SURGERY AUGUST 2018

Hi Susieone. I had my WLE and SNB on the same day as you… I hope your healing well and that the infection is under control. My lump was also Grade 2 E+ve … being emotional is part of the healing… let it flow. Big gentle hug xx

Hi wombat woo.
Thank you.

Apart from the infection I was doing ok. I have muscle and joint pain from thyroid meds which I can just about manage as it comes and goes, but this infection is getting me down a bit.
I’ll get there I know…
as you had op same days as me when do you get results?
I hope you are recovering well, thanks for hug have a hug from me also xxx

Hi Susieone. I was really lucky and got my results last week. My SNB was clear so here’s keeping everything crossed for you … my surgeon was going on holiday so they held an extra MDT so I think that is why I got them last week ! Let us know when you have your results - if you are happy to share xxx

That’s great wombat woo so pleased you got a clear on your SNB. I will let you know my results I’m happy to share.

What’s next for you now do they tell you what your treatment will be.

Hugs Susan x

Hi Susan. Yes I will have 15 sessions of radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 5-7 years. With annual mammograms at the breast clinic. … Rad’ should start around 6-8 weeks after surgery but this can be longer if healing is slower … I will let you know when I hear xxx

Congrats on your results wombatwoo

Susieone emotions are certainly part of the course. Teary days, angry days, feeling low days they all seem to turn up. Just remember they do pass and you will feel better. It is harder when things don’t go as they are supposed to or as you hoped but the antibiotics should get you back on track, I will cross my fingers for your results tomorrow. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

Belmont Rose you seem to be doing well with a morning gardening! I have read Eleanor Oliphant too and loved it!

I am 12 days post op all seems to be going well. I had the last visit from the district nurse today. She took a plaster off one of the wounds and said all is looking good. So my next appointment is 13th to get my results. Waiting is the pits I am trying to plan lots of things between now and then to keep my mind off of it. My mum is coming to stay tomorrow and bringing our beautiful dog home so they should keep me busy!
Positive thoughts to all xx

It’s so interesting to hear about the different approaches of the various teams when dealing with the issue of drains and other post-op matters. I actually don’t know how big an ostrich egg is, Wombat Woo, but it sounds very large!

I hope the tightness in your foob starts to subside soon, BR. I’m guessing it’s normal for there to be some tightness and swelling on the affected side? I’m certainly hoping so - else I will look very lopsided, as my foob is currently significantly larger than my “real” boob (even with the drain still in place). ?

I spoke with my BCN this morning to ask a few questions and report back on the drain situation. She informed me that it will need to stay in for a little while longer, but that I should still come in tomorrow to get my wound checked. I’ve not seen the wound properly yet, as there are dressings covering the whole area, so it will be interesting to see what it looks like when it’s uncovered tomorrow.

I completely agree, Quaggie, that it is hard to handle weekends and bank holidays when you need to ask a medical professional some questions! I too had a bit of a wobble over the long weekend. I hope that your BCN has returned your call by now and explained the additional acronym included in your results letter. I’m not able to help decipher the meaning of the letters, I’m afraid, as I’ve not received any results (or even a confirmation of diagnosis) in the post, just lots of appointment letters! ? Best of luck with your re-excision op and your blog.

Love and gentle hugs to all xox

It’s good to hear from you Jane - your experience when you had your darain taken out sounds awful but I’m glad you’re ok now.  I also felt really achy when I had my first hair wash on Sunday (my daughter did it for me leaning over the bath).  She also dried it and straightened it for me which was nice although she wasn’t too impressed when I said she would probably have to do it for the next 4 weeks!  I’m glad you described how your front, side and back felt because it sounds the same as mine and I had been wondering if that is normal.  When people ask me what the pain is like I can only describe it as a really tight feeling like there is somebody inside me stretching all my muscles.  Good luck with your dressing removals!

 

Big hugs to everyone x

Hi 

Haven’t been online for a few days as my daughter was around over the weekend and so much to catch up on. like everyone else i had a down day over the weekend as movement and pain got to me. I think i expected to be able to reduce the pain relief quite quickly but i saw the consutant today and he was impressed that i was only taking paracetemol and iburpofen and nothing stronger. He said it was all healing well and everything was as good as it could be. i went for a walk yesterday and the tummy was stretched more than i have done since the DIEP so by night time it was very sore but recovered well by this morning. I now need to redress my scars/wounds every other day which sounds scary to me but hopefully wont be. At least on the second day i get to shower with the dressings off before applying new ones which sounds like it should be nice. Still need the infernenel tight pants and sports bra 24/7 and this will continue for another 4 weeks.

