High grade Dcis awaiting mastectomy

[girly888]

Morning everyone,

just want to wish Ali all the best for Monday,

hope you are all doing ok,

girly x

[Conorchloe]

Hi girly888 yes im straightening up now still feel my tummy is going to 'pop' open though. Oh bliss sleeping on your side and being able to go to bed without a bra on. Heaven! I cant wait !!!

[RoxanneT]

Got my results today too, 6.5mm DCIS all non invasive, nodes were clear. They got a clear margin but it was close to the skin so they are recommending radiotherapy. It is good news but it still sounds scary.

Best wishes to you all XX

[Miffy]

Had results today. 100mm dcis  but also 2 very small lumps 1.5 mm and 7 mm, so they will be further investigated. Back in 2 weeks for those results.  Good news that the nodes are clear. Wounds are healing very nicely. At the moment I’ll be on letrozole for 5years, but it will be reviewed when all the results are back. Anyone else on letrozole? Love to all, hope you are improving daily. Xx

Spoiler

[girly888]

Hello ladies, hope you are all as well as can be expected.

Conorchloe, are you slowly straightening out now?  I was very glad when I could go back to sleeping on my side but it took several weeks.

with best wishes to you all,  girly x

[Conorchloe]

Hi girls doctor has given me tremadol today so good to go now. Thanks for advice x

[Whales]

I got paracetamols, ibuprofen and recently dihydrocodeine. Didn’t really have much pain till Friday Saturday (8-9 days post op). Apparently it’s the drain . Dihydrocodeine makes me drowsy but what a fab sleep I get on them.

Hope your all doing ok . I had results back and 10mm extended was found in the Breast tissue so definitely right decision for mx . No evidence of cancer in my nodes so no further treatment required .

Apparently they sell the bra on Asda I bought from jd williams

[RoxanneT]

i've got normal paracetamol and Tramadol.

The tramadol makes me a bit drowsy but it does stop the pain and numbs the discomfort.

[Conorchloe]

Hey ladies what pain killers are working g
for you all?

[Conorchloe]

Ali49 i took 2 non wired bras from asda into hospital but they said any lace would aggitate the scar so they gave me one of theirs brand new from a charity altbough the cups wete too big it did support underneath. When is your op?

[Ali49]

Thank you for the advise re bras. I called my BCN today and she said i will be given a front fastening bra. Glad you are all doing well xx

[RoxanneT]

HI

I had an MX and expander implant. i woke from the op with a heavy duty front fastening bra, i have to wear it for 4 weeks.

M&S have a range of post surgery bras including sports bras which zip up at the front. The sports bras are very supportive and come in a range of funky colours. i also had node surgery and found that most bras press against the scar and after a few hours it begins to ache.

hope this helps

i reduced my pain killers to morning and evening only but i'm about to begin the next range of arm exercises, has anyone started them yet??

Good Luck to all with your results XX

[girly888]

Hi Miffy, I was using a Sanex roll on - they have a good range for sensitive skin but recently I bought a neals yard roll on because it smelt so nice and I haven't had any irritation but it was more than I would normally pay, even on sale. We are very itchy and scratchy in our house so Sanex has been good.

I noticed since my op - DIEP with 10 nodes out - no perspiration smell whatsoever on the MX side!

Am glad to hear all you surgery ladies are getting on ok.  It can be like the cakewalk - a couple of steps forward and one back, that's how I felt sometimes.

girly x

[Miffy]

Some advice please. What deodorant are you using on the side of your mastectomy? Thanks 

[Miffy]

I had the same implant as you are having. My hospital provided me with a bra, it is fine. I wore it to come home from hospital, 24 hours after my operation.  I’ve bought anther one from Asda, only on the internet, it is great, cheap and comfortable. Only downside, it’s back fastening, but I’m coping fine with it. All the very best to you xx

[Ali49]

Hi i am from 9ctober chemo thread. I have fin8shed chemo now and i am having a masectomy of my right breast with SNB and expander implant next Monday. This thread is very useful and helpful. You are all doing very well.

Can i just ask if you tookany type of bra to wear after your ops? I forgot to ask at my pre op today. Will iwear anything on my breasts after the op?

Thank you xx

[Whales]

Thanks miffy . I have to supply the info for the consultant and they will decide about the genetic testing . My aunt dad side Breast cancer and 3 great aunt ovarian cancer . Uncle prostrate. None to mum side. I’m more concerned about my daughter as now me and husband side was mum , aunt and sister with Breast. Not sure if I will get tested

[Miffy]

Both my mother and grandmother had ovarian cancer, so I had genetic tests. I don’t carry the gene, brca, I think, not sure how to spell it!! But due to a few other factors, late menopause etc the surgeon and I decide to have my ovaries and tubes removed, that was in August. In May I fell, tripped over our front doorstep and ended up with 25 stitches at the side of my head.  Not my best year health wise. Things can only get better, at least I hope so. Xx

[Whales]

Hi all hope your all on the road to recovery . Had a minor set back Friday and Saturday had stabbing pain every time I moved so up the meds , nurse and myself think it’s the drain. Drain out tomorrow which I must say I’m looking forward too. Hopefully results too.
Has any of you discussed genetic testing at all?

