine xxx
Hi Valentine
Hope all is good with you and your lovely tribe.
I have just got out of hospital after rather a horrid time. Last Friday’s op went well and I came out really well and all fine on that front. But Sat morning developed pneumonia and had to be admitted to intensive care on Sunday for two days, then back to the ward for a few more days before they would let me out. Those nurses are definitely Angels. Came home yesterday. Feel rather dazed and headachey - never felt so poorly in my life. I had a temp of 40.5 which just would not shift. Thank god I was in the best place. Anyway - one episode that I hope is well and truely over. So it’s results on Tuesday. Hope we’ve got the little bugger this time!!
Have you had any more appts mtgs etc?? Anything to report?
How are you feeling physically? It all seems to be settling down - still a bit niggly on my shoulder but I guess lying down for another op etc hasn’t helped. How is your shoulder? It all feels rather tight but that’s improving. Managing to sleep through the night which is good.
How do you lie in bed? Are you still using any pillows? I expect you might be a bit ahead of me. What excercises are you doing? When have you been told you can start driving again?
Will sign off as feel a little squiffy!!
Lots of Love Ruthus xxxxxxxxx
Ruthus,
What a terrible time for you. Make sure you take things easy and get lots of rest.
Mine has been straightforward. I’ve been sitting around the house for days, reading and doing gentle housework.
Still slightly swollen but my “bionic boob” is starting to wobble a bit. Looks strange when I lie down on my back, the normal one disappears but the other one doesn’t. My underarm is also swollen, but improving slowly.
I’ve been doing my exercises, as recommended by the physiotherapist and movement is improving, still can’t raise my arm all the way.
Spent most of this morning at the hospital discussing chemotherapy. It’s now up to me to decide which form to take. Have no idea. Have posted questions on this site to see if anyone else can help me. I’ll be having the first dose on 20th August so am going to spend the next 2 weeks enjoying the summer holidays with my family. Have no holidays booked but a day at the coast would be great, dying to see WallE, have heard it is a great film. Will also be meeting various friends for lunch while I still feel good.
Can now sleep on my back but have a pillow at my side to prop my arm on and keep it raised while I’m lying on my side, bit like when I was pregnant. I’m still needing an afternoon nap most days so don’t be surprised if you are feeling very tired. After what you’ve been through you’ll need loads more rest.
My eldest is 12 today so we’ll be going to Pizza Hut later.
Hope all goes well with you and your family,
Love Valentine xxx
Hi Valentine
It’s really good to hear from you.
I know what you mean by afternoon nap - feel like I did when I was pregnant and happily loose a couple of hours as soon as I lay on my bed!! We had the offer earlier in the month from one of my OH’s aunts to have the children for a couple of weeks. We weren’t sure at the time but took the plunge and so they go off to South Africa tomorrow to stay with Polly and her tribe. My mother in law and sister in law are both going too. I am so jealous but it will give me precious time to recuperate and get back to being ‘normal mummy’ again. I miss my old energy!! So when they get back I should be able to drive again and be much more myself. They have become rather fearful when I mention hospital as I was only supposed to be in for a day or so for op 2 and I disappeared for a week. I just want them to feel reassured that life can be the same as it was before this all hit us.
I had good news at last yesterday. I saw the consultant and have been given the all clear. My cancer was DCIS and the problem we had was getting it all. So yesterday was going to be either rads or all clear. I don’t think it as sunk in yet. They want to keep an eye on me from a surgical perspective but I can now say that I had cancer. Feels like this has been going on forever!!
I am sorry not to be able to offer any wise words on the chemo front. What are you options? and how long will each take? I think you’re right to take some real time out to relax and get ready for it. I wish you all the luck in the world with your decision making.
I have been offered an appointment for physio at our local hospital so I am going to go along and see if they have any hints and tips for shoulders, arms etc. I too am sleeping propped on a pillow because my shoulder feels ‘big’ but looking in the mirror it isn’t. It’s probably all the nerve endings sorting themselves out. I will pass any advice on that they give.
How do you like the look of your new boob now? Now the bruising from op 2 has settled down it looks great but still hard. I guess I’ll get some wobble in the next few weeks!! I have discovered that I can sleep on one side with a pillow propping up the bionic boob - just like pregnancy again. It’s quite nice to have 2 positions!!!
Wish your daughter a very Happy Birthday. Have a lovely evening.
much love Ruthus xxxxxxxxx