Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Mazrid.  Sorry, have only just seen your post so this reply will come a bit late for you, but I may be able to give info to Rosie or someone else.    I had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy back in 2014, so it was a slightly bigger op than oophrectomy but as I was lucky enough to have it laparoscopically it has many similarities.    For me, the hot flushes started within about 5 days but I believe some women start within 24hrs.  I know someone who didn't feel the effects properly for a couple of weeks.  Our bodies store oestrogen and we all have different amounts in reserve so it depends how quickly we burn through those reserves.   From a healing point of view, I was tired and needed regular cat naps for 2 weeks but again, mine was a much bigger op (internally).  After hysterectomy they tell you not to lift anything heavier than a kettle for at least 2 weeks, no hoovering for 3-4 weeks etc, but for oophrectomy I think you need to take it easy for about 2 weeks, gradually building up your activity after a few days.   I did a little search for patient info leaflets and these are 3 from UK hospitals.  Some are more detailed than others, maybe they will be useful.     http://www.derbyhospitals.nhs.uk/easysiteweb/getresource.axd?assetid=2958 http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/Controlleddocuments/Patientinformation/Genetics/Risk-reducing-oophorectomy-leaflet.pdf http://www.christie.nhs.uk/media/5335/1116.pdf   All the best for today Mazrid and good luck for yours Rosie xxx     ... View more

Hi Lady, thanks for the reply.  I can't believe I've had 3 breast ops in 8 weeks, it's mad.  I posted a slightly edited version of this message to the surgery thread.  Will be interesting to see if I get any replies. Love Michele xxx     ... View more

Hi Ladies. Sorry I have been away for so long, family stuff getting in the way.  I'm one of the lobular ladies or should I say, tubulo-lobular, thankfully only grade 1.  Just to recap: 1st op, 1st August for WLE and SNB, tumour originally 1cm but then found to have a tendril/s coming out of it (MRI and contrast mammo) so then thought to be 3cm, post op was told 70 grams of tissue taken (I've not been given measurements).  No clear margins after 1st op and 2/3 sentinel nodes positive. 1 with just micromets and the other had extracapsular involvement.  2nd op 5th September for margin shave and ANC, 20 grams of tissue taken and 16 nodes.  15th of September got my good news bad news results.  All the lymphs clear, yay, still haven't got a clear margin, boo.  Apparently this is due to the tubulo aspect of my cancer.  It is not visible to the eye, MRI or CT.  So 3rd (and hopefully final) op 26th September for further margin shave and now a mammoplasty (from an F cup to a B/C cup). 40 grams of tissue taken from affected area and a stack more tissue taken from around the boob (some to be used to fill in the gaping hole where the cancer was and the rest in the bin), to make what will hopefully be a cancer free, pert, healthy looking boob with fingers crossed a healthy nipple.  Am really hoping and praying that they got it all this time because if they didn't the next step is a mastectomy and I lose the nipple (which for me is the worst part, I really like my nipples).  Think I should be able to get frequent flyer miles for the amount of time I've spent in that hospital.  When I went for admission this time all the nurses remembered me and couldn't believe I was back again, asked me if I was after a job, lol.   Anyway, hope all you ladies are well and fighting the good fight.  Anyone else here have or had tubulo-lobular?  Anyone else had trouble getting clear margins?   Might also post this message in the Surgery section to see if there are any takers. Love and healing wishes to all Michele xxx ... View more

Hi Rosie. I did zoladex 5 years ago, it's crap but doable.  Mood swings were the worst for me.  I eventually had a surgical menopause a couple of years later which was actually slightly better than the zoladex.  Invest in some spanish style handfans, don't bother with those silly little battery run handfans, they are rubbish.  I have quite the collection of hanfans in lots of different colours, always have one in my bag.  You can get them on amazon and ebay.  It's got to the point where friends bring them back from their hols for me. Love Michele xxx ... View more

Thanks all.  Have spoken to the ward and they are going to cast an eye over it.  Fingers crossed it's ok xxx ... View more

Sore to touch and painful if I lie on it but otherwie ok.  Had an issue with bruising after my biopsy were I ended up with an area of necrosis and it wasn't far off the current colour before the tissue died so I'm getting a bit nervous.  I'd be interested to know if anyone else's bruising was like mine. Michele xxx   ... View more

Mine was Tuesday.  Redivac drained really well and was in for 3 days. Still have Robinsons in but that was just 20 mls this morning.  If anyone with experience of this op would like to look at the picture and tell me if this amount of bruising is acceptable, I would be grateful.  Michele xxx Please don't look if easily offended.   ... View more

