Breast Cancer Care Forum

Hi Linda, sorry for the late reply, trying to establish my new normal! Not quite sure what that is! Glad to hear you're doing well and driving again. Any issues with that or anything else? How is your foob and any scars? Are you ok emotionally?   I'm driving ok as long as I'm careful not to open any of my car doors with my affected arm (eg I often put my shopping in the passenger footwell). Sleeping is improving, with my Tendercush cushion I can, for part of the night, sleep on my left foob side but mostly sleep on my right boob side. Seroma in my back seems  fully healed following a steroid injection 2 weeks ago. Seeing my doctor in a couple of weeks regarding return to work, not sure if I'm ready yet as will be seeing a counsellor for some counselling/therapy beginning November - partly BC, partly some other things. Also stil having physiotherapy which is great, and will be also trying Pilates starting beginning November - having also fortnightly reflexology to help relieve my restless legs. It's all appointments, isn't it? Seeing my consultant next for my next checkup and hopefully will get the results on my HER2 and menopausal blood test. On Tamoxifen but that may change to a different tab depending on blood results, no side effects yet fortunately!   Quaggie - sorry to hear things are tough for you, big hugs to you, Linda and all the other ladies xx ... View more

Wombat - For me, I only need the cushion behind my left shoulder blade and down the left side of my back, where my dent and seroma are - my seatbelt when driving does not really rest of my foob. On the subject of seronma - it was drained AGAIN today (that's been done every week for the last 7 weeks!) and finally had a steriod injection to try to prevent any more fluid build up now that the wound under my foob on the scar has healed up (couldn't have steroids whilst on anti-biotics or not healed wound). Next surgeon appointment is not for 3 weeks - hurrah - apart from physio I may have a couple of medical appointment free weeks for the firfst time since May/June!!!!   Linda - I'm on Tamoxifen for 5 years, and still wiating for my HER2 results which will be yet another 2 weeks :(  But surgeon is hopeful and optimistic that won't come to needing any other treatment such as chemo). Having a blood test tomorrow so the oncologist can check my menopausal state as that may suggest if to consider an AI like Anastrozole instead of Tamoxifen. I just need to hold out for another 5 weeks to be one year period free :)   I was not asked about physio, was just visited by the physiotherapist on my 3rd day in hospital after my mx/recon and she told me I would see her 6 weeks after op - I'm glad she did - she's lovely and I must say the physio worked a treat last week, felt so "free" and "loose" at the weekend although a lot more "firm" and "tight" today - too much walking for retail therapy! Roll on tomorrow's physio. The daily exercises are helping too.   Also have booked myself in for reflexology next Monday, not through my insurance (as all other things are) but via a recommendation. I have other issues apart from my foob including restless leg syndrome so hoping reflexology might relieve that and/or my other issues.   Keep at it ladies xx       ... View more

Linda - make sure that your BCN and/or consultant do the follow up on your weeping nipple. I'm sure you will. Hope it gets sorted soon. Other than that, how are you doing overall?   My first drive went well, round trip of 6 miles to the supermarket with OH. Put one of my tit pillows (which is quite a flat one but softly padded) behind my back to give a bit of relief to my dent and seroma area. Drove again yesterday alone but only 2 miles for my monthly manicure and was ok apart from forgetting to not be careful when I put my handbag in the front passenger footwell and felt as if my arm had wrenched.   Same again today, trip to the GP for monthly checkup due to some other issue I have - she was impressed with my new foob although concerned with my "healed wound" under my foob on the side which is a bit red and inflamed although I think it's where my bra band is and that's possible irritating it. Tomorrow I will see my consultant and have him review the healed wound, and hopefully will be my last seroma drain with then a steroid injection to stop the seroma.    My GP also gave me my first prescription for Tamoxifen which I shall start taking tomorrow.   Hope everyone else is doing well. ... View more

Hi Sochi,   Listen to your head and your heart. If you don't think you can cope with work then get yourself signed off. This experience, for want of a better word, is not just about the physical but the emotional too, and very much so, you can see physical wounds healing, not so the emotional inside..   I have been off work since middle of June, just before my SNB, then had mastectomy and recon mid-August. My consultant has told me at least 3 months physical recovery which will be to middle of November so I will probably extend that to the end of the year and potentially return to work, phased, in January. I have a very stressful and demanding job, liaising with people across all world time zones, and I know from having had 3 months off for stress and depression 2 years ago, I need to feel 100% in my head, never mind my aching body! I've also just started physio this week and am probably going to counselling as my BCN recommended. Will also have the fun of starting Tamoxifen next week and see how that will make me feel.   So, take it easy, don't rush, don't feel guilty, you've been through a big deal and need to be ok with how you feel, physically and emotionally, rather than rushing something for other people. I do hope your employer is supportive but also your medical team to advise you and, if necessary, put it in writing about recovery time.   Take care and I wish you well soon xx ... View more

