Well here I am after spending the night back in hospital. I went to my GP yesterday for a check up after my surgery and for my Doc to have a first look at the new boobs. She was very impressed with them as she'd never seen a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I was feeling quite well although obviously sore. The wounds are healing well. But my husband reminded me of the pain I'd been experiencing in my right calf muscle for the past two days. It was like my muscle was cramping but There wasn't any relief by stretching my muscle out like a cramp would have. It wasn't too bad though and in fact I'd forgotten it when at the Docs. When my husband mentioned it, my Doc said "okay straight to ultrasound for you". Fortunately, a new imaging clinic had opened up which was two doors down from my GP. So I got straight in there and had an ultrasound and back straight to my GP. The results showed I have a 7cm DVT blood clot in my calf and it needed immediate treatment. So after ringing my surgeon, I was told to head straight in to Emergency and was admitted last night. Fortunately I will only need a course of blood thinning injections daily for 3 months and I'll need to wear the compression stockings for two weeks, ugh! I'm going to be a pin cushion. I hate needles :( Of course it could have been worse so I'm resigned to get over my next speed hump and carrying on. Love to all my pink sisters. Janey xxx

Big hugs to Ian for mentioning the cramps in your leg - thank goodness he did, as women tend to overlook the "small" (!!) things and not fuss. This was not a small thing! You poor darling with 3 months of blood thinners, but it sure beats the alternative - which doesn't bear thinking about. So glad the clot was found and action taken so fast. You have a great team, Janey, at home and at the surgery. Take care of each other. Big hug. Michelle xx

Sending you big hugs and healing vibes. I am so pleased you had your husband with you, it just shows that even what we think are the small things need investigating. Take care lovely. Donna

Hi Janey, Thank goodness Ian was there and was doing the thinking. Sometimes our mind goes numb when we are in with these doctors. I always take John to ask the questions. When I had my ops with Dr Cooter he had me wear compression socks for 6 weeks after each op.It took a bit of getting used to but after a few days it was OK. Today I was in Adelaide and had my tatts done. They are covered up for 48 hours then I will have a good look at them and send you a photo. Now Janey, I know you love a good story. I was waiting to see the doctor and started chatting to a lady that had come for a second opinion with my PC. She had used the same breast surgeon as I had.She was nervous and didnt know what to expect so I asked her if she would like to see mine. So we went down to the ladies rest rooms and I flashed mine out. When she saw them she was thrilled and the stress went right out of her. She then showed me her scars and I told her how good they were and she felt so much happier. Its nice being able to help other ladies in the same situation. I will always wonder now what she chose to do. I hope you are recuperating well and starting to feel a bit brighter. Take it easy. I really enjoy hearing from you. Annie

It always seems to be 2 steps forward then 1 step back with bc recovery. That's a BIG blood clot-so glad you got it sorted out quickly.You would have been preoccupied with checking your boobs and not your legs.I think they'll be tiny needles,not like chemo cannulas.Gentle hug-Tonya xx

Another Speed Hump! | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

Michelle_R
Member
12 years ago
Just read your post, Janey, and will be thinking of you and sending love and strength. Hopefully Tonya is right and the clots will dissolve quickly with your Clexane injections (Ian is going to be an expert). Put your local taxi on fast dial in case you feel faint at any time. Glad your PS is checking up on you. Lots of love, sweetie - hang in there - the only way is up. Michelle xxxx
TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
You poor love-hard enough getting through that big surgery and now,complications.Not fair! Also not fair copping 2 needles a day.But as you say-we do what we have to do.Those clots will dissolve in no time.It's good you are on the ball and get yourself to hospital when you feel unwell.I hope that's the end of the "clot saga"for you and you can move forward with your recovery.Best wishes,Tonya xx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Well it looks like a bit more than just a speedhump unfortunately. I ended up in hospital Sunday having had shortness of breath and dizziness early that morning. After spending most of the day at St Vs and fainting in the triage waiting room, which got me fast tracked into the emergency centre itself, they finally informed me that my chest scan has shown some small blood clots in both lungs so I have officially got Pulminary Embolism (clots on the lungs). I was fortunately able to go home as the clots aren't large but the Doctor there told me to immediately seek advice from my Oncologist as to ongoing treatment. I was sent home from St Vs with instructions to have two Clexane needles a day, morning and night, until advised otherwise. Bugger! One was bad enough. Well we all do what we have to do don't we. I'm a bit nervous about the danger of having blood clots in my lungs. One of my Plastic Surgeons rang this morning to see how I was overnight and he told me that if I experience laboured breath at all to get to emergency straight away. Am I living with a ticking time bomb now? Thought I'd got rid of that with the cancer. Sigh!

Love Janey xxx
mum2jj
Member
12 years ago
My original plastic surgeon who cancelled my surgery due to my blood counts etc has been in touch with my oncologist who he referred me to and they are both happy with my blood results and so he has scheduled me for surgery on Dec 4th :). As it's such a big op being a double he is flying a plastic surgeon up from Brisbane to assist him. So I shall have not one but two exceptionally good plastic surgeons doing my op :). Hope you are recovering well and getting rid of the pesky clot :) Hugs Paula x
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Have you found a plastic surgeon yet? An exceptionally good one too I hope. Love Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Yeah it is a big clot but my Surgeon told me if I had to get one the lower leg is a good place. Not as dangerous as the upper leg. Although it's still not good to have it. The team didn't seem overly concerned so I'm not either. I'm keeping my 'cup half full' attitude and know I'm much better off than others. We met an elderly couple at the Chemo Unit yesterday when I was having my Herceptin infusion and the husband has prostate cancer. They'd been coming to Peter Mac for 11 years. Imagine that! They were so nice and so positive the darlings. It only goes to show you that you should "always look on the bright side of life". Love from Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Hi Annie, It's great that you are at the stage of tattooing. Can't wait myself. Ian says he's going to call mine 'Tit-tats'. He keeps me laughing. You're right. I love a good story and yours was a classic! It's amazing the connection we have on this journey. I'm glad you were able to help the lady in your surgery. It's nice to make people feel better isn't it. I was sitting in the dinner area in hospital yesterday morning and got to chatting with a lady who had breast cancer 12 months ago. She had developed a neurological disorder from her radiation therapy and was currently being treated for that. We had a lovely chat and then she had to leave to catch a train. She gave me a huge hug and off she went. Connections with total strangers hey! Can't wait to see your tit-tats Annie. Love Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
I'm not going to take any chances with the little things. No longer going to be thinking or it's only a small thing and not worth a fuss. I'll mention everything to my Doctors. As the saying goes "the squeaky gate gets oiled". Love ya Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Yep I have had wonderful support from everyone. As there's no way I can give myself the morning injections, Ian now has to give them to me and he feels more anxious about that than me. Had the first one this morning and it stung but no more than when the nurses were giving it to me. So that's done. Love to you Janey xxx
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Yes it was good to have him there. Although he now keeps telling me that too! All the time LOL