Hi Jolamine, 

I qualified years ago as a florist, so I love flower arranging and gardening, I also do decoupage and painting.  The only thing going back to work, the lady I share my job with (we double up on a Wednesday), has been diagnosed with stage 2 IDC breast cancer and is seeing the consultant for the first time on Tuesday! .  I have said we need a new chair! Let's hope she doesn't want me to compare breasts and notes!

You are so right about the Internet, I even earlier went to look up arimidex, then thought no, if I read a nasty side effect, I will no doubt imagine I have it by Monday! .

Sharon 

Hi Sharon,

You have quite a few other interests, which is a blessing at this stage. What a pity that your job share is going through the cancer mill too. At least you will both appreciate what the other is going through.

Congratulations on resisting the temptation to look up Arimidex on the internet tonight.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

thanks for the response, I had lost half a stone prior to going on tamoxifen but the last 5 months has seen me gain fat around the belly :( don’t know how much I weigh as I stay away from the scales.

Your classes and support sound great but unfortunately I don’t have anything like that in my local NHS. I was offered a six week free entry to the gym but I am already a member so that didn’t help. I will ask about seeing a dietician next time I’m at the GP but not sure they have one. Maybe need to join weightwatchers or the like.

maggie x

Ladies, 

My lumpectomy is healing well, and bruising has subsided a lot, but where the bruising was, is still a little mauvish bit that feels firm and like a little lump/spot.  I am 13 days post op, is it normal for the breast to be a bit swollen and like this, or should I tell someone?

It's OK, I think it's a small haematoma, I think I read about it in the literature lol.  Panic over! 

My breast were swollen for months,due to radiotherapy my breasts are now hard were the cancer was, they change almost on a daily basis. Surgeon says it takes about 18mths to settle and only then will I know what my breasts will remain like.

Thankfully oncologist performs a physical check for lumps every time I see him, I would not be able to feel a lump under the hard tissue.

Easy to get anxious about these things

Hi Sharon,

I expect that the mauvish discolouration is just the tail end of your bruising.Keep an eye on it and, if you find the lump changing then phone your breast care nurse and ask her about it. It sounds as if it is ok, as you don't mention, pain or heat. If the area feels as if it is burning or painful, there could be infection present and you may need antibiotics.

The swelling can remain for some time. You're still not that long after your op, so it's still got time to settle.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx