Hi all,I am so pleased to be provided with information for this online support community! I was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 days ago and it has all been very fast moving and overwhelming since then. I went to see my GP about a lump that my husband had found, and having been diagnosed with fibrocystic disease of the breasts previously, I was just expecting the same results as previous investigations. This being a cyst. My mammogram did not show any obvious tumour, in fact was told that it ‘just looked like another cyst’, so that after I had the ultrasound she would drain it for me. I knew as soon as the sonographer started, something was not right. It revealed I had a suspicious lump that I then had biopsies done that day. I was told she had concerns it was cancerous, and it was. I was blown away. I am 49 and had gone through this with my sister 9 years ago when she was 41. I was encouraged to have an MRI breast as the imaging was not great for either the mammogram or ultrasound. It showed the tumour to be bigger than originally thought with another satellite tumour 1cm from this. I was so pleased to have had this done as the surgeon said it was helpful in planning my surgery. Yesterday I had a wide excision, sentinel node biopsy and R breast mastopexy. That was the longest day of my life! I am so pleased that part is over. Results hopefully tomorrow and then a plan from there. The waiting is the hardest part so far for me. I will have to go back to work financially. I am just wondering at others experience at returning to work after surgery and also returning to driving?Thanks in anticipation,Michelle x

Welcome! I can't answer your question as I ended up with 2 surgeries and other treatments, keeping me off for 10 months. Do be aware that their is often an emotional and mental recovery time as well. For some, going back to work is essential for this, but please go as easy on yourself as you are able

Hi @Mjheke, like you, I'm a nurse, also a midwife. I had neoadjuvant chemo, WLE and axillary clearance then radiotherapy. Unfortunately, I developed lymphoedema within about 6 weeks of surgery, which effectively ended my clinical career. I've been lucky to find a couple of non clinical roles since then, that I've been very happy in. Perhaps, when you feel up to it, talk to your workplace about what sort of non clinical roles may be available, and what you may need to do to be considered. I suggest this, because I couldn't afford the loss of income that walking completely away from nursing would have meant. You will have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on. Your workplace may also be willing to look at something to help you get back to work that isn't quite as physical as bedside nursingTake care

One tip with the cording issue. You've probably been told to do 10 of the exercises - it may be better to do 3-5 of them but hold each for longer so that you're getting a sustained stretch. That's what my physio told me but you probably should check that's okay before you take my word for it.Firm massage in the shower works really well as the warm water helps. I've also found gentle kaying and SUPing is good as the paddling motion gets your arm working.

Hi Michelle - gosh - it is all such a roller coaster of emotions & pain .... I was like you, expecting mine to be just a cyst (as had been diagnosed a few times over the last 40 years) but not so this time. All the best for your results xxx I hope you have lots of family & friends giving you emotional & physical assistance at this time. Make sure you take the pain meds at the specified times for a while yet - you don't want to pain to kick in 100% or it may take longer to control! Re Driving .... yep 'as you feel up to it' - but beware of any bumps in the road ..... the breast will remain 'tender' for some time - and doesn't like bouncing over bumpy roads! I learned quickly where all ours are & would hold my breast to give it support as I went over them!Re going back to work - do you have any sick leave or holidays that you can 'call in' for your recovery period? Make sure you are fit enough, before coming back to full-time. If you are having radiation - that usually entails daily visits Mon-Fri for 4 weeks or longer. Are you close to the facility that you are likely to be attending? Many attend whilst working, as it is often just an hour out of your day - tho it can also be fatiguing, particularly after it is finished. Most 'sail thru it' - but there is an emotional side too that I had not expected.Out of interest - Have you you been advised whether you have dense breast tissue or not? It sounds like you might. Dense Breast tissue shows up as 'white' on Mammograms (as does cancer tumours) which is why they are difficult to pick up with standard scans. There has been much discussion on our ''right to be advised'' when having mammograms, as a delay in diagnosis can lead to bigger tumours being found 'later'! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18407/breast-density-we-want-your-input/p1take care, all the best xx

