Swollen and hot breast after lumpectomy

[Shi]

Calendula ❤️Thanks for update, hope everything goes ok at appointment tomorrow 🤞 do let us know how you get on. Don’t worry about your Fitbit, your body will let you know what it’s up for, steady pace 👭 you will know yourself how much you can do ❤️ Don’t be hard on yourself you are doing great ❤️ Well our oct17 chemo gang certainly 🤣🤣our way mostly through 👭👭on tight to each other and other amazing beautiful people jumping on and looking after us on our journey but we did have many 🤣🤣🤣 amazingly ❤️ Who knew something meant to harm us resulted in friendships so powerful and beautiful we never could have imagined ❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Calendula]

Thank you Shi. A bit better today after nicking some of arthritic husband's high-dose ibuprofen. Had phone consult with GP - he doesn't think it's infected but wants me to see the BCN and then come back to him if drugs needed. So a nice early morning appt at the hosp tomorrow - at least if I am first I shouldn't have the usual long wait.  Blimey, you have to have a sense of humour, don't you. I was saying to a friend that my fitbit must think I have died, as my exercise has completely flatlined!

[Shi]

❤️Calendula don’t be afraid to push forward someone to check you over ❤️ if you need to, stand your ground snd insist, always better to be firm when you and if you need to, it’s your health and life ❤️💪💕💕✨✨let us know how you get on in the morning ❤️💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Calendula]

Thank you Shi - point absolutely taken. The earliest I can talk to either BCN is tomorrow. Phone'll be red hot!

C x

[Shi]

calendula ❤️Please don’t leave it till Tuesday ring your team tomorrow ❤️ Don’t think for a moment you are contacting them too often ❤️ It’s their job to support and care for you 100% and more and that’s what they want to do and should be doing ❤️ 💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[Calendula]

Hi all

I was going to ask similar questions so thought I'd jump on this thread. I am 3 weeks post lumpec/SNB and for the past 2 weeks, I've had swelling above the armpit incision plus what feels like the worst ever PMT soreness in the boob itself. It's really tender and horribly uncomfortable.  Sport bra squashes it painfully, but softer bras allow too much wobble - can't get comfy at all.

The surgeon drained it when my dressings were removed on 11 Aug - brief relief, but it came back again after a few days. I spoke to the BCN on phone on Friday - she said it was just the body doing its job, post-op, and the swelling would go down. Her opinion was that it shouldn't have been drained! I am seeing her colleague in clinic on Tues to let them have a look.

I have kept good arm and shoulder mobility but moving around, walking etc, is really jarring, plus everything rubs on the armpit swelling. Really fed up with this, plus it's scaring me a little. Anybody got through something similar and can reassure me?  NB it's slightly red but as far as I can tell, not infected. I don't feel ill. 

Bloody BC. Bloody hate it.

Thanks, C. 

[louby_lou69]

Hi

Mo I’m totally stumped with what it looks like. When I’ve got my bra on, under my armpit slightly to the back the area above my bra is soft and squishy which I thought was the seroma but after being examined I was obviously wrong.

I think you need to contact your BCN if you’re concerned.

I also wonder if there is some slight fluid build up first before it turns into a seroma as I’ve read lots of people saying they can hear a swishing sound. 
Ive had to stop wearing my bra in bed too. Can’t stand wearing it all day.

[AnnieV]

@louby_lou69 

Hi there! Is there a way to tell the difference between seroma and a swelling? I have a hard bulging area around the surgery site. It’s uncomfortable but not too painful. Don’t know if I am noticing it more as I have just stopped wearing a bra at night. 

Xx

[louby_lou69]

So it wasn’t seroma just swollen breast tissue. I’m glad I got it checked out though as she did put my mind at ease.

[louby_lou69]

BCN got back to me yesterday and said they prefer the fluid to be absorbed naturally by the body but if it hadn’t improved by today (which it hasn’t) to ring again and they will see me in the clinic this afternoon. My consultant is running a clinic.

Its very uncomfortable and making me feel a bit down to be honest. 
Not sure if they’ll drain it or not. 
Glad to hear you seem to be healing well 

Lou x

[AnnieV]

@louby_lou69 

How did you get on with BCN? Hopefully your symptoms have abated?

I had WLE and SNB three weeks ago. I had a quick look at my breast today under the sports bra I am wearing 24/7 and it looks all lumpy and feels firm in places. The area from the armpit across to the breast is still sore & tender. I can’t see the boob scar yet as the steri strips are still on. I suppose this is all normal though. Otherwise I feel fine physically! I am returning to work tomorrow so will see how I get on. My f/u appointment is not until 25 Aug!

There are so many different aspects to this cancer situation to get your head around!

Hope you are feeling better xx

[louby_lou69]

Hi

Ive taken some paracetamol and my temperature is normal.

It doesn’t feel as hot now but remains very swollen. I’m going to ring my BCN and leave a message and at least then I’m on their radar tomorrow.

Typical, when I felt like I was doing so well. 

[Shi]

Louby lou, can you 111 it or phone number on here? I know no one likes to make a fuss but personally if it were me, I’d be on my way to a&E making sure a doctor was checking it out just to be in the safe side ❤️ Keep safe lovely 😘💕💕✨✨Shi xx

[louby_lou69]

I had surgery on 2/8 and my drain was removed on 6/8 and I’ve had good movement and all has been good.

Ive woken this morning with a swollen and hot breast. I’m not in pain and movement is still good.

My breast cancer pack says it could be a seroma which isn’t serious (and can wait until tomorrow£ or the start of lymphoedema. 

Im aware it’s Sunday and any phone call I make will probably be to an answer machine. Plus I’m one of those people who don’t like to make a fuss. 

What should I do? Anyway have this 6 days post op? 
Lou x