 

I am 14 days post op and although i moan about pain and movement, it is amazing how far i have improved in those two weeks. Every day it is easier than the last even if the increase is onky small i am adding them up. My tummy feels very tight and stretched so when i stand up it takes a few seconds for it to relax and let me walk upright.

 

I am not sure that i posted that at the end of last week my breast surgeon rang to let me know the breast tissue in the mastectomy breast was completely clear. Lumpectomy done before chemo so it was great news that no more cancer was present. Back in 2001 when i had the previous mastectomy they found another tumour so i was fully expecting more this time. Anyway breast tissue all gone and chemo complete so just the hormone therpahy and herceptin to go now with regard to the cancer. More surgery will be due to balance things up but a lot less major than the one i just had.

 

I am not aware of a team dealing with me as each person seems to act seperately and i act as a go between. The oncologist and breast surgeon talk to each other and the plastic surgeon knows the breast surgeon but not sure there is a team. Does everyone else have a team? 

 

All the best to you all. Sending hugs to those who need emotional support and good wishes to those waiting for results.     

Great to hear your good news, Christine! So pleased that there were no sneaky tumours hiding anywhere.

I had my dressings changed today and the wound looks like it’s healing really well. It was a bit surreal seeing the big scar and no nipple, but looked ok to me. Still have too much fluid draining out, though, so stuck with my drain for the time being. The connection between the tube and the bulb came apart as I was sitting on the couch yesterday - resulting in a weird sound and fluid leakage ? I managed to do some quick work with micropore tape to remedy the situation. The breast care nurse today was impressed with my handiwork and left it as is! Haha I really hope it stays connected now until it gets removed. Seeing the consultant for the pathology results next Tuesday so hoping I can finally get rid of the drain then.

Xox

Afternoon everyone from a sunny South Yorkshire.
I’ve just got back from hospital with…drum roll please…good news.

My cancer was only 4mm and pre cancer made the rest up to 4cm all gone clear margins.
Nodes all clear too. Yay…

Have to wait for infection to clear before they sort rads out but got letrozole to take when done with antibiotics. Which are giving me loose bowls lol.

I will read everyone’s posts after I’ve settled down but a big thanks to everyone who wished me well and your kind words.

Big hugs to you all. Xxx

Christine - it sounds like your tummy feels the same as my back (I had LD flap recon).  I can’t walk very well because when I stand up my back is really tight and I feel as if I can’t stand up straight.  I can’t imagine being able to go for a walk for a long time but I suppose I am only 9 days post op.  I’m also managing on paracetamol and ibuprofen but that’s mainly because I am a big baby when it comes to swallowing tablets and they are the only thing I can get in non tablet form!

 

Hope everyone else is doing ok.

Woohoo Susieone !!! Great news xx

Great news, Susieone! So pleased for you.
Good luck on Friday, Quaggie!
Xox

Wombat woo Thank you xx

Hi Quaggie surgery was the first step after an initial biopsy during my mammogram recall.

Hi Michelle 21 glad you’re healing well. Taking plasters off wounds can be a bit scary and such a relief. Turns out im allergic to plasters so has soft dressings on.
Enjoy your visits and lovely dog. Keep busy the time soon goes. Good luck with your results.

Hugs x

Thank you Ellie’s mum x

Hi Quaggie

Thanks for the advice on tablet swallowing, I might try what you suggest although I would probably just end up eating the smarties!  In answer to your question, Foob does mean false boob.  When I first joined the forum I noticed that a few people seemed to use this term so I started to use it too.

Good luck on Friday Quaggie, I will keep everything crossed for you.
Great news Susie, I’m really pleased for you.
Christine brilliant news that the chemo did it’s jkb and the tissue was completely clear. Great to hear you are recovering well and getting out for walks, however short. I’m full of admiration of you changing your own dressings, I think I would have had to have got my friend who is a nurse to do it for me! Well done!
Hope everyone else doing well xx

We’re all in your corner for tomorrow Quaggie  -  wish you all the best, safe travels, speedy recovery, and we’ll see you when you get back! Hugs x

All the best fot your op quaggie.