Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hope you are feeling much better xo ... View more

I think your plan sounds like a good one, a few half days but only if you are up to it and then back after half term. Your holiday should definitely be your priority xo ... View more

You won't believe this but I work in a school as well ! Not been great today - in my head I have plans to do things but have done very little today - I'm eating well though!!!  I've been asleep on the sofa for the last few hours - tomorrow is another day. Night ladies xo ... View more

Thanks Helena, I think you may be right - I have my review meeting next week so will ask about it then xo ... View more

Thanks Ann - I wasn't sure if the expectation was that I should feel ok to go back after two weeks. In all honesty I thought I'd bounce back a couple of days after surgery but the reality is a bit different. I will be brave and ask for more time off if I think I need it. Thank you xo ... View more

I'm going to do this too - thank you. Annie's I hope you are feeling better today xo ... View more

Thank you for all the replies - I will definitely wait a while until I get back behind the wheel.xo ... View more

Thank you - it's 9 days since op - right boon so worried about the seat belt and still feeling very bruised. I thought maybe I was being a wimp so feel better hearing from you ladies - thank you xo ... View more

So far and I'm really sorry to say this I have had a very poor experience with my bc nurse, which I spoke about yesterday on the thread ( surgery tomorrow) 4th May. To actually get to speak with her - pre op, I had to go to the hospital the day before my op and sit and wait until she was free to see me.  I needed to ask a question (just one) 're times for coming in as the hospital had given me different times.  I had left several messages every day for a week explaining that I needed some clarification re Times.  The bc nurse knew my husband and I were there - we were told to wait - waited just over half an hour then we explained to the receptionist I needed to go and have my injection soon - she checked with the bc nurse who said go and come back.  When we came back we again had to wait as the receptionist went and told the bc nurse we were there and when the receptionist came back she told us the bc nurse was having her lunch. So we had to wait whilst the bc nurse had her lunch.   I said nothing when I saw her but I wasn't thinking lovely thoughts! Yesterday I tried to contact my bc nurse - I tried 3 times and couldn't even leave a message as the mail box was full.  I went through the operator and bleeped her (as she had told me to do) but she didn't respond to it. I appreciate these ladies must be very busy - it seems as if they must have too much on their plate .  How I feel is that I would rather not have a named bc nurse if it is just a tick paper exercise and not something that can actually be delivered.   I am a very positive person and I dislike that that this is how I feel about my bc nurse but I can only go on my own experience.  This has been the only negative thing, I have Bern treated very well, professionally and kindly by everyone. ... View more

Thanks Sandra -I'll have a look for it xo ... View more

Good to hear bowels are working and your throat is better.   I went to the shops for the first time today - felt lovely to be normal. Mine is my right boob too and I am trying to use my arm normally but find myself 'protecting' my boob and arm - which feels very bruised down to my elbow and I am struggling to reach up and straighten it out - pulled and painful. I don't feel ready to drive yet.  Other than that things are looking good. I haven't had confirmation of my review meeting yet - I tried to chase it today but was unable to speak to anyone despite trying 4 times. So far I have only spoken with my bc nurse once and have not been able to get her on the phone - I am wondering what is the point of having one.  As you can see I am a bit disgruntled re my perceived lack of support from the bc nurse.  Before my operation the time was changed and I tried to contact her to get some clarification - I phoned and left a message every morning for 5 days but only got to speak with her by going into the hospital and sitting and waiting until she was free to see me, that was the day before my op. I waited over an hour, my husband and I were told she was having her lunch.   I am sure bc nurses do a wonderful job but so far, for whatever reason, I have yet to experience this. Apologies and venting over.   Has anyone else had trouble speaking with their bc nurse?   ... View more

Hi Maxi, I am so sorry that you find yourself on here - I am fairly new to this (1week post op) so probably not the best person to advise you but I read your post and wanted to reach out. There are lots of ladies on here who really know their stuff and I'm sure will have lots of advice. I would say I've found this forum very helpful and the Macmillan website - don't bother with anything else - there is a lot of old / misinformed and crackpot stuff out there. When you have your meetings with your medical team it's a good idea to write down the questions you want to ask and write the answers or even record the meeting if that's ok.  I know I've come out of meetings and have missed most of what's been said as I've just focused on one part and my husband wasn't much better.  That's the other thing, take someone with you, their support is invaluable. I told my close friends and family and on the whole they have been wonderful .  I told my line manager and immediate work colleagues and,again they have been great.  You will go through a kaleidoscope of feelings day to day - that's ok.  If you need help ask for it. One of the most helpful things my family/ friends did was to provide meals for the week following my op and that has been so good not to have to think about cooking and feeding me,  my son and husband. Listen to your body - if you need to take it easy do so, I had it in my head that I would have the op and be back to normal a few days later - that was unrealistic and I have taken it really easy, watched loads of rubbish on tv, slept and feel better for it. I felt like you when I first found out - totally surreal.  It didn't really become real until the day of the op.  A Lot of this is a waiting game and that seems the hardest bit for me. Have faith in your medical team - they are very experienced but don't feel afraid to ask questions.   You will get through this and apologies for the cliche but it is one day at a time.  Xo     ... View more

Hi Flying Archer, yes I had trouble going to the loo - probably our bodies telling us they've had a shock. I hope the senna has worked - I find a caffeinated coffee in the morning helps. Has anyone tried driving yet? xo ... View more

Hi Queenbee (Lizzie) Glad to hear you are doing well.  It's,also reassuring to know its normal to still be sore and tired.  I didn't have a dressing - I had glue so have been able to see my scar from day one.  Like you it's bigger than I expected but neat and should fade to nearly nothing. I'm not sure what my boob will be like either - I think it will be quite a bit smaller but that's,a small price to pay,.  Take care and keep in touch xo ... View more

Hi Ladies, Just read this,thread as I am 6 days,post open and frustrated that I am still in pain - now see I am probably being naive and its ok to still be on painkillers.  I thought I'd be fine by now.  I hope you are feeling better soon - take it easy - no more camping for a while. How long did you wait to start driving again?  Xo ... View more

Hi Queenbee how are you feeling.  I'm fine - still sore -  it's frustrating.  I am still being pretty lazy and feel I should be doing a lot more.  How about you?  Are you managing to do much?  Ladies if you see this please let me know how you felt or are feeling 5/6 days post op.  Sending hugs xo ... View more

I know what you mean. It was chilly here today so my husband put the fire on and I watched Big Little Lies -I can recommend it. I dint have a dressing - the surgeon used glue and said it was fine to have a quick shower. Had s few visitors today. I dud plan to go for a walk but didn't get far as it was cold and quite sore. Just off to bed - each day we will get better. I'm hoping the numbness,and fluid in my arm will soon go. Take care xo ... View more