Best Of

Well I rang my nurse and had to go straight in to see her at The Mater Hospital where she took out 75ml of blood with a syringe from my chest!

I've definitely learned a lesson to "take it easy" !!

That was on Thursday, now Saturday, it seems to have settled down a lot, not as swollen and dark coloured, thank goodness. Hope tonight it's not so burning with pain.

I'm also suffering from stopping the HRT's I was on, with hot flushes and I get really annoying "restless legs" in bed at night.

Has anyone else had this? and suggestions how to stop that? I can put up with the hot flushes but the restless legs drives me crazy.

The nurses only suggested Magnesium tabs but it's not really helping 

If anyone knows a magical cure I'd be so grateful!

x

Hi @nicmaree, so happy to hear that your op went fine and that the medical team were very supportive  . I think that is probably the most important part of your treatment done!  

Hello again. I had surgery late on Wednesday for a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, the steri strips that covered the incision (dissolvable stitches) for the lymph node under my arm pit have come off. Should I be getting these replaced? Why does everything seem to happen on a weekend? TIA 

@HelenlovesSnoopy and @SuzyS and @arpie Op was last Wednesday and home Thursday. My specialist, the doctors, nurses and my anaesthetist were all so supportive and lovely. The lump and 3 lymph nodes removed but won't know anymore until I get pathology results on Thursday.  I'm constantly tired (I didn't sleep much in the 2 week lead up to the op). I'm doing the exercises given to me by the breast care nurses and a small walk in fresh air each day. I feel like everything is out of my hands now. I'm in a holding pattern, just waiting. I'm trying to be positive and think good thoughts. 
I am swollen and sore but should I be so tired? 
I have been reading other posts and I can say that I have dense breast tissue. I have been having regular mammograms and ultrasounds for 20 years since I was 40 years old and not once was I told that dense tissue was more susceptible to breast cancer. The reason I had the checks for so long was because my aunt, my mother's sister, had breast cancer and a mastectomy many years ago. I was told that the line didn't follow that way.
I was also not aware the connection between stress and cancer until I was diagnosed with breast cancer.   

@nomadd I found out I had bc 10 days ago and had my lump and lymph nodes removed yesterday. I can sympathise as my head is still all over the place but my surgeon has been amazing and talking to her has put me in a much better place than I thought I'd be right now. Also had a chat to a Breast Care nurse while i was in hospital, which was helpful as well. I know there is a long road ahead but it doesn't seem quite as daunting now.
Hopefully your surgeon will be able to do the same for you. One tip I got, which was the best, was write down any questions you want to ask them about in an exercise book (or similar) so you don't forget any of them in the appointment. Was the best thing I did.
Good luck with your journey
Deb 🙂 

@deb1962 - You've had a rough trot of it xx.   Please consider joining the private group for Triple Negative members ..... you can discuss stuff in total privacy - and keep up with the latest on TNBC.

It is totally normal to feel brain overload & even overwhelmed ..... maybe give our helpline a bell tomorrow & have a chat - 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri) .... and check out Charlotte Tottman's podcasts, which are really great x. Start at No 13 for the first series, then go to No 1 for the 2nd series 
https://soundcloud.com/search?q=charlotte tottman

There are currently trials in the UK & USA on a vaccine that is proving beneficial - but so far, it has not started in Australia.  Maybe, mention this to your Onc & ask if there is any lobbying by them to have it brought to Australia? (See link below)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/215246#Comment_215246

Definitely stay away from Dr Google (difficult tho it is) as everyone's case is individual & unique and often info is outdated or not relevant to your diagnosis ....

Take care & all the best xx

@nomadd all of the above advice is so accurate. Like all of us the buzzing will settle. At this stage its one day at a time. And distracting that brain with pleasurable things is the way to go. Remember to breathe. And DO NOT GOOGLE OR SEARCH your symptoms etc go to reputable sites like here and cancer council site.
Let us know how your travelling. Be it good or not so good. Often just typing out your concerns on here can be helpful. 

Hi there @nomadd, My name is Ann and I live in Melbourne. I am very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It is a tumultuous time. It is an awful shock and at BCNA, you are among a strong group of women who continue to support each other from diagnosis to on going treatment. During this time of diagnosis and testing, it is so important to have self care and self compassion. My daughter drove me to the beach on the weekend before my biopsy. It cleared my head and helped me surf the emotions that were like a roller coaster. For me, trusting a good medical team was essential. I went to the Melbourne Breast Unit that is a multidisciplinary team. You will be given a clear treatment plan and this is what I held on to throughout.
I rang the BCNA and Cancer Council Helpline and both offered me tremendous support. I would also recommend finding a Breast Care nurse close to you. They are really wonderful and are clear communicators and have been through this many times with other women.
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
 All the very best and thinking of you on Monday 
Warmly
Ann 

As to Prolia injection. 
My sister has Osteoporosis and she's due for her 3rd Prolia injection.   They are every 6 months.  No side effects present!

I know how you feel. I am also newly diagnosed although already went through the lumpectomy. Try to get some information from BCNA although the breast surgeon is the one who has to provide you with all the relevant information and guide your through the treatment. When I feel down, I browse through the BCNA podcasts and information, doing light house chores, watch movies and look for any other destructions not to think much of my cancer. I really try to focus on healthy eating and exercise although I like resting the most. I have to go for re- excision as the cancer/margin is still there. My lump was 8 cm ( initially just after 5 cm)  and 15 lymph nodes removed. Still my surgeon said that it is curable . Who knows what is ahead, but I know I need to deal with it and try to have a positive attitude if possible.