hi, I'm new to all this and trying to negotiate my way through. I was have just had a radical mastectomy and an axillay clearance and would love to talk to anyone who's gone through this.....it's so painful and scary. rowie

I am fairly new to this also. I just had a lumpectomy and full axillary clearance. I know how scary and painful it is. Have you received your pathology results yet? I have just received mine and even though I have to go back for more surgery and had a lot of nodes involved, at least I know what I am dealing with. You will get through it, taking each day as it comes. The pain from surgery does get better, although having a drain can be a source of discomfort. I still have mine 13 days after my surgery. Take care of yourself and jump on this site every time you feel lonely. The ladies here are so caring. Take care. Jo xx

hey Jo, thanks sooo much for answering xx. My radical mastectomy really doesn't cause me much grief but the ax cl does. i too went in for one op, mast and sentinal node then got the news had to go back for the ax clearance. 2 op knocks you about a bit but hang in there mate. doesn't it seem like we're on a rollercoaster. i've had my body scans this week and both clear, dosen't seem to have gone anywhere else. Thank God. I'm starting chem, radio and hormone blocking Jan 10th. at least i'm getting Christmas. After my first op Jo i had my drains in for 14 days and thought that was awful, i feel for you having them in sooo long too. i would always forget about them and they'd drop....it would nearly make me faint. you and i are in the same boat for that lymphoedema, boy! was that a shock when the OT explained the seriousness of that complication. Have you been to the ocupational therapist about that yet? i saw mine on wednesday. i know im rambling mate but its just so good to talk to someone who understands. TC (take care) Rowie

Hi Ladies, I too have had the surgery you are describing but mine was just over 3 years ago now. So far i have not suffered with lymphoedema but I make sure i do my arm exercises twice a day as was shown to me in hospital. I also rub Vaseline Dry Skin Conditioning Lotion into my scars daily and don't use deodorant under that arm as it makes the skin feel funny. I also don't perspire under that arm anymore or need to shave there as the hair doesn't grow there since the radium. I had a left breast mastectomy and sentinal node biopsy which showed a tiny bit of cancer in 1 or the 4 nodes taken. I then had to go back the next week and have a further 12 removed but all were clear. I had a stage 2 Lobular carcinoma highly estrogen receptive which was very close to the chest wall so I had to have radiotherapy as well as chemo. I am now on Femara after taking Tamoxifen for 1 year. So far all is ok and I consider i am pretty lucky compared to some who have fared much worse than me with side effects from chemo and drugs. I wish you both well with your treatments. If I can be of any assistance with questions you might have don't hesitate to contact me. Take Care Jillxxx

Hello Rowie Sorry you have also been thrown onto this rollercoaster called Cancer, there is a lot of ups and downs on this journey so hang in there and take it one step at a time. It is a scary ride but remember you are not alone, we are all here to offer words of encouragement and support. Try and enjoy your christmas, family and friends. Kathryne XX

hey sisters! | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

rowie
Member
14 years ago
hey Jo,

thanks sooo much for answering xx. My radical mastectomy really doesn't cause me much grief but the ax cl does. i too went in for one op, mast and sentinal node then got the news had to go back for the ax clearance. 2 op knocks you about a bit but hang in there mate. doesn't it seem like we're on a rollercoaster. i've had my body scans this week and both clear, dosen't seem to have gone anywhere else. Thank God. I'm starting chem, radio and hormone blocking Jan 10th. at least i'm getting Christmas.

After my first op Jo i had my drains in for 14 days and thought that was awful, i feel for you having them in sooo long too. i would always forget about them and they'd drop....it would nearly make me faint.

you and i are in the same boat for that lymphoedema, boy! was that a shock when the OT explained the seriousness of that complication. Have you been to the ocupational therapist about that yet? i saw mine on wednesday.

i know im rambling mate but its just so good to talk to someone who understands.

TC (take care)

Rowie
Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
I am fairly new to this also. I just had a lumpectomy and full axillary clearance. I know how scary and painful it is. Have you received your pathology results yet? I have just received mine and even though I have to go back for more surgery and had a lot of nodes involved, at least I know what I am dealing with. You will get through it, taking each day as it comes. The pain from surgery does get better, although having a drain can be a source of discomfort. I still have mine 13 days after my surgery. Take care of yourself and jump on this site every time you feel lonely. The ladies here are so caring.

Take care.

Jo xx
Jo_B
Member
14 years ago
I am fairly new to this also. I just had a lumpectomy and full axillary clearance. I know how scary and painful it is. Have you received your pathology results yet? I have just received mine and even though I have to go back for more surgery and had a lot of nodes involved, at least I know what I am dealing with. You will get through it, taking each day as it comes. The pain from surgery does get better, although having a drain can be a source of discomfort. I still have mine 13 days after my surgery. Take care of yourself and jump on this site every time you feel lonely. The ladies here are so caring.

Take care.

Jo xx

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