Good days, scary moments - chemo here I come

The first time around I didn't have chemo.I had clear lymph nodes(all 18 of them) and I had 6weeks of radiation. My cancer was early, not aggressive and eostrogen +ve, hercepton -ve. I was offered chemo but told I didn't HAVE to have it.So I didn't.I tried to take Tamoxifen but stopped after a few months as it didn't agree with me.Now that I'm older it's ok,apart from some hot flushes.

It took me about 4 weeks to recover from the mastectomy and I went back to work.I kept getting fluid build up under my scar that had to be drained every week for 5wks.My arm took a little longer to stretch up.You have a permanent numbness under your arm and across your chest.-you get used to it.Try and make contact with a breast care nurse if you haven't already done so.They are great and can organize a free post op berlei bra and soft breast form to wear after your op.You may just want to wear a singlet/cami and loose fit shirts for the first week or so.You can get fitted for a prosthsis around 6wks and that makes a big difference.I'm not going to sugar coat it.It's a hard operation to get over both physically,emotionally and sexually.You are barely over it and then you are onto the next treatment. But many of us have walked this path and survived and you will too.

                                                          Tonya xx