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Hi, @FionaM13 do you mind me asking how you went after your surgery with pain, healing ect..I see my surgeon tomorrow to get mine underway and I'm freaking out with nerves..Like you I feel like my world has been turned upside down ...Did you have to get any lymph nodes taken as well?
I thank goodness for this site and people's insites on there journey..
I wish you all the healing ,you've got this ❤️❤️

Hello I had the lump and one lymph node removed on Friday, it’s not too painful, the stitches are making it hard to move around and do my normal day to day stuff. It happened very quick, I found out last Monday and had my surgery on Friday, at Mulgrave private with Dr Chilton Chong, he was fantastic. The surgery itself really wasn’t long, I was home that night. Felt groggy for a day or so. I’m just taking each day as it comes. It’s very overwhelming but I’m feeling not too bad from the surgery not sure what radiation will be like that’s my next hurdle. I haven’t seen the incision yet it’s still covered I don’t think it’s a big one. 

Hello @FionaM13 and @kyles1 - I had a double mastectomy 3 weeks ago and 13 lymph nodes removed on my right side. Just letting you know for encouragement because I’m doing fine and my two scars are amazingly neat (right arm still recuperating and chest feels a little funny but those things are to be expected). I am so grateful to my surgeon - I think the techniques are getting better and better. There’s emotional stuff to deal with but survival and health trump that for me. 
I’m 54 and in fairly good health, I’ve been determined to follow all the instructions for physio etc carefully. I did need the post surgery meds a bit and I slept in am armchair for several days, but I’m back in bed now, just have lots of extra pillows for support.

Other women I know who did radiotherapy told me to be careful to moisturise well - with whatever the radiotherapy oncologist tells you to use. I haven’t done it yet - mine will be after chemotherapy.

I don’t know if that’s any help but very happy to answer any questions about my surgery recovery if you think anything might be relevant ti you.

Also Fiona - was your lymph node removed as the test (sentinel node biopsy) or found to have cancer? I had the biopsy on my left lymph nodes but thankfully that didn’t take long to recover from. I hope that makes sense. I hope you are feeling better each day that goes by 😊 and that kyles gets good news and advice from her surgeon. 

Thank you for responding and sharing, it’s such a big help hearing from others. My understanding was they removed the one lymph node to check if it is in my lymph nodes iI will find out more Friday. I definitely need to ask more questions.

Sounds like it might have been just the sentinel node biopsy Fiona - though I could be wrong -?and don’t worry, this is all new to most of us!

Hopefully they did an imprint/frozen section during your surgery - if they do it while you’re still asleep then they can decide whether or not the lymph nodes seem to be cancerous and then remove them in the same operation. But I don’t know if this was the case in your surgery or not. I’m hoping it’s a good sign for you that maybe they didn’t need to take any more. All the best for Friday.

I definitely need to get better at asking questions I definitely will Friday.
wishing you a speedy recovery :) 

I am on the same journey as you at exactly the same time. I had my surgery on Thursday last week, and hopefully get results tomorrow. I’m also staying positive and strong  :)
this is my first chat too  :D

@HelenlovesSnoopy ,Hi Helen thankyou for sharing your journey and responding to @FionaM13 and myself ..I was curious about the lymph nodes being removed,they have found two lumps in my left breast and also lymph nodes have cancer .For what I've read so far the lymph nodes removal is very painful recovery? I've tried to stay away from Dr google I guess I will no more once I see my surgeon today ..Thankyou 🩷

I stopped googling because it was all inaccurate information, today is day 4 for me I only had one removed I’m feeling ok I’m moving around a lot better and really not  in much pain at all. 

Terrific that you've found us  @FionaM13, welcome to the club that no-one ever thought they'd have to join! xx ... It sounds like you are recovering well xx.  That's Good that you've stopped googling ... there is just so much OLD & incorrect info out there, that is not relevant to your own situation & diagnosis .... your medical team will keep you informed on everything.  Have you been assigned a BC Nurse yet (from your surgeon or McGrath?)  They will be another source of info too.   If you start to feel anxious or distressed at all, you can also ring our helpline Mon-Fri on 1800 500 258 for a reassuring chat xx
All the best for your results xx

Also feel free to jump onto this thread, that has a heap of info on the forum (even funny bits, to give you a giggle, as we need a laugh now & then!)  You can show off your gardens, your pets, your art & craft .... 
There are also some 'tick sheets' down the bottom, that you can monitor your own mental health during your treatment .... sometimes it is easier to give your team a copy of the tick sheet, than to talk about it ...
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

@TJC - welcome to the forum too!!   Feel free to start a new thread & fill us in with your story so far xx. If you add your 'general' location to your Profile, we may have members nearby who can fill you in on resources that are available to you xx. And if you check out the link above xx.
All the best for your results, too.