Hi kip. Just jumped in from April surgery and being nosey as us ladies do. Glad surgery went well and yes I agree nothing as bad as was expecting. Excersise are really important so keep doing them. I am still doing mine 3/4 times a day and I am 5 weeks post op and waiting g to start rads in June so a few weeks of feeling normalish. By week 3 I could do as much with my left arm as I could my right however I didn’t have a mastectomy but lumpectomy and snb. All fully healed and clean albeit boob is still tender and healing still. Well done and just rest and do the excercise.
One other thing - blue boob. Still there and 5 weeks on my surgeon said with some it fades and disappears others it there for life. Have a feeling mine is the latter. But now have four black tattoo dots ready for rads to go with the blue so it’s dot to dot and finish at the blue dot ?
Kip so pleased to hear from you. It is amazing how you are able to go home so soon. Take it easy now. Big gentle hugs. Kx
And good luck to you Bridget. Think calming thoughts and take some angels in your pocket. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. Big hugs Kx
CDC never compare yourself to other people! This forum is great for mutual support and it is interesting to hear everyone’s progress but we are all different. I had a bad day yesterday after a brilliant week. Take it easy and look after yourself! Well done for getting checked out too. I am really bad at that and just struggle through. I am terrible at excepting I need help. Bloody cancer!!! Much love Kx
Hi everyone, well after being so tired last night wen5 to bed earlier and couldn’t sleep at all, no pain just wide awake and fed up laying on my back, finallly got up and read at 2am,! Oh well can sleep today. Does anyon3 know how long u keep these stockings on for as I forgot to ask ? I think I lay awake worrying ove4 th3 results and wondering why they took 3 nodes instead of just snb one, even tho bcn said not to read anything into it as they were just close by. Mustn’t panic and jump to conclusions I guess, bloody worry gremlins
Hi Kip. I have been taking something to help me sleep, but I still wake very early. It is normal to remove several nodes, so don’t letworry about that. I kept the stockings on while I was mainly in bed, while the drains were in. Once they came out and I was able to dress and go out for a walk I took them off. So 3 or 4 days. If the weather is nice, sit outside and get some fresh air. DO NOT GOOGLE! Catch up with friends and family. I have found writing to people has kept me busy. It is a lost art. Look after yourself! Kxx
Thanks for the sleep tips… Watch this space! My district nurse said I could remove the stockings today as I was up and about thank goodness that wasn’t a good look! One boob, white stockings and a drain whatever next!!!
Glad you are home Bridget. What an awful experience with the bolshy surgeon. Your opinion is of utmost importance and should always be taken into consideration! Not surprised you’re feeling furious. Good thing it was his colleague who did the actual op. Look after yourself and get plenty of rest. Thinking of you xx
Glad to hear from you Bridget and so sorry about your bolshy surgeon. He sounds like a throwback from a past era and not what we expect nowadays. Anyway rest up and concentrate on your recovery. Gentle hugs Kx
Well done Bridget you did it! Glad you’re home too and not feeling too bad? I had a better night’s sleep, 7 solid hours so feeling better today. Went on trip to Tesco today although I stayed in the car but was good to get out. Found it really helps to walk around, I find my back gets stiff otherwise. Still got my drain but hopefully out tomorrow, but scared of that,but taking heart from the others who said it was ok. Have a good rest ladies XX
Bridget I am so sorry you have had this additional stress to deal with. If you feel up to it I would complain to the BMC. It would help to get it off your chest (ha ha!!).
In addition you do need to know that it is perfectly normal to be super emotional. Anaesthetic does make you weepy. You have been through a lot. Please contact your BCN and get her advice too.
Thinking of you an sending you very gentle hugs Kx
Hello Bridget, omg you sound as though you have had a total nightmare, as if this situation we are in isn’t enough of one. You really should make a complaint, at a vulnerable time you need support and understanding not a bolshy b*******d!!! My surgeon was not much of a talker, not much of a sense of humour when I asked him to warm his hands before operating he just said “illI be wearing gloves” and left.
