Hi Tamsy, I'm Elaine from sunny Australia. I thought i would reply to you as I know exactly how you are feeling. When I was diagnosed in June with bilateral cancer, invasive lobular on the left and invasive ductal on the right I was so scared, both stage 2 grade 2. I very quickly realised that Dr Google could be very frightening so have limited myself to only a few sites, this being one of them and by far the best. You will get through it, I had two lumpectomies, and have had chemo and radiation and have just started hormone therapy. Once you have the pathology results you will have a better idea what you are dealing with and it will get easier from there. Your brain can be your worst enemy at this time and will exhaust you as you have found out. I'm sure all will go well with the surgery..all the best from very hot Perth a scorching 106 today whew
Have had my mastectomy only stayed in hospital for two nights, wasn't long enough for me.. back home with a drain and all very very scary. Awaiting the pathology results and trying to prepare myself for the worst. Still all seems surreal, and yes my brain is exhausting me, I wish i could be more positive. Google is not a good friend you are right, but i am addicted to getting more information even though it's upsetting. Hope youre treatment has gone well. Best wishes
Jan, Thank you for your good wishes. I am home 6 days post mastectomy and trying to cope with terrrible bruising some swelling and the dreaded drain. I was told i could shower but haven't dared get it wet. I have found it difficult just being chucked out of hospital after only two nights, everything about it all terrifies me, and coping after such major surgery physically and emotionally is more than challenging. I'm taking ibuprofen every 6 hours and stopped codeine as it was constipating. How long does it take for the wound to heal ? I have conflicting information from the health care team about most aspects of this scenario, so feel confused. How long did you have your drain in for? How long does it actually take to recover from a mastectomy? Did you find your follow up care adequate? Im now waiting for the pathology report which may take 10 days, more to face and cope with. I hope I find the strength. The unknown is the hardest thing and the worry about infection seroma etc and what to expect is doing my head in! I want a nurse here with me all the time! I worry about the wound all the time and whether what im feeling and seeing physically is to be expected. Every one here seems to be so positive, I hope that comes with time, I guess one becomes more acceptant as the weeks go past. One day it might stop feeling so surreal. Thanks for your support.
Hi Tamsey, I have been wondering how you are. I said to my husband today that trying to remember timescales after 5 years is not easy. I do remember my scar taking a few weeks to heal properly and that one stitch at the end looked like it would never disolve but it did eventually. You have been through such a lot you must not be too hard on yourself, As I told you they messed up my drain so I don't know how long it normally stays in. Obviously for me because nothing was draining I went to the hospital and when they took it out everything that was there came out in one go - not the best experience I ever had - BUT your appears to have been set correctly. - Have you been given access to a named breast care nurse? I was and she was excellent - I could call her and ask all the questions you are asking here. When they have the path report you will be at the start of YOUR plan. recovery following a mastectomy is never going to be exactly the same for anyone - so many different senarios. I found my follow up care excellent - in fact my consultant will still see me if I am concerned about anything at all - I do not need to go via my GP just ring the breast clinic and they give me an appointment. I am not sure if I am allowed to give the hospital or consultants name on here - I would love to because they are all wonderful.
ou say you hope you will find the strength - you will because you have no choice. No-one I have ever met found it easy but they all coped in their own way and so will you. It does get a little easier once you can 'get you head' around all the treatments and most important - NEVER think you are alone - come and chat on this site - I did when on many occasions I thought it was all too much - just like you now. Looking back it seemed to have flown by although I remember feeling just like you at the time and know that every day seemed like a mountain to climb - one day hopefully you also will be on top of that mountain looking back!!!
Hi Tamsey = I am glad that for you the worse is out of the way!! Now things will be on the mend and slowly get better. Anne was also worried about getting the drain area wet. She was jolly pleased when they removed the drain. She found shopping=therapy :) helped alot in early post operation stress!! It made her feel = "normal" and really helped. Now there is a good research for someone to do == so what about it cancerresearch?
We wish you the very very best = its a new year and lets hope it steadily improves for you.
Thank you for your good wishes and support, it's so nice to know there are such lovely people out there that understand what I am going through. Supposed to get the path results tomorrow; the hardest hurdle possibly. So many hurdles how on earth do you get used to this rollercoaster?
Everyone else manages, everyone else is so brave, but sadly I am not! Hoping to learn the art of bravery. Thank you Steven. Tamsy
Hi Jan
I am still on the waiting game.. Had my bone scan which thankfully was ok (apart from old age degeneration..) The ct scan showed something they need to rescan tomorrow, I'm really hopeful it's an old problem... But of course worried again. My surgeon was positive about the results though, and on Monday I have the appointment with the oncologist who will have my Oncotype results showing whether I really need chemo or not... This is the big one isn't it? I seem to spend all my time at the hospital and can think of nothing else, C has taken over my life. I have a Seroma but the BCN doesn't seem too worried and the surgeon is seeing me tomorrow to check it out which is good news. I can't imagine my life feeling normal again, but the waiting for results is the hardest thing and not knowing what's going to happen. Emotional roller coaster is an understatement!
Anyhow thank you for your kind thoughts and support.
All the best
Tams
As you say the waiting is always the worst thing however your treatment planning has begun! Hosptials do become part of your everyday life at this time but no doubt you will meet up with some lovely people in much the same position as you. People you would never have met without your own problems who may well become friends. Time passes so slowly for you now but looking back its strange how quickly it appears that time went:) now. Once you have your whole plan and can work it around your life everything becomes more purposeful.That old roller coaster sounds very familiar shame we can't enjoy the ride :)
