Hi [@WarriorWilko]‍ welcome to the thread but so sorry you find yourself here . This group of ladies have been a fantastic support to me and will be to you also . 

I’m 45 was diagnosed in March IDC her2 + , Ed &pr+ , and it’s in my lymph nodes . Had chemo and have had mastectomy and auxiliary clearance last Thursday. It’s a tough long road but you will get there . We have all been there when you feel every little ache and pain and you imagine the worst . I’m sending you positive vibes and support. 

Hope all goes well for you with your results . 

Take care 

j xx

Hello BigJean

It’s good to hear from you - thank you for replying. It’s so good to know we’re not on our own on this journey, although I wish none of us were on it in the first place. I really hope you get your drain out today or tomorrow and that you can catch up on some sleep. You sound very positive though and I know that will really help, both physically and mentally in our recoveries. I’m trying to get there and today has been fractionally easier than yesterday. 

Sending you too my best wishes

Helen xx

Hi Jolamine 

I have done exactly that, I've asked for them to be done at the same time I order that I don't need to have 2 separate ops. I knew there was a risk that the nipple bud would need to be removed, so I'm not surprised. I think my confusion is because I was told I'd had such a good response to chemo I could have had a WLE instead of mastectomy and the MRI and ultrasound confirmed they couldn't see anything to then having a large amount of residual cancer removed was a bit of a surprise. I'm seeing my breast surgeon on the 18th so I can get him to talk me through it in more detail then. 

I am quite frustrated being in hospital as I am well, just tethered to a machine. And I can't sleep as the ladies I'm sharing a bay with are checked every 2 hours.

Thanks for checking in on me.

wl

Hi BJ

You are absolutely right I need to focus on the right things and it is out, and the remaining treatment will make sure it stays out and doesn't come back.  I just think my emotions are high with so much going on and I'm missing the kids and normal life goings on at home. Been a bit teary today.
 

thanks for your message, gives me a boost knowing that you guys are there for support.

wl

Of course you are tearful and upset you have every right to be . It’s been very tough on you the last couple of weeks and you have had a lot to deal with . Tears are good . 

It is tough being in hospital and missing your family . FaceTime the kids I did that a lot when I was in hospital, also gave me a chance to check up on the house with my husband doing the housework

I’m always here if you need to chat . Just keep thinking this time next week you will be home .

Might be worth a try but could you ask the nurse if they have any rooms free could you be put into one as you are not sleeping and exhausted., never hurts to ask !!!!!

mind yourself and take care 

j xxx ️ ️ ️ ️ ️

Hi Woolylamb,

If you have already asked them to do both ops at the same time, what was their reply? I agree with you, in that I am also confused as to why you were given the all clear, yet still had a large amount of residual cancer removed so soon after. It sounds like 'a rud** great shock', rather than 'a bit of a surprise' and, I would certainly be looking for an explanation.

I have spent many weekends in hospital and agree with you about just how frustrating it can be. Isn't it strange that no matter what type of ward you are in, there is always something or somebody to spoil the peace and quiet at night? I agree with BigJean's suggestion. It's definitely worth asking whether or not they have a single room that they could put you in to.

I hope that you do this and that you are successful.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

My plastic surgeon isn't in until Monday, however I think if he can do it together he will, the doc I saw today also thought the same but won't know till Monday when I am reviewed. 
 

I will definitely pursue getting an understanding of why there is a difference  between scans and pathology results, doesn't change anything, but would be good know. 
 

take care

WL

Hi Woolylamb,

You say that it doesn't change anything, but it could do so. These results seem so different in such a short period of time. What if the've mixed up the results and, given you someone else's results? It would certainly be worth asking your plastic surgeon before he operates on you.

I don't mean to panic you, but these things can happen.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thanks Jolamine 

I've double checked this morning and they are definitely mine, I'm seeing the plastic surgeon in the morning and also talking to me breast nurse again to get some more clarity. 
 

wl

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that you have managed to double check, so the big question for tomorrow  - for both the plastic surgeon and the breast care nurse - must be why is this result so different from the last in such a short period of time.

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and, hope that they can give you some satisfactory answers.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL

been thinking of you today. Hope you got the answers re your results today xx 

Hey

Thanks, I saw the breast surgeon and he explained everything and the measurement which I understand now. He said it's all out and said he was really happy with the results, it was downgraded from 3 to 2 aswell. 
Should find out on Thursday when I will have my skin graft and then it's focus on healing in order to start radiotherapy. I feel so much better now. I'm at home as well, was discharged yesterday.

thanks for your support everyone, means everything to me that I have you guys here when I need you. 
 

WL

Hey

Thanks, I saw the breast surgeon and he explained everything and the measurement which I understand now. He said it's all out and said he was really happy with the results, it was downgraded from 3 to 2 aswell. 
Should find out on Thursday when I will have my skin graft and then it's focus on healing in order to start radiotherapy. I feel so much better now. I'm at home as well, was discharged yesterday.

thanks for your support everyone, means everything to me that I have you guys here when I need you. 
 

WL

WL

so glad you have been discharged and back at home. Nothing beats being around our home comforts x so glad too you got clarity over your results and for it to be downgraded is great news x sending you hugs WL you are nearly there me lovelie xx 

Hi Woollylamb

Thrilled to hear you have been discharged and can continue to recover at home.  There is nothing better than being in your own home!!