I feel emotional too, very tired but fed up just sitting around but need to listen to my body I guess. How’s the pain for you, not too bad I hope. Look after yourself and don’t let old bolshy get u down… big hugs xxxx kip
I’m lost for words Bridget. That surgeon is more than bolshy. He’s an emotional bully and I’m so glad you insisted on another surgeon doing your operation. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this at a time when you should be resting and relaxing whilst you heal. If you can bear it I would make an official complaint. The thought that he may have treated others this way, or may do so again, is horrendous. Is there anyone on your team you feel is really on your side and that you trust? Could you talk through making a complaint with them? I am lucky in that my female surgeon decided to devote her life to helping those with breast Cancer after her mother was diagnosed. I feel she has my best interests at heart and has stuck up for me on various occasions when others have queried my opinions and decisions. I do hope you get a good night’s sleep and if you feel up to it, and only if you feel up to it, find someone to talk to about your experiences. Thinking of you.
xxx oh yes as to feeling emotional, I’m quite an emotional person in some ways anyway but surprising things have been setting me off unexpectedly so I’m sure it’s partly to do with my surgery, anaesthetic etc…
I’m now a week and three days post surgery and I’m getting incredibly itchy under all my dressings. I’ve been taking anti-histamine but by the evening the sensation is almost unbearable and I feel like ripping all my dressings off because I’m so uncomfortable. Also my wounds are still oozing. I didn’t have drains and have been told this is normal but starting to worry a little that I can’t bear to have these dressing on till my results meeting on Friday. Is anyone else having a problem with itching? Maybe it’s a good sign that I’m healing but it’s getting me down.
Hi CDC. I would call the BC nurse or your GP surgery for advice. I’m not sure you should still be oozing. As you know I have clear dressings so I can see what is going on and there has been no new discharge for the last ten days. It is a little itchy, but not unbearable, just the same as if you had a cut healing. Ring the surgery. Kx
Good morning all.
Wow… I am so sorry Bridget to read about your experience. Dealing with all this is an emotional roller-coaster. We all definitely need to stand up for ourselves. Quite simply your surgeon sounds like a bully. I so hope you get some time this weekend relax and take care of yourself.
Kip and cdc…I am with you both with sleep problems and itching. Cdc - I went to Gp for a dressings check and the nurse promptly changed the dressings to silicon ones as I had reacted to the dressings the district nurse used when she took the drain out Monday. I am on antihistamines too to help with the itching. If itching bad then do go to your Gp and request a dressing check. I am back to see nurse tomorrow for another dressing check.
Keep positive ladies and enjoy your Sunday xx
Morning from sunny Cornwall,
Another nosey from April. Bridget you should definitely complain. That surgeon would have got a two word reply from me and the second one would have been off!
Thankfully most of the people I’ve dealt with have been lovely and when ive felt I’ve been dealing with idiots, I’ve told them that.
Sally
Thanks for all the great advice re the itching and dressings. It’s very helpful to hear how everyone is getting on. I’ve left a message for my BCN and I’m hoping she can change my dressings tomorrow. My sister is a senior NHS podiatrist and deals with wounds and dressings every day. I know it’s a completely different part of the body!!! but I asked her to take a look and she said that the dressings definitely need changing especially as I have fluid oozing through. Apart from the itching I’m doing ok and managed to sleep properly for the last few nights which has made a huge difference to how I’m feeling. Hope everyone has had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, especially you Bridget. Been thinking of you all. Take care xxx
Hi everyone, finally got the drain out on Saturday, didn’t hurt at all thankfully although I felt for the poor nurse having to fish around under my smelly armpit! Feeling much better without it, getting good movement in arm now and have been out and about. I had my first weird phantom breast feeling last night, went to scratch it and it wasn’t there… Very odd. How are you today Bridget? Cdc I hope the itching is improving? Do you all feel like it’s a strange period in time where I sometimes feel normal again and then remember that I could be facing all sorts of treatment still? Doesn’t seem real, perhaps I have just shut it out of my brain for a while?? Oh well better get up and do some exercises! I am ,5 days post surgery and not sure how much I can do with this arm, any suggestions? Have a nice day, hope the summer is shining where you are?