Feeling really miserable! I have a breast infection which was "cleaned out" when I had my margin op last Wednesday,but after 7 days of antibiotics  it hasn't gone, so got another 7 days worth from my GP. I do hope it clears up before my check up next Thursday.  I am so sore.......and keep crying at the slightest thing, what a mess!

So I am feeling very sorry for myself.  Has anyone else had this cellulitis? Is there anything which gives (even temporary) relief? I have been so uncomfortable for six weeks now and it is really depressing. 

Hi, sorry to hear you still have the blasted infection, you really are having such a rough time you poor thing, no wonder you are so fed up. Can your breast nurse not help you a bit more with this? I'm sorry not to have any answers for you but just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you and have everything crossed that the infection clears up asap, and also to wish you all the best for Thursday.  Take care Sue xx

Hi Sue, thanks for the reply. I have a breast nurse, but can only phone as the hospital is 20 miles away, they are busy, you phone leave a message and they phone back. I went to my GP to get someone to actually look at it, and to talk to face to face.  I don't know whether it is usual to feel so sore and lumpy cos when I told the nurse a couple of weeks ago she just said "it is liquid". Yes, but what can I do about it? 

I just thought the antibiotics would clear it up. 

Hi Sue, thanks for the reply. I have a breast nurse, but can only phone as the hospital is 20 miles away, they are busy, you phone leave a message and they phone back. I went to my GP to get someone to actually look at it, and to talk to face to face.  I don't know whether it is usual to feel so sore and lumpy cos when I told the nurse a couple of weeks ago she just said "it is liquid". Yes, but what can I do about it? 

I just thought the antibiotics would clear it up. 

I know what you mean about having to wait for a call back form the nurses, I think they all work in the same way, but when I developed a seroma after surgery my nurse called me back and then arranged to see me at the hospital that afternoon. However, having examined it she told me that yes, she could see it was obviously painful but that I would just have to wait for it to die down by itself which it did, eventually.  So, I guess in your case too, until this second lot of antibiotics kick in you are in the same boat. I recently had another lump appear which at the time was thought to be an infection so I was given 10 days worth of antibiotics rather than 7 so I really hope the extra weeks worth you have do the trick for you and that you start to feel better very soon. Take care  Sue x

Hi there, how are you doing? I really do hope things have calmed down for you now and that you feel a little better? take care  Sue x

Hi Sue.  Yes I think things are finally looking up! I am on my third course of antib's, and at last they seem to be beating this pesky infection. I saw the Consultant/surgeon last Thursday and he said that the results had come back from my last op and the margins were clear - good news there! The bc nurse told him how worried I was with the pain, lumpiness and swelling and he had a good poke and prod about and assured me that there was absolutely nothing to worry about.  The egg sized lump will go gradually apparently, and since I saw him the swelling across the rest of my boob has definitely gone down.  So, I am waiting now for an appointment for oncology to get chemo started 

This game is not an easy one, that's for sure, and my heart goes out to everyone who is struggling along the same route. I can now appreciate the advice to take one small step at a time and not look too far forward.  Things gradually fall into place it seems.

How are you? Hope you are doing well. Could do with a bit of sun again, it is chilly here and my runner beans have been decimated by this awful wind, I hoped to be able to pick a few next weekend but the south westerly could have put paid to that.

hugs and best wishes to you all xxx

Hi, really glad to hear that the blooming infection is finally being seen off, and even better news that the margins were clear from round two. It must be a releif also to know that the tenderness and swelling is "normal" and that it is easing a bit for you too. As you say, things are finally falling into place for you now and I hope you don't have to wait too long to get the chemo started.

I am still struggling with after effects from the radiotherapy which I had hoped would have gone by now but am told I have had a stronger than normal reaction to it and it could take months yet so am gritting my teeth and plodding on in the meantime. Just to add to the fun my Birthday weekend was ruined by a 24 hour bout of Vertigo, of all things! Never had that before (or want it again) and have no idea why it appeared in the first place but, typically, I was fine to go back to work this morning!