Thanks Linda, and good to hear you're doing well but that the nipple is ok when you have your appointment.  I was lucky with my nipple, it was spared as was most of my breast skin so I still have the blue dye from the SNB and my original moles from way back!   Totally agree with your statement: " The discomfort and tightness seems to get a bit better each day although I don't really notice unless I think back to a week before and realise that I am getting better."   It's still a long road though, there are still things that I can't or daren't do, such as open the kitchen drawer where the cutlery is, it's quite a heavy drawer, or lift anything too weighty. Even putting the laundry in the washing machine can tire me out some days but yes it's improving. I might stop the regular painkillers for a few days and see how it goes. Going for a short drive today, will let you know how I get on.   Physio was arranged for me, in fact the physio came to see me in hospital 2 days after my op, had a quick chat and arranged my first appt there and then! Maybe have a chat with your BCN and/or GP and see if one can be recommneded to you, that is on the NHS so won't cost?   Take care, have a good weekend xx ... View more

Wombat - I definitely agree with ElliesMum, any question or concern, we should contact our BCN. I have no hesitation in doing that. They don't mind, they have our best interests at heart, and they will know if something is odd or not.   ElliesMum - good to hear you're slowly getting there despite the trials and tribulations. It's not easy is it? That's such a shame you could not go to Australia but hopefully you can do that another time, but your health is important and your little one needs you.    My latest news is that I actually have some, both negative and positive. I've been my surgeon every week since my op 6 weeks ago, partly for a recon check up, but still needing my seroma in my back  aspirated weekly. Looks like it might be a steroid injection for me next week if I've built up yet another good quantity of fluid by next Wednesday - sure feels like it already since aspiration just 2 days ago. Infection under my foob on the scar was healing after wearing dressings for a while and having anti-biotics, don't need the dressings any more and let it "breathe" as much as it can under a bra/croptop, but will have it looked at again next week to be sure all good. I think my foob is starting to increase in size (it was "made" from LD flap muscle/tissue/fat, no implant) whereas was smaller than my remaining boob, will monitor that till next Wednesday's appt and see what he says. It looks great from the recon but a bit square in shape!   Started physio yesterday, she's impressed with my mobility and arm movement already, so will be seeing her weekly for a while, have daily exercises to do, and she's recommended a colleague of hers who does Pilates classes for BC ladies so will give that a go at the end of October (have to wait 10 weeks after op). Pain and discomfort is somewhat lessened and more mobility but still on regular painkillers for another few weeks. GOOD news is that FINALLY, after 6 weeks, my results are back. ER+ 8/8 and saw my oncologist last night, she's told me to take tamoxifen for 5 years - will see my GP on Tuesday to get that prescribed - more as a prevention to reduce risk of BC in my remaining (real) breast but with aim of reducing reoccurence in my foob although unlikely as all was removed in the mx, but within the 51mm of DCIS was 0.4mm of invasive. So tiny that a) no results for HER2 as below 1m so no chemo needed (hurrah) and b) if I don't get on with the tamoxifen after a few months to year, then, with her agreement and permission, I can come off it and we'll take a gamble as I'm low risk. As I'm mid-menopause she thinks Tamoxifen is best but I need to have blood tests to confirm menopausal state (so happy that I haven't had a period since last November, and very erratic before then).   Linda17 - how are things going for you - as we're are LD ladies from a similar date!   So I wish well to all the ladies on here, lots of hugs and best wishes for swift resolutions, recoveries and pain free days. Wishing you all a lovely weekend. xxx           ... View more

Sorry to read your post Quaggie, send you huge big hugs and hope you can make a decision that feels right for you. There's tons of posts on here and each lady has her own experiences and recommendations. Peronsally I am 90% happy that I had a LD flap recon at the same time as my mx. I owuld have preferred a DIEP but surgeon ruled that out. I was adamant I didn't want implants and knew I couldn't cope with looking down and seeing only one breast if I'd not had a recon. For me, I made the right decision even though it's a long hard slog.    Fully agree with Feenix's post - use the "Someone Like Me" threads, talk to your BCN, ask her to show photos of other ladies who have had recon or gone flat.    Wishing you all best and hugs x ... View more

Hi Linda, just frustrated because it's now 5 weeks since my op, it's such a small piece of invasiveness - 0.4mm out of 51mm DCIS. Surgeon says it's possible the path lab can't detect on something so small but if that was we'd expect them to bloomen well say so!   I don't feel tightness down my side but the weird feeling of something large feeling discomfort yet so much of it is numb and feels heavy. Yes the seroma is on my back, in the lower part and if you press against it, it feels like a hot water bottle or water bed! That's probably contributing a bit to the back ache if I stand up for too long, walking is not too much of a problem.   I've also got a weeping wound on the scar on the left wall side under the foob/arm, that has had constant dressings on for over a week and shortly I will take my last antibiotic, it's slowly healing up but it's in that awkward place where the bra band rests on the scar. Surgeon doesn't think any infection and the abs were a safety net.   Sorry about your nipple, not sure I've seen the other thread yet, trying to do too much in between lots of napping! My nipple was spared/preserved but totally numb to the touch. I can imagine how you feel though, there's so much to deal with and many unexpected things- or thingsthat we couldn't really anticipate until they happend, it was all theory in the pre-op discussions. I hope the bleeding clears up quickly and that you start to feel less pain and discomfort. Big hugs x ... View more