Thanks @kmakm, I am new to the forum scene so am still working out how to navigate my way around!I am now post surgery as of Monday. It has all happened very quickly and I have so far found it easier to take one day at a time, some days ok, some days very hard. I live in Brisbane and we are new to the area we live in, so don’t have a lot of local support (I am originally from New Zealand). It it will be amazing to have some support during this time and advice as I need it. M x

Awaiting results after surgery - Mjheke

Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @Sister
I am booked to see my physio today, I had an awful day yesterday. I returned to work, a reluctant one at that. Cancer is expensive, and I unfortunately do not have income protection (only a measly one through my super which has a 90 day stand down period), so an early return to work is required. Hard to manage when I was still having a Nanna nap up until Sunday! I have been exhausted, both emotionally and physically-Pain with the seroma is exhausting in itself. I managed the full days work, but by the end of it I was SO uncomfortable-my whole R side of my body and back, I think just trying to compensate for the discomfort. I called the breast care nurse and she got me in to see the surgeon who recommended another drain of the seroma-at this stage my breast was about twice the size of the other. I had 220mls drained off this time-almost 100mls more than the first time-no wonder I was in pain!

Thanks @Zoffiel , for your insight into seromas and your experience of same. I too think there must be a correlation between Seroma and cording as it has certainly limited my movement in the affected arm-I don't have as much range of movement as I am restricted by the pulling in my breast/chest. See above-had it drained yesterday and fingers crossed that if it returns, it is in much smaller quantities!!
:
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @Sister
I am booked to see my physio today, I had an awful day yesterday. I returned to work, a reluctant one at that. Cancer is expensive, and I unfortunately do not have income protection (only a measly one through my super which has a 90 day stand down period), so an early return to work is required. Hard to manage when I was still having a Nanna nap up until Sunday! I have been exhausted, both emotionally and physically-Pain with the seroma is exhausting in itself. I managed the full days work, but by the end of it I was SO uncomfortable-my whole R side of my body and back, I think just trying to compensate for the discomfort. I called the breast care nurse and she got me in to see the surgeon who recommended another drain of the seroma-at this stage my breast was about twice the size of the other. I had 220mls drained off this time-almost 100mls more than the first time-no wonder I was in pain!

Thanks @Zoffiel , for your insight into seromas and your experience of same. I too think there must be a correlation between Seroma and cording as it has certainly limited my movement in the affected arm-I don't have as much range of movement as I am restricted by the pulling in my breast/chest. See above-had it drained yesterday and fingers crossed that if it does return, it will be in much smaller quantities!

M x
Zoffiel
Member
7 years ago
Hi @mjheke
Seroma are a bloody nuisance and can be very persistent. Some surgeons advocate draining them, some don't, some say exercise helps, some say stretching makes them worse. Most seem to write them off as 'one of those things' which is really frustrating.
I've had far too much experience with them and, from personal experience, I think you are wise to keep an eye on the cording. Both my breast care nurses and lymphedema physio have told me there appears to be a correlation between excessive leaking and cording, but that is just anecdotal from what I can find out. Mind you, they see enough patients that I respect their opinion and I've had cording following all my surgery.
The whole issue seems to be a bit underplayed, I have never been given any information about either complication before surgery and have ended up with a seroma every single time. Bastard things. I've had them drained, not drained, massaged (yuk) vacuumed (more yuk) lasered, we've tried antihistamines ....nothing seems to make any difference. I had a whoppper in my axilla that delayed my last chemo for 6 weeks, the mongrel thing was producing 450 ml every couple of days. I'm an Olympic grade irritable leaker...It eventually started to septate then dried up in a couple of days. Hopefully yours will resolve quickly. Mxx
Sister
Member
7 years ago
One tip with the cording issue. You've probably been told to do 10 of the exercises - it may be better to do 3-5 of them but hold each for longer so that you're getting a sustained stretch. That's what my physio told me but you probably should check that's okay before you take my word for it.