[Miffy]

Look after yourself. You’re doing really well. Xx

[Conorchloe]

I had diep flap so tummy is stitched very tight. Im walking around a little bent so my back is the worst. Had a shower and washed my hair so thats my lot for today lol. Take it easy all of us we've done brilliant xxx

[Miffy]

So pleased you can go home.  Take care not to do too much, but if you are anything like me it is nice to potter and get back to something like normality.  We went for a walk to a cafe today, my walk is getting a bit longer each day. My husband was by my side like my minder!! I don’t like the idea of anyone bumping in to me.  It’s great to be doing normal things again. I have been fortunate to be surrounded by kindness, flowers and chocolates, I’m very lucky. Results Thursday, so I’m comfort eating chocolate until then. 

I stopped taking any painkillers on Friday but didn’t have a good night so I’m back to taking 2 paracetamol at night, maybe it’s psychological, who knows, anyway I had a good nights sleep. 

Love to you all xx

[Conorchloe]

Oh thats great news. Its hard to recover when youre in pain so full steam ahead. Doctor has just been and i can leave today so just waiting for drains to be taken out, shower then i can go.

Well done all of us anf good luck with results ladies x

[RoxanneT]

Conorchloe, How long before you leave hosiptal?

i feel the pain is more under control now and ive been able to do all the exercises. Drains out on Monday, i hope. xx

[Conorchloe]

That sounds like a good way to keep busy. Hopefully your new pain relief will be better. This is such a marathon.
Im now day 5 recovery still in hospital with 2 out of 4 drains still. Ive had pain in my tummy like a permanent stitch but a full on cough and sneezing hasnt helped. Its put me off from walking tho which is essential to go home. Will ask advice from physio later. Good luck to you on your journey roxanne x

[RoxanneT]

Hi all, thank you for words of support.

I'm not sure what happened i felt alright for a few days and then POW, i was is so much pain. it could be the cold weather. i got a new supply of pain killers from my GP.

i have an expander implant, so i'm due another op at some point.

i spent all of yesterday in bed feeling sorry for myself. i had a good with a few close friends and i'm about to begin knitting a wrap! 

[Conorchloe]

Oh roxanne whatever happened to you down there! Your pain sounds awful. Did you have implant or diep? Like miffy said get as much help snd support from the bc nurses.

[Whales]

Oh poor you Roxanne T. Hope you get sorted . Nothing worse than pain . I mostly have pain where the node was taken but it’s few and far between. Had the dressing removed today and it seems alittle better . Defo nerve pain

[Miffy]

Oh dear, poor you. Get in touch with your cancer nurse for more help with pain control, it must be very miserable for you.  There are lots of different ways in which you can be helped. Sending you lots of love xxxx

[RoxanneT]

Hi Guys, you are so lucky.

i had my MX and reconstruction on 29 Jan, i had to stay in 4 nights cause i was in so much pain and there was a lot of swelling in my hand. i was sent for a scan to check for blockages.

i have 2 drains and a primary care team who visit every other day. i will have my drains for two weeks!  i began to reduce the painkillers but two days ago the pain returned with a vengeance, i had to request more from my GP.

i have a large bruise on the front of my chest and under my armpit. the armpit bruise is restricting my movement, i can stretch behind my back but not behind my head. i have to admit i'm glad the cancer has been removed but the pain is beginning to wear me down.

[Miffy]

Well done Conorchloe. You had a very long operation. Build yourself up gradually. Whales, I am doing fine, building up gradually. We’ve been to a local garden centre today. It’s nice to be outside looking at different things. It’s the first time I’ve had coffee since my operation, so my sickness has finally completely gone. I’m eating well and much stronger, still a bit sleepy in the afternoon though as I’m waking in the night. I’m listening to my body and having a nap. Washed my hair today, with my husbands help and was pleasantly pleased at how high I could lift my arm. Onwards and upwards now. 

Love to you both XX

[Whales]

Conorchloe glad your ok. My god that a long time under. Sending you some love . Take it easy . Just on my way to have a drain out.

Miffy hope your doing ok too

[Conorchloe]

Im ok op was 10 hours in all. Tummy stitched VERY tight to take fat for breast. Drains still in place but up yesterday. All going to plan. Just a little uncomfortable wrapped in a corset in a very hot room but it wont be forever. Glad youre ok and happy with your lovely new size. Mine will be a few month and then second op to finish off.

