New mastectomy yesterday

Hi I have just have a left side mastectomy and am still in hospital, My sentinel node was clear I am waiting to go home. I don’t know how i feel apart from scared.

I get the next steps on Nov 10th at my follow up appointment.

my consultant used glue only on the op so my wound is not covered at all. Has anyone else had this done please and what issues should I look out for .

is this better that having drains .

  • Gooner 

    how you doing is it this week you get results from operstion ? Hope all is well lovely love Lara xx 

  • Offline in reply to laraj

    Hi Lara

    Yes this Friday it’s such a waiting game. I thought when they said the lymph nodes were clear that was the end of the worrying. But now the results of the HERS 2 could show that it’s a recurring cancer so that’s been a huge shock to me . I have tried to stay away from mr Google as I have a tendency to be a catastrophiser. So my knowledge of what could or may happen is head in the sand .Facts eg results are the way I’m dealing with things, day by day results as opposed to the maybes.

    I hope all is going well for you my knowledge at the moment of my cancer is that it’s invasive lobular breast cancer hormone receptive.

    sending love and good vibes .To you .

  • Offline in reply to JLD

    Yes jld 

    it’s a rollercoaster for sure that happened to me also all lymph nodes looked clear then after my operation my results show that there was a teeny trace in one node my world fell apart I was assured that they were clear . But one thing for sure after all your treatment things soon turn back to normal and fast it’s soon forgotten my diagnosis was July 22 I’m fully back to crazy life and have been for a year try not to google. , will you be takin any medication afterwards? 

    love Lara xx 

  • Hi JLD,

    I’m not bad thank you, although just as I thought my sleep we getting better, I hardly slept at all last night! I just couldn’t get comfortable. I’m also more sore by the end of the day. I have a lump under my arm which I assume is a seroma, and it’s a bit uncomfortable by the evening. Mostly I’ve been taking paracetamol or ibuprofen when I need it, with  a codeine at bedtime on the days I’ve been particularly sore. 

    I just heard today that I have my follow up appointment on Monday morning. Like you, all I know is that I’ll have to take hormone blockers- I don’t yet know whether I’m having chemo or not, so I’m a little anxious about it. 

    I’ve started back at work (online only) a bit this week and am finding it tiring, but I’m self employed and can’t really afford not to. 

    It sounds as though we are having similar experiences at the moment!

    take care xx

  • Hi Lara,

    I’m not bad thank you. I get my results on Monday morning. Not sure what I expect really, but will obviously deal with whatever they decide I need next xx

  • Gooner 

    glad you are ok , it’s surprising how much it takes out of you and it’s the dark nights make us more tired xx 

  • Hi GoonerGirl,

    I'm sorry to hear that sleep is still an issue, although it sounds as if you've managed a few good nights too. You'll be glad to have your appointment on Monday, to find out what lies ahead in the way of treatment - here's hoping that it doesn't include chemo. Your seroma sounds as if it is uncomfortable. It should settle down with time. If it is really troublesome, they could aspirate it on Monday.

    You are doing really well to be back to work already. I understand the problems of being self-employed, as I faced that problem too. Just be careful not to overdo it, as your body still needs the additional rest.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Hi JLD,

    I hope that you are recuperating well. You are quite right to steer clear of Google and there really is no point in worrying about "what ifs". No amount of worry will change the outcome, so continue as you are, dealing with things day by day. It's not long till Friday and I sincerely hope that all of your results will be favourable.

    Kind regards,


    Jolamine xx

  • Hi Jolamine,

    Yes- I thought I’d got the sleep situation sorted out, then had a really bad night last night. I don’t think I did anything differently, so I’m not sure why. I have noticed what I assume are some dissolvable stitches sticking out through my skin, and they are a bit sore, so that doesn’t help. I know I just need to give it time- I’m a bit impatient, and during the day I feel largely back to normal, but nights are tricky. It wasn’t a problem when I wasn’t working at all, but now that I am, I need to get some restful sleep. 

    ‘I’ll be glad when Monday comes and I know what lies ahead. 


    Thank you, as always, for thinking of us all.

    xx

  • Hi GoonerGirl,

    That's the cancer journey  - unfortunately, just as you think you have a problem sussed, it comes back to bite us again. Is this possibly just because of the discomfort you feel? Here's hoping that, with dissolvable stitches, they dissolve soon, or that they can cut off the loose stitches, when you are back at the clinic on Monday.

    I hope that your work doesn't involve any heavy lifting, as this is something that you should avoid to prevent Lymphoedema.

    I'm sure that you'll be counting the days until Monday.

    Jolamine xx