a Newbie needing reassurance

Hi Kath,  I found that the breast care nurses were great with info - just keep asking questions.  ask for any extra help you think you might need.  While I have a connective tissue disorder as well that complicated things I just kept asking for help.  some extra's that I found helped were - physio for cording in the arm following surgery, physio can also refer you to hydrotherapy which is a gentler way to exercise if you are finding your normal exercise routine too hard, When my daughter had to have surgery and I was going through chemo the hospital social worker was able to arrange for us to be flown to the city so I didn't have to drive.  The local cancer group here called me up and told me about a local nurse who is trained in cancer massage - and they pay half the cost - was a really great way to be able to relax when stressed without it costing too much and also knowing that because of her training it was safe for me to do.   When you find a really good person at taking your bloods - you know the one that hurts less than the others - you can ask for them by name each time - just knowing you don't have to put up with a trainee digging around trying to find a vein makes the hassle of weekly bloods that bit easier.  You have enough stress - do everything you can to be gentle to yourself during this time.
Hugs!!