[Miffy]

How are you? Xxx

[Miffy]

Good luck to you. I’m doing really well and am sure you will be the same. Build yourself up gradually trying to do a little bit more each day. Just wearing my new bra from Asda, I’m very pleased with it. There’s a wide range available on line and very reasonable too. I’m usually 32 f, much smaller now, a positive that has come out of this. They don’t do 32 so I had 34 d, good choice it is fine. All the very best to you. Thinking of you xxx

[Conorchloe]

Thanks miffy just got to hospital now. Nervous but positive. Mine is big op too like yours 6-7 hours.

[Miffy]

All the very best to you for Monday. This thread is great. It’s lovely to talk to ladies who know exactly what it feels like. Xx

[Miffy]

My operation was long, nearly 6 and a half hours. I didn’t have anything to drink before my operation. I’m not feeling as sick today. My husband bought me old fashioned rhubarb and custard sweets to sup, they are great. I haven’t needed to take any pain killers today so that’s good. I’ll take some tonight though, I like my sleep. We went to Asda first thing this morning. My sister in law is going into hospital and I wanted to get her a few things. It was nice to have a change of scene. My husband hasn’t let me go out since though as it is so cold today. I’m doing the exercises the hospital suggested there is a big difference between what I can do with my right and left sides.  All the best to you all. It’s surprising how quickly you get better. Xxx

[Conorchloe]

Miffy how long was your procedure. Did they give give you carbohydrate mix to take before your op to help your body cope with op. Just wondering why you feel so sick!

[Conorchloe]

Miffy and whales you are both doing so well and reading your ongoing experiences eases my anxiety for large op on monday. Just wamted to say thank you for taking the time and effort to share still on here.

[Whales]

Glad your doing so well miffy . Fingers crossed for the 15th for you x. I had mastectomy, reconstruction and lipomodelling . Got Breast reduction and nipple reconstruction to look forward to . I go Wednesday for drain out then 5 days later for result and other drain.

[Miffy]

District nurse came today and took my drain out. I’ve been really lucky it has only been in for 4 days after the operation. She changed my dressings and was very pleased with the healing process. I’ve only taken antisickness tablets and painkillers this morning, but will take some for bedtime and also sennokot. As my granddaughter would say “ I have a tricky poo!! “. All the very best to you all xx

[Miffy]

Hi. I’m doing well. Had sentinel node biopsy, masectomy, reconstruction and reduction on my right breast on Tuesday, I was back in the ward at about 3.15 and came out of hospital on Wednesday also at about 3.15. The district nurse calls every day and probably my one drain will come out today. My main problem has been sickness, but I’m taking preventative tablets so they help. I’ve got a v shaped pillow for the night, which I find good as it holds me in place. My husband and family are great, so I am very lucky. I live in a flat and have started walking along the corridors, a bit more each day. Also, I’m doing the exercises 3 times a day, the one putting your arm behind your back I find the hardest, I think I overstretched a bit yesterday. The hospital have been wonderful they gave me a bag for the drain bag and a bra, I’ve ordered another one from Asda. I’m only taking painkillers for the night and first thing in the morning. I am just so pleased that the operation is over and that I was able to have it all done at the same time. It suited me, but everyone is different. I have my results on the 15th but I’m not thinking about those at the moment. Hope you are okay xx

[Miffy]

How are you feeling today xx

[Miffy]

Glad to hear your pain level isn’t too bad, but be careful not to overdo it. I’ve bought a triangular pillow for bed time and find it useful to stop me rolling over. All the very best to you xx

[Whales]

Had op today and have dolly bags for drains 2 and vacuum pump. To be honest not in too much pain but unsure if it’s just having surgery close to it in December. Take care miffy and Conor Chloe
Thanks for all the posts of support and handy helpful top for others to read. You people are truly a god send

[girly888]

Sorry Whales, just seen it's today, hope all is well.

[girly888]

Hi Miffy, glad you are doing so well and your hubby is doing a grand job.

Have you had your op yet Whales or is it next week?

Girly x

[Conorchloe]

Great news and your positive mental attitude will help to. I have one of the bags from Drain Dollies. Onwards and upwards eh take care xxx

[Miffy]

I had an implant. Only 1 drain, which is great. Some kind ladies make cotton material shoulder bags. It’s great for holding the drain. I’ve started doing some gentle exercises and they are okay, I stop when I get to feeling ouch. Unfortunately I’ve been feeling rather sick today so have only drunk water and eaten a few ginger biscuits. My husband has just gone to the doctor to get me some tablets for it. The district nurse called this morning and said the surgeon has done a very good job. I still get very tired at times but I’m glad to be home. My husband is great, im very lucky.  Love to you. Xx