Hi BigJean,

A very warm welcome to our forum, although I'm sorry for the reason you've joined. I hope that your results on Tuesday can help to put your mind at rest. Even if the news is not so good, it helps to know what the next moves are and puts a more positive slant on things.

I suspect that the pain in your back is consequential to your diagnosis. We always seem to think the worst and develop all sorts of additional symptoms. In most cases this seems to be due to stress.

I have lost my mum to breast cancer and, have had 2 bouts myself within the past 9 years. Waiting for results is always one of the most stressful times of a cancer journey. Try to keep yourself distracted by other pursuits and do your best to stay away from Google. The fact that you are healthy and have never smoked, should stand you in good stead with any treatment needed.

Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on on Tuesday. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine ,

thank you for your kind words . I’m so sorry you lost your mum and you going through it twice . I am not going to let it get me down just back from a big walk with my family and I feel great . That’s the weird thing I don’t feel sick at all . 

I’ll let you know how I get on on Tuesday but I am ready to fight 

talk soon xx

Hi Mejules,

Thank you for your kind words. I lost my mum to breast cancer 22 years ago and, thought that I was prepared should the worst happen. Little did I know about how I would feel, until it happened. I had a massive meltdown myself when I was first diagnosed and got tremendous help from a group of people on the site, all sadly no longer here.

As a result of this, I know just how scary all the waiting for results can be, alongside all the lifestyle changes, financial worries, etc. A cancer diagnosis carries a lot of baggage with it. It is for this reason that I do my best to try and ease some of the uncertainty and fear surrounding our cancer journeys.

It is always good to hear that my efforts have been appreciated and, I thank you once again for taking the time to let me know.

How are you feeling now? I hope that the soreness is settling down. Do you still have your drain in? I hope that all goes well when you get your results this week. Are you are bringing someone with you to your appointment? This is always a good idea, especially when you are going to get your results.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi BigJean,

I am delighted to hear that you are doing so much better this time and, that you haven't felt nauseous all weekend with your new tablets.

You're quite right to put what your friend said behind you and to just get on with things. As usual Rileyroo has come up with some good advice. You don't need negativity in your life now. Stick to being positive and it will make your journey so much easier.

As to your hair. I'm sorry to hear that it is coming away quite fast now. This tends to happen. I am glad to hear that you have bitten the bullet and are going to get it all shaved off tomorrow. I think that you will find it easier doing this as opposed to having it come out in clumps.

Thank you for your kind words. It's always reassuring to hear that people find my posts of some help.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine

you truly are inspirational to us x can I pick your brain again as bit confused as to what they will be telling me when I get my results from my op. I was kind of hoping that they will say the masectomy went well and all out. What other results will I get? X

drain is due out tomorrow thankfully. Getting abit more movement and feeling back to my arm but still numb in the armpit and underarm .

take care me lovely xx 

hi Mejules 

Glad you are recovering and getting the drain out helps it made me feel more normal again

your q is interesting as yea it should b the end so I’ll b interested in what people say as I’m having this done in next week or so  

my armpit and arm are still numb I’m exercising but I wonder should I also visit a physio for extra support ?

im still taking gabapentin for nerve pain and ibuprofen as it gets uncomfortable r u taking pain relief 

when can a person drive after this op my arm still weak but advice really appreciated.  

Good luck with results thinking of u 

Swiperbaby

Hi swiperbaby

i know I have to have chemo and radiotherapy but yes like you thought resullts would be to say they took it all out. I know with lumpectomy they have to have clear margins etc but surely there is no clear margin with my op?

i stopped the pain relief when I came out of hospital thinking I was ok haha needless to say by the next day I was popping the pills on a regular basis. I’m just taking paracetamol and ibrofren and it seems to be doing the trick. The nerve pain is a shocker when it happens. I’ve actuallt been known to let out a little yelp  

when do you get your results? Mine is 5th June x 

with regards to driving I was told when I can do an emergency stop and be in control of the car. My mom had a lumpectomy and waited a week and was ok to drive but I think it’s the node clearance that seems to be worse. I was hoping to do short journeys by end of this week x 

take care x

Hello

my breast nurse said the same thing when you can do emergency stop  I drove day 6 after lumpectomy but this s different thing as I’m having tightening down inside of arm I need to do more physio I know here doing it now and it’s hurting when I push the stretch but if I don’t do it I’ll end up with poor range of movement    I plan to drive in a few days I’m heading for a walk now 

My margins ended up terrible this time and I’ve been told I need mastectomy my nodes were clear I have one badie but after node clearance the rest were good thank god I was more worried about this I’ll get over the mastectomy now 

Regards s

Hi MeJules,

You've caught me out with this question. It's been so long since I had my mastectomies that I cannot honestly remember. If I'm  correct, all post-op tissue is sent to pathology and, is again analysed to ensure that it concurs with your biopsy results and to see that the entire tumour has been removed. If any lymph nodes are removed at the same time, this is when you'll find out if any more are infected.

I can recall getting a lot of details about my lumpectomy, but not much at all about my mastectomies. Perhaps someone else can answer this for us?

I am sure that you will be glad to get your drain removed tomorrow. I still have discomfort in my arm and underarm after all this time. I think that most of us do, but we can cope with it.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Swiperbaby,

I was referred to a physiotherapist after I came home following my lumpectomy, but left to my own devices following my double mastectomy. It certainly helped me to see the physio and, I didn't need to attend for long.

The nerve pain can certainly stop you in your tracks, but watch out for the side-effects of Gabapentin. I had to stop it when I found myself getting forgetful and having difficulty in concentration.

As far as I know, you can drive as soon as you can safely do an emergency stop. However, you are possibly best to confirm with your consultant, preferably in writing, that you are safe to do so, as we live in a very litigous society.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine

no drain out today. They decided to leave it in til Friday as still too much coming out. 

I asked about what results I will get next Wednesday and the cancer nurse said in effect it should be it’s all out and how many lymph nodes were infected. The less nodes affected the less chance of reoccurrence so I’m hoping it’s low. Also they will be able to say if it there were precancerous cells in the chest wall , what grade and what stage. Not going to lie thought it would only be good news hereonin and start the chemo/radiotherapy so bit of a reality check for me. Just got to wait for results next Wednesday and take it from there . 

Hope you are ok x 

Hi Mejules,

I'm sorry to hear that you have to wait until Friday to get your drain out. I know that this is disappointing when you were expecting it out today, but you will probably benefit from keeping it in for a few more days, if there is still a lot of fluid coming out.

I'm glad that you asked the nurse what to expect of your results next Wednesday. It is always wise to ask your care team about anything you don't understand.

Here's hoping that it is all good news for you then.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Mejules,

I'm sorry to hear that you have to wait until Friday to get your drain out. I know that this is disappointing when you were expecting it out today, but you will probably benefit from keeping it in for a few more days, if there is still a lot of fluid coming out.

I'm glad that you asked the nurse what to expect of your results next Wednesday. It is always wise to ask your care team about anything you don't understand.

Here's hoping that it is all good news for you then.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

jolamine

just letting you know I had my drain out yesterday as it was leaking after bottle changed day before. Unbeknown to me I had pulled the tube out quite far and the drainage holes that should have been inside me were actually on the outside - hence the leakage- ouch! Back tomorrow to check for a setoma but tick against another step to starting treatment. 

Bit worried about results Wednesday particularly the lymph node results but have to remind myself it is what it is - nothing I can do to change it. 

Take care all x

Hi Mejules,

Sorry to hear about the drain leak. I had one of these the second day after my surgery when I was taking a shower. Fortunately, I was still in hospital at the time and a very helpful nurse came and sorted me out. - It must have been more difficult for you to have to deal with this at home?

Still, I'm glad that this led to getting your drain out altogether. Here's hoping that there is no sign of a seroma tomorrow.

This is always a scary time, waiting for results, but no amount of worry will change anything. Still, you can hope for the best and, I sincerely hope that this turns out to be the case.

Roll on Wednesday!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine/WL/bigjean

had results today from mastectomy. They got it all it was 6.5cm so bit smaller than originally thought and two out of twelve nodes were cancerous but all taken out. Do consultant said I am now cancer free!! Still got to have chemo and radiotherapy- appointment Monday with oncologist but for today I am taking this little bit of good news x

hope you Are all doing well x take care

hi all 

hope everybody is doing ok. You are all flying with chemo and making the hair loss sound manageable so it’s nice to read and not panic about what may lie ahead

Mejules great news about u being cancer free it is news not to take lightly and must b celebrated  if lucky to have oncologist appt soon too u will have your plan and c the way forward.   I’m in for third operation next Monday mastectomy on one side part of me thinking will it b only a matter of time before it all kicks off in other breast.  

How is your arm going mine stiff and tight 

can I ask you girls have u  kept this news quite outside immediate family and friends. I like having only a small circle knowing but I think as time goes on I have more trouble hiding the truth and beginning to care less I live in a small town  

regards for now

Swiperbaby

Hi swiperbaby

All the best with your masectomy x I get where you are coming from when you say you think it will be in your breast at some time. I spoke to the cancer nurse today about me not checking my other breast incase I find a lump she said that is normal reaction but encouraged me to do it once a month x 

my arm is still tight. Struggle to take my tops off without pain. It feels like my arm has bern shortened which I know it hasn’t. Again nurse said need to continue with exercises as when I have radiotherapy i need to be able to put my arm in a certain position.  Do you still do the exercises? 

I only told close family and a few friends at first but to be honest as time has gone on especially after the Masectomy and as I’m not wearing a softie I tend to tell those friends I see because I feel it’s more noticeable with only having one boob. I think it’s a personal choice hun to you to whom you tell x

hope you are keeping well or as well in the circumstances x

Hi Jules,

This is great news. It's not often that the lump is smaller than expected.

It's not so good to hear that 2 of your nodes were cancerous, but let's hope that chemo and radiotherapy will zap any nodes left.

I hope that your appointment with the oncologist goes well on Monday.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi jolamine

how are you? X met with oncologist yesterday and start my chemo week commencing 1 July. Four cycles every three weeks then change the chemo and two cycles every two weeks x twenty weeks in total so not too bad x I’m going to have some dental work done to try and stop the chance of infection before chemo starts and it means I can attend an important event for my son on 28 June and feel ok x 

hope you doing ok x speak soon 

[@Woollylamb]‍ [@BigJean]‍ hi both 

h‍ow are you both doing with your chemo? Been thinking of you and hope you are doing ok x  

 Hi Jules,

I'm glad to hear that the oncologist has laid out your chemo schedule. I'm glad that you are getting your dental work out of the way first and, that you can attend your son's event before it all starts.

I hope that it all goes well and that you ejoy the day with your son.

Kind regards,
Jolamine xx

hey mejules

I am doing ok thanks. Very few side effects , heartburn, mouth ulcers and a bit of tiredness.  Had a review today and all good to go with round 2 next Tuesday.  Got my head shaved  which I’m pleased I did and making sure I take time to moisturise my skin properly.  Not sure what to do about eyebrows.  Our hospital also does free holistic therapies so I had a reiki session today so I’m feeling very relaxed at the minute.

I’m pleased you have your plan now, at least you know what you are dealing with and when.  

Thanks for getting in touch, look after yourself and let me know how your first session goes.

WL