You must be over the moon with your results now you have been downgraded, that is truly amazing.  

Keep the positive news and thought coming!!

I was at hospital yesterday and my infection has finally cleared so they were able to stitch me up and remove my drain (only 35 days!!!), oh it feels great!

I'm booked in for my mastectomy next Wednesday and this morning woke up with a desire to clean my kitchen through so that's what I'm doing and enjoying every second.  Taking it very slowly but just a good feeling.

Please look after yourself, keep warm and well.  Good luck for the appointment on Thursday. Rosie

Hi Rosie 

So pleased your infection has cleared and the drain is out, just take it easy with the cleaning. I ended up redecorating the downstairs loo before my op! 

So op next Wednesday, will be good to get it over and done with. Just a suggestion, I got myself a mastectomy pillow for under my arm and it's been a god send. I got it from Jens friends on Facebook, she does them for free and asks for a donation towards postage, might be worth a look. Will be thinking of you next week. X

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that the breast surgeon was able to explain everything to you a bit more clearly. It's great to hear that it is all out and, even better to discover that it has been downgraded.

I thought that you were staying in hospital until you had your skin graft, so it must be a bonus to have got home for a few days. Let's hope that you don't have too long to wait for it.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Rosie,

Great news that your infection has finally cleared. Having your drain removed and being stitched up must have been a marvellous feeling after so long.

I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday when you have your mastectomy. It sounds as if you've been very busy today, but good on you for getting into the kitchen. Hope that you are feeling very proud of yourself this evening!

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi WL

It will be good to get the operation over and done with that's for sure, I am really nervous now though and just trying to put it to the back of my mind and get on with things.  A bit more cleaning for me today although a break halfway through as we are going to friends for lunch - outside of our children and my parents, they are the only people who know about my diagnosis and they have been absolutely brilliant to us.  

I still need to have my wound dressing cleaned and changed daily at our medical centre but that is better than going to the hospital 45 minutes away as we have been doing.  Feel like we have a new lease of life.  The Consultant said I can drive now the wound is closed so will take myself today and give Stewart a day off (he's gone out to prune the fruit trees to celebrate!!).

I will look up the mastectomy pillow that you have mentioned, thank you very much for that.  Any other advice also greately appreciated.......

How are you feeling today?  Bet you cannot wait to get the skin graft done now can you?  I hope they don't keep you waiting for too long. x

Hi

Its horrid how this whole thing just turns your life upside down with all of the appointments you have to go to, I have to go to two different hospitals depending upon whether I'm seeing the breast Surgeon or the plastic surgeon, sometimes both on the same day! I would like to have a day when I don't have a conversation about it but I think that's a long way off yet.

Ive just been told Friday for the op, I'm awaiting confirmation from the surgeons secretary. It will be good to get it over and done with and hopefully not a prolonged hospital stay this time.

I can't think of any other tips for your mastectomy, I had some nighties instead of pj's as I couldn't bend down to put the bottoms on, but I had an abdominal wound as well for the reconstruction. And I got my husband to set our bedroom up so I could reach everything I needed, clean bedding, we moved the tv in there as well, my mum bought me a lap tray and a travel mug which was handy so I didn't spill things and it took me ages to drink a cuppa, so it never went cold.  I think you've just got to let yourself heal, are you having your lymph nodes removed as well? 
 

wl

Hi WL

Have you heard from Secretary and is Friday confirmed yet?  Trust me, I have everything crossed for you that it is a complete success and your recovery from the skin graft goes well.  I do hope you are not in for too long and get to recover at home in relaxed comfortable surroundings.

Like you I have two hospitals depending on who I am seeing, one is 3/4 an hour away and the other is an hour and a quarter away, luckily most appointments are at the closest one so pleased about that.  Luckily we've only had one instance when we had to go to both on the same day and that added to the stress but I got a McDonald's I was craving as no time to stop for a proper lunch so that was a bonus.  A McDonald's of all things - life is so funny!!!!

We are going out on Monday to do some shopping so I'll get a couple of winter nightshirts (thank you).  I like the idea of a travel mug so will look at one of those too as due to the complications I suffered, I struggled after the original lumpectomy and lymph node removal I also had problems with a cup of tea and it keeping warm!!!!!  Will change the bedding on Tuesday and remember your words to let myself heal......  Let's hope it is a better recovery than my last operation.......

As mentioned above, I had 4 lymph nodes removed at the same time as my lumpectomy and the cancer had only spread into two so no more being removed thankfully.  The consultant has said I will receive my results on either 20th or 23rd December and from there my MT will have decided if I need any further treatment or if everything has been cleared and that's it.  I just want them to be 100% sure that everything is clear so I don't mind what treatment I need, they are the professionals and I trust them totally!!!!

Good luck for Friday, keep us updated on how it goes...... Rosie

Hi Woolylamb,

I'm glad to hear that Friday is the day for your op and hope that you don't have any further complications.

I agree about the mastectomy pillow.I found these absolutely invaluable, especially as I had experienced the double mastectomy.

Hoping and praying that all goes well for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Rosie,

I would fully agree with Woolylamb about the mastectomy pillow. I had a double mastectomy 9 years ago and found them invaluable.

It must feel great to be able to drive now and, I hope that your wound heals up soon.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx