Hi just found this chat and I'm so pleased! Been feeling very miserable today. Had wide local incisions for two tumours and sentinel lymph node removal on 23rd February. I had a procedure called a Benelli, where a donut is cut out around the nipple. I thought every day I would improve but feel like the pain and uncomfortableness is getting worse not better. I've gone and took my bra off for a little while tonight as I kept adjusting it and tugging at it as it was irritating me so much. It's a M and S very soft non wired full cup bra that a bought especially. I will try the Sloggie after reading everyone's comments and also try the sock in bra as I feel my bra rubs where the incision is.

Where the lymph nodes have been removed has been the worst. Feel like armpit and skin sticking together its so painful and irritating.

I am getting my results on Tues 10th March over the telephone and dreading them. I wish the McMillan nurse was checking my boob out as it is still hard and swollen and very sore behind my armpit towards my back and up my shoulder. It is so tender! I don't know what is right and what is not!

I have read on different websites about how quick you can return to work and it freaks me out! I would never be able to return to work in the short times stated. This makes me feel weak and a bit of a failure!

Whilst I don't wish this on anyone in feel relieved to know other women feel exactly the same as me. The people who write these websites obviously haven't been through what we are going through.

I wish everyone a speedy recovery.

Hi daxidoodle, 

Thanks for the update, it's amazing that we have this resource to hear what this experience is like for others. I'm not at radiotherapy yet but I know I'll come back to your post when I am. 

Yes I personally used your fluffy sock tip, and was helped hugely by your op when I was on a particularly low ebb. Definitely I wasn't prepared for the pain after surgery and I felt so lonely till I found this thread. 

So, big thanks and hugs to you

Aileen x

Hi Donnads37, 

Hope you're feeling a bit better today. I'm about 8 days ahead of you with lymph nodes out and wide excision but not a Benelli, I never heard of that before and it sounds sore you poor thing.

There are definitely low points, and the nerve pain on the armpit for me was the worst, it was just exhausting. 

I saw my surgeon last week. I asked him why I had to have such a horrible operation for just 2 cancerous lymph nodes and was that not over the top. That's how hard it was to accept for me. I was very surprised when he agreed. He said he's actually giving a lecture on the topic this week. He said they have to follow the guidelines and the guidelines are slow to change. But then he confirmed if I'd had treatment 10 years ago I may have had more radical surgery which is even worse.

I've just realised that telling you this may be completely useless to you, but it just popped into my head. I found myself getting really angry about the pain after lymph node surgery. But somehow I can accept it because my question was taken seriously, because this is the best they can do, and because I'm not alone. 

Keep reminding yourself it will get better. I'm only a week further on and it's improved a lot. I hardly even take paracetamol. I seem to have cording now, but the good thing is that almost always goes away within a few months, so I'm hanging onto that fact and doing my exercises religiously. 

Keep truckin' and be super-kind to yourself, we'll get there! 

Aileen x

Hi Aileen

Thanks for your reply, have you started any further therapy yet? Yes i suppose we are lucky really, surgery could have been a lot worse. 

The hospital ive had treatment is the first in the country where the patient has radioactive seeds put in before surgery to aid the surgeon. Think its amazing what can be done now.

Ive put Bepanthen on my underarm tonite as i feel as if i have a carpet burn!! Dont know if it will work but desparation calls!! 

Sending hugs

Wendy xx

Thankyou for sharing that, i will go out and get some Aveeno! Hope you make a speedy recovery.

Sening hugs

Wendy xx

Hi daxiDOODLE

I've just re-read your post and I remembered about the hardness and swelling of the boob.  I remember being able to feel this huge solid mass and the breast being swollen.  When I went for my post op checkup (I think it was about two weeks after) I asked the surgeon who didn't seem to understand what I meant and said, she thinks she could feel fluid in there.  She said you get a build up of fluid around the site where the tumour was removed.  Very gradually over the next few weeks the huge hard lump got smaller and smaller.  I can't tell you what it feels like now as it's too sore to mess about with after radiotherapy but I think the lump almost disappeared.  I still don't understand what it was but hopefully will give you some reassurance that it should go down.  Mine took at least four weeks.  I noticed a big turning point around the four week mark with regards to both the surgery pain and pain under the arm too.

I still can't wear a bra.  I wore a sloggi (turned inside out) yesterday for about two hours but couldn't stand it any longer due to the irritation around the lymph node area. It seems to flare up as soon as anything rubs on the area.  It is getting better though, day by day.

Good luck and I hope it all improves for you quickly.

Sue

Hi Everyone,

I see that many of you have suggested the use of Aveeno after your radiotherapy. I haven't got to my radiotherapy yet but know that I will be having it. 

Looking at the Aveeno there are so many different types. Can anyone suggest which one I should use. 

Its on special offer at one of the supermarkets at the moment so now seems like a good time to buy it.

thanks

Sally

Hi Sally,

The one that I use is the Daily Moisturising Body Lotion.  It says nourishes normal to dry skin.  It's a cream plastic bottle with green writing.

I would recommend that you try it out before your radiotherapy.  If it feels nice then use it.  I've found it to be very good and am still using it four months after radiotherapy.

Good luck

Sue

Thankyou so much for your response Sue. Lotion ordered :happy:

Sally