Morning all.  Sue W  ..... quick question, how is your bruising?  I'm a bit concerned by mine.  I have an area aprox 15cm x 13cm that is black and blue and it's getting more sore by the day. Drain stil in but only draining small amounts. A friend who had the same op showed me a pic of hers and it was way smaller than mine.  Don't know if I'm worrying for nothing or not? Michele xxx ... View more

😂😂😂😂😂 Sue ........... I'm all mouth and no trousers lol so no alibi needed 😆😂😆😂 Just massively greatful to be getting home today. Can't wait to curl up on my sofa and chill with tea on tap! Hope you get out sooner rather than later ....... it's like getting a 'get out of jail free card' isn't it?!?! So glad the chemo hasn't been to harsh Rhona. Long may it continue! Xxx ... View more

Glad to hear it's all done Sue and happy that no vomiting this time 👍🏼😁 Bet you can't wait to get home. I'm having drain one out today and then home. Drain 2 hopefully out Monday. Jencat ......... rather you than me 😂😂😂 Rhona, slept ....... but very fitfully. What sleep I got was more down to exhaustion as opposed to the tablets. The doctor popped in this am but was with Mr J so couldn't batter her 😂😂😂😂 Hope everyone is feeling good this am and if not god then at the very least, ok. Love to all xxx ... View more

Yay, absolutely brilliant news Cassie.  Time to have a lttle celebration xxxx ... View more

Rhona I was begging for that mallett at 4.30 this am!!!!  I'm going to have a serious fight with the F1 tomorrow morning if I don't sleep tonight.  I dozed from 5am to 8am, woke at 4 am the day before.  She's obsessed with zolpidem even though I've told her it doesn't work for me, she's now prescribed promethazine!!!! I will try it tonight and if it doesnt work I will hunt her down and knock her out with that bloody mallett ... View more

Excellent news Ali 🎉🎉🎉 Huge buckets of luck coming your way for results Whyte 🍀🍀🍀🍀 A big pile of hugs and love for your surgery tomorrow Sue 🤗❤️ 🤗❤️ And several glasses of prosecco for you Jen to help you manage the 5 year olds and staff meeting 🥂🥂🥂🥂 I can't sleep after paracetamol, brufen and a zolpidem! My nurse has just given me some oxycodone. If that doesn't work would one of you send me a large mallet!!!!!! 😂 Sweet dreams all and luck and love for tomorrow ladies xxx ... View more

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Yay ........ fantastic news 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Hope you celebrate tonight ....... not too many vinos though, can't be hungover for tomorrow xxx❤️ ... View more

I did exactly the same when told there was lymph node involvement ..... went straight to shop and bought pack of cigs!!! Stupid but needed my crutch at that time. Fingers crossed it sticks this time. Still love cigarettes but sick of smoking and fed up of the cost! Xxx ... View more

Yes, have two drains. One is like a catheter bag style and that will stay in for up to one week. The other is what they call a redivac drain, so basically a suction bottle. Neither are causing me any bother other than having to remember to pick them up when I go walkabouts 😂 I was told 3 - 5 days inpatient but the average is 3 days. My surgeon said I could potentially go home after 2 days if I was happy with drain (he knows I'm a nurse and I guess that means I'm sensible rofl 🤣) but after review this morning the redivac drain has drained more than they expected so it has to stay in and they will review it tomorrow ( normally it would have come out today). I'm in no hurry to go home as I live alone and also I'm quitting smoking (I know, unclean, unclean!!), less temptation whilst I'm in hospital. I've been using efag for last few weeks but I've now transitioned to the patches. I did it once before after an op, and managed 8 months before I was led astray by the Irish, 😂 Good to hear you are still on for results for today, still got everything crossed for you. They are the same exercises as last time but didn't do them last time as had full movement within 24 hours. Seen the physio this morning and she said absolutely no moving it above shoulder level for next 10 days (even if I feel able) slow and steady wins the race apparently. Michele xxx ... View more

Lol Sue ...... so know that forgetful feeling.  Physio went through excersises with me an hour ago and have forgotten them already, lmao.  First op was 1st August (WLE & SNB).  2nd op yesterday, cavity shave and ANC (2 out of 3 nodes positive on SNB).  Won't know if chemo necessary until results of ANC back.  Unfortunately they don't offer the Oncotype test here (although you can pay for it privately, defo cant afford it though).  Are you going in tomorrow morning? xxx ... View more

Dear Peanut, nothing to add as the other ladies have covered everything beautifully.  Just wanted to say sorry you are here but a big cuddly welcome to you. Love Michele xxx ... View more

Sue, had mine last night and I am suprisingly comfortable.  Arm is achy and feel bruised but not in pain.  My only issue is they don't do enough tea rounds on this ward xxx ... View more