Take care and do keep us posted on how you are doing.  Sue xx

Oh what rotten luck to be poorly for your birthday weekend! Belated Happy Birthday wishes to you anyway xx. Sorry you are still suffering from the radiotherapy, I guess I have that to look forward to .......

Look after yourself. Best wishes. Margaret xx

Dear Margaret, thank you for the birthday wishes, we had a lovely barbeque yesterday evening to make up for it so all was not lost, just a bit delayed! Most people fly through radiotherapy so please don't take my experience with it as the norm. After all you have been through so far I have everything crossed for you that things will go well from now on. Have you a date yet for the chemo? Am thinking of you.  Take care Sue xx 

Hi Sue, I have an appointment with the oncologist for 12 August so I suppose then I will find out when the chemo starts. It is getting perilously close to my holiday 5 sept, so I am still keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to go away.  I am thinking probably not, so if I am lucky it will be a bonus! I don't know how long these things take, or what to expect from the appointment next week.  I am still quite sore and lumpy, slowly improving but crickey it is slow! I guess that it takes longer to heal inside, especially since they had two goes.  Thankfully the infection seems to have cleared up now.

i am busy knitting myself little 'chemo hats'.  I have visions of having a cold head, but mainly it is keeping the mind occupied. I think the hair loss bit is the part I am dreading most, but realistically I know it is a small price to pay.

We had some lovely weather this weekend, and like you has a barbie. Husband goes into his cheffy mode, which is great as I adopt the role of Supervisor whilst wrapping myself round a glass of red and observing from a distance!  Not so good weather wise today though, overcast and chilly but I am meeting up with a friend for coffee and a chat so the weather isn't that important.

take care Sue, hugs xx Margaret

Hi Margaret

I started my chemo 23rd July, the hospital delayed it for a week so that I could go to Cornwall the week before as planned which we really enjoyed even thought the weather wasn't too kind.  We didn't mind as it didn't stop us sipping champagne in the hot tub in the rain! 
I also had to have 2 operations so that they got a healthy margin, but the 2nd one went well.
I was very nervous when I got to the hospital but the chemo nurses were all lovely and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, although I expect I may be affected more each time.  I'm going back to work tomorrow, part time for 3 days this week and next week until my next chemo then I'm just going to take it a step at a time.
I, too, am dreading the hair loss, but I've already gone for a short crop so it won't be such a shock (that's the theory anyway) I'm just a bit fed up of the grey now showing (boo hoo) but I supposes it's a small price to pay.  I just want to have my foils done again - oh well this time next year! I've already bought a couple of scarves/headwear and I have got a lovely wig although that is still in the box where, at the moment, I fear it may stay!
I hope you get your holiday before the chemo starts.
Take care
Tracey x

Just been for my first visit to oncologist. Feeling rather scared at what seems the enormity of chemo, the list of side effects and the prospect of injections for a year. I guess everyone feels overwhelmed to begin with, hopefully when everything gets underway I will feel more optimistic with it all.  The real downer is having to cancel my holiday, so near and yet so far now! The oncologist was reluctant to delay the start of chemo as I have been waiting for a while what with having the re excision and then the infection.  I can only go with it and trust he knows best ( which obviously I believe he does) disappointment is hard to swallow though cos right at this moment I feel there is not a lot to look forward to.  

Now i am waiting for a phone call from the hospital for a start date.

sorry if it sounds as if I am having a moan, I think it will take me a couple of days to digest the enormity of it all.

I think it's ok to have a moan!  My 2nd chemo due last week has been postponed to this Thursday 20th August as my blood count was down last week.  Fingers crossed I get a good result tomorrow so it can go ahead.  My hair has started falling out, I think I'm fine with that but, oh, the mess it's making everywhere!   That's my moan today - feel better already :)