Hi Sam, no problem and I wish you all the very best.  My recovery is going well :o).

I hope your family have now been able to accept your news and are rallying around you with support.  All the very best with your op and recovery, take care and be thinking of you.

Julie x

Hi Sam,

Now that your surgery is over, I hope that you are recovering well and, feeling in a more positive frame of mind, as you get ready to move on to treatment.

I have been away from home for the past ten days, but have been thinking about you and wondering how you are getting on.

Hope all is well,

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi [@Jolamine]‍ 

Thanks for your message. My surgery went ok and my recovery is progressing. I have a lot of fluid build up which I am hoping to get the bcns to look at today as this started to be an issue on Friday after they had gone home for the weekend.

Slept ok for the first time last night since surgery as the drains have been uncomfortable. I feel much better for the sleep.

Just concentrating on recovery from the surgery for now. It'll be at least four weeks before my results appointment which they haven't given me a date for yet so I am just going to get myself better from this and deal with the next stage when I know about it.

Thanks for you support. Samx

Hi Sam,

I'm glad to hear that your surgery went well, but am sorry to hear about your fluid build up. Isn't this typical that it flared up on Friday when all had gone home for the weekend? I hope that by now your BCN has drained it for you, as you should feel much comfortable with this after some of the fluid is drawn off.

I am sure that you'll feel a lot better for a full night's sleep and, hope that you continue to have more better nights from here on in. Make sure that you carry out your exercises regularly, as this should speed up your recovery.

Four weeks seems a long time to have to wait for your pathology results, but I hope that your appointment comes through soon.

I hope that you are managing to suppress that independent streak and, accepting any offer of help. You really do need to be kind to yourself for the next few weeks to help your recovery.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi [@Jolamine]‍ 

I spoke to the breast centre nursing staff directly in the end as the BCN team did not call back till after lunch. They said it was normal so they haven't drained it. They said to keep doing the exercises and take painkillers which I have done. I actually haven't seen or spoken to the same BCN twice yet - I am not finding them particularly helpful since the initial diagnosis meeting.

The pathology is longer because they have sent the tumours off for that test that can determine likelihood of recurrence and that will inform their next steps for my treatment. That test result takes longer than just the nodes and then they have a cross department meeting to determine my treatment hence the delay I guess.

I am trying to take it easy as much as possible. My mother in law is here helping and my sister's will take over from her on Wednesday.

Thanks for your continued support. Samx

Hi LaurelLeaf,

Sorry to hear your news.

I was diagnosed last year with stage 3c breast cancer at 41 years of age so I'm in a similar boat to you.  It's great that you have lots of fantastic support around you but, even with that, it can be a very lonely disease and it definitely helps to talk to others that are going through it 'with you' in a sense.

It might be worth looking up the Young Breast Cancer Network as well.  There is a benefit to talking to people of all ages and a benefit talking to people nearer your own age.  Especially as those closer to your age are more likely to have the same situation with young kids etc.

I have found this site and the ladies on it absolutely invaluable in keeping me sane through this process of treatment and tests so I hope you do too.

In terms of your mastectomy, it's great that you have quite clear ideas on what you do and don't want. But your mind can sometimes change as your life changes so speak to your surgeon to check that you can have delayed reconstruction should you decide later on that you want it. You may never want it, but it's best to have the option.

Take care,

LJx

Hi Sam,

I am so sorry to hear that you do not have a great opinion of your breast care nurses. It makes such a difference when you can turn to them in times of uncertainties. I presume that you have only spoken to them and not been seen by them. I know that they don't like to drain your breasts until they have to, as this can encourage further build up, but don't be afraid to contact them again if your discomfort continues.

The extra time taken for your pathology results makes sense when  you are waiting for the additional test result. It is commonplace for your surgeon to hold an MDT (multidisciplinary team meeting) after your results come back and before you see him/her again. This way they can discuss the best way forward for your treatment when you return.

I am glad to hear that your family are looking after you well and helping you to take it easy.

Twin Two has been through stage 3C breast cancer and, has offered you some good advice. It is certainly well worth discussing with your surgeon the possibility of having retrospective breast reconstruction if you change your mind at a later date. It doesn't sound as if you will, but you never know, so it's always worth keeping your options open.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx