Think it's only if you get an infection. I had a lumpectomy Nearly 2 weeks ago and ended up with an infection 5 days later hasten returning to the hospital and being prescribed antibiotics. If you feel fine there is no need. I noticed I was going downhill rather than getting better which is how I knew. I was only offered paracetamol for the pain even though I had lymph nodes removed and the lumpectomy I guess each hospital differs. Good luck on the healing!

Thsnks for the reply, that's reassuring. I am sorry to hear you needed to go back for antibiotics, but at least you knew you needed them and could get treated. 

I swing between feeling totally fine, and then feeling sore/drained.  I've not taken any painkillers as i am paranoid about making something potentially more serious!

Still another 10 days for me till I see the consultant, I'm going to drive myself mad in that time!  (And i REALLY want a glass of wine!)

I know the feeling I find out on Thursday have quite enjoyed the bubble of not knowing but now looks like it's back to reality soon. Did you have the lymph nodes removed too have they mentioned chemo too you, think that's what I'm going to have to have as classed as young as 43. Can't even imagine it at the moment think I am still in denial about that part! How is your arm is it quite mobile I am still struggling to lift mine above my head through wondering if that is to do with the infection.

I had a lumpectomy then had to go back for lymph node biopsies four weeks later. Never had any antibiotics and healed well after both surgeries. Make sure to do the arm exercises though. I did mine but might have overdone things as ended up with "cording" which was extremely uncomfortable.

Just completed 15 sessions of radiotherapy and been on Anastrazole since September.

Good luck with your treatment plan.

Love Mary xx

Thank you Mary, glad to hear tour radiotherapy has finished.  How did you find it?

I wasn't given any exercises to do, i will look some up online tomorrow!

Mic-st  I had a sentinal node biopsy.  My consultant also spoke about chemo as i am 39, but last time we spoke she was leaning more towards radiotherapy because there was no sign of spread. But i won't know for sure until the results.  I am really in denial about chemo, i can't bear to think about that right now

10 years of Tamoxifen to finish up.

My arm feels mobile, no difficulty with movement, just a fair bit of soreness at the incision sites x

My old lady advice is to use the ten days before seeing your consultant to get as rested as you can and treat yourself gently.  If you hurt take the painkillers!

I, personally, don't take painkillers unless I feel I need them and was gently told off because the idea is to get to a level where you are relatively pain free.

I found that if I took the painkillers at bedtime I slept well and woke up in less pain than if I hadn't taken them. I.e. when I forgot. 

I had a mastectomy then had to have lymph node clearance a few weeks later, I had a drain in for two weeks both times, which was quite uncomfortable but I managed to sleep ok. The district nurse came every day to empty the drain and check my wound which was quite comforting as she was able to reassure me that everything was healing as it should with no sign of infection, so never any need for antibiotics.

Good luck, try to relax this week before you have to start thinking about it all again.

Christine xx

Well done on the mobility and sounds like you are recovering well. It's worth stocking up on bio oil too think it's working wonders with my scar. I am based in Wales and there is a BAPS ap you can download which has exercises and was developed by the breast centre for people like us. Saying that I can't get past week 1 yet!

Hi,

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy just over 2 weeks ago. I was told that I was given an antibiotic injection during surgery just to be on the safe side I was told. No infection but have come out in an almost eczema type rash from maybe the blue dye? Hopefully it clears up. Unfortunately my results show met cells in my lymph node, so I have been referred to an oncologist to have an oncotype dx test to check for my suitability for chemo, which I was really hoping to avoid! Hope you feel better soon. xx