Had my lumpectomy three weeks ago. i had the blue dye and wire. had my histology on the 8th which was better than i thought it would be. clear margins, 1.6mms, hormone status ER+, HER2-, no lymph nodes involved and no cancer in the blood vessels in the breast, grade 1. Am more sore now in the wounds even though i have had them checked. not to mention the weird feeling in the back of my armpit. i had 13 nodes removed and have full movement of my arm. am starting rads on the 5th and am having tamoxofen. just wish these uncomfortable sensations would subside a bit. but reading on this forum makes me realise what brave and lovely ladies are enduring. what a comfort to share with you all this journey of only we know of - unfortunately. love to all xxxx
It seems to go that way - not too much pain at first then a week or so later as the nerves return to life they let you know that they’re not happy at having been messed about with! And the armpit and back of your shoulder feel numb and strange, then later they start buzzing and tingling, which tends to be most annoying at night and keeps you awake. Ask you GP for some help with the nerve pain since it’s likely to continue for months. I was prescribed Amitriptyline at a very low dose, 20mg per day, taken before going to bed because it also helps you sleep. Some people take Clonidine but I found that gave me a very dry mouth so had to stop that. Some GPs aren’t clued up on BC, if that’s the case with yours ask your BCN for advice.
Sarah x
How I hate the weird, numb feeling- almost puts me off showering! Get your wounds checked as often as you want to reassure you, I did. Just as I thought the feelings wouldn’t go they did (although my boob feels ‘heavy’ sometimes). Wendy x
Thank you girls for your kind advice. Am rubbing on Ralgex, massaging and doing my arm exercises as I type this. You are right. The wounds are fine for a week or so, then they let you know they dont like the intrusion - nor do I (we). xxx
Not sure that Ralgex is a great idea since that adds heat to the area, but the exercises are good. I would definitely stop using Ralgex well before rads and use something gentle and moisturising regularly in preparation for the rads treatment, like aqueous cream, and continue using tons of it during treatment. Your skin will dry out during rads so you want to give it a head start.
Sarah x
i will take your kind advice as you know more than I do - am a novice but learning fast. What would I do without this forum and the girls on it to learn from. Also am going to get some products from = I think its called = Penny Brohn website. They have a shop that you can buy online or phone.
There are so many ladies that I have spoken to that wont have mammograms at a certain age and never have. They are so fearful of the mamogram machines and look what we have all been through! Take care. xx
Penny Brohn stuff is great. My SIL sent me some as she lives in Bristol. The upside of all the moisturising is that my hands look great as never bothered to use handcream regularly. Wendy x
Thanks for that will definately get some.
Hey even though I havent started my rads yet or taken Tamoxofen I am post op over three weeks and am still suffering from fatigue. I go out shopping (was a shopoholic) and have had enough after a couple of hours and no interest. Anyone else feel like this?
Hi springblossom,
Glad to hear your op went ok, and that your pleased with your results, I had my WLE on the 8th Oct, and still have numbness down the back of my arm, I was told by my onc, yes, we have to cut through nerves there’s no avoiding it, so think I will just have to live with it, I’m currently having rads - 10 left! - so will finish Xmas eve, I’m totally with you on the shopping front, feel all ready for it, get in town and just want to go home!,
Start using aqueous cream on your skin in preparation for rads, it really does help your skin. Hope all goes well with your treatment , keep in touch x
its early days and this is a long journey but its made easier by comparing notes and swapping ideas. I hate the smell of that acquerous cream (spelling) used to wear Kalvin Klien body lotion now using that makes me smell of hospitals!!! Not a high price to pay for comfort.
Keep in touch too xx