Masectomy

Just over 3 weeks post masectomy. Still lots of fluid and tightness and underarm a bit sore. Also red patch on scar that I will get checked in case it's infection. I'm keeping active, did some gardening today (putting the garden to bed!) and looking at vegetable seeds that can be planted soon.

I'm so dreading the chemo, I have read such awful side effects. Dont know what drugs I will be having yet as waiting for appointment with oncologist. Cancer is an awful lot of waiting, waiting for results , waiting for op , waiting for chemo.

And after chemo, I have radiotherapy, more joy. But if they can zap these cells out of my body I shall be thankful for the treatment and back to having a nice life. My partner too has to put up with me and my mood swings, he's a saint, but trying to keep a sense of humour. Here's to 2020.........

Silver xx

Offline Embop over 5 years ago

Hi Silver,
Sorry to hear about the fluid and soreness. Is the fluid in your breast? I have some swelling under my breast over my ribs that i wonder whether it could be a fluid build up. I also keep checking my scars concinced that they're too red, wo dering if i have an infection or cellulitis.
Forgive my memory, when does your chemo start? I'm a little delayed as ive decided to have a lymph node clearance (one positive node found) so i have that to look forward to on 8th Jan. That's assuming this swelling/fluid doesn't cause any complications!
Nice that you managed some gardening today! I am impressed!
E x
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Offline Rosie80 over 5 years ago

Hi Silver
Lovely to read your post and see you've managed some gardening, great news!! I'm the same as you 3 weeks and a bit post mastectomy and all progressing well. I did have an ultrasound last week as have a haematoma which was cleared and now a lot more comfortable than I was but sadly where it is means I am braless which is very weird as the feel of clothes moving on my "non boob area" is a constant reminder. My underarm is still sore and obviously due to all the ops and other problems movement is restricted and the whole area tender / tight.
Are you tired at all or am I being a wimp? Since my operation we had a couple of days before our Daughter and Grandson who will be 3 in January stay for just over a week then a couple of days before our Son and Daughter-in-Law arrived for Christmas, they left last night. I am ready to drop if I'm honest and feel I just need some time to myself but then feel selfish for feeling like that!!!!
Today I cleaned the kitchen thoroughly and also the guest bathroom plus got all the visitors bedding and towels washed (not ironed, I'll do that tomorrow). My joy is taking our old dog out each day at the moment, she's loving being taken on individual walks whist my Husband takes out our skittish year old rescue dog.
You take care of yourself and keep posting updates. Do you have an appointment to get pathology results from your mastectomy? Mine is 7th January!!
Rosie x
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Offline Silverdays over 5 years ago in reply to Rosie80

Hi Rosie,
I get very tired too, it is a major operation and your body needs rest to mend. My sister had an op recently and she was told to go right to bed after lunch for a couple of hours and she said that was the best thing. I tend to fall asleep on the sofa in the evening though!
I had my pathology results a week after the op, mine is Stage 2, cancer cells found in 2 lymph nodes. I am to have chemo followed by radiotherapy and medication for oestrogen. I was told I would just have radiotherapy but there are 2 spots on my chest wall that showed on MRI that can't be biopsied so chemo it is. Terrified of nausea and hair loss. Waiting now for appointment with oncologist so I will know a bit more. There's so much info to take in its a bit confusing sometimes.
I just took my temperature and that is normal as worried about red inflamed area on scar, but otherwise not feeling too bad at all. Especially with visits from my son, granddaughter and friends all cheering me up!
We are looking for a rescue dog, as we lost ours a while ago, wondering if we should wait until after treatment, but they are such good company and therapy!
Good luck with results.
Silver xx
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Offline Silverdays over 5 years ago in reply to Embop

Hi Embop,
I have quite a lot of fluid build up, almost like my breast is growing back! I wish...I phoned the breast nurse today and she said its quite normal to have fluid build up and your body will absorb it. If you have it drained it will come back probably so Im leaving mine for the time being. I have got a red patch though that I was worried about and have made appt with my doctor in case I need antibiotics as I dont want any infection. I did take my temperature, thats a good idea to have a good thermometer and it is normal so not too worried. Is that the sentinel node they are removing, or will they remove anymore? I had axillary node clearance the same time as my masectomy, there was cancer in 2 nodes, consultant said that was unusual so its being lab tested again, so my side effects may be different to yours. I always phone the breast nurses at the hospital, they are so lovely and always have time to talk to me about any worries.
It will be a good 6 weeks before I start chemo treatment, so that the surgery is fully healed. I am still waiting for an appointment to see the oncologist, so I will know more about the drugs that they are going to use. It isn't a quick fix this cancer, just have to patient and go through the procedures.
Let me know how you get on with your op and treatment, always good to share other peoples experiences.
Sending healing vibes (my hippy friend wrote that to me!)
Silver xx
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