Debs
going to bed after Stenders (which I’m missing!) Well, maybe!
Tdx
HI Td
Just to let you know the swelling is not any worse so thats good news. must tell you since my op I have had to put two softies and a pair of pop sox in my bra to look sort of even. I went up my sisters yesterday and she has made me a boobie until I get a proper one. Its great!! she made it out of one of her grandaughters soft balls, its perfect, she is so clever she even put some rice in it to weigh it down a bit genious!!!
Have a good weekend
Debs x
hi Debs
We’re up early today!
I’m using a ‘stick on bra’ for the volume without taking off the backing - I had one as I’ve always been one for a good cleavage and have often worn backless strapless efforts. I shan’t write ‘in the past’ here as I fully intend to do so again when things settle down. I actually bought 2 in the largest size in The Pound Shop - so they were incredibly cheap and possibly the best bargain I’ve ever had; not seen them there since though! You can buy the same in Debenhams and presumably any big dept. store - even Tesco stocked them last year. Also seen them on River Island and Topshop - obviously designed for skinny young things with little boobs, but working fantasticaly as a prosthesis. I’ve had a ‘partial recon’ remember - one & half boobs are all mine now - it’s like putting the top back on a boiled egg! Think M&S stock them too- oh and Matalan!! - so for around £7 you can try that!
I had a really bad day yesterday - pain all over, tired, unable to concentrate even to read, hours in bed, no other activity, and all because I did shower, hair wash & dry & exercises in a go. I’ll learn from that!!
Have a good day!!
td xx
Hi all
Hope everyone is ok at the moment, my swelling is now almost gone, so once it starts to go it goes really quickly. but i seem to have this cording and am doing stretches to try and get back to normal its not too bad tho. I am seeing my consultant on Thursday for the results, sort of looking forward to it and not really, does that sound strange? but I need to move on now and get on with the treatment, it will be 4 weeks since my op.
Debs x
Hi Debs, its amazing just how quickly the time goes once you’ve had the surgery - the lead up to the day of the operation seemed to take forever (as well as arriving too soon at the same time)!
I’m really pleased to hear that the swelling has now almost gone - it can be so worrying when you don’t really know what to expect (as none of us going through this for the first, and, hopefully, only, time can possibly really know in advance). Myself, from what I’ve read recently, I’ve convinced myself in the last few days that the so called scar tissue at the end of my scar on my back is not scar tissue at all but the beginning of lymphodoema - but I keep trying to put it all in perspective, i.e. been through major surgery, undedrgoing testing chemotherapy etc and that I do have to give myself time to recover.
I know exactly what you mean about looking forward to seeing your consultant for your results while at the same time not looking forward to it at all - I feel the same way about each dose of chemo. It is obviously a really anxious time while you wait for the results but, as you say, the sooner you know the results the sooner you will know what your proposed treatment plan is thereafter - and therefore the sooner you will be able to begin to take more control of your life, even if that means agreeing to relinquish it temporarily!
What time is your appointment on Thursday? I’ll be thinking of you - do let us know how you are afterwards.
I wish you all the best, love, Naz
Hi Debs
Glad to hear that your swelling has gone down. Just writing to wish you good luck for Thursday. I will be thinking of you.
Im still waiting for my appt with the Oncologist but I dont mind waiting at the moment as I am still healing up after the surgery. I want to be strong ready for the next stage and have been going out walking but the last couple of days Ive given up as the weather has been so bad. Cant stand staying in all day and it is doing my head in. I have gone back to cooking again. Think I should of been a cook not a secretary!
Take care.
Love Claire x
Debs, not sure what time your appointment is today but thinking of you.
All the best.
Naz
Hi debs,
like you my seroma has virtually gone now but I have got cording I think. I am seeing consultant today as well and hope that I can do some extra exercises to help and move on to my rads soon.
Hope you get on at hosp, let me know if they give you any special advice or exercises for cording thanks,
Take care
Dawn X
Hi Debs
Hows it going hun? sorry not be on much but half term and little one has been ill again.
Just wanted to wish you luck with your appointment
Keep in touch
Love P xxxx
Hi Debs
Just logged on to see whether you have any news yet?
I had bit of problem this morning as my lumpectomy wound seriously leaked like a river this morning and I ended up phoning the ward for advice and have since spoken to my BCN who put my mind at rest. Its seroma. Going in to see them tomorrow to get checked. Its stopped now thank goodness and my bra fits much better now. Hadnt realised how bad it had got. Think it was last night when I went out to pick up my son from work. I got stuck after all the rain as there was severe flooding near us. I had to abandon my car and walk home. I think I over did it. Glad to see some sunshine today.
Good luck with your appt.
Love Claire x
Hi All
Thanks for all you good wishes, I had my appointment at around 12 ish today and I came out of there on a real high. Yes I have to have chemo and rads, I sort of knew that anyway, but I was told that they had removed all the cancer and that I had good clearance and 2 out of 16 lymph nodes were affected, I sat there grinning like a cheshire cat I don’t really know if the consultant knew how to take that. I was over the moon which sound weird considering the treatment I have to have, but I now consider that I am being treated for the after affects of BC and not actually having it anymore. Chemo and rads - bring it on, lets do it and get it over with !!!