Firm massage in the shower works really well as the warm water helps. I've also found gentle kaying and SUPing is good as the paddling motion gets your arm working.
Eastmum
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Mjheke - welcome to the forum and wishing you all the very best going forward.
I had a double mastectomy into air expanders and was back at work 2 weeks later and driving. I was also very fortunate to be able to continue working throughout chemo and now, during radiation therapy. My work isn't physical however, it's very sedentary and most of it is on the computer so even though I have been going in to the office more often than not, I can work from practically anywhere. In fact, I was generally typing on my laptop with one hand, while having I/V chemo in the other arm hahahaha
The most important thing to remember is that it's such an individual journey. This is what was right for me, and you need to do what's right for you. Don't feel that you ever have to be more than you are - no matter how much you can do and at which stage, you are AMAZING just for getting through all of this in your own unique way. My story is just one experience on a very wide bell curve of how people manage with their cancer and I simply did what I was capable of doing at the time - nothing more, nothing less. Listen to your body and whatever you can cope with is enough. xxxxxx
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
HI @Mjheke,

I remember the bumps and boob clasping! We have a very rough farm ute and bouncing around in that was not particularly comfortable.. I took to using the soft bra tops and a nice big wide crepe bandage over to strap em down. LOL. Took away the bounce ouch.

I had WLE and full Aux clearance. Huge seroma and did have a bit of chording at the beginning. A couple of sessions with Physio sorted the chording pretty quickly once she showed me where and how to massage it. I found that doing way more of the arm above the head exercises (read that as hand painted a tongue and groove timber ceiling) than was recommended got my arm back in action pretty quick and definitely helped with the swelling and drainage. The exercises do hurt at the start definitely, used to make me feel quite nauseas for the first week or two. I still have to remember to do the full stretch above the head ones or it will tighten up a bit. I still have a bit of up and down swelling if I have done a lot of work through the day especially if it's hot.

Getting back to work actually helped me I think. More "normal" I guess. . I did have more of a break than you though and I only worked 2 days a week through chemo and rads.

As you say, just see how you go.

Look after you. xoxoxox
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
@Sister
I didn’t know there was one. I am going to make an appointment with My GP Monday to see what I can do. I also am hoping to see a psychologist who specialises in BC. I have been on medication for depression anyway for the past 6 months and had been feeling really good up until this diagnosis and the post surgery effects. I miss my old life!
Thanks,
M x
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Are you seeing an oncology physio for the movement and potential cording. I see one who does laser therapy as well as physical manipulation and it has worked wonders. It is pricey though but I'm currently on a health care plan for it.
Mjheke
Member
7 years ago
Hi @lrb_03,
thank you for that. Unfortunately my current workplace does not have any non-clinical roles. I work in occupational health. I do pre-employment Medicals mainly. I do medical, measurements and functional capacity evaluation. It is physical in that I lift weights and show people how to do full ROM. At the moment I cannot get my arm higher than about 60% abducting and limited in my extensions, flexion and interior rotation is not possible. I will have to use my words and just one arm to explain what I want to see. But the lifting, pulling and pushing is sometimes unavoidable. I’m not sure what i’ll do.
I am returning to work Monday, financially I have no choice. Do I feel ready? Not at all. I have a large seroma that has formed in the breast/axilla and gets extremely painful especially towards the end of the day. Particularly when I do too much. Because of this discomfort, I have not yet driven as when I am in the car, I have one hand supporting my breast over the bumps and I’m not sure how I would go if I had to manoeuvre quickly or stop suddenly due to my pain and limited ROM. I do my physiotherapy exercises daily but the swelling of the breast pulls and stops me from going further. I am a bit worried about chording. I am going to drive today just to see how I go. Basically the same with work, I’ll have to see how I go.
Emotionally I don’t feel ready either....
lrb_03
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Mjheke, like you, I'm a nurse, also a midwife. I had neoadjuvant chemo, WLE and axillary clearance then radiotherapy. Unfortunately, I developed lymphoedema within about 6 weeks of surgery, which effectively ended my clinical career. I've been lucky to find a couple of non clinical roles since then, that I've been very happy in. Perhaps, when you feel up to it, talk to your workplace about what sort of non clinical roles may be available, and what you may need to do to be considered. I suggest this, because I couldn't afford the loss of income that walking completely away from nursing would have meant. You will have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on. Your workplace may also be willing to look at something to help you get back to work that isn't quite as physical as bedside nursing
Take care