Hi beachcomber, I had mx/LD flap recon 5 weeks ago on my left side. Once home from hospital after 7 days, I slept on my right side using a normal pillow, topped with a v-shaped pillow (Dunelm do some fantastics ones for around £16), which was then topped with another normal pillow. That top most normal pillow was vertical so I'd cuddle up to it and rest my foob on it! Last night I somehow in the middle of the night put the topmost pillow somewhat between the "legs" of the v-shaped pillow and found that quite comfortable as I could then rest my left arm on the v-shaped pillow and sleep on my back. I still have a fair bit of discomfort and pain, both my surgeon and BCN said it will take 3 months from the op to recover.   Try many different options, you'll soon find what's most comfortable for you but do invest in a v-shaped piilow, it's great not just helping to sleep (and watch TV or read in bed) but also great for resting against on the settee.     Hope that helps! x   PS: Hi Linda, how are you doing? I'm still in a lot of discomfort and still having my seroma drained every week. Might get a steroid injection at next appt next week if it hasn't abated. Path results for receptors are STILL pending and path lab are getting a rocket up their wotsits from both my surgeon and oncologist but expecting the results next Thursday, fingers crossed. Hope you're doing ok. x ... View more

Hi Alex    Yes I had good energy levels, despite the discomfort, for 2 weeks after I was discharged from hospital, which was 1 week after surgery. I thought all was going well but this last week my energy levels have dropped again and I'm sleeping in the afternoons then awake at night. Not sure if this is normal or due to ban infection I might have and will discuss at appt with surgeon this evening.   Reading your post sounds like you feel your pre diagnosis fatigue has gone, is that right? Did you have any symptoms or suspicions of BC before your diagnosis? The body and mind can do some weird or wonderful things, maybe your surgery has caused an improvement in energy. I guess you cannot be the first to suspect this. I am sure anaesthetic can do some good stuff. My anaesthetic for my SNB in June temporarily stopped my menopausal hot flushes for a few weeks but same didn't happen after my anaesthetic for my mx/recon.    Your pre diagnosis fatigue though sound similar to mine but I think that is partly due to me being overweight, and I was a smoker then vaper until I stopped before surgery. But always I wanted to do not much, or go out, and always wanted to sleep. After my depression 2 years ago I have stayed on my meds as didn't want to "rock the boat" and send me down again due to other stresses in my life. BC rocked up as another.   I hope your current positive energy feeling continues. x ... View more

   edit - Was duplicate post ... View more

Linda- I've been doing exercises from week 1 after the op. Just simple ones for the first 6 weeks so just over half way through. They're tiring though short and simple but movement is not too bad and can lift my left arm almost as high as my right but taking care not to overdo it nor pull any muscles or scabs as have a few on the scars. Being more mobile around the house and can get in and out of the passenger seat in OH's car on my own now. Not going to attempt driving until October as was told not to for 6 weeks after op.  Good luck with yours and hope you get your call back so on from your BCN.  ... View more

Linda, my mastectomy was on my left side, desrbied as a nipple sparing mastectomy so it's original and intact. One of my scars goes from under my arm horizontally to the edge of my nipple. The other scar is from the middle of my back round to the left and stopping short of where the other scar starts.    I've learnt that even the smallest question if in doubt of something, then ask the BCN - or surgeon, consultant, whoever you can get hold of. If in doubt....do! As I think I've said before, I'd much rather be told not to worry about something, than for something to develop into an issue because I was too cautious to check. Still on the antibiotics for a couple more days due to the wound under my breast on the side, there's still a bit of pus coming out, but keeping dressings on it until I see my surgeon on Wednesday evening. Hoping it's all ok.   I wonder if the August Surgery ladies are posting in other threads or focusing on their recovery? ... View more

Yes mine is a bit sore too and I'm suffering with a slight weeping scar/wound under the bulge on the side of my body, under the crease of my new boob so on anti biotics. My boob is still a bit swollen and more square and squashed. The swelling will go down eventually then I'll decide to have Lipo filling to increase to remaining boob size, or have a reduction on my remaining boob or leave both as they are if not too different. Hi Linda, still no final hormone receptor results but will see an oncologist on Thursday as she is already chasing the path results but the invasive part was quite tiny so not sure what they can determine. How are you getting on? Sorry I'm a bit unintentionally erratic in keeping up with posts, apologies, I do mean to be more on-board and how dare other things get in my way!!! ... View more

Hi Pippi  I am 4 weeks post op for mx and ld flap recon. I have a bulge too. My surgeon said this bulge is quite normal after ld recon and likely to always have it, along with the dent in my back where the muscle was taken from. ... View more

Sending you big BIG hugs Elliesmum, and lots of positive thoughts - we're all here for you. You've come this far, you can deal with next steps, keep being strong and know you're not alone and have faith in the medical profession that they'll deal with invaders. Feel free to rant anytime. We all know what it's like waiting for results and wondering what they will be, it's fear of the unknown and fear of the known but that's natural. Crossing fingers for you and if possible go home from work, put yourself first and try to relax. Hopefully there is someone that can be with you to give you a real hug but you have many virtual ones from us. xx ... View more