Debs x
See Debs, excellent news…so are you triple negative then? No hormone treatment afterwards?
Thats it keep that in mind…no more cancer.
When do you start treatment hun??
I had 2 lymph nodes involved out of 13 and my doctor kept saying to me…you have 11 negative lymph nodes look at it that way !!
Take care hun
P xxxx
What good news Debs!
Much the same as mine - I have my chemo appt next week when they will talk to me about all the options then I go back after one week and we decide on which option to take. The hospital is doing the TAC trials and there are a few to choose from - same drugs but different administration ways I think - my hospital compatriate went for her appt yesterday, so I know in advance what’s happening to me!! So, 4 -6 months chemo then 5 weeks rads… should take us to Christmas!
Work not keen for me to be back before treatment stops (infection risks for me) so looks like I’ll be off the rest of this year… my colleagues came around today for lunch - I said I’d go in and do some non patient contact work next week. Like filing path results!! Oh joy… at least I’ll get to talk to folk!
been quite nice being mostly alone today though…
Love Td x
Debs, thats the spirit! Suspect you’ll be starting chemo in the next fortnight or so. Do you know what regime you’ll be on? I’m halfway through (or a third of the way through depending on which way you look at it) and I’m surprised at how quickly it has come and gone.
Keep in touch!
Naz
Hi Debs
So pleased for you Debs. Its such a good feeling when you get good results. I nearly kissed my consultant when I had my results even though I have to have chemo and rads. Just glad like you that its gone.
Ive been out buying bra pads today. I think Im swelling up again and am aware that I might have the ‘rivers of babylon’ again in the morning. I went out today with about 10 hankies in my bag just in case mind you if it started again I think I probably would of needed a towel! Im still waiting for my appt to see the oncologist and the results of my HER2 test but dont feel too anxious about waiting but will ask my BCN tomorrow.
Take care, Debs. Keep in touch.
Love Claire x
Hi all
I am hoping to get my oncology appointment within the next week or so to find out what is best I was hormone receptive and the consultant think I may need tabs for 5 years but he said its nothing to worry about. Not that I am.!!!
I am looking forward to finding out what the plan is, the only thing I am worrying about is that it doesn’t interfere with my sons graduation in September, but I am sure we can sort that out between us. I think you are right Naz time goes so quickly although it doesn’t seem like that when you are waiting for results but when you look back where did that time go? Glad everyone is keeping well. Paula I will give you a ring soon.
Stay happy
Debs x
Hi Debs
Just to let you know I saw my BCN on Friday about my seroma and whilst there I asked about my appt to see the Oncologist as I have been waiting over 2 weeks. She chased it up and I have an appt for this Weds. She warned me that I might start chemo this Thurs or if not the following Thurs. I just want to get on with things now.
Take care.
Love Claire x
Hi Debs
I saw the oncologist yesterday. I cant start chemo this week as my lumpectomy wound hasnt healed enough as still having trouble with seroma. They are looking at possibly next Thurs if it is better. I have an appt with the BCN again on Tues which Im really pleased about. Feel calmer when I see them. I will be having 6 cycles of FEC, then 4 weeks of radiotherapy and hormone therapy. My Her2 result is not in yet so dont know about Herceptin. They gave me 70% survival over 10 yrs increasing to 80% if I have chemo. I am just breaking all this down now into manageable chunks and not looking at it as a whole. I cope better that way. At least the sun is out and I can enjoy this weekend without feeling icky. I am going to my sister’s on Sunday for a party as she has just got engaged last weekend. Really looking forward to it.
I have had my hair cut really short ready. Its shorter than my hubbie’s and I quite like it. People say I look younger.
Hope things are ok with you. Have you heard when your appt is yet?
Love Claire x
HI Claire
I went for my oncology appointment yesterday I too am having FEC over 6 cycles, then 4 weeks rads and tamoxifen for 5 years. My oncologist is also sending me for x-rays, liver scan and bone scan although he has assured me that this is routine for his patients. I am hoping to start my chemo maybe next week or the week after. I always seem to be waiting for phone calls.I am also going wig shopping on Tuesday so that will get that sorted. Enjoy the weekend, like you I just want to get on with it but time flys so it will come round soon enough, please keep in touch because it sound like we will be roughly around the same time and the same thing.
Love Debsx
Hi Debs
We do sound as though we are going to be going through this at the same time. We will have to give each other tips. Ive been reading on the chemo section on here about what things to get in readiness for the chemo - thermometer, lucozade, etc. I found that very handy.
Just seem to be living at the hospital. I am going in to see BCN again this morning as I am having big problems with seroma beneath my lumpectomy scar. It filled up again last night and opened up my wound and its like the ‘Rivers of Babylon’ again. Felt really fed up last night, was really grumpy to my hubbie and decided to go to bed. I have got through 8 breast pads since last evening and its finally stopped now and looks at lot better now I am going in for my appt! It was that painful last night like someone was rubbing soap in it. I cant start my chemo until it stops and am feeling frustrated. My BCN will sort me out.
Like you Ive booked my wig appt and am taking my 13 yr old daughter with me as she is concerned about my hair. I thought it might help if she comes with me and helps choose one. I have also bought some bandanas off the internet which are quite good.
Have a good weekend and enjoy the sunshine. Let me know if you hear anything.
Love Claire x