Hi Jovie,

I am delighted to hear that your margins were clear, but sorry to hear that you have a slight infection still. It is good to hear that your care team are going to check on this again next Thursday - here's hoping that it has healed by then.

They will probably leave your breast to heal for 6-8 weeks, before they start you on radiotherapy.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine,

I did wonder if they would wait until the infection has healed before starting radiotherapy.  

To be honest it will be nice to not have to keep going to the hospital for a few weeks, as I really don't want to pick up any bugs that are going around.

Kind regards,

Jovie xx

HI Jovie,

I'm pretty sure that they won't do any radiotherapy until your wound is fully healed, so make the most of this time, without having to travel to any from hospital.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx 

Hi 

surgery went well and I was home by 9pm on the evening. Sore and painful but I was surprised how well I was considering. The day was long as there at 7 and op was 2.40 in afternoon. No drain so that’s good too.

They have remove a lot of the boob and there is a massive difference between the 2 but as long as they have got everything they needed out all is ok with me 

back on Monday 23rd Dec for dressing change and see consultant 

results of biopsy won’t be until into the new year but the surgery of removal they did went well is what I was told

Next day I started the arm exercises and feel I have good movement and no pain so keep continuing these through the day 

I met so many inspiring people going through different things and just talking to them it was emotional but the same time comfortable we are all on our own journeys the love in the room was felt

now for rest and recovery xx will keep you posted when I know the next plan. Hope you are both  ok too and keeping well 

sarahlou

xxx

Hi Saralou,

I'm delighted to hear that all went well and that you didn't need a drain. You're doing well if you are managing your exercises already. Keep doing them every day, as it does make a difference,

Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi,

just update to let you know I am 1 week and 3 days in recovery. Not had pain as such just aches under the armpit xx went back for dressing change Monday after the Friday and they said all looks ok.

struggling with the stockings as so tight I have to take off for a couple of hours when moving about just to have a break but then straight back on

when do you remove your dressing ? My next appointment for results is 22 Jan so I can’t wait until then and the nurse did say remove when your ready and shower but leave the steri strips to come off when shower. They didn’t give me any time to leave on or when to remove 

Can’t wait for the nice soak in a bath 

hope you all ok and keeping well

Take care

sarah xxx

Hi sarah,

I am glad to hear that all is OK.

Yes the stockings are really difficult, but maybe they have given you some too small.  I did get mine changed as they too were too tight and too long.   Could you ring your cancer nurse and ask them to help.  I wore mine for 2 weeks, then another 2 after op 2, so was ready to chop them off  

On the cancer side i had the dressing change on day 10,  and then dressing off on day 15,  the stitches dissolved over the next few days.   But I did have a small infection.  On the non cancer side I had dressing off on day 10. 

Once you see you have healed nicely, then you can have a bath.  I have only just healed nicely after second op.  I start my radiotherapy on 13th January.  Every day for 3 weeks.   ( weekends off).  

The 22nd will soon be here, so not too long, maybe get yourself a nice book to read. 

Jovie xx

Hi Jovie,

lovely to hear from you and that you are doing well after 2nd op. Hope the radiotherapy is ok and not causing you any issues.

i have nearly fully healed just a few more days with a fresh dressing on the one area but the armpit is now free from dressing and just sore around the scar

The only thing I noticed is my upper arms underneath the skin is sore and sensitive I put this down to the lymph removal, I just keep moisturising and also ice pack each night as I have a small lump too but the swelling is reducing daily

stockings I have survived only have 3 mores days just at night so all good and can’t wait to burn them lol 

so looking forward to that soak in bath I bet you enjoyed that lovely xx it’s so much more relaxing 

when is your next appointment and do you know any further plans or results xxx

sending you strength and love xx you got this and are so strong

its true what they say we don’t know how strong we are until we have no choice but to be strong

Sarah

xxx

Hi Sarah, 

I didn't have any scars underarm from nodes removed, the took mine from the main boob scar, so I had really bad pain in armpit and numbness, which I still have the numbness in under the top of my arms and underarm.  

I start radiotherapy on 13th till end of January , then I don't see the surgeon till March. I haven't been told any more of what's next .  I think it's just regular scans to make sure it's OK.  Well that's what I am guessing, as I asked the radiographer and she said on my notes it doesn't say anything after radiotherapy.  

I do remember Jolamine saying make the most of my time before radiotherapy as I am not looking forward to a 22 miles each way journey every day for 3 weeks.

Know that we are all in this together and I am proud off you . It's a very lonely time as everyone else is just getting on with life. And it seems just like it's you and your thoughts.....what's next, what if's,  and why's.  But just remember we are amazing,  and to be sending lovely messages even though we are fighting our own battles is awesome and shows how  we are .

Jovie xx