Everything old is new again - unfortunately.

Here I am after 1.00am cos I am in so much darn pain. Had the seromas drained for the 3rd time today & it seems each time I have it done, I get more pain after. I guess this too will pass but meantime, it is a real bitch! Even had a little cry before I got up to type this. Still holding a lot in tho even so, trying to save my energy to heal.

Hi Maxine, your breast care team will be your surgeon, oncologist, breast care nurse, and physio. Your husband and GP will also be part of your support team. If you are considering reconstruction, there is a private group on this site called "Breast Reconstruction". You need to ask to join, and you will be accepted. there are many members and we have all posted photos of our reconstructions, and many questions are asked about it and answered. Louise Turner is the facilitator, but if you do a search on the top right side of the page, you will find the group. Hopefully you won't get lymphodema from your sentinel node biopsy. It would be unlikely, and the swelling you are experiencing is probably from the seroma, which should settle with time. I am worried about lymphodema at present, as i have had 10 nodes removed and had some of it in the past. 3 weeks ago I fell and broke my right upper arm in 3 places, and being my lymphodema side I am quite concerned. It blew up like a balloon, and I had to keep it still for 2 weeks, and for lymphodema you need to move it. Anyway, I am pleased to say that all the swelling is starting to recede, so I am hopeful that with time it go and not present an ongoing problem. I have a physio helping with the break, and lymphodema. Early intervention is the best thing, so if you have any symptoms see a breast physio promptly. love Chris xx

Thank you Robyn, Chris and Tonya for your words of support. They are very much appreciated. Yes, Chris I have the My Journey Kit - one of the things I don't understand is the term 'your breast care team' ? Soon (after the surgeon has finished with me) my 'team' will be my husband and my GP. Is that the team they speak of? I think I am in a bit of a hurry to look 'normal' again & have untold questions about prosthesis but with these lumps (the seroma) it seems way off. Have had a double mastectomy so it is both sides but worse where I had the sentinel node taken. God help me if I get lymphoedema. Still really grumpy - could be the weather! Very hot here, thank goodness for aircon. Max

Thank you Robyn, Chris and Tonya for your words of support. They are very much appreciated. Yes, Chris I have the My Journey Kit - one of the things I don't understand is the term 'your breast care team' ? Soon (after the surgeon has finished with me) my 'team' will be my husband and my GP. Is that the team they speak of? I think I am in a bit of a hurry to look 'normal' again & have untold questions about prosthesis but with these lumps (the seroma) it seems way off. Have had a double mastectomy so it is both sides but worse where I had the sentinel node taken. God help me if I get lymphoedema. Still really grumpy - could be the weather! Very hot here, thank goodness for aircon. Max

I, too, am a bit speechless. Having a few bad days myself, but not as unfortunate at yourself. You must be a strong woman, I know this because you are here to contact us today. Please try to stay strong and come onto this site to vent anytime. We will try to comfort you, lots of love, 

Hazel xx

Hi Maxine, Sorry to hear of your ongoing battles with cancer. To have had it 6 times is very unlucky. Having said that, you must be pretty tough to have recovered from each one. You must have a really good body for recovery, which is good. I have been through a single, and then double mastectomy, so I remember how awful seeing my flat chest was. It does get easier to accept with time, and now that I have had reconstruction with implants, I don't find them too bad at all. Have you received your "My Journey Kit" free from this site yet? You find a link for it if you hit the top panel for new Diagnosis. It will be posted to you and is full of wonderful information to help you to understand what is happening. Please feel free to come on here with any questions or concerns you may have. There is always someone who is able to help. Love Chris xx

Hi Maxine, Sorry to hear of your ongoing battles with cancer. To have had it 6 times is very unlucky. Having said that, you must be pretty tough to have recovered from each one. You must have a really good body for recovery, which is good. I have been through a single, and then double mastectomy, so I remember how awful seeing my flat chest was. It does get easier to accept with time, and now that I have had reconstruction with implants, I don't find them too bad at all. Have you received your "My Journey Kit" free from this site yet? You find a link for it if you hit the top panel for new Diagnosis. It will be posted to you and is full of wonderful information to help you to understand what is happening. Please feel free to come on here with any questions or concerns you may have. There is always someone who is able to help. Love Chris xx

I am so sorry to read your blog,and really marvel at how you can get through this.I couldn't look at myself in the mirror either,and I only had a single mastectomy and nothing else!Maxine,all I can say is,that if it helps at all,I am always here(as are lots of other ladies)to lend an ear if you need someone to talk to.I hope that your seroma clears up soon as you really don't need any more pain.Thinking of you.xoxoxo Robyn