Hi everyone- @TJC I hope you’re doing ok 🙂 and @GinGin you had the exact same number of lymph nodes as me!!
@kyles1 the possibilities and information can be overwhelming - I just want to encourage you with what the physio told me the day after my surgery - she gave me the stats re lymphoedema but then said they can get those stats down even lower with good physio (she gave me another very low statistic but I forgot it sorry). She was surprisingly casual about cording - I have it but it’s on the way out!
My advice is follow their advice to the letter apart from if you’re really too tired just do what you can on that day. They’ll probably also want you up and fairly active, as in taking little walks, but pamper yourself and rest around that. Everyone’s experience is different but it worked for me - I felt a little better each day and three weeks out my arm is nearly there.
Regarding the drains - not fun but ok - relaxation techniques, distraction, set yourself up comfy. It sounds cliche but be super kind to yourself, accept all help, watch movies or whatever you enjoy. You may want to get dry shampoo and just wash with a flannel for a while. If the hospital meds run out and you have pain you can always take yourself off to the GP. And if they give you strong meds you may be able to halve them as you might not need a whole dose - another thing you might ask. But I’m not qualified to advise about that of course so be careful with the meds but you don’t have to be in pain either - get medical advice. Movicol is great if you get constipated from the meds - flavour free mixed with water and juice.
As Gin said there should be a medical team/nurses team you can contact about any issues you encounter, or as Arpie said you may be assigned your own specialist nurse - there are ways of getting one if you’re not assigned one. In my case it was the breast centre nurses at my hospital- but I also went to my GP and their nurses (in the GP practice) on a Saturday rather than sitting around in emergency. Now I have a nurse contact for my ongoing treatment.
Sorry for writing so much, but lastly I found the cancer council brochures such as ‘Understanding Breast Cancer’ really helpful (better than googling!) The hospital gave me the relevant ones but you can also get online or ask for them. They gave booklets for different treatment and a nutrition one. They give you suggestions re questions to ask too @FionaM13
All the best to